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| HEALTH & FITNESS |
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How hot and humid weather impacts health Leg pain and numbness: Delay in treatment can be dangerous Health Notes
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How hot and humid weather impacts health Weather conditions determine the quality of ground air pollution by dictating the accumulation and dispersion of particulate matter, gases and fumes generated by different natural and human activities. Vehicular and industrial emissions are the two most significant sources of such pollutants. Burning of solid fuels (e.g. dried dung, wood and crop residue) for cooking, heating or for mere disposal of waste is another important source. Concentrations of pollutants are significantly increased during dry conditions while the rains may temporarily decrease air pollution. Air pollutants, depending upon their types and concentrations, are harmful and potentially dangerous. In addition to the climate change-driven increase in air temperature, there are effects of the urban-”built” environment. There is an increasing number of urban dwellers now than about 50 years ago. About half of the people worldwide and about 30 per cent in India live in the cities. Rapid urbanisation has necessitated the requirement of engineered-infrastructure, and crowded and tall buildings for accommodation. The increased energy use and decreased dissipation of heat, collectively termed as the ‘urban heat effect’, have added to the rise in surface temperature. The tall buildings and concrete surfaces act as ‘canyons’ in the cities. This plays a powerful role in the local urban climate. Hot weather conditions as currently prevalent are particularly hostile in being responsible for lethargy, tiredness and fatigue. The dryness of air results in the loss of body fluid and dehydration, especially following exertion and on direct exposure to sun. Muscle cramps, headache and body-ache are common due to the loss of body fluid and salt. The ailments get further aggravated by-excessive sweating during humid conditions. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can sometimes result in ‘heat stroke’ followed by brain damage and even death. The rains bring relief on the one hand but add to the problems by promoting an excessive growth of weeds, grass, insects, mosquitoes and other vectors in stagnated water pools and pockets. Gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhoea, dysentery and jaundice are common in the summer months. Similarly, direct exposure of the skin and the eyes to the sun is equally deleterious in causing dryness and itching, sun-burns and infections. An increase of 0.5°C in the temperature can cause a 30-100 per cent rise in mosquito breeding. Open treeless habitats and a warmer temperature are also likely to increase the survival of Mosquitoes in pools of water. One can, therefore, expect a larger number of people suffering from malaria, dengue and other vector-borne diseases (e.g. yellow fever and encephalitis) in the future. The indoor environment in humid climate gets statle and polluted. There is a tendency to keep the doors and windows closed to lower the temperature with the help of coolers and air-conditioners. Consequently, there are increased concentrations of indoor volatile chemicals, and gases. The humid conditions also allow growth of organic allergens from mites and insets. Increased occurrence of respiratory tract infections and pneumonia are common in vulnerable populations. Both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are worse during periods of a heavier pollutant burden. The warmer, humid environment is conducive to the growth of several fungi, mites and insects, many of which cause asthma exacerbations, increased hospitalisation and higher rates of deaths. Increased carbon dioxide production is also responsible for an increased allergen load. Most of the green house gases are responsible for the depletion of the protective ozone layer over the earth which prevents and filters the harmful ultraviolet and other rays from the sun in the sky. These rays are directly responsible for the problems of increased pigmentation, sun-burn and skin cancers. Heavy ultraviolet exposure has deleterious effects on eyes, leading to visual impairment and blindness. Seasonal health effects are avoidable with care and caution. Fluid replacement and avoidance of direct exposure to sun are important to maintain the body homeostasis. The intake of contaminated, unclean water and foods on the roads must be avoided. They constitute the most important source of gastrointestinal disorders. Consume filtered and/or boiled water. In no condition should water be allowed to stagnate outside residential areas for prolonged periods. Similarly, protection from mosquito bites by covering the exposed areas, use of other measures at home and while out in the parks is equally important. Respiratory protection is best provided by adequate ventilation of the closed rooms by opening the windows and doors everyday to refresh the environment and avoid the effects of indoor air pollutants. Masking of indoor smells by fragrances and deodorants is of no help — they only add to the indoor concentrations of pollutants such as the volatile chemicals. Such a masking is of cosmetic purposes only. Patients suffering from allergies and asthma should be particularly cautious. They may need to enhance the dosages of their daily drug intake. The writer is Professor & Head, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, PGI, Chandigarh, and Chairman, ICMR Task Force on Climate & Respiratory Health. |
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Leg pain and numbness: Delay in treatment can be dangerous Leg pain or numbness with or without back pain is a common reason for individuals visiting various clinics. Usually there is no history of injury to the leg and lower back. Leg pain often starts in the lower back where the sciatic nerve originates. This is similar to power/lights going off in our houses when the problem originates at the electric pole or elsewhere. For this reason, it is pertinent to arrive at correct diagnosis in leg/foot pain with weakness/numbness. The main function of the spine is to provide protection to the spinal cord. Nerve roots come out between each vertebra from both sides. It is at these points that nerves are vulnerable to be pinched/pressed/irritated. Leg pain as described by the patient is worse than back pain. Symptoms The nature of pain depends on the site of injury/affliction, extent of impingement of the nerves by the disc, spinal canal narrowing, etc.
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Pain could be mild-to-severe/debilitating.
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Pain may radiate from the lower back to the buttocks and/or the calf.
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Buttock pain causing difficulty while walking and sleeping on that side.
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Intermittent pain with burning sensation due to irritation of sciatic nerve.
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Pain which aggravates on standing or walking as in the case of canal
stenosis.
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Pain which increases on sitting and while getting up alleviated on walking as in disc
prolapse.
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Early morning pain/stiffness generally due to disc prolapse and ligament injury. If pain/stiffness persists for prolonged periods the reason could be ankylosis spondylitis. Numbness may occur as a sensation in the form of pins and needles, tingling and burning. In extreme cases, numbness on the back side of the leg and foot occurs. In such cases, patients face difficulty in day-to-day life, particularly while walking/driving. Muscle weakness or heaviness in the legs occurs in chronic cases leading to limping. Causes Lumbar herniated disc: Disc herniation is common in the age group of 20-40 years. Disc pressure on the sciatic nerve leads to pain radiation to the area of its supply.
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Sudden onset of back pain with radiation to the leg.
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Pain aggravation on forward bending and relief on extension.
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Pain increases while coughing /sneezing.
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Pain increases on sitting/getting up. Degenerative disc disease Aging (especially after 60 years) the discs in the vertebral column dehydrates — looses water content, becomes dried out, leading to narrowing of the disc space. This can irritate the nerves leading to back pain, leg pain or both. Individuals undertaking repetitive weight lifting, smokers and drivers are prone to degeneration of the disc. Such patients experience pain on pelvic rocking and hip bending test.
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Pain is worst on prolonged sitting/standing than lying down.
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In severe cases, shooting pain radiates to the leg when the nerve root is compressed. Lumbar canal stenosis — When the size of the canal through which the spinal cord passes decreases due to multiple disc protrusions, there is an increase in the size of the facet joints (with age). Osteoarthritis causes bone growth which compresses and irritates the nerve roots. Narrowing of the canal leads the to spinal nerves being pressed resulting in pain, numbness and muscle weakness. Generally there is a history of low back pain in the past. Pain aggravates on standing and walking a particular distance. Such patients are prone for leg cramps. Spondylolisthesis occurs when a vertebra in the spine slips forward over the next lower vertebra. This impairs the natural curvature of the spinal segment leading to its instability. The resulting instability can lead to nerve impingement, which causes leg pain/numbness. Two other conditions i.e. piriformis syndrome and sacroiliatis can also cause back/leg pain and numbness. Treatment of leg pain and numbness depends on the cause. Apart from medication, proper exercises help in reducing pain and early rehabilitation. In case there is any problem with bowel and bladder function (usually unable to pass urine), numbness in the ‘saddle’ area (around the anus) and progressive weakness in one or both legs, urgent treatment is required to preserve the nerves of the bladder and bowel from becoming permanently damaged. Individuals suffering from hip/leg/calf pain without any local injury should not delay the treatment; otherwise permanent disability can occur. The writer is a former doctor/physiotherapist, Indian cricket team. E-mail- chadhar587@gmail.com |
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Farting may help cure high BP
LONDON: Flatulence could help treat patients with high blood pressure, according to a new research. Hydrogen sulphide — a toxic gas that is generated by bacteria living in the human gut — has been shown to control blood pressure in mice. The study showed that the rodents with higher levels of the gas had lower blood pressure than those with less. Boffins at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, US, found that hydrogen sulphide in flatus — informally known as a fart — is also produced by an enzyme in blood vessels where it relaxes them and lowers blood pressure. Now researchers at China’s Southeast University in Nanjing are trying to figure out the possibility of using this to create a treatment for people suffering from high blood pressure. — ANI
Physical activity helps reap benefits of dietary restriction
WASHINGTON: A new study by Indian-origin researchers has argued that simply restricting nutrients without physical activity may not be beneficial in humans. Fruit flies on dietary restriction (DR) need to be physically active in order to get the lifespan extending benefits that come from their Spartan diet. If the same axiom holds true in humans, those practising caloric restriction in hopes of living longer need to make sure they eat enough to avoid fatigue. According to research at the Buck Institute, flies on DR shift their metabolism toward increasing fatty acid synthesis and breakdown, specifically in muscle tissue. “Dietary restriction is known to enhance spontaneous movement in a variety of species, including primates. However, this is the first examination of whether enhanced physical activity is necessary for its beneficial effects,” said Buck faculty Pankaj Kapahi, who runs the lab where the research took place. — ANI
Babies born early likely to face learning and development woes
LONDON: The longer a baby stays in the womb, the better it is for its long-term development, new research suggests. Even for infants born after 37 weeks, a little more time in the womb may work as an advantage, according to scientists. The extra time results in more brain development, and the study suggests perhaps better scores on academic tests, too. Full-term is generally between 37 weeks and 41 weeks; newborns born before 37 weeks are called premature and are known to face increased chances for health and developmental problems. The children in the study were all full-term, and the vast majority did fine on third-grade math and reading tests. — ANI
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Weather conditions immensely affect the human health and behaviour. There is an enormous concern about the dangers of climate change influencing the world environment. Equally important are the effects of climatic alterations which we all experience with the change of seasons. Northern India in particular experiences different weather conditions during summer, winter, rainy and spring seasons. Every season comes with different types of environmental pollutants and exposures. It is not surprising, therefore, to suffer the multiple onslaughts of climate on health.