Aastha Hospice

Aastha Hospice Aastha is a Hospice and Palliative Care Center for those whose illness may no longer be curable. It may be provided at home, hospital or hospice.

It enables them to achieve the best quality of life especially during the final stages of their illness.

30/08/2026

Dear Dr. Sanjay Makhija,

A very Happy Birthday to you from the entire Team Aastha! 🎂🎉

This is an especially meaningful day for all of us, as we celebrate not only your birthday but also an amazing 20-year journey together. Your kindness, compassion, and sensitivity towards elderly patients have always inspired us. Your simplicity, humility, and dedication truly set you apart and make you special. You have always stood by Aastha with warmth and sincerity, and we deeply value this beautiful association.

We wish you a very happy, healthy, and fulfilling year ahead. May God bless you abundantly and keep your smile shining always.

You are simply the best! ❤️

With warm wishes,

29/08/2026

When an emergency physician suspects brain death, it is important to understand that brain death is a clinical diagnosis that requires a systematic and careful evaluation. A patient who is deeply unresponsive may appear to have no brain activity, but several reversible conditions can mimic this state.
The first important feature is deep unresponsiveness. The patient does not respond to voice or even central painful stimulation. However, before diagnosing brain death, reversible causes such as severe hypotension, hypothermia, sedative or anesthetic drugs, neuromuscular blocking agents, and severe metabolic or endocrine abnormalities must be excluded.
Next, brainstem reflexes are assessed. Important reflexes include:
Pupillary light reflex – pupils are typically fixed and do not react to light.
Corneal reflex – touching the cornea should normally produce blinking; its absence is significant.
Oculocephalic (“doll’s eye”) reflex – in an appropriate patient, turning the head normally produces eye movement in the opposite direction. Absence of this response indicates loss of the reflex.
Vestibulo-ocular reflex (cold caloric test) – cold water irrigation of the ear normally produces characteristic eye movements. Absence of eye movement suggests severe brainstem dysfunction.
Gag and cough reflexes – stimulation of the airway should normally produce a response. Their absence indicates loss of important brainstem reflexes.
Finally, apnea testing assesses whether the patient makes any spontaneous respiratory effort despite an adequate rise in arterial carbon dioxide, when the test is performed according to established clinical protocols.
Importantly, no single sign is sufficient to diagnose brain death. A complete assessment must follow accepted medical and legal protocols, with appropriate prerequisites fulfilled and reversible causes excluded.
Brain death is therefore a diagnosis that demands careful examination, standardized testing, and appropriate clinical expertise—not a quick conclusion based on unresponsiveness alone.

28/08/2026

Coming off a ventilator is not always as simple as removing the breathing tube. Some patients may require repeated attempts at extubation, while others may need prolonged ventilator support. Understanding weaning, difficult weaning, prolonged weaning, and weaning failure is essential for safe patient care.

1. Simple Weaning
Simple weaning means the patient improves clinically and meets the required criteria for extubation. Vital parameters are stable, fever is absent, electrolytes and blood counts are acceptable, the patient is conscious and oriented, has an adequate cough reflex, and can maintain spontaneous breathing. The endotracheal tube is removed, the patient remains stable, and they can be shifted out of the ICU.

2. Difficult Weaning
Difficult weaning refers to patients who require repeated attempts to come off mechanical ventilation. For example, the tube may be removed, but the patient develops respiratory distress, increased respiratory rate, worsening blood gases, or inadequate breathing and requires re-intubation. If more than one attempt is required, the patient may be considered to have difficult weaning.

3. Prolonged Weaning
Prolonged weaning occurs when repeated attempts are made over an extended period, but the patient continues to fail the weaning process. Despite optimization of treatment and daily assessments, the patient may remain dependent on ventilatory support for a prolonged duration.

4. Weaning Failure
Weaning or extubation failure occurs when the patient is successfully extubated but deteriorates within a short period—often requiring escalation of respiratory support or re-intubation and return to mechanical ventilation.

Recognizing these four categories helps clinicians assess patients appropriately, identify problems early, optimize treatment, and improve the chances of successful liberation from mechanical ventilation.

Weaning is not simply about removing the tube—it is about ensuring that the patient is truly ready to breathe independently.

27/08/2026

Warmest wishes to Dr. Neeraj Singh Ji, Vice President, Bharatiya Janata Party, Uttar Pradesh, on his birthday.

A leader known for his humility, strong connect with people and unwavering commitment to public life, Dr. Neeraj Singh Ji has earned respect through his dedication and his work for society.

On this special day, a 24-Kundiya Mahayagya was organised at Arogyadham in Lucknow, with the participation of BJP workers and members of the Gayatri Parivar, seeking blessings for his good health, long life and continued success.

May the blessings of the Almighty always be with you, and may you continue to move forward with the same strength, grace and dedication.

Wishing you good health, happiness and many more years of meaningful service.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Neeraj Singh Ji. 🙏

26/08/2026

Dr. Abhishek Shukla, Geriatrician, explains why a bone can fracture even without a fall or injury.
Can a bone really break while simply walking? Yes. In elderly people, a fracture without any major trauma may be a pathological fracture, which occurs when an underlying disease or condition has weakened the bone.
One of the most common causes is osteopenia or osteoporosis, where bones lose density and become fragile. Other causes include cancer that has spread to the bones, bone tumors, infections, benign bone cysts, and metabolic bone disorders.
Poor nutrition, calcium deficiency, severe vitamin D deficiency, and very limited physical activity can also contribute to weakening of the bones. In older adults who spend most of their time in bed or have very little movement, bone strength can gradually decrease.
A healthy bone has a dense internal structure. With osteoporosis or osteopenia, the structure becomes more porous and fragile, making the bone vulnerable to fracture even during normal activities such as walking, standing up, turning in bed, or sitting on a chair.
Doctors may recommend a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) test using a DEXA scan to assess bone strength. A low T-score can indicate reduced bone density and increased fracture risk.
Symptoms may include sudden or severe pain, tenderness, weakness, swelling, or difficulty moving the affected area.
Therefore, if an elderly person develops a fracture without a significant injury, it is important to investigate the underlying cause. Osteoporosis, nutritional deficiencies, cancer, bone disease, or infection should be considered.
Timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment, adequate nutrition, and maintaining safe physical activity can help protect bone health in older adults.

25/08/2026

In this informative discussion, Dr. Abhishek Shukla speaks with senior psychiatrist Dr. Nirupma Jaiswal about the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and the importance of timely, consistent care.

Dr. Jaiswal explains that OCD often begins during adolescence or early adulthood, commonly between 15 and 25 years of age. Early recognition and consultation with a psychiatrist can significantly improve treatment outcomes. Assessment tools such as the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) help determine the severity of symptoms and guide treatment planning.

Medication, particularly Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), is commonly used as a first-line treatment. Patients should understand that OCD medications do not usually provide immediate relief. An adequate therapeutic dose may need to be continued for several weeks or even a few months under medical supervision. Depending on response and tolerance, the psychiatrist may gradually adjust the dose or switch to another medication. In selected cases, clomipramine or augmentation strategies may be considered for inadequate response.

Importantly, medication is only one part of comprehensive OCD care. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), especially Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), has an important role and can help patients gradually manage obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. Family education and professionally guided home practice can further support recovery.

The key message is simple: do not stop treatment prematurely. OCD is treatable, but improvement requires patience, regular psychiatric follow-up, appropriate medication, and therapy. If initial treatment does not work adequately, several evidence-based options remain available. With proper guidance and persistence, meaningful symptom control and improved quality of life are achievable.

It was a privilege and honour for me, Dr. Abhishek Shukla, to speak on “End-of-Life Care in Clinical Hematology Practice...
24/08/2026

It was a privilege and honour for me, Dr. Abhishek Shukla, to speak on “End-of-Life Care in Clinical Hematology Practice” at Brown Hall, KGMU.

I am deeply thankful to Padma Shri Prof. Soniya Nityanand, Vice Chancellor, King George’s Medical University, for her gracious presence and encouragement.

My sincere gratitude to the entire organizing committee, Department of Hematology and Hematology Foundation, and especially Dr. Anshul Gupta, for providing me this opportunity to share my perspectives on compassionate, patient-centred end-of-life care in hematology practice.

It was truly an enriching and memorable academic experience.

24/08/2026

Dr. Abhishek Shukla hosted Dr. Smita Govila, (MDS) Professor of Dental Surgery and expert in aesthetic dentistry, to explore modern solutions for smile enhancement.

Dr. Shukla introduced aesthetic dentistry as a dedicated branch addressing visual concerns—such as gaps, discoloration, broken edges, or misaligned teeth—where chewing function remains unaffected, but appearance causes self-consciousness. He emphasized that today, both youngsters and older adults desire a confident, aesthetically pleasing smile.

Addressing treatment options, Dr. Smita Govila highlighted how advanced restorative techniques have transformed patient outcomes:

Advanced Fillings: Minor gaps or small defects can be seamlessly restored with tooth-colored fillings that blend invisibly with natural enamel.

Laminates and Veneers: For more significant cosmetic issues, custom veneers transform tooth shape and shade, offering a complete smile makeover.

Rapid Results: Unlike traditional braces that require 1 to 1.5 years of treatment, cosmetic smile makeovers offer a painless transformation in just 2 to 3 days.

Dr. Govila shared that many individuals feel hindered in their personal or professional lives due to smile hesitation, making these quick, aesthetic solutions immensely beneficial for boosting self-esteem.

Dr. Abhishek Shukla concluded by emphasizing caution: while a painless 3-day makeover sounds highly appealing, patient safety and optimal results depend entirely on expertise. He advised viewers to consult only qualified, specially trained dental surgeons when considering aesthetic procedures.

A wonderful evening with Dr. Sharad Agarwal, Dr. Ravish Agarwal, Dr. Shweta Srivastava, Dr. Rukshana Khan Ma’am, and all...
23/08/2026

A wonderful evening with Dr. Sharad Agarwal, Dr. Ravish Agarwal, Dr. Shweta Srivastava, Dr. Rukshana Khan Ma’am, and all respected seniors and dear friends.
Grateful for the warmth, wonderful conversations, and cherished moments together.
It was truly a great evening filled with joy, memories, and togetherness. ✨

23/08/2026

Mental Health During Pregnancy: Understanding Anxiety, Depression, and Safe Treatment

In this informative discussion, Dr. Abhishek Shukla speaks with senior psychiatrist Dr. Nirupma Jaiswal about anxiety and depression during pregnancy. Pregnancy is a major physical and emotional transition, and many women—particularly during their first pregnancy—may experience fear, insecurity, anxiety, irritability, disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, or loss of interest in daily activities. Concerns about delivery, pain, childcare, and the responsibilities of motherhood can further increase emotional stress.

Dr. Jaiswal emphasizes the importance of a supportive family environment, adequate nutrition, reasonable workload, proper sleep, and emotional reassurance. Women should also educate themselves about pregnancy and discuss concerns openly with their gynecologist rather than becoming unnecessarily anxious.

Hormonal changes can also contribute to anxiety or depression, even when the family environment is supportive. Mild symptoms may improve with psychoeducation, counseling, relaxation techniques, yoga, and meditation. However, moderate or severe symptoms require professional psychiatric evaluation.

An important message is that women already taking psychiatric medication should never stop treatment abruptly after becoming pregnant. Medication decisions must be individualized according to the mother's symptoms and the potential risks and benefits. Certain medicines, particularly benzodiazepines such as clonazepam, lorazepam, and etizolam, require special caution and should only be used under medical supervision.

Untreated depression can also negatively affect maternal nutrition, sleep, self-care, pregnancy outcomes, and early bonding. Although maternal depression may increase certain risks for the child, it does not mean the child will inevitably develop depression.

The key message is simple: pregnancy involves both physical and mental health. Early recognition, professional guidance, family support, and individualized treatment can help protect the well-being of both mother and baby.

Address

Aastha Geriatric Hospital & Hospice, B-52 J Park Mahanagar LKO
Lucknow
226006

Telephone

+919415015050

Website

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