Frequently Asked Questions

A sudomotor function test is a quick and reliable way of identifying certain types of neuropathies. The presently available tests detect only 50-60% of neuropathies. This test helps the clinician to identify small fiber neuropathies and improve diagnostic accuracy.

The side effects of bariatric surgery are relatively lesser compared to the health issues that you suffer from obesity. Some side effects may include general weakness, malnutrition, temporally hair loss. You can overcome these issues by following the guidelines from dietitian and doctor.

There are mainly five types of liver cancer based upon the type of cell in the liver. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common type of primary liver cancer which affects the main liver cells called hepatocytes. People with cirrhosis and men are more prone to get Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Fibrolamellar carcinoma Fibrolamellar carcinoma is rare liver cancer, it comes as a subtype of Hepatocellular carcinoma and usually seen in healthy teens and adults under 40 years old. Interestingly, people diagnosed as Fibrolamellar carcinoma is not usually associated with liver cirrhosis or Hepatitis B or C infection. Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare liver cancer of the bile ducts, also categorized under primary liver cancer. The carcinoma begins in the section of ducts inside the liver is called intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Angiosarcoma Angiosarcoma a type of rare liver cancer affects the blood vessels of the liver; it is commonly seen in the elderly population. Angiosarcoma is also known as soft tissue sarcoma or haemangiosarcoma. Hepatoblastoma: Hepatoblastoma is a kind of rare primary liver cancer that mainly affects children under 3 years old.

Liver cancer is diagnosed by performing following tests and procedures; It is not possible to diagnose hepatic cancer by doing normal blood tests. A specific blood test is done to find levels of alfa-fetoprotein in serum (AFP). Increased levels of AFP indicate presence of liver cancer. Sometimes the doctor may suggest imaging studies such as a CT or MRI scan. Liver biopsy is another method used to identify malignant or benign tumour. It is done is by removing tissue from liver and examining under the microscope, liver biopsy can be done along with CT scan. Another method to identify liver cancer is by doing laparoscopy, in this procedure the surgeon assesses the signs of hepatocellular carcinoma by inserting a flexible tube with a camera and light at the tip (laparoscope) by making a small incision in the abdomen.

Heavy drinkers usually progress from fatty liver to alcoholic hepatitis to alcoholic cirrhosis over time. However, one may develop alcoholic cirrhosis without getting alcoholic hepatitis first. Besides, obesity, diabetes and chronic Hepatitis C infection increase the chance of liver diseases substantially.​

Kidneys are your body’s filters. They purify blood several times a day, maintain your body’s fluid and electrolyte balance and produce urine. So when the kidneys fail to function, your body starts getting poisoned. Each of your kidneys comprises a million microscopic filtering units called nephron. The most dangerous fact about kidney or renal failure is that one might not know about it till 90% of the function is lost. The symptoms of kidney or renal damage include symptoms like swollen ankles, vomiting, weakness, poor sleep, and shortness of breath. If not addressed medically, the kidneys will eventually become dysfunctional – a condition that’s life threatening.

You will be infused with healthy, transplanted cells in the BMT unit through an IV line – just like you’d be on drips. As there will be no disease -fighting white blood cells and blood-clotting platelets after the conditioning, your susceptibility to infections will be extremely high. You’ll need to be extremely careful so that you don’t contract any infection and follow the doctor’s advise meticulously to avoid any complications. Since the stem cells used for autologous transplantation should relatively be free of cancer cells, the harvested cells can sometimes be treated before transplantation in a process known as “purging”. This process removes maximum cancer cells from the harvested cells and minimise the chance of reoccurrence.

Apart from susceptibility to infection and bleeding, you may experience short-term side effects such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite, mouth sores, hair loss, and skin reactions. There are also potential long-term issues that your doctor will explain in detail to you before beginning the treatment.

Children and infants are also highly susceptible to heart disease and might require heart transplant due to severe cardiomyopathy (weak heart muscles) and congenital heart disease that cannot be medically managed. Some children who have already undergone corrective cardiac surgeries might also require heart transplant due to re-occurrence of problems (continued cardiac problems).

The donor from whom you get a new heart is usually someone who would have signed up for organ donation before he or she died. The heart is surgically removed, with the full consent of the donor’s family, once the donor is certified brain-dead. The availability of donor organs are informed through an organ sharing network and the recipient is chosen based on the best possible match – with respect to the blood type, body type, recipient’s medical condition, and the waiting period. The religion/ race/ gender of the donor or the recipient does not matter (in any organ transplant for that matter) while determining the match. All donors are mandatorily screened for Hepatitis B and C and for HIV. When it comes to paediatric heart transplants, we make sure that your child gets the best care possible. Our team of experts comprises Paediatric Cardiac Surgeons and Paediatric Interventional Cardiologists with decades of experience to their credit. We have specialised, state-of-the-art facilities for this programme including a Level 3 PICU that’s managed by internationally trained paediatric intensivists. Waiting for a heart can be quite distressful, but if everything goes well, it’s definitely a second chance at life.