Covid-19 and our approach to healthcare in the current scenario
This year has been in tight grip of the corona virus and the entire world is looking for some respite from this pandemic situation. With vaccines still at a preliminary inception phase, a general attitude of panic still prevails and in such trying times, healthcare in the current scenario has taken a drastic and rather helpful turn. As doctors and frontline workers, it is our primary duty and responsibility to help the public maintain a physically and mentally healthy life, with which intention we at HMC share this blog post with you.
Covid and how it affects you
By now, the onset of the corona virus is no mystery to anyone. According to the World Health Organisation, COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the corona virus, SARS-CoV-2, which is a respiratory pathogen. First reported in Wuhan, this virus has travelled worldwide affecting many lives and transforming into a dangerous pandemic, healthcare in the current scenario, leading the entire world to practically shut down. Although around 80% of the people who contract the virus recover well, the other 20% who get seriously ill may suffer from organ failure, serious respiratory problems and heart and liver ailments as well. Which is why it is categorised as deadly?
Symptoms and early testing
We at HMC believe in timely diagnosis and intervention for any disease and especially during a pandemic situation, early symptom recognition can be life saving. Any person experiencing even the slightest, most mild symptom of the corona virus must immediately get tested as per WHO guidelines and government mandates. Signs to look out for while contemplating getting tested include- fever, dry cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis (also known as red eyes) sore throat, headache, muscle or joint pain, different types of skin rash, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, chills or dizziness. Additionally, anyone who is not displaying symptoms but has been in contact with someone who is should also get tested.
Older adults and people with certain health conditions have a higher risk for severe complications if they contract the virus. These health conditions include- serious heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies, kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obesity, which occurs in people with a body, mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, sickle cell disease, a weakened immune system from a solid, organ transplant and type 2 diabetes.
What you can do to prevent the spread of the corona virus
While governments and organisations are working tirelessly to develop a potential vaccine and treatment for the virus, we must as individuals take all necessary precautions to prevent the pandemic situation from worsening further. The best way to prevent the transmission of infection is to avoid or limit contact with people who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 or any respiratory infection. The next best thing you can do is practice good hygiene and physical distancing to prevent bacteria and viruses from being transmitted.
Some important steps towards this include- wearing a protective mask that covers your nose and mouth when in close physical contact with others, washing your hands with a strong anti-bacterial and using an alcohol based sanitizer, avoiding public spaces or large gatherings and most importantly social distancing and self quarantining. In addition to that, always clean any objects you touch a lot. Use disinfectants on objects like phones, computers, and doorknobs. Use soap and water for objects that you cook or eat with, like utensils and dishware. Don’t touch your face, eyes, nose or mouth when your hands are dirty. Don’t go out if you’re feeling sick or have any cold or flu symptoms. Stay at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from people. One must stay home to stay safe.
Coping with the virus mentally and physically
The corona virus has deeply impacted all spheres of life and forced a lot of people into further mental and physical distress. The pandemic worsening the economic condition, people are gradually falling prey to clinical anxiety, depression etc not being able to work or live the way they used to before. This situation has also severely affected physical wellbeing which can be seen in the sharp increase in the number of people who have contracted various lifestyle disorders owing to poor and lethargic daily routines. Staying at home has given way to a sedentary way of being, not eating the right kinds of foods at the proper time, no exercise etc which has led to more people developing symptoms of diabetes, dangerously low levels of vitamin D3 etc which need immediate doctors attention to not escalate further or damage immunity. Among females a rising trend towards PCOS can be observed. All this happens due to an unconscious neglect of health and maintaining an improper daily routine like sitting in the same position for hours, not consuming enough vitamins and health foods, constantly and unmindfully snacking on junk food, lack of exercise, consuming too much sugar or aerated drinks which may lead to a feeling of lethargy, regular gut upset, mood swings, weight gain, hormonal imbalances etc, and that can be dangerous in the long run.
If your choice of lifestyle has been giving you such health troubles, you may contact us here- https://www.hmcmedicalcenter.com/services/endocrinology/ to get an early diagnosis from our endocrinology expert.
A healthy mind feeds a healthy body and vice versa. The pandemic situation has definitely hit hard, but what we all must strive to achieve is a certain level of positivity to keep the mind tension and stress free. Engaging in hobbies and revisiting old passions are good and effective ways to use time well while being engrossed in something beneficial that will help you keep depression and anxiety at bay to a large extent. A positive aspect of the covid-19 pandemic has been the amount of focus it has brought on mental health. Our biggest and most effective health tool is our mind. It is what drives us to be motivated and healthy. Mental health in times like these can easily get worse and get triggered at the smallest things or situations. Which is why it is so important to be very careful and mindful of what we consume not only physically for the body but also mentally for the mind. At times like these, regulating the content one consumes especially online is a brilliant way to stay focused on what’s truly important. Consume only what makes you feel alive, happy and motivated. Too much information is also not good and a balance always needs to be struck. So, the key to successfully adapt and embrace the pandemic situation with strength is to be mindful not only for physical wellbeing but also for good mental health.
Healthcare trends in the current scenario
The pandemic has definitely affected all aspects of life and the world has been adapting to it. Quarantine and social distancing has negatively impacted the economic situation forcing many countries into financial distress. In this changing scenario, the healthcare sector has diversified its approach and we at HMC have also adopted these changes positively, keeping in mind the safety of our patients and staff. Online consultations and pre-booking (over calls or via websites) has now become the norm to avoid overcrowding at hospitals. In compliance with this essential safety norm patients can pre-book consultations at HMC here- https://www.hmcmedicalcenter.com/contact/
Owing to the worsening economic situation, the pandemic has seen a wide disparity margin which will only deepen with time. In stressful times like these, spending money on even healthcare may feel like a stretch. Keeping this in mind and trying to incorporate a holistic approach to healthcare, which indeed is an essential, we at HMC provide our services at very reasonable prices, while still maintaining high standards and quality which our patients vouch for. We also accept and cover a wide range of insurances which ensures our patients a quality and tension experience, much needed in these testing times
Guidelines followed by the healthcare community
Hospitals worldwide have adopted a pandemic friendly approach to healthcare so as to not adversely affect the already admitted patients or frontline workers. And this is the greatest health resource of the current times. At HMC we take safety protocols very seriously and have a meticulous system of ensuring the same. In view of the global pandemic, in accordance with the DHA guidelines we have implemented a certain set of measures to be followed by every member to ensure the safety of members as well as staff. These steps are followed on a daily basis. Every member (patient or staff) is made to compulsorily take a temperature check to ensure the right body temperature and rule out fever. Furthermore, every room, equipment and healthcare tool is regularly sanitized at periodic intervals during the day to ensure optimum level of sanitation. Consultations are done in a completely no-contact manner and patients have the option to pre-book via phone, email or website to know more about the procedures at HMC. We regulate the number of patients and staff present at the center at one given time to reduce crowds and maintain strict and effective healthcare protocols. Social distancing guidelines are strongly adhered to and we keep every member at a safe distance from another. We sincerely believe health is the greatest resource one has and strive to preserve it every way.
A doctor’s perspective on handling covid
While studying for our degrees and branching out into this noble profession, we knew what was in store for us and the kind of challenging lifestyle we were opting into. The satisfaction of service and being healthcare providers is one that is unparalleled and one positive thing this pandemic situation has brought to life is this acknowledgement of frontline workers and their challenging yet very crucial role in maintaining the wellbeing of a society. Life as a doctor before the pandemic was also non glamorous but very fulfilling. The corona virus outbreak has only made us more grateful to be in a position to help. And this is the philosophy every member of HMC believes in.
While we doctors surely strive to help you stay healthy, in times like these it proves helpful to us when the public follows safety guidelines and ensures the wellbeing of not only themselves and their loved ones, but also us. Since we in the healthcare community treat not only patients of corona virus but several others afflicted with different ailments, it is vital for us to be healthy to keep patients healthy and help society flourish. The corona virus is a novel condition that the world has not encountered before but at the same time it is not strong enough to defeat the will of the world and its citizens collectively. The most important thing to remember is to not panic and stay as much indoors as possible. Stay home, stay safe is what is most effective as a health tool in the current scenario.
As we stand together and stand tall in this fight against the pandemic situation, we can achieve all that we need to and more as we join hands with the healthcare community. The road ahead is certainly going to be different as we enter into uncharted territory and try to adapt to the new normal. The post pandemic situation is going to be very advanced and novel and the only option we have is to adapt. Much like what Darwin said, survival of the fittest is nature’s norm with every major shift and that is what we must realize and act upon. The human race as a united community can overcome and successfully traverse the new normal with a healthy and positive attitude!
