Member of school basketball team
Medicine
College basketball team - Champions 1999, 2000
Badminton champion 1994
Atrial fibrillation is a clinical condition characterised by an irregular heartbeat. The upper chamber of the heart, called the atrium beats irregularly, and as a result, the lower part of the heart i.e the ventricles also beats at a fast rate. In most cases of atrial fibrillation, especially in young individuals, the cause is not known. However, in older individuals, it can be due to high blood pressure or high alcohol intake. It is also seen in patients with heart failure. Patients who have atrial fibrillation may not necessarily realise they have it till it is found incidentally on a routine health check up. However, some patients may complain of increasing breathlessness or sometimes dizziness. Diagnosis is made by an ECG which shows an irregularly irregular rate and rhythm. Echocardiography may also be performed, along with some blood tests such as haemoglobin and thyroid function. The aims of treatment are two-fold – to control the rate or rhythm, and to prevent stroke. Drugs such as beta blockers, amiodarone, flecainide and calcium channel blockers are effective. Blood thinning agents such as aspirin, clopidogrel or warfarin may be required, as patients with atrial fibrillation are at risk of stroke. About the Author: Vivek Baliga is a cardiologist based in Leeds, United Kingdom.
An auto-immune disease causing inflammation in joints, rheumatoid arthritis affects approximately 1% of the world’s population. While anyone can get the disease, it is three times more prevalent in women than in men. Precise causes are unknown; recent research points to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including infections, viruses or bacteria, and diet. Smoking also is thought to play a role in the development of the condition. Common symptoms of the disease include pain and stiffness in the joints, fatigue, poor sleep, and weight loss. Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis rely on a combination of treatments; drugs can be used to control inflammation, and topical creams and physiotherapy can help with other symptoms. For long-term relief, surgery may be necessary to restore full joint function. Treatment is most effective when started early, ideally within six months of the onset of symptoms. People who experience stiffness or swelling in more than two joints are encouraged to contact their general practitioner. About the Author: Vivek Baliga is a cardiologist based in Leeds, United Kingdom. He is a supporter of the UK’s National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society.
Vivek Baliga is a clinical research fellow and medical professional based in the United Kingdom. With several years of experience, Vivek Baliga has contributed to research on diabetes, vascular biology, and arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis disrupts the body’s blood flow and can cause major cardiovascular complications. Due to a buildup of plaque on the walls of the arteries, arteriosclerosis causes the arteries to harden. Normally, healthy arteries are elastic and flexible, and allow the body to receive the nutrients and oxygen it needs. With arteriosclerosis (also called atherosclerosis), the plaque that accumulates on the artery walls restricts the flow of blood and can lead to heart problems and blood clots. The symptoms of the condition typically depend on the severity and location of the arteriosclerosis. When the arteries in the heart are clogged, it can cause chest pain, while arteriosclerosis in the arms and legs often cause pain while walking. Arteriosclerosis can also cause headaches, loss of appetite, breathing difficulties, and weakness. Arteriosclerosis can sometimes begin as early as childhood; since it is a slowly progressing disease, it is usually detected much later in adulthood. While the cause of arteriosclerosis is not known, damage to the arteries can be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. In order to determine whether a person has arteriosclerosis or not, physicians often perform blood tests, stress tests, or electrocardiograms. Once it is determined that arteriosclerosis is present, it can be treated through healthy eating, exercising, and cholesterol medications. When basic treatments do not work, arteriosclerosis may have to be treated with stents, bypass surgery, or thrombolytic therapy.
An accomplished medical professional, Vivek Baliga began his education at Sri Aurobindo Memorial School, located in Bangalore, India. Excelling in and out of the classroom, Mr. Baliga participated in the school's organized basketball team. Following grade school, he matriculated at Bangalore's National College Jayanagar. Concentrating on pre-university science courses, Mr. Baliga continued playing sports and earned recognition as a badminton champion in 1994. After two years, Vivek Baliga successfully completed his studies and enrolled in Manipal Academy of Higher Education in 1995. Anticipating a career in medicine, Mr. Baliga pursued his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree and graduated in 2000. During his time at the academy, he played on the basketball team, which clinched championships in 1999 and 2000. Today, Mr. Baliga continues to expand his education by working toward a Ph.D. at the University of Leeds with a focus on cardiovascular research. He is currently a member of the Royal College of Physicians and of the European Association of Echocardiography. Since beginning his career, Vivek Baliga has published several articles in various medical journals. In 2009, he co-authored an article for Prescriber, a periodical devoted to prescribing and medicine management. His article concerned advice for managing acute coronary syndrome. Mr. Baliga also co-penned a piece for the American Heart Association regarding the effect of insulin receptor levels and other factors contributing to insulin sensitivity on the endothelial cells, a thin layer of cells found on the interior of certain vessels. Vivek Baliga also contributes to the medical community as a philanthropist. In 2011, he took part in the 10-kilometer Bupa Great Manchester Run, accepting donations for the Desk & Chair Foundation. He was also part of a team of doctors in Mangalore which provided education to teachers and children about malaria prevention.
Dr. Vivek Baliga is among a team of doctors working to control endemic malaria infection in southern India. They do so by teaching teachers and children in Mangalore how to prevent the spread of the disease.
In recent years, the incidence of malaria has increased worldwide. While there remains debate about whether climate change is responsible for increasing the number and geographic region of infected mosquitos, there are other contributing factors. A commonly cited cause is the rise of drug-resistant strains of malaria. The infectious disease quickly becomes resistant to new drugs and treatments.
Education remains the greatest weapon against the spread of malaria. In Mangalore, malaria was unheard of until 1990. In the city’s state of Karnakata the number of cases rose from 19 in 1990 to about 20,000 incidents in 2005. Approximately 300 people have died from the disease in the past 15 years. Education, eradication, and medication efforts have decreased the number of incidents to 6,000 by 2010, with malaria related deaths at zero.
Studies of the effectiveness of malaria education in Mangalore, including Dr. Vivek Baliga’s efforts, show a significant increase in awareness of the causes and treatments of malaria.
Currently a student at the University of Leeds in Great Britain, Dr. Vivek Baliga is pursuing his PhD in cardiovascular research. Dr. Vivek Baliga has spent more than a decade treating patients and publishing cardiology articles in peer-reviewed publications such as Circulation and the Journal of the American Heart Association. In his spare time, Dr. Vivek Baliga is an avid runner who has participated in numerous charity fundraisers including the Sherwood Forest Run, Manchester Run, and the Edinburgh Run.Below are a few tips on how to avoid injuries while running.Cross-train - Rather than focusing exclusively on running, experts recommend adding a variety of exercises to the routine, such as circuit or core-strengthening exercises. This helps to stretch out the muscles used while running, including the buttocks, hips, and thighs.Stretch properly - Stretching is important regardless of whether one is running short or long distances. Stretching can help to prevent foot cramps, hip injuries, knee injuries, and shin splints.Rest when injured - One common mistake that runners make is to continue running if they are injured or if they feel or detect an impending injury. Not addressing an injury immediately only exacerbates the problem and could end up prolonging longer recovery time.