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Stress syndrome in elderly
Dementia sufferers set to double every 20 years
Exposure to sun ‘may help people with cancer survive’
Three major killers
Facts about mouthwash
Health Notes
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Stress syndrome in elderly
Stress in general, particularly among the elders with multi-factor genesis, adversely affects many functions of the body if it persists for a long time without being resolved. The victim starts manifesting, one after the other, a multitude of symptoms affecting one system or the other when he/she becomes hopeless and helpless to resolve the problem. The commonly affected systems are cardio-vascular, digestive, neurological and endocrine systems.
The stress syndrome may depict a rise in blood pressure, an accelerated pulse rate, cardiac arrythemias, lack of appetite, an irritable bowl syndrome, aches and itches, an abnormal rise in blood sugar levels, depressive psychosis, lack of control of temper, suicidal tendencies and many more problems which are witnessed in our polyclinics for elders. Pain, specially when chronically persistent, as in root-infected caries of molar tooth, cancer, osteoarthritis is highly stressful. It must be mitigated. There is a plethora of pain-killers. Most of them belong to diclofenic, ibuprofen, etrocoxib, acetaminophen, paracetamol and salicylate group of drugs in various combinations, oral and injectable. These should be used skilfully to alleviate pain. In modern times, it is a medical crime to let the patient wreath in pain. Chronic ailments requiring a long-drawn therapy, as in tuberculosis, rheumatoid diseases, malignant maladies, are mostly complicated by stress. In such cases, an ab initio counselling to keep alive the hope for a cure is most essential. Acute or gradual failure of one or more of the vital organs like heart, kidney and liver is highly stressful. However, modern bio-medical technology can detect any such failure, controllably in time. Therefore, an annual assessment of blood chemistry, CT, MRI and ultra-sound screening. ECG and angiographic examination, especially after the age of 60 years, is advisable. A large number of tranquilisers belonging to the alprazolen and diazapem group of drugs and various mood elevators are available as on the counter medicines in the market. While their judicious and skilful use under medical advice is beneficial, their indiscriminate and long indulgence, besides habit forming, can be harmful. A brief mention must be made of two more factors for stress among elders, namely financial insecurity and domestic violence. While the stress syndrome in such cases is referred for medical treatment, the cure lies in the domain of social security and social welfare. Old age pension, old age home and statutory enactment to deal with indifferent sons and daughter-in-laws have already been provided. |
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Dementia sufferers set to double every 20 years
LONDON: The number of people with dementia will almost double every 20 years across the world, researchers have predicted.
British experts calculated figures for the number of people worldwide who will suffer dementia , including Alzheimer's disease, in the future. The fact people are living longer than ever before is a major factor driving the increasing incidence of dementia . The latest study estimates that the number of people with dementia and Alzheimer's will almost double every 20 years worldwide, to 65.7 million in 2030 and 115.4 million in 2050. A total of 35.6 million people will have dementia in 2010, the report said. At present, some 700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia , with more than half of these suffering from Alzheimer's. It has previously been predicted that in less than 20 years nearly a million people in the UK will be living with dementia , soaring to 1.7 million people by 2051. The latest research - contained in the World Alzheimer's Report 2009 - is published by Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI). Diet helps prevent dementia It said that, over the next 20 years, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase by 40 per cent in Europe (44 per cent in Western Europe), 63 per cent in North America, 77 per cent in southern Latin American and 89 per cent in developed Asia Pacific countries. — The Independent
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Exposure to sun ‘may help people with cancer survive’
Sunbathing is known to cause skin cancer — but it may also help people survive when they get it, scientists are reporting. Two studies published yesterday showed that vitamin D produced by the action of the sun on the skin may help improve survival for patients with skin and bowel cancer.
The bizarre finding suggests that health warnings to avoid the sun have been too simplistic. Some exposure to the sun is necessary for health - it is excessive exposure leading to burning of the skin that does the damage. A research team from the University of Leeds working with the US National Institutes of Health found a high level of vitamin D — suggestive of high sun exposure — protected patients with malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Those with the lowest levels of the vitamin D in their blood at the time of diagnosis were 30 per cent more likely to suffer a recurrence of the disease after treatment than those who had the highest levels. Patients with the highest levels of the vitamin also had the thinnest tumours at diagnosis. Results of the study, funded by Cancer Research UK and the NIH, are published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The findings add to the growing body of evidence that boosting levels of vitamin D could protect against a wide range of diseases, or extend survival with them. The gloomy weather and long winter in countries north of 30 degrees latitude, such as the UK, means that a large part of the earth's population is deficient in the vitamin between October and March. The weight of evidence has grown so dramatically that governments around the world are reviewing their recommendations on the minimum recommended limits. Professor Julia Newton Bishop, of the Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, who led the melanoma study, said: "It is common for people to have low levels of vitamin D in many countries. Melanoma patients tend to avoid the sun as sunburn is known to increase the risk of the disease. “Our results suggest that melanoma patients may need to get vitamin D by eating fatty fish or by taking supplements to ensure they have normal levels.”
— The Independent |
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Three major killers
LONDON: Doctors have for the first time quantified the effect of the three major killers of middle-aged men: smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Men who smoke and fail to give up, or to control their blood pressure and cholesterol (where necessary) are sacrificing 10 to 15 years of their lives.
Results from the 40-year Whitehall study, landmark research into 19,000 civil servants begun in the late 1960s, shows that men who reached the age of 50 with all three risk factors lived on average to the age of 73, while those without any of the risks lived till 83. When other risks were included, such as diabetes and obesity, they found the least healthy lived until 70 on average, while the most healthy lived till 85. — The Independent
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Facts about mouthwash
Should you use mouth rinse? Regularly or sparingly? And which one? If you have ever been confused by such questions, read on.
Why use mouthwash? It is primarily to have odour-free breath. Mouth rinses do leave your breath feeling fresh, and this is why they thrive and sell. What are the different types of mouthwash in the market? Mouth rinses are either cosmetic or therapeutic. Cosmetic rinses: These partly lessen bacteria in the mouth, temporarily suppress bad breath and freshen the mouth with a pleasant taste. Mouth-rinsing products have demonstrated only minimal effectiveness in reducing bacterial accumulation — dental plaque — which is the main cause of dental disease. Partially killing the bacteria leads to attachment of dead cells to the teeth. Your saliva contains muco-proteins, which settle on the teeth and all oral surfaces, thereby creating an environment for bacterial adherence. Growth of dental plaque begins and thick biofilm (the bacteria-laden layer) may become resistant to anti-microbial agents. Therapeutic rinses: These contain a higher concentration of an active anti-bacterial ingredient. Their use markedly diminishes bacteria in the mouth, refreshes the mouth with a pleasant taste and temporarily suppress bad breath. There are many commercial names of these mouth washes; the generic compound in these is chlorhexidine. It acts by killing the bacteria in the mouth. Generally speaking, the dentist may recommend a therapeutic mouthwash before and after gum treatment or other surgical procedures, to be used for a very limited time. This chemical control of oral hygiene is recommended as it is not possible for the patient to brush teeth optimally after a surgical operation in the oral cavity. It is given for a few days. As soon as it is not required, its use should be tapered and stopped. Regular use of mouthwash is not recommended. This is because it maintains oral hygiene by killing bacteria in the mouth; the normal commensals (friendly bacteria) also are eliminated. Long-term total absence of bacteria would encourage the growth of fungal infections in the oral cavity, which is more problematic. The other disadvantage is that its long-term use leads to formation of black stains on the teeth. Mouthwash containing alcohol: The ingredients of mouthwashes vary, but some contain high levels of alcohol — ranging from 18 to 26 per cent. This may produce a burning sensation in the cheeks, teeth and gums, or may cause intoxication if swallowed or used excessively. For children, even small doses of these over-the-counter rinses can be potentially lethal. Some mouth rinse formulas may actually be doing more harm than good to your teeth by masking the symptoms of a deep-seated gum disease. With gum/periodontal disease, bad breath and an unpleasant taste in your mouth are one of the (and sometimes only) indicators. Desensitising mouthwash: Another mouthwash prescribed is for reducing the sensitivity of teeth. There is no harmful effect of its long-term use. However, its regular use is not advised. After all, it’s a chemical, and no chemical should be used forever unless absolutely needed and medically recommended. Once the sensitivity is treated, its regular application should be stopped. It can be used sporadically if required. Some people consider it fashionable to use a mouthwash after brushing their teeth. Various commercial preparations are available containing triclosan. These may be used very sparingly. Fluoride mouth rinse: The only mouthwash which delivers value for the money spent is one containing fluorides. The daily use of fluoride mouth rinses/ washes has been shown to reduce tooth decay even if you are drinking fluoridated water and using fluoridated toothpaste The writer is former Professor and Head, Oral Health Sciences Centre, PGI, Chandigarh. Email: chawlahs@gmail.com
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Health Notes
Melbourne: Scientists hope that the harvesting of what they call ''booster broccoli'' — containing more vitamins and nutrients than other vegetables — will soon begin.
Bred from strains of the vegetable naturally high in antioxidants, it joins a growing crop of ''super foods'' that are believed to be good enough to prevent heart disease, cancers and degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, and help weight control. Vital Vegetables chairman John says that capsicums with extra vitamins A, C and E levels, and tomatoes that can reduce risks of prostate cancer will be released in the next 12 months. According to him, supermarkets will soon stock foods ''boasting higher levels of goodness''.
— ANI Image-guided therapy good
in thrombosis patients
Washington: Image-guided interventional radiology procedures could improve long-term treatment in patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT), a serious condition that involves the formation of a blood clot inside of a deep vein usually in the legs. A patient with DVT is typically treated with anticoagulants (blood thinners). "DVT is estimated to occur in nearly one million persons per year in the United States alone. The anticoagulant treatment method is good at preventing pulmonary emboli. However, it does not completely destroy a blood clot or prevent a patient from developing long-term complications — including chronic, daily leg pain, swelling, changes in skin colour, and open sores," said Dr. Suresh Vedantham, lead author of the study.
— ANI Breathing technique can
reduce asthma severity
Washington: Asthmatics can improve their conditions by changing the way they breathe, say experts. Thomas Ritz and Alicia Meuret, from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, have developed a four-week programme to teach asthmatics how to better control their condition with the help of new breathing techniques. During an attack, sufferers tend to hyperventilate, breathing fast and deep against constricted airways to fight an overwhelming feeling of oxygen deprivation. Unfortunately, this makes the problem worse by lowering the body's carbon dioxide levels, which restricts blood flow to the brain and can further irritate already hypersensitive bronchial passages.
— ANI
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Stress in general, particularly among the elders with multi-factor genesis, adversely affects many functions of the body if it persists for a long time without being resolved. The victim starts manifesting, one after the other, a multitude of symptoms affecting one system or the other when he/she becomes hopeless and helpless to resolve the problem.
Soon, 'booster broccoli' to keep diseases at bay
