Sunday, 21 April 2013

22 April, 2013


How to prevent kidney stones in summer
In India, approximately 5 to 7 million patients suffer from kidney stone disease and at least 1/1000 of Indian population needs hospitalisation due to kidney stone disease.

We rarely associate kidney stones with the rise in temperature and humidity. "The incidence of kidney stone cases rises by 40% during summer due to rise in temperature. Climate, temperature and humidity are important factors that contribute to kidney stones," points Dr. Abhinandan Sadlalge, Chief Urologist, RG Stone Urology and Laparoscopy hospital.

People who work in a hot environment or have a work routine that does not allow them to have enough water are prone to develop stones. Specifically a 5 to 7 degree temperature rise due to climate change could yield a 30% increase in kidney stone problems. When people relocate from areas of moderate temperature to areas with warmer climates, a rapid increase in stone formation has been observed. There is a known geographic variation in stone disease that has been attributed to regional differences in temperature. The incidence of kidney stone disease is particularly high in areas with dry, hot climate.

Dr. Abhinandan chalks out 9 steps to prevent kidney stones

1. Drink plenty of water during the day and at night before bed so that your body stays hydrated throughout each 24-hour period.

2. Drink lemonade as this has been shown to reduce the risk of kidney stones

3. Cut back on products with large amounts of oxalate - an acid that can lead to the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones. These include products like drinking soda, iced tea, chocolate, rhubarb, strawberries and nuts.

4. Cut down the intake of caffeine as it leaves you dehydrated even though you think you are taking in plenty of liquids.

5. Reduce the salt intake and make that a regular habit

6. Ask your physician about medications that can help prevent kidney stones. Medications include those that control the amount of acid, alkali or cystine in the urine - factors that can cause kidney stones to develop.

7. Check your intake of animal protein, including meat, eggs, and fish. These foods contain purines, which are natural substances that metabolise or break down into uric acid.

8. Have more salads as it maintains the coolness levels.

9. Exercise and lose weight and stay healthy


22.04.2013
Now a special course on family medicine: Health Ministry
In an effort to bridge the gap between the need and availability of doctors, the health ministry is promoting courses in family medicine for medical practitioners, an official said. ‘There is a gap between the need and availability of doctors,’ T. Sundaraman, executive director of the National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), told reporters at a two-day National Rural Health Mission-sponsored conference that began here Saturday.
The conference will give information about a two-year diploma and a three-year degree course in family medicine for medical practitioners, he added. Delegates from India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are participating in the conference. ‘While there are very few doctors available in rural areas, in urban areas it is mostly specialists. There are very few practitioners of good old family health care,’ Sundaraman said.
‘The hospitals are for people who are rich and can afford it. People in small cities and rural areas go to quacks.’
Raman Kumar, president of Academy of Family Physicians of India, said: ‘India is moving towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and National Health Mission (NHM). Multi-skilled and competent primary care providers and their knowledge figure prominently in the evolving schemes, themes and initiatives of our health care systems’.
‘Current health care scenario in India is staring at a crisis, as patients face increasing health care expenses due to the skewed emphasis on hospitals and super-speciality care,’ said Santanu Chattopadhyay, founder and CEO of NationWide Primary Healthcare Services Pvt Ltd. ‘Much of this expense can be avoided if the primary care provision is strengthened, which can only happen when we have a robust system for training and producing more family physicians,’ he added.
22.04.2013







When it is not necessary to change, it is necessary not to change
Lucius Cary Falkland

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