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Beware of hospital-acquired infections
Glaucoma must be detected early
Health Notes
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Beware of hospital-acquired infections
More than two centuries ago, wrote Thomas Percival, “The inbred disease of hospitals will almost invariably creep, in same degrees, upon one who continues a long time in them, but will rarely attack one whose stay is short”. The statement has stood the test of time. The “inbred disease of hospital” continues to harm till date even in this period of technological superiority. The hospital diseases and problems are many, of which “hospital-acquired infection” is a dreaded fear “upon one who continues a long time in them (hospitals)”.
The occurrence of infections in hospitals is a matter of grave concern. This, however, is a global phenomenon which happens with similarly high incidence in all the hospitals of even the developed countries — the bigger the hospital, the greater the chances of infection. The problem in Indian hospitals is multiplied because of the conditions of over-crowding, poorer infrastructure and inadequate infection-control practices. The presence of a large number of people around the patient further complicates the problem. Hospital-acquired infections occur mostly in patients with prolonged hospitalisation who suffer from multiple illnesses, have multiple body invasions (intravenous lines, cannulae, catheters and tubes) and on multiple drugs. Most of the drugs and interventions are generally essential for their management. Therefore, the problem of infection becomes almost unavoidable. Intensive care units are the worst and most notoriously responsible for these problems. There are several different sources from which the infection can spread. Commonly one believes that the infection is transmitted through air by breathing. This is true for air-borne infections, mostly during an epidemic. Almost anyone, including the healthy attendants and health-care personnel, can get infected. Tuberculosis is one such infection which occurs in this fashion, especially among the hospital staff. On the other hand, the term hospital-acquired infections” is used for infections in patients admitted to the wards for the treatment of medico-surgical disorders. Pneumonias, blood-stream infections and urinary tract infections are the more common complications of a long stay in the hospital. Hospital infections are invariably more serious and complicated. They generally occur with germs which are resistant to most of the routinely used antibiotics. Obviously, one needs to use “higher antibiotics” which are costlier and potentially more toxic. Resistance soon develops to these second and third line antibiotics. Invariably, a vicious cycle sets in between the infections and the antibiotics. Unfortunately, the choice for the doctors and the patients is limited. The patient’s condition is going to worsen if appropriate drugs are not used. Those whose underlying illnesses are manageable can be salvaged. Patients with incurable, chronic and advanced diseases generally fail to recover. When hospitalisation is mandatory, for example for acute or acutely aggravated conditions, crowding and unnecessary visits by the well-wishers must be avoided. Hygienic practices, including personal cleanliness, are important for all who are around the patient. There is also a great onus on the hospital and its staff in maintaining hygiene. Repeated hand-washing while handling in the patients is important and goes a long way in decreasing the chances of infection. It is a Hobson’s choice for the patient’s family and the doctor to decide whether to continue the stay in the hospital. Patients and their families are often scared to stay away from the “safer” hospital surroundings. On the other hand, chronic advanced diseases are better managed at home. One needs to learn routine handling techniques and accept the fact that home treatment is better in the interest of the patient. Home treatment is also useful in conserving the resources of the family, including its time and finances. The writer is Professor and Head Department of Pulmonary Medicine,
PGI, Chandigarh.Email-dr.skjindal@gmail.com
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Glaucoma must be detected early
Glaucoma or kala-motia is an eye disease which is one of the leading causes of blindness. Glaucoma is fairly common in adults over age 35. When diagnosed early, blindness from glaucoma is almost always preventable.
Glaucoma is a disease which afflicts over 60 million people across the world. And worse, more than half of them do not even realise it until it is too late. Rightly called the Silent Vision Stealer, glaucoma creeps up on unsuspecting victims and by the time it is detected, it is often too late to save vision. Glaucoma affects the optic nerve which transmits visual messages to the brain. The nutrition to the eye is supplied by a fluid and in normal eyes the pressure of this fluid remains balanced. But with age, disease, trauma or other factors, the channels carrying the fluid get blocked, increasing the pressure inside the eye. In most cases, there are no symptoms of this increased pressure. The disease works silently, damaging the outer or peripheral vision first while maintaining the central vision. By the time the problem is detected, the patient has already suffered extensive peripheral vision damage which is irreversible. Some common symptoms of chronic glaucoma could be: l
Inability to adjust the eyes to darkened rooms such as theatres. l
Frequent changes in eye-glass prescription. l l
Blurred vision l l In the case of acute glaucoma resulting from a rapid increase in the intraocular pressure, there could be severe symptoms. These include: l
Feeling of a blind area in the field of vision. l
Seeing rainbow coloured halos around lights. l
Severe eye pain, facial pain. l
Red eye. l Cloudy vision with halos around light. l
Nausea and vomiting. Regular eye check-ups can help catch glaucoma at a very early stage, reducing the chances of vision loss. So, everyone who is in the high risk group should get tested. People with a family history are at greater risk and should get an annual test done irrespective of their age. Others who fall in this category are diabetics, hypertensive patients, thyroid patients and those with a high plus or minus power. The high-risk groups who can get glaucoma: l
Family history of glaucoma. l
History of diabetes. l People having high minus or plus numbered glasses. l
Age above 40 years. l People suffering from hypertension l
Anybody who has undergone any kind of eye surgery l
People with thyroid gland-related ailments. l
People with over-mature cataracts l
People with an injury to the eye. l
People with a history of prolonged use of steroid eye-drops. Points to remember l l l l The writer is Chairman and Medical Director, Centre for Sight, New Delhi. Email:
drmahipal@gmail.com
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Health Notes
A second study by the National Institute of Environmental Medicine in Stockholm discovered that those drinking at least two cups of black tea daily slashed the risk of ovarian cancer by nearly 50 per cent. Studies have emphasised the cancer-protecting properties of both teas that have also been observed to help the heart, boost the brain and bring down "bad" cholesterol levels. —
ANI
Vitamin D vital for activating
immune defences
LONDON: Vitamin D plays an important role in activating our immune defences against infectious diseases like flu, says a new study. According to the research, without sufficient intake of the vitamin, the killer cells of the immune system --- T cells ---- will not be able to react to and fight off serious infections in the body.
For T cells to detect and kill foreign pathogens such as clumps of bacteria or viruses, the cells must first be 'triggered' into action and 'transform' from inactive and harmless immune cells into killer cells that are primed to seek out and destroy all traces of a foreign pathogen. Scientists at the University of Copenhagen discovered that the T cells rely on vitamin D in order to activate and they would remain dormant, 'naive' to the possibility of threat if vitamin D is lacking in the blood. —
ANI 9 in 10 Britons do not
get enough sleep LONDON: A new study has revealed that nine in 10 Britons do not get enough sleep and that millions are risking their health by depriving themselves of much needed rest. The study found that the average Briton sleeps for just six hours and seven minutes a night, well below the eight hours recommended by experts, with 17 per cent regularly dozing off at work, reports the Daily Express. Researchers found that in Aberdeen, home to the UK's most sleep-deprived people, the typical resident has just five hours and 23 minutes a night. And in Norwich, which is the UK's sleepiest city, residents spend only six hours and 38 minutes in bed. More than 3,000 adults were quizzed about their sleeping habits in a survey commissioned by shopping channel QVC. Money worries are the most common cause of difficulty sleeping, being cited by 48 per cent. They are followed by relationship troubles (34 per cent) and family troubles (33 per cent). —
ANI
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More than two centuries ago, wrote Thomas Percival, “The inbred disease of hospitals will almost invariably creep, in same degrees, upon one who continues a long time in them, but will rarely attack one whose stay is short”. The statement has stood the test of time. The “inbred disease of hospital” continues to harm till date even in this period of technological superiority. The hospital diseases and problems are many, of which “hospital-acquired infection” is a dreaded fear “upon one who continues a long time in them (hospitals)”.
Glaucoma or kala-motia is an eye disease which is one of the leading causes of blindness. Glaucoma is fairly common in adults over age 35. When diagnosed early, blindness from glaucoma is almost always preventable.Glaucoma is a disease which afflicts over 60 million people across the world. And worse, more than half of them do not even realise it until it is too late. Rightly called the Silent Vision Stealer, glaucoma creeps up on unsuspecting victims and by the time it is detected, it is often too late to save vision.
LONDON: Having two cups of black tea or one cup of green tea a day can help cut down the risk of developing ovarian cancer in women, says a study. Researchers at the University of Washington studied 2,000 women and noticed a 54 per cent risk reduction in those who drank one or more cups of green tea a day, the Daily Express reported.