The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

HEALTH

India has 18 or 20 million asthmatics. Around 190,000 people across the world die of asthma every year. Over the past decade, there has been a 40 per cent rise in the number of children suffering from the disease.

Asthma causes inflammation and obstruction of the airway. The muscles surrounding the air tubes of the lungs go into spasm, the mucous lining swells and secretions build up. Breathing becomes quite difficult. Lungs are air pumping stations of our body which transfer atmospheric oxygen into our body and continue this process for breathing.

Asthma usually develops in childhood but may also surface later in life. Symptoms of asthma vary from time to time. During an attack, the person may make a wheezing or whistling sound while breathing, cough a great deal and spit out mucous.

Many things can trigger asthma, including allergens such as dust, and pollen. In general, infections are the most common causes of asthma. Other causes include exercise, wood or cigarette smoke, changes in weather, cold or flu, chemical vapours, analgecics, dyes, food preservatives and emotional stress.

Prevention and general remedies include avoiding things that cause an asthma attack.

Avoid smoke of all kinds. Stop smoking and avoid exposure to passive smoking.

Avoid humid atmosphere. Work, travel and relax in smoke-free areas. Stay indoors when air pollution is high.

A person with this infection should avoid strong odour, fumes and perfume, fixed carpets.

Pets should not be kept in the bedroom at night.

Cold and cough medicines should not be used, unless prescribed by a doctor.

Asthmatics should not smoke in vehicles. Direct contact with grass should be avoided.

Avoid spicy food and heavy dinner in routine.

Wash your pillow covers, bed covers and curtains regularly, preferably in hot water.

Limit your anger and excitement.

Close the windows at night since night air carries much pollen. Keep the storage area dry and clean.

Build up the strength of your lungs and airway. If you are feeling tight, stand or sit in a warm shower for 5 or 10 minutes. Increase your fluid intake.

Use of Aspirin and Ibuprofen can cause severe reactions. These should be taken with caution. Asthma inhalants having steroid can increase the risk of glaucoma. This is a particular concern for adults.

Do gargles and take steam regularly.

Asthmatics can take ayurvedic medicines (like Swas Kuthar Ras, Sitopaladi Churna and Chawanprash etc. ). Take half tea spoon of fresh ginger juice with one teaspoon of honey thrice daily.

Dr Anil Dheer

Orientation module for ophthalmologists

Ludhiana, September 18
The XXII National Orientation Module for Ophthalmologists on all-India basis will be held at the Vocational Rehabilitation Training Centre for Blind/Disabled, Haibowal Road, opposite Kitchlu Nagar here, in collaboration with the National Institute of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, from September 20 to 22, 2004. According to Dr E. M. Johnson, about 30 to 50 eminent ophthalmologists from all over India will participate in the orientation module.

Experts in the area of ophthalmic services and low vision will present papers. The main objectives of the orientation module will be: to orient the ophthalmologists about the educational and rehabilitation requirements of the visually handicapped; to acquaint the ophthalmologist with the services, concessions and programmes available for the visually impaired in the country; to acquaint the participants with low- vision devices used in education and in case of children having some residual vision; to update the knowledge of the ophthalmologist on the technological developments, especially those pertaining to medical rehabilitation; to identify ways and means of collaboration between ophthalmic clinics, thereby developing a national network of a prompt referral system; to appraise them of the concept of rehabilitation today and how it should be in the future; and to appraise the ophthalmologists of their important role in the area of disability management, particularly visual disability.

Atinder, a budding shooter
Our Correspondent

Atinder Garcha

Sahnewal, September 18
Atinder Garcha’s devotion towards the game of shooting, has made this 13-year old Class VII student to nourish the dream of going to Olympics. Though his craze for the game was obvious at the initial stage, but he jumped into the arena of shooting only last year when he participated in the inter-school shooting championship organised in July , 2003.

He qualified for the fourth Punjab State Inter-School Shooting Championship organised in Mohali from September 7 to 8, 2003. Atinder also participated in the XXXIX Punjab State Shooting Championship held in Mohali from June 6 to 8, 2003, in which he competed with 213 competitors from 11 districts and clubs of Punjab. After this participated in the All-India Inter-School ( Kumar Surinder Singh) Shooting Championship held in Ghaziabad from September 27 to October 1, 2003.

Having discovered a promising shooter in him, Atinder's father Mr Satwant Singh Garcha,contacted Mr Narinder Singh Bhogal, senior vice-president of the District Rifle Association, Ludhiana, and made him to do the target practise.

This year, too, he participated in the Ludhiana District Shooting Championship (open ) at the sub-junior level at the markfed shooting range, Mohali, on June 5 and 6 and secured a gold medal. Again, on August 6, 7 and 8, 2004, he participated in the Punjab State Shooting Championship (open ), Mohali, and won a gold medal. In Punjab State Inter-School Shooting Championship (sub-junior level ) organised at Mohali on August 28 and 29,2004, he bagged a gold medal.

Atinder will participate in the All-India Kumar Surinder Singh Inter-School Shooting Championship (Sub- Junior level) to be organised at Indore from September 29 to October 4.

But, Atinder says," I want to win a gold medal in the Olympics. I am indebted to my father for showing me the right path. His presence encourages me and I feel that I can make India proud by proving to be another Abhinav Bindra or Rathore."

GNIMT lift trophy
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 18
Swimmers of Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology, Gujarkhan Campus, Model Town, Ludhiana bagged championship trophy of the Punjab Technical University Inter-College Swimming Championship (Women), that concluded at Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Ludhiana, GNIMT, won all six gold medals and three silver medals and one bronze medal.

Abhipsha Thakur of MCA-III won gold medals in 100m freestyle, 25 m freestyle, 50 m back stroke, 50 m breast strike and 50 m butterfly event. Rachna Dhingra of BBA II won gold medals in 50 m freestyle, silvers medals in 100 m freestyle, 25 m free style, and 50m breast stroke and a bronze medal in 50 m back stroke. Dr A.S. Bansal, Director, GNIMT, congratulated the winners and highlighted the importance of spots in students’ life.