Aortic stenosis is a serious condition that, if left untreated, can have a major impact on your quality of life and long-term health. This condition causes your heart to work harder, eventually leading to weakness and complications. Early recognition and management are essential. This article explores the different steps you can take to prevent aortic valve stenosis.

What is The Prevention of Aortic Stenosis?

The prevention of aortic stenosis caused by ageing is typically challenging. However, you can take proactive steps to mitigate other cardiovascular diseases by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This includes managing your diet, sustaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly.

Other methods of aortic valve stenosis prevention:

1. Maintain optimal blood pressure:

Having high blood pressure (hypertension) increases the risk of developing aortic stenosis. About 40% of individuals diagnosed with aortic stenosis also struggle with hypertension. This condition places a lot of stress on the heart, causing it to have to work harder to get blood through the narrow arteries. This increased stress can accelerate the progression of aortic stenosis and can lead to complications such as heart failure.

2. Reduce your cholesterol levels:

Elevated levels of cholesterol and triglyceride are associated with an higher risk of myocardial infarction and aortic stenosis. Fortunately, these conditions can often be effectively managed with lifestyle changes like adopting a healthy diet and exercising regularly. In some cases, medication may also be necessary to achieve optimal lipid and triglyceride levels.

3. Avoid smoking 

Smoking also damages the arteries near your heart. This causes aortic stenosis, where the valve contracts, making blood flow difficult. Participate in supporting smoking cessation by providing programs and medications to address withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

4. Control diabetes condition

The risk of aortic stenosis is significantly increased in diabetic patients. Researchers claim that the narrowing of the aortic valve causes inflammation and calcium build up. It is thus important for diabetic patients to properly manage the condition to avoid the development of aortic stenosis.

Aortic stenosis resulting from bacterial infections can largely be prevented by promptly treating these infections. This involves adhering to antibiotic and medication regimens as directed, even beyond symptom relief.

However, aortic stenosis stemming from inherited or chronic conditions is typically not preventable. Congenital aortic valve stenosis, for instance, cannot be prevented.

The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood throughout our body. Certain health condiitons cause the narrowing of the aortic valve, which is responsible for directing blood from the heart’s left ventricle to the body via the aorta. This results in restriction of blood flow, causing heart and breathing conditions. Let’s explore the risk factors of aortic stenosis.

What are The Risk Factors of Aortic Stenosis?

Aortic stenosis usually occurs due to conditions like atherosclerosis and endocarditis. However, some factors can make it develop faster, such as:

• Age: Beyond 70 years of age significantly increases the risk of aortic valve stenosis due to natural damage.
• Congenital heart defects: This condition can occur if specific abnormalities such as bilateral aortic valves are present at birth.
• Chronic kidney disease: This condition weakens the body’s ability to eliminate waste products, which can lead to valve stiffness.

India is overburdened with cases of aortic stenosis, a condition wherein the aortic valve narrows, and blood cannot flow normally from the heart to other body parts. Over the past decade, there has been a gradual rise in the number of deaths attributed to calcific aortic valve disease in India. While this is a worrying condition, the best revelation is that the cure for aortic stenosis is no longer under the carpet!

What is the Treatment for Aortic Stenosis?

Firstly, if the condition is very mild, surgery becomes unnecessary. The doctor usually recommends medications or lifestyle changes for aortic stenosis treatment.

However, if the case is severe, healthcare professionals can access several surgical and non-surgical procedures to treat the condition.

Aortic valve replacement surgery involves removing the faulty valve from the heart through open chest surgery or a less invasive procedure. The defective valve is replaced with a new valve made from mechanical parts or tissues from animals or humans.

Balloon valvuloplasty is a less invasive procedure whereby doctors use a catheter to insert a balloon into the narrowed valve. This method helps improve symptoms of aortic stenosis when valve replacement surgery isn't an option.

TAVR, or transcatheter aortic valve replacement, is a newer and less invasive way to replace a damaged aortic valve. Instead of open-heart surgery, doctors use a catheter to insert a new valve into place, avoiding the need for traditional surgery in many patients. The initial successful attempt in India, involving a woman in her eighties, was recorded in 2011.

Aortic stenosis is a heart problem usually associated with the narrowing of the aortic valve, leading to impeded blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. Detecting symptoms of aortic stenosis is very important for effective early diagnosis and proper intervention. The symptoms are observed in patients’ regular lives, from shortness of breath and chest pain to fainting and fatigue. Such symptoms can prompt people to visit medical centres immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment.

What are the Symptoms of Aortic Stenosis?

Aortic stenosis symptoms may include chest pain, rapid and fluttering heartbeat, trouble breathing or feeling short of breath, dizziness, light-headedness, fainting, difficulty walking short distances, swollen ankles or feet, and difficulty sleeping or needing to sleep sitting up.

Valve stenosis symptoms depend on severity. Some individuals may not experience marked symptoms, while others may show symptoms of tiredness, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and fainting. In infants and children with congenital aortic stenosis, the symptoms can include fatigue after exercise, failure to gain weight, breathing difficulties, and feeding problems. Frequent check ups with healthcare providers and consulting with them regularly are paramount for early detection and control.

Heart diseases have become quite prevalent today, with many fatalities being reported regularly. One such heart-related disease, aortic stenosis, is also grabbing attention. Aortic stenosis (AS) is a frequently occurring heart valve condition, affecting approximately 3% of adults aged 75 and above. 

Let us begin by understanding the aortic valve stenosis aetiology.

What are the Causes of Aortic Stenosis?

Here is a glimpse into the causes of aortic stenosis:

This condition occurs when the lower left heart chamber valve and the aorta get blocked or clogged. But what causes such blockage? It is caused by a condition called atherosclerosis, which is a buildup of calcium around the aortic valve as a person ages. This buildup makes the valve tissue stiff, narrow, and rigid.

Beyond atherosclerosis, there are other causes of aortic stenosis, including congenital heart defects. If a child is born with a heart defect, say a bicuspid aortic valve, the chances of aortic stenosis occurring go up. Similarly, rheumatic fever and infective endocarditis can be potential causes for this condition to occur.

Alkaptonuria is a rare inherited disorder known as black urine disease, wherein a person's urine turns dark brown or black when exposed to air. This condition is a fallout of the body's preventing the complete breakdown of two amino acids, tyrosine and phenylalanine, which are involved in building protein. The body cannot produce an enzyme called homogentisic dioxygenase acid (HGD). The bones and cartilage become discoloured and brittle, leading to the onset of another condition called osteoarthritis, especially in the spine and large joints. Hence, alkaptonuria can be defined as a rare genetic inborn error of protein metabolism. In the following section, let’s learn about the alkaptonuria diagnostic test.

What are the Diagnoses for Alkaptonuria?

The doctor may conduct tests to determine alkaptonuria if a patient shows symptoms such as the early onset of osteoarthritis, or their urine is turning black when exposed to air. The patient’s family history also comes into the picture. The tests include:

• Gas chromatography - Mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) to look for elevated levels of homogentisic acid in a patient’s urine within a 24-hour period. The normal content per day should be 1-8 grams
• Echocardiography to detect cardiac-related problems
• Molecular genetic testing to identify any mutated HGD gene

For a better diagnosis of alkaptonuria, the doctor may want to know more about a patient’s family history, which is very useful in correctly diagnosing alkaptonuria. Most people do not know whether they carry the HGD gene or their parents were the inadvertent carriers.

Biochemical test: This is the gold standard method to check for alkaptonuria. A first-morning urine sample taken from the patient is mixed with ferric chloride. The doctor ascertains the condition as alkaptonuria if the mixture turns black.

Alkaptonuria is a very rare inherited disorder. The condition is also known as black urine disease because a patient’s urine turns dark brown or black when it comes in contact with the air. This disorder gets triggered as the body cannot completely break down two amino acids, tyrosine and phenylalanine, which build up protein. The body cannot produce an enzyme called homogentisic dioxygenase acid (HGD), leading to brittleness and discolouration of the bones and cartilage. It signals the onset of osteoarthritis, especially in the spine and large joint areas. There is no specific treatment for alkaptonuria, but taking certain medicines and bringing about lifestyle changes can help manage the symptoms.

What are the Treatments for Alkaptonuria?

Alkaptonuria is a lifelong condition with no specific treatment. Any alleviation of the condition focuses mainly on the use of anti-inflammatory medicines or narcotics. The options to manage the symptoms of alkaptonuria include:

Nitisinone: This medication reduces the level of homogentisic acid in the body to slow the advancement of alkaptonuria in adults.

Diet: A diet with low protein intake can help reduce the risk of potential side effects nitisinone may cause.

Exercise: If the condition starts causing pain and stiffness, gentle exercises may help build muscles and strengthen the joints. Doing so may also help relieve stress, lose weight, improve posture, and ease symptoms. Consulting a physiotherapist may help, as they can customise an exercise plan. 

Pain relief: Consult the doctor before starting any medicines, including painkillers, to manage the pain.

Emotional support: Alkaptonuria is a lifelong inherited disorder and a person diagnosed with the condition may feel anxious, stressed, and depressed. They may need emotional support from their family or caregiver in dealing with the condition.

Surgery: The onset of alkaptonuria can make the cartilage, which is flexible tissue, hard and cause breakage, leading to joint damage. The doctor may suggest surgery, especially hip, knee, or aortic valve replacement. 

Cushing’s syndrome occurs as a result of too much production of cortisol in the body. Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is released during times of stress; therefore, it is also called a stress hormone.

What are the treatments for Cushing's syndrome?

Cushing’s disease is usually caused by a tumour that results in too much secretion of cortisol in the body. Certain medications used for the treatment of other conditions can also lead to the production of cortisol, this hormone. Red and round faces, rapid weight gain, general weakness, diabetes, blurry vision, purple stretch marks on the abdomen, weak muscles, and high blood pressure are some of the symptoms of this condition. Cushing’s syndrome, if left untreated, can be fatal. A health insurance policy is important for people suffering from Cushing’s syndrome because it provides essential financial support for necessary medical interventions.

The cure for Cushing’s syndrome depends on the underlying cause and may include:

• Reducing glucocorticoid doses: If higher cortisol levels are due to the side effects of glucocorticoid medicine, then the healthcare provider will likely reduce the dose of the medicine or change the medication to a non-glucocorticoid.
• Medications: when surgery, radiotherapy, and other options cannot be used, then medicines like ketoconazole, mitotane, and metyrapone are used for the treatment of Cushing's disease.
• Surgery: If Cushing’s syndrome is caused by a tumour in the pituitary, hypothalamus, or adrenal gland, then surgical removal of the tumour is done.
• Radiation therapy: Tumours located in the pituitary gland are sometimes difficult to remove. In such cases, radiation therapy is done to stop the growth and remove the tumour.
• Chemotherapy: If the Cushing’s disease is caused by a cancerous tumour, then treatment may include chemotherapy to stop the spread of the disease.

If the treatment is done properly, then the disease may go away within two to 18 months, depending on the cause of the disease.

Cushing’s syndrome or hypercortisolism is a condition when your body produces too much of the cortisol hormone. People suffering from asthma or rheumatoid arthritis are more prone to Cushing’s syndrome. As per the estimates, 70% of the people who have Cushing’s syndrome are women or who are assigned female at birth.

What is the Diagnosis of Cushing Syndrome?

For Cushing’s syndrome diagnosis, the physician will ask the patient to undergo several tests. The healthcare provider will look at the person’s medical history, and perform some examinations and lab tests to accurately determine the health situation. The doctor may ask for the following tests to be done:

1. 24-hour urinary cortisol test - Your healthcare provider will ask you to get a 24-hour analysis of your urine where the amount of cortisol in micrograms will be analysed.
2. Midnight salivary cortisol test - Your cortisol levels are determined through this test. It is estimated that cortisol levels are low during the night between 11 pm to 12 am. If the test reveals that your cortisol levels are high you are suffering from Cushing’s syndrome.
3. Blood tests - Your doctor will also ask you to get a blood test done. Through the blood test, the ACTH levels in the blood are measured. It is estimated that if the ACTH levels are low then you might be suffering from an adrenal tumour, and on the other hand, if the levels are normal or high then you could be suffering from a pituitary or ectopic tumour.
4. High-dose dexamethasone suppression test - This test is performed only if your ACTH levels and cortisol levels in the morning are high. This test is done to know the source of Cushing’s syndrome. It helps to identify pituitary adenoma (Cushing’s disease) and a tumour in the body.

Once your healthcare provider confirms Cushing’s syndrome, they will proceed to identify its underlying cause. Typically, this condition arises from medication use or the presence of a tumour. If you are currently taking glucocorticoids, it's likely the medication is responsible. In this case, the doctor will consider reducing the dosage. In cases where you are not on glucocorticoids, the suspicion shifts toward the presence of a tumour. The tumour could be in the adrenal glands, pituitary gland, or elsewhere. To pinpoint the tumour's location, your healthcare provider may recommend specific imaging studies:

1. CT scan (CT) or MRI of the abdomen: These scans are used to detect tumours in the adrenal glands and can be performed with or without IV contrast, offering high sensitivity.
2. Pituitary MRI: This imaging technique focuses on the pituitary gland to identify potential tumours. However, it may not always yield a definitive diagnosis; approximately 50% of Cushing syndrome cases display normal MRI results, while 10% have unrelated tumours.
3. Bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPPS): BIPPS helps locate the source of ACTH secretion. It boasts an impressive accuracy rate of 95% to 98%.
4. Chest CT scan: If there is suspicion of an ectopic tumour, a chest CT scan will be ordered to investigate the possibility of lung cancer

Cushing’s syndrome develops when our body produces too much of the cortisol hormone. This may happen for several reasons. A 2019 review estimates that about 10% of the new Cushing’s syndrome cases annually are seen in children alone. Various treatment options are available for Cushing’s syndrome. Health insurance Plans may help you cover your medical expenses when the need arises.

How can Cushing’s Syndrome be prevented?

The prevention of Cushing's syndrome depends on the cause. The condition can appear due to the continuous use of glucocorticoids. If you are taking any such medicines for a long time to control inflammatory diseases or immune rejection after transplantation surgery, it can increase cortisol levels in your body. Reducing the intake or stopping such medicines, as suggested by the physician, can help control the hormone levels.

Cushing’s syndrome cannot be prevented when it is caused by a tumor. It gets better with treatment but will take a long time to recover.

Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a genetic disorder that damages the membrane covering nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It also affects the adrenal glands. The symptoms become apparent from age 4 to 10. It can be present in later ages also. The symptoms include loss of vision, learning disabilities, deafness, lack of coordination and balance, lack of appetite, progressive dementia, etc.

What is the Diagnosis of Adrenoleukodystrophy?

For the diagnosis of Adrenoleukodystrophy, the healthcare provider will review your medical history, symptoms, and also family history. A physical examination and certain tests are conducted to confirm the disease. The diagnostic tests include-

• Blood tests - This will examine the levels of long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) in the bloodstream. High levels of VLCFAs indicate the possibility of ALD. Also, the working of adrenal glands will be examined through blood tests.
• Genetic tests - Done to detect mutations that cause ALD.
• MRI - The powerful radio waves of the MRI scan procedure create images of the brain. Through this, abnormalities in the brain including nerve damage can be detected. Doctors make use of several types of MRI to identify the problem.
• Vision Screening - ALD diagnosis also includes vision screening, especially in males who do not show any symptoms related to
• Skin Biopsy and fibroblast cell culture - A sample of skin will be examined to check for increased levels of VLCFA.

The infants will undergo newborn examination which includes the screening for ALD.

Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a genetic disorder passed on from the mother to her child.  This condition arises due to a mutated gene in the X chromosome. As a result, the myelin sheath, which is a membrane that covers the nerve cells gets damaged. This mainly occurs in the brain and spinal cord, and adrenoleukodystrophy is more common in males.

What Are The Causes of Adrenoleukodystrophy?

Causes of adrenoleukodystrophy include mutations in the ABCD-1 gene that produces the ALD protein. ALD is present on the surface of peroxisomes, cell organelle containing enzymes that perform various metabolic functions. It transports very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) into the peroxisome, where they are digested. Dysfunctional ALD protein prevents the breakdown of these acids and leads to their accumulation in the brain, nervous system, and adrenal glands. ALD causes the destruction of the myelin sheath.  It can also be toxic to the blood cells.

Blood pressure is one of the important parameters measured, along with other vital signs, to evaluate the well-being of a person. The range for ideal blood pressure lies between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg.

What are the causes of low blood pressure?

When the upper limit for blood pressure (systolic) becomes lower than 90 mmHg or 60 mmHg for the lower number (diastolic), then it is called low blood pressure. Symptoms of low blood pressure include dizziness, fainting, blurred vision, nausea or vomiting, rapid or shallow breathing, tiredness, and lethargy.

Low blood pressure can occur on its own or due to some existing diseased conditions. Blood pressure drop causes include:

• Orthostatic hypotension: when a person changes positions from lying to sitting or sitting to standing too quickly, the body does not compensate with more blood flow to the brain. This causes temporary low blood pressure.

• Low blood volume: when a person suffers severe blood loss due to an injury, low blood pressure can occur.

• Postprandial hypotension: this type of blood pressure occurs 1-2 hours after eating because the digestive system uses more blood when food digestion occurs. Elderly people with conditions like Parkinson’s disease are mostly affected.

• Conditions of the heart and lungs: Low blood pressure can occur due to irregular heartbeats, heart failure, or lung dysfunction.

• Medication: prescription medicine for high blood pressure, neurological problems, heart failure, and erectile dysfunction can cause low blood pressure.

• Consumption of alcohol or recreational drugs can also lead to a lowering of blood pressure.

• Certain herbal supplements and vitamins can also lower the blood pressure.
• Pregnancy-related orthostatic hypotension is very common during the first and second trimesters.

A health insurance policy is crucial for people who experience blood pressure-related issues. It provides financial support for necessary medical care and ensures access to timely and comprehensive treatment.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that water-borne diseases kill about 1.8 million people annually worldwide. These numbers primarily include children from developing countries. Moreover, the World Bank states that 21% of communicable diseases in India are water borne.

To stay protected from water-related contaminants, one can follow a few basic procedures. Read on to learn how you can stay in the pink of health during this monsoon:

1. Water Disinfection

Many natural and manmade water resources are polluted with harmful waste. In 2014, Safe Water Network, an organisation that strives to overcome the water challenges of the world, estimated that more than half of the pipelines in Indian rural areas deliver untreated water. Access to safe drinking water is the most significant step to prevent the outbreak of water-borne diseases. Water that is used for cooking or drinking needs to be disinfected on a regular basis. Boiling the water with common iodine for about 10 minutes can make it safe for consumption. This is considered one of the most simple and effective measures to stay protected from water-borne diseases.

Water that is used for cooking or drinking needs to be disinfected on a regular basis. Boiling the water with common iodine for about 10 minutes can make it safe for consumption. This is considered one of the most simple and effective measures to stay protected from water-borne diseases.

2. Personal Hygiene

The transmission of water-borne diseases mainly occurs through various unsanitary sources. Negligence of personal and food hygiene can easily make one susceptible to many endemic illnesses.

Following some basic hygiene practices such as washing your hands and feet on returning home after a walk through the puddles is a must. This can help reduce the likelihood of contracting water-borne diseases like jaundice, cholera and typhoid fever.

3. Environment

A well-sustained environment is the key to a healthier life. The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDP) states that 95% of the Indian population resides in malaria endemic areas. Transmission of malaria is facilitated due to mosquitoes that breed in open water resources.

The occurrence of malaria and dengue spikes during the monsoon. Sterilising open water resources regularly, preventing water from stagnating, clearing drains, etc. help to maintain a healthy environment and prevent the breeding of disease-causing agents.

4. Vaccination

As per the WHO, vaccines avert up to 3 million deaths globally. Vaccination is an effective method to control the outcome of water-borne diseases. They can be administered to large populations in cases of emergencies. However, they cannot replace conventional measures of prevention.

WHO developed two oral cholera vaccines that were used in mass vaccination campaigns. Today, they are considered an effective tool against high-risk cholera and are being implemented worldwide.

5. Spreading Awareness

Lack of awareness amongst the population regarding the symptoms of water-borne diseases is a major reason for them remaining untreated or undetected. When all precautionary measures fail, prompt medical treatment can still save you from complications.

Mass awareness campaigns, local initiatives and individual ownership can result in timely intervention, diagnosis and cure of water-borne diseases, and not make it the killer it seems to be. Spread the word.

A health emergency can occur to anyone, anytime. To reduce unnecessary worries this monsoon, ensure you are prepared with a health insurance plan.

Know more about hospital daily allowance

Are you aware of insurance policies that offer you a cash allowance every day for your hospitalisation period? Certain health insurance policies offer daily cash benefits to meet your medical and non-medical expenses during your stay in a hospital.

Understand Your Health Insurance Policy

Policy providers offer daily hospital allowances either as a part of the insurance policy or as an additional rider. Before buying any health insurance policy or a daily hospital allowance rider you must ensure:

• The daily cash limit offered to you
• Your eligibility for the policy
• Coverage span of the policy

Most insurance providers ask for a minimum 24 hour hospitalisation to be eligible to make a claim. Daily hospital allowance does not apply to day care procedures and minor surgeries which don’t require a 24 hour hospitalisation. Daily cash limit and coverage span of the policy also vary according to the policy provider. Usually policy providers offer a cash limit between ₹ 1000 - ₹ 1,500 with a coverage span that varies from 2 weeks to 3 months depending on the policy provider. Those admitted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) may avail cash benefits in excess of the upper cash limit but the number of covered days will be reduced proportionately.

Persons with pre-existing medical conditions need to go through a waiting period during which they cannot make a claim. Therefore, you need to carefully assess the eligibility conditions and your medical history before buying a policy to avoid any conflict arising at the time of claim.

Things to Remember Before Buying a Policy

Hospital daily allowance policies can be tricky sometimes. Although the procedure to claim your daily allowance is simple and closely resembles to the usual medical bills claiming procedure, yet, the cash benefits may not be availed at the end of each day. Some policy providers may provide you the flexibility of daily allowance, but usually most of them will provide cash benefits only after you get discharged.

It is always better to check whether your policy offers pre-fixed or per day hand cash outs beforehand. The procedure of making a claim is easy yet some people feel it’s complicated and avoid making a claim, once their medical bills are settled. This should be avoided and any claim no matter how small or large it is, must be made in accordance with the policy’s terms and conditions.

ICICI Lombard offers a Health Insurance Plan which enables you to afford high quality healthcare facilities with tax benefits. Purchase the health insurance plan and avail cashless hospitalization across a vast range of hospitals across the country.

For rudimentary understanding it provides financial cover-up in case of illness, health issues. For same one needs to be in agreement with the insurer to invest premium amount for tackling unforeseen health issues for self and family.

Medical coverage is important for every individual as in this dynamic and fast growing scenario, people are compromising with the physical capabilities to excel more and more in their career, they usually ignore the health factors in a day to day life which cumulates to the major health problems down the line. Gradually body starts losing the immunity to fight with the internal and external agents causing health issues. Hence it becomes mandatory to prepare oneself for the upcoming health challenges to ensure the financial assistance at the time of crisis.

Medical coverage plans comes with the flexibility of both types of payments cashless and reimbursements in case of in-network and out of network respectively. For in-network, one can avail the facility by showing the medical cards and expenses to be taken care by the insurance company itself through the TPA (Third party administrator) which depends upon the entitlement. In case of out-of-network, upfront payments should be done by the user and the amount would be reimbursed upon the submission of bills. To avail these facilities one should be hospitalized for 24 hours. However in certain cases like a disease diagnosed after converge and which is to be treated in near future, tests pertaining to surgery/operations, same could be provided without the former condition. In addition, few policies give benefits for routine check-ups also. Coverage in limited to Contact lenses, hearing aids and spectacles are also not covered. Also, there are no short term policies available for health cover for less than a year.

Sum insured can be on individual or floater basis for self and dependent. It also offers an arrangement called Cumulative Bonus, which says that for every claim free year; there will be increase in sum insured by certain percentage(with capping). For any claims, it will be reduced by certain % for next year. Premium depends on certain factors like age, medical history. For older people, premium rates would be on higher side so as in case of bad medical history.

IRDA has taken a major step i.e.Health Insurance Plan Portability which allows a user to switch the policy from one provider to another (subjected to sum insured). IRDA is playing a active role by not only doing the vigilance on existing policies but also by providing as ear to the grievances and concerns related to services offered by the insurance providers. For same one can register their complaints through IGMs website and can connect via Toll free 155255. After registration of a complaint companies got 15 days time to work-upon and to resolve the issues.

Above all, medical covers provide opportunity to save tax and to lessen pressure on one’s pockets.

This guidebook to eating street food the safe way can get you the best of both worlds – appetizing food and hygiene

No matter what part of the world it is, street vendors and the food prepared by them have always been a steady hit with the locals. Moreover, in a country like India, food that’s prepared by the roadside never fails to impress many a sophisticated palate. And that is irrespective of the strata you belong to. Street vendors have mushroomed in recent times, giving rise to a food culture that has arrived and is here to stay for good. This has particularly been because of a majority of urban dwellers who absolutely swear by their routine early morning fix of breakfast and subsequently, other meals of the day.

Considering the prices they are served at, India’s street food, according to many food aficionados, is the master-key to the main heartland’s culture and its delectable cuisine spread. A shoestring budget is all it needs, and you will be served a hearty meal. Moreover, with an initial outlay that is relatively low, street food business has hit the roof and many loyal customers have taken to Twitter and other social media platforms to campaign for their favorite vendors.

Risks that have been reported with street food

Sure the delicacies run deep, but street foods have their own share of adversities on health. Traveler’s diarrhea, cholera, food poisoning are some of the risks that you might be exposing yourself to if you eat without being sure about the safety standards and hygiene practices. According to a WHO report roadside food items run the risk of carrying high levels of toxic chemicals, heavy metals, pesticide residue, pathogenic bacteria, contaminants such as vehicular traffic dust and unapproved food additives such as textile dyes.

A few disorders – such as cholera and acute cases of food poisoning - once contracted, can end up being chronic and in some cases, warrant immediate hospitalization. Given the increasing costs of healthcare and how quickly they can compound to pose a major financial burden, a comprehensive health insurance  cover or Mediclaim policy might be of much significance in times of dire need or dearth of funds.

• Allow time for adjustment

Allow yourself some time to adjust to the local spread, before you delve into the street food menu. This holds true, especially if you don’t have a palate for spices and condiments that are typical to a particular part of the country.

• Herd mentality

One of the rare occasions when following the herd may be a wiser option. If you find the locals giving a particular vendor a miss, you should ideally skip on him as well. This is because crowd favorites are usually a safe bet, when it comes to both taste as well as the hygiene standards that go into preparing a food.

• Observe before approaching

If you are new to the place, spend some time only observing what the vendors do in the food stalls. Notice how they clean their utensils, or whether they always keep the ingredients and food covered. Make sure the vendor has a pair of clean gloves on before he gets down to readying your order.

• Proof is in the oil

The color of the oil can be a big giveaway to how safe and hygienic the food could be at any roadside stall. Know the signs well – if the color is a little cloudy or you find remnants (debris) in the oil; chances are the oil has been reheated and reused number of times. These are surefire clues to the oil being absolutely unhygienic and unclean. Stay as far as you can from such foods, no matter how scrumptious they seem.

• Avoid cut fruits

While whole fruits can be a healthy option if the vendor cuts them in front of you, pre-cut fruits are usually the perfect breeding ground for common flies and other insects that could ruin your street food party. In addition to cut fruits, stay away from any fruit juice that has been stored in a bottle, unless of course you’re certain about the vendor’s hygiene standards and washing practices.

• Choose fully cooked dishes

Irrespective of what the locals tell you about a typical indigenous meat preparation that tastes best when served undercooked, don’t give into them. This is because undercooked foods, particularly meat, may have certain parasite strains that are likely to adversely affect digestion and bring you down with a bout of fever and food allergies.

• Avoid chutneys and uncooked add-ons

Don’t mind the ketchup. The tamarind chutney that is touted to be the perfect pair for the quintessential samosa chat (a fried dish made with wheat flour and fillings) could well have been made from unclean water and sitting out in the open for a while. Don’t give into these flavor enhancing add-ons if you aren’t sure about what you can stomach.

If you are in a country that has franchised takeaway food carts or street food vans, chances are they’re manned by vendors trained in basic hygiene and food safety practices. ICICI Lombard also provides health insurance plans like Family Health Insurance , Health Booster, Personal Accident Insurance, Arogya Sanjeevani Policy, Corona Kavach Policy which offers people with the much needed financial backup during any medical emergencies.

Reasons to Get Insurance Related to Heart Diseases As Soon As Possible

The Worrying Statistics

Lifestyle-based diseases are more common than ever, making them the new threat we need to tackle. Among the many lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases, cardiovascular diseases are the top causes of deaths around the world, as per the World Health Organisation. As per the findings of the report, cardiovascular diseases cause more fatalities than any other disease.

In a similar report by the Registrar General of India, 23% of 1.8 lakh deaths across the country in 2010-2013 were caused by cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, it is estimated to increase and account for about 35.9% of deaths by 2030. This means Indians will bear the brunt of heart diseases in the near future in case they are not prepared.

High Susceptibility

Heart diseases are not restricted to people aged 50 or above anymore. We are witnessing a rise of heart diseases among people in the age group 25-35 years as per Dr. Ajay Chaurasia, Head of Cardiology, BYL Nair Hospital.

These findings can be easily attributed to the sedentary lifestyle that most of us are comfortable with. Physical inactivity, when clubbed with unhealthy eating habits, doubles the risk of cardiovascular diseases and complications such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and imbalance in lipid levels among many others.

Medical Inflation

Our burden of medical expenses is increasing and is further expected to rise. According to a recent survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), the average cost of hospitalisation increased 10.7% in urban areas and 10.1% in the rural during 2004-2014.

Thus, although patients from all over the world come to India for hospitalisation, healthcare cost for most Indians, be it in private or public hospitals is growing. This increase is attributed to the increase in demand for a better infrastructure, which is provided by private hospitals at a higher cost.

Anand Sharma, 42, leads a busy life and has a dedicated yearly renewal insurance policy for his family and him. Past month he suffered from a minor heart problem and had to be treated for it. When the time came to reimburse the treatment amount through his mediclaim policy, his insurers rejected the claim. It was stated that Anand was treated for hypertension 5 years ago, and the heart problem is the relating pre-existing disease. This rejection, of course, was wrongly based.

In such cases, it is hard to differentiate the ailments. To set the record straight and to bring clarity in the interest of the consumers, General Insurance Council of India (GIC) created new standard definition for pre-existing diseases that will have to be followed by health insurance companies.

The Definition

GIC definition states “The benefits (of any type of health insurance) are not available for any condition, ailment or injury or related condition for which the insured had signs or symptoms, and/or was diagnosed and/or received medical advice/treatment, prior to the inception of the first policy, until 48 consecutive months of coverage have elapsed after the date of inception of the first policy.”

This means that if a person with any condition, ailment or injury has symptoms or signs that were diagnosed or has received medical advice within 48 months before the policy issuance, he is not eligible for claiming reimbursement against such treatment. He can only get the claim once the 48-month waiting period, from date of policy issuance, lapses.

The Waiting Period

health insurance plans come with a waiting period for the pre-existing diseases. These are provisions created to avoid fraudulent claims by the insured. It also safeguards the insurers from losses of unethical claims and protects the interest of genuine claims.

The pre-existing waiting period usually lasts from 2 to 4 years and vary across insurers. In case the person undertakes a treatment for a disease or ailment, he is covered post the waiting period completion and the coverage comes into effect.

The policy wording will be a better guide to ascertain the duration of the waiting period.