HEALTH

Over 200 examined for diabetes
Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, April 2
More than 200 patients were examined and provided follow-up advice and medicines free of cost at the sixth free diabetes detection and treatment camp organised by the National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA) in Shivpuri here today.

A team of doctors, comprising Dr Naveen Mittal, Endocrinologist at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Dr Rajesh Thaper, Dr Surendra Gupta, president and secretary, respectively, of the district chapter of NIMA, Dr K.K. Kharbanda Dr S. Kakkar, Dr K.K. Sharma, Dr M.M. Verma, Dr Pardip Nagrath, Dr Diwaker Sharma, Dr Khangoora, Dr Inder Sharma, Dr Ashok Puri, Dr D.P. Goyal, Dr Sarjeevan Sharma, Dr Sarbjit Singh and Dr B.S. Dang conducted the check-up of patients.

Medicines were distributed among the patients who were also provided individualised diet plan and exercise schedule according to their physical status for management of diabetes.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Surendra Gupta said NIMA had accepted the challenge thrown up by this deadly disease, affecting a majority of people in modern day society. Diabetes had crippled our society and human resources.

Even the common belief that this condition was hereditary had been belied.

He disclosed that in the previous five diabetes detection camps organised by the association, it had been amply proved that this disease did not spare even people engaged in physical labour.

According to Dr Gupta, most of the victims did not have the resources to get their investigations done, with the result that its detection reached an advanced stage and other organs of body were damaged. Failure to timely detect and manage the disease led to several life-threatening health problems like kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, blindness, gangrene-foot, and nerve damage leading to pain or loss of sensation which made the life of the diabetics miserable.

Dr Mittal emphasised the need for timely medical treatment which was the key to avoiding complications. “Newer drug have come to the market, which are pocket-friendly and quite effective. One should not shy from using insulin injections in case sugar levels were not controlled by the use of medicinal treatment alone. Pharmaceutical companies are on the verge of introducing easily administrable forms of insulin like inhaler insulin.”

He remarked that in a very short span of time, a new scenario might emerge as far as the management of diabetes was concerned. Dr Mittal stressed on proper information and education to diabetic patients, particularly in the poor and predominantly rural and illiterate segment of society.

Sexual dysfunction linked to heart disease
Kuldip Bhatia

Ludhiana, April 2
Several links have been established between sexual dysfunction and heart disease. Indeed, many risk factors like age, smoking, diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia, are responsible for developing sexual dysfunction, or especially erectile dysfunction (ED). But at the same time, these are also shared by coronary artery disease. It should also be borne in mind that in men, several cardiac drugs are responsible for ED.

These observations were made by Dr Kim Mammen, Professor and Head of Urology at Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH). He was speaking at a CME programme on ‘male sexual dysfunction’ at the CMCH here on Saturday.

Several prominent urologists from reputed institutions from all over the country took part in the deliberations.

Dr Mammen said data from scientific literature showed that men with coronary artery disease, hypertension or diabetes had an nearly four-fold higher risk of developing ED than other age-matched controls. Speaking on the basis of a retrospective and prospective clinical study, he maintained that in the age group 50 to 59 years, patients with ED due to cavernous arterial insufficiency, had shown a significantly increased risk to develop coronary heart disease.

“Screening on cardiovascular risk factors and taking preventive measures is recommended in men with ED. Men in the vulnerable age group (50 -59 years) with cavernous arterial insufficiency causing ED, detected by penile doppler are especially prone to develop coronary artery disease.”

Dr Mammen suggested that patients with ED manifestations due to vascular cause would need to be evaluated by a cardiologist to rule out coronary artery disease. At the same time, ED could now be successfully evaluated by newer investigations and more potent medications. Surgical options could also be considered when medications failed to have desired results. He remarked that though male sexual dysfunction was an embarrassing problem, causing lowering of ones self esteem and confidence, patients should come forward and seek treatment from specialists.

Discussing the problem of male sexual dysfunction, Dr N.P. Gupta, Head of the Department of Urology at AIIMS, New Delhi, and president of the Urology Society of India, said sexual incompetence had led to many cases of marital discord and disharmony. This trend, however, should not be taken as an indication of increasing disability among men because increasing awareness of sexual needs in women was also, to some extent responsible for this phenomenon.

Dr Gupta was of the view that stress also played a pivotal role in ED, stress of society, job, better performance, financial stability and increasing material demands also led to ED and affected married life. He advised the affected persons to come forward and seek professional advice since ED was not an incurable problem.

Several other guest speakers focused on problems of male sexual dysfunction and related problems like erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory disturbances, female sexual dysfunction, andrapause or male menopause, surgical and medical treatment for impotence and participated in interactive session that followed.

SPORTS

Cricket players urged to put in sincere efforts
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, April 2
The player requires self-belief, sincere efforts and discipline to achieve his goal. If he doesn’t allow his attention to be disturbed during a match, only then can the desired result be attained.

These words of motivation and guidance were delivered by Ramandeep Singh Grewal, Deputy Director, Sports, PAU to the trainees of the fortnight-long training-cum-coaching camp being organised by former Punjab Ranji player and coach Mr R. D. Singh at the Punjab Agricultural University cricket ground here today.

Ramandeep, who also led the Indian hockey team for a couple of years, shared his experience with the campers.

He stressed on the need for full involvement during the coaching session and working hard on the strategies told by the coach for the player to excel in the play field.

He advised players not to play the game at the cost of their studies. “You should concentrate equally on your studies as well as sports because without studies or knowledge, you cannot overcome the difficulties that arise from time to time in one’s career,” he added.

Players should learn the art of mental toughness, as in the present time, opponents indulge in sledging which disturbs concentration.

Luv Abhlish, the all-rounder from Doraha near Ludhiana, who secured a place for himself in the Punjab Ranji team this year, was also present during the interaction today. He gave some tips on fast bowling to the campers.

Mr R. D. Singh thanked Mr R.S. Grewal for coming over to the camp. He also honoured Luv Abhlish for bringing glory to the city.

Navjot Sidhu praise for young players
Anil Datt

Ludhiana, April 2
Cricketer-turned politician Navjot Singh Sidhu is all praise for young players for bringing flexibility in the Indian cricket team. Praising young players like Suresh Raina, Sreesanth and Irfan Pathan, the former opener said that they could fit anywhere in the lineup a fact that has given depth to the team.

Talking to the media persons during the prize distribution function of the North Zone Inter-Medical College Tournament (NOZIT-06) at the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital here on Saturday, Sidhu said that these new faces have given the team an edge over others as far as fielding and batting in the lower order is concerned. Irfan has matured into an established all-rounder while Yuvraj has improved his batting a lot.

When asked about Sourav Ganguly’s comeback into the team, Sidhu replied that the former captain had a lot of cricket left in him and he should be recalled. He said that since Sachin Tendulkar would be out of action for about three months and Virender Sehwag was inconsistent with his performance, Ganguly would be the best solution for the opening slot.

However, Navjot appreciated the experiments by coach Greg Chappell. He appreciated the coach for infusing new life into the team and winning the one- day series against South Africa, Pakistan and wrapping up the first two matches of the current series against England.

Dr Rajoo Singh Chhinna, Medical Superintendent, DMCH and Chairman, Sports Council of the hospital welcomed the chief guest and read out the NOZIT-06 report. Twelve teams from various medical colleges from across North India competed in the sports meet in disciplines like cricket, basketball, badminton, table tennis, chess and fun games.