Page 603 - Health Medical Pharma

Singapore healthcare group to appoint 50 Manipuri nurses every year: Official

A healthcare group in Singapore has announced it will appoint 50 Manipuri nurses every year, to cater to the growing demand for nurses in hospitals and for home care in the Southeast Asian country, an official said.

If you lose weight, your spouse might too

Want your partner to be fit? You can be a source of motivation for them as a new research suggests that people who make an effort to lose weight aren't just helping themselves, they may be helping others too.

Videos on cancer awareness launched on YouTube

City based Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Oncology and Research today uploaded on YouTube, videos explaining all types of cancers in English and Tamil, titled 'Cancer Awareness SRIOR'. "The main aim of the initiative, as part of World Cancer Day being observed tomorrow, is to create awareness among the public, especially youngsters who access the digital media and digital platform like YouTube, thereby passing it to them and to generations to come," SRIOR Director and Chief Medical Ongologist, Dr P Guhan told reporters here. The videos not only give information of early detection of cancer, but also provide a lot of information and scope for its prevention of cancer, which is also another mainstream factor in bringing down the burden of the disease, he said. Guhan cited a study which said there would be 17.3 lakh cancer cases in India by the year 2020, of which there would 8.8 lakh deaths. The institute, as part of Cancer Day 2018 activity, also announced a month long ...

Why drinking red wine is good for your heart

Scientists are developing a new stent that releases red wine antioxidants slowly over time that promotes healing and prevents blood clotting and inflammation. Heart disease occurs when plaque builds up within artery walls blocking the blood flow through tissues in the body, increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke. While there is no singular cure for heart disease, there are numerous forms of treatment including lifestyle changes and surgical procedures. In one procedure called a coronary angioplasty, a surgeon inserts and inflates a tiny balloon inside a blocked or narrow artery to widen it and allow blood to flow through to the heart thereby decreasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke. This procedure often includes inserting a permanent small mesh tube to support the blood vessel called a stent. Commercial stents can release chemotherapy agents that are toxic and can cause the blood vessel to narrow again. "By delivering red wine antioxidants during ...

Bacteria that drives colon cancers identified

Scientists have identified a combination of bacteria that appears to increase the risk of colon cancer, a finding that could lead to new ways to more effectively screen for and ultimately prevent colon cancer.

Tatas to begin 17 cancer care cantres across Assam from 2019

Tata Sons chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran today said that the Tata Group will join hands with Assam government to roll out an elaborate cancer care programme across 15 districts of the state from next year. "Tata group has a long-standing relation with Assam. Assam is very close to us. Our cancer care programme will be launched in the state in coming days," Chandrasekaran said at the inaugural function of the Global Investors Summit 2018 here. The group will sign a Memorandum of Understanding during the ongoing 'Advantage Assam' summit with the state government, he added. Chandrasekaran said that its proposed healthcare initiative will be spread across 15 districts of the state. However, he did not elaborate further. When contacted, a Tata Group official told PTI that the proposed infrastructure footprint comprises 17 centres across the state and it will be able to provide much-needed services starting early next year. "The Assam government and Tata Trusts are ...

'Social media can make life better for young people in care'

Social media can help young people living in state care maintain healthy and appropriate birth family relationships and friendships, a study has found. Researchers at the University of East Anglia in the UK investigated how young people living in state care can benefit from social media use. They undertook more than 100 visits to four residential care settings in England over seven months. During this period, they conducted in-depth observations on how 10 young people routinely used social media in their everyday lives, as well as conducting focus groups and interviews with the young people and their social care professionals. "Young people in care face harder, faster and steeper transitions into adulthood with fewer resources than their peers," said Dr Simon Hammond, from the University of East Anglia. "Placement instability often leads to young people feeling abandoned and isolated at points in their lives when they are at their most vulnerable," he said. Having ...

Researchers discover 'anxiety cells' in brain

US neuroscientists have identified "anxiety cells" in the brains of mice, paving way for a potential treatment for humans suffering from anxiety disorders. They found the cells inside a structure called the hippocampus. But the cells probably also exist in humans, said Rene Hen, from Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUMC) in the US. The hippocampus plays a well-known role in the brain's ability to form new memories and to help animals - from mice to humans - navigate through complex environments. "We call these anxiety cells because they only fire when the animals are in places that are innately frightening to them," Hen said. "For a mouse, that's an open area where they are more exposed to predators, or an elevated platform," Hen said. The firing of the anxiety cells sends messages to other parts of the brain that turn on anxious behaviours, in mice, those include avoiding the dangerous area or fleeing to a safe zone, according to a study published in the ...

Scientists identify genetic origin in Zika virus

In a first, researchers have found evidence of higher susceptibility of some babies to the Zika virus due to a genetic origin, a finding that may help in future vaccine strategy.

Regular exercise cuts complications post-lung cancer surgery

Exercising regularly before undergoing surgery for lung cancer may reduce the complication rate by half afterwards, a study has found. Pooled analysis of the data showed that an exercise programme before surgery reduces the complication rate afterwards by 48 per cent. It also reduced length of hospital stay by nearly three days for patients with lung cancer, according to the study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. "Postoperative complication is a major concern for patients undergoing [cancer] surgery," said Daniel Steffens, from the University of Sydney in Australia. "The findings may also impact on healthcare costs and on patients' quality of life, and consequently have important implications for patients, healthcare professionals and policy makers," he said. The researchers trawled databases for relevant studies and found 17 suitable articles which reported on 13 clinical trials, involving 806 participants and six different types of cancer: bowel, ...

Eat grapes to ward off depresion

Including grapes in your diet may have psitive impact on your mental health as researchers have found that certain grape-derived compounds might be developed as therapeutic agents for the treatment of depression.

Aerobics may halve complications post-lung cancer surgery

Engaging in aerobic exercises such as walking, breathing, cycling and weight training, before undergoing lung cancer surgery may reduce the complication rate post-surgery by half, a study has found.

Decoded: 'Anxiety cells' reside in your brain

A team of US neuroscientists has identified "anxiety cells" in the brains of mice, an advance that may boost the treatment of humans suffering from anxiety disorders.

Fit children have healthier lungs as adults: study

Kids who are fit during childhood and adolescence have better functioning lungs as adults, a study has found. Good lung function in early adult life is believed to lower the risk of developing chronic lung disease later in life. Chronic lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are a leading cause of global ill health and, with an ageing population, this is projected to get worse, researchers said. The study, published in the European Respiratory Journal, provides early evidence that keeping children fit could help reduce the burden of lung disease in the future. "We know very little about the links between physical activity, fitness and lung growth. This is a difficult topic to research because following children over many years is expensive and time consuming," said Bob Hancox, from the University of Otago in New Zealand. "This study shows that children who are physically fit go on to have better lung function as young adults. We think that .

Low doses of alcohol good for brain: study

A couple of glasses of wine may tamp down inflammation and help the brain clear away toxins, including those associated with Alzheimer's disease, a study suggests. While excessive consumption of alcohol is a well- documented health hazard, many studies have linked lower levels of drinking with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases as well as a number of cancers. "Prolonged intake of excessive amounts of ethanol is known to have adverse effects on the central nervous system," said Maiken Nedergaard, from the University of Rochester in the US. "However, in this study we have shown for the first time that low doses of alcohol are potentially beneficial to brain health, namely it improves the brain's ability to remove waste," Nedergaard said. The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, focuses on the glymphatic system, the brain's unique cleaning process. Researchers showed how cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) is pumped into brain tissue and flushes away waste, ..

Migraines related to heart problems: Study

Migraines could increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, suggests a study.According to the researchers, migraine increases the risk of heart attacks, stroke, blood clots and an irregular heart rate.Although the absolute risks were low, the findings suggest that "migraine should be considered a potent and persistent risk factor for most cardiovascular diseases in both men and women," say the authors.Around one billion people worldwide are affected by migraine. It has considerable impact on quality of life and imposes a substantial burden on society.Previous studies have suggested a link between migraine and stroke and heart attacks, particularly among women, but the link between migraine and other heart problems are less well known.In a bid to rectify this, researchers from Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark and Stanford University, USA set out to examine the risks of heart conditions including heart attacks; stroke; peripheral artery disease (narrow arteries which reduce blood ..

Staying ahead of breast and cervical cancer

Cancer is a progressive disease which starts from the mutation of a single cell and if left untreated, may be fatal.When it comes to gender, women are more vulnerable to certain types of cancer. Breast cancer and cervical cancer are two types of cancer which are responsible for most cancer related deaths in women in India."In fact, a quarter of the world's cervical cancer patients live in India. The recent reports of CONCORD 3 study has found that a breast cancer patient in India has 66% chance of surviving five years versus patients in Australia whose chance of survival would be 89%. Another alarming fact is that a quarter of the world's cervical cancer patients are in India," said Dr Sapna Nangia, Sr. Consultant (Radiation Oncology).Early detection of cancer leads to higher chances of successful treatment. Breast cancer and cervical cancer are no different. Vigilance, awareness and proactiveness are the need of the hour.On the occasion of World Cancer Day, Dr Nangia highlights few .

ACC to help Indian hospitals improve heart care

Seeking to enhance healthcare delivery in the country, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) has partnered with an Indian firm to set up centres of excellence at various hospitals to help improve cardiovascular care. At a press conference held here, ACC representative and Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at Yale University's School of Medicine, Dr Jeptha P Curtis, said collaborations will entail helping the partnering hospital in building a clinical data registry. The ACC has joined hands with Delhi-based manufacturer of drug-eluting stents and other medical equipment, Translumia Therapeutics, which would in turn help connect the American medical body with hospitals. "We have already spoken to a few leading private hospitals in Delhi and some in Mumbai have also shown interest. "As part of this partnership, the ACC will set up an international centre of excellence at partnering hospitals, which would be a certification of quality," Translumia ...

FIBDO urges Nadda to establish authority to monitor blood

The Federation of Indian Blood Donors Organisations (FIBDO) today urged Union Health Minister J P Nadda to establish the NBTA for the monitoring of the blood banking system in the country. Members of FIBDO, the largest representative body of blood donors, met Nadda in Delhi. The delegation was led by the organisation's national vice-president Ajai Srivastava. They submitted a charter of demands to the Union minister, stressing for fundamental changes in blood banking and its monitoring system, including the establishment of the National Blood Transfusion Authority (NBTA). Srivastava said that Nadda had assured the delegation of necessary actions in this regard. The minister also said that the government was working hard to achieve the goal of 100 per cent voluntary blood donation with the help of NGOs, he said. National general secretary, FIBDO,Biswaroop Biswas said that the major demand raised in the meeting with Nadda was to stop the practice of demanding blood from ...

UK doctors get approval to create 'three-parent' babies

Authorities in the UK have permitted doctors to create the country's first 'three-parent' babies, in a move aimed at preventing passage of incurable genetic diseases from mothers to offsprings. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), which works independently under the UK's Department of Health, yesterday approved the procedures to be applied on two women in the city of Newcastle in northeast England. However, critics of the treatment have flagged concern over parents misusing the technique to get "genetically modified" babies. The procedure will use mitochondrial donation therapy for the women, who know that any children they have could inherit a neurodegenerative disorder, which causes problems with movement or mental functioning. "Our statutory approvals committee has considered applications from the Newcastle Fertility Centre at Life, part of Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, for the use of mitochondrial donation in treatment for ...