Community

July
Edition 2025

RISK OF
LUNG CANCER
AFTER QUITTING
SMOKING

COVID-19

MONSOON
SKIN AND
HAIR CARE
TREATING
KNEE ARTHRITIS
WITHOUT SURGERY
 Dear Readers,
New COVID Variant 2025 This month, we bring you timely updates & prac-
tical insights to help you stay ahead in your
health journey.
We begin with the emergence of a new
What’s My Risk of Interventional
COVID-19 variant in 2025, along with steps you
Lung Cancer After Radiology for
can take to stay protected.
Quitting Smoking? Knee Arthritis Relief
If you’ve quit smoking, we discuss why it’s still
important to monitor your lung health. And for
those dealing with chronic joint pain, we explore
Hepatitis and Liver Prevent Water- non-surgical options for arthritis relief that can
Cancer: What You borne Infections improve quality of life.
Should Know This Rainy Season With the monsoon settling in, we’ve also includ-
ed tips on gut health and skin care—two areas
that often take a hit during this season.
Clear, practical, and season-ready—this issue is
The Long-term What Does a Heart your quick guide to smarter health choices.
Affects Of Attack Feel Like?
Childhood Obesity

Relief for Skin & Hair Care

common pregnancy During Monsoon
problems

Though it’s 2025 and COVID-19 has become a

part of our daily lives, like many viruses, it contin-
Falling: Are You Or ues to evolve. With each new change in its form,
A Loved One At Risk? we see rises in flu-like symptoms & infections
reminding us to stay cautious, not anxious.

The symptoms are mostly mild but easily

confused with seasonal flu or allergies. Watch out for:

Fatigue and mild headache Low-grade fever or chills

Gastro symptoms
Severe sore throat or throat irritation
like nausea, appetite loss, or diarrhea
Muscle aches and body pain Runny or blocked nose
Quitting smoking lowers your risk Interventional Radiology (IR) offers advanced,
but screening may still be important. image- guided, non-surgical treatments for
knee arthritis like:
Quitting is a huge health win
Joint Injections
Your risk of lung cancer drops once you quit
smoking, along with your risk for many other Corticosteroids reduce inflammation & pain
diseases. However, it never drops to the level of Hyaluronic acid lubricates the joint for
someone who has never smoked. smoother movement
Can I still get lung cancer after Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP):
quitting smoking? Uses your own platelets to promote joint
Yes. The younger you are when you start healing
smoking, the heavier and the longer someone A natural option to reduce pain and improve
smokes, the greater their risk is of getting lung function
cancer. If you’re concerned about your risk for
lung cancer, consult a doctor for your risk Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE):
assessment. Minimally invasive procedure for
moderate-to-severe arthritis
You may still need screening – Blocks inflamed arteries to reduce pain and
improve mobility
Lung cancer screening is recommended
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA):
You're 50 to 80 years old
Deactivates nerves carrying pain signals
You have smoked for more than 10 years
from the knee
You quit smoking within the last 15 years Cooled RFA can provide 6–12 months of
relief for chronic pain
Have symptoms? Get checked.
Joint Aspiration:
Screening may be advised if you experience:
Removes excess fluid from swollen knees
Persistent or new cough
Relieves pressure, swelling, and improves
Coughing up blood comfort
Chest pain or shortness of breath What are the Benefits?
Unexplained weight loss Minimally invasive, same-day procedure that
Even after quitting, you may still be at precisely targets pain, with quick recovery and
risk—lung cancer screening can catch it early, the potential to delay or avoid knee surgery.
when it’s most treatable. Talk to your doctor today to see if it is an
option for you.
Chronic hepatitis infections are more than just
liver problems — they are major causes of liver
cancer worldwide. This World Hepatitis Day, let’s
talk about a link many people still don’t know.
Monsoon brings relief from heat — but also a
Hepatitis B and C viruses can cause long-term spike in waterborne infections like typhoid,
inflammation in the liver. Over time, this silent hepatitis A, and diarrhea. Here are simple
damage can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even- precautions you can take:
tually hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) — the
most common type of liver cancer. Safe Drinking Water Practices
What’s worrying is that many people have no Boil water before use to kill germs. Use purifiers
symptoms until it’s too late. In fact, Hepatitis B or filters to remove contaminants. While travel-
and C often go undetected for years. ling or in areas with uncertain water quality,
always choose bottled or treated water.
Who should be screened?
Anyone with a family history of hepatitis or
Proper Hygiene and Sanitation
liver disease
People with past blood transfusions or Wash hands regularly with soap, especially
dialysis before eating and after using the toilet. Keep
living spaces clean to prevent the build-up of
Healthcare workers bacteria and other pathogens.
Those with diabetes or HIV
Anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated for Avoiding High-Risk Foods
Hepatitis B Avoid raw or undercooked foods during the
rainy season. Contaminated water can affect
The good news?
fruits and vegetables—wash them thoroughly
Hepatitis B is preventable with vaccine & and prefer home-cooked meals.
curable with oral medication
Hepatitis C is now curable with oral Personal Hygiene
medication
Bathe regularly and practise good personal
Regular monitoring (blood tests, ultra-
hygiene to reduce the risk of infection. Avoid
sounds) can detect changes early and save
sharing towels or personal items, and wear
lives
protective footwear to stay safe in waterlogged
If you or a loved one has chronic hepatitis, don’t areas.
wait for symptoms. See your doctor, get tested,
and start treatment early. Stay alert, stay safe — and if symptoms like
Early detection is the best protection against vomiting, loose stools, fever appear, don’t delay,
viral hepatitis & liver cancer. Let’s break the consult your doctor right away.
silence around hepatitis.

Dr. Neeraj Saraf

Obesity doesn’t just bring immediate health con- We all remember the dramatic heart attack scenes
cerns for children with excess body fat. It brings in Hindi movies—clutching chests, collapsing in
worries for the future, too. Obese kids are more at pain.
risk of developing medical conditions as they But real heart attacks are usually much sub-
grow up such as Risk of Heart Disease, Fatty tler, with less obvious symptoms like:
Liver, Diabetes, Various cancers, Mental Health
Issues. Chest pressure or tightness
Heart attacks feel more like pressure or tight-
ness—not sharp or pin-prick pain.
Heartburn-like discomfort
Eating healthier
It’s quite common for heart attacks to feel
Fruits and veggies instead of fast food like acid reflux. In fact, the symptoms can be
nearly identical.
Moving more
Children aged 6 to 17 need at least
Shortness of breath
an hour of daily activity Some heart attacks don’t cause pain at all. These
“silent heart attacks” are most common in people
Catching ZZZs with diabetes and older adults.
Children who don’t get enough sleep are more Pain on the left side
apt to gain weight.
Heart attack pain can spread to the jaw, back, or
Limiting screen time arms—usually the left, but sometimes the right.

Turn off those tablets & phones to encourage Nausea and sweating
more activity. Sweating, when present along with any chest
Involving the whole family discomfort or breathlessness, should always raise
suspicion of a heart attack.
It’ll be easier for kids to adopt the suggestions if Can symptoms differ between men
they see others doing the same thing. & women?
Parents should be their role models.
While many are similar, about a third of women
may feel fatigue, breathlessness, nausea, or pain in
Avoid blaming or shaming language or
the back, neck, or abdomen—often without chest
focusing too hard on weight numbers. Address
pain.
obesity from a health standpoint, consult a spe-
cialist if needed. When in doubt, don’t wait get help immediately.

Dr. Manish Bansal

Senior Director and HOD
Gastroenterology
 After the soaring temperatures of May & June,
July showers bring with them the much-need-
Pregnancy is a beautiful journey, but it comes ed sigh of relief. Unfortunately, rainy season is
with its fair share of discomforts. Here are some ridden by wetness & excessive humidity & leads
of the most common ones we see in patients to skin problems.
and how you can manage them safely:

Acidity & Heartburn Fungal infections mainly affect feet, toes &other
body parts. Ringworm and yeast infections are
As the uterus expands, it pushes the stomach
the two key types of fungal infections that
upwards.
happen due to humidity. Acne and eczema are
Relief: Eat small, frequent meals, avoid also prevalent.
spicy/fried foods, and don’t lie down
immediately after eating.
If soiled with muddy/ rainy water, clean with
Constipation
lukewarm water as soon as you return from
Hormonal changes slow down digestion. outdoors.
Relief: Drink plenty of water, eat high-fibre foods Wear Open footwear & loose cotton clothes
(fruits, vegetables, whole grains), and stay active. Do not allow moisture to stay on body for long

Leg Cramps Use soap free cleansers so that skin

doesn’t get dry and use scrub twice a week
Often occur at night, especially in the second
Do not use heavy makeup.
and third trimester.
Relief: Stretch your legs before bed, stay hydrat- Avoid liquid eyeliners and mascaras
ed, and ensure adequate calcium and magne- they tend to smudge and enter your eyes.
sium intake.
Swollen Feet (Edema) Rain water may be contaminated with innu-
merable chemicals and dust due to which hair
Due to fluid retention and reduced circulation. can be dry, frizzy and lose its strength leading
Relief: Elevate your feet when sitting, avoid long to hairfall & dandruff.
periods of standing, and wear comfortable
shoes.
These discomforts are common and manage- Hair should not be allowed to wet in rain
able with simple lifestyle changes. However, if
Use mild shampoo and avoid hair
anything feels abnormal — like severe pain,
treatments as they make hair porous
bleeding, dizziness, or swelling — don’t ignore it.
Consult your doctor immediately.

Dr. Sheilly Kapoor

Visiting Consultant
Dermatology
As we age, our reflexes are no longer lighten-
ing-quick. Our bones become more fragile. Our
eyes just might be playing tricks on us. These
factors can lead to the likelihood of a serious
tumble. And falls can cost us — not only in
terms of treatment, but in terms of indepen-
dence and even our lives.
People over the age of 65, with dizziness, arthri-
tis, weakness, balance issues and vision prob-
lems are more at risk for falls.

How to reduce your risk?

See the eye doctor annually. A yearly eye
exam will reveal whether your prescription — Masala Omelette Cups
or your glasses — needs adjusting. Don’t
Ingredients
delay having your cataracts removed.
4 eggs
Outfit those feet ¼ cup each chopped onions & tomatoes
1 chopped green chili (adjust to taste)
Look for non-skid footwear, including slipper
socks with non-skid treads on the bottom 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
¼ tsp turmeric
Work out ¼ tsp red chili powder (optional)

Incorporate exercises that make your legs Salt to taste

stronger and work on your balance. Instructions:
Lean on me 1.Whisk eggs until frothy; mix in veggies, spices,

Better to use a cane or walker than to lose your and salt.

balance. Put pride aside so that you can get 2.Pour into lightly greased ramekins or silicone
around safely. cups (¾ full).

A family affair 3.Air fry / bake at 350°F (180°C) for 8–10 mins
until set and golden.
Having friends and family around means fewer
4.Garnish with cilantro or cheese (optional).
falls. If you’re feeling isolated, reach out. Maybe
someone is waiting to hear from you!
It’s important to know whether or not you or
a loved one might be at risk of falls and take
the necessary precautions. To subscribe to this newsletter,

[email protected]
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*Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute professional
medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. Always seek advice from your physician or other qualified health provider.