The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

Modify lifestyle to prevent heart attack: experts
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 16
Some leading cardiologists of the country feel that lifestyle modification can prevent heart attack. Almost unanimous in their opinion, about 400 medical practitioners who were here today to participate in a Continuing Medical Education (CME) on lifestyle and heart disease, they felt that ‘awareness could prevent a heart attack’. They advised people to modify their lifestyles to lead a longer and healthier life.

Dr U.P. Singh, Director, Prime Academic Society, the organiser of Prime CME 2005, disclosed that doctors from the entire northern region discussed common clinical problems with each other. “The exchange of knowledge has helped a lot of us,” he said.

The CME included a special seminar on ‘Learn to Live More’, focusing on lifestyle modifications where Gen S.F. Rodrigues (retd), Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, and the first lady Ms Jean Rodrigues were the chief guests.

The prominent speakers including Dr Naresh Trehan and Dr T.S. Kler of Escorts, Delhi, Dr J.P.S. Sawhney, Dr Rajeev Passi, Dr Sanjeev Dhawan of Sri Ganga Ram Hospital, Dr R. Murlidharan and Dr G.S. Kalra of Fortis Hospital, Dr Ajay Behl and Dr Vivek Lal from PGI, Dr Puneet Verma from Escorts, Amritsar, addressed the gathering.

Dr T.S. Kler of Escorts provided an expert overview of recent advances in complex angioplasties, while Dr Naresh Trehan spoke about the future of cardiology and the latest advances being made around the world.

While Dr J.P.S. Sawhney provided an overview of coronary artery disease and newer risk factors, Dr R. Murlidharan talked about obesity as cardiovascular risk factor, in keeping with the ‘healthy weight healthy shape’ theme of the World Heart Foundation this year.

Dr Puneet Verma of Escorts, Amritsar, spoke about recent advances in management of arterial fibrillation, while Dr U.P. Singh of Prime Diagnostics informed about ACC2005, guidelines for management of congestive heart failure.

Dr Ajay Behl, a cardiologist and Dr Vivek Lal a neurologist from PGI, spoke about understanding the syncope, while Dr G. S. Kalra of Fortis Heart Institute, addressed the gathering on non-coronary interventions.

Dr Rajeev Passi and Dr Sanjeev Dhawan from Sri Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, spoke on use of diet, exercise, yoga and meditation to bring about lifestyle changes to prevent heart disease.

Dr Naresh Trehan and Dr T.S. Kler would unfold the future of cardiology and advances in complex angioplasties during the CME.

Prime Academic Society is a no-profit body having conducted several CMEs since 2001, on various aspects of cardiology, besides organising monthly afternoon academic sessions that have received overwhelming response from the medical fraternity in the region. Prime Academic Society is dedicated to up gradation of knowledge of the general medical practitioners on advancements in cardiology as well as preventive heart care amongst the general public.

Ayurveda council pledges Antarctica tea, herbal drink
Payal Pruthi

The council is now involved in the golden triangle partnership (GTP) scheme, a joint venture between three scientific organisations which include the CCRAS, the ICMR and the CSIR and is aimed to give scientific validation to classical ayurvedic formulation.

Chandigarh, October 16
The time-tested knowledge for both preventive and curative health care, ayurveda, with its large scale accessibility and affordability, therapeutic modalities and flexibility of remedies is making new strides in the field of neutraceuticals and cosmaceuticals.

From an ayurvedic herbal cold drink to Antarctica tea and Antarctica “laddoo” to an ayush face pack and an anti-crack cream, the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS, Department of Ayush) is undertaking clinical research in more than 30 other areas as well. And not to forget `pippalyadi yoga’ an ayurvedic oral contraceptive drug for females is also in its phase II multicentric clinical trial at the PGI.

In Chandigarh to attend a seminar on “Ayurveda in 21st century: introspection and prospects” organised by the Desh Bhagat Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Dr A.C. Kar, Research Officer, CCRAS, informed that keeping in view the revival of the ancient medical practices, the council had developed an ayush panaka, a herbal cold drink. The ingredients, he said, had been derived from usual kitchen recipes and is an effective recipe for problems like indigestion, vomiting, thirst and loss of appetite. The formula is under validation mainly for its nutritional values and the council is collaborating with the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, for its pre and pro-biotic activity.

The council is also developing a skin lightening agent, ayush face pack, and an anti-crack cream to be used for foot cracks.

Dr Kar further informed that a study on the effect of certain ayurvedic “rasayana” food supplements and drink like Antartica tea and Antartica laddoo had been also been conducted at Antartica expeditions organized by the National Centre for Antartica and Ocean Research, Government of India. The council is approaching the Defence Research Institutes for further evaluation of the formulations.

Numerous collaborative researchers in ayurveda are also being undertaken by the council. In collaboration with NIPER (CSIR), Mohali, the council is covering areas of research like standardisation, biological activity and estrogen receptor.

Acupuncture, a valuable addition: expert
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 16
The Acupuncture Foundation of India, Raipur, today organised a workshop on recent developments made in the field of acupuncture. Delegates discussed acupuncture as a subject of worldwide interest and criticism.

Dr A.L. Agrawal, president of the foundation, said in recent years acupuncture anaesthesia had assumed a valuable role in modern surgery. He said acupuncture might even reduce pain caused due to malignancy for which there was practically no cure available. He added that a lot of research had been done that proved that acupuncture was effective in providing relief from paralytic conditions, chronic headache, mental retardation and cerebral palsy.

SPORTS

Dog race charges up sports mela
Tribune News Service

Mohali, October 16
It was spectacular to watch the dog race at the 3-day rural sports mela known as “Sukhdev Singh Gill Yaadgari Khed Mela”, being held at Dasehra ground, Phase VIII here, today.

A large number of people from surrounding villages turned up to see the event which is being organised by the S. Sukhdev Singh Gill Memorial Welfare Club, Mohali.

Charanjit Singh Bhain Arora of Ludhiana was happy as when his dog Spitt Fire reached the finishing point first followed by Gurmeet Singh Sudhar’s dog ‘Black Stone’ who finished second. LG’s and Moti’s masters Gill (Ludhiana) and Nippy ( Samrala) , respectively, were unhappy as their contenders had to be content with the third and fourth place, respectively.

In the volleyball meet, the National Club, Mohali, bagged the first position and second place went to SD College, Dhaneda ( Sangrur).

‘Desi’ style Kabaddi was an added attraction, Where the contest under various weight categories were held. Under 35 kg category, Mauli Baidwan was adjudged the winner, while Saheri team was declared the runners up. Under 40 kg category, Bariali came first while Khattran players were second. But Khattran players recovered their loss under 45 kg category, where they stood first and Challalen came second.

Later, Ms Lakhwinder Kaur Garcha , OSD to CM, Punjab, who was the chief guest on the occasion, gave away prizes to the winners. Ms Hardip Kaur Gill, Director, Sant Ishar Singh Public School, Mohali, presided over the function.

Bajaj, Chhibber-Katyal win Inter-media
badminton tourney
Our Sports Reporter

Chandigarh, October 16
It was an exciting finale to the fifth edition of Inter-Media Badminton Tournament organised by the Chandigarh Press Club.

The pair of Maneesh Chhibber and Arvind Katyal (both The Tribune) edged out the Hindustan Times duo of Anil Arora and Prem Nanda to stake claim to the coveted Men’s Doubles Trophy.

At the end of the match, which the Tribune pair won easily, the Chhibber-Katyal pair outplayed the opponents 15-11, 15-7.

Despite good performance by the HT pair, Maneesh Chhibber’s smashing shots and superior play of Arvind Katyal clinched the match in their favour.

Over 22 players from various newspapers participated in the two-day tournament.

In the other final, Ajay Bajaj of Hindustan Times stamped his class to win the men’s singles trophy by defeating Rakesh Patial of Indian Express 15-4, 15-4. Bajaj, who is a regular player, easily outplayed his opponent.

Earlier, the men’s singles semi-finals proved to be hard-fought affairs. While Ajay Bajaj managed to defeat Praveen Anthil of Amar Ujala 7-15, 15-6, 15-6, Rakesh Patial also had to strive hard to get the better of Sandeep Sharma of The Tribune 7-15, 15-12, 15-6

In the men’s doubles semi-finals, the pair of Anil Arora and Prem Nanda edged out The Tribune duo of Sandeep Sharma and Vikas Ghai 9-15, 15-13, 15-12. The other semi-final proved to a short one, with Maneesh Chhibber and Arvind Katyal showing complete supremacy over the Amar Ujala pair of Praveen Anthil and Kamal 15-7, 15-5.