Tuberculosis ups diabetes risk
A recent study suggests that people
who have been afflicted with tuberculosis are often affected with diabetes. The
prevalence of diabetes in persons with TB is almost double that of the general
populace. A survey of 827 respondents registered with Revised National
Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) five centres in Tamil Nadu found that
one-fourth of them suffered from diabetes.
“Diabetics who suffer tuberculosis
are easily diagnosed for the condition but the reverse is not true. Many
persons with TB who become diabetic are unaware of their condition and they do
not respond well to TB drugs. When TB relapses, it is a serious threat as these
people can transmit the infection,” Dr Vishwanathan said.
“In countries where TB is prevalent,
people with diabetes are at three times the risk of acquiring the infectious
disease,” he added.
Dr Vishwanathan suggested that all
those being treated for TB be screened for diabetes, as early diagnosis will
help manage both diseases. “The government has a national programme for control
of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke
(NPCDS). The RNTCP should be integrated with the NPCDS so that everyone who has
TB is also screened for diabetes,” he added.
Source:
http://health.india.com
07.08.2012
Pupils with strong hearts and lungs `score better grades`
Having a healthy heart and lungs may be one of
the most important factors for middle school students to make good grades in
math and reading, a new study has revealed.
“Cardiorespiratory fitness was the only factor
that we consistently found to have an impact on both boys’ and girls’ grades on
reading and math tests,” said study co-author Trent A. Petrie, PhD, professor
of psychology and director of the Center for Sport Psychology at the University
of North Texas.
“This provides more evidence that schools need
to re-examine any policies that have limited students’ involvement in physical
education classes,” Petrie said.
The researchers gathered data at five Texas
middle schools from 1,211 students, of whom 54 percent were female with an
average age of about 12. Overall, the group was 57 percent white.
While previous studies have found links between
being physically fit and improved academic performance, this study also
examined several other potential influences, including self-esteem and social
support. It also took into account the students’ socio-economic status and
their self-reported academic ability, Petrie said.
In addition to cardio respiratory fitness,
social support was related to better reading scores among boys, according to
the study.
It defined social support as reliable help from
family and friends to solve problems or deal with emotions. For girls, having a
larger body mass index was the only factor other than cardio respiratory
fitness that predicted better reading scores. For boys and girls, cardio
respiratory fitness was the only factor related to their performance on the
math tests.
“The finding that a larger body mass index for
girls was related to better performance on the reading exam may seem
counterintuitive, however past studies have found being overweight was not as
important for understanding boys and girls performances on tests as was their
level of physical fitness,” Petrie said.
From one to five months before the students were
to take annual standardized reading and math tests, they answered questions
about their level of physical activity, and how they viewed their academic
ability, self-esteem and social support.
The findings were presented at the American
Psychological Association’s 120th Annual Convention.
Source: www.dnaindia.com
07.08.2012
What we learn with pleasure
we never forget
Alfred Mercier
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