Patient Education

The aim of patient education is for people to improve their knowledge, skills and confidence, enabling them to take increasing control of their own condition and integrate effective self-management into their daily lives. High-quality structured education can have a profound effect on health outcomes and can significantly improve quality of life.

WHAT IS HEALTHY FOOD?

Healthy food provides you with nutrients needed to function correctly. Includes - Fruits and Vegetables - rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Aim to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Choose a variety of colors Whole Grains -source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Provide sustained energy and help you feel full for longer. Choose whole-grain bread, pasta, and rice over refined grains. Lean Proteins - essential for building and repairing tissues. Choose lean proteins such as chicken, fish, beans, and lentils. Healthy Fats - found in nuts, seeds, and avocados. Help to reduce inflammation and risk of heart disease. Avoid trans fats and saturated fats.
TIPS FOR MAKING HEALTHIER FOOD CHOICES
Plan meals ahead of time.
Read food labels to understand nutritional content.
Choose whole foods over processed foods.
Cook at home using fresh ingredients.
Limit sugary drinks and snacks.
Drink plenty of water
Essence of Mindful Munching
Pause- Reflect. Before reaching for a snack, take a deep breath and assess your hunger level. Are you truly hungry, or is it a response to boredom or stress?
Savor Flavors and Appreciate Every Bite. Engage your senses while snacking. Take time to truly savor flavors, textures, and aromas
Nutrient-dense snack ideas. Make your own mix by combining nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and maybe some dark chocolate. This provides perfect balance of healthy fats, protein and natural sweetness
Portion Control(Quality Over Quantity).
Hydration Harmony. Water as a Snacking Sidekick. Stay hydrated and have water alongside. Supports digestion too.
DRAWBACKS OF FAD DIETS-
Unrealistic expectations Create false hope for quick weight loss. These are not realistic and overlook long-term health.
Expensive – put additional strain on pocket
Nutritional deficiencies - Can lead to nutrient deficiencies and health problems
The yo-yo effect and psychological strain - Once the diet ends, people revert to old eating habits which can lead to regaining the lost weight – sometimes gaining even more. Weight fluctuations put strain on metabolism and impact mental health.
Psychological pitfalls of fad diets like
Disordered eating habits - Strict diet rules promote obsessive thinking about food and body image, transforming simple act of eating into source of stress. May trigger binge eating and guilt when craving "cheat" foods. This creates cycle of self-doubt, guilt etc
Negative body image and pressure-Fad diets put too much emphasis on appearances. Constantly weighing yourself, comparing yourself to others, and feeling like you’re not doing enough can severely damage self-esteem.
How to Spot Fad Diets(Examples are -Keto/Vegan/Atkins/Cotton ball/HCG etc)
Claiming fast/easy weight loss.
Eliminates food groups or “bad” foods, like carbohydrates.
Requires purchase of supplements labeled as fat burners, metabolism boosters, or weight loss aids.
Highlights very specific foods.
Doesn’t require exercise.
Has rigid rules to follow.
Makes claims on single study or testimonials.

Physiological Cardiac Pacing (Bundle Branch Pacing)

We did our first case of physiological cardiac pacing (Bundle Branch Pacing) on 11 Feb 2024. It's much more physiological since we pace the electrical bundles ( Lbb or Rbb) instead of pacing the cardiac muscle. It mimics the normal electrical condition of the heart down the electrical pathways and improves RV and LV synchrony and ventricular function. Very few centres in North have started it.