The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Physiotherapy care for elderly
Our Correspondent

A patient being guided for limb exercises by a physiotherapist at the free physiotherapy camp which opened at the DMCH in Ludhiana on Monday. — A Tribune photograph.

Ludhiana, December 8
In a move to provide best health care to senior citizens, a one week-long physiotherapy camp commenced at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) here today, under the guidance of Dr Satwinder Kalra.

As many as 50 persons registered themselves and availed of the services at the camp. The camp, with the objective ‘good health for senior citizens’, is the first of its kind ever organised in the state.

The camp would not only focus on providing free treatment through the latest high-tech machines and exercises under the guidance of expert physiotherapists but counselling would also be provided to the patients.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kalra said unlike the developed countries, the concept of good health for senior citizens was still in its infancy in India. Generally, people of this age group, suffer from problems like joint pains, postural difficulties, neck and back pain, knee pain and stiffness, arthritis, shoulder stiffness and paralysis. Most of these ailments could be cured through physiotherapy.

The camp was inaugurated by Mr B.M. Munjal, president, Managing Society, DMCH, and Dr S.C. Ahuja, former principal of Dayanand Medical College, in the presence of a large number of patients and faculty members. Mr Gian Chand Dhawan, member of the managing society inaugurated the new hi-tech physiotherapy machines, recently added to the Department of Physiotherapy in the hospital.

While Mr Dhawan donated Rs 1 lakh for strengthening the infrastructure in the institution, Mr Munjal announced that the management would lend maximum assistance to expand the physiotherapy department to enable it render better services to the people. Others present on the occasion were Mr Satish Sanwalka, Mr Dharamvir Bector, Mr Amrit Nagpal, Mr Balraj Kumar, all members of DMCH managing society, Dr Daljit Singh, Principal, DMCH, Dr Sandeep Puri, Medical Superintendent and Dr Rajoo Singh Chhinna MS (P).

8 out of 1,000 newborns have heart problems: expert
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 8
Eight out of every thousand newborns have congenital heart defects. Blue baby, TOF (tetrology of fallot), VSD (ventricle spetal defect) are the main defects which require immediate surgery and the child after surgery can live a normal life.

The Sigma Newlife Heart Institute in association with the Pediatrics Association of Ludhiana held a seminar on ‘Advances in Pediatric Heart Care’ at Sutlej Club Ludhiana here yesterday.

Over 50 pediatricians of the district attended the seminar. Dr S.S. Bedi of Pediatric Association of Ludhiana, informed that children with congenital heart defects now could get good treatment here Dr Baldeep Singh, appreciated the expertise of Dr H.S. Bedi in pediatric heart care.

Dr Bedi said after birth parents should check if the infant was having difficulty in breathing. If the nails and toes are blue, difficulty in feeding or sucking, sweating, inadequate weight gain or recurrent chest infections parents should know that these are common symptoms of kids having hole in their heart.

Dr Bedi said children with a heart disease while awaiting surgery should not do any rigorous activity. They should also be protected from dental infection and sore throat as this infection can travel to the heart.

He emphasised that during pregnancy mother should not take any drugs without any medical consultation. Smoking and alcohol are strictly prohibited during pregnancy. ‘At least two lakh children in the country are born with congenital heart defects and only 500 receive treatment. In half of these cases, parents never get to know the problem and 20 per cent of infant mortality happens in such cases’ said Dr Bedi. With advancement in technology such defects would be corrected within one to three years and later on such children can even join armed forces without any problems, he added.

Blood directory camp held
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, December 8
The Kamla Lahotia Sanatam Dharam College unit of the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) organised a blood directory camp on the college campus here today.

College president of ABVP Puneet Kumar said at the camp a blood directory was maintained in which groups of various students along with their names and addresses were mentioned.

On the occasion, district secretary of ABVP Rohit Sharma said these types of camps were important because of lack of certain blood groups in city hospitals. The directories could be helpful for the needy as they could get their matching blood groups on time.

Fitness Tips
Win the battle of bulge

Everybody wants to be slim and you can easily lose your weight.

Try to start off meals with a clear soup, especially when you are feeling ravenous. It will take the edge off your hunger while not giving you too many calories.

Cut down on fats and foods like read meat, whole milk, butter, desi ghee, eggs, make more room for rice and other cereals, fresh vegetables and fruits.

Eat slowly. It takes time for your brain to register the message, from your stomach, that it has had enough.

Use a non-stick pan when you must fry so you do not overdo the oil. Avoid fat-laden salad dressings; opt for lemon or vinegar instead. It will also add bite to your salads. Use skimmed milk in recipes, mustard instead of butter/cheese spread on bread.

Learn how to eat like a thin person i.e. the person inside you that's struggling to get out. How does a thin person eat? He eats when he is hungry and stops when his hunger is satisfied.

Substitute a smaller plate and dish at ever meals. Portions will look larger, but add up to much less calories.

If you are a compulsive snack eater, just change your snack options — from potato chips and peanuts to popcorn, carrot sticks, diced cucumbers and fruit salads (without custard and cream).

Avoid mindless munching while you are lost in television, a book or a chat.

Limit caffeine intake, caffeine can stimulate your appetite like coffee, tea and chocolates.

Never go to party on an empty stomach. Have a filler like a glass of skimmed milk or a piece of fruit. Then you won't find yourself gorging on greasy samosas and tikkis.

Plan something that you are going to do when you get back home from work, so that you do not end up sitting down to a plate of French fries. Something like taking a brisk walk or even catching up on the lost art of letter-writing.

Plan your food shopping list wisely and well and shop when you are rested and full to help avoid impulse buys like that a family pack of ice-cream that you are going to finish up all yourself because you feel so hungry and tired.

Keep a health diary. Draw up a weekly plan of menus and dutifully record every mouthful that you take. Use your health diary to plan, record and review your exercise.

Avoid crackers, cookies and chips made with hydrogenated oil, palm oil and coconut oil.

Drink an extra glass of water when you wake up each morning. People who exercise regularly need even more water.

Avoid junk food. Eat more cooked dried beans.

Artificial sweetness helps you avoid sugar. Weight loss success depends more on reducing calories from fat.

Ayurvedic medicines are also helpful in losing weight.

Dr Anil Dheer

Winning is a way of life for Vedika
Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, December 8
Vedika Thapar, a local athlete is making waves in the track and field events. A Class X student of Kundan Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School here has proved her mettle in the different athletics meets held recently.

In the 79th Open Punjab Junior Athletics Championship, Vedika, comepeting in the under-17 year group, won a gold medal with a leap of 1.35 metres in the high jump. This was, however, not her best performance as she had already cleared 1.42 meters during the District Athletics Meet held last month. Vedika won a gold medal in the discus throw during the District Meet conducted from November 17 to 19 at Khanna.

Vedika added another feather to her cap when during the Punjab State Schools Athletics for Girls held at Ludhiana last month, she won a bronze medal in the high jump event. Besides, Vedika has represented the state in the National Junior Taekwondo Championship.

For her achievements in various tournaments, Vedika gives credit to Ms Anita Pandit, sports in charge of KVM School and her coach, Mr Amit Kush. Ms Neena Khanna, Principal of the school has appreciated Vedika’s performance and wished her luck for the future competitions.

Sports fest at Gill village ends
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, December 8
The three-day annual sports festival organised by the Golden Youth Club in association with the Gram Panchayat and the area residents concluded at Gill village near here yesterday. In kabaddi (57 kg)- Sidhwan overpowerd Ralla 23-13 and in 62 kg category, Jhand overcame spirited challenge from Dhoorkot before romping home victorious 19-17 while in the open category, Jalaldiwal beat Hatthoor 21-16.

In football (58 kg), Bhutta outplayed Nawan Pind 3-2 through penalty shoot out to win the title and in the open category, Pakhowal beat Jassowal 2-1 to annex the title while Gill finished at third spot. In volleyball, Gill came out triumphant and Pancheta finished runner up.

The NRIs, Mohan Singh of Canada, Mr Rajinder Singh from USA and Mr Harbans Singh of Canada announced a grant of Rs 11,000 each for the club while another NRI from Canada, Mr Paramjit Singh gave Rs 21,000 to the organisers.

Narangwal college win kho-kho tourney
Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 8
Gobind National College, Gobind Nagar at Narangwal has won the Panjab University Kho-Kho(Women’s) Championship. Mr Bachittar Singh Somal, Principal of the college and in charge of the sports event said the host team had won the championship by defeating Mansowal college by 18-10 points. Lala Lajpat Rai MP gave away the prizes to winners of the championship which was inaugurated by Mr Pritpal Singh Grewal, Chairman of the college Trust. Mr Jagpal Khangura, president Management Committee Presided over the closing ceremony .

Sports festival

SAMRALA: The local Malwa Sports Association will organise a three-day sports festival from December 19 at Malwa College Bondli-Samrala, 2 km from here. OC