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Medical Equipments Medical Updates Medicine & Health

Things that you need to let go for your personal growth

Things that you need to let go for your personal growth

From letting people’s opinion affect us to being afraid of change, here are a few things that we should let go for our personal growth.

As we grow up, we need to learn a lot of things that are good and healthy for our mental health. Besides learning, unlearning certain things is also important. Knowing what to hold on to and what to let go helps in determining the curve of personal growth that we are working on. When we start to identify things that are holding us back from developing ourselves and becoming a better version, we should learn to let them go slowly but steadily. Sometimes, we hold onto certain teachings, habits and patterns since childhood because of the orientation we received in the family and from past experiences. Personal growth involves understanding what is unhealthy for us and what no longer serves us and letting those things go.

Therapist Israa Nasir addressed this and shared a few things that we need to let go for our personal growth:

Things that you need to let go for your personal growth

Thinking that sacrifice and love are the same: We often mistake sacrifice with love. This happens because of how we have seen the older generation glorify sacrifices. However, these two are extremely different things, and love does not need to be conditional. We should set clear boundaries in love and understand that sacrifice is not always driven by love – it also often leads to resentment.

Letting other people’s opinions guide you: While we all need a little bit of guidance in life, we should know that the perspectives of others have nothing to do with us. How they perceive us is based on their orientation – we should learn to have our own perspectives of ourselves and love ourselves no matter what.

Feeling responsible for other people’s emotions: We always should take ownership of our own mistakes, but we should also identify things that we have no control over and learn to move on from them.

Comparing ourselves to others: Each person has their own set of strengths, weaknesses, boundaries and skills. When we start to compare our progress with that of others, we start to disrespect ourselves more. Instead, we should love and embrace ourselves.

Being afraid of change: Life demands changes with time. We should be able to make changes and adapt to the changing environments with time. That is the only way to move forward.

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Medical Updates Medicine & Health

Navratri 2023: How dandiya raas can help in weight loss, improve heart health. Know all benefits

Navratri 2023: How dandiya raas can help in weight loss, improve heart health. Know all benefits

Navratri is the festival of fasting and feasting. It is also the time to rejoice and have social gatherings. The nine-day festival is celebrated with diverse traditions across the country and notable one among them is Gujarat’s folk dance Dandiya Raas. Devotees in Gujarat and even other parts of the country participate in this highly energetic dance form, wearing beautiful and colourful traditional outfits. Dandiya Raas is performed used wooden sticks known as dandiyas. It is performed in large groups where men and women dance using these sticks for various dance moves. Playing Dandiya Raas is an exhilarating experience and not just brings benefits for physical but also mental health. It is quite a fun way to burn calories, release stress, and doing arm workout. The dance form is also a good cardiovascular workout and improves the heart rate.

Shardiya Navratri brings with it the opportunity to engage in the traditional dance form of Dandiya, and it is worth noting the numerous health benefits associated with this activity,” says Chitharesh Natesan, professional bodybuilder and gym trainer in an interview with HT Digital.

Chitharesh Natesan opens up on the range of health benefits playing dandiya can bring for your health this Navratri.

Navratri 2023: How dandiya raas can help in weight loss, improve heart health. Know all benefits

1. Heart health

Dancing to the lively beats of Dandiya serves as an effective cardiovascular exercise, promoting better blood circulation and oxygenation of cells due to the continuous and rhythmic movements involved. This can contribute to improved heart health.

2. Better coordination and balance

Dandiya can enhance coordination and balance, providing physical benefits by strengthening both body and mind.

3. Weight loss

Participating in Dandiya Raas is also an engaging way to burn calories, helping you maintain a healthy weight amidst the festive season. Indulging in some delicious festive food after a dandiya session can multiply the joy of the festival.

4. Flexibility

Dandiya is a fantastic way to stretch and flex all your body muscles, improving flexibility over time. The repetitive and energetic nature of the dance also aids in increasing stamina, making it an effective fitness routine.

5. Mental health

Beyond the physical advantages, Dandiya fosters social connections and a sense of community, promoting mental and emotional well-being. It allows individuals to come together and celebrate their cultural heritage, contributing to a sense of unity and joy.

Shardiya Navratri this year is set to begin October 15 and conclude on October 24 with Dussehra. The festival is dedicated to Maa Durga and her many avatars.

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Medical Updates Medicine & Health

World Sight Day: Screen time and meals for kids, tips to make mealtime relaxing and enjoyable

World Sight Day: Screen time and meals for kids, tips to make mealtime relaxing and enjoyable

Poor psycho-social skills, lower cognitive development are seen in kids with increased screen time. On World Sight Day, here are tips on screen time and meals.

As kids grow up, it is difficult to feed them due to their altered food habits and it is a common sight at home to find kids eating meals with TV/tablet/mobile phones. As it takes time to feed kids, it becomes easy for parents to feed them with cartoons playing on the screen but various studies and research show that there are down-side to this habit.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle on World Sight Day, Susmita N, Clinical Nutritionist at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals in Bangalore, Bellandur and Jayanagar, recommended, “As kids grow, we should let them serve and feed themselves. This helps to know the body cues. Watching screen while eating keeps them distracted and they will not pay attention to what food is in the plate, food texture and quantity of food been consumed. It is also observed that there is an increased consumption of unhealthy junk food between meals as they are not able to remember the quantity of foods eaten for meal. Poor intake of vegetables and fruits are also seen in these children.”

Revealing that children who have an increased screen time have more exposure to junk food due to the advertisements that targets the young population, the nutrition expert said, “Kids get attracted to these junk food commercials and crave to eat them leading to alternation of their food habits. Making the children play outside builds up their appetite and they tend to what food is served. This can be taken as an advantage by parents by serving them healthy food options. Avoid junk food as snacks and serve fruits, milkshakes/smoothies, roasted nuts mix, makhana etc that have nutritional value. Keep healthy snacks options ready at home.”

She added, “Family plays an important role during meal time. Parents have to be a role models to children. Having a family meal time away from all distractions help in better eating habits, improve communication skills and help in better bonding. Studies have shown that children who eat together with family have better intake of vegetables, fruits and end up having healthy eating pattern. There is a positive correlation between eating together as a family and better cognitive skills in children leading to improved academic performances.”

World Sight Day: Screen time and meals for kids, tips to make mealtime relaxing and enjoyable

Susmita N suggested the following tips to make mealtime relaxing and enjoyable as possible –

  • Provide wholesome, acceptable foods.
  • Respect the child’s capability. If the child says he/she is full do not force them to empty the food in plate.
  • Allow them to choose from 2 or more healthy foods. Give them healthy options.
  • Don’t nag, bribe or force a child to eat. Always remember that children learn to hate the foods they are forced to eat.
  • Remove any kind of screened electronic devices from dining area.
  • Have age appropriate conversation with your kids. Ask them about how was their day, about their friends and discuss about topics of interest.
  • Plan for tomorrow’s meal keeping the child’s food interest in mind.
  • Be a role model and follow what you preach. Parents should not be distracted while feeding the kids.
  • Preplan the food a day prior. 3major meals and 2 snacks filled with nutrition. Keeping in mind to include grains, colorful vegetables, seasonal fruits and protein sources.
  • Have limited amount of screen time post meal.

She concluded, “Poor psycho-social skills, lower cognitive development are also observed in kids with increased screen time. Reduced physical activity leads to poor metabolism and causes obesity in children. Over a period of time these children grow up to become adults with eating disorders and are relatively obese.”

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Medical Updates Medicine & Health

7 signs of poor mental health you shouldn’t ignore

7 signs of poor mental health you shouldn't ignore

Poor mental health can take a heavy toll on physical health and may even lead to serious ailments and chronic health issues.

Poor mental health can directly affect your productivity, moods and relationships. If not addressed, it can put one at risk of mental health disorders. Unlike other illnesses, signs of mental health issues are not clear but some of the early signs of poor mental health are disrupted sleep, sullen mood and irritable behavior. Poor mental health can take a heavy toll on physical health and may even lead to serious ailments and chronic health issues. Like other aspects of health, our mental health also requires attention. If you are finding it difficult to focus, facing sleep issues, suffering from aches and pains or isolating yourself, you must consult a mental health expert to get into the root of your problems.

“Mental health encompasses an individual’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being, shaping their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Therefore, it is essential for individuals to remain vigilant for signs that could indicate a decline in their mental well-being. Some of these signs include lack of proper refreshing sleep, sustained mood change, significant changes in energy levels, losing interest, feeling quite insecure, odd experiences of hearing or seeing things that others cannot, thinking of harming self, and losing the meaning of life, sometimes accompanied by aggression,” says Dr Sameer Malhotra, Director and Head – Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, Max Super Specialist Hospital, Saket.

7 signs of poor mental health you shouldn't ignore

“Our mental health is as important as physical health, and recognizing the signs of struggling mental well-being is crucial for early intervention and support,” says Dr Jyoti Kapoor, Founder-Director and Senior Psychiatrist, Manasthali

Here are 7 poor mental health signs shares by Dr Jyoti Kapoor that one should never ignore:

1. Persistent mood swings: Feeling consistently sad, hopeless, or experiencing drastic mood swings that interfere with daily life can be a sign of depression or other mood disorders.

2. Social withdrawal: If you start isolating yourself, avoiding friends and family, it may indicate emotional distress or social anxiety.

3. Irregular sleeping patterns: Insomnia, oversleeping, or disrupted sleep can be linked to mental health issues.

4. Appetite and weight changes: Significant changes in appetite, whether overeating or undereating, can be indicative of emotional distress.

5. Difficulty in concentrating: Struggling to focus, making decisions, or complete tasks may be a sign of underlying mental health issues, such as anxiety or attention disorders.

6. Constant aches: Unexplained physical symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, or unexplained aches and pains can sometimes be manifestations of emotional distress.

7. Increased substance use: Escalating or excessive use of alcohol, drugs, or other substances as a coping mechanism can be a red flag for mental health problems.

If you or someone you know is exhibiting these signs, please reach out to a mental health professional or a counsellor.

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Medical Equipments Medical Updates Medicine & Health

10 things you can do for your mental health every day

10 things you can do for your mental health every day

Just as you prioritize physical fitness, it’s crucial to incorporate daily practices to nurture your mental health. Here are 10 daily habits to follow.

Unlike physical, signs of mental health issues are difficult to spot or not visible at first glimpse. However, a sound mental health is crucial for our overall well-being and can contribute greatly in helping us lead a happy, stress-free and disease-free life. While there are some mental health disorders that may be genetic, many others stem from lifestyle factors such as stress, lack of sleep, exercise, sunlight, and self care. One may take immediate measures for physical health conditions like fever, headache and muscle pain, but steps related to mental health are rarely taken. Like brushing teeth, taking a bath, and having a meal, there are things that people should do every day for a sound mental health.

On World Mental Health Day, Dr Jyoti Kapoor, Founder-Director and Senior Psychiatrist, Manasthali shares 10 everyday habits that can boost mental health.

10 things you can do for your mental health every day

TIPS TO BOOST MENTAL HEALTH

Taking care of your mental health is essential for overall well-being. Just as you prioritize physical fitness, it’s crucial to incorporate daily practices to nurture your mental health. Here are ten things you can do every day to promote emotional resilience and mental wellness.

1. Practice mindfulness meditation: Dedicate a few minutes each day to mindful meditation. It can help you stay grounded, reduce stress, and increase self-awareness.

2. Exercise regularly: Engage in physical activity that you enjoy, whether it’s a brisk walk, yoga, or a full workout. Exercise releases endorphins, which boost your mood.

3. Prioritize sleep: Aim for at least 8 hours of quality sleep each night. A well-rested mind is better equipped to handle daily stressors.

4. Connect with loved ones: Foster relationships with family and friends. Spending time with loved ones provides emotional support and strengthens your social connections.

5. Control screen time: Set boundaries on screen time, especially on social media and news consumption. Overexposure to negative information can contribute to anxiety.

6. Practice gratitude: Keep a gratitude journal and write down three things you’re thankful for each day. This practice promotes a positive mindset.

7. Learn something new: Stimulate your mind by acquiring new skills or knowledge. It can boost confidence and keep your brain active.

8. Establish a routine: Create a daily schedule that includes time for work, relaxation, and self-care. A routine provides structure and reduces uncertainty.

9. Express yourself: Find creative outlets like art, writing, or music to express your emotions. It can be therapeutic and help you process feelings.

10. Take Professional help if needed: Don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional if you’re struggling with your mental health. Therapy can provide valuable support and coping strategies.

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Medical Updates Medicine & Health

World Mental Health Day: Dietary choices to boost positivity, mental well-being and maintain healthy lifestyle

World Mental Health Day: Dietary choices to boost positivity, mental well-being and maintain healthy lifestyle

Ahead of World Mental Health Day 2023, experts reveal diet tips to boost positivity, mental, emotional, psychological wellbeing and maintain healthy lifestyle.

Can diet impact your emotional and mental wellbeing? We may not be directly co-relating our emotional wellbeing to food and a balanced diet is essential for sustenance as it will provide the body with all the nutrients it needs for growth, maintenance and building immunity but along with physical well-being, it is equally important to focus on mental health as emotional, psychological and social wellbeing are essential to maintaining good mental health and a healthy lifestyle.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle ahead of World Mental Health Day, Samantha Clayton, Vice-President – Sports Performance and Fitness Education at Herbalife, shared, “People work out regularly to maintain a healthy body but most of them are unaware of the connection between a balanced diet and mental health. Sports, Yoga, swimming or any other physical activity must be combined with a simple but essential element: a nutritious, well-balanced diet, which gives the brain the nourishment it requires. A nutritious diet keeps the human mind stable and improves memory, essential in our daily lives.”

She suggested, “Along with healthy dietary choices, mindful eating allows us to pause and think about the food we consume and the intake. Becoming aware of when and why we eat and taking the time to sit down and have a meal without any distractions enables us to enjoy our food, learn about our eating patterns and reap the benefits of healthy and nutritious meals. To eat healthily, we must also eat mindfully. Mindless eating can lead to unnecessary weight gain, fatigue, sluggishness, and other health consequences. All the essential proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are beneficial for mental wellness and overall wellbeing. Vegetables, fruits and nuts are excellent dietary choices to boost positivity and improve mental health.”

World Mental Health Day: Dietary choices to boost positivity, mental well-being and maintain healthy lifestyle

According to her, the following foods need to be incorporated in your diet for a strong and healthy mind:

  • Fruits and Berries: Consuming fruits and berries can help enhance brain function. Both memory and anti-ageing processes can be improved by it. Studies have shown that fruit eaters are more likely to report higher levels of mental wellness and are less likely to experience depressive symptoms than non-fruit eaters. Fruits and berries are also rich sources of antioxidants.
  • Fish: Omega-3 fats are rich in fish. These lipids are crucial for the brain, and these fats must come from the diet because the human body cannot manufacture them. Epidemiological studies show a link between poor dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids and depression. Seafood such as oily fish and fish supplements are excellent sources of Omega-3.
  • Green leafy vegetables: Because of their nutritional significance, nutritionists constantly advise including green leafy vegetables in our diet. Leafy vegetables contain antioxidants, dietary fibres, minerals, α-linoleic acid, and vitamins. Vegetables with leafy greens are a good source of Vitamin K. Studies have shown that Vitamin K can help prevent the development of anxiety and depression.
  • Nuts: Almonds and walnuts are excellent sources of antioxidants for improving mental wellbeing. Walnuts also contain Omega 3 fats, just like fatty fish. On the other hand, almonds are a good source of Vitamin E and may support memory enhancement.

Satyajit Hange, Co-Founder and Farmer at Two Brothers Organic Farms, highlighted, “Our dietary choices have a profound impact on our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. For example, consuming a diet high in processed sugar, artificial additives, and processed foods is well-known for causing inflammation in the body and affecting our mental health. Conversely, a well-balanced diet that includes whole grains can help us manage stress and enhance our mood. Incorporating fresh organic produce that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants into our meals can reduce the risk of chronic diseases and alleviate symptoms.”

He recommended, “Similarly, substituting everyday foods in our diet with organic options like herbal jams packed with vitamin C and antioxidants or ghee infused with Indian herbs such as turmeric can provide essential fatty acids, vitamin C and antioxidants that support immunity, stress management and overall well-being. For those looking to reduce their sugar intake, alternatives like jaggery, raw unfiltered honey, or rock sugar are healthier options compared to regular table sugar. If you are someone who enjoys snacks, consider switching to gluten-free snacks, whole wheat crackers, energy balls made from dried fruits, dates, or roasted sesame seeds, as well as tasty Nutri bars to satisfy your cravings while enjoying nutritious flavors. It is important to recognize that maintaining a healthy diet is not about depriving yourself but rather about making choices that contribute to our overall well-being.”

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Medical Updates Medicine & Health Uncategorized

Odisha will soon become hub of cancer care in east India: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik

Odisha will soon become hub of cancer care in east India: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik
Synopsis

Odisha is set to become a hub for cancer care in eastern India, according to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The state has recently inaugurated new facilities at the Acharya Harihar Post Graduate Institute of Cancer in Cuttack, including two linear accelerators for radiotherapy and a 30-bed day-care unit. The government’s focus is to develop infrastructure for cancer care in public health institutions and attract private investment in the development of cancer care hospitals. The government is also planning to establish more cancer care institutions in the coming years.

Bhubaneswar: Odisha will soon become a hub of cancer care in eastern India, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on Friday, inaugurating new facilities at the Acharya Harihar Post Graduate Institute of Cancer in Cuttack. Patnaik inaugurated two linear accelerators for radiotherapy and a 30-bed day-care unit. With this, the number of linear accelerators at hospital rose to four.

With the new day-care unit, the number of day-care beds rose to 42. While the state spent Rs 38 crore for the linear accelerators, the new unit cost it Rs 6 crore.

Addressing the function through video conference, Patnaik said Odisha is witnessing a massive transformation in healthcare.

Apart from strengthening the infrastructure of various public health institutions and providing free quality healthcare, the government is now focused on making Odisha a major centre of cancer care in eastern India, he said.

Odisha will soon become hub of cancer care in east India: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik

Besides infrastructure development for cancer care in public health institutions, the government is roping in private players for investment in the development of cancer care hospitals, he said.

A new cancer hospital is coming up in Jharsuguda, Patanaik said, maintaining that more such institutions will be developed in the next few years.

The chief minister said that the entire cost of treatment at AHPGIC is borne by the government.

Health Minister Niranjan Pujari said AHPGIC is a centre of excellence in cancer treatment, education and research.

The government is spending Rs 1,046 crore for free chemo-therapy and other facilities across the state, he said.

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Medical Updates Medicine & Health

Ways to know yourself better: Therapist shares tips

Ways to know yourself better: Therapist shares tips

From self-reflection to knowing strengths and weaknesses, here are a few ways to know ourselves better.

Self-awareness is a journey of its own. It’s a lifelong journey of finding out about us and knowing ourselves better. “Getting to know yourself is a lifelong journey of self-discovery and self-awareness. It’s a process that involves introspection, self-reflection, and a willingness to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The self-discovery journey is about developing a deep and evolving understanding of who you are, what you want, and how you can live a fulfilling life in alignment with your true self. Try to be patient and compassionate with yourself throughout this process,” wrote Therapist Lucille Shackleton as she shared a few tips on how we can know ourselves better.

Self-reflection: We should spend time knowing about the way we feel and the way we think. Investing time in our thoughts and emotions will help us to understand ourselves better and get more clarity.

How our past affects our present: Our past experiences play a significant role in growing our perspectives, triggers, glimmers, needs and behavioral patterns. We should carefully analyse past experiences and try to understand how they have impacted on our present situations and thought process.

Ways to know yourself better: Therapist shares tips

Explore interests: When we find a passion and a goal, no matter what, we should chase them and try to incorporate them in our daily lives. Doing things that make us happy will help us to see the brighter side of things.

Explore values: Everyone has their own belief system – it consists of the ethics, values and beliefs that we abide by. We should explore the belief system that we need for our lives and try to stick to it.

Strengths and weaknesses: Knowing about our abilities, strengths and weaknesses will help us to get more clarity on the things that we are good at and the things that we need to work on.

Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness and meditation brings us closer to our own thoughts and beliefs. This helps us to know our perspectives and opinions better.

Seek feedback: We should always be open to constructive feedback to understand what we are doing wrong – we should work on those areas.

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Medical Updates Medicine & Health

HealthCraze: Showcasing the next chapter in Indian healthcare

HealthCare: Showcasing the next chapter in Indian healthcare

Delhi, 4th Oct, 2023: Following the tremendous success of the first roundtable, Peer Capital, 2070 Health, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) got together for a second edition of ‘HealthCraze’. This initiative brought together entrepreneurs, operators, academics, policymakers, and investors from the healthcare sector in an exclusive, invite-only discussion for another glimpse into the future of health innovation complete with opportunities and challenges.

Set against the backdrop of an accelerating Indian economy, HealthCraze acknowledged the role of startups as the frontrunners of transformation and the latent potential that healthcare innovation harbors for value creation. With this backdrop, the participants started off by discussing AI in healthcare: the many value propositions it holds across patient care, clinical workflows, and clinician augmentation, areas where they are witnessing steady adoption, and finally, methods for balancing its challenges and benefits.

The many use cases of AI in healthcare can be split into low implementation solutions that mainly address administrative functions like insurance verification, coding, note-taking, etc., and high implementation solutions largely used for clinical decision-making. There are early signs of adoption in the former with clinicians and hospital systems addressing staff shortages and optimizing costs with such solutions. For the latter, participants concurred that it was the right time to build such tools but they emphasized the need for vigilance to ensure strong data integrity, guardrails, and accuracy. For instance, AI hallucinations, where large language models generate false information or facts, was a prevalent concern.

HealthCare: Showcasing the next chapter in Indian healthcare

Participants felt that while building the product, Al developers should keep in mind the target audience and the value proposition for them. Pankaj Jethwani, CEO at 2070 Health, said, “It is imperative for AI solutions to demonstrate a return on investment for potential customers. This can be in the form of cost savings due to replacement of outdated systems or enhancement of operational efficiency, or reduction in liabilities by decreasing human errors.” Shifting gears, HealthCraze-II also delved into understanding how the concept of ‘inflection point’ is defined in healthcare and how startups reach it.One way to define inflection point is – it is the pivotal moment in a startup’s growth trajectory when there’s no longer a need to explain the category they belong to. A good measure is the “mummy test” – if you can explain the category to your mother/parents without having to provide an explanation, it means that the category is well understood across age groups!

“Inflection points can manifest at the product, geographic or enterprise level, varying with categories. For B2C solutions, organic customer acquisition signifies establishment, while reliance on programs/doctors indicates developmental stages. For B2B players, a key measure is sales cycle contraction – conversion from skeptic to immediate payer i.e. – the day they don’t need a trial and are willing to pay from the first day.” explains Rohit, Managing Partner – Peer Capital.

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Government Guidelines Medical Updates Medicine & Health

Long Covid patients are much more likely to have multiple organ abnormalities

Long Covid patients are much more likely to have multiple organ abnormalities

MRI scans revealed that people with long COVID were 14 times more likely to have lung abnormalities than people who never had the disease.

It wasn’t that long ago that some people speculated that long COVID was all in the mind – a psychosomatic illness. Thankfully, that period of speculation is now behind us. We have compelling evidence that long COVID is very real and very harmful. I’m the lead investigator on an ongoing study called C-More which looks at the long-term harms caused by COVID.

People with long COVID who had abnormalities involving more than two organs were four times more likely to report “severe” or “very severe” mental and physical impairment.

In the beginning

When COVID first emerged, doctors perceived it to be a respiratory illness, with patients reporting pronounced coughing, shortness of breath and symptoms akin to pneumonia.

But as our global understanding of the disease evolved, so did our appreciation of this complex disease.

Reports began to emerge that the virus was capable of not just affecting the lungs but also other organs, such as the heart, kidneys, brain and blood vessels, causing a broader assault.

Studies identifying the viral proteins in various organs also began to emerge, demonstrating the virus’s fondness for certain tissues that were not part of the lungs.

Originally, the main theory put forward was that SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) was directly infecting cells across multiple organs.

But, as data accumulated, a more nuanced understanding emerged. It was observed that in some patients, the immune system, in its defence against the virus, overshot its response, leading to what’s termed a “cytokine storm”.

This hyperactive immune reaction wasn’t always discriminative, causing unintended damage to organs not directly under viral attack.

Further reports highlighting the predisposition of the virus to induce excess clotting, mitochondrial disruption (mitochondria being the powerhouses of our cells) and reactivation of other viruses emerged.

Long Covid patients are much more likely to have multiple organ abnormalities

More importantly, there was a growing number of patients continuing to report persistent disabling symptoms arising from multiple organs, even after surviving the initial infection, also known as long COVID, a condition now thought to affect one in ten people.

So the narrative shifted. COVID wasn’t merely a short respiratory affliction, but a multisystem disease with the potential for long-term complications, challenging our assumptions about how to treat the disease.

The birth of C-More

To shed light on these questions, the C-More study was launched in the UK, focusing on the after-effects of the virus in patients who had been hospitalized.

Few studies on long COVID have looked at multiple organ harm in the same patient. And those that have, have tended to focus on patients who weren’t hospitalized with COVID.

This makes our study unique. However, as with any pioneering study, there are some limitations.

The latest results, mentioned above, are based on preliminary data (interim analysis from half the study population). A complete analysis is still awaited.

Pre-COVID MRI scans from patients were not available, making definitive conclusions about the link between COVID and the organ changes difficult.

The control participants were not an exact match to the patient population, but we adjusted our analyses to account for any differences, ensuring the findings were as accurate as possible.

The MRI scans didn’t always explain the symptoms experienced in individual organs.

For instance, even if the MRI showed an organ to be normal, a patient could still exhibit related symptoms. The only strong tie identified was between lung abnormalities and chest tightness.

Still, this study was an important effort to better understand the long-term effects of COVID on multiple organ health.

It reminds us to be vigilant of the potential for long-term consequences of the disease and the importance of vaccination – particularly in people at risk of severe infections.

Doctors and healthcare services around the world can now refine follow-up care, with a focus on lung, brain, kidney and blood vessel health among patients recovering from serious COVID infections, based on our study’s results.

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