Dr Sudhir Kumar - Neurologist

25/02/2025

https://www.news18.com/india/as-pm-modi-asks-indians-to-control-obesity-heres-how-to-choose-a-cooking-oil-that-wont-kill-you-9239897.html

"Dr Sudhir Kumar, neurologist at Hyderabad-based Apollo Hospitals, advises that ultra-processed foods should not contribute more than 20 per cent of daily calories. “Reducing carbohydrates and optimising protein consumption would also help in reducing the incidence of obesity."

"Doctors warned against reheating oils which most Indian households do as a regular practice. Once used, ideally, the oil should be thrown away. “It is important to note that if previously used oil is re-heated and repeatedly used for cooking, the health hazards such as the risk of heart attacks and strokes increase. This practice is common with street vendors, certain restaurants, and even in a few homes," Kumar from Apollo Hospitals said.

Kumar from Apollo believes that “olive oil is the healthiest cooking oil".
Reason: Olive oil is packed with healthy fats, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, which can lower bad cholesterol and blood pressure. “In addition, it is rich in polyphenols, antioxidants, and vitamins, which reduce inflammation and lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases."
"Extra virgin olive oil is preferred, Kumar said, as it is the least processed and typically cold-pressed which retains more nutrients and flavor."
Other healthy oils listed by experts include avocado, canola, peanut, safflower, soybean, grapeseed, and sunflower oils.
“Other types of solid fats used in cooking include animal fats, such as butter, lard, or tallow, which contain large amounts of saturated fat and have been shown to raise bad cholesterol. So, only small amounts should be used in cooking," Kumar explained.

While choosing from the variety of oils in the market, one should not consider buying oils rich in saturated fats as they are considered extremely unhealthy

25/02/2025

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/weight-loss/as-pm-modi-starts-anti-obesity-campaign-doctor-shares-foods-that-can-lead-to-weight-gain/articleshow/118554245.cms

An article published in the Times of India has cited my recent post on this topic

Dr. Sudhir Kumar has shared a list of unhealthy foods to avoid for reducing the risk of insulin resistance, diabetes, and obesity. Key items include r

21/02/2025

Participated in a panel discussion On Zee Business regarding the recent gym tragedy, where the champion powerlifter tragically lost her life in a freak accident.
My views can be heard at the following places in the video:
1. 4:25 min to 7 minutes
2. 19:05 min to 21:15 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/live/H_9mAw3sPqM?si=f6iIKWwuDME04ojb

19/02/2025

Regarding medicine prescriptions

Note to the patients- You should:
1. Be able to read the medicine names written on the prescription
2. Know for what disease/symptom the medicine has been prescribed
3. Be able to read the strength/dose of medicine (mg, ml, etc.)
4. Know for how long the medicine needs to be taken
5. Know the possible adverse (side) effects of medicines
6. Know whether the medicine needs to be taken before or after food
7. Medicines do not increase your strength or appetite, so, do not ask doctors to prescribe medicines for increasing muscle strength, body weight or appetite.

Note to the doctors (my junior colleagues)
1. Write the prescription legibly
2. Explain to the patient the reasons for prescribing a medicine, their dose, whether to be taken before or after food, possible side effects of medicines, and duration of treatment
3. Enquire if the patient is taking other medicines, so that any drug-drug interactions can be noted, and also duplicate prescription of drugs (especially same medicine with two different brand names) can be avoided
4. It is not mandatory to prescribe a medicine. If the patient does not need medicines- say so- and avoid prescribing any medicine.
5. If the patient has come to you for second opinion, and you find that the previous doctor has prescribed correct medicines, there is no need to change the medicine or the brand name just to show that you "made a change in treatment plan."
6. If you own patient comes for follow up, and he/she is doing well, it is alright to continue the same medicines (without changing brand name). In fact change in medicine brand may occasionally result in lack of efficacy or side effects.

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM

19/02/2025

https://thesouthfirst.com/health/guillain-barre-syndrome-how-your-bodys-immune-war-turns-deadly/

The disease occurs ironically in those with robust immunity, who have already recovered from an infection.

19/02/2025

An informative article published in Moneycontrol, based on one of my recent pots.

Despite taking all the precautions, if you develop symptoms of GBS, do not panic, Dr Sudhir Kumar advised. 'Consult a neurologist, as early treatment results in successful outcome in a majority of patients suffering from GBS,' he said.

18/02/2025

A few of the doctors become judgmental and opinionated while dealing with patients: Does it help?

I will illustrate with a few examples:
1. 25-year old unmarried woman consulted a gynecologist with symptoms of dyspareunia. Instead of evaluating the causes and suggesting treatment for her symptoms, the gynecologist started a discourse on morality: "It is not correct to have s*x before marriage. Is this what your parents taught you?"
Needless to mention, the woman felt uncomfortable and could not continue the consultation with the doctor.

S*x before marriage is not a criminal act. A doctor may advise about safer s*x practices after taking the patient into confidence, however, being judgmental is not going to help.

2. 28-year old man consulted a physician with complaints of knee pain and lower back pain. The patient was obese, with BMI >30 and had abdominal obesity.
Instead of clinically evaluating and taking a detailed history, the doctor retorted: "It is all your mistake. You have not taken care of your diet and have remained a couch potato. So, this had to occur to you. Not only these, you are soon going to develop diabetes, hypertension, and may be a heart attack too." The patient lost his self-confidence and could not muster courage to consult another doctor for long.
Developing obesity is not a problem created by a person. One has to treat obesity as a disease, evaluate the underlying causes, and help the person in his weight loss journey.

These are two clinical situations that I have mentioned here, however, I have come across several patients who felt "unnecessarily judged" by their treating doctors.

What is your opinion? Have you faced similar situation? How should one deal with these?
Please do share.

15/02/2025

What are the features of a good sleep in an adult?

15/02/2025

Sleep is a powerful preventive pill. A good sleep can reduce the risk of several serious diseases and increase longevity.
What are the features of a good sleep in an adult?
1. Sleep for 7-9 hours duration.
2. Sleep at nights
3. Short daytime naps (up to 30 minutes in duration) are healthy. A small subset of people need longer daytime sleep (lasting 1-3 hours), which is genetically determined.
4. Maintain consistent sleep pattern (go to bed at around the same time every night)- this time could vary by 30 minutes (For example, if you choose to go to sleep by 10:30 PM, you should initiate sleep between 10 and 11 PM every day of the week).
5. Avoid oversleeping during weekends (as it can disrupt the normal sleep rhythm on Mondays and even on subsequent days)
6. Avoid using an alarm to wake up (unless you have an early morning flight to catch). Using alarm may lead to unrefreshing sleep, may make you anxious and BP could rise in some cases.
7. It is preferable to initiate sleep before 12 midnight for a better health.
8. Have dinner about 3-4 hours prior to bedtime.
9. If you exercise in evenings, complete your work out at least an hour before your bedtime.
10. Snoring is NOT a sign of deep sleep. Snoring could be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea. Get evaluated by a doctor.
11. Avoid taking sedatives (sleeping pills) on your own. Use them only on doctor's advice.
12. If you are caffeine-sensitive, avoid having coffee after 2-3 PM.
13. Avoid consuming alcohol to get good sleep. Alcohol disrupts the sleep architecture and is unhealthy.

15/02/2025

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu): FAQs
1. When was bird flu discovered?
1996 in China

2. When was first human case of bird flu reported?
1997 (Hong Kong)

3. What causes bird flu?
Most common cause is Avian Influenza A virus.
Commonest subtype of bird flu is H5N1

4. How does bird flu spread?
The H5N1 bird flu has been spreading widely among wild birds, poultry, cows and other animals.

5. How do humans get infected with bird flu?
Virus sheds from the infected poultry in their saliva, mucous and f***s.
Other animals infected with avian influenza viruses may have virus present in respiratory secretions, different organs, blood, or in other body fluids, including animal milk.
Virus can enter humans through eyes, nose or mouth or via inhalation.
Virus transmission can also occur by consuming raw milk from infected cattle or by eating improperly cooked (or raw) chicken.

6. Does human-to-human transmission of bird flu occur?
No human-to-human transmission has been reported.

7. What are the symptoms of bird flu in humans?
In mild cases: Redness of eyes (conjunctivitis), fever, body pain, runny nose, sore throat
In severe cases: Breathing difficulty

8. How is bird flu in humans treated?
Bird flu is treated with antiviral medications, such as oseltamivir and zanamivir. These medications are most effective if taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
Critically ill patients may require mechanical ventilation.

9. What precautions should you take to prevent bird flu infection?
Avoid handling wild birds, poultry and infected animals.
Consume pasteurized milk (and avoid raw milk).
Consume properly cooked chicken (poultry).
Cook poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 74 Celsius.
Practice good hygiene, such as properly washing hands.

There is no need to panic about the bird flu outbreak reported from Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
Prices of chicken have fallen in Hyderabad. It is a good time to eat chicken and build up on proteins. Remember to properly cook it, and avoid storing uncooked chicken.

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM

20/09/2024

Sleep well to ensure better health, prevent serious diseases and increase longevity
🔴Poor sleep quality and quantity are associated with increased risk of many diseases, most notably obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, dementia, depression, anxiety, and cancer.
✅Good sleep is associated with increased longevity.
What are the features of a good quality sleep?
1. Sleep duration: 7-8 hours at night,
2. Short afternoon nap (

16/07/2024

https://youtu.be/c_fSndXAoNU?si=YP4aRyaYvKONJltD

In today's episode of Daily Mirror, anchor Sneha Koshy delves into the alarming Chandipura virus outbreak in Gujarat, where six children have tragically lost...