Page 314 - Health Medical Pharma

Lesbian, gay, bisexual youth at increased risk of substance abuse

Young adults who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual are at a higher risk of consuming substances such as alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana, as compared to their heterosexual peers.A new study from Oregon State University found that polysubstance use is an issue among many youths who identify as sexual minorities, meaning they are facing added health risks.Assistant professor Sarah Dermody said, " There are also differences among the subgroups of youth who identify as sexual minorities, suggesting we need to look beyond the averages to understand what factors may be influencing substance use in this population."Sexual minority is an umbrella term for those who identify with any sexual identity other than heterosexual or who report same-sex attraction or behavior. For the purposes of the study, the researchers focused on those youth who identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual."The goal of the new study was to better understand the risks associated with polysubstance use, or the use of ..

Sandeep Jauhar's 'Heart' is in the right place, has the right pace (Book Review)

Book: Heart - A history; Author: Sandeep Jauhar; Publisher: Viking Books; Pages: 269; Price: Rs. 599

Australia aged care scandals sparks national probe

Australia will launch a national inquiry into its scandal-plagued aged care sector, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Sunday, following numerous reports of abuse, neglect and mismanagement. The announcement comes a year after a state-run dementia nursing home in South Australia state was shut when an investigation revealed horrific mistreatment of elderly residents over a 10-year period. Since that scandal, the health department has closed almost one aged care service each month, while a growing number are failing to meet standards, Morrison said in a statement. "Incidences of older people being hurt by failures of care simply cannot be explained or excused," he added. "We must be assured about how widespread these cases are... there clearly remains areas of concern with regard to the quality and safety of aged care services." The inquiry will probe profit and non-for-profit organisations, and also look at the care given to younger Australians with disabilities living in such ...

BPA replacements in plastics may up reproductive problems

The array of alternative bisphenols A (BPA) now used to replace the plastic chemical in bottles, cups, cages, and other items appear to be causing a sudden increase in chromosomally abnormal eggs in the lab mice, researchers say.

Children with asthma likely to lag at school and work

Turns out, People who suffer with persistent asthma from a young age are more likely to leave school at the 16 of age and those who make it to university are more likely to drop out early, a new study reveals.The research was presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress, 2018. It suggested that when this group of children grow up; they are less likely to work in certain non-manual occupations such as police officer, clerk or foreman.Researchers behind the study say these results suggest that children with asthma are disadvantaged in education and in their future work.The research was presented by Dr Christian Schyllert, he explained saying, "Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases among children and we know that it can interfere with daily life and affect school attendance. However, we know a lot less about the impact childhood asthma has on subsequent life chances in adulthood."The study was based on children living in three districts in Sweden. In ..

J&J faulty hip implant victims demand direct involvement in process of ascertaining compensation

Patients and family members of those affected by Johnson and Johnson's faulty hip implants gathered in Delhi Saturday demanding they be directly involved in the process of ascertaining the compensation. They asserted the amount should not only be based on the physical, medical criteria but also take into account the mental, social and economic harm faced by them. They expressed apprehension that the government could "toe the line" of the pharma giant as it was conducting an one-sided inquiry. The affected patients said the government was jointly liable as it was neither responsive to the safety concerns associated with the device in other countries nor did it take immediate steps to order a mandatory recall and cancel the license of the firm. Their demands came in the wake of news reports that the central committee being set up for compensation is likely to meet for the first time on September 18. The AIDAN, a network of patients working with the patients, called for criminal action ..

Johnson and Johnson hip implant victims narrate their ordeal

Kabbir Chandhok went for a hip implant surgery surgery hoping for a better life but the thirty-four-year-old says what he got was more medical complications, including blood poisoning and shooting pains. He is among the many suffering after "faulty" hip implants by the pharmaceutical multinational Johnson and Johnson were used in the country's hospitals. "My mother has lost her mobility, her life and her dignity," recalls Lucky Pal, a businessman from Nagpur, whose mother became bedridden since she underwent implant surgeries for both hips in 2010 at a private hospital in Saket here. At the heart of the national capital, at a press meet, they along with many others narrated the ordeals faced by them and their loved ones due to the implants. Chandhok, who suffers from an auto-immune disorder, had undergone his first implant surgery in his left hip in 2007. "In 2013, when I went for my right hip implant surgery I got to know from the doctor that I will have to undergo a revision ...

1.5 Lakh PHCs to be converted as Wellness Centres by 2022

: Union Health Minister JP Nadda Saturday said that 1.5 lakh Primary Health Centres and sub-centres would be converted into wellness centers by 2022. Speaking at the 20thanniversary celebrations of L V Prasad Eye Institutes community eye arm, GPR International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye Care here, Nadda said the Centres flagship Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Mission fromSeptember 23. "The Government of India has decided to convert all our sub-centres and PHCs into Wellnesscenters. And the number is 150,000. Last yearwe converted 4,000sub-centres. This year we are converting 50,000 centres, Next year we will be converting 30,000 centres, next to next year 40,000. This is how by 2022 we will be converting 1.5 lakh sub-centres into wellness centres," he said. He said these centres facilitate screening of every individual aged 30 for blood pressure, diabetes, tuberculosis, breast cancer and leprosy, among others. Nadda sought the support of the private ..

Assamese actor pledges to donate eyes

Noted Assamese actor Zerifa Wahid pledged to donate her eyes at the Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya here Saturday. Zerifa is the brand ambassador for the hospital's eye donation campaign. Pledging to donate her eyes, Zerida called upon people to come forward and follow suit as it not only helps two people to see this world "but it also gives a feeling that a part of you is still alive after death". "Public awareness about eye donation is almost negligible," she said. The actor said she has plans to produce a short educational documentary about eye donation with the help of other personalities and Nethralaya as part of her commitment to educate people in this field. Zerifa said she is in touch with many people who have pledged to donate their eyes and also help popularise the cause, which has not been properly done so far. The hospital managing director Harsha Bhattacharya said there is great demand for cornea in the country but the number of people donating their eyes after ..

Maternal exposure to pollen ups risk of asthma in babies

Babies born to mothers who got exposed to pollen during the last trimester may be at increased risk of developing respiratory diseases such as asthma, says a study.

Can probiotic use help reduce antibiotic prescriptions in children?

Feeding probiotics to infants and children daily may significantly stave off the need for antibiotic treatment, a finding that may help address the global rise in drug-resistant infections, said researchers.

Asthma may up obesity risk

While obesity is already known as a risk factor for developing asthma, a new research led by one of an Indian-origin, has showed that people with the airway disease are also more likely to become obese.

How gut microbiota can aid in early diagnosis of liver cancer

Chinese researchers have identified gut microbiota as a new biomarker of liver cancer, that can help in early diagnosis as well as treatment of the condition.

Pregnancy now possible with own eggs even after early menopause

Advances in medical science have now made pregnancy possible even among women who have achieved menopause. Bringing cheer to a lot of women, who are now witnessing menopause quite early in life, the medical fraternity is making use of stem cells nestled in the ovary to produce eggs even after menopause.Ruchi, a 35 year married lady working in the national capital, kept postponing having babies because of career and when she did want to have a baby, she realised she has just hit the menopause wall. The available options for her to get pregnant were acceptable to her since they involved depending on someone else's eggs. She then came to know about stem cell therapy which promised what she wanted. She went in for rejuvenation of her ovary with stem cell therapy and within months she had her own eggs in the ovary and got pregnant."The rejuvenation of ovary with stem cell therapy is a big development. It provides an answer to a lot of women who wanted to conceive but were not allowed to ...

Parents who lost kids due to 'medical negligence' seek strict regulation of pvt healthcare sector

People who have lost their children due to alleged medical negligence and malpractice, have launched a campaign under the banner 'Campaign for Dignified and Affordable Healthcare' and on Friday demanded strict regulation of private healthcare sector. The families, who alleged overcharging and malpractices by private hospitals, said there should be a body to register such complaints instead of them having to knock the doors of various authorities such as state medical councils, consumer court and police for justice. Jayant Singh, the father of seven-year-old Adya who died of dengue in September last year at a Gurgaon-based hospital, is leading the campaign which is being supported by civil society groups. He has written letters to Members of Parliament alleging that corporate hospitals in India are openly flouting government regulations and sought that healthcare regulations be overhauled. Singh was charged around Rs 16 lakh by the Gurgaon hospital for his daughter's 15-day ...

Programme launched to educate 10,000 on mental health

A movement aimed to spread awareness on mental health among 10,000 people has been launched here by a non-profit organisation.

Delhi Police create Green Corridor, heart transplant gives new lease of life to 63-year-old

The Delhi Police created a 23 km green corridor here to enable an ambulance ferry in 19 minutes a heart harvested from a brain dead patient in Bengaluru that a team of doctors transplanted onto a 63-year-old man suffering from heart failure, thereby giving him a new lease of life.

Emotionally stable people are spendthrift: Study

If you are an emotionally stable person you are more likely to splurge on a holiday while people who are nervous and have a lower stress-threshold (higher neuroticism) spend less, finds an interesting study.

Heart from Bengaluru transported through green corridors to Delhi hospital

A heart harvested from a 15-year-old Bengaluru boy was transported aerially to a hospital here through green corridors on Friday. A team of doctors, led by Dr Z S Meharwal, director, Cardio Vascular Surgery at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute in Delhi (FEHI) performed the heart transplant on a 63-year-old man from Bihar, who had been suffering from heart failure. "A heart transplant is a critical surgery where timing is a key factor. We have a window period of 5 hours in which we had to retrieve the heart from Bengaluru, transport it to FEHI Delhi and performed the heart transplant surgery. "Our retrieval team coordinated very closely with transplant team at FEHI. We are grateful for the immense support received from traffic police of Bengaluru, Delhi, the Airport Authority of India and airlines to minimise the transport time," Meharwal said.

Novel wearable LED device could help regrow hair

Researchers have developed a flexible, wearable LED photostimulator that could speed up hair growth in mice, an advancement that can one day be used on human skin to stimulate hair growth.