HEALTH

Laparoscopy comes to aged woman’s aid
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 11
Doctors at the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) have performed a rare surgery in the form of laparoscopic removal of kidney cysts of a 70-year-old cardiac patient. The surgery was performed through a laparoscopic procedure, so far in its infancy in India and available only at a few places in the country.

Dr Baldev Singh Aulakh, Urologist and Head of the Transplant Surgery, DMCH, said the operation was risky, keeping in mind the age of the patient and her cardiac problem. Laparoscopic surgery was the only choice left for Jaspreet Kaur, who was suffering from severe pain in the back for the past one year, making her unable to perform daily chores.

CT scan of the patient’s abdomen revealed a large cyst about 10 cm x 8 cm x 8 cm in relation to right kidney. During check up, she was found to be having heart disease in the form of a left bundle branch block. Though in such cases heart problem along with old age means a lot of risk if the operation has to be performed in the traditional way. But after cardiac consultation, Dr Baldev Singh Aulakh planned for laparoscopic removal of cysts. According to Dr Aulakh a laparoscopic surgery has much advantage over the conventional surgery and it proved to be the right decision. The traditional method involved 10 to 15 cm incisions and patient had to be given injectable antibiotics and glucose etc for three to four days. The patient is discharged after seven to eight days. But in laparoscopic surgery, a small incision measuring 1 cm and two other incisions each measuring 0.5cm are enough to carry out the whole procedure easily. An additional advantage is that the patient can be discharged on the second post operative day and the recovery is fast which enables him to go back to his normal routine quickly.

The advantage of laparoscopic surgery is that the patient can take his meal after seven hours of operation. The patient, in this case also required lesser number of analgesic and antibiotics and it also reduced the discomfort of patient. According to Dr Aulakh the patient recovered fast after the operation and was discharged from the hospital free from any pain. Dr Aulakh, trained form Maryland and John Hopkin's USA says that laparoscopic surgery could be helpful in the removal of infected kidney, kidney cancer and adrenal tumour and also in prostate surgery.

Aging patients need expert care
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 4
Mr Khem Raj, an octogenarian, has been suffering from multiple diseases and disabilities like blood pressure, hypertension, depression and physical decline. The family members have consulted various specialists in the city but to no avail. Medical experts have said since the patient is in his old age, he can not be treated with interventions or drugs and every intervention carries additional risks that must be weighed against potential benefits and that he should be looked after by a good geriatrician.

The case of Khem Raj is not an isolated one. According to city doctors, approximately 80 per cent of people over the age of 65 years have at least one chronic health problem and about 69 per cent suffer from more than one chronic problems. But, unfortunately, the city, with premier medical institutes, does not have a single geriatrician (a physician basically trained in diseases of old age) to look after senior citizens.

Dr Sandeep Puri, Medical Superintendent, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, said the hospital did not have any geriatrician. "It is a field of research investigating the biological, psychological and sociological aspects of aging. We do not have the speciality right now at the hospital. Last year, in collaboration with AIIMS, Delhi, we had conducted a two-day workshop on the subject at the hospital, which was well attended by doctors from all over the state. Gerontology is a developing speciality and good resources are needed to introduce it in the hospital. But at present, the Department of Medicine is looking after the problems of aging patients", Dr Puri said.

The Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) does not have the speciality right now but the authorities are planning to start it within next six months. Dr John Abraham, Medical Superintendent, CMCH, said, "At present, the Medicine Department of the hospital takes care of the elderly. But we realise that there is a need to provide exclusive care to the aging people. We are going to introduce this speciality very soon and it would benefit the elder by patients".

City doctors maintained that old people suffered from various ailments including falls, urinary incontinence, confusion, depression and physical decline. They also suffer from diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, prostate enlargement, osteoporosis and hypertension. One of the physicians said," A geriatrician takes special training to handle multiple interacting conditions, drugs, social situations and psychological problems.

We just listen to them and try to relieve them with medicines but that is not sufficient. The elderly ailing patients need best homecare, rehabilitation, psychological support, etc and only a geriatrician can guide them better".

Soyabean for better health
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 11
The Department of Foods and Nutrition at College of Home Science will organise a workshop on “Soyabean for better health” on August 12. The planned diversification from the rice-wheat system, the state agencies including Punjab Agricultural University propose an additional area under legume cultivation. Increased cultivation of soybean is proposed for the central districts of the state. If the crop diversification gains momentum as advocated by PAU and the state government agencies, increased production of high value crops like soyabean, durum wheat and basmati rice would need intervention of processing industry for gainful utilisation of these crops. To overcome glut like situations, state-of-the-art processing and packaging will be required so that farmer can earn more for his crop through contractual farming.

According to Dr H.C. Uppal, In charge “burn section” at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, burn patients need daily administration of diet containing minimum 30 per cent protein and require 400 kcal additional energy. Such requirements are easily met from non-vegetarian diets. However, doctors face problems in such cases as a majority of population is vegetarian in India.

Therapeutic diets available in the market for such patients are so costly that these are out of the reach of common patients. With this in mind, it has been conceived by the scientists at PAU and the doctors at the DMCH to devise a diet that is costeffective and meets the requirements of such patients.

Multiple-therapy centre opened
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, August 11
The Girnar group has diversified into the health care and multiple purpose treatment therapies of various kinds. The group inaugurated its new unit under the brand 'The Acusity' today.

It is a cosmetic, skin and multiple therapy centre offering special and advanced treatments for slimming therapy, skin care and hair care. The above said treatments will be done under the expert guidance of Dr O.P. Singh.

The centre has state-of-the-art infrastructure with all modern facilities and equipment. A special team of experienced and talented doctors has been appointed for providing best services to the clients.

The hair therapy includes new non-surgical hair treatment from the USA for baldness. Special treatment for falling hair/alopecia will also be provided.

The skin therapy includes treatments of pimples, pigmentation, scars, open pores, chicken pox marks.

The slimming therapy involves weight loss without any dieting and side effects. Special treatments for face lifting and for removal of double chin will be provided.

Permanent treatment for joint pain, arthritis, cervical spondylitis, backache and insomnia will also be provided.

BCM boys register win
Our Sports Reporters

Ludhiana, August 11
In a nerve-wrecking final, BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar pipped Nankana Sahib School, Gill Road by five runs to emerge victorious in the Inter-School (Gill Zone) Cricket Tournament (u-19) that concluded at Sacred Heart Convent Senior Secondary School, Sarabha Nagar, here today.

BCM Arya School won the toss and opted to bat first. They were made to struggle by Nankana Sahib School bowlers and they collected 111 runs after losing six wickets in their quota of 20 overs. Daman Sethi and Aman contributed 18 (21 balls) and 13 (11 balls). Sahil Aggarwal faced 21 balls and remained unbeaten on five runs.

For Nankana Sahib School, Mandeep bowled to a fine line and lenght and captured three wickets conceding eight runs in four overs.

Nankana Sahib School began their chase on a sedate note and were cruising well. Amandeep 19 off 19 deliveries and Jaspreet 25 runs off 23 balls, batted well but no other batsman could withstand against some fiery bowling by BCM Arya School’s Sahil Aggarwal and Bhavuk as their innings culminated at 106 runs after 19.1 overs thus falling short of the target by five runs. Sahil took four wickets for 21 runs while Bhavuk claimed two for nine runs.

The match slated to be held between R S Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar and Sacred Heart Convent School, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar to decide the third position could not be held as the former failed to turn up. The match was thus awarded to Sacred Heart School.

Cricket tourney: A quick-fire 62 off 47 deliveries by Atul Kohli and a patient knock of 27 runs by Yogesh steered Sanatan Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Civil Lines to a convincing 76-runs victory over SAN Jain Model Senior Secondary School, Circular Road in the quarter-finals of the Inter-School (PAU Zone) Cricket Tournament (u-16) being played at the SDP College for Women ground here on Monday.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Sanatan Vidya Mandir School put up a challenging total of 130 runs losing two wickets in the allotted 16 overs. Besides, Atul and Yogesh other notable scorer was Sushyant Kohli who made 16 runs. For SAN Jain School, Anil and Kunal chipped in with one wicket each.

In reply, SAN Jain Model School were all out for just 54 runs in 12.5 overs. Not even a single batsman could reach double figure mark. For Sanatan Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School, Nakul scalped four victims while Yogesh and Sushyant Kohli grabbed three and one wicket each.

School tournament: Anand Isher School, Chhapar (Ludhiana) won the finals in all age group during the recently held zonal school tournament.

According to Mr Kartar Singh, Principal of the school, the school defeated Government Senior Secondary School Gujjarwal in the finals. Consistent batting by Karan Kareer and Ravinder Singh who contributed 134 and 94 runs during final and semi final matches, made their team bag the title of zonal winners. The school also won finals in under 16 and under-14 age groups. Teams from Sihar, Dehlon, Kila Raipur and Bahadurgarh had participated in the tournament.

Badminton trials: The Ludhiana District Badminton Association (LDBA) will conduct trials to select the district teams -senior, junior and under 10 years here at the Shastri Badminton Hall of Guru Nanak Sports Complex on Tuesday.

According to Mr R S Behal, honorary general secretary, LDBA, the trials will be held for both women and men, boys and girls as well as juniors u-10 and 19 years. The selected players will represent Ludhiana in the forthcoming Punjab State Badminton Championship scheduled to be held at Hans Raj Raizada Stadium, Jalandhar, from August 16 to 20.

Interested shuttlers may contact Mr Charanjeet Singh, the coach, at the venue, Mr Behal informed.

ADMINISTRATION

Applications invited for National Youth Awards
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 4
The district administration has invited applications from youths between 15 to 35 years who have rendered commendable services in different fields, for recommending those eligible for the National Youth Awards.

Deputy Commissioner Anurag Verma today informed that the awards were to be given by the Centre to those youths, who excelled in different areas, including promoting of national integration, rural development, adventure and cultural activities, education or any other activity.

Each district has to recommend two names.

The government, also gives awards to voluntary organisations who have made exemplary contribution in these fields.

The total number of awards will not exceed 25, which comprise a medal, a scroll and Rs 20,000 in cash, in case of individuals and a trophy, a scroll and Rs 1,00,000, in case of voluntary youth organisations.

Employees of the state and the Union Government are not eligible for the awards.

The aspiring voluntary organisations should be registered under the Registration Act 1860 (Act XXII of 1860), for the last three years or any corresponding state Act and should have a constitution or articles of association, and a properly constituted managing body and should not be guided by profit motive.

Mr Verma said the selection at the district level would be made by the District Level Selection Committee for the selection of youth for Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh State Youth Award.

The application forms can be obtained from the office of the Deputy Commissioner and the District Public Relations Officer, here, and the applications must be submitted by August 10.