The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

TB control programme launched
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 27
The National Revised TB Control Programme was launched here today at a district level function organised by the District TB control wing of the Health Department at the Civil Hospital here. Mr Gurcharan Singh Galib, MP was the chief guest and he inaugurated a district-level TB diagnostic laboratory on this occasion.

Addressing the gathering Mr Galib exhorted the medical community and non-government organisations (NGOS) engaged in spreading the health and education facilities among people, to make efforts to identify and treat each and every TB patient in the district, so that the district could be made completely first TB-free district of the state.

Appreciating the efforts of the district administration and the Health Department for chalking out a comprehensive TB eradication programme in the district, Mr Galib said that to treat the 25,000 TB patients in the district, the Health Department had established 1128 directly observed treatment short course centers (DOTS) to cover the entire district, which would be administering the medicines under their observation for six months to ensure the completion of medical course by each patient.

Mr Galib said that with the flow of large number of migratory labourers to Ludhiana, the TB cases were on the rise, which had enhanced the threat of this disease to the local population also. He asked the doctors and private health organisations to organise special camps in the slum areas where migrated population lived to identify the TB patients and to make proper follow up of all cases to ensure the complete treatment.

Addressing the function, Mr Anurag Agarwal, Deputy Commissioner, said that the medical staff engaged for the TB treatment had been properly equipped with the latest diagnostic machines and medicine. He said that seven sub-division-level TB treatment units had been set up in the district.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr Malkiat Singh Dakha, MLA, said that this programme was of utmost importance to counter the revival of TB in the state and appreciated the district administration and the Health Department in chalking out an effective programme.

Dr G. S. Chahal, State TB Officer, said that after Amritsar, Ludhiana was the second district to launch RNTCP and said that this program was being extended to eight districts of the state. He said that a team from WHO and Government of India, which reviewed the programme, chalked out by the state had highly appreciated the net work set up in Ludhiana district to meet a target of 80 per cent cure rate of TB patients. Dr S. N. Tiwari, Civil Surgeon, Mr K. K. Bawa, president DCC (Urban), Mr. Prem Mittal Senior Deputy Mayor also addressed the function.

Ways to avoid back pain

BACK pain or backache is a very common ailment. Millions of Indians suffer from it. The terms lumbago and pulled back have been used to describe this disorder. But much remains to be learned about the causes of low back pain, although we know that for the most part, nonspecific muscle and ligament strains are the leading offenders. The patient feel pain and hears a clicking sound while lifting a heavy object from the ground. The pain becomes severe and the patient may be unable to move. The patient may feel tingling and numbness in the leg. The patient with these symptoms and acute back pain adopts a peculiar posture. He finds difficulty in bending forward and backward. Lateral bending is not so painful. The patients is not able to raise the painful leg high while lying on his back. In some cases the pain can start without any history of injury and it may be gradual.

Poor posture, some times aggravated by standing or sitting in a peculiar position all day at work, is one of the commonest causes for backache and one of the easiest to correct. On the proper footwear, especially high heels, may be partly responsible. Straining the back by sudden twisting, jerking, lifting too heavy weights, or lifting the wrong way may also bring backache. Poor sleeping habits and a hollow, lumpy slanting , too soft mattresses may also be the factors.

Organic diseases that cause backache are many. Among the indirect causes are kidney trouble (middle back pain), female troubles (low back pain), gall stones and stomach trouble (high back pain). Infectious disease, such as Pneumonia, influenza, malaria and small pox are almost always accompanied by backpain. Rheumatism and arthritis are the most frequent and direct organic causes for backache. others include pulled muscles , especially in the region of the sacroiliac joints, curvature of the spine, slipped disks and bone diseases. Overweight, lack of exercise, tension and emotional stress can activate muscle tension causing muscle spasms.

Prevention of backache in its most common forms can be partly achieved by developing good posture, good sleeping habits, and a good level of general health by dodging communicable diseases or getting prompt treatment for them, and by cultivating a high level of mental health.

— Anil Dheer

General remedies

The single most important element of therapy for acute (sudden onset) low back pain is best rest.

A hot water bottle, hot packs or heat generating ligament may make you feel better. Be careful, though, to avoid ‘cooking’ your tissues; don’t keep a heating aid on for more than 20 minutes at one time and never fall asleep with a heating pad. And if at any time the pain worsens, stop the heat.

The fact is some people respond to heat and others to cold. Cold is usually better after an injury, particularly if there is a swelling or when there is recent onset of pain. Ice can be applied to the painful area for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, as tolerated. Ice cubes wrapped in a moist towel, a bag full of ice water, or even a bottle of cold sad can all be effective.

Relaxation is a must. When in pain, try to be in control of your body, not the other way round. While in a chair or bed, take some slow, deep breaths. Breathe in through your mouth and slowly out through your nose. Gradually tighten your muscles and then relax them. Do this over and over again. You will feel the sensation of tension, then relaxation, it will spread through your whole body. Tension and stress will only aggravate pain.

Think, but only good thoughts. Think of an experience with your wife, husband, children, girlfriend or best friend. Get in a sexy mood if you want. It will help relieve pain.

Do not massage without professional help. A gentle massage of stroking and rubbing increases circulation and relaxes stiff muscles, relieves neck pain, headaches and other discomforts.

There are distractions that will get your mind off your pain. Clearly, a certain element of pain is subconscious and another is quite conscious. The latter can be relieved by watching TV playing games or even washing dishes. Engaging in a good interactive conversation is a wonderful way to get mind off the painful area.

Sit in a chair that is low enough so that you can place both feet on the floor and at least one knee is above the level of your hips : Use a footstool a hard chair and press your spine up against it. Get up and move around periodically. Sit up straight.

If standing in one position for a long time, at work for example, place on one foot on a foot-rest or stool. Change position often. Wear comfortable shoes. Maintain good posture — head high, chin tucked in pelvis forward, toes straightahead, abdominal tight.

Bend your knees when preparing to lift something off the floor, and if it is a heavy object, use your knees to lift, not your back. Stand with your feet far apart. Hold the object close to your body and lift it only to chest level.

Medications help occasionally. Pain-killers and muscle relaxants can provide additional relief. Consult your physician before beginning any exercise programme.