August 1, 2012 Clippings

Forgive and forget – it’s good for your health!

Forgiving others, no matter how badly they may have hurt us, could actually prove to be beneficial for our health, a US study has found. Researchers from the University of California, San Diego, found those people who let go of their anger were less likely to see spikes in blood pressure, Daily Mail reported.

The research has been published in the Journal of Biobehavioural Medicines. During the study, over 200 volunteers were asked to think about the time when a friend offended them. Half of the group was told to think about how it angered them while the other half was advised to consider it in a more forgiving manner.

Both the groups were then distracted for five minutes and then told to rethink about the event in any way they wish to while the group members were wired up to monitors, observing blood pressure and heart rate. The team, led by Britta Larsen, found the angry group saw the highest increase in blood pressure compared to the forgiving group after the first ruminating session. The effect was seen later on despite having the brief timeout period to calm down. However, there was no differences in heart rate. Maybe that’s why the idiom that to err is human, to forgive divine.

Source:http://health.india.com

01.08.2012

Egg for breakfast best way to fight the flab: Study

Eggs are the best way to start the day for those who want to lose weight.

A major UK review of studies into the effects of eating eggs has found that egg contains a powerful ingredient that can help to cut the amount of calories people go on to eat at lunch and dinner.

Scientists say boiled, fried, poached or scrambled, eggs keep people fuller for longer compared with other common breakfast foods.

This appears to help people who are desperately trying to resist tempting but naughty afternoon snacks such as biscuits, cake or chocolate.

The review, published in the journal Network Health Dietitian, also revealed that the specific proteins found in eggs are far superior to other types when it comes to keeping hunger at bay.

Dietitian Dr Carrie Ruxton examined the results of six different studies over eight years.

The studies show a consistent effect on satiety and short-term energy intake. Two studies found changes in appetite-related gut hormones, which may explain why egg-eaters feel full.

A single, longer-term study revealed that people who ate an egg breakfast rather than having cereal had a significantly greater weight loss and lost inches around the waist.

“While more research is needed, particularly on long-term weight loss, the evidence suggests a promising role for eggs in weight management,” the Daily Express quoted Dr Ruxton as saying.

He also noted two additional benefits of including eggs in a weight loss diet.

The first is portion control. Dr Ruxton said that since eggs come in a fixed unit of around 78 calories per egg, this helps people to recognise how much they have consumed.

Secondly, he said, the vitamin D content of eggs may help to support general health in overweight people since vitamin D levels are known to be low in this group, leading to an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.

“There are few natural sources of vitamin D in the diet so eggs can play a role here too,” he added.

An average egg contains a high level of protein at 6.5g, representing 13 per cent of an adult’s daily requirement.

Source: www.dnaindia.com

01.08.2012

An idealist is a person who helps other people to be prosperous

Henry Ford

July 31, 2012 Clippings

Side effects of high fashion on your health

Today, we unearth for you the top 5 fashion factors, which affect your health. Here we go.

The health risks of skinny and tight jeans. Wearing ridiculously tight or skinny jeans is often linked to nerve impairments and yeast infections. The butt-squeezing, thigh-hugging denim favored by hipsters across the city can cause nerve damage if too tight. Tingling and numbness are symptoms of the condition meralgia paresthetica that occurs when the nerve that runs down the front of the thigh is compressed.

Not only this, wearing very tight jeans or underwear can also lead to urinary tract infections.

High heels and health risks. A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology revealed that women who habitually wear high heels are at risk of permanent physiological damage to their knees, hips, back and tendons -- and damage can be seen in women as young as 25 years of age.

Other than this, women who wear high heels often complain of acute lower back pain, along with other muscular deformities and sprains

Hair colour and its health effects. Colouring your hair with a bad quality hair dye can have detrimental effects on your hair. Signs of a mild reaction can be irritation to the upper eyelids or the rims of ears and in some unfortunate and extreme cases, it can affect the whole head or body.

Accessories can be unhealthy too. Wearing mini-pancake sized earrings can harm you in more ways than one. Wearing jumbo jet-sized earrings can actually tear through your ear lobe, which can only be reversed by cosmetic surgery. On the other hand, carrying spacious bags can also be harmful as it can lead to bad posture, stiffening of the neck severe headaches and also muscular tension.

Extreme eye makeup and its health effects. Kajal and Surma are traditional Indian ingredients used to enhance the shape of the eyes. However, using a bad quality or brand Kajal can lead to conjunctivitis - chemical, toxic and infective, allergy, toxicity / chemical reaction, meibomitis, corneal ulcer - which can potentially lead to blindness, uveitis - certain chemicals in kajal can incite inflammation inside the eye, glaucoma - some constituents can increase eye pressure leading to glaucoma and conjunctival discoloration.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

31.07.2012

Physicians of Indian origin seek more opportunities in the US

The American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) has taken a firm step towards giving back to the community. The AAPI is developing a sustained strategy to take the organisation forward with a renewed commitment of giving back to the community. The new executive team is also working on plans to enhance opportunities for the professional growth of its members. The AAPI members comprise of over 65,000 Indian origin physicians, 25,000 fellows and residents. “The slate of officers for AAPI 2012-13 comprise of individuals who are dedicated, industrious, experienced and very aware of the challenges that lie ahead,” said Kumar. “AAPI has become a force to reckon with; we will all work together, stay focused and make you proud of our organization,” added Kumar, who has been practicing otolaryngology – head & neck surgery – in Saginaw, Michigan since 1988.

Shah, an internationally recognised clinician in wound management and hyperbaric medicine and a two-time recipient of Jefferson C Davis Memorial Award at the Gulf Coast Chapter, has pioneered the formation of Hyperbaric Medical Society in India. “With its extensive knowledge network, AAPI could advance the science of healing all over the world,” said Shah, the youngest president-elect of AAPI.

He wants AAPI to reach locations where it has never gone before. “I am looking forward to AAPI having an administrative office in Chicago, a legislative office in Washington and an India liaison office in New Delhi.” Jahagirdar, one of the pioneers of robotic surgery in his field has a special interest in obtaining industry liaison and corporate sponsorship for conditions unique to the Indian Diaspora. Jain, a practicing psychiatrist in New Jersey, sees her role as a woman leader in AAPI to take up women’s health issues in society. Treasurer Lodha wants AAPI “to be a platform in helping our young physicians coming from India to seek residencies and to help them in settlement and to get jobs”.

Source: http://health.india.com

31.07.2012

Defeat is a school in which truth always grows strong

Henry Ward Beecher

July 30, 2012 Clippings

Is India the leprosy capital of the world?

In 2005, the India had been declared free of leprosy but seven years later the Govt is now dealing with a fresh spate of leprosy cases. According to S.D. Gokhale, president, International Leprosy Union (ILU) (India) of the ,28,474 new leprosy cases detected in the world in 2010, the figure for India stood at 1,26,800, which accounts for an alarming 55.5 per cent.

“If the union and state governments do not take serious note of this fact (the figures quoted were confirmed by union health ministry in a reply given in the Rajya Sabha on March 13, 2012) and initiate effective steps to eradicate leprosy, the problem would become more acute,” he said.

To address the problems being faced by Leprosy Affected Patients (LAP), the ILU has decided to constitute “LAP’s Human Rights Cell” to take their collective and individual grievances to the Human Rights Commission, Mr. Gokhale who is also associated with the movement for the protection of rights of the aged in India, said.

The ILU, which held a three day conference in Pune this week, attended by activists working for LAPs in various States, has prepared a memorandum enlisting 14 demands to redress their grievances, Mr. Gokhale said.

The demands pending with the union and state governments include formulation of a comprehensive socio-economic rehabilitation policy for empowerment of LAPs, uniform pension and its enhancement to Rs. 2000 per month per LAP, and provision of civic amenities to self-settled colonies of LAPs.

Source: http://health.india.com

30.07.2012

Night workers likelier to have heart attacks?

Shift work can dramatically increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, warn researchers. A study of two million people found shift workers are almost 25 percent more likely to suffer, the Daily Mail reported Friday. Night shift workers run the highest risk of 41 percent, says a study published on the British Medical Journal website bmj.com. People working shifts also have higher levels of unhealthy behaviours such as eating junk food, sleeping badly and not exercising, which are linked to heart problems.

But researchers said they took this into account – and the excess risks remained. The latest study is the biggest analysis of shift work and likelihood of vascular problems, including heart attacks, strokes and angina. Shift work has long been known to disrupt the body clock and be linked to high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, but the overall impact on cardiovascular health has been unclear. A team of international researchers analysed the results of 34 studies involving 2,011,935 people to investigate whether shift work was associated with major vascular events, the newspaper added.

Source: http://health.india.com

30.07.2012

Honest hearts produce honest actions

Brigham Young

July 28, 2012 Clippings

Cancer drug could cure AIDS!

A cure for AIDS has got a step closer after it was found that a common cancer drug can purge the disease as it lies dormant in the body.

Current treatments are effective at reducing levels of the disease in the bloodstream – but a drug that can “knock out” the disease when it lies dormant is thought to be key to a cure, the Daily Mail reported Thursday. Tests on eight HIV-positive men found that the drug vorinostat was highly effective in “unmasking” the hidden reservoirs in the body – which the researchers say is a vital step towards eradicating HIV from the body.

“This work provides compelling evidence for a new strategy to directly attack and eradicate latent HIV infection,” said David Margolis at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The existence of persistent reservoirs of dormant HIV in the immune system that are not attacked by anti-AIDS drugs is believed to be a major reason why infection reemerges once patients stop taking their medication.

Source: http://health.india.com

28.07.2012

Pearls can now be of help in treating cancer

Pearls rich in essential minerals can help treat killer diseases like cancer, a leading scientist has claimed.

In a series of experiments by Ajai Kumar Sonkar at the Pearl Aquaculture Research Foundation in Port Blair, pearls produced through special culture technique have been found to contain traces of several metals and minerals which are known to have major health benefits.

"We have produced the pearls in a controlled environment in the lab in most aseptic conditions. They are found to contain traces of metal and minerals such as zinc, copper, magnesium, iron, calcium, sodium and potassium," Sonkar said.

"These micro-nutrients are essential for various body functions such as metabolism, growth and immunity. Of them, zinc has been found to be playing a major role in preventing fatal diseases like cancer," he told PTI. A study, published recently in the British Journal of Cancer, has also established zinc's anti-tumour role that prevents the growth of cancer cells.

Other studies have also found that zinc deficiency in the body causes delayed healing of wounds. It is also found to play a leading role in weight loss, help decrease the severity and duration of cold and several other illnesses. According to Sonkar, they have produced pearls from four different species of pearl oysters. "The bio availability of zinc in the pearls can be exploited to help treat several diseases."

For scientific analysis, the scientist had sent samples of pearl powder to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research's Central Institute of Fisheries Technology in Cochin, which established the pearls do contain all the mentioned metals and minerals.

Now, Sonkar wanted to carry out a comprehensive clinical test to find out health benefits of the specially cultured pearls.

"I have already been approached by some prestigious laboratories from abroad and a workout process is going on," he said and hoped that "some miraculous result to counter the notorious deseases could be found, if a comprehensive clinical analysis is conducted".

In the pearl culturing operation, one to three-years-old oysters undergo surgical implantation, known as seeding, in which mantle issue is taken from the donor oyster and grafted in the recipient oyster along with the nucleus.

Then these oysters are kept in laboratory condition for healing, after which they are transferred to the sea placed in the cages where they remain six months to two year for pearl formation. The oyster can produce more than one pearl in its life time by taking good care of it, including regular cleaning of the outer shell to remove seaweed.

Source: www.dnaindia.com            28.07.2012

There is no defeat except for those who give up

Joseph B. Wirthlin

July 27, 2012 Clippings

Born weighing 450 grams, baby girl survives

Born three months premature and weighing just 450 grams, an infant girl has survived and has been discharged from a private hospital in Mohali near here, said doctors. Doctors who treated the infant claim that the girl could be the country’s smallest baby to survive this medical condition. Discharged from the hospital over three months after she was born April 21 this year, the infant now weighs 1.4 kg, neonatology consultant Sunil K. Aggarwal told media here Thursday.

He said that the infant was kept under close observation and treatment round-the-clock at the neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU) at the hospital during these three months. For the infant’s mother, Rajni, seeing her little one survive despite her medical condition was the “greatest gift from God”. Rajni had earlier experienced three failed pregnancies – all in the seventh month of pregnancy.

Aggarwal said that most newborn specialists consider that babies weighing less than 500 grams have a bleak chance of survival. ”In the first week, none of us thought the baby was going to make it. She is a little miracle,” he said. ”It’s too early to know how she will fare when she grows up. Since she did not have any major complications, we are hopeful of normal development,” he said.

Aggarwal said: “There is no reported survival of a baby of this weight in India. The earlier record, based on the various reports published in this regard, was of a baby weighing 495 grams from Pune in October 2010.” The infant needed ventilation support for 15 days before she could breathe on her own, he said. ”Thereafter, we had to put her on artificial oxygen for another 12 days, apart from providing intravenous nutrition for the first two weeks till she became stable,” he added.

Source: http://health.india.news

27.07.2012

Ayurveda is bad for diabetics, say doctors

Chartered accountant and Bandra resident Mahesh Sutar, 45, had been suffering from body ache for a week. When he finally visited a doctor, a check-up revealed that his blood sugar level was as high as 506mg/dl. The normal level before meals is between 70 and 110mg/dl, and between 100 and 140 after meals. The doctor found that Sutar had diabetes and was taking ayurvedic medicines for it.

Dr Subhash Kedia, a general physician practising in Bandra (East), said, “Sutar had been diabetic for three years, but instead of visiting a doctor, he relied on ayurvedic medicines. He also never kept a check on his diabetes. I had to counsel him, and now he is on a proper course of treatment.” Sutar wasn’t the only one to rely on alternative therapies. Doctors say the problem is diabetics turning to alternative medicine to control the condition and ending up with uncontrolled diabetes and other complications, including kidney failure.

Dr Tushar Rege, consultant diabetic foot surgeon at the SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim, said, “I have had so many patients who had uncontrolled diabetes for not following the proper treatment. They got diabetic foot neuropathy, and in some cases, we had to amputate legs.”

Kedia said he once had a patient who had never had a steady doctor to treat diabetes. He was also using ayurvedic medicines. He landed up in hospital with bad convulsions. “There was high lead content in his blood,” said the doctor.

Dr Shashank Joshi, consultant endocrinologist at Lilavati Hospital, Bandra (West), said, “Though our country leads in the number of diabetics, people are unaware of the disease. There are two types -- type I and type II. The latter is lifestyle related and can be controlled with proper diet and exercise with appropriate de-stressing methods. Type I and gestational diabetes require insulin.”

“Controlling type II diabetes is all about modifying your lifestyle,” agreed Dr Roshni Sanghani, consultant endocrinologist at the PD Hinduja Hospital, Mahim. “I have had patients who had uncontrolled diabetes and were on insulin but came out of it by following a proper diet, coupled with exercise and medication.”

Joshi added that the information on ayurvedic medicines was misleading. “Such medicines are neither effective nor tested by any drug controller. Hence, it’s not advisable for patients to discontinue their regular medicines and rely on ayurvedic ones. Consulting multiple doctors, too, should be avoided.”

Though doctors warn diabetics against turning to ayurveda, they agree that yoga and a simple kitchen ingredient can help people to avoid the condition if they are in the high-risk group. A pilot study conducted by Dr Hemraj Chandalia, a member of the Research Society for Study of Diabetes in India, showed that early intervention with methi powder and yoga in people with impaired glucose tolerance significantly reduced their chance of developing type II diabetes

Source: www.dnaindia.com        27.07.2012

Without faith, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible

Mary McLeod Bethune

July 26, 2012 Clippings

Andhra prisoners to grow herbs for Himalaya Drugs

The Himalaya Drug Company has found a novel way to rehabilitate prisoners. Prisoners from Andra Pradesh will grow herbs for India’s leading herbal health and Personal Care Company. The company will impart training to the prisoners for cultivating medicinal herbs. After the training, they will undertake cultivation of medicinal herbs for Himalaya Drugs at the Prison Farm in Prisoners’ Agricultural Colony, Anantapur. Himalaya officials Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding with the department of prisons. Dr Babu, head (Agrotech and Phytochemistry) of Himalaya Drug Company told reporters that the company will also supply seeds and provide technical assistance. Under the MoU, the jail department will choose 30 prisoners to grow herbs in two-acre plot. “To begin, the inmates will cultivate the herb alfalfa, as it can be planted any time during the year, giving high yields over a short period of time,” said Babu.

Himalaya Drugs will buy back all the produce while the department of prisons will pay monthly wages to the prisoners growing the herbs. Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services T.P. Das said the programme was designed for the welfare and rehabilitation of the prisoners by equipping them with basic skills that will help them in future employment. The project is on the lines of a similar one implemented successfully by Himalaya Drugs in Karnataka. The company, which registered a turnover of Rs.1,200 crore last year, is growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 25-30 percent.

Source: http://health.india.com

26.07.2012

Eggs healthier, safer than 30 years ago

Eggs today are healthier, safer and more nutritious than they were 30 years ago because the feed given to hens has changed over the years, leading to less cholesterol and saturated fat in them, experts say.

Institute of Food Research scientists believe eggs are healthier now because the new feed also helps the hens to absorb more vitamin D and other nutrients.

Since the 1980s, they have been fed a mixture of wheat, corn, vegetable oil and high-protein formulated feed, rather than meat and bone-meal. A study funded by the UK Department of Health found that the average mid-sized egg now has nearly 25 per cent less saturated fat - which is linked to heartdisease - than one sold in the 1980s.

Better technology also means scientists can now analyse the nutritional content of eggs more accurately.

Not only are eggs found to be lower in fat, cholesterol and calories, but they also contain more vitamin D than before, nearly twice the amount that was noted in the 1980s, according to the Daily Mail.

The study also found now the eggs contain 177 micrograms of cholesterol, which clogs arteries, just over 10 percent less than the 202 micrograms previously recorded. They have fewer calories than experts originally thought, too - there are 66 in a medium egg, not 78.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

26.07.2012

You can learn a line from a win and a book from a defeat

Paul Brown

July 25, 2012 Clippings

Premature babies likelier to survive in neonatal ICUs

Premature babies have greater chances of surviving in high-level neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) than in general hospitals, and this benefit is considerably larger than previously reported. The likelihood that an extremely premature baby will survive if born in a high-technology, high-volume hospital unit was already known, but the current study, the largest to date, revealed a stronger effect.

“Prior studies from the early 1990s found increased survival rates of 30 to 50 percent among preterm infants delivered at high-level NICUs, compared to preterm infants delivered elsewhere,” said study leader Scott A. Lorch, neonatologist at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. ”However, our research found rates as high as 300 percent improvement, when our study design controlled for the effect of sicker patients who typically deliver at high-level NICUs.” Complication rates were similar for both types of hospitals,” added Lorch.

Paediatric researchers who analyzed more than 1.3 million premature births over a 10-year span found that the survival benefits applied not only to extremely preterm babies, but also to moderately preterm newborns, the journal Paediatrics reports. The research team from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia performed a retrospective study of all hospital-based deliveries of infants with a gestational age between 23 and 37 weeks in Pennsylvania, California and Missouri, a total of over 1,33 million births. The study focused on preterm deliveries in high-level NICUs, compared to preterm deliveries at all other hospitals, according to a Children’s Hospital statement.

Premature babies are those born before 37 weeks gestational age (full term is 40 weeks). In this study, the researchers defined extremely preterm infants as those born before 32 weeks and moderately preterm infants as those born between 32 and 37 weeks.

Source: http://health.india.news

25.07.2012

Hepatitis could kill 5 mn in Southeast Asia: WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Tuesday said that over five million people are likely to lose life over the next decade due to viral hepatitis in Southeast Asia region.

The inflammatory disease of the liver affects 100 million with chronic hepatitis B infection in the region, WHO said ahead of the World Hepatitis Day July 28.

"WHO estimates that more than five million people in the Southeast Asia region will die from the consequences of viral hepatitis in the next 10 years. There are an estimated 30 million people with chronic hepatitis C infection in the region," WHO said.

While the UN health agency is focusing on increasing awareness about the disease, it is also aiming at increasing surveillance and resources. "Viral hepatitis must be given greater priority in terms of both resources and effort. Good surveillance is essential," said Samlee Plianbangchang, WHO's regional director for Southeast Asia.

"Infant immunisation coverage for hepatitis B must reach levels greater than 95 percent. It should be mandatory for all blood and blood products to be screened for hepatitis B and C," Plianbangchang added. The most common causes of the viral infection are hepatitis virus A, B, C and E. The infection can cause acute illness with symptoms such as nausea, dark urine, vomiting and abdominal pain.

"About 65 per cent of those with hepatitis B and 75 per cent of those with hepatitis C do not know they are infected. An effective vaccine has been available to prevent hepatitis B since 1982," the WHO said.

The UN health agency added that it is developing a strategy to prevent and control viral hepatitis in the region.

WHO is bringing health experts from 11 countries who will help finalise the strategy addressing areas of policy, planning and resource mobilisation, surveillance, prevention and control, education, medical care and treatment and research.

"The quality of hepatitis testing in public and private laboratories needs to be monitored. We need widespread public awareness campaigns, targeted at health and social workers as well as the general public, to increase awareness about the risk of viral hepatitis," Plianbangchang said.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

25.07.2012

A weak man has doubts before a decision, a strong man has them afterwards

Karl Kraus

July 24, 2012 Clippings

How safe is your fairness cream?

The recent mercury scare in fairness creams has brought up the question of the safety of skin lightening products once again.

It looks like every skin care product in the market seems to have skin lightening properties nowadays, but are they all safe to use? This is the question that many women have been worrying about for a long time and now their worries have escalated due to new scientific findings, like the misuse of mercury in many skin care products today.

Mercury, which is an important ingredient in many skin lightening creams nowadays, is dangerous and doctors across the world are warning people not to use such creams indiscriminately on the face or body. The spectrum of products that should not be used carelessly range from creams, soaps, powders to body lotions. Since mercury can cause kidney problems and nervous system diseases, it is best to watch out and keep away from products that contain this substance.

Says noted dermatologist Dr. Divya Appachu, "Always check the ingredients on the label of a jar of a skin lightening product. If ingredients like liquorice are mentioned, the cream can be quite harmless but make sure it is not mixed with any other chemicals. Sometimes, using too many lightening products or too many cosmetics can cause hyperpigmentation (dark spots) too. If you don't know what a certain ingredient on a label is, always check with your dermatologist before buying it. And always remember you really cannot be any lighter than you are genetically."

So, the next time you want to buy a skin lightening product, don't be in a hurry to buy the most expensive or the cheapest product you can find. Nor should you go by a pretty jar or by following the beauty reviews on the internet. Buy creams with ingredients that are familiar to you, and consult with a skin care expert before actually using anything on your face that promises lighter skin.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

24.07.2012

How breast cancer cells damage bones

Victorian scientists have found that some breast cancer cells can turn off a signal that causes the immune system to attack them.

Switching off the interferon immune signal lets the cancer cells secretly spread to secondary sites, most commonly the bones.

The discovery achieved by researchers from the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Monash Institute of Medical Research could help stop breast cancer from spreading to the bones and becoming deadly, News.com.au reported.

"We have discovered a mask that breast cancer cells put on, allowing them to hide and spread to bone, thriving undetected," said Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre's Dr Belinda Parker.

Researchers hope that existing interferon therapies could be used to "unmask" the cancer cells.

Dr Parker said once the cells were detectable and open to attacks from the immune system, they could contain them to the breast and stop them forming secondary tumours.

There are already interferon treatments for hepatitis, skin cancer and HIV, but they have not been trailed in breast cancer patients.

"If we can stop the first spread to bone, then it is possible that we could prevent subsequent metastases to the brain, lung and liver," Dr Parker noted.

Prof Paul Hertzog, of Monash Institute of Medical Research, said interferon responses were critical in protecting people from infection.

"This discovery gives us the groundwork to develop and test new diagnostic and treatment strategies," he said.

The research, conducted in pre-clinical animal models, was published in Nature Medicine.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

24.07.2012

One who has lost confidence can lose nothing more

Boiste

July 23, 2012 Clippings

Mohanlal wants to donate his organs

Superstar Mohanlal expressed his desire to donate his organs, citing the case of a school-girl who recovered from a severe liver disease because her aunt stepped forth to donate a slice of her own organ. He made his desire public while speaking at a function organised by the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) here to compliment the efforts of the woman, Rainy Joy, who donated part of her liver to save her 16-year-old niece Swathi.

“The return to life of Swathi, the school-girl, should open up the awareness of organ donations in the state and I wish to donate my organs too,” said Mohanlal. Swathi was admitted to the AIMS with liver complication two weeks ago after a severe hepatitis attack and the doctors found that her liver was damaged and she required an organ transplant.

Swathi’s mother could not donate owing to fatty liver problems and then her aunt volunteered. But as per the rules prevailing for organ transplant, only direct relatives can donate without documents. Any relative other than parents, spouse, children or direct siblings require clearance from the organ donation committee headed by the health secretary. At an emergency meeting called by State Health Minister V.S.Sivakumar, the permission was granted. Swathi underwent a liver transplant July 13 and is now returning to normalcy.

A four-member team of doctors at the AIMS, headed by Sudhindra Nath, performed the 12-hour-long surgery. Rainy Joy was also present on the occasion.

Source: http://health.india.com

23.07.2012

Over 100 fibroids removed from uterus via laparoscopy

When she arrived at the gynaecologist’s clinic, doctors thought Sheetal Patil*, 38, was in the ninth month of pregnancy. But the ultrasound told a shocking tale. Her protruding belly was, in fact, her uterus which had multiple fibroids.

Weighing 7.8kg — almost 500 times the weight of a normal uterus and heavier than the average newborn — the uterus with multiple fibroids measured 20cmx16cmx18cm.

“When she came to me, I thought she had come for delivery. I was shocked to hear that it was a fibroid problem and not pregnancy. An immediate removal of the uterus was a necessity,” said Dr Uddhav Raj, gynaecologist and laparoscopic surgeon, who, along with his team, performed the procedure on Patil at Sujoy hospital, Andheri.

Traditionally, a hysterectomy is performed through a large cut in the abdomen that involves blood loss and an extended recovery period. But Patil, who works in a multinational company, was afraid of open surgery and waited four years. “All the doctors she consulted suggested open surgery. She wanted a laparoscopy which is quiet challenging,” said Dr Raj and added, “Fibroids can cause discomfort, pain, excessive bleeding, and irregular periods, but in her case, she didn’t have any problem. However in the last few months, she started developing breathing problems as the fibroids became so huge, it started putting pressure on her diaphragm.”

The surgeons used a popular alternative procedure — laparoscopy — which causes little bleeding, post-operative trauma, and scarring. “The procedure lasted four and a half hours. Her abdomen was tight because of the size of the fibroids and there was no space for my instruments to enter. I had to inflate the abdomen a little with the help of needle that I introduced inside her body through the vagina,” said Dr Raj. According to the doctors, Patil had more than 100 fibroids. The patient lost no blood and was discharged within 36 hours, he said.

Source: www.dnaindia.com

23.07.2012

Experience tells you what to do; confidence allows you to do it

Stan Smith

July 21, 2012 Clippings

Don't stand for too long when pregnant

Standing for long durations during pregnancy may curb the growth of the developing foetus, a new study has revealed.

Previous research had indicated that long working hours might increase the risk of birth defects, premature birth, stillbirth and low birth-weight. The researchers assessed that the foetal growth rates of 4680 mothers to be from early pregnancy onwards between 2002 and 2006.

Midway through their pregnancy, the women were quizzed about their work conditions and the physical demands of their jobs, including whether these included lifting, long periods of standing or walking, night shifts and long working hours.

Around four out of 10 (38.5 per cent) of the women spent a long time on their feet and 45.5 per cent had to walk for long periods. Heavy lifting was part of the job for just 6 per cent, while around 4 per cent worked night shifts.

The development of their babies was regularly measured throughout pregnancy, using ultrasound, and then again at birth. The results showed that physically demanding work and long working hours were not consistently associated with restrictions on overall size or birth-weight, or with premature birth.

And working up to 34 or 36 weeks of pregnancy had no adverse impact on foetal development.

But women who spent long periods on their feet during their pregnancy, in jobs such as sales, childcare, and teaching, had babies whose heads were an average of 1 cm (3 per cent) smaller than average at birth, implying a slower growth rate.

Around half the women (47.5 per cent) worked between 25 and 39 hours a week, while around one in four (23 per cent) worked more than 40 hours a week. And those who worked more than 40 hours a week had smaller babies than those who worked under 25 hours a week.

The authors comment that generally women who are in work have fewer pregnancy complications, birth defects, and stillbirths than women who are unemployed, but that certain aspects of work may not be without risk.

The research was published online in Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Source: www.timesofindia.com        

21.07.2012

A wise man turns chance into good fortune

Thomas Fuller

July 20, 2012 Clippings

Eye care not a priority for Indians

            Even though India has the highest population of visually impaired, a new study has found that eye health is of the lowest priority amongst Indians. A study found that compares to 10 other markets Indians are most likely to have never had an eye examination. Spanning across 26 countries, the survey by Bausch + Lomb polled around 11,000 consumers in Brazil, China, France, Germany, India and Italy, among others. “One in 10 Indians have never had a comprehensive eye examination. Around 70 percent Indians do not get their eyes checked more often because they feel that they do not have any symptoms,” the survey said.

In another startling finding, the study reported around 97 percent of doctors surveyed globally believed consumers do not have sufficient eye health knowledge. The public poll sheds light on the state of consumer awareness, attitudes and behaviours related to eye health adding over 80 percent of visual impairment is preventable if detected. “Most cases can be cured if detected on time – however, the study reveals that Indians don’t take their eye health seriously. Around 58 percent Indians believe that they do not need an eye test unless they have a problem,” said Harish Natarajan. Interestingly, women came out top in the battle of the sexes by taking far better care of their eyes, such as eating a healthy diet and wearing sunglasses, the study reported.

Source: http://health.india.com

20.07.2012

                

India lags behind most countries in children’s health: Save the Children

A recent Save the Children report suggests that India lags behind most countries when it comes to children’s health. With 1.25 million infant deaths annually and 42 percent of the kids being underweight, India has slipped in the area of child well-being in the last 15 years, according to the report. The Child Development Index (CDI) released by NGO Save the Children showed that Japan is the best place in the world to be a child while Somalia is the worst. The report noted that while many countries in the world made remarkable progress in child health, education and nutrition – the three premises that form the basis of this report – India slipped by 12 ranks between 1995 and 2010. The report made an aggregate analysis of the CDI in three time periods – 1995-1999, 2000-2004 and 2005-2010.

India’s poor performance comes in the context of as many as 127 countries improving their scores between 1995 and 2010. ”Our global child development report shows that out of the 141 countries that have been ranked, India with its CDI rank at 112 (out of 141 countries) in 2005-10 is among the only 14 whose rank has dropped,” said Thomas Chandy, CEO, Save the Children, India.

According to figures, 1.25 million infants die in India annually and 42 percent of children are underweight. ”It is a wake-up call for us. Save the Children has reiterated that economic progress must result in inclusive growth for all, especially the poor and the marginalised,” he said. The CDI, launched in 2008 as a tool to monitor the progress in child well-being, ranks the best and worst places to be a child and improvements in the field at the global level.

It measures the number of children in school, the under-five mortality rates and he number of underweight children. The 2012 edition of CDI also showed that the lives of children around the world, in the indicators we measured, improved by more than 30 percent. ”This means that the chances of a child going to school were one-third higher, and the chances of an infant dying before their fifth birthday were one-third lower at the end of the 2000s than a decade before. During this period child well-being improved in 90 percent of the countries surveyed,” the report said.

Source: http://health.india.com                    20.07.2012

Success is the sum of small efforts

Robert Collier