The availability of quality treatment at par with developed countries at an affordable cost attracts patients across the world to India. Medical services in India are one of the lowest cost and high quality among all medical tourism destinations in the world. Increasing number of foreign patients to India each year underlines the supreme treatment available in India which costs about one-tenth of that in the United States. The Indian Government also contributes to cost effective medical service in the country by relaxing visa restrictions for people seeking medical treatment and regulating the cost of treatment which ensures affordability for all. English is an official language in India and is widely used by medical professionals in the country. Also, Apollo hospitals have language translators to make non-English speaking patients comfortable during the treatment period. This removes language barriers for patients travelling from foreign countries and makes it easy to communicate with doctors. Apollo Hospitals for International patients The International Patients Department at Apollo Hospitals is always ready to assist patients in planning and preparing their travel itinerary to the hospital. We are committed to ensuring that our foreign patients are provided with international quality treatment and also make sure they are comfortable throughout their stay with us. Patients can approach our International Patients Department for any assistance or queries regarding their stay in India and travel back home. International patients seeking Indian medical facilities can go through our website to know about Apollo Hospitals and our specialized departments for specific diagnosis and treatments. All information about our services, technologies, competencies, medical team, specialities, hospitals and doctors are furnished in detail. Our representatives are available at any hour to provide additional information about Apollo Hospitals and services. Apollo Hospitals in India International patients can choose from any of the 64 hospitals located across the country for treatment in Apollo Hospitals according to their travel plan. Patients can also prefer to get consulted with a doctor of their choice and plan the trip. To make it easy to decide which Apollo Hospital to be selected, we have a facility to find the doctor through our website. Specialties of Apollo Hospitals Apollo Hospitals is one of the most renowned multi-specialty hospitals in India equipped with excellent medical facilities using sophisticated technologies. We have always taken care to maintain the quality and standards of medical services provided to our patients. Our medical team has leading specialists with immense knowledge and experience in their subjects. Our doctors are dedicated to bringing excellent results to patients using experience, knowledge, technology and responsibility. We have facilities and arrangements that make our patients from foreign countries feel at home and care that only someone special can offer. What we expect to provide our patients from abroad is complete recovery and return to normal life at the earliest. That’s how Apollo Hospitals work and keeps up the goodwill of medical service excellence. Apollo Hospitals Quality Policies The Apollo Standards of Clinical Care (TASCC) is set to ensure that quality treatment is provided to patients across all Apollo Hospitals. It provides information about patient safety, adverse event reporting, review, standardized policies, etc.Some of the key initiatives of TASCC are: ● Apollo Clinical Excellence (ACE 25) which is a scorecard to evaluate the functional efficiency of the hospital. ● Apollo Quality Program (AQP) to ensure patient safety during clinical handovers, surgical safety, medication safety and the six International Patient Safety Goals of JCI. ● Apollo Incident Reporting System (AIRS) to track all incidents that pose a safety risk to patients families, visitors and staff, including sentinel events. ● Apollo Mortality Review (AMR) to peer review all mortality cases at Apollo to identify any preventable deaths.

• ● Apollo Critical Policies, Plans and Procedures (ACPPP) are a group of standardized clinical and non-clinical processes that help Apollo provide desired clinical care to patients under all circumstances.

In addition, Apollo Hospitals hosts the annual International Congress on Patient Safety in association with ISQUA, JCI and NABH. The conferences are extremely well attended by healthcare professionals from over 24 countries. The Asian Patients Safety Awards 2014, aimed to recognise the best healthcare practices are also presented. As a forerunner in medical tourism, Apollo hospitals attract patients from different parts of the world, including Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Apollo hospitals have credits of trust among 50 million patients from over 140 countries. It is always striving to enhance its facilities and infrastructure to offer international patients, a world-class healthcare system that emphasises on safety and excellence.

    We often underestimate the importance of our shoulders and forget that they are involved in almost all the daily activities performed by us. Simple activities such as taking a book off an overhead shelf, reaching an arm back to put on a coat, or even a simple morning stretch turns nearly impossible if your shoulders are weak. Shoulder pains and stiffness are common. But, if you are experiencing a severe seizure in shoulders or feeling the shoulders go freeze or struck when held in one position for a long time and if the pain worsens over the time, it may be a "Frozen shoulder". Frozen shoulder ( also known as “adhesive capsulitis” ) is the most common causes of intrinsic shoulder pain. Frozen shoulder isn't as pleasant as it sounds. It refers to painful seizures and stiffness of muscles in the shoulder that is often followed by periods of immobilisation. The resulting disability can turn more severe and tends to get worse if left untreated. It affects mainly people of age 40 to 60 and is more common in women than men. Causes of Frozen Shoulder: The shoulder often freezes up because of an inactivity for an extended period, which may be due to an injury, surgery, or illness making you more vulnerable to inflammation and adhesions, which are bands of stiff tissues.   Symptoms of Frozen Shoulder: A frozen shoulder does not happen all of a sudden, but it develops over a period of time, and the main symptoms include: ● Pain often worsens at night ● Stiffness of muscle ● Limited movement of arm Stages of Frozen shoulder: A frozen shoulder develops in stages.  ● Freezing, or painful stage: The shoulder becomes painful and stiff during movement. Movement becomes limited. The pain typically worsens at night. ● Frozen, or adhesive stage:The shoulder becomes increasingly stiff, severely limiting the range of motion. Pain may not diminish, but it does not usually worsen. ● Thawing stage: Movements begins to improve. Pain may fade but reoccurs. Diagnosis of Frozen shoulder: Your doctor may suspect a frozen shoulder if the physical examination reveals limited shoulder movements. An X-ray may be done to see whether symptoms are for frozen shoulder or any other condition such as osteoarthritis or a fracture. Treatment options at Apollo Hospitals: Treatment for frozen shoulder involves stretching and sometimes injecting corticosteroids and numbing medication into the joint capsule. In some cases, surgery may also be advised to loosen the joint capsule. Read more: Physiotherapy for frozen shoulder! The Apollo Institute of Orthopedics is regarded as one of the best & top orthopaedics hospitals in India with a legacy of innovation and excellence. The Institute of Orthopedics is at the forefront in offering the latest Orthopedic treatments and surgical advancements in India on par with the best centres in the world. Our team of Orthopedicians are well trained at the top centres worldwide, along with with the latest cutting edge technology. If you are experiencing any painful seizures in the shoulder, act immediately Don’t ignore pain and consult a doctor at the earliest before the pain worsens. To book an appointment log on to www.askapollo.com

  In past few years, medical tourism has gained immense popularity. The reason people choose to travel for medical intervention is to receive the best medical care with excellent outcomes which are often missing in their own country. A recent study also supports the fact by quoting “the number of individuals who visit India, for treatment has increased by 23 to 25 per cent per annum”. One of the reasons for people visiting India is also due to the amalgam of world class healthcare services with latest technology at a very cost effective rates, along with an opportunity to visit exotic locales. Since flying to a new country, especially for medical treatment can be daunting and strenuous task, here are a few valuable tips to choose medical tourism facility in India ● Travelling that extra Mile Travelling to another country for medical treatment can be a stressful ordeal, and Apollo Hospitals understands that very well. One can contact Apollo Hospitals International Representatives for advice before planning their trip. Our best doctors are also available to provide online consultation to help and support International patients. At the airport too,  arrangements are made for a pickup service along with the hotel stay arrangements. ● Find cost effective travelling options The cost of your trip is always a major factor to be considered before you plan a trip because nearly 80 percent of people consider cost as a major driver for their medical travel. Apollo Hospitals help patients find cost effective travelling options from any part of the world. Our international representatives are always ready to assist you with a plan which is tailored to your needs. ● Your stay in India The cost of accommodation is always related to the cost of living of the country you visit. One of the most attractive things in medical tourism in India is that accommodation is much cheaper than other countries. If you plan to stay near any of the Apollo hospitals during the treatment and after that, the International patients services can help you make the hotel and room arrangements during your stay. Considering the facilities in a hospital The quality of the services in a  hospital is the most important factor you should consider after you have chosen the country for your treatment. Some countries offer low-cost treatment but the facilities provided may not be as expected. Luckily, hospitals in India are at par with international standards in quality and advancements in facilities provided. ● Doctor's Qualifications Before preferring a particular foreign doctor or physician, one should first consider the doctor's credentials. Apollo Hospitals has over 7,000 best doctors working in over 56 different specialities to cater to patient needs. To book an appointment log on to www.askapollo.com ● International standards  Hospitals which are International and national accredited offer world class medical care as they have to follow norms to obtain accreditation. Apollo Hospital has been accredited by both international and national accreditation such as Joint Commission International (JCI), USA  and National Accreditation Board for Hospitals to assures the best practices in a safe environment. ● Overcoming the language barrier Visiting a new country may not be convenient for all. Language is a primary concern while visiting a foreign country. The doctors at Apollo hospitals are well conversant in English, and they have a team of translators at their International patients department who communicate with patients in their colloquial language. ● Insurance and Liability A major consideration when choosing a medical tourism destination is the question of responsibility and liability. Despite the huge savings that medical tourism provides, an increased risk may still be apparent. Apollo Hospitals coordinate with various International Insurance providers to hold your responsibility. For more details, please contact our International Patient Services Desk/Admission Counter or an Apollo Hospitals’ International Representative today. If the health insurance is not available to you, take comfort in the fact we offer affordable treatment packages. As a forerunner in medical tourism, Apollo hospitals not only attracts westerners, but also patients from different parts of the world, including Asia, Africa and the Middle East come here for treating ailments of heart, cancer, liver and other organ transplants, HIV and other life-threatening infections. Since its inception, Apollo hospitals has to its credit the trust of 50 million patients from over 140 countries. It is constantly striving to enhance its facilities and infrastructure to offer international patients, a world-class healthcare system that emphasizes on safety and excellence.

  Managing life with Low Blood Pressure The human body is truly an incredible creation, with an intricate balance of systems that functions in a marvellous synchrony for a healthy body. And if this intricate balance is disturbed, let’s say if someone’s blood pressure is too low then it is indeed a negative sign towards health. When we refer to blood pressure, it is denoted by two figures for example 120 on 80. The top number denotes your systolic reading which relates to the blood pressure during heart contraction, and the bottom value denotes the diastolic reading which refers to filling the heart with blood between muscle contractions. The optimal blood pressure level of a healthy person is 120/80 mmHg, and this reading depends on various factors such as age, height and weight. A blood pressure reading less than 90/60 mmHg is considered as low blood pressure or Hypotension. If your blood pressure gets critically low, there is a significant danger that your body will not receive sufficient oxygen to carry out its normal functions. Decreased oxygen can result in impaired functioning of the heart and brain and cause trouble in breathing. People with low blood pressure can lose consciousness or go into shock. In few cases, low blood pressure can also be life-threatening. Causes of Low Blood Pressure: The causes of low blood pressure can be due to dehydration or any severe medical or surgical issues. But, it's necessary to find out the underlying causes for low blood pressure, to get appropriate treatment. Certain medical conditions that can lead to low blood pressure are:

• ● Pregnancy
• ● Heart problems such as extremely low heart rate (bradycardia), heart valve problems, ● heart attack and heart failure.
• ● Endocrine problems such as parathyroid disease, adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease), low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and, in few cases, diabetes can also trigger low blood pressure.
• ● Dehydration
• ● Loss of blood during any major injury or internal bleeding
• ● Severe infection (septicemia)
• ● Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
• ● Lack of nutrients in your diet

Certain medications can cause low blood pressure, which includes:

• ● Water pills (diuretics)
• ● Alpha blockers
• ● Beta blockers
• ● Drugs for Parkinson's disease
• ● Certain types of antidepressants
• ● Drugs for erectile dysfunction

Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure: In many cases, low blood pressure signals an underlying problem, especially when it drops all of a sudden or is accompanied by signs and symptoms such as:

• ● Dizziness or lightheadedness
• ● Blurred vision
• ● Fainting (syncope)
• ● Nausea
• ● Lack of concentration
• ● Fatigue

Extreme hypotension can result in this life-threatening ailment called as a shock. The signs and symptoms include:

• ● Confusion, especially in older people
• ● Cold, clammy, pale skin
• ● Rapid, shallow breathing
• ● Weak and rapid pulse

Diagnosis: The main aim of testing for low blood pressure is to find the underlying cause. The diagnosis test carried out to detect low blood pressure include:

• ● Blood test
• ● Echocardiogram
• ● Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• ● Stress test

How to keep blood pressure in check? There is an old saying, “if you want to cut a huge tree, weaken its root.” Same goes here, treat the underlying problems to treat low blood pressure. Follow these simple measures to raise your blood pressure and reduce signs and symptoms:

• ● Take adequate amount of salt
• ● Increase the fluid intake
• ● Wear compression stockings

Read more: Tips to control blood pressure If you or your beloved ones are experiencing low blood pressure then immediately address the issue as it may lead to life threatening issues too. Consult a doctor at the earliest. To book an appointment log on to www.askapollo.com

Mushrooming of quality healthcare services in India makes it the most preferred medical tourism destination for people all over the world. We at Apollo Hospitals truly understand that there may be circumstances where you need to cross your country borders to safeguard your health. We also know that travelling abroad can be a physically and emotionally-draining experience, and to assist you, in advance, with all your travel medical care needs, our International Patients Department is ready to address your concerns. Here are few guidelines for every traveller needs to follow in order to avoid any kind of uncertainties while on medical tourism.

1. Plan your trip: A friendly representative from our International Patients Department can assist you in designing a travel itinerary to, and from, to any of the convenient Apollo hospital locations. ● Preparing travel documents- Please bring these with you:Health/medical history reports from your providers back home. ● Passports and visas. For more information, contact one of our International Travel Desk locations. ● Local currency, traveler’s checks, credit and/or debit cards. ● A valid driver’s license or other form of personal identification.
2. Health insurance- Apollo Hospitals coordinate with a number of International Insurance providers. For more details, please contact our International Patient Services Desk/Admission Counter. If health insurance is not available to you, take comfort in the fact we offer affordable treatment packages.
3. Airport Kiosks- To further reduce your travel concerns, Apollo Hospitals operate information desks welcoming foreign travelers, located within most airports in India. One of the friendly and knowledgeable Apollo medical services International Representatives stationed at one of our airport kiosks will be glad to assist you upon arrival, and guide you gently through your health care travel process.
4. Translators- To cheerfully-accommodate the language needs of foreign patients requiring medical services in India, Apollo Hospitals provides Translation Services.

Apollo Hospitals in India: Quality Healthcare for Foreign Patients At Apollo Hospitals, our mantra is: “Tender Loving Care”, and we cheerfully welcome international travelers. It is our goal to make all foreign patients feel at home and comfortable, to make your health care experience in India a pleasant one. To your added advantage Apollo Hospitals are also accredited by both international and national accreditations such as Joint Commission International (JCI), USA and National Accreditation Board for Hospitals to assures the best practices in a safe environment. But, the key is planning ahead, and Apollo Hospitals can assist you to ensure that all documents, insurance questions, language needs, health care concerns, and even the trip planning itinerary are well organised. For more information on Apollo Hospitals’ world class international patient services, please visit our website at: https://www.apollohospitals.com/international-patient-services

Ancient Greek mythology legends speaks highly of female warriors who had only one breast, fighting the wars of their own and it seems so apt for today’s women bravely fighting the deadly breast cancer. Over the past few decades, there has been a rise in incidences of breast cancer overtaking cervical cancer. Globally, around 1.7 million new cases were diagnosed with breast cancer, and  India alone has a jaw dropping stats with a count of 1,55,000 and a mortality rate of 76,000 yearly. But, with increasing hope and life-saving treatment options available today, breast cancer is no more a life threatening disease. For combating breast cancer, Apollo Hospitals brings together the brightest minds in medical, surgical & radiation oncology, along with a complete range of high-end ancillary experts who have performed over 50,000 surgeries over the past two decades. What is Breast cancer? A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that can develop into nearby tissues or spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body. Breast cancer begins with the formation of a malignant tumor in the breast, where there is a massive growth of carcinogenic cells in the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules of the breast. How does one spot Breast Cancer? Early signs of the cancer can be felt by the individual itself. And as it develops the following signs can be noticed: The first obvious symptom of breast cancer is a lump in the breast or armpits which persists after the menstrual cycle. These lumps may be painless but some may give a prickly sensation. The other signs may include: Pain or tenderness of the breast ● Unusual discharge from the nipple, it may be bloody, clear or may be in other colour. ● In-drawing of the nipple or skin of the breast. ● A change in nipple, itching, dimpling or a burning sensation ● Swelling in the armpit. Self-Examination to identifying breast cancer: The most crucial step in the process of early detection of breast cancer is  self-examination. Here are few steps to help you detect:

• ● By facing the mirror, raise your left hand & with right hand make circular rotations on the left breast to feel any lumps. Closely examine the size, shape, position, or if any discolouration.
• ● Watch out for changes in skin such as puckering, sores or dimpling.
• ● Choose either the circle, the up and down line or the wedge pattern for detection.
• ● Raise your arms and look for any changes in armpit such as lumps.
• ● Inspect your nipples for any sores, peeling or change in the direction of the nipples.
• ● Continue to look for any signs of fluid discharge in either of the nipples (this could be a watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood).
• ● Repeat the same process with the other arm.

Care at Apollo: “Apollo Breast Centre” Apollo Breast Centre is a comprehensive set up bringing together right expertise and infrastructure under one roof for a patient with a breast problem. And for any patient to choose the right treatment, it is important to know the stage and the type of cancer. There are four stages of breast cancer: Stage I and II are called early stage, low-risk cancers while stage III is advanced high-risk cancer. Stage IV is the last stage where there is an apparent spread of cancer to the rest of the body where the curative treatment is not possible. Apollo Hospitals offers the following programme for Breast care:

• ● Screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of breast diseases
• ● Diagnostic evaluation and treatments include:

• ● Breast MRI
• ● Mammography
• ● Breast ultrasound
• ● Ductoscopy
• ● PET Scan
• ● Biopsy
• ● Gene testing
• ● Mastectomy
• ● Breast conservative surgery (Breast saving surgery / Breast removal surgery)
• ● Reconstructive Surgery

An early detection of cancer can help in better treatment and in this journey Apollo Cancer institutes is an ideal helping hand at every stage right from screening to curing breast cancer. As a forerunner in the treatment of breast cancer, Apollo Hospitals has performed over 50,000 breast surgeries, over the past two decades. Apollo represents the amalgamation of the finest talent, latest equipment and deep expertise in combating breast cancer. The team uses the best of surgical procedures, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy to deliver best-in-class outcomes. Apollo Hospitals strongly believes in cancer is conquerable and will not allow it to intervene between you and your life. To book an appointment log on to www.askapollo.com