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August 11, 2002, Chandigarh, India
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KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY Chandigarh, August 10 While an imported implant costs over Rs 65,000, the price of an indigenous one would be around Rs 35,000, but with doctors still stressing the need for improvement it could take some more time before it can match the imported implant, which is being used for all knee replacements in India, at present. “The Indian implant, which has recently been developed will reduce the cost by almost 40 per cent but I personally feel that it can be used for only those who have crossed the age of 75 and are not overweight as it has not been standardised,” opined Dr S.K. Marya, Director, Division of Joint Replacement Surgery at the Apollo Hospital, New Delhi. Dr Marya, along with Dr A.K. Singh , Director , Central Institute of Orthopaedics , today delivered lectures on the latest techniques in total knee replacement during the workshop organised at the PGI on the issue. Over 170 doctors from the region attended the one-day workshop. Dr Marya, informed that as compared to three years back, when about 5,000 knee transplants were being done in India, every year, the number had now crossed 12,000. He added that during the past five years a lot of advancement had been made as far as technology, material and surgical skill was concerned. He said the most important advancement was half knee replacement (Uni Compartmental), when only a part of the knee is replaced. He said the latest implants, including the plastic components , now last almost 15 years , with much quicker operations requiring very little or no blood. “However, no replaced joint is allowing that much of bending which can permit squatting, the Indian style, as it would loosen or break the joint,” informed Dr Marya. He said with more and more Indians leading sedentary life, they were facing more joint and knee related problems. Those who are undertaking regular physical activity are less prone to joint problems, he added. Dr Marya, gave a lecture on the revision work he was doing on those patients who had undergone a knee transplant abroad, over 10 years back. Out of the almost 40 revision cases that I am doing, more than 10 of them are done badly, resulting in problems, but the situation is worst in case of infections, which could be a result of bad operating conditions.  |
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Brain stroke hotline launched Chandigarh, August 10 “Brain stroke is quite similar to a heart attack, where blood supply to the two main parts of the body is cut off , but the major difference is that in case of the brain the time for treatment is very limited as delay may lead to irreversible damage to the brain with a resultant paralysis," said Dr S. Prabhakar, Head of the department of Neurosurgery at the PGI. As per the advice of neurosurgeons even simple weakness and numbness of the arm, leg or face , vertigo, dizziness or any kind of difficulty in swallowing or change in speech could spell trouble if persistent and at times accompanied by loss of consciousness or
headache. The doctors advise that these simple ailments should never be taken lightly if persistent, as they could finally lead to a brain stroke. Interestingly, it is the younger lot between the age group of 30 to 40, who are most prone to brain stroke, with factors like hypertension, smoking, obesity and high cholesterol being the causes. Dr Prabhakar said unfortunately in India, while people were very particular and well informed about a heart attack, there was very little awareness about a brain stroke, which can be fatal, if timely treatment is not given to the patient. He said the " brain attack " team at the PGI, comprising of neurologists, radiologists and neurosurgeons would provide treatment to the brain stroke patient within half an hour on being alerted on the hotline. At present only a few private hospitals in the country have this facility. Dr Prabhakar, said there was an urgent need to create awareness about the warning signs of a stroke so that the patients can reach the hospital within the crucial period of three hours . He added that if the patient is given treatment within this period it is easier to prevent permanent damage to the brain cells so that their functioning is not affected." In cases where timely treatment is not given to a brain stroke patient , there could be permanent disability and paralysis , preventing a person from leading a normal life," said Dr Prabhakar. Brain stroke, at present is the second leading cause of death worldwide , with the resultant disability and morbidity being considerable. As far as types of brain stroke is concerned there is still some awareness about haemorrhage but in case of a block or occlusion there is little information. The damage can be prevented by administration of a drug which dissolves the drug by acting only on the area of the clot and does not affect the coagulation system of the rest of the body. With the launching of brain stroke hotline by the PGI, the medicine used for its treatment would be made available here, as its use so far is limited to only major hospitals. Costing over Rs 60,000, the medicine still remains beyond the reach of a common man but slightly cheaper medicines are also being used as per the economic status of the patient. The brain stroke patients can call up at 9814509008 , to alert the brain attack team so as to prevent damage to the brain and the resultant paralysis. |
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Losing weight, enjoying curries Chandigarh, August 10 “It is possible to lose weight and still enjoy your curries,” reveals Manvinder Deol, the first registered Indian national personal trainer in the United Kingdom. She says ,” South Asian food is the most nutritious, balanced and fulfilling means of losing weight. I use lot of herbs and spices, and they are all good for you. “Cumin and chilli, for example, speed up the metabolism, meaning you lose weight faster, and garlic is very good for your heart,” says Ms Deol, holding that 30 gm of fat is all a human being needs during the day. With a background in sports coupled with an earnest desire to control ever-growing waistline the birth of her third child made Ms Deol sit back and work on a diet which met her love for spicy food. “I devised recipes that used little or no fat but plenty of spices. And with my new recipes, I was able to lose three stones and reduced my dress size from 14-16 to a trim eight. Ms Deol had been the best athlete at the Sector 11 Government College for Girls and Panjab University campus. A sprinter, she represented Panjab University in athletics before immigrating to the UK in 1986. Currently she is on a holiday visiting her parents and inlaws in Chandigarh. Her new waistline control programme — Curryslim - is a healthy eating fat loss plan designed to suit all curry lovers. It has been such a hit that the British media has gone gaga over her research. Almost all major TV channels had invited her for live interviews-cum-demonstration of her recipes and many of the newspapers have published her interviews besides offering her to write a regular column on diet control. Her new waistline control diet plan follows healthy eating guidelines as outlined by the World Health Organisation (WHO). To facilitate interaction with those seeking her help and counselling, she has set up a website — www.curryslim.com . “The response to website launched after three years of hard work and research has been overwhelming. I chalkout a personal weight loss programme by taking into consideration participants’ personal, social, ethnic, religious and cultural needs. Each waistline control plan given to a participant is in accordance with his/her religious beliefs as well,” she adds. “I know majority of people don’t have time, means or will power to go to a gym or a health centre. It is why I combine my plan with recipes and exercise. Exercise is mainly through walk, the most economical and practical way of keeping oneself in shape,” she says, revealing that she had full support from her family and friends in her new venture. “Now I am thinking of writing a book on how to keep fit with a healthy lifestyle. I am looking for a publisher in India,” she says maintaining that in England she is being invited everywhere to deliver talks on fitness and diet as the western society continues to place increasing focus on personal health. |
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National survey
on STIs Panchkula, August 10 This was stated at the regional meeting of the project directors of State AIDS Control Society and faculty members of medical colleges of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir , organised by the Haryana AIDS Control Society here today, in order to chalk out an action plan for conducting a survey in September 2003. During the meeting it was revealed that about 5 per cent of the population suffers from STIs, but very few people report this to government health institutions because of stigma attached to such infections. The meeting was attended by senior faculty members of gynaecology, PSM, microbiology and skin departments of medical colleges of Haryana, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. |
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3 city girls selected for national
camp Chandigarh, August 10 Disclosing this Mr R. Sharan, general secretary of the Netball Association of Chandigarh, said the selected players would take part in the forthcoming Asian Netball Championship. He said as per information received from Dr P.S. Sharma, secretary general, Netball Federation of India, the camp will further lead to final selection of the National Netball team. Mr Sharma said, during the past few years, this sport had gained immense popularity. Now even the School Games Federation of India has included the sport in its annual calendar of activities. He said in city, there was a regular coaching centre in Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 27, where boys and girls practiced in the morning hours.
Football championship The Chandigarh Football Association will hold the Chandigarh Junior Boys Football Championship for Mahatma Hans Raj DAV Trophy at football stadium, Sector 17 from August 27 to 31.This was stated by Mr Ravinder Talwar, president, Chandigarh Football Association. Players born on or after January 1, 1984 will be eligible to take part in this meet. Mr Talwar said the entries alongwith players list showing details like birth, class, registration, duly verified by the Principal concerned may be sent to Mr Rakesh Bakshi, secretary CFA (3059, Sector 21-D) on or before August 25.
Rural sports meet The Guru Gobind Singh Sports Club and Democratic Youth Federation of India, Dadu Majra Village will hold its annual rural sports meet on August 29 and 30 in the Guru Dronacharya Stadium, Dadu Majra. The events will be held in kabaddi (national and circle style), athletics, tug of war and races for veterans. A wrestling competition will also be organised on September 1. Attractive cash prizes will be given to the winners and runner-up teams.
Athletic meet The Modern Housing Complex (Duplex) Residents Welfare Association, Mani Majra will hold its annual athletic meet and the Independence Day celebration on August 11 and 15, respectively. In athletics, various events like three- legged race, slow cycling race, lemon race, races in 100 metres in various age groups and other events to be organised. |
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