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| HEALTH & FITNESS |
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How chronic ankle pain can be managed EYESIGHT
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Air travel: Beware of a potentially fatal complication
Whenever you go on a long-distance flight remember that your life may be threatened not only by a terrorist attack but also because of a health condition becoming increasingly common as the number of passengers increases. This is deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Venous blood normally flows up from our legs through the veins which carry it back to the heart. Blood has to be in constant motion to prevent it from getting clotted or clumped. If one is sitting cramped for a long time as can happen in a long-distance journey, clots can form at various points in the leg as blood flow gets sluggish in the absence of regular movement of the legs. There are valves every 4 – 6 inches up the leg veins. A small blood clot can form behind one of the valves. The clot itself causes stasis of blood, discomfort and pain in the leg and calf and swelling at the ankles. The clot can produce a life-threatening complication – pulmonary embolism – in up to 25-30 per cent cases. In this condition, a large piece of clot breaks off and travels to the lung. The blood supply to the lungs gets suddenly choked and the patient may collapse or become severely blue and have difficulty in breathing. In some cases death can occur if appropriate medical care is not immediately available or if the clot is very large. In a plane the only therapy available is the administration of oxygen, which may not be enough. The proper treatment comprises the administration of blood thinners to dissolve the clot. This can be only done in a hospital. At times emergency open-heart surgery may be required to remove the clot. This is a high-risk procedure. Rarely in the presence of a hole in the heart the clot may land up in other organs like the brain where it can produce a stroke. People facing the maximum risk of developing deep vein thrombosis:
Healthy passengers are also at some risk if they remain immobile during the flight. In fact, this happened recently to Australian athletes who were flying long distance to a sports meet. In a study, it was found that one in 10 passengers over the age of 50 and taking flights of eight hours or longer developed early signs of DVT. This potentially fatal complication can be prevented by the following: 1. Make sure that you have enough space to move your legs – store all cabin luggage in the overhead compartment 2. Drink lots of water 3. Avoid alcohol and tea or coffee 4. Straighten and move your legs intermittently 5. Move around the cabin every half an hour (avoid getting in the way of the cabin crew). Do not get excessively worried about not disturbing your fellow passengers. 6. Support stockings may be worn on long flights 7. For e-thrombosis prevention – it is advisable to take micro-breaks from the computer. Drink lots of water, stretch and walk or at least clench and unclench the calf muscles. 8. A tablet of aspirin before takeoff can reduce clot formation 9. In a person with a proven predisposition, an injection of anticoagulant within 12 hours of flying would be helpful. Measures 8 and 9 should be taken only after medical consultation. The first 5 steps are really very simple and can easily avert a potential disaster. So, on your next trip make sure that you get a medical check-up done and follow the simple steps to avoid a health-related crisis. The writer is Head, Cardio-Vascular & Thoracic Surgery, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana. Email: drhsbedi@hotmail.com
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How chronic ankle pain can be managed Individuals suffering from ankle sprain are normally advised rest. They are also prescribed pain relieving medicines, with or without crepe bandage, etc. After some time pain and swelling decrease and the patient is back to his normal activities. Most of such individuals feel no discomfort in their day-to-day activities, but have a pain and swelling reappears when they put load on the ankle as in walking upstairs, running, squatting, etc. The patients, when not treated properly, experience a feeling of “giving away” of the ankle. On an uneven surface, such individuals have the risk of suffering from recurrent ankle sprain. The recurrence of the problem causes chronic ankle laxity that is manifested as pain or soreness, swelling, loosening of the ankle and locking or giving away. The ankle joint commonly gets afflicted by injuries, mostly sprain. This is a common occurrence during exercises and certain sports. The usual presentation could be an individual landing his or her foot forcefully on an uneven surface, or when our foot is turned inwards suddenly with force. This stresses the ligaments that normally help stabilise the outer part of the joint. There might be a history of sudden snap/pop when this type of injury happens. Ankle sprain ranges in severity from grade-I to grade-III, depending on the extent of injury to the ligament. Prolonged immobilisation should be avoided as early mobilisation promotes healing and increases the range of motion. Improper rehabilitation and returning to activity without proper healing can lead to instability. Patients can be declared fit to return to normal activity only when there is a full range of motion of the ankle or when one has the ability to walk without a limp. Treatment in the initial stage is aimed at reducing post-injury swelling, bleeding and pain, especially during the first 24 hours. Protection of the ankle during the initial healing phase is extremely important. Taping, or ankle stirrup, or brace/crepe bandage also applied. In some cases, crutches are used until there is pain-free weight bearing is capacity. In the next stage, priority needs to be given to increasing the range of motion with the following:
The writer runs a pain management clinic in Chandigarh. E-mail: chadha_r2003
@yahoo.co.in
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EYESIGHT According to the World Health Organisation, corneal blindness is a major cause for concern with lakhs of patients suffering from it in India itself. With most of us turning a blind eye towards this growing epidemic, a cure for corneal blindness is progressively becoming difficult. This is so because artificial corneas aren’t readily available in the market and hundreds of eyes are being wasted with cremation everyday. These two factors coupled with a sense of apathy towards the less fortunate force more and more people to join the existing long list of patients waiting to regain their lost vision. The only way we can curb this menace is by pledging our eyes. After all, each of us can give sight to two blind people. What is cornea? The cornea is a clear, transparent tissue covering the front of the eye, responsible for more than 2/3 of the eye’s focusing power. Factors such as physical injury, malnutrition, infection, chemical burns, congenital disorders and post-operative complications often lead to corneal blindness, sometimes even at an early age. Eat healthy All children below six years of age should be provided with supplementary doses of Vitamin-A solution. Blueberries, cherries, pomegranates and food rich in DHA can help prevent macular degeneration, one of the most common causes of blindness in India. Vaccinate on time Immunisation as per schedule is important. For example, the Rubella vaccine goes a long way in preventing the transfer of infections from the mother to the newborn, thus preventing the occurence of severe ocular diseases, including corneal clouding. Stay safe Use of protective devices and headgear for appropriate eye protection by people involved in high-risk industrial work or agricultural activity can reduce the risk of corneal injuries to a great extent. Keep sharp articles away from the reach of children. Special caution should also be taken while playing with colours or burning crackers. Visit an eye specialist In addition, traditional practices, including home remedies, need to be discouraged and an eye specialist should be consulted even for minor eye problems. Surgical cure Once a corneal scar develops, surgical management remains the only option for visual rehabilitation. Corneal transplantation, also known as corneal grafting, is the definitive treatment for a corneal scar. Corneal grafting Sight lost due to corneal diseases can only be restored through corneal transplantation - a clinical procedure in which the damaged cornea of the patient is replaced with a clear, healthy cornea. Since artificial corneas have not been developed yet, corneal transplant or grafting is possible only when a voluntary donor pledges and donates his or her eyes after death. Let your eyes live longer Let your eyes change someone’s life. Pledging eyes for donation can light up the lives of millions of people who are waiting to see the world. A deceased person can bring the gift of sight to two people. Almost anyone of any age can pledge to donate his or her eyes after death. It doesn’t matter even if the donor has a history of hypertension, diabetes, asthma or tuberculosis. Spectacle wearers and people who have undergone an operation for cataract can also donate their eyes. The writer is Chairman and Medical Director, Centre for Sight, New Delhi. Email: drmahipal@gmail.com |
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Health Notes Washington: Espresso, French roast and other kinds of dark-roasted coffee is not harmful for the tummy as was previously believed because these roasts contain a substance that tells the stomach to reduce the production of acid, according to a study. People who resist from enjoying that much-desired morning cup of coffee because of fear of stomach irritation can also take a sigh of relief because scientists have discovered the culprits behind that heartburn and stomach pain in every cup. The research may lead to a new generation of stomach-friendly brews with the rich taste and aroma of regular coffee. One of the researchers said the processes used to produce stomach-friendly coffee also could reduce the amount of healthful substances in the coffee, including some that scientists have linked to benefits such as protection against diabetes and heart disease.
— ANI Infertile men at higher prostate cancer risk Washington:
Infertility increases a man’s risk of prostate cancer, a new research has found. The study showed that infertile men have an increased risk of developing high-grade prostate cancer, which is more likely to grow and spread quickly. The study’s results suggest that because infertility may be an identifiable risk factor for prostate cancer, early screening may be warranted in infertile men. Research focusing on the number of children a man has points to male fertility’s potential associated with the risk for prostate cancer.
— ANI Seaweed can help fight obesity Washington:
Seaweed could hold the key to conquering obesity, scientists believe. Their research shows that it can reduce fat uptake by more than 75 per cent. Now scientists at Newcastle University are adding the seaweed fibre to bread and launching trials to see if foods can be developed which can even help people lose weight. The research team, led by Dr Iain Brownlee and Prof Jeff Pearson, has found that dietary fibre in one of the world’s largest commercially used seaweed could reduce the amount of fat absorbed by the body by around 75 per cent.
— ANI
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Health Notes
