HEALTH

Effects of smoking discussed
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Aug 30 — A multimedia presentation on ‘Ill effects of smoking’ was held at Kundan Vidya Mandir today. The presentation was prepared by Class XII (Medical) students of the school.

There were five presentations which were prepared on the computer and projected on the screen of the auditorium. Each presentation was prepared by a group of two or three students. The students highlighted the causal factors and health hazards of smoking. The presentations were made very lively by showing pictures. Even though the show was self-explanatory, the recorded voice of the students made the topic more comprehensible.

Tensions in the family, bad company and lack of awareness were highlighted as the major reasons for addiction to tobacco. Once addicted they found it hard to get rid of the problem.

Young addicts neglect studies and shirk responsibilities. Various body parts including throat, lungs, heart and brain were shown to get affected. Harmful effects on the foetus of an expecting mother due to passive or active smoking were also shown.

The presentations were made very interesting by incorporating Hindi songs like Aina mujh se meri pehli si surat mange and Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai to show the situation of the man who realises his mistake when it is too late.

Prizes were given to the best two presentations. First prize was given to the team of Ashish Handa and Rajiv and the second was bagged by Jyotica, Rashim and Upasana.

Even though it was all students creativity, but the real motivator was Dr Rajan Gupta, grandson of Mr Kundan Lal Gupta, the founder of the school.

Says Dr Gupta, ‘‘By arranging such presentations, the students not only become more aware but also build up confidence, get knowledge about research methods and learn the process of making multimedia presentations.’’

Ms Sonia Shroff, computer teacher, and Mrs Pratibha Rath, science teacher, encouraged and helped the students in preparing the presentations.

Similar presentations on different humanitarian issues will be held in various schools of the city when Dr Gupta visits India in January.

‘Arthritis most common in north India’
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Aug 30 — There is an urgent need for teaching rheumatology at the undergraduate and post graduate level, as there has been a phenomenal rise in the number of arthritis cases in the northern region. As on now, rheumatology is neither covered at the graduate nor at the postgraduate level in most of the medical colleges. With the result, people with arthritis seek consultation and treatment from surgeons or orthopaedicians.

According to Dr Ramesh Chander Arora, a leading rheumatologist and senior consultant at Apollo Hospital Delhi, lack of information about the disease leads people to consult only orthopaedicians. In the process precious time is wasted. He disclosed that in the northern region, excluding Delhi, only PGI, Chandigarh offer specialised treatment for arthritis.

He stated that the results were very good if treatment was started within two years. It requires aggressive and early control. It is one of the most common diseases in the northern region, particularly in Punjab.

Dr Arora advised that anybody having symptoms like joint pain, joint swelling, body stiffness, muscle pains, with or without fever, should immediately refer to a physician. Since arthritis is of multiple types, specific diagnosis is very essential for proper treatment and it can only be done by an expert. He revealed that some types of arthritis were curable while some were controllable.

He said, nowadays new disease-modifying drugs were available which gave good results. Earlier, the arthritis patients were mostly given palliative treatment. That is, in most cases, the patients were given only pain relieving drugs while no curative treatment was offered. “Now the treatment is not palliative but curative”, he informed.

Arthritis is specifically a joint disorder caused by over exertion of joints. To prevent it, regular exercise and reduction in body weight is advised. However, the patient should avoid perspiring factors and over exertion, and must fellow a standard principle of day to day practice. Moreover any arthritis patient should avoid the use of an airconditioner and humid climate.

According to Dr Arora, certain type of arthritis like the gout, which is most common, can be managed by dietary control. Another common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which occurs in elderly people and there are already a new type of treatment for this, besides taking recourse to dietary supplements.

Vaccination camps on Sept 3
From Our Correspondent

DORAHA, Aug 30 — The Rotary Club, Doraha, will organised vaccination camps at six different venues in Doraha and Payal on September 3.

Mrs Gursaran Sidhu, president, Rotary Club, Doraha, told newsperson that vaccination against hepatitis-B would be administered in Doraha at Sidhu Hospital, Mangat Nursing Home, Pandher Nursing Home, Civil Dispensary, Manu Nursing Home; and in Payal at Primary Health Centre. Injections would be provided at a concessional rate of Rs 100 and Rs 50 for adults and children, respectively. Two booster dozes would be given after a time period of one month and six months.

Dr Sidhu stressed the need for getting injected against the deadly disease. The usage of unsterlized syringes, infected needles in ears, nose, acupuncture needles etc can be the cause of hepatitis-B. The incidence of the disease (spread and transmission) is the same as that of AIDS. Since no definite cure has been found for the disease, vaccination is a must. Jaundice, distended abdomen and death due to liver failure are the symptoms of the disease.

Health council to honour teachers
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Aug 30 — The school health committee of Ludhiana Citizen Health Council will celebrate Teacher’s Day on September 2 at DAV Senior Secondary School, BRS Nagar. The council will honour teachers who have done commendable work in the field of education, health and environment. Mr R.S. Sandhu, Secretary to the Government of Punjab, Department of Education, will be the chief guest on this occasion.

SPORT

Budding shooter of city
From A Correspondent

LUDHIANA, Aug 30 — Mandeep Singh Nalwa, is an upcoming rifle shooter of the city. In the beginning of his teens, he has got a number of medals in his kitty.

He won silver medal in the first Chief Minister Gold Cup Shooting Championship. In the first Punjab State Inter-School Rifle Shooting Championship, he won gold medal in the sub-junior open sight rifle (10m) category.

He has worked hard to develop the skill in past three years. He is preparing for the national-level rifle shooting championship, scheduled to be held this year at Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh. He practises for three hours everyday. Rifle shooting, according to him, demands high concentration.

He feels homesick when he goes out of the city for competition or training. But he enjoyed his training camp at Asansol this year. He gives the credit for his success to his parents and his coach Gurpreet Kaur Dhaliwal. He told Ludhiana Tribune that he was nine years old when he started his career. He is a student of class VIII.