Latest news with #KauveryGroupofHospitals
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
City hospital's diabetes helpline gets more than 25,000 calls in 4 years
Kauvery Hospital's 24x7 diabetes helpline has completed a milestone of 1500 days of service since its launch in April 2021. The helpline is handled by a team of diabetes educators, physicians, dietitians, and data-monitoring experts. The helpline assists patients during hypoglycemic episodes, which happen when there is a sudden drop in blood sugar levels leading to fainting, confusion, or coma if not treated quickly, and interprets real-time Continuous Glucose Monitoring System data. Health Minister Ma. Subramanian, who attended the event on Thursday, said the free helpline service, which has received over 25,000 calls so far, is praise-worthy. Baraneedharan K., Senior Consultant Diabetologist, Kauvery Hospital, said during the 2021 COVID-19 wave, many people with diabetes could not visit hospitals, as the healthcare system was focused on managing the pandemic. To stay connected with patients during this time, Kauvery Hospital launched a free helpline, allowing people to receive free-of-cost medical guidance over the phone. Misinformation, especially through platforms like WhatsApp, can spread quickly. That is why providing access to accurate, expert advice is crucial,' Dr. Baraneedharan said. Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Kauvery Group of Hospitals, said the initiative did not end with the COVID crisis; the helpline was extended beyond the pandemic as diabetes was a complex, multi-system condition requiring 24/7 attention. According to the doctors, in one case, a woman with hypoglycemia was quickly stabilised through phone guidance to take fast-acting glucose, avoiding an emergency room visit. In another, a pregnant woman with high-risk gestational diabetes, initially advised to terminate her pregnancy, was supported through continuous glucose monitoring and expert guidance via the helpline, leading to the safe delivery of healthy twins. In 2024, the helpline managed 12,541 calls, a rise from 1,223 calls in 2021. Of these, 0.89% were emergencies, predominantly hypoglycemia, which were managed through immediate telephonic support and follow-ups.
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Heat and medication: A bitter pill
Maria Aruna notes this summer has been extremely cruel to her 87-year-old father, disrupting his routine. His typical day involves being picked up from his home in Mylapore around 9 a.m. in a van, which makes multiple stops to board other seniors en route to Dignity Foundation's Dementia Day Care Centre in Anna Nagar. The summer heat is adding to the discomfort of a long commute and taking a toll on this octogenarian with dementia. 'Dad had loose stools, so I did not send him to the day care centre for a week; I fear the heat and the travel would drain him further,' says the school teacher, who also had a tele-consultation with the doctor. High temperature can impact seniors (or anybody else) in another critical manner. Doctors point out high temperature and humidity can affect the efficacy of medicines. Venkatraman Karthikeayan, senior consultant neurologist with Kauvery Group of Hospitals, feels that those with multiple sclerosis are the most affected by summer heat. 'When I was running my clinic in Liverpool, the Brits would leave for Scandinavian countries during summer. They could not tolerate the heat. There would be 'reproduction' of all their symptoms. It is not a relapse but we term it as pseudo-relapse because of the heat around. The affected neurons will not be able to compensate when the heat is high. This is particularly a problem for those diagonised with multiple sclerosis living in cities where humidity is high,' says Dr. Karthikeayan. As heat-related fatigue can be hard on seniors, particularly those with such ailments, Dr. Karthikeayan has a word of advice for them: he asks them to 'reserve their energy for the most important and productive work'. For example, watching television does not equate with resting. 'People think brain becomes tired only while working but brain becomes super tired more with cognitive work than physical work. So I would ask them to cut down on such activities and take a quick nap,' he says. Medicines and dehydration Sridhar Vaitheswaran, consultant psychiatrist, Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), says some medication can amplify the risk related to heat and summer — dehydration. 'While some medicines can make our body deal with dehydration, there are some others that can exacerbate the condition. There are a few medicines that can increase sweating as well. Some of the medicines used for high blood pressure and heart disease would also make the body lose water. It is important that the patient and the caregiver are aware of these problems and the medicines that can cause them; the physician needs to explain these things to them,' says Dr. Vaitheswaran. 'The dosage of some of the medicines might have to be changed depending on the timing of the dose and how it causes those problems. Some medicines such as Lithium, which we prescribe for bi-polar disorder, can sometimes act up so we have to be careful,' says Dr. Vaitheswaran. Doctors says it is important to follow the instructions mentioned on the back of the tablet box or strip while storing medicines. Drugs should not be exposed to direct sunlight or left in cars for hours together anytime — more so, during summer. 'Certain tablets when kept under direct sunlight will lose its efficacy,' adds Dr. Vaitheswaran. Changes in appearance, smell or texture could mean the medication has been damaged.
