HEALTH

Persistent cough can be asthma, says expert
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 2
Check that persistent cough, it can be asthma. One of the most under-diagnosed and under-treated diseases, asthma can be, in extreme cases, life-threatening, says Dr Sandeep Mehrishi, a pulmologist.

Dr Mehrishi, who has spent a major part of his career in the USA, is perturbed that there is a general lack of awareness about asthma. “If a patient has cough, his doctor usually treats him with antibiotics and cough syrups. The warning signals of asthma are ignored. The patient gets relief for some time, but symptoms recur after a few days”, he said in an interview to TNS here today.

Advised Dr Mehrishi, “Be careful if your child coughs at night or early in the morning. Take your child for a check-up immediately.” If not treated, it could lead to chronic obstructive lung disease, a condition that lungs of a smoker get into after many years of smoking. He has joined the Fortis Heart Institute and Multi-Specialty Hospital at Mohali.

Smoking is one of the biggest causes of pulmonary diseases. In India, it is estimated that there are 250 million smokers. It is estimated that 55,000 children start smoking every day and 8,00,000 smokers die each year.

“Genes play an important part in a person getting asthma,” said Dr Mehrishi, an asthmatic. If someone had asthma in your family tree, it was advisable to get regular check-ups done. A healthy lifestyle, lots of exercise, giving up smoking and taking preventive medicine regularly formed: the mantra for asthmatics to lead a happy life.

Hoteliers told to maintain hygiene
Our Correspondent

Panchkula, June 2
Dr Satvir Chaudhary, Civil Surgeon, today asked owners of hotels, restaurants, and eating joints to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in their units to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases like cholera, jaundice, diarrhoea and gastroenteritis.

He stressed upon the supply of fresh salad and cut fruits, which should be washed properly and served in hygienic utensils. He asked the hoteliers to examine their staff members once in six months for diseases.

He was addressing the hoteliers at a seminar on ‘Prevention of food adulteration’ at a hotel here. Dr Sanjay Malik, SMO, General Hospital, Sector 6, Mr K.K. Sharma, Food Inspector, Panchkula, Dr Lalit Vermani, DHO, Panchkula and Dr A.P.S. Sodhi, president, IMA, Panchkula also spoke.

SPORTS

CLTA to train youngsters
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, June 2
In order to encourage tennis among the local children, Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA) will train the youngsters at its Tennis Coaching Centre. Boys and girls between the age group of 4-10 years will be eligible to join the centre. These children will be provided with small raquets as specified by the All-India Tennis Association. A physical fitness test for the children will be held at Sector 10 Tennis Stadium on June 5 at 8 am.

TT tournaments: Table tennis activities in the city are likely to get a big boost with the Chandigarh Table Tennis Association giving the opportunity to the players to play in seven state-level tournaments later this year.

These are: Chaudhary Kishan Saini Open TT at DAV Public School, Sector 8, from July 2 to 4; Bhawan Vidyalya Ist ranking TT meet from July 9 to 11; AKSIPS Open TT meet from July 30 to August 1; Prof R.S. Mehta Memorial TT meet from August 13 to 15, Manav Mangal Open TT meet from August 27 to 2, New Public school second ranking TT meet from September 24 to 26 and Stag Chandigarh State TT meet from October 27 to 31.

Mohali win: Mohali outplayed Jalandhar by four wickets in the Punjab state inter-district under 19 cricket tournament for Dhruv Pandove trophy played here today at PCA stadium, Mohali. Simranjeet Singh scored 78 runs and remained the highest scorer. In reply to Jalandhar’s first innings total of 179 runs all out in 65 overs, Mohali achieved the target in 67 overs.