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| HEALTH & FITNESS |
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Never ignore lump in your breast
Ayurveda & you
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Never ignore lump in your breast Steps are being taken all over the world to familiarise everyone with breast cancer as the disease is spreading fast. Only two or three decades earlier it was believed to be a disease of the advanced Western world, but this is no longer true. Its incidence is rapidly increasing, and even in a country like India, it seems to be affecting a sizable percentage of the female population. Cancer of the cervix was the commonest cancer seen in Indian women earlier, but now breast cancer has overtaken it, particularly in metropolitan cities. The main cause is the change in people’s lifestyle. Smoking, alcohol consumption and the increasing intake of fat-rich food are some of the factors contributing to the spread of breast cancer. At present, it is not possible to prevent or avoid breast cancer, but it is possible to diagnose it at a very early stage and treat it properly. The patient can be cured of the problem. Diagnosis of breast cancer at a very early stage is not easy. It is possible only if the woman concerned is knowledgeable and regularly follows screening protocol. Thanks to screening protocol, more and more cases of breast cancer of a very early stage (tumour being less than 0.5 cm in diameter) are being diagnosed, when complete cure is possible in 90 per cent of the cases. Screening protocol consists of three activities: Self-examination of the breast – It should be carried out every month by every woman above the age of 40 years. The technique of the examination should be learnt so that it is done systematically and properly; otherwise a false negative result will give a false assurance to the patient. The presence of any of the following, particularly if it is a new development, should be taken as a warning signal and the person must consult a specialist to rule out the presence of cancer: lSwelling in the breast or the armpit: However small it may be, it is suspicious unless proved otherwise. It should be clearly understood that cancerous swelling, to start with, is never painful. The presence of pain denotes complications. n
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Retraction or puckering of the nipple. n
An ulcer or wound in the skin. n
An increase or decrease in the size of the breast. In case you notice any of the above mentioned factors, then go in for an early consultation to rule out the possibility of cancer in the breast. Clinical examination of the breast (and the related areas) should be done by an experienced and competent doctor, who should be able to detect any abnormality that may be present. This should be done at least once in a year, if not more. Mammography of both breasts every second year up to the age of 50 and then every year must be done. Mammography by the conventional method is usually performed, but MRI mammography has an advantage of being more accurate, although it is expensive. Ultra-sonography yields better results in cases of dense breasts. High-risk cases (those with a history of breast cancer in close relations, and a history of cancer in either of the breasts) should preferably have mammography done every year right from the beginning. A woman who finds any of the above-mentioned changes in her breast should consult a surgeon. This is the only way to identify the problem. The management of breast cancer has also changed significantly during the past 25 years. It is no more the domain of a single specialty. It may require the services of a surgeon, an oncologist, a radiotherapist, a histo-pathologist, a psychologist, a physiotherapist, etc. Another important measure to be adhered to is a life-long close follow-up of the patient with her doctor so that the recurrence of the disease can be detected and treated. It should be clearly remembered that a patient of breast cancer can develop metastasis after 20 or 30 years, and she can be treated effectively even at that stage. But the most important factor is to detect the metastasis at an early stage and manage it properly. However, there is no magic cure for cancer. Religious gurus can give psychological boost, but the physical status of the patient will definitely deteriorate if she only goes according to what they say. The take-home message: Never ignore any change in the breast, however innocuous it may be. Take to the well-trodden path of effective treatment and go in for a life-long follow-up. The writer, a retired Senior Professor & Head of the Department of Surgery, PGI, is a former President, Association of the Surgeons of India. |
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Play safe to enjoy Quite often the joyous mood of Diwali is marred by accidental burns while lighting fire-crackers. Ninety-five per cent of the burns are accidental. And 80 per cent burn victims are children because these accidents often happen at home. With a little care, therefore, these accidents can be prevented. When injuries are on the face, hands or arms, 40 per cent of those affected are children below the age of 14. “Lighting a fire-cracker may seem very easy and funny, but if one is not careful it can cause serious damage. One should never attempt to re-light a dud fire-cracker because it can go off. You should douse it with water instead”. This is what safety experts say. DON’Ts n
DON’T attempt to relight a dud fire-cracker. It could still go off and have even less of a wick. Let it sit for several minutes and then douse it with water. n
DON’T use fireworks or sparklers indoors. n
DON’T carry fireworks in your pocket. They’re explosives and can go off prematurely even if they’re not lit. n
DON’T light fireworks in metal or glass containers DO’s n
Buy standard quality fireworks. n
DO supervise children while they light fireworks. n
DO wear cottons while bursting crackers. n
DO read and follow the label directions. It’s a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how often people ignore the directions. n
DO light fire-works away from buildings, trees, dry grass, etc. n
DO bury your fireworks at least half-way down into a bucket of sand angled on a trajectory away from spectators and combustibles. n
DO have water handy (garden hose and bucket) to soak fireworks after firing. n
DO light a fire-cracker from a distance, standing back and keeping your face away. n
DO douse sparklers with water and allow them to cool in a safe place away from children. The ends of sparklers remain hot for some time, and will easily burn a child’s skin, clothing or nearby combustible material. n
If you are asthmatic, keep your inhalers handy and chest covered. n
Eyes are the most important, sensitive and exposed area; complete precaution must be taken. In case of an eye irritation, splash a lot of water and don’t rub the eyes with dirty hands. n
DO arm yourselves in advance with information on how to administer first aid to the injured person. Don’t panic if you have cracker burns. Do the following: Remove the injured person from the heat source. Remove the clothing from the burned area immediately. Run cold water over the burned area (if water isn’t available, any cold, drinkable fluid can be used) or hold a clean, cold compress on the burn for approximately 10 to 15 minutes (do not use ice, as it may cause the burn to take a longer time to heal). Do not apply butter, grease, powder, toothpaste, flour dough, oil, etc, or any other remedies to the burn. Instead, apply some antibiotic. The aim is to dissipate the heat. Home remedies will keep the heat locked inside. In addition, this increases the risk of infection. If the burned area is small, loosely cover it with a sterile bandage. If the area affected is small (the size of a quarter or smaller), keep it clean and continue to use cool compresses and a loose dressing over the next 24 hours. Seek medical help immediately when the burned area is large, even if it seems like a minor burn. The writer is Chief Consultant Dermatologist & Dermato-Laser Surgeon, National Skin Hospital, Panchkula. E-mail: drvikas.nscindia@gmail.com |
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Ayurveda & you Fruits are considered an important part of a balanced diet. They not only contain the necessary vitamins and minerals but are also a very good source of energy. Commonly, we come across the wet and dry variety of fruits. Dry fruits or nuts, as they are generally referred to, are the little packages of proteins, oils, vitamins and minerals essential for the growth and maintenance of the human body. Almond is the foremost of these dry fruits and is considered a phyto-chemical powerhouse. It contains a good quality of calcium and protein, and is also enclosed with trace elements like phosphorus, zinc and magnesium in a reasonable quantity. Due to the presence of vitamin E in it, almond improves the texture of the skin and is considered an anti-aging agent. Ancient Ayurvedic texts have described almond as hot, unctuous and heavy in effect. While enhancing kapha and pitta, it alleviates vata and is considered the best among the general tonics. Almond is also famous for its oil which has an immense therapeutic value. Acting as a restorative health aid, almond oil nurtures the brain and the nervous system, and is of great help to the elderly people. Taking occasionally with warm milk, a half teaspoonful of almond oil not only provides the benefits of an antioxidant but also acts as an intestinal lubricant and helps manage chronic constipation. Walnut is another important dry fruit which has been used by the early Greeks and the Persians for its oil and as a thickening agent in the desserts. Called akshot in Sanskrit and akhrot more commonly, walnut is hot in effect and is a well-acknowledged brain tonic. Its hard shell has astringent properties. In folk medicine its ash is used as an important ingredient in preparing tooth powder — manjan. Apart from containing a host of important vitamins, minerals, proteins and antioxidant ingredients, including omega -3 fatty acid, walnut improves blood circulation, strengthens the nerves and acts as an immunity booster. Due to its hot effect, excessive consumption of walnut during the summer months can result in skin rashes and mouth ulcers. For better compliance, walnut can be eaten after being soaked overnight in water. Dates are also equally popular as a dry fruit and they are the staple food in many West Asian countries. Called khajur in ancient Ayurvedic literature, the date fruit is a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals. Due to the abundance of the natural sugar content, it gives instant energy and is relied upon to be used in debilitating diseases and after prolonged fasting conditions. Dates are a helpful adjunct in treating hyperacidity, constipation, anaemia, nervous disorders, etc. Mildly sweet but rich in calories, cashew or ‘kaju’ is basically a native of the Brazilian rain forests. It was taken to different parts of the world by Portuguese explorers. Cashews are packed with soluble dietary fibre and are rich in monounsaturated fat besides containing a good amount of calcium and B Vitamins. Being hot in effect, cashew nuts should always be used in moderation. Obtained by desiccating a high quality of black and green grapes, raisins are another delightful dry fruit. Called draksha or daakh in common parlance, this tiny dry fruit contains many vitamins, amino acids and minerals which facilitate the absorption of other nutrients in the body. It is a distinct dry fruit, which is cold in effect and is therapeutically given in febrile conditions, constipation, hyperacidity, emaciation and the menopausal syndrome. The writer is a Ludhiana-based senior ayurvedic physician and a Guru at the Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth. E mail –
ayu@live.in
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Half-hour walk a day may prevent 10,000 cancer deaths London: Walking for half-an-hour a day could prevent 10,000 cases of cancer deaths a year, a new research has suggested. A regular stroll could also slash the deadly toll of thousands more deaths from heart disease and other chronic illnesses, the report said. The World Cancer Research Fund is calling on people to “take to the streets” after new figures reveal that the number of trips people take on foot is now down to the lowest level since records began in 1988. There has been a 28 per cent fall over the past 15 years alone. — ANI Healthy food better at fixing high cholesterol than pills Washington: Changing your diet might actually do a better job to lower your cholesterol than cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins, which can sap your energy and cause problems for your sex life, according to a new study. A nutrient-poor diet filled with added sugars and unhealthy trans fats is understood to cause high cholesterol, the study said, so healthy food, like fruits, vegetables and nuts might help better fix the problem, according to ABC News. The researchers followed 345 people with high cholesterol who were placed on one of two vegetarians, low-cholesterol diets for six months. The first was a low-saturated-fat diet and participants were told simply to eat low-fat dairy and get more fruits and vegetables into their meals. The second group had help from nutritionists to incorporate specific cholesterol-lowering foods into their meals, including soy proteins, nuts, oats, peas, and beans. — ANI Insufficient sleep may trigger weight gain in teens Washington: Sleeping less than eight hours a night may be lead to weight gain in teens, a new study led by an Indian-origin researcher has found. Furthermore, obesity is linked to short sleep duration in teenage boys, with the fewest hours slept linked to the highest BMI levels, the report said. “Sleep is food for the brain. When teens do not get enough sleep, they fall asleep in class, struggle to concentrate, look and feel stressed, get sick more often, and do not meet their obligations due to tiredness,” said study author Lata Casturi of the Medicine Sleep Center in Houston, Texas.
— ANI
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