The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Ways to keep skin ailments at bay

Pimples, or acne vulgaris, is a common skin disorder characterised by clogged pores. It affects as many as four out of every five adolescents. Acne may last for only a few weeks, but it often persists for 10 years, extending from adolescence into early adulthood. In rare cases, it persists throughout life.

The skin undergoes changes at puberty. Hormones are responsible for the texture of the skin and its appearance. Due to sex hormones like estrogen, the skin has a soft and smooth texture. However the skin becomes thicker than before and also more vascular. Also due to sex hormones, the production of sebum increases from the oil glands, leading to acne. Little swellings develop on the face, scalp or back, and at first can hardly be felt. When they remain very small and painless, these are best left alone. However, when the cysts grow large, these may be prone to infection.

A tendency to develop acne may be inherited. Children whose parents have experienced moderate or severe acne are also likely to have it. Clogged pores stuffed with sebum and scales beneath the surface of the skin form pimples or whiteheads. In severe cases, pressure builds up in these closed pores and they rupture, spreading their contents under the skin. Bacteria in the injured area can cause widespread inflammation, and the resulting cysts can cause pain and scarring if not treated. The degree of scarring is thought to be partly determined by genetics.

For the pathogenesis of diseases, including those of skin improper diet is one of the major factors. Certain nutritious diets help to check skin ailments. Fresh food should be preferred to preserved food.

Do’s and donts’ for health skin

* Drink large amount of water, fresh fruit and vegetable juices etc. Liquids are a must to reduce dryness of the intestine and drain wastes out of the blood through urine. Fluid intake also help prevent skin disorders and makes it glowing.

* Food eaten should be warm, freshly cooked and in proper quantity.

* The environment while consuming food must be clean and hygenic.

* Food must be chewed properly and not eaten too fast or too slow.

Dr Anil Dheer

270 examined at eye camp
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 20
An eye check-up and operation camp was organised at the Jammu Colony gurdwara here by the City Jaycees today. Nearly 270 patients were examined and given medicine free of cost. Of these, 28 were taken up for intraocular lens transplant.

Dr Ajay Pal Singh of GTB Hospital was the examining doctor.

Mr Manvinder Kataria, president, said, “Ludhiana City Jaycee is committed to the uplift of society. Besides this free camp, we are running a drug awareness campaign in schools and colleges, giving first-aid training programmes, etc”.

Start off with fruit
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, March 20
There was no cooking system at the time when human life came into existence. So nature has designed the human body to eat fruits. This observation was made by Prof Rajinder Singh, Physical Education Lecturer GGN Khalsa College, at a health seminar held last night at Basant Resorts.

Since human constitution is alkaline it digests alkaline fruit easily “so start your day with fruit,” said Prof Rajinder Singh.

SPORTS

Health talk for sportspersons
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, March 20
A workshop on heart awareness was organised at Guru Nanak Stadium here last evening. Dr Gurpreet Singh Wander, Prof and chief cardiologist at the local Hero DMC Heart Institute, gave a talk on the subject.

Mr Sohan Lal Lotey, District Sports Officer, along with coaches, staff of the local sports office and players of the local Speed Fund Academy, attended the lecture.

Dr Wander, using various aids, explained the functioning of the heart and how it was affected by unhealthy diet.

Hypertension, smoking, lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet were the main reasons for heart attacks and sudden death. He laid special emphasis on regular blood pressure checks, especially above forty. Dr Wander said only 8 per cent of the Indians were conscious of the need for regular heart check-ups.