Health News-8: "Insulin in Spray Form"

The Chief Executive Officer of the Generex Biotechnology Corporation of U.S., Anna Gluskin, launched the world’s first Recombinant DNA human insulin buccal spray nationally in Kolkatta on Monday (November 17, 2008).

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, November 18, 2008 (“Snapshots”)

Wikipedia articles on “RECOMBINANT DNA” and “INSULIN”:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recombinant_DNA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulin

Grateful thanks to The Hindu and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Health News-7: "World Diabetes Day"

To counter the alarming rise of Diabetes world over, World Health Organization and International Diabetes Federation have started observing November 14 as World Diabetes Day as the first step in combatting diabetes is creating an universal awareness of the dangers ofr diabetes.

What is special about November 14? It is the birthday of Frederick Banting whose concept led to the discovery of insulin and so in his honour the particular day has been chosen.

The adage ‘Prevention is better than cure’ is very true of Diabetes. Because, as of now, there is no cure for diabetes. It can only be controlled but not cured.

So creating an awareness of diabetes is very important to prevent it. As for diabetics, since there is no cure, the most important steps are changing their lifestyle and taking proper medical care. Negligence could result in serious trouble as diabetes is a silent killer. It has been found out that excess sugar in blood could permanently damage small blood vessels in the heart, eyes and kidneys, which could result in heart attack, blindness and kidney failure respectively.

Some of diabetes statistics are highly disturbing and scaring:

(a) One person is dying for every 10 seconds in the world.
(b) Two new diabetic cases are identified every 10 seconds in the world.
(c) 7 million new diabetic cases will be identified by 2025.
(d) 80% of diabetics in the world will be present in developing countries like India.
(e) India is the Diabetic capital of the world.
(f) It is not now a disease of rich people. It is a disease of sedentary people with unhealthy diet habits.
(Source: http://www.diabetesnews.in/2006/12/diabetes-statistics.html)

World Diabetes Day has a different theme each year. This year the theme is “Diabetes and Children and Adolescents”.

I am a diabetic, who has been pretending all controls for others only and who does not have much faith in allopathy. A recent check-up has put inside me a little fear. My fasting sugar is more than 200 and postpradial, 292! I do experiment on myself, knowing fully well that I am playing a dangerous game. Now I have decided to be more strict with myself and have actually started putting into practice stringent measures.

1. Regular Walk 2. Regular exercise 3. More vegetables (specially recommended for diabetics) and ragi and wheat products and less rice. 4. Regular AUT 5. Regular intake of Herbs and Herbal powders 6. Drinking a lot of water, especially in the morning on empty stomach (Water therapy) 7. Regular check-up.

Take care, don’t fall a prey to diabetics! Now I have got more statistics, which you can see for yourself:

Today more than 17 crore people in the world are diabetic. By 2020, this figure would jump to 37 crores. Every year, 70 lakh people become diabetic. Every year 38 lakh people die of diabetes. Every year 70,000 children become Type-I diabetic. (Grateful thanks to Mr.P.Alaguraju and ‘Dinamani’, Tamil daily, November 14, 2008).

Detailed Wikipedia article on “WORLD DIABETES DAY”:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Diabetes_Day

About World Diabetes Day:
http://www.worlddiabetesday.org/the-campaign/about-0

Diabetes Day : Global Events Round-up from NowPublic.com:
http://www.nowpublic.com/health/november-14-world-diabetes-day-global-events-roundup/

Defeat DKA and save lives:
http://www.worlddiabetesday.org/the-campaign/diabetes-and-children/dka-awareness

Diabetes and Children:
http://www.worlddiabetesday.org/the-campaign/diabetes-and-children

Detailed Wikipedia article on “DIABETES MELLITUS”:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes

Diabetes Information Hub:
http://diabetesinformationhub.com/

American Diabetes Association:
http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp

Grateful thanks to DiabetesNews.in, WorldDiabetesDay.org, NowPublic.com, DiabetesInformationHub.com, American Diabetes Association and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

S&T Watch-35: "Brain’s Role in Obesity"

Reuters reports of a scientific study of milk chocolates carried out at the Oregon Research Institute which throws more light on the link between brain and obesity. When you eat, your brain releases a chemical called dopamine in the brain’s reward centres. The amount of pleasure you derive from your food depends on the amount of dopamine released in your brain. In simple terms, if the response is blunted, you get less satisfaction. To derive more satisfaction, naturally you eat more, which leads to obesity.

Detailed Wikipedia article on “DOPAMINE”:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dopamine

Grateful thanks to Reuters and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Health News: "Childhood Obesity"

Children who skip breakfast each day are twice as likely to be obse, a new study has shown. It is the opposite for kids who eat breakfast daily, experts say.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, Oct.20, 2008 (“Newscape”)

Detailed Wikipedia article on “CHILDHOOD OBESITY”:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childhood_obesity

Grateful thanks to The Hindu and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Health News: "CLEAN HANDS"

Daisy, Gulshan and Yamuna, three-year-olds enrolled in a balwadi in Chintadripet, were excited about the soap suds that bubbled up when their teacher asked them to wash their hands before a meal.

The children were part of the Global Handwashing Day awareness programme organised by UNICEF. Little Gulshan did not understand much about germs and diseases, but she got her basics right. “I must clean my hands before eating,” she said.

The awareness programme held at Chennai Corporation High School at Chintadripet reached out to students from pre-kinder-garten to Standard X. The children were given a demonstration on how to wash their hands thoroughly with soap, especially after using the toilet. Deputy Mayor R.Sathyabhama told students that they must also use footwear to keep their feet clean. UNICEF education specialist Aruna Rathnam said parents sent small children to school without footwear fearing that the children would lose them. She suggested that the children be allowed to keep their footwear on rather than leave them outside class so that they would not lose them.

Corporation schools, at present, do not provide soaps for children to wash hands. However, Corporation Deputy Commissioner (Education) Anu George said the idea would be considered. Students also took out a short rally holding placards on sanitation.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Chennai.

Wikipedia article on “GLOBAL HANDWASHING DAY”:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Handwashing_Day

Grateful thanks to the Staff Reporter who wrote the above article, The Hindu and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Health News-18: "Chinese Salad can Combat Cancer"

A Chinese herb – more than 2000-year-old-eaten as salad in many countries has been given a new twist to develop a compound to combat cancer. According to researchers at the University of Washington, the new compound is more than 1200 times more specific in killing certain kinds of cancer cells than currently available drugs, and paves the way for more effective chemotherapy drug with minimal side-effects. The compound is based on the common anti-malarial drug artemisinin, which is derived from the sweet wormwood plant (Artemisia annua L).

Courtesy: The Times of India, Chennai, Oct.16, 2008 (Short Cuts).

Grateful thanks to The Times of India, Chennai.

Eyecatchers-110: "Govt of India bans Smoking in Public Places!"

If Gandhi Jayanthi 2007 was observed as the first International Day of Non-Violence, Gandhi Jayanthi 2008 is another great day; the Govt of India has banned smoking in public places and violation of the ban attracts a fine of Rs.200/-. This is a great achievement; for, the Tobacco Lobby and some votebank-politicians have been blocking it. Union Health Minister, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss deserves special appreciation for almost single-handedly fighting the above forces and imposing the ban under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act 2003.

Smoking affects not only the health of the smoker, but also that of other people who are exposed to it; for Passive Smoking also kills. So banning smoking in public places is a right step and deserves appreciation. The dangers of Passive Smoking can be perused in the Wikipedia article (link provided).

Wikipedia articles on “SMOKING BAN” and “PASSIVE SMOKING KILLS”:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoking_ban

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_smoking_kills

Grateful thanks to Dr.Anbumani Ramadoss and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Health News-17: "World Heart Day 2008"

Statistics released on the occasion of the World Heart Day 2008 (September 28th) are frightening. One should take it as a warning signal and take due care of oneself.

* 1.5 billion people or nearly one in three adults over the age of 25, will have high blood pressure, one of the biggest single risk factors for Carrdio Vascular Disease(CVD), the world’s number one killer.

* High blood pressure and CVD are increasing in prevalence, including among the young, and need immediate action and attention.

* World Heart Day, a major heart health awareness campaign now in its ninth year, is run by the World Heart Federation’s member organizations in over 100 countries.

* World Heart Day activities include health checks, organised walks, runs and fitness sessions, public talks, stage shows, scientific forums, exhibitions, concerts, carnivals and sports tournaments.

* Cardio vascular diseases have been projected to cause 4.6 million deaths annually in India by the year 2020.

* High blood pressure (Hypertension: >140/90 mmHg) is directly responsible for 57% of all stroke deaths and 24% of all coronary disease deaths in India at an underestimate, there are 31.5 million hypertensives in rural and 34 million in urban populations.

* In the treatment of heart disease alone, non-compliance with drug regimens and inability to change lifestyle is believed to cause as many as 1,25,000 avoidable deaths.

Excerpts from “Know Your Risk of CVD” by Dr.R.Sivakumar, Senior Consultant, Interventional Cardiologist, Meenakshi Mission Hospital & Research Centre, Madurai in The Hindu, Madurai of September 28, 2008.

Wikipedia article on “CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE”:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiovascular_disease

Grateful thanks to Dr.Sivakumar,The Hindu and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Health News-16: "Burning Incense sticks good for brain!"

Religious leaders have contended for millennia that burning incense is good for the soul. Now, biologists have learned that it is good for our brains too. An international team of scientists, including researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, describe how burning frankincense (resin from the Boswellia plant) activates poorly understood ion channels in the brain to alleviate anxiety or depression. This suggests that an entirely new class of depression and anxiety drugs might be right under our noses. “In spite of information stemming from ancient texts, constituents of Boswellia had not been investigated for psychoactivity,” said Raphael Mechoulam, one of the research study’s co-authors. “We found that incensole acetate, a Boswellia resin constituent, when tested in mice, lowers anxiety and causes antidepressive-like behaviour. Apparently, most present day worshippers assume that incense burning has only a symbolic meaning.” To determine incense’s psychoactive effects, the researchers administered incensole acetate to mice. They found that the compound significantly affected areas in brain known to be involved in emotions as well as in nerve circuits that are affected by current anxiety and depression drugs. Specifically, incensole acetate activated a protein in mammalian brains…..

Excerpt from Sunday Times of India, Chennai, June 29, 2008.

Wikipedia article on “Boswellia“:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boswellia

Grateful thanks to The Times of India and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Health News-15: "Using Mobiles during Pregnancy"

A report says that using mobile phones during pregnancy could affect the health of the unborn child later in life.

Health News-14: "Children born in Govt Hospitals"

This year so far 1,86,000 children are born in Government Hospitals in India.

Courtesy: Ananda Vikatan, Tamil weekly, September 10, 2008.

Grateful thanks to Ananda Vikatan.

Health News-15: "1 in 10 US adults suffer "silent" strokes"

One in 10 apparently healthy middle-aged adults may have suffered a “silent” stroke without realising it, a study suggests. A US study of around 2000 individuals with an avearage age of 62 found that the brains of 10.7% bore evidence of a silent cerebral infarction (SCI) or “silent stroke”. Such strokes are caused by clots blocking blood flow to the brain and increase the risk of a full-blown stroke. Dr Sudha Seshadri, one of the study authors from Boston University said: “The findings reinforce the need for early detection and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors in midlife.”

Courtesy: The Times of India, Chennai, July 1, 2008.

Wikipedia article on “STROKE”:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_infarction

Grateful thanks to The Times of India and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Health News-14: "Mosquito-Repelling T-Shirts"

Now you can wear clothes that have an in-built mosquito repellent. Developed by Tesco, these T-shirts and socks would also smell of different types of scents, as they are woven with extracts of lemon eucalyptus and lavender. Scientists have also coated these items with a special layer to lock in the smell mosquitoes hate. White the T-shirts cost £8, the socks are priced at £4 a pack.

Courtesy: The Times of India, Chennai, June 30, 2008.

Wikipedia articles on “Insect Repellents” and “Mosquito”:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect_repellent

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosquito

Grateful thanks to The Times of India and Wikipedia, the free encylopedia.

Health News-13: Round-faced and aggressive

A research team has found that the male sex hormone testosterone makes faces circular and consequently men with round faces tend to be more aggressive.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, August 21, 2008 (“Newscape”).

Wikipedia article on “Testosterone”:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testosterone

Grateful thanks to The Hindu and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Health News-12: "Daily 7000 Women become HIV+"

World over, daily, 7000 women become HIV positive.

Courtesy: ‘Ananda Vikatan’, Tamil weekly, August 20, 2008.

Grateful thanks to Ananda Vikatan.

Health News-11: "Letter from the Editor, Homeopathy 4 Everyone"

While surfing I stumbled upon this portal – http://www.hpathy.com/. Among other things, they also have free e-zine, ‘Homeopathy 4 Everyone’, which I refer to in my friends’ circle as ‘H4E’. I started and getting and reading this ezine from March 2008 and realized that it is one of the best and foremost homeopathy journals.

Last week, I received the following email from its editor. It was painful for me to read the mail. It would be so for any genuine homeopath or persons who have been really benefited by homeopathy. As a great lover of Wikipedia, it was even more painful for me. But then Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, anybody can submit articles on anything and they get continuously edited by other people. What I wonder is can’t some homeopath with authority edit and put forth facts in that Wikipedia article to set right the distortion?

The one good outcome of this is Dr Manish Bhatia, Editor, H4E, has come up with a good idea:

http://www.hpathy.com/nmanagerpro/inc/rdr.asp?a=30362c433499c42. If you are a believer and supporter of homeopathy, you can visit this site and register your views.

Already in several countries concerted efforts are on to systematically discredit and destroy alternative medical systems, especially homeopathy. I thought I would post it on to my blog so that all readers can read.

Here goes the mail:

On Sat, Aug 9, 2008 at 6:12 PM,
Hpathy.com wrote:

Dear ……,

Do you know how Wikipedia, the world’s most used encyclopedia defines ‘Homeopathy’? Read this:

“Claims to the efficacy of homeopathic treatment beyond the placebo effect are unsupported by the collective weight of scientific and clinical evidence,[7][8][9][10] although advocates of homeopathy point to studies of the effects of compounds diluted almost out of existence.[11][12] Common homeopathic preparations are diluted beyond the point where there is any likelihood that molecules from the original solution are present in the final product; the claim that these treatments still have any pharmacological effect is thus scientifically implausible[13][14] and violates fundamental principles of science,[15] including the law of mass action.[15] Critics also object that the number of high-quality studies that support homeopathy is small, the conclusions are not definitive, and duplication of the results, a key test of scientific validity, has proven problematic at best.[16] The lack of convincing scientific evidence supporting its efficacy[17] and its use of remedies without active ingredients have caused homeopathy to be regarded as pseudoscience;[18] quackery;[19][20][21] or, in the words of a 1998 medical review, “placebo therapy at best and quackery at worst.”[22]
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy

Do you know that nearly all Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM) articles on Wikipedia, including the one that you practice, are heavily biased against CAM therapies? Everything that does not fall into the realm of modern medicine has been labeled as pseudo-scientific or unscientific at Wikipedia.

Wikipedia is among the top 10 websites globally. Through it millions of people who use internet to search for alternative medicine are being systematically exposed to anti-CAM data. At the time when the world is rushing towards alternative medicine, the effort to sabotage the alternative medicine cannot be ignored.

To counter this misinformation, we need a place where the CAM community can build its own knowledge base without the undue interference of skeptics. We need a place where the CAM practitioners themselves write articles and create a true picture of its history, development, efficacy and positive research.

To ensure that the alternative medicine is not discredited or disputed unfairly and to create a true encyclopedia for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM), Hpathy.com, world’s leading homeopathy portal, is announcing a parallel wiki project at http://www.hpathy.com/nmanagerpro/inc/rdr.asp?a=30362c433499c42

We invite you to register at wiki4cam and help us build true information about the CAM modality that you practice.

If you are a School/College of any CAM therapy or if you are a CAM practitioner and if you are concerned about the anti-CAM propaganda, take up the responsibility for creating articles about your CAM therapy at Wiki4CAM. Do not think that someone else will do it. It is YOUR responsibility to actively participate in building a true information base about the CAM modality that your practice and teach!

Please visit http://www.hpathy.com/nmanagerpro/inc/rdr.asp?a=30362c433499c42 now and find out why the CAM community needs to come together and take charge of its own content.

We request you to forward this information about Wiki4CAM.org to all you alternative medicine friends practicing Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Naturopathy, TCM, Herbalism, EFT or any other CAM modality. Wiki4CAM is meant for the whole CAM community.

Thank you,
Dr. Manish Bhatia
Director, Hpathy.com

Health News-10: "Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg in Anti-smoking Campaign"

Billionaires Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg have jointly pledged $ 500 million for an anti-smoking campaign with special focus on India and China.

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, July 25, 2008.

Article on “Smoking” and “Tobacco and Health” from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoking

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_effects_of_tobacco_smoking

“Secondhand Smoke Fact Sheet” from American Lung Association:
http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35422#one

“Secondhand Smoke and Children Fact Sheet” from American Lung Association:
http://www.lungusa.org/site/?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=39857

“Global Information System on Tobacco Control (GISTOC)” from World Health Organisation (WHO):
http://www.who.int/tobacco/global_data/en/index.html

“You Can Quit Smoking” from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dept of Health and Human Services, USA:
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/you_can_quit/nicotine.htm

Grateful thanks to The Hindu, American Lung Association, WHO, CDC and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Health News-14: ‘$168 million spent on Lobbying! ‘

The report from Newsdesk.org makes one feel uneasy. In the year 2007, a frightening sum of $168 million was spent by pharmaceutical companies for lobbying to prevent legislation placing new restrictions on drug advertisements.

Courtesy: Newsdesk.org. < http://www.newsdesk.org/news/>

For more info: http://www.newsdesk.org/archives/005576.html

For an article on “Lobbying” from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobbying

Article on the workings of pharmaceutical industries from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharmaceutical_industries

Book Review Article, “Drugs: Is Something Rotten?” from Newsweek, April 19, 2004 (“Books”) – Review of the book,
“THE $800 MILLION PILL : The Truth Behind the Cost of New Drugs” By Merrill Goozner, University of California — 297 pp — $24.95 – http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_16/b3879046_mz005.htm?chan=search

Article, “ The Pharmaceutical Industry and its influence on doctors and medical students” from The Lancet Student:
http://www.thelancetstudent.com/2008/01/07/the-pharmaceutical-industry-and-its-influence-on-doctors-and-medical-students/

Grateful thanks to Newsdesk.org, Wikipedia, Business Week and The Lancet Student.

Health News-13: "Anaemia in Children"

Anaemia in children under two years of age may cause problems with coordination and the child may seem withdrawn, limiting its ability to interact and think intellectually.

Courtesy: Chennai Times, June 5, 2008 (Toons & Trivia).

Wikipedia article on “Anaemia”:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anaemia

Grateful thanks to Times of India and Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Health News-12: "Nerve Impulse and Nerve Network"

The speed of the nerve impulse can be as high as one hundred meters per second. For instance, if we touch something, these impulses can travel to the brain through the nerve network at a rate of 350 feet per second.

Courtesy: Chennai Times, June 8, 2008 (Toons & Trivia)

Grateful thanks to Chennai Times.

Health News-11: "Four Lakh People Quit Smoking!"

More than 4,00,000 people in England have given up smoking as a result of the ban on lighting up in public places introduced in July 2007, according to a study.

Researchers say 40,000 deaths will be prevented over the next decade as a result of the ban.

Smoking was made an offence in all enclosed public spaces in England, including pubs and restaurants, on July 1, 2007.

Another study to be published by the Department of Health will show that a total of 2,34,060 people have stopped smoking with the help of a special service offered by the National Health Service since the ban came in.

Dr.Robert West, Director of Tobacco Studies, UK, said: “I never expected such a dramatic impact …. If the Department of Health can keep up the momentum this has created, there is a realistic prospect of achieving a target of less than 15% of the population smoking within the next ten years” – AFP

Excerpt from ‘4 lakh people quit smoking since ban: Despite some opposition to the law in England, compliance has been almost total’ (AFP), The Hindu, Madurai, July 1, 2008.

Article on “Smoking Ban” from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoking_ban

Grateful thanks to AFP, The Hindu and Wikipedia.

Health News-10: "Millions die of Preventable Surgical Injuries Every Year! – Kounteya Sinha/TNN"

More than seven million people across the globe suffer from preventable surgical injuries every year, a million of them even dying during or immediately after the surgery, a World Health Organisation study has said.

The UN body has for the first time quantified the number of surgeries taking place every year globally – 234 million! It said surgeries had become common, with one in every 25 people undergoing it at any given time. ..WHO said that safety of patients during surgery had emerged as a substantial public health concern.

According to it, China conducted the highest number of surgeries followed by Russia and India.

In developing countries, the death rate was nearly 10% for a major surgery.

Mortality from general anesthesia affected in one in 150 patients.

Dr.Sudhir Cecil Joseph of St Stephen’s Hospital, who is conducting the study in India, told Times of India that any surgery – no matter how minor – could be life threatening.

“Cases of surgeries being done on the wrong patient, on the wrong part of the body and surgical equipment being left behind are very common in India……” he said.

Courtesy: The Times of India, Chennai, June 27, 2008.

Articles on “Patient Safety” and “Surgery”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_safety
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surgery

Grateful thanks to Mr Kounteya Sinha and The Times of India.

Health News-4: ‘$168 million spent on Lobbying! ‘

The report from Newsdesk.org makes one feel uneasy. In the year 2007, a frightening sum of $168 million was spent by pharmaceutical companies for lobbying to prevent legislation placing new restrictions on drug advertisements.

Courtesy: Newsdesk.org. < http://www.newsdesk.org/news/>
For more info: http://www.newsdesk.org/archives/005576.html

For an article on “Lobbying” from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobbying

Article on the workings of pharmaceutical industries from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharmaceutical_industries

Book Review Article, “Drugs: Is Something Rotten?” from Newsweek, April 19, 2004 (“Books”) – Review of the book,
“THE $800 MILLION PILL : The Truth Behind the Cost of New Drugs” By Merrill Goozner, University of California — 297 pp — $24.95 – http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_16/b3879046_mz005.htm?chan=search

Article, “ The Pharmaceutical Industry and its influence on doctors and medical students” from The Lancet Student:
http://www.thelancetstudent.com/2008/01/07/the-pharmaceutical-industry-and-its-influence-on-doctors-and-medical-students/

Grateful thanks to Newsdesk.org, Wikipedia, Business Week and The Lancet Student.

Health News-9: ‘Thyroid Problem’

In India, one in 2600 newborn babies and one in 3500 adults have thyroid affection. Thyroid gland is one of the largest endocrine glands and it secretes two hormones, viz., T-3 and T-4, which regulate the metabolism. Hypothyroidism(underactive thyroid) and Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) are the most common problems of the thyroid gland. They could cause not only serious physical problems like obesity, breathing problem, constipation, dry skin, itch, slow heartbeat and muscular pain but also mental problems like dullness, lack of interest in anything, especially studies (in the case of children). Brain growth is also impeded.

Courtesy: ‘Dinamalar’, Tamil daily, June 23, 2008.

For a detailed article on ‘Thyroid’, “Hyperthyroidism’ and ‘Goitre‘ from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperthyroidism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goitre

Grateful thanks to Dinamalar and Wikipedia.

Health News-8: Why we scratch?

US researchers have found that scratching is linked to the suppression of unpleasant feelings inside the brain, which helps in relieving an itch.

Courtesy: ‘Newscape’, The Hindu, Madurai, Feb.2, 2008

Health News-7: ‘Age No Bar’

Researchers in Europe who studies 4,300 service men have found out that contrary to popular assumption, brain power grows with age.

Courtesy: ‘Newscape‘, The Hindu, Madurai, January 8, 2008

Health News-6: "3.3 Lakh Children die every year for want of Vitamin A"

India has the highest number of Vitamin A deficient children in the world, with 330,000 of them dying annually because of this malady.

Despite years of various supplementation approaches, deficiencies of these micronutrients are still largely prevalent, according to Sesikeran, Director, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad.

In a paper presented at a conference on “Role of Micronutrients in Child Development: Give Kids a Good Start,” organized by the International Life Sciences Institute at New Delhi on Friday, Dr.Sesikeran said studies carried out by various agencies showed that the prevalence of anaemia, Vitamin A deficiency and iodine deficiency disorders continue to be high, though there is a small decline in the prevalence of iodine deficiently disorders.

Inaugurating the conference, D.H.Pai Panandiker, Chairman of the Institute, said 75% of the children in the country were anaemic, 57% were deficient in Vitamin A and 26% did not have enough intake of zinc – Special Correspondent, The Hindu

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, December 15, 2007

Health News-5: "Errors kill 98,000 patients annually!"

According to a study by the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, USA, errors in American hospitals kill from 44,000 to 98,000 patients annually, while injuring perhaps a million.

Courtesy: The Reader’s Digest, January 2003

Health News-4: "World Diabetes Day: November 14"

From International Diabetes Federation’s Website:

Diabetes is a silent killer that kills one person every ten seconds.

Diabetes is a global problem with devastating human, social and economic impact. Today more than 245 million people worldwide are living with diabetes and by 2025, this total is expected to increase to over 380 million people. Each year another 7 million people develop diabetes.

Diabetes is a growing epidemic threatening to overwhelm global healthcare services, wipe out some indigenous populations and undermine economies worldwide, especially in developing countries.

Each year more than 3.8 million people die from diabetes-related causes, one death every 10 seconds.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is a worldwide alliance of over 200 diabetes associations in more than 160 countries, who have come together to enhance the lives of people with diabetes everywhere. For over 50 years, IDF has been at the vanguard of global diabetes advocacy. The Federation is committed to raising global awareness of diabetes, promoting appropriate diabetes care and prevention, and encouraging activities towards finding a cure for the different types of diabetes. It is the mission of IDF to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide.

From Wikipedia:

World Diabetes Day is a day of awareness for diabetes. It was developed by the International Diabetes Federation in 1991 as a way to increase people’s knowledge about diabetes, and help prevent the disease. World Diabetes Day is held on November 14.

Grateful thanks to: International Diabetes Federation and Wikipedia.

http://www.unitefordiabetes.org/info/idf/index.html

http://www.unitefordiabetes.org/campaign/why/

http://www.unitefordiabetes.org/campaign/every10seconds.html

Lessons in Shaving

Your daily morning facelift could be more lasting if you follow Dr.T.A.Lincoln’s advice. Dr.Lincoln of the Oak Ridge National Lab, USA, has made a study of the general shaving habits and has come to the conclusion that they are not very efficient.

First of all, time element is important. Just when you arise in the morning is not a good time. The facial skin is the thickest after the night’s sleep due to accumulation of water. The expended skin draws in a part of the follicles. These show up again after the water drains off. DR.Lincoln’s advice: Wait at least for an hour after you wake up. Second, hot water creates the same problem: It swells the skin and draws in the hair. Dr.Lincoln suggests the use of salt water instead. This draws out the facial moisture.

Considering that the beard grows about half a millimeter a day, Dr.Lincoln claims you can increase the efficiency of shaving by 40% if you follow his procedure.

Courtesy: Science Today, August 1973