Page 645 - Health Medical Pharma

Know how to burn calories while sitting at your desk

Sitting all day at work may slowly be killing you but here's something that can help you overcome its damaging effects.Continuous movement while sitting may increase metabolic rate more than standing at a desk, suggests a study.Craig Horswill, clinical associate professor of kinesiology and nutrition at the University of Illinois at Chicago, says the study adds to the growing body of evidence that suggests strategies for increasing non-exercise active thermogenesis-defined as spontaneous activity unrelated to a fitness routine-are needed to help overcome the detrimental effects of prolonged sitting.Sitting has been identified as a risk factor for early mortality, independent of the presence of a disease, such as cancer or diabetes. Up to 7 percent of deaths have been attributed to sitting alone."Sitting is bad for our health, but it is a big part of daily life for many people," said Horswill, an expert in exercise and metabolism in UIC's College of Applied Health Sciences. "Exercise ..

Cancer overrides circadian clock to survive: study

Cancer cells suppress the body's circadian clock by controlling protein synthesis, which contributes to more tumour growth, according to a study. The finding could help clinicians boost the effectiveness of current cancer treatments, researchers said. For tumours to grow and spread, cancer cells must make larger than normal amounts of nucleic acids and protein, so they can replicate themselves. Yet in both normal and cancer cells that increase their synthesis of protein, a small per cent of those proteins do not fold properly. When that happens, the cell activates its unfolded protein response (UPR), which slows down the making of new proteins while the misfolded proteins are refolded. Eventually, the buildup of misfolded proteins becomes toxic and leads to cell death. Now, researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in the US have found that cancer cells have learned to use the UPR to slow protein synthesis when needed, in order to handle the backlog ..

Have heard IMA, says Nadda as doctors strike work

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Tuesday said he has spoken to the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and also put forth the "perspective" of the government, in view of the 12-hour countrywide strike called by the IMA against the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill.

Aus varsity to develop portable, non-invasive brain scanner

A new portable, non-invasive brain scanner is being developed in Australia to speed-up the diagnosis of brain injuries and stroke types by creating an immediate 3D image of the brain. The device, being developed by University of Queensland and EMvision Medical Devices Pty Ltd with technology licensed to EMvision byUniQuest, UQ's commercialisation company,is expected to save lives and minimise brain damage and associated rehabilitation costs. According to statement released by the university, the devicehas potential for use in emergency departments, ambulances and remote locations around the world, and could have the same life-saving potential as the widespread introduction of defibrillators did 20 years ago. EMvision CEO John Keep, a former CEO of Queensland Diagnostic Imaging, said the device had the potential to disrupt the market as it was portable, low-cost and non- ionising, which meant it was safe for repeated use. "It's powered by an innovative algorithm that maps

Private doctors' strike hits OPDs in Karnataka

Thousands of out-patients were affected across Karnataka on Tuesday due to a private doctors' strike against a new medical bill.

Want to quit alcohol? Give it up for 'Dry January'

Various studies in the past have shown that drinking alcohol carelessly can give manyproblems related to health to a person.But if you are one of those who are thinking to quit drinking in New Year, then 'Dry January' can be really helpful for you.'Dry January' involves saying bye to the booze for an entire month. It is becoming an annual tradition for many people,reports Daily Express.For some, it's part of a New Year's resolution to drink less, while others claim it's a way to "detox" from excessivedrinking over the holidays-but according to many experts it's going to do beneficial things for their health.There are a number of health benefits of Dry January, which includes weight loss and having more energy.Additionally, decreasing alcohol intake could also reduce your risk of cancer. While not everyone who drinks alcoholwill develop the deadly condition, there is a definite link.According to a poll, more than three million people in the UK are expected to give up alcohol today in a

IMA protest hits healthcare services in Kerala

The nationwide protest called on Tuesday by the IMA against a new bill seeking to replace the MCI with a new body left many patients in the lurch, as doctors stayed off duty across the state.

Bill to replace Medical Council to benefit profession: Govt

The government today maintained that the National Medical Commission Bill that seeks to replace Medical Council of India with a new body would be beneficial to the medical profession. On a day when the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for suspending routine services for 12 hours in protest against the Bill, Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said talks were on with the IMA to clear their doubts. "This is beneficial to the medical profession," he said in the Rajya Sabha after members raised the issue of strike by the doctors across the country against the Bill. He said talks with the striking doctors were going on. "Talks are on. We have heard them and also presented our views." Besides seeking to replace the Medical Council of India with a new body, the bill also proposes to allow alternative medicine graduates to practise allopathy after completing a "bridge course". The Indian Medical Association (IMA) says the Bill will "cripple" the functioning of medical

Sugary drinks may result in poorer memory: Studies

According to studies published in Alzheimer's & Dementia and the journal Stroke, consuming sugary beverages such as sodas and fruit juices are more likely to have poorer memory and people who drank diet soda daily were almost three times as likely to develop stroke and dementia when compared to those who did not consume diet soda."Our findings indicate an association between higher sugary beverage intake and brain atrophy, including lower brain volume and poorer memory," explained corresponding author Matthew Pase."We also found that people drinking diet soda daily were almost three times as likely to develop stroke and dementia. This included a higher risk of ischemic stroke, where blood vessels in the brain become obstructed and Alzheimer's disease dementia, the most common form of dementia," he said.The findings were published after conducting research on approximately 4,000 participants over the age of 30.Though the study has cautioned people against regularly consuming sugary

Goa govt projects Rs 2.7 lakh revenue collection at GMCH

The Goa government has projected the revenue collection of around Rs 2.7 lakh in its premier Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on the first day of implementation of its decision to charge non-Goans with a nominal fee. Health department started charging non-Goan patients being referred to all the four facilities, including the GMCH, two district hospitals Hospicio (Margao) and Azilo (Mapusa)-- and ID Hospital located in Ponda town. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said the data collected from GMCH indicated that 24 per cent of the patients admitted in these hospitals are not from Goa. The minister said the total collection, including registration fees and other procedures, stood at Rs 2.7 lakh, from the patients who were admitted in the GMCH today. Referring to the data, Rane said 19 per cent of the patients who were referred to OPDs of GMCH were not from Goa. "Besides the regular Goan patients, 55 non-Goan patients were checked at OPDs including 16 from Karnataka, 11

Allied and healthcare professionals database portal launched

The Union Health ministry today launched a web portal which will act as a robust data repository of allied and healthcare workers, help in bringing transparency and track the number of such professionals. More than 3,000 such professionals have already registered on the 'Allied and Healthcare Professionals database' portal during the testing phase. Allied and health professionals include anesthesiologists, assistant anesthesia technicians, art therapists or art psychotherapists, audiologists and cardiovascular technologists, to name a few. Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan, at the launch of the portal, said India enjoys a demographic dividend of more than 65 per cent youth below the age of 35 years and the government is eager to providing them a strong foundation for continued and sustainable growth. She said the country is facing an increasing burden of lifestyle diseases and ailments, and needs better standards and appropriate frameworks for professionals providing ..

IMA protest: Health ministry asks govt hospitals to take steps

The Union health ministry today asked central government hospitals to take "necessary" steps to ensure healthcare and emergency services run smoothly in wake of an IMA call to suspend routine services for 12 hours tomorrow. The Indian Medical Association has called for suspending routine services tomorrow to protest against a bill that seeks to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new body. The National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill was tabled in Parliament on Friday> It also proposes to allow practitioners of alternative medicines, such as homoeopathy and ayurveda, practice allopathy after completing a "bridge course". Healthcare services at many private hospitals in the country are expected to be hit due to the shutdown. The IMA has 2.77 lakh doctors as its members. "It has come to our notice that the IMA would be on one- day strike on Jan 2, 2018. Since, the strike may involve a large number of medical professionals, it is anticipated that there would ..

IMA protest call: Pvt health services in Goa may hit tomorrow

Healthcare services in private hospitals in Goa are likely to remain affected tomorrow as the Goa unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) today decided to join a protest called against a bill seeking to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new body. Due to the protest, Out Patient Department (OPD) services across 140-odd private hospitals in the coastal state are likely to remain affected. However, the healthcare services in government hospitals will continue as usual. The National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, which was tabled in Parliament on Friday, seeks to replace the MCI and also proposes allowing practitioners of alternative medicines, such as homoeopathy and ayurveda, practise allopathy after completing a "bridge course". The Bill is likely to come up for discussion in Parliament tomorrow. "The emergency and casualty services in all the 140-odd private hospitals, however, will remain open during the protest," said Dr Ajay Pednekar, the Goa unit

Vijay Keshav Gokhale to be new Foreign Secretary

Senior diplomat Vijay Keshav Gokhale will succeed Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar as the Foreign Secretary, after the latter completes his tenure on January 28."The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Vijay Keshav Gokhale (IFS: 1981), Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs as the Foreign Secretary vice Dr. S Jaishankar, who is completing his tenure on 28.01. 2018," said a statement by the Department of Personnel and Training.Gokhale, who is presently the secretary (economic relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), will serve for a two-year fixed term after his appointment.A 1981 batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Gokhale is the Indian ambassador to China.Dr Jaishankar was appointed as foreign secretary on January 29, 2015. Last year, he was given a one-year extension in January.

Health Ministry asks central government hospitals for back up after 12-hour shutdown call

With the Indian Medical Association (IMA) calling for a 12-hour shutdown of all private hospitals to protest the National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, 2017, the Union Health Ministry on Monday directed central government health institutions, including Safdarjung hospital, to take necessary measures to ensure that patient health care and emergency run smoothly.

IMA protest against NMC bill may hit services in pvt hospitals

Healthcare services at many private hospitals in the country are likely to be hit tomorrow as the Indian Medical Association has called for suspending routine services for 12 hours to protest a Bill seeking to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new body. Services at outpatient departments (OPDs) of many private hospitals may be hit by the protest, but emergency and critical services will remain open. Union Health Minister J P Nadda had a meeting with the members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) where the latter conveyed their concerns over the Bill. A senior health ministry official, however, said the Bill is slated to come up for discussion in Parliament tomorrow and the House will decide over it. "We heard them out, but nothing can be done now as the Bill has been tabled in Parliament. A discussion over it will be held tomorrow and the House will decide," he said. "The Bill is aimed at bringing reforms in the medical education sector which is under

IMA calls for 12-hour shutdown of private hospitals over NMC Bill

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday called for a 12-hour shutdown of all private hospitals in the country on Tuesday to protest the "anti-people and anti-patient" National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, 2017, that seeks to replace the Medical Council of India (MCI).

Anil Vij asks pvt hospitals to make self-regulatory rules

Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij has indicated the private hospitals to make self-regulatory rules after the state government cancelled the licence of the blood bank and pharmacy of the Fortis hospital at Gurugram."With the action against Fortis Hospital, corporate-type hospitals should get a message that they make self-regulatory rules. Only minting money should not be the aim of hospitals," Vij told ANI on Sunday.The licences were cancelled after irregularities were found in the hospital's blood bank and pharmacy."After the death of a girl due to dengue, a three-member committee was sent to Gurugram's Fortis hospital. In its report, the committee stated there were irregularities in the hospital's pharmacy and blood bank, following which we have cancelled the license of the blood bank and the pharmacy," Vij said.He said that the committee also informed about other irregularities against the hospital and action will be taken against it by other departments."For further action against .

Diabetes drug can also cure Alzheimer's disease

Scientists have found that a drug developed for diabetes could be used to treat Alzheimer's disease through a triple method of action.

Doctors in Kerala to join nationwide strike againt bill

Doctors in Kerala will go on strike tomorrow as part of a nationwide protest against various provisions in the Centre's proposed National Medical Commission Bill. As part of the stir, doctors belonging to the Indian Medical Association in all hospitals would go on a dawn-to-dusk 12-hour strike, IMA State Prsident E K Ummer said in a statement here. However, he said doctors would attend to emergency cases. The doctors also planned to take out a march to the Raj Bhavan here as part of their protest. The bill has provisions that would adversely affect the health sector and medical education in the country, he alleged. A bill to replace the apex medical education regulator -- Medical Council of India (MCI) with a new body, to ensure transparency, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 29.