Page 44 - Health Medical Pharma
Former Australia spinner Robertson battles brain cancer
Former Australia off-spinner Gavin Robertson has revealed he is battling brain cancer, with high-profile ex-players rallying around him. The 53-year-old, who played four Tests and 13 one-dayers before becoming a commentator, was rushed into surgery earlier this month to remove a tumour. He now faces intense radiation and chemo therapy to contain the cancer. "It has been an emotional rollercoaster, consuming each and every minute of my day, and now I am ready and able to meet this challenge that confronts me," Robertson said in a statement. His Test skipper Mark Taylor praised his fighting spirit. "Always chin up, with a smile on his face, enjoying life; as a cricketer and as a person. That vibrancy, that always looking for the positive; that was what Gav was very good at," he told reporters. "I hope that will hold him in good stead in the weeks, months and maybe years ahead for him." Ex-Australia coach Darren Lehmann added on Twitter: "Thinking of Gavin Robertson and his family at ...
IMA opposes PCIs decision to allow Pharm D degree holders to use 'Dr' prefix
The IMA has opposed the Pharmacy Council of India's (PCI)decision of allowing those receiving Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) degree to prefix 'Dr' before their name, saying such "transgressions of entitlement are illegal and illegitimate". The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has also written to the Union Health Ministry and the Medical Council of India (MCI) over the issue stating it is against all such shifts from those who are trained in other streams of health sector to venture into medical practice. According to the IMA, such illegitimate conferment cannot become entitlements, just incase if an advocate or an engineer should be called doctor by an executive order. "Such social anarchy only creates confusion in the minds of a common man and the impact it has on the structure of a well organised society is clearly evident," it said in a statement. Aspiration in any course needs to be legitimate and appropriate to be recognised. The roles and responsibilities of nurses, ...
Conjoined twins 'Jaga & Balia' likely to be shifted to Odisha soon
The conjoined twins, Jaga and Balia, who underwent complicated surgeries at AIIMS for separation of their heads will soon travel back to their home in Odisha, the modalities of which are being worked out by the state government there. According to doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the twins are "clinically well" and do not need ICU or specialised care. Sources in the Odisha government said the twins are likely to be shifted back by the June-end. Recently, a team of doctors along with government officials from the coastal state visited the twins to assess whether they can to be shifted back to the state for follow up treatment. According to sources, the state government has sought that the twins be shifted by air in view of the prevailing heat wave conditions. It has also urged that a doctor and nurse from AIIMS who are familiar with the treatment of the twins accompany them during transit to avoid any mishap. The Odisha government has also asked for a ...
RJD demands release of Lalu Prasad's medical bulletin twice a day
The RJD on Wednesday demanded release of the medical bulletin on its chief Lalu Prasad Yadav by the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) twice a day.A delegation of RJD leaders me Dr. DK Singh, Director of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, and also asked for better facilities for Yadav in the hospital.Earlier on May 25, doctors at RIMS had said that the former Bihar Chief Minister has been skipping his lunch for the last two days following the electoral debacle of the UPA alliance led by his party in Bihar.Yadav is serving a jail term in fodder scam cases, pertaining to fraudulent withdrawals from state treasuries by Animal Husbandry Department officials between 1991 and 1996 when he was the Chief Minister of undivided Bihar.
Hindu, Muslim couples undergo kidney swap transplant in Punjab
For two years, Abdul Aziz, a 53-year-old carpenter from Kashmir, had been on dialysis and was looking for a kidney donor till he found a match hundreds of miles away in Bihar -- a Hindu couple who agreed for a 'swap transplant'. The families of Manjula Devi (42), a housewife from Patna in Bihar, and Aziz from Kashmir's Baramulla district were looking for suitable donors since their spouses' kidneys were a poor mismatch for each other. The families crossed paths within three months after they got themselves registered on a mobile app 'iKidney', developed by Priyadarshi Ranjan who is a doctor. After conducting all the requisite tests and examination, experts opined that the kidney of donor Kumar (46) husband of Devi was a good match for Aziz. Kumar, who retired from the Indian Air Force as a technician, currently works in a bank in Patna. Similarly, the kidney of donor Shazia (50) -- wife of Aziz -- was found to be a good match for Devi. Both the families agreed to undergo surgeries ...
Tiger 'Yash' dies of rare cancer
'Yash', a 12-year-old Royal Bengal tiger diagnosed with extremely rare cancer, died at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) here, a senior official said Wednesday. 'Yash', who used to be the main attraction for tourists visiting the park, breathed his last at 5.45 pm on Tuesday, he said. 'Yash' was born at the SGNP in 2008 to tigress 'Basanti' and tiger 'Palash'. Authorities had brought tigresses 'Bijli' and 'Mastani' from Pench in Madhya Pradesh for mating them with 'Yash' and another tiger 'Anand'. 'Yash' was diagnosed with embyronal type cancer 'rhaddomyosarcoma', as reported by pathologists from the Bombay Veterinary College, the official said. 'Yash' was operated twice for a growth on his face in the last one year, he said. During post-operative treatment since March, 'Yash' had lost considerable amount of weight. The tiger succumbed to the ailment-related complications like the loss of body condition and multi-organ failure, the official explained. Postmortem of .
Kidney swap unites Hindu, Muslim families
In a rare gesture, a kidney swap was successfully conducted between a Hindu family from Bihar and a Muslim family from Kashmir at a private hospital near here.
Energy drinks may increase risk of heart abnormalities
While energy drinks may get you all pepped up, consuming too much of it can increase your blood pressure and the risk of electrical disturbances in the heart, researchers suggest.According to a recent study, drinking 32 ounces of an energy drink in a short time span may increase blood pressure and the risk of electrical disturbances in the heart, which affect heart rhythm.As part of the study, researchers enrolled 34 healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 40 years. Participants were randomly assigned to drink 32 ounces of one of two commercially available caffeinated energy drinks or a placebo drink on three separate days. The drinks were consumed within a 60-minute period but no faster than one 16-ounce bottle in 30 minutes.Researchers measured the electrical activity of the volunteers' hearts by electrocardiogram, which records the way a heart is beating. They also recorded the participants' blood pressure. All measurements were taken at the study's start and every 30 minutes
Aster DM Healthcare FY2019 revenue up 18 per cent to Rs 7,963 crore
Aster DM Healthcare, one of the largest private healthcare service providers in multiple GCC states and an emerging healthcare player in India, today announced its financial results for the quarter & full year ended March 31, 2019.The company recorded a net profit of Rs 335 crore for the full year ending March 31, 2019. This represents a year-on-year increase 140 per cent when compared to an adjusted PAT of Rs 139 crore in full-year ending March 31, 2018.For the quarter ending 31st March 2019, revenue from operations increased by 23 per cent to Rs 2,201 and EBITDA increased by 33 per cent to Rs 350 crore. The Company recorded a net profit of Rs 209 crore for the quarter ending March 31, 2019. This represents a year-on-year increase when compared to an adjusted PAT of Rs 145 crore registered in the same quarter of 2018 which is an increase of 44 per cent.Sustained revenue growth has resulted from its existing operations that include 24 hospitals, 114 clinics and over 219 ...
Former Australian spinner Robertson battling brian cancer
Former Australian off-spinner Gavin Robertson has revealed that he is battling an aggressive brain cancer and is set to begin an intensive course of chemo and radiation therapy to treat the life-threatening illness. The 53-year-old was diagnosed with primary brain cancer, otherwise known as gliobastoma, and had to undergone an emergency surgery on May 13 to remove a tumour. He now faces an intense radiation and chemotheraphy programme for 18 months in his effort to contain the cancer. Robertson, who has played four Tests and 13 ODIs, Wednesday thanked his well-wishers for all the support. "My family and I have been overwhelmed by the incredible show of love and support from so many friends and well-wishers over the past week," Robertson said. "It has been an emotional roller coaster, consuming each and every minute of my day, and now I am ready and able to meet this challenge that confronts me. "Thank you again for your positive messages sending me best wishes. It reminds me how ...
Severe air pollution can cause severe birth defects, say researchers
Researchers have determined that severe air pollution can lead to birth defects and even fatalities during pregnancy.During winters in China and India, where severe haze events frequently occur, fine particulate matter levels are especially high, several hundred micrograms per cubic meter, the team of researchers asserted.Even in the United States, about one-third of the population still lives under poor air quality conditions, according to a report released by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2018.Using female rats, the team of researchers examined the adverse health effects of exposure to fine particulate matter consisting of ammonium sulfate commonly found in many locations around the world. Large fractions of this substance were detected not only in Asia but also in Houston (51 percent) and Los Angeles (31 percent)."People typically believe that ammonium sulfate may not be terribly toxic, but our results show large impacts on female pregnant rats. It is unclear yet ...
Armed conflict linked with heart attack, stroke risk among civilians: Study
Living in a war zone is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke among civilians, even years after the conflict ends, according to a study. Published in the journal Heart, the study analysed data from a number of studies on associations between armed conflict and the health of civilian adults in low- and middle-income countries -- including Syria, Lebanon, Bosnia, Croatia, Palestine, Colombia and Sudan. The researchers at Imperial College London and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in the UK found that conflicts were associated with a litany of negative health outcomes for civilians. These included increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, increased blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as increased alcohol and tobacco use, they said. Beyond the immediate impacts of conflict, such as blast injuries, infectious diseases or malnutrition, the researchers cite longer-lasting health risks for civilians which may be due to ...
Message that addiction is a disease makes substance users less likely to seek help
The message that addiction is a disease makes substance users less likely to seek effective therapies, compared to those who are told that addictive behaviours are subject to change, a recent study suggests."When we began talking about addiction as a disease, the goal was to decrease stigma and encourage treatment. That worked, to an extent, but an unforeseen byproduct was that some people experiencing addiction felt like they had less agency; people with diseases have no control over them," said Sarah Desmarais, co-author of a paper on the work and an associate professor of psychology at North Carolina State University.The team of researchers wanted to see if an alternative message aimed at changing that mindset could affect how people with substance-use problems viewed themselves with regard to addiction."Specifically, we focused on using a growth mindset message. The growth mindset message stresses that human attributes are malleable, and we know from previous work that it ...
Ex-Aussie cricketer Gavin Robertson battling with brain cancer
Former Australia cricketer Gavin Robertson on Wednesday revealed he is battling with brain cancer.The 53-year-old had an emergency brain surgery earlier this month to remove a tumour and confirmed he now faces an intense radiation and chemotherapy programme on primary brain cancer," cricket.com.au reported.Robertson thanked the hundreds of well-wishers who have shown love and support to the veteran."My family and I have been overwhelmed by the incredible show of love and support from so many friends and well-wishers over the past week. It has been an emotional roller coaster, consuming each and every minute of my day, and now I am ready and able to meet this challenge that confronts me," Robertson said in a statement."Thank you again for your positive messages sending me best wishes. It reminds me how fortunate I am to have made so many enduring and genuine friendships over the past 50 years. I really appreciate your support, and just cannot answer all these messages right now, and ...
Cranberries may help combat superbugs: Study
Cranberry extracts can make disease-causing bacteria more sensitive to lower doses of antibiotics, according to a study that may help counter the global threat of superbugs. The spread of antibiotic resistance worldwide is undermining decades of progress in fighting bacterial infections. Due to the overuse of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture, we are on the cusp of returning to a pre-antibiotic era in which minor infections can once again become deadly. Countering the fall in antibiotic efficacy by improving the effectiveness of currently available antibiotics is a crucial goal, according to researchers from the McGill University and INRS (Institut national de la recherche scientifique) in Canada. Cranberries are highly sought after for their tangy taste and the antioxidants they contain. The study, published in the journal Advanced Science, provides evidence that they could also help in the fight against bacteria. When treated with molecules derived from cranberries, pathogenic
Assam launches diarrhoea control fortnight campaign
An Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) campaign, targeting 34 lakh children, was launched by the National Health Mission, Assam on Tuesday. During the campaign, frontline health workers and stakeholders of other departments will be sensitized on the treatment and preventive measures to control diarrhoea, one of the most common illness among children, a government press release said. The disease can be prevented by increasing access to safe drinking water, improving sanitation and hygiene, breastfeeding for at least six months, hand-washing and appropriate nutrition. Almost all the deaths due to diarrhoea can be averted by administering the right quantity of Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) and doses of zinc tablets along with adequate nutritional intake by the child, the release said. Intensified community awareness activities on the necessity of maintaining hygiene and promotion of ORS and zinc therapy for the treatment of the disease will be conducted at ...
Veggies can prevent heart disease, obesity in men
Men, please take note. Consuming veggies including fruits such as apples, pears and green, leafy vegetables may prevent you from developing heart disease, some kinds of cancer, Type 2 diabetes and obesity, says a new study.The study, published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, says the benefits of vegetarian diets are much greater for men than women. Also, feeding on plant-based diets increases the life span, Independent Online reports.Another study, published in the journal PLOS Medicine, added that a diet rich in vegetables and fruits can have a positive effect upon blood sugar, which can help keep appetite in check and promote weight loss.If men are eating green food, protein replacements may include pumpkin seeds, lentils, almonds, sesame seeds and cashews.Meanwhile, Impossible Foods Inc., a leading creator of plant-based substitutes for meat and dairy products, has recently announced the introduction of the Impossible Burger 2.0, an improved recipe over previous meat ...
J-K: Army Major on LoC patrol complains of chest pain, dies
An Army officer deployed along the Line of Control (LoC) died on Tuesday after complaining of chest pain during patrolling, officials said.Major Rahul Singh of the Rashtriya Rifles succumbed to the acute chest pain while undergoing medical treatment.The officer had complained of severe chest pain during patrolling along the LoC in the Machhil sector of Jammu and Kashmir.Chinar Corps officers have saluted Singh's supreme sacrifice in the line of duty and offered condolences to the officer's family.
NGO calls for stringent measures in medical negligence cases
A city-based non-governmental body fighting for medical justice in India on Tuesday called for stringent legal action against 'medical negligence' and said it would approach the Prime Minister to officially observe 'Patients' Day'.
Army officer complains of chest pain at LoC patrol, dies during treatment
An army officer died Tuesday after complaining of severe chest pain during patrolling along the Line of Control in Macchil sector in Jammu and Kashmir, an official said. "Maj Rahul Singh of Rashtriya Rifles, deployed along Line of Control, succumbed to the acute chest pain while undergoing medical treatment," an army official said. The official said the officer had complained of severe chest pain during patrolling along the LoC in Macchil Sector in Kupwara district in the afternoon. Further details are awaited.