Page 550 - Health Medical Pharma
On World Sleep Day, know all about sleep apnea
It is common knowledge that human beings need about 7 to 8 hours of sleep - and not just to feel good or to do away with those under-eye circles but also for overall health.Sound sleep benefits the heart, weight, mind, and body. It helps in repairing damaged cells and the immune system, handling daily wear and tear, and recharging our system. Unhealthy food habits, lack of exercise, and irregular and varying working styles are all conditions that can hamper sleep."Apart from this, there are those who suffer from what are called sleep disorders. It is alarming to note that not many people take these disorders seriously and are, therefore, also prone to other health conditions such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes. One such common sleep disorder is sleep apnea," said Dr. M Udaya Kumar Maiya, Medical Director, Portea Medical.Sleep Apnea, its types, and symptomsSleep apnea is a serious condition in which a person's breathing starts and stops repeatedly while they are asleep. It is ...
Scientists identify new possibility for untreatable blood cancer
Scientists have discovered a new biomarker that could help to unlock the medical mystery behind an untreatable blood cancer.QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute's Immunology in Cancer and Infection senior scientist Professor Mark Smyth and clinician researcher Dr Kyohei Nakamura worked with colleagues in France to make the discovery about multiple myeloma.Multiple myeloma grows in the bone marrow. The study found a particular molecule called IL-18 suppressed the immune system to help create a bone marrow environment where the cancer was more likely to grow.The study analysed the impact of IL-18 on 152 patients with multiple myeloma and found strong evidence that high levels of the molecule were associated with poorer survival.Professor Smyth said IL-18 was responsible for promoting the immune suppressive function of a particular kind of white blood cell (granulocyte) in the bone marrow.He said the resulting suppression hindered another kind of immune cell, known as a T cell, from
World Sleep Day: Meditate your way to sound sleep
A significant proportion of the adult population suffers from sleep problems, and many of them potentially having chronic insomnia.A growing body of medical evidence links inadequate sleep with anger, anxiety, and sadness.A study on the impact of Heartfulness Meditation on insomnia brings cheer to chronic insomniacs as they stay awake to greet 'World Sleep Day' on March 16, 2018.Kamlesh Patel, the fourth global guide of Heartfulness, said, "Sleep is very essential to help maintain mood, memory, and cognitive performance. Daytime alertness and memory are impaired by loss of sleep, especially when it is sustained over a few nights. For many, meditation has become a mainstream practice over the years and the study on its impact on alleviating sleep-related diseases is very encouraging."An ongoing research study at the WellSpan York Hospital, USA, to assess the impact of Heartfulness Meditation on insomnia, has shown promising results.Twenty-eight participants diagnosed with chronic ...
Tantrik sent to police custody for performing black magic in ICU
A tantrik, who was arrested for allegedly performing black magic on a woman in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Pune's Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, has been sent to three-day police custody.The tantrik had allegedly performed some procedure to cure the 24-year-old patient suffering from breast cancer, but she died. After which, her family held the tantrik responsible for her death.Dr Sunil Chavan was treating the patient at a private hospital, but when her condition worsened, she was shifted to Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital.The woman's family alleged that when Dr Chavan was unable to cure her, he invited the tantrik, saying he had faith in him.The death took place in Mangeshkar Hospital premises, but the family demanded action against the doctor and the tantrik, contending that she was recovering at the hospital.
Improving the Alzheimer's brain with cell therapy
Transplanting a special type of neuron into the brains of patients diagnosed with Alzheimers could help reverse their memory loss, according to a recent study.The research by Jorge Palop, assistant investigator at the Gladstone Institutes, revealed a way to alleviate the learning and memory deficits caused due to the damage of specific neurons.One type of neuron, called inhibitory interneuron, is particularly important for managing brain rhythms. Researchers uncovered the therapeutic benefits of genetically improving these interneurons and transplanting them into the brain of a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.Interneurons control complex networks between neurons, allowing them to send signals to one another in a harmonized way. You can think of inhibitory interneurons as orchestra conductors. They create rhythms in the brain to instruct the players--excitatory neurons--when to play and when to stop. An imbalance between these two types of neurons creates disharmony and is seen in ..
Two patients injured as slab collapses at civic hospital
Two patients sustained minor injuries when a slab collapsed in the dialysis department of the civic-run KEM Hospital in Central Mumbai last night, an official said today. The incident occurred around 8.45 pm, leading to panic in the dialysis department, the hospital official said. Two patients who were present in the room sustained minor injuries. They were shifted to another ward and treated, he said. The dialysis department too was shifted to another part of the hospital, he added.
FDA begins anti-smoking push to cut nicotine in cigarettes
Federal health officials are taking the first step in a sweeping anti-smoking plan to drastically cut nicotine levels in cigarettes so they aren't addictive. The Food and Drug Administration estimates its plan, first announced last summer, could push the US smoking rate to 1 per cent. Currently about 15 per cent of adults in the US smoke. Regulators estimate about 5 million additional people would quit cigarettes within one year of the new nicotine limits. Yesterday, the agency published its formal notice to begin regulating nicotine in what's expected to be a multi-year process littered with potential obstacles. The FDA gained authority to regulate ingredients in cigarettes and other tobacco products in 2009. But FDA's regulatory efforts have been hampered for years by legal challenges by Big Tobacco companies.
Child' death: Experts' panel holds Gurugram hospital guilty
A five-member panel of medical experts has held the Fortis Hospital in Gurugram responsible for the death of a child during treatment last year.
Labour rooms in healthcare facilities to be assessed, rewarded under 'LaQshya'
Implementation of labour room protocols for providing quality care to both mother and the newborn at healthcare facilities across the country, will be assessed through National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) under 'LaQshya' programme and awarded accordingly, the health ministry said today. A healthcare facility achieving 70 per cent score on NQAS will be declared 'LaQshya' certified. Facilities scoring over 90, 80 and 70 per cent will get platinum, gold and silver badges respectively, an official statement said. Facilities achieving NQAS certification and having 80 per cent satisfied beneficiaries will be given monetary incentive with medical college hospitals getting Rs 6 lakh and Rs 3 lakh for district hospitals, it said. The 'LaQshya' programme was launched across the country in December last year in order to reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates. Ensuring privacy for mothers-to-be, providing a comfortable position during delivery, no-tolerance policy towards verbal or ...
Platypus milk may help combat superbugs
A protein present in the milk of the platypus can potentially save thousands of lives by effectively killing superbugs that has become increasingly resistant to antibiotic drugs, researchers say.
Good hand grip strength linked to healthy heart
People with better hand grip strength may be at a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and are likely to have better heart functioning, say researchers.
Groom your beard with oil, shampoo
If you've been inspired by cricket star Virat Kohli's beard style, make sure you are taking enough care of it with the right grooming tools, say experts.
50,000 new cancer cases reported every year in Ker
As many as 50,000 new cancer cases were reported in the state every year as per a study by WHO, Health Minister K K Shylaja told the assembly today. Breast, thyroid and cervical cancer was found to be more among women, while oral and lung in men, the minister said while replying to a calling attention to the necessity to control the increasing occurrence of cancer and kidney disease in the state. A comprehensive programme for early detection and treatment was being implemented by the government, she said. The minister said setting up of a Kerala Cancer Care Grid, a network of all cancer care facilities in public and private health sector hospitals, was on and this would play a vital role in cancer prevention in the State. It was envisaged to provide seamless cancer care, right from prevention to rehabilitation. A treatment protocol for cancer also would be brought out, she said. Work on preparing a population registry of cancer patients across the state was progressing, .
Dr Murali Doraiswamy appointed to Board of Trustees of The Live Love Laugh Foundation
Duke University's Dr. P. Murali Doraiswamy, M.D., an internationally recognized expert in brain-mental health and a Member of the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Neurotechnologies Brain Sciences, has joined the board of trustees of The Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLLF).TLLLF was set up in 2015 as a Charitable Trust to champion the cause of mental health in India, with a focus on depression, stress and anxiety. The main aim of TLLLF is to reduce stigma and create awareness around mental health.According to WHO, an estimated 300 million people are affected by depression globally, and depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy US$1 trillion each year.Welcoming Dr Doraiswamy to the board, Deepika Padukone, TLLLF Founder, said, "The spread of mental illness is one of the toughest challenges confronting the world today. Finding long-term solutions to tackle this issue requires the best minds and stakeholder groups to collaborate effectively.As we scale TLLLF's
Platypus milk may help fight superbugs: study
Platypus milk has unique proteins with antibacterial properties that may prove to be an unlikely hero in the global fight against drug resistant pathogens. Due to its unique features - duck-billed, egg-laying, beaver-tailed and venomous- the platypus has long exerted a powerful appeal to scientists, making it an important subject in the study of evolutionary biology. In 2010 scientists discovered that platypus milk contained unique antibacterial properties that could be used to fight superbugs. Researchers at Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Oganisation (CSIRO) and Deakin University in Australia have solved a puzzle that helps explain why platypus milk is so potent - bringing it one step closer to being used to save lives. The discovery was made by replicating a special protein contained in platypus milk in a laboratory setting. "Platypus are such weird animals that it would make sense for them to have weird biochemistry," said Janet Newman, CSIRO scientist. "The ...
Startup firm brings medical lab tests to doorstep
Startup firm pick2heal has come out with a mobile application that makes medical laboratory tests cost-effective and brings a wide range of lab services to the doorsteps of the patients. Through the website/app www.pick2heal.com, patients can select a list of labs that conduct the tests along with prices and an option to book the test at special rates. If one needs the service at their doorstep, it will be provided at a discount price from the best labs nearby. The company, headquartered at Kerala Start up Mission (KSUM) in Technoparkhere, will launch its service in Kochi soon, a press release said. The time-saving facility brings transparency in medical testing and creates a level playing field in laboratory testing. The platform allows the patients to access the test report from anywhere at any time and can be useful as an online repository for the same. Prasanth Peethambaran, who founded the company with the idea of aligning the interests of customers and diagnostic ..
Maha govt to consider procuring MRI machines via PPP model
The Maharashtra government will consider procurement of more Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines for its hospitals through the public private partnership model, state minister Ranjit Patil today said. There is a dearth of MRI machines in hospitals, considering the population quantum of the city, the Minister of State for Home (urban) noted while speaking on the issue in the state Legislative Council. He was responding to a query raised by Hemant Takle (of the NCP) over the incident in January at the city-based Nair Hospital's MRI room, where a man died after allegedly getting sucked into the MRI machine and inhaled the liquid oxygen that leaked out of a cylinder he was carrying. Raising the issue during the Question hour, Takle said the MRI machines are essential in medical facilities. However, there is no proper training of ward boys and 'aayas' (women caretakers), leading to such incidents. Citing the Nair Hospital's incident, the NCP member said the medical ...
Portion of KEM Hospital building collapse, 2 patients injured
At least two patients were injured after a portion of Mumbai's KEM Hospital building fell down.The incident, which took place on Wednesday in the Dialysis Department of the hospital, created chaos among the patients.Later the hospital administration shifted the patients to other section of the building and started the repairing work.
Pune: Family blames godman for patient's death
Family of a deceased woman suffering from breast cancer in Pune, has held a godman responsible for her death, alleging that the latter performed rituals to treat her.The 24-year-old woman's family said that she died while undergoing recovery in Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, two days after a private doctor previously treating her came with a 'Mantrik', saying he had faith in him."We brought my sister to the Mangeshkar Hospital where she was recovering. Dr. Satish Chavan who was treating her earlier at another hospital, came with the godman and said he had faith in it," Mahesh Jagtap, brother of the deceased patient told reporters.Dr. Chavan had earlier been treating the patient at a private hospital, but when she became unconscious, she was shifted to Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital.The death took place in Mangeshkar Hospital premises, but the family has pointed the finger at the godman and Dr. Chavan, contending that she was recovering in the hospital.
World's most common STI affected by ethnic disparity
Turns out, even the world's most common sexually transmitted infection is not untouched by racial and ethnic disparities.According to a research led by Johns Hopkins Medicine, the world's most common curable STI, Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), disproportionately affects the black community.A report of the findings highlighted the major racial/ethnic disparities in TV infection in the United States population, calling on the need to improve racial equity in sexual health."These findings are likely reflective of real social and structural disparities, such as lower access to health care, that result in high infection rates in the black community. Targeted public health education about Trichomonas will be critical," said Aaron Tobian, the study's senior author.Trichomonas vaginalis infection is caused by a protozoan parasite and is asymptomatic in most people. In women, TV infection cases can be characteriSed by a foul-smelling vaginal discharge, painful urination and abdominal pain. ...