Latest news with #RubyHallClinic
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Ophthalmologist explains why blurred vision is rising across India post-pandemic: ‘It's not just cataracts anymore'
Blurred vision is becoming an increasingly common complaint across India, even among young adults. From excessive screen time to poor sleep and rising pollution levels, multiple factors may be straining our eyes more than ever. Rising temperatures in India are worsening eye health, resulting in conditions like blurred vision and eye strain.(Unsplash) "Post-pandemic, we've seen an alarming increase in patients, both young and old, complaining of blurred vision, eye strain, and frequent headaches. Walk-ins have nearly doubled, and the most common complaint is, 'I just can't see clearly anymore,' says Dr. Suni Abraham, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Ruby Hall Clinic, Wanowarie. (Also read: Doctor shares 6 eye care tips to protect your vision during latest COVID-19 surge: 'Avoid unnecessary touching' ) Speaking to HT Lifestyle, Dr Abraham sheds light on the growing trend, explaining the key factors behind the spike and what you can do to safeguard your vision before it's too late. What's fueling India's rising vision problems Across the ophthalmology community, a worrying pattern is emerging, one that's consistent in both metropolitan cities and smaller towns. During society meetings and CMEs (Continuing Medical Education), three major trends stood out, explaining the alarming rise in blurred vision cases across India. 1. Post-pandemic screen syndrome The digital shift that began during the COVID-19 pandemic never really reversed. Children now attend hybrid schools or complete homework online, even when attending in-person classes. Adults often log more than 10 hours of screen time daily for work. Seniors spend hours online reading, chatting, or playing games. The result? A spike in the following screen-induced conditions: Digital eye strain Accommodative spasm Dry eye disease Staring at screens for too long puts a lot of pressure on your eyes, causing strain, dryness and fatigue. (Shutterstock) 2. Rising uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension India's ongoing struggle with lifestyle diseases is taking a toll on eye health. Fluctuating sugar levels cause transient refractive shifts, making vision unpredictable. Hypertensive Retinopathy is becoming more common due to unmanaged blood pressure. Many patients present early signs of Diabetic Maculopathy, such as macular oedema. 3. Self-medication and OTC drug misuse The market is flooded with: "Cooling" eye drops Herbal concoctions Over-the-counter steroid eye drops These are widely used without prescription. As a result, clinics are seeing patients with: Chronic redness Raised intraocular pressure Long-term side effects from inappropriate or excessive use of steroids and herbal products Eye drops are helpful, but know the correct usage of them.(Shutterstock) 4. Environmental triggers and heatwave stress India's rising temperatures and prolonged heatwaves are also affecting eye health. Common conditions include: Photokeratitis (sun-induced corneal inflammation) Allergic Conjunctivitis Dry Eye Syndrome Symptoms: Watering, redness, light sensitivity, and blurred vision, often after extended sun exposure. "The sun doesn't just scorch the skin, it stresses the eyes too," warns Dr. Abraham. Beyond cataracts: The new vision crisis "Today, we're seeing more cases of refractive errors, dry eye syndromes, retinopathies, allergies, and even glaucoma, far more than we did in the pre-COVID era," says Dr. Abraham. India's vision crisis is no longer limited to cataracts and refractive errors. It's now a complex issue driven by digital lifestyles, chronic disease, environmental stress, and misinformation. Blurred vision is no longer just a symptom, it's a societal signal. If we don't intervene now, the future will only grow hazier for everyone. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
India Today
23-06-2025
- Health
- India Today
Salman Khan is battling brain aneurysm, trigeminal neuralgia: What are they?
Actor Salman Khan recently revealed that he is battling not one, but multiple serious medical conditions, on The Great Indian Kapil Khan had earlier revealed about battling trigeminal neuralgia, for which he underwent surgery in 2011 for relief. Now, the actor now revealed he's facing two more neurological issues: a brain aneurysm, and an arteriovenous malformation (AVM).Here's what each of these health conditions means, and why they should not be What is a brain aneurysm?A brain aneurysm is a bulge in a weak spot of a blood vessel in the brain. Think of it like a balloon swelling with air, except it's blood. Over time, this bulge can grow and, if it bursts, can cause bleeding in the brain. This life-threatening situation known as a hemorrhagic aneurysms are often linked to high blood pressure, stress, smoking, and certain genetic they don't show any symptoms and are found only during scans. But if they rupture, they can cause sudden, severe headaches, blurred vision, or even is an AV malformation (AVM)?An arteriovenous malformation is a rare tangle of abnormal blood vessels in the brain. Normally, blood flows from arteries to veins in a steady manner. But in AVM, the blood rushes directly from arteries to veins, skipping the tiny capillaries in between. This disrupts normal circulation and puts pressure on the are usually present from birth but may not show symptoms for years. When they do, they can cause headaches, ringing in the ears, seizures, weakness, or speech problems. In severe cases, they may lead to strokes or brain is trigeminal neuralgia?This condition is often called the "suicide disease" because of how painful it can neuralgia causes sharp, electric shock-like pain in the face. The pain comes suddenly and can be triggered by simple activities like eating, brushing teeth, or even happens when a blood vessel puts pressure on the trigeminal nerve, which controls facial sensation. It is a chronic disorder and the pain can be difficult to manage, often needing medication or even do these conditions say about stress and health?While Salman Khan didn't blame his health issues on his lifestyle, experts say stress and irregular routines can make these conditions worse. Dr Samrat Shah, consultant physician at Ruby Hall Clinic Pune, explains that poor sleep, stress, and erratic schedules disturb the body's natural time, this can increase blood pressure and weaken blood vessels, making the brain more vulnerable to aneurysms or AVMs."Chronic stress increases cortisol and blood pressure, which can damage blood vessels over time and raise the risk of serious conditions like heart disease or even brain aneurysms,' Dr Shah tells Salman's health matters to all of usDespite dealing with painful and serious conditions, Salman Khan continues to work, even performing action scenes. His story is a reminder that health problems can affect anyone, no matter how strong or fit they look on the long hours, skipping rest, and neglecting regular health check-ups can silently harm the can you protect your health?Here are a few simple things anyone can do:Get enough sleep: Aim for 7–8 hours stress: Try breathing exercises, yoga, or healthy: Avoid too much junk food or skipping active: A 30-minute walk daily can do to your body: If something feels wrong, see a doctor Watch
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
International Yoga Day 2025: Psychiatrist shares how to manage anxiety and depression with yoga, trainer suggests tips
International Yoga Day 2025: According to Harvard Medical School, yoga can increase production of endorphins, reduce stress and elevate GABA (a chemical associated with decreased anxiety). What is it about yoga that makes it such a great tool for anxiety? And is it possible to optimise your yoga session to not just reduce anxiety, but also manage depression? Also read | Yoga Day 2025: Shavasana to baddha konasana, 8 best asanas for PCOS International Yoga Day 2025: Yoga has a huge impact on mental health. Here is how to make the most of yoga for mental health. (Freepik) To get some clarity, we asked Dr Sakshe Jain, consultant psychiatrist at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune and Prerna Khetrapal, Pilates and yoga trainer, and founder, Kaizen. Whether you're a beginner looking to reap some of these mental health benefits or an experienced yogi trying to find peace, these tips can help you feel your best. Dr Jain said 'yoga has emerged as a powerful and holistic tool in managing anxiety and depression', offering both physical and emotional relief through a blend of mindful movement, breath control, and meditation. She said: 'Unlike conventional treatments that often focus solely on symptom suppression, yoga addresses the root of mental unrest by calming the nervous system, improving self-awareness, and fostering inner balance.' According to Dr Jain, regular yoga practice also boosts serotonin and endorphin levels, which are natural mood enhancers, making it especially beneficial for those struggling with fatigue and low motivation associated with depression. Moreover, the meditative aspect of yoga cultivates mindfulness, helping individuals break free from cycles of overthinking and emotional overwhelm, Dr Jain said. "Research supports these benefits, with studies showing improvements in sleep quality, reduced cortisol levels, and decreased symptoms of anxiety and depression among consistent practitioners," she said and added that while yoga is not a replacement for medical or psychological treatment in severe cases, 'it serves as a valuable complementary therapy that enhances emotional resilience and promotes long-term mental well-being'. 'In a fast-paced world marked by constant stress, yoga offers a safe and sustainable path to mental clarity and inner peace,' Dr Jain said. The meditative aspect of yoga cultivates mindfulness, helping individuals break free from cycles of overthinking and emotional overwhelm, Dr Jain said. (Freepik) How to use yoga to calm anxiety? She added that practices like pranayama (breathwork) help regulate the breath, reducing stress hormone levels and activating the parasympathetic nervous system to induce a state of relaxation. Dr Jain said: 'Gentle asanas such as Child's Pose, Cobra Pose, and Legs-Up-the-Wall have a grounding effect, easing physical tension while uplifting mood.' Prerna further said, 'As someone who has dedicated their life to holistic wellness, I've seen firsthand how yoga can be a transformative tool in managing anxiety and depression. Yoga isn't just about movement — it's about coming home to yourself. Through breathwork (pranayama), mindful movement, and meditation, yoga helps regulate the nervous system, reduce cortisol levels, and improve emotional resilience.' The more yoga you do, the more of a long-term improvement you'll see, as Prerna said 'consistent practice fosters greater self-awareness, emotional balance, and a deeper sense of peace'. She explained, 'In my work, I incorporate practices like Flow Yoga and Shirodhara Yoga to help individuals reconnect with their inner stillness and create space for healing. The beauty of yoga lies in its ability to gently guide you out of a reactive mind and into the present moment, where anxiety cannot thrive. Over time, this consistent practice fosters greater self-awareness, emotional balance, and a deeper sense of peace. Yoga doesn't offer a quick fix — but it provides the tools to reclaim your mental and emotional wellbeing with grace and intention.' Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Hindustan Times
05-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
City hospitals seek urgent meeting with PMC over ₹25 crore pending dues
Association of Hospitals (AOH), Pune, has decided to raise the issue of long delays in receiving payments for treating patients under the Urban Poor Health Scheme (UPHS) and Contributory Health Scheme (CHS) with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). The association has written to the additional municipal commissioner on Tuesday requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the pending dues issue. One of the key demands is the revision of package rates for various medical procedures under the civic schemes. The body demands that the nursing home charges should not be revised as per the Maharashtra Nursing Homes Registration (Amendment) Rules 2021, representatives of the association said. The AOH is an association of big hospitals in the city, including Ruby Hall Clinic, KEM, Noble Hospital, Jehangir Hospital, Poona Hospital, KEM Hospital and Inlaks and Budhrani Hospital. The civic body has 140 hospitals empanelled under the scheme, and owes dues amounting to ₹25 crores, they said. Dr HK Sale, executive director, Noble Hospital and chairman of AOH, Pune, said, 'The rates at which the procedures are conducted under the PMC-run health schemes are old. We want the civic body to revise the rates, so that hospitals on the panel don't suffer losses. The hospitals have to pay vendors on monthly basis, and the mounting unpaid bills have placed it under immense financial pressure.' Manjusha Kulkarni, legal advisor, Ruby Hall Clinic and secretary of the association, said, 'There has been a rate revision in the nursing home charges as per the Maharashtra Nursing Homes Registration (Amendment) Rules 2021. We don't want PMC to increase the charges. Besides, the civic body should reconsider biomedical waste charges, which are exorbitant.' Dr. Sanjeev Wavare, assistant health officer, PMC, stated that approximately ₹20 crore in dues are yet to be cleared by PMC. 'The delay occurs due to time required for scrutiny of bills. While the payment process is ongoing, some hospitals receive their payments while bills from other hospitals continue to accumulate. The rates for empanelled hospitals are based on the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) rates, but they are outdated,' he said.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
What is Hurried Child Syndrome and what to do about it
What is Hurried Child Syndrome ? "Hurried Child Syndrome," a term coined by psychologist David Elkind, describes a collection of stress-related behaviors that occur when children are expected to perform well beyond their mental, social, or emotional capacity. These days, with so many children in school, some parents end up scheduling too much for their kids, pressuring them to work very hard and expecting them to act more like adults. The pressure on children created by today's society and a race to do better in life keeps them from engaging in free play, resting, and developing naturally. According to Dr. Pankaj Borade, a consultant psychiatrist, Ruby Hall Clinic, 'These consequences can be major, including physical problems such as headaches and sleeping less, as well as mental difficulties such as anxiety and depression, a shorter attention span, and, worse, thoughts of suicide. Often such children have difficulties keeping their moods under control and connecting with people around them and can get completely exhausted by multiple responsibilities. ' Balance their lives As a way to overcome this, parents need to care more about their child's health and happiness than only about their success. It's important to plan your day so that your child has time to play, rest, and be with the family. Keep your expectations realistic It is better for parents to value the effort and advancement their child is making, not just their achievements, and to keep goals realistic. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Create flexible atmosphere Creating a flexible learning environment that fits your child's needs is very helpful. It is most important to create an atmosphere where children are cherished for who they are, regardless of what they attain. Let's make sure we keep childhood from being defined solely as a competition to see who finishes first. Growth happens best when children are free to play, explore, and enjoy their childhood, not when faced with many expectations. What UK Universities Are Really Looking For in 2025 | It's Not Just Grades One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
