Medical Tourism

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Executive Health

When I underwent heart surgery some months ago at Bangalore’s Fortis Hospital at Bannerghatta Road, I found that the chap in the  private room next to mine was from the US. Walking down the corridor a few days later on my way to recovery, I bumped into a person from Kuwait and another from Nigeria. These were perhaps a small sample of the many thousands who come to India every year for healthcare, particularly surgical procedures which would cost them, if you will pardon the poor pun, a hand and a foot in their countries. In addition of course to the competence of the doctors and nursing staff here in India.

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Swine Flu & You

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Executive Health, swine flu

The world is beset with swine flu! It has hit India and has the potential to disrupt organisations and the economy- more by the panic it creates rather than by the numbers who might actually succumb to it- however morbid that might sound.

Reports just out indicate that in the US about 0.6 % of those afflicted by swine flu have died with the corresponding figure for Europe being 0.1 %.

Just about anyone can get swine flu especially in large cities where the incidence seems to be much higher. It spreads largely by people to people contact.

Mahatma Gandhi Would Have Approved

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A Step A Day, Executive Health, Mahatma Gandhi, smoking

Today we celebrate Mahatama Gandhi’s Birth Anniversary. The Father of the Nation was born on October 2, 1869. All through his life he was known for his frugal lifestyle and principled ways of dealing with issues. Coming from a poor country his clothing was simple to the extreme. One of my favourite anecdotes about Gandhji is about his tea with King George V and Queen Mary. He arrived at Buckingham Palace wearing his customary loincloth, sandals, and a shawl. He had woven the cloth himself from thread made on his spinning wheel. King George was dressed in his usual splendid Court dress complete with all his medals and ribbons. When someone later asked Mahatma Gandhi if he thought he had worn too little clothing to the King ‘s tea party, he replied: “The King had enough on for both of us.”

Sep 28 World Heart Day

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A Step A Day, Executive Health, heart attack

Some of the figures quoted make  your head reel. Heart disease is surely becoming a major threat as it spreads to relatively younger people, primarily because of their stress and lifestyle. September 28 is World Heart Day. Resolve, please, for your sake and that of your family that you will spend a short time understanding your current risk of becoming a victim of heart disease.

It appears that India will have the dubious distinction of being the country with the highest number of heart ailments by 2010. India will be home to an estimated 60 million coronary patients. The age group of those afflicted with heart disease is also coming down year after year. It has become quite common for people in their 30s and 40s to fall prey to heart disease.

Well Blog Completes One Year

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A Step A Day, Executive Health, Tara Parker-Pope

Hearty congratulations to Tara Parker-Pope. Her Well Blog in the New York Times completes one year.

I have been a keen reader as I find the posts to be very informative and useful- apart from being interesting.

These days stress at the work place is creating health problems for virtually every segment of society. I am shocked to find that relatively young people in their 3os and some- unfortunately- even in their 20s have fallen prey to serious illnesses. This was something unheard of some 10-15 years ago.

The secret of good health is often in our hands. The lifestyle we practice can either improve or ruin our health. The choice is ours.

Read Tara Parker-Pope’s Well Blog from time to time. It would help keep you Well.

You can subscribe to the A-Step-A-Day series using RSS at https://bprao.wordpress.com/category/a-step-a-day/feed

This is Post No: 296 of the “A Step A Day” series : To provide perspective and provoke thought to facilitate self-development across a wide spectrum of issues- big and small- crucial for executive success.

Towards More Healthy Living

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A Step A Day, Executive Health, lifestyles

Everyone knows the importance of a well regulated lifestyle to good health. Yet, many fall prey to strokes, heart attacks and the like- possibly cushioned with the “It Can’t Happen To Me” syndrome. In India, as in the West, it is becoming all too common to find people struck by strokes, heart attacks and the like. Sadly, these are affecting many young lives – largely due to an inappropriate life style. Prevention, as is well said, is better than cure. What then can we do to lessen the chances of such diseases?

Guard Against A Heart Attack

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A Step A Day, Executive Health, heart attack

Things change over the years. While relative affluence is a result of a growing economy in a country like India for example, it has its attendant repercussions too. More and more young people are falling prey to heart ailments, primarily due to a less than desirable life style. An article by Sahana Charan in the Hindu quotes a study which indicates that the mean age for the first heart attack in South Asian countries is 53 as against 59 in other countries.  While this may be the mean age, the fact remains that many who are much younger- in their 30s and 40s, are prime candidates for heart attacks. If they continue to live the way they do.

Watch That BP

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A Step A Day, Executive Health, high blood pressure

My name being B P Rao, I  often used to say “BP for Blood Pressure” while introducing myself lest I be called by mistake – as has often happened – T P Rao, B B Rao or worst of all – on one occasion, Deepti Rao. Almost everyone can remember “blood pressure ” because this is something they can readily relate to. Everyone knows how important it is to keep it under check.

Celebrating 5 Years of Staying Quit

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A Step A Day, Executive Health, Quit Smoking

The Fourth of July is a day of celebration in the United States because that is the day the US achieved Independence in 1776. For me too it’s a day of celebration. It was on this day 5 years ago that I took what for me was a momentous decision- to quit smoking. It was by no means easy since I had been a smoker for 35 years.

Bring On The Red Wine

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A Step A Day, Executive Health, red wine

There was a time many years ago when almost everyone drank whisky. Some years ago, one noticed a distinct preference to stay away from the whisky and choose beer. Over the last few years, possibly due to a higher awareness in the areas of health and wellness, increasingly, I find people drinking more of wine.

And here’s some good news.