Page 117 - Health Medical Pharma
IMA releases its health manifesto ahead of Lok Sabha polls
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Sunday released its health manifesto ahead of the Lok Sabha polls and urged all political parties to give priority to the health sector. The manifesto contains various suggestions to improve public health, change policy directions, streamline medical education and improve medical research. "There is insufficient funding in the healthcare sector and the GDP in healthcare is at a dismal rate of 1.2 pc. The out of pocket expenditure is one of the highest for our country and every year over 3.3 per cent of people are pushed below poverty line due to expenditure on health," said Dr Santanu Sen, the national president of IMA. "In order to improve the overall healthcare sector and cope up with the out of pocket expenses, the GDP must be increased to at least 5 per cent," he said. The IMA will soon launch a countrywide 'Health First' campaign to propagate the manifesto among the candidates, political parties and the public. The local units of IMA will ...
'Inactive' ingredients in most pills may cause allergic reactions: Study
A vast majority of the most frequently prescribed medications contain at least one ingredient capable of causing an adverse allergic reaction, a US study has found. Known as inactive ingredients, these components are added to improve the taste, shelf-life, absorption and other characteristics of a pill, but the researchers found that more than 90 per cent of all oral medications tested contained at least one ingredient that can cause allergic or gastrointestinal symptoms in sensitive individuals. Such ingredients include lactose, peanut oil, gluten and chemical dyes, scientists said. "When you're a clinician, the last thing you want to do is prescribe a medication that could cause an adverse reaction or allergic reaction in a patient," said C Giovanni Traverso, from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). "This project was inspired by a real-life incident where a patient with Celiac disease was prescribed a medication and the formulation of the pill they picked up from the ...
Dormant viruses reactivate during space travel: NASA
Space travel caused herpes viruses to reactivate in more than half of crew aboard Space Shuttle and International Space Station (ISS), according to a NASA study, a finding that could jeopardise mankind's future missions to Mars and beyond. While only a small proportion develop symptoms, virus reactivation rates increase with spaceflight duration and could present a significant health risk on future missions. "NASA astronauts endure weeks or even months exposed to microgravity and cosmic radiation -- not to mention the extreme G forces of take-off and re-entry," said Satish K Mehta at NASA's Johnson Space Center. "This physical challenge is compounded by more familiar stressors like social separation, confinement and an altered sleep-wake cycle," said Mehta. To study the physiological impact of spaceflight, researchers analyse saliva, blood and urine samples collected from astronauts before, during and after spaceflight. "During spaceflight there is a rise in secretion of stress ...
New therapy may treat vitiligo within weeks
Scientists have developed a therapy that may help permanently treat vitiligo -- a disease that causes the loss of skin colour in blotches -- within a few weeks. In many parts of the world there is great shame and stigma tied to vitiligo, an autoimmune disease of the skin that causes disfiguring white spots, which can appear anywhere on the body. In some societies, individuals with vitiligo, and even their family members, are shunned and excluded from arranged marriages. "The rejection is so crippling that one person suffering from the disease even requested an amputation of his forearm affected by vitiligo because he could marry with only one arm, but could not with vitiligo," said John Harris, from University of Massachusetts in the US. While existing treatments such as topical steroids and light therapy can be effective for patients, they take one and two years to show results. In most cases the white spots reappear at the same location, often within just one year after stopping the
Jubilant Cadista recalls over 5,700 bottles of anti-depressant drug from US
US-based Jubilant Cadista Pharmaceuticals is recalling over 5,700 bottles of Bupropion Hydrochloride extended-release tablets, used to treat major depressive disorder, from the US market. The company is a fully-owned subsidiary of Cadista Holdings Inc, which is a part of the Noida-based Jubilant Life Sciences Company. As per the latest Enforcement Report issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), the Salisbury-based Jubilant Cadista is recalling the drug for "failed dissolution specifications". The voluntary recall initiated by the company includes 3,072 bottles of 30 count and 2,688 bottles of 90 count. The medicine was manufactured at Jubilant's Roorkee plant. The USFDA said the product was distributed to one customer who may have further distributed the product. A mail sent to the company to obtain comments remained unanswered. In October 2018, Jubilant Cadista Pharmaceuticals had recalled over 1.58 lakh bottles of Pantoprazole Sodium delayed-release tablets, ...
Doctors not hopeful of Parrikar recovery: Deputy Speaker
Doctors examining ailing Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar aren't saying he will recover, Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo said on Saturday.
29 medical device firms found violating norms
The Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) has decided to issue show cause notices to the 29 medical device units, which were found to be violating the norms of selling and manufacturing orthopaedic implants.
HP CM lauds 2 Padma Shri awardees
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur congratulated epidemiologist Omesh Kumar Bharti and professor Jagat Ram on receiving the Padma Shri from President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday. Bharti and Ram, the director of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, were presented the Padma award for their work in medicine at a function in New Delhi. In a tweet, Thakur congratulated Bharti and appreciated his work on rabies prevention, saying it had not only brought laurels to the state in the country, but also globally. In another tweet, the chief minister retweeted a picture from the President's official page and wrote: "Dr Jagat Ram is providing appreciable services in the healthcare sector. We are proud of you". Ram has been recognised for his innovative work in surgical procedures and charitable healthcare services.
Joint surgery may shoot up sugar level in diabetics
People with diabetes who undergo joint replacement surgery are at higher risk of experiencing elevated blood sugar levels after the operation, increasing their chances of developing infections and other complications, a new study suggested.
Vitamin D improves memory but slows down reactions, reveals study
According to a recent study, improvements in memory were noted in obese older women who took three times the recommended dose of Vitamin D. However, it was also seen that their reactions were slower.The study was published in the Journals of Gerontology: Series A where they used computers to assess the impact of vitamin D on cognitive function. The researchers evaluated three groups of women between 50 and 70 years old in a randomized controlled trial.One group took the recommended daily dose of 600 international units (IU), equivalent to 15 micrograms, of vitamin D each day for a year. Another group took 2,000 IU per day and the third took 4,000. All women participated in lifestyle counselling and were encouraged to lose a modest amount of weight.The researchers found that memory and learning improved in the group that took 2,000 IU per day, but not in the group that took the higher dosage. Meanwhile, the women's reaction time showed a trend to be slower at 2,000 IU daily and was ...
Army veterans more likely to have heart disease: Study
After the war is over in the battlefield, army veterans face a new threat. According to a recent study, veteran soldiers are more likely to have heart disease at a younger age, when compared with non-veterans.The study used data from the National Health Interview Survey, a nationally representative health survey of individuals in the United States."Because of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, we have a relatively large, new, younger generation of veterans who are going to survive for 30 or 40 years after their war experience," said Ramon Hinojosa, lead author of the study published in the Journal of American Board of Family Medicine.The study indicates that perhaps the "healthy-soldier effect" is no longer guaranteed. The effect refers to the tendency for active-duty service members to be more physically fit and less overweight than same-age, nonmilitary individuals. It's a phenomenon that Hinojosa explores in ongoing research."The outcome of the analysis suggested that not only does
Cognitive training helps against mental health decline in older adults: Study
A recent study found that receiving cognitive training may help the older adults in improving memory, language, hand-eye coordination and reasoning. Adding to these improvements it was also found that this training can help healthy older adults gain a defence against mental decline.Cognitive training which included puzzles, handicrafts and life skills are known to reduce the risk of dementia and help in slowing down its progress. The study was published in the journal BMC Medicine.It has been estimated that by 2050 the number of people over the age of 65 will be increased to 1.1 billion worldwide and out of that 1.1 billion, 37 million people will suffer from dementia. Research has already shown that mental activity can reduce a person's risk of dementia but the effect of mental training on healthy people is less understood.The people who wanted to participate in the trial had to be between the ages of 65 to 75 and have well enough eyesight, hearing and communication skills so that ...
Daily consumption of eggs increases risk of heart diseases: Study
Don't crack that egg. Here's sombre news for all the egg lovers out there. A recent study found that egg yolk contains higher level of cholesterol which ultimately increases the chances of heart disease and early death.Egg yolks are one of the richest sources of dietary cholesterol among all commonly consumed foods. One large egg has 186 milligrams of dietary cholesterol in the yolk. The researchers pooled data of 29,615 U.S. racially and ethnically diverse people to understand if eating dietary cholesterol or eggs were linked to cardiovascular disease and death which has been a point of debate for decades. The study was published in the journal JAMA.The message is about cholesterol, which happens to be high in eggs and especially yolks, and as a part of healthy diet, people need to reduce their daily intake of cholesterol. The reduced intake of cholesterol will result in decreased risks of heart diseases.The evidence for eggs has always been mixed. Previous studies found that eating .
Strength training reduces additional health risks associated with obesity: Study
According to a recent study, strength training can help in reducing the health risks associated with obesity.According to the findings, which were published in the Journal of Endocrinology, Strength training for a short period of time reduces fat stores in the liver and improves blood glucose control in obese mice.The study reports that strength training for a short period of time was adequate to reduce the accumulation of liver fat and improve the regulation of blood glucose in obese mice, even without overall loss of body weight.The findings of the study suggest that strength training might be a faster and more effective way of reducing the risk of fatty liver disease and diabetes in obese people.Obesity is a growing, global health epidemic that needs more effective intervention strategies to avoid debilitating complications including fatty liver disease and diabetes. Approximately 94% of obese people are diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which leads to inflammation .
Make available quality drugs at affordable prices; VP
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu Saturday stressed the need to make world class drugs available at affordable prices, with thrust on research and innovation. "There should be an unwavering commitment to high standards of quality in drug manufacturing and quality frameworks such as Good Manufacturing Practices should strictly be adhered to," he said. Addressing the second decennial celebrations of Sarojini Naidu Vanita Pharmacy Maha Vidyalaya in Hyderabad, he called for a thrust on research and innovation. The Vice President said new healthcare challenges were emerging every day, especially with the alarming rise in the number of non-communicable and lifestyle diseases and cancers. "New molecules and new drugs will have to be discovered and treatment protocols will have to be continuously upgraded and updated. All this will have to be achieved without compromising on the affordability of drugs," he said. While major multinationals and pharma companies would be interested in
Digital media linked to depression in young adults
Increased use of digital media may be partly responsible for the growth in the percentage of young adults experiencing certain types of mental health disorders in the US over the past decade, suggests new research.
What makes old people feel younger
Older adults feel younger when they feel that they have more control over their daily lives, regardless of stress or health concerns, suggests new research.
Ways to prep your skin for summer heat
The harsh summer heat can spoil your skin. Don't forget to moisturise and keep yourself hydrated, say experts.
Say no to cheese omelettes for healthier heart
Do you savour cheese omelettes? If so, think again as consuming more eggs and dietary cholesterol may up the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death from any cause, researchers have warned.
Inactive ingredients in medicines may cause allergy
Be cautious while taking medicines as a new study suggests that some ingredients added to pills to improve their shelf life may cause allergy or lead to adverse reactions.