Happy Doctor’s Day!

‘Vaidya’ or ‘Hakim’ as known in the olden times or ‘Doctor’ as known in the contemporary society has always been a person who devotes his life alleviating anguish that people suffer from. Their oath to serve mankind comes above every other commitment of their lives. Their hard work has led to the discovery of many medical breakthroughs. Their contributions had lead to the development of various technologies in the field of medicine that are at our service now. They have saved and cured innumerable lives. But we always tend to forget them till we suffer the next distress.

Here, comes a day to pay tribute to that section of the society who dedicate their lives to relieve the sufferings of others – The Medical Fraternity.  This day – 1^st July - brings us the fond memories of Dr. B. C. Roy and great contributors like him who devoted their lives in the service of mankind. Let’s have a sneak peek at the history that lies behind the celebration of this day.

The first Doctors’ Day observance was on 30^th March 1933, in Winder, Georgia. The history of this special day dates back to the early 19^th century when an American, Dr. Crawford W. Long, became the first physician to use ether as anesthesia in a surgery that he performed on 30^th March 1842. The idea came from Eudora Brown Almond, the wife of Dr. Cha Almond to recognize this day as Doctor’s Day. President George Bush signed a resolution to make 30^th March the official “National Doctor’s Day” in 1990.

In India, the Doctor’s Day is observed on 1^st July every year, which brings us the fond memories of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, who was born on this day in 1882 in Patna, Bihar. Dr. B. C. Roy was a respected physician and a renowned freedom fighter. He was an alumnus of the Medical College Calcutta. He was the second chief minister of West Bengal, India. He remained in his post for 14 years as a Congress Party candidate, from 14 January 1948 until his death on 1^st July 1962. He excelled as a physician and educationist as well as a freedom fighter by joining Mahatma Gandhi in the Civil Disobedience Movement. He was instrumental in starting many institutions including hospitals for the treatment of several thousand patients.

This day gives an opportunity for everyone to acknowledge and appreciate the responsibility, the dedication and the contribution of the medical community to each and every one. Let’s take this opportunity to thank the entire medical profession and the healthcare industry that holds an irreplaceable place in our lives in the process of healing and curing!

Wishing all the Doctors…A Very Happy Doctor’s Day!

It’s Raining Now!

 

The smell of earth that raises along with the first rains, the feel of cool breeze on your skin, the splash of water drops drizzling from the grey clouds…all bring a broad smile on your face.

Yes, with the monsoon approaching, soon will be the time to hunt for your umbrellas and raincoats which you have kept somewhere in your closet. Rains just don’t please our farmers but they also relieve all of us from the scorching summer heat. Monsoon is the climate to relax, munch on delicious recipes, enjoy those waterfalls at picnic spots and much more. But amidst all the fun, it is very essential to keep a check on your health and fitness.

During rainy season, there are a host of infectious diseases that arise and it is necessary to take precautions to save yourself from them. Fever, body ache, stomach cramps, loose motions, headache, weakness…all are symptoms of infections. Stomach infections as well as other infections are very common during monsoons.

 Monson is the season when your appetite increases. You feel like having all crispy and crunchy recipes. And with every such recipe comes along those dreaded calories. More the calories more will be the weight gain. Having no time, rains and ill heath – are some reasons that can affect your fitness regime. But always remember that having a healthy diet and following a regular exercise plan are the keys to good health. To be in pink of health is what everyone desires, and to be so, you should regularly monitor your health status be it summer, winter or monsoons!

World Blood Donor Day

Once again comes a day when you can pay tribute to all those donors who by donating their blood have saved numerous lives. It is the World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) on 14^th June. This year the theme for the World Blood Donor Day is to put emphasis on improving the safety and sufficiency of blood supplies through the achievement of “100 per cent voluntary non-remunerated donation of blood and blood components.”

World Blood Donor Day is jointly sponsored by the World Health Organization, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations and the International Society of Blood Transfusion. Each year a country is identified by these partners to host a global WBDD event that provides a focus for an international media campaign to raise awareness of the critically important role of the voluntary non-remunerated donors in every national health care system. The event also supports the blood transfusion services, blood donor organizations and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in strengthening and expanding their voluntary blood donor programs and to reinforce the national and local campaigns. This year, the country selected is Australia. The Australian Government in close association with the Australian Red Cross and Australian Red Cross Blood Service will host this global event on 14^th June 2009.

Some facts that you should be aware of…

• More than 5,36,000 women die every year during pregnancy or childbirth. 99% of them are from the developing countries
• In developing countries, many people die as safe blood is not available, even in many urban health-care facilities
• Nearly 4,00,000 young people under the age of 25 are killed in the road traffic crashes every year and millions more are injured or disabled
• In many countries testing is not reliable because of staff shortages, poor quality test kits, irregular supplies or lack of basic laboratory quality. Also in many countries not all of the donated blood is screened for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and syphilis prior to transfusion
• Often transfusions are prescribed when simpler and less expensive treatments might be equally effective. This exposes some patients to the unwanted risk of infections or severe transfusion reactions due to incompatibility of blood groups
• As per statistics, more than 81 million units of blood are collected globally every year. Less 45% of these are donated in developing countries where more than 80% of the world’s population lives. The average blood donation rate is 11 times higher in developed countries than in developing countries
• The demand for blood is increasing and so the blood shortages are common. Every year more blood donors are needed to replace those that are lost every year due to ill health, retirement and relocation

Therefore, it is important for every nation to recognize that safe clinical transfusion practices are fundamental for blood transfusion to be truly life-saving with minimal risk. Also, safe blood transfusion is an essential part of the emergency trauma care systems to minimize death and disability of the injured patients. Every country needs to ensure that blood supplies are sufficient and free from HIV, hepatitis viruses and other chronic infections that can be transmitted through unsafe transfusion.

This day gives us an opportunity to raise awareness on issues related to blood donation and blood transfusion. It is a day to thank all the blood donors and to acknowledge all those volunteers who are responding to a world-wide increase in the demand for donations of blood and blood components. You never know what your fate awaits. Someday it could be you or your dear one who may struggle with the need for blood in an ICU. It is, therefore, necessary to realize and recognize the importance of blood donation.

Donate a part of yourself today to save the lives tomorrow!

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

“When this world was made,

It was so neat and clean.

Why must man kind have been so mean,

The ponds and rivers flow so free.

But clean again they will never see.

The sky and clouds were a sight to be seen,

Now it is a struggle to keep them clean.”

                                                                                                      -          Dennis Penny

Let’s take up this challenge and make Mother Earth – a cleaner place to be in! Times are changing and so are the climatic conditions….Today, skyscrapers and flyovers add to the beauty of our surroundings instead of the trees and streams, which we were surrounded by, once upon a time. Mother Nature has perpetually nurtured the requirements of mankind, but in order to quench his thirst of ever growing needs, the greedy man has utilized every bit of nature for his benefit. In gratifying his desires, man has forgotten that he is causing gross damage to the environment and as a result, to himself.

This year on the World Environment Day (WED), let’s come together and stimulate worldwide awareness towards the environmental issues.

WED, commemorated each year on 5^th June world wide after the historical Stockholm Conference on Human Environment in 1972, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations enhances political attention and action oriented strategies besides creating awareness amongst the masses.

Various issues discussed on this day are poverty alleviation, population growth, economic development, protection of environment, equitable use of resources, prevention of pollution, planning for future, etc. WED is a reminder to show our gratefulness to Mother Nature, which sustains all forms of life.

WED is a day to focus thoughts and our energies for collective efforts to protect the environment and to keep the world clean and green. This year the theme for World Environment Day is ‘Your Planet Needs You! Unite to Combat Climate Change.’  From participating in awareness rallies and seminars to the simple action of planting a pod at your home or in your locality…will be your contribution on this day.

As Blaise Pascal said, “The least movement is of importance to all nature. The entire ocean is affected by a pebble.” So dear readers, think twice before throwing a pebble as the ripple created will affect one and all.

It Is The Time To Use Less and Act Now!

Wake Up To Give Up!

“Thank heaven, I have given up smoking again…God! I feel fit.  Homicidal, but fit.  A different man.  Irritable, moody, depressed, rude, nervy, perhaps; but the lungs are fine.”

Well said by A. P. Herbert as giving up on smoking seems impossible. There is already much heard and said on smoking. But one always reads to make a decision of not smoking, and as the craving arises again he resumes back to that one puff with a little guilt this time, which very soon vanishes with the second puff.

Smoking is just one form of tobacco consumption. Other forms include quid and snuff. Tobacco usage caused 100 million deaths in the 20th century and if the current trends continue, there could be up to one billion deaths in the 21st century. By 2030, more than 80% of tobacco related deaths will occur in the developing world unless urgent action is taken.

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death globally, which causes more than five million deaths a year. So this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) has selected “Tobacco Health Warnings” as the theme on the World No Tobacco Day, which is on 31^st May 2009. WHO particularly approves of tobacco health warnings, which will contain both pictures and words as they are the most effective at convincing people to quit. Such pictorial warnings on the tobacco products cut across the linguistic and cultural barriers, and therefore, are intended to increase the public awareness on the deadly health effects of tobacco consumption.

Some true facts related to tobacco consumption are as follows…

• Tobacco is responsible for about 30% of all cancer deaths in the developed countries
• According to Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), India records about 8,00,000 tobacco deaths every year with 2,200 deaths per day
• Tobacco in various forms of its usage (e.g: smoking, chewing, etc.) is the major environmental cause of cancers of the lung, larynx, mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, bladder, pancreas, and probably, kidney
• Tobacco is smoked in the form of manufactured cigarettes or in indigenous forms like bidi, cigar, chilum and hookah
• Tobacco in powered form is inhaled as snuff
• The most common form of tobacco chewing in India is the betel quid (tambaku paan) which usually contains betel leaf, arecanut, lime and tobacco. The flakes of sun dried tobacco and slaked lime is rubbed in the palm of the hand and the mixture is then put into the mouth in small amounts and frequent intervals during the day and slowly sucked and swallowed after dilution with saliva
• The oral cancer is usually occurs on the side of the mouth were the tobacco quid was kept and the risk is higher if the quid was kept in the mouth during sleep
• Gutka is a preparation of crushed betel nut, tobacco, catechu, lime and sweet or savory flavorings. It is highly addictive and a known carcinogen. It is consumed much like chewing tobacco and it is considered responsible for oral cancer and other severe negative health effects
• People who chew nass or nasswar– a mixture of tobacco, ashes, lime and cotton seed oil are more prone to get oral cancer (Also known as snuff dipping)
• Some places people have the habit of reverse smoking of cigar with the burning end inside the mouth. This is known to cause cancer of the hard palate
• The total burden of lung cancer in any country is directly related to the amount and duration of cigarette smoking
• Other ill effects of tobacco consumption are diseases like stroke, myocardial infarction, aortic aneurysm and peptic ulcer
• Large direct, indirect and intangible costs associated with tobacco hamper economic development rather than promote it

The temporary gratification you get after indulging in tobacco addiction will render you with permanent agony. Why put your precious life in jeopardy by surrendering yourself to this addiction? Now is the time to give up on this obnoxious dependency. So all dear readers – Wake Up To Give Up On Tobacco Consumption!

“Am I Number 12?”

What is hepatitis? Is it same as jaundice? Is jaundice also called as Hepatitis A? If it is Hepatitis A then what is Hepatitis B? What is Hepatitis C? Is there anything like Hepatitis D, E, F, G and more? Is it an infectious disease? If yes, then is there any vaccine available?

Many questions in your mind and you are yet to find answers to them, right? There is also one more question you should ask yourself this year on World Hepatitis Day, which is – “Am I Number 12?”

World Hepatitis Day is an initiative to raise awareness on chronic viral hepatitis infections worldwide and to encourage steps to prevent and treat hepatitis. The long term infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) can cause liver failure and liver cancer. Statistics reads that one in twelve people worldwide have HBV or HCV infections. This prevalence is far higher than HIV or any other cancer. This year the theme revolves around this statistic data. Asking a simple question – “Am I Number 12?” – is designed to highlight the extent of HBV or HCV infection across the world.

Infections are very often undiagnosed, and hence, the aim of “Am I Number 12? is to encourage people to question themselves and to get tested. An early diagnosis of any disease helps in better management, and thus, prevents development of complications.

On this international hepatitis day the “Am I Number 12?” campaign focuses on HBV and HCV by means of 12 Asks, which are as follows…

• Public recognition of chronic viral hepatitis as an urgent public health issue
• The appointment of an individual to lead government strategy nationally
• The development of a patient pathway for screening, diagnosis, referral and treatment
• Clear, quantifiable targets for reducing incidence and prevalence
• Clear, quantifiable targets for reducing mortality
• Clear, quantifiable targets for screening
• Effective surveillance and publication of national incidence and prevalence statistics
• Commitment to examine cases of best practice internationally
• Commitment to work with patient groups in policy design and implementation
• Provision of free and anonymous (or confidential) testing
• A public awareness campaign that alerts people to the issue and is committed to reducing stigma
• Commitment to an ongoing national vaccination programme

Viral hepatitis has been added to the agenda for the 62nd annual World Health Assembly 18-27 May 2009, Geneva, and this year, the aim is to have the World Health Organization (WHO) officially adopt the World Hepatitis Day. This day is to raise awareness of HBV and HCV within the general public, people at risk, healthcare providers and government audiences, and at the same time, to persuade the national governments to commit to the 12 Asks by 2012, which will eventually lead to the success of this hepatitis prevention programme.

So dear readers, this year make sure that you are not one out of the 12.

Protect Yourself, Test Yourself and Treat Yourself.

The Silent Killer – Hypertension

“My mother is suffering from a coronary heart block. She was a known case of hypertension for the past 15 years.”

“My husband had an angioplasty done last year. He is a diabetic and a hypertensive.”

“My father’s left hand movements are still to recover from the effect of stroke he had two years back.”

“My aunty is on dialysis due to kidney failure. She is also a diabetic.”

“My brother is a smoker and he has high blood pressure. He is just 29 years old.”

“My doctor informed me that as my parents are hypertensive, I must take care of my lifestyle and diet so that I do not get the problem of high blood pressure.”

Such health worries are often the highlights of conversations you have with your relatives or neighbours or may be with one of your family members. Hypertension is a silent killer. Over a period of time it leads to heart, kidney and/or neurological problems.

It may show symptoms like occipital headache (especially in the morning), dizziness, palpitations, epistaxis (bleeding from nose), pain in chest (angina pectoris) or it could be absolutely asymptomatic showing no complains at all. Most of the times it goes undiagnosed as it does not show any symptom and this leads to further progress of the disease damaging organ systems that are more difficult to treat. Although the rate of incidence of the disease has increased tremendously in both the developing and developed countries, the rate of deaths has significantly decreased in the developed countries due to better awareness, detection techniques and treatment facilities.

Every year, 17th May is dedicated to World Hypertension Day (WHD), which is an initiative of the World Hypertension League (WHL). The WHL is a division of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) and is also in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHD was first inaugurated in May 2005, and since then, has become an annual event. The purpose of the WHD is to promote public awareness of hypertension and to encourage citizens of all countries to prevent and control the epidemic of this silent killer. “Salt and High Blood Pressure: Two Silent Killers” – is the theme for World Hypertension Day (WHD) 2009 to highlight the high blood pressure caused by excess of salt intake.

As per statistics, there was an estimated 972 million people suffering from hypertension in the year 2000, and by 2025, it is estimated that around 1.56 billion people will have it. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke, coronary heart disease, heart and kidney failure. The higher the pressure, the greater the risk and lower the expectation of life. Intensive research carried out during the past few years, aiming at the control of hypertension at the community level, has already provided valuable results. The studies have shown that control of hypertension in a population is feasible and that it can be carried out through the existing system of health services in different countries. This control of blood pressure leads to a reduction of complications caused by high blood pressure.

Regular health check-ups, learning more about your vitals like blood pressure readings form your doctor, integrating some changes in your lifestyle like reducing your weight, reducing the intake of salt in diet, giving up smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, exercising regularly – are some steps that will save you from being a quarry of this modern epidemic called hypertension. And if you are a hypertensive, then by incorporating some lifestyle changes you can prevent the development of complications. This year on WHD, awaken from the sleep of ignorance to save yourself and your loved ones from this silent killer.

Yet Another Flu Jinx – Swine Flu

Typhoid, cholera, malaria, dengue and remaining infectious diseases were sufficient enough to take a toll on human health. But then, there was bird flu, and now, it is swine flu. So, here we go about on this new contagious dread – The Swine Flu…

• Swine Flu/Swine Influenza refers to influenza caused by any strain of the influenza virus endemic in pigs (swine)
• Swine flu is common in swine and rare in humans
• People who work with swine are at risk of getting swine influenza if the swine carries a virus strain capable to infect humans (zoonotic transmission)
• The outbreak of swine flu is due to mutation of Swine Influenza Virus (SIV) into a form which can pass easily from human to human
• The 2009 swine flu outbreak in human is due to a new strain of Influenza Virus A Subtype H1N1 – is a genetic mixture of viruses that have been seen in pigs, birds and people but it is called Swine Flu as the structure of this virus is similar to SIV
• In humans the symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of influenza which includes fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, diarrhea and vomiting
• This virus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes around you or by touching something with the flu virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes with your now infected hands
• The rRT-PCR Swine Flu Panel diagnostic test is used to scan samples from flu patients to determine if they have the new strain but the current tests cannot detect all the virus subtypes that are suspected of creating the new strain of swine flu
• In the rRT-PCR Swine Flu Panel diagnostic test, a nasal or nasopharyngeal swab is used to amplify the genetic profile of the virus. A positive test result presumably concludes that the patient is carrying the swine flu but it cannot determine the stage of infection and a negative test result does not conclude that a person does not carry the swine flu virus
• Some hygiene steps like washing hands frequently, avoiding close contact with people who are sick and avoiding touching of the surfaces that might be contaminated, can help in preventing the spread of germs
• Antivirals – Oseltamivir and Zanamivir – are recommended for the treatment and prevention of the infection with swine flu virus
• If a person gets sick, antiviral drugs, which work best if started within 2 days of getting symptoms, can make the illness milder as well as prevent serious flu complications, and hence, making the patient feel better faster
• Pork and other pig-derived products (like ham, sausages, etc) if properly handled and cooked do not transmit swine flu as the flu virus is killed by cooking temperature of 160°F (70°C)
• As per research studies, any new virus which is able to spread from an animal to a person and then spread from person to person – is always a source of concern as such virus in human to human transmission can continue to mutate making it difficult to treat
• Studies also say that a new strain of the flu virus can spread faster because people do not have natural immunity and the development of vaccine to such virus may take months

It is essential to be aware and informed on any new epidemic in the world because there is always a possibility of it to become pandemic. Taking adequate preventive measures will always save you from the misery a disease brings along. If you have any symptoms then it is advisable to refer to your doctor at the earliest as an early treatment is found to be effective in the cases of swine flu.

You Can Control Your Asthma

Asthma comes from an ancient Greek word meaning panting or short-drawn breath. It is a chronic inflammation of the airways in the lungs that result in obstruction of air flow. Asthma usually begins in childhood although onset in adulthood is not uncommon.

It is a chronic lung disease characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, airflow obstruction, bronchial hyper-responsiveness and an underlying inflammation. Public attention in the  developed country has recently focused on asthma because of its rapidly increasing prevalence. Current research suggests that the prevalence of childhood asthma has been increasing, and this increased prevalence is greater than that in the adults.

To raise awareness about asthma and improve asthma care throughout the world, the World Asthma Day is organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) in collaboration with health care groups and asthma educators. World Asthma Day activities are organized in every country by healthcare professionals and members of public to reduce the burden of this chronic illness.

The first World Asthma Day, in 1998, was celebrated in more than 35 countries. Since then, participation has increased with each World Asthma Day, and the day has become one of the world’s most significant asthma awareness and education events. World Asthma Day is celebrated on the first Tuesday of May every year. This year it is on 5^th May 2009. The theme of World Asthma Day 2009 is “You Can Control Your Asthma.”

Asthma affects the poor and rich, adults and children, men and women. It is important to take care to protect yourself from getting asthma, and if you are an asthmatic then care has to be taken so as not to worsen the existing asthma. This year, get updated on asthma to control your asthma.

Man, Mosquito & Malaria

“Those mosquitoes…always bothering…their irritating buzz in ears…the itching bites they give…those sleepless nights they gift us…and then there is Dengue, Yellow Fever and of course…MALARIA…Why do they exist…Any answers to this?”

Have you had such thought for once? Sure, you must have had for more than once. Yes, mosquitoes are a nuisance. They are responsible for causing various infectious diseases – the most common and dangerous one being Malaria. References for “Deadly Fevers” – probably malaria, can be found in the Vedic writings of 1600 B.C in India. Charaka and Sushrutha gave descriptions of malaria, and also, associated it with mosquito bites.  Malaria was also referred by Hippocrates some 2500 years ago.

Commonly known as “Ague” in the ancient times – Malaria has been one of the most devastating parasitic diseases. Malaria kills more than 1 million people and affects up to 500 million people every year. Children below 5 years of age and pregnant women are most susceptible to malaria. But the good news is that this deadly disease, which spreads through the bite of infected anopheles mosquitoes, is preventable and treatable.

The first World Malaria Day was celebrated on 25^th April 2008. Initially it started as the Africa Malaria Day, which was observed every year on the 25^th April since 2001 by African government to fight against malaria and to meet the United Nations Malaria-Related Millennium Development Goals. But it is not just the African continent which is affected by malaria. Several places in the world – Asia, Latin America and some parts of Europe – are widely hit by malaria. And hence, a greater awareness was required. Therefore, in March 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) established the World Malaria Day to be observed on 25^th April every year to raise awareness and understanding of malaria. There is a hope that participation of all communities across the world will help in fighting this disease and saving many lives.

The discovery of Quinine, a toxic plant alkaloid made from the bark of the Cinchona, followed by the development of its synthetic analogues – all have helped in fighting malaria. But it is well said – Prevention Is Better Than Cure. And therefore, from the prevention of the breeding of mosquitoes to the use of insect repellents and bed nets to the intake of appropriate medicinal prophylaxis and treatment – all together will save many of us from falling prey to this fatal disease.  It is very important for us to understand and to take the necessary precautions to save ourselves, our community and our country from ill effects of this life threatening infectious disease.

Get Updated To Get Malaria Eradicated!