Study Circle
Let’s Age Gracefully & Know That UQ was the topic of the study circle talk in February. The speaker was our past resident, Dr Anil Mandhani. At present, he is the Executive Director of the Department of Urology and Kidney Transplant at Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram. He was welcomed by club secretary Ghanshyam Gupta with a bouquet of flowers. SP Bagala introduced him to the audience.
Dr Anil Mandhani said he has beautiful memories of Sector 15A. He pointed out that we have become domesticated by technology and do not socialize as much as we should. He also emphasized the importance of being educated about the physiology of the human body so that we can explain our troubles to doctors more effectively.
He then talked about urinary leakage, noting that several women have this issue but feel shy about it. He stressed the importance of spreading awareness about it. Urinary leakage can be treated by a small surgical procedure, but women should first try to strengthen their pelvic floor muscles. Sometimes, after childbirth, these muscles become weak, and proper exercise can solve 50% to 60% of the problem.
He emphasized that type 2 diabetes can be totally reversed by changing our diet and pointed out the perception created by big pharma companies due to commercial angles. He mentioned that there was a time when high cholesterol was considered bad, but it is not anymore.
He informed the audience that he is working with a company in Gurgaon on some amazing medical devices. One is a urethral catheter designed to prevent injury during insertion, and another is a urinary bag connected to a mobile device that notifies the patient or attendant when the bag needs to be emptied. He mentioned that they have also designed a biodegradable stent for the prostate, which could potentially make surgery avoidable.
Dr Anil insisted on being mindful of our diet, exercise, and lifestyle, saying that we can age gracefully. He mentioned that in the USA, the third most prevalent cause of death is medical negligence, after cancer and heart attacks. He suggested having a checklist to avoid medical negligence and aging gracefully, emphasizing healthy eating, sufficient protein intake, and reducing carbs. He also stressed the importance of oral health, advising annual dental check-ups and cautioning against excessive fruit consumption due to the presence of fructose.
He mentioned osteoporosis, which can be prevented by exercising and taking supplements to strengthen muscles. Psychological issues among seniors were also discussed, with Dr Mandhani recommending social activities to promote happiness. He advised against consuming gluten and emphasized training the bladder. For prostate issues, he suggested seeing a doctor if urinating every two hours, and proper tests should be done to confirm symptoms before rushing into surgery. He advised prostate patients to avoid smoking and caffeine, as they can stimulate the prostate.
Dr Anil Mandhani also mentioned the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test for ruling out prostate cancer and stressed the seriousness of blood in urine, urging immediate consultation with a doctor. He also addressed urinary tract infections among women, emphasizing hydration and hygiene to prevent them.
The talk was highly informative and well-received by over 100 residents. RM Bhardwaj, Pradeep Rao, and Satish Chawla asked questions, and got satisfactory answers. Thanks to the club committee for organizing such a relevant and informative talk.
