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| HEALTH & FITNESS |
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New hope for diabetic heart patients
eYESIGHT
Left-handed women’s risk of breast cancer higher
Living near a farm can be hazardous
Ayurveda & you
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New hope for diabetic heart patients
International health officials say diabetes needs much more attention, particularly in India. It is unfortunate that Indians are genetically more susceptible to diabetes. Compared to Americans, whose average age for the onset of diabetes is 59, in India it is much less at 43. It is estimated that almost 3.2 million people die of diabetes across the world every year and there are 30 to 33 million diabetics in India now. Every fourth diabetic in the world today is an Indian. The World Health Organisation predicts that the number of diabetics in India would go up to 40 million by 2010 and 74 million by 2025. Hence, the country stands to become the “Diabetes Capital of the World.” The management of diabetes has always been a matter of research and discussion. Over the years diabetes specialists have been adopting an aggressive approach towards the prevention and treatment of the disease. Earlier doctors and patients used to follow conservative methods in controlling diabetes as far as blood sugar, BP and cholesterol were concerned. But recent findings have suggested that even if one controls sugar to the extent of 180 mg, BP to 140/90 and cholesterol above 200, diabetics still ended up with coronary artery disease and other complications. This shows that the change in the strategy was desirable and necessary. This has resulted in the following targets of prevention: BP to be 130/80 mm Hg, fasting blood sugar levels less than 120 mgl and cholesterol as low as possible. What is even more important to note is that diabetics are more prone to heart disease and related problems. The arteries tend to be narrow in diabetics and the blockages are more diffuse. Also, when a diabetic develops heart disease, it is generally more severe and there is much higher risk of death than in a non-diabetic. Earlier, for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD), surgery was considered to be the appropriate choice in diabetics. But, with the availability of drug eluting stents, the gap between surgery and angioplasty has decreased. This has caused more and more diabetics to undergo angioplasty for the treatment of cardiac disorders. Recent data presented at the EuroPCR Congress in Paris provides further clinical evidence that drug-eluting stents are a viable treatment option for a broad range of patients, including diabetics, who are some of the most-difficult-to-treat patients. Angioplasty (the stent method) is a surgical procedure in which a balloon-tipped catheter (thin tube) is inserted into a diseased, narrowed blood vessel. Inflation of balloon stretches the vessel opening, improving blood flow through it. Depending upon the state of the patient, angioplasty is one of the most preferred procedures for the treatment of blocked arteries. According to a rapid track study by the American Heart Association on the treatment of cardiac disorders by using drug-eluting stents in diabetic patients, it was found that drug-eluting stents significantly reduce the risk of recurring blockages in the arteries of diabetic patients compared to bare metal stents. The most common drug used to coat the stents is sirolimus. It works by inhibiting cell proliferation and scar formation inside the stent. According to the National PTCA Registry, India, on the national level, the total number of stent application cases in India in 2002 was 6,000; in 2003 the number increased to 17,000 and to 20,405 in 2004. Out of these, the percentage of diabetic patients was 18.2 per cent in 2003 and it increased by 7 per cent in 2004, i.e. 25.2 per cent. Clearly, more and more diabetics are going in for the stent-treatment option in India for coronary artery disease. —
The writer is a senior consultant, interventional cardiology, Escorts Heart Centre and Research Institute, New Delhi.
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eYESIGHT
Eye allergies are no different than allergies that affect your sinuses, nose or lungs. The eyes are one of the most sensitive and vulnerable organs in the body. Airborne allergens and other particles can land directly on the surface of the eye, causing irritation and redness. Although tears constantly wash the eyes, they can’t always keep out the allergens like pollen or pet dander. Because of this, the allergies that flare up in the eyes — also known as ocular allergies — are common.
The location of allergy symptoms depends somewhat on where from the allergen has come into contact with your body. Ocular allergens tend to be airborne (as are most other allergens). The most frequent allergic triggers include pollen, pet hair or dander, dust and some medicines. There are also some triggers that irritate the eyes but do not cause true allergies such as cigarette smoke, perfume and diesel exhaust. What are the ocular allergies? There are many causes and types of ocular allergies. We will discuss about the commonest presentation that is allergic conjunctivitis at the end. Allergic lid edema may be part of a systemic allergic reaction to drugs, food such as shellfish, or generalised allergy. Many patients give a history of eating fish/shrimp or history of insect bite and then the eyes swell. Ultra-violet exposure or sunlamp, contact with irritants can lead to severe eyelid swelling. It is usually benign and will respond to appropriate treatment. Contact dermatoconjunctivitis involves the conjunctiva and the surrounding skin. It is often secondary to eyedrops or cosmetics. Vernal conjunctivitis usually occurs in children and is most common in warm weather. It is often in both eyes and may be recurrent. It is characterised by severe itching, and a thick mucous discharge. This comes with the summer/spring weather. It occurs every year in the same season till the age of 10-12 years. It requires follow-ups and treatment for a longer duration. Contact lens conjunctivitis is known as giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC) and is quite common. It is believed to be because of an allergic reaction to either the contact lens, protein deposits on the lens, or sometimes the preservative in the contact lens solution. What is allergic conjunctivitis? Conjunctivitis, also known as “pink eye”, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the membrane lining under the eyelids) and can be caused by allergies or infections. Allergic conjunctivitis and conjunctivitis caused by an infection can be hard to distinguish. Both have similar symptoms such as redness, itching and swelling in the eye area. However, when conjunctivitis is caused by allergies, both eyes are usually affected. Viral or bacterial conjunctivitis can affect either a single eye or both eyes. It is important to pinpoint whether someone has conjunctivitis because of allergies or infection since each condition has a different treatment. Common symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis are redness and itching under the eyelid, excessive watering and swelling of the eyeball. Common symptoms of conjunctivitis associated with infection are feeling that eyelids are glued shut upon waking, sensitivity to light, pus on the surface of the eye, and burning sensation. Treatment If you have ocular allergies or any other kind of allergic disease, the most effective treatment is prevention: try to avoid the allergens that trigger symptoms. For many people this is easier said than done, especially if your triggers are airborne such as pollen. When ocular allergies can’t be controlled, there are several medications that may help relieve symptoms. Most of these treatments come in a topical form — such as eye-drops or ointment. Eye-drops, also called “tear substitutes”, can help in two ways: by physically washing away allergens; by moistening the eye which can become dry and red when irritated. Eye-drops that contain medications to help reduce allergy symptoms also are available. Helpful strategies Using cold compresses can help reduce some of the discomfort associated with conjunctivitis. A washcloth soaked in cold water works well. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen-based medications, also can help reduce inflammation and symptoms like swelling in some patients. In any case, try to discover what is causing you eye allergy and then avoid it as you would for any allergy product. —
The writer is Chairman and Medical Director, Centre for Sight, New Delhi. e-mail: msachdev@bol.net.in
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Left-handed women’s risk of breast cancer higher
LONDON: Left-handed women are more than twice as likely as right-handers to suffer from breast cancer before reaching menopause, Dutch scientists have said.
More than a million women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide each year. Three-quarters of the cases occur after menopause, which usually begins around the age of 50. Researchers at the University Medical Centre in Utrecht in the Netherlands speculate that there is a shared origin early in life for both left-handedness and developing breast cancer, possibly exposure to hormones in the womb. “Left-handedness is associated with breast cancer, most specifically pre-menopausal breast cancer,” said Dr Cuno Uiterwaal, an assistant professor of clinical epidemiology at the university, in an interview. He and his colleagues studied 12,000 healthy, middle-aged women born between 1932-1941 who were part of a breast screening programme. The scientists determined their hand preference and followed up their medical history to see which women developed breast cancer.
— Reuters
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Living near a farm can be hazardous
London:
Families living near farms could be in danger from the spraying of pesticides and other chemicals.
In a highly-critical report, the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution claims government policies fail to protect the public, reports the Daily Mail.
The report says people who have reported ill-health are likely to be suffering the effects of chemical exposure. It also argues for a “precautionary approach”, including setting up no-spray buffer zones around fields. Its findings were welcomed by campaigners, who have linked chemical spraying to blistering, swollen throats, weeping eyes, ME and damage to the immune system.
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Ayurveda & you
While exploring the nutritional and curative value of many types of dietary items, ancient ayurvedic seers have discovered that beans and pulses are an immensely valuable part of our food. Not only are they low in fat and high in fibre, modern dieticians also find them to be a good source of protein, iron, B vitamins and other trace elements. Pulses contain the same amount of calories as cereals, but their protein contents are twice as those in the grains. According to the latest studies, eating pulses four times a week reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.
Of the most usable pulses, moong is one that has been described as the best for day-to-day use. Acharya Charaka has written that in both the green and yellow forms, it is astringent and sweet in taste, dry, light and cold in potency and has pungent post-digestive effect. It alleviates the vitiated kapha and pitta and is recommended to be served as soup during illness and convalescence. Due to its easily digestible properties moong dal is a dish of choice for people suffering from weak digestion, diarrhoea and dysentery and for those who are bed-ridden due to any prolonged illness. Black gram or the “mash” exceedingly alleviates the vitiated vata, is unctuous, hot in potency, sweet, heavy and strength promoting. It produces excreta in a large quantity and is considered equivalent to meat for vegetarians. Though ayurveda describes it among the difficult-to-digest food items, its use is recommended only to people who are weak due to hard labour but have good appetite or for those who indulge in strenuous exercise and sports activities. Adhaki or arahar is consumed by most people in central and eastern parts of India. It is an easily digestible, light, dry, astringent, anti-obesity and constipating agent. Masura and motha also have the same properties as those of arahar, but they are additionally rich in vitamins, minerals and iron contents. The Bengal gram pulse or “chane ki dhaal”, though has a good nutritive value, is dry in effect, slow in digestion and produces wind in the abdomen. “Besan” flour made of crushed Bengal gram pulse is considered good for diabetics and is used externally as a household cosmetic aid. While discussing the nutritional qualities of beans, ancient ayurvedic texts mention that these have astringent taste and are heavy in digestion. The two most commonly used beans are soya bean and rajmah or the red kidney beans. Soya beans have an extraordinary concentration of protein, minerals and calcium. These have also been developed into many other products like soya milk, sauces and dry pounded flakes. Similarly, rajmah is also a protein-enriched bean, but if it is consumed after improper cooking can cause spasms in the abdomen and diarrhoea. Due to their high-protein contents, pulses and beans should be used carefully by persons who are suffering from a high uric acid level. Many people after eating pulses complain of accumulation of gas and distension in the abdomen. Before cooking, all pulses and beans should be adequately soaked and rinsed in water and drained. Use of desi ghee along with common kitchen aids like Zeera, ajwain, ginger, garlic, hing and black pepper make them more beneficial for a perfect digestion. Some of the whole pulses can be sprouted to increase their nutritional value.
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Diabetes is eating into the urban lifestyle, and early heart attacks are manifestations of this. Increased prevalence of diabetes has been noted in more and more young people. According to the American Diabetes Association, if you have a coronary problem and are diabetic, you are already “one