Ludhiana, October 19
‘‘Menopause is a natural progression in the life of a woman, and it marks the end of her reproductive years. The condition is the permanent cessation of menstruation, which occurs because of an abrupt fall in the level of estrogen in a woman’s body, due to the loss of ovarian follicular activity. Menopause is said to have set in when a female has six months of amenorrhoea (no menstruation)’’.

This was stated at an awareness programme organised here yesterday to mark the World Menopause Day. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Neetu Likhi, a consultant gynaecologist at Apollo Clinic here, said peri-menopause was the phase of waning or declining ovarian activity. Menopause began with variation in the length of the menstrual cycle or irregularities and ended with the final menstrual period. It generally occurred between the ages of 45 and 55 years (average 47 years) with one-third of a woman’s life likely to be spent in post-menopausal years.

Common symptoms of menopause are hot flushes and night sweats, vaginal dryness, sleeping difficulty, associated with disturbed sleep patterns, anxiety, depression and irritability, poor memory and loss of concentration, she added.

Dr Likhi observed, ‘‘Herbo-mineral preparations are safe and effective for treating the distressing symptoms of post-menopausal syndrome. In particular, soybeans contain unique compounds called soy isoflavones which act as phyto-estrogens. The latter are plant-derived estrogens, the structure of which is remarkably similar to the natural estradiol or estrogen. Research has shown that isoflavones are effective in reducing all menopause related symptoms like hot flushes, headaches, irritability and vaginal dryness.

She further said Japanese women, who consumed a lot of soy, were known to have a reduced incidence of osteoporosis. Isoflavones helped to achieve a balanced estrogen level, which could help to maintain bone strength and prevent osteoporosis. Isoflavones possessed antioxidant action, which helped to decrease LDL and increase the beneficial HDL cholesterol, thereby helping prevent coronary artery disease (CAD) in a number of ways, one of them being inhibition of progression of atherosclerosis.

Focusing on an increased risk of cardio-vascular diseases in the post-menopause period, Dr Vandana Rajput, a consultant physician and cardiologist, pointed out that a fall in the estrogen level in the body led to some common problems like osteoporosis and higher risk of heart disease. Osteoporosis, which literally meant ‘porous bones’, was a silent thief as it robbed the bones of calcium and resulted in an increased risk of fracture.

‘‘Estrogen has a cardio-protective function in the body. It increases the good HDL cholesterol and decreases the bad LDL cholesterol. It also has a beneficial effect on the blood vessels with its antioxidant properties. After menopause, women become more prone to CAD and other heart ailments, as also exposed to greater risk of developing high blood pressure, heart attack, angina and atherosclerosis,’’ Dr Rajput added.

Ludhiana, October 19
The fourth batch of nurse paramedics trained for ambulance and paramedic service by the South Western Ambulance Service today received their certificates from Dr Ravinder Singh, Vice-Chancellor of the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, who was the chief guest at the certification ceremony at Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) here. The ward nurses, having undergone a two-day basic life support training course, were also given certificates.

In the current batch, 20 students were given the paramedic training, one-day refresher course was completed by 18 participants and 47 ward nurses underwent a two-day basic life support training course. The paramedics were imparted training by Mr Gerry Carpinini from the West Country Ambulance Services, NHS (England).

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ravinder Singh said that by starting this course the CMCH had taken another initiative to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with medical and traumatic emergencies.

“Changing health needs in our country and experiencing economic and social growth is creating a greater demand for all types of emergency medical services. Due to these factors, there is the necessity and value of establishing quality emergency health care systems to create effective emergency medical programs, The BFUHS Vice-Chancellor remarked.

Mr Gerry Carpinini, trainer of the course, said that a standardised modular course had been developed in which students were provided focused training in the field of emergency medicine and trauma care. “This course is divided between lectures and hands-on training with emphasis on learning about the local needs and system. For maximum efficiency, the training of pre-hospital care providers should consider the needs of the overall emergency care system.”

He further observed that the need of the hour was an organised trauma system, an integrated, protocol-driven system of care, which encompassed various aspects of trauma like prevention, notification, pre-hospital care, hospital reception, resuscitation and surgical care, along with in-hospital care and rehabilitation. “All of this must be done in a timely fashion, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. Development and maintenance of emergency medical services requires a considerable investment of resources.”

Dr Yashbir Dewan, professor of neurosurgery and head of emergency and trauma centre, while addressing the function said that CMCH had the infrastructure, staff, equipment and support facilities to start a new three years paramedic training course and also maintain a high standard. This course had been developed with support from the South West Country Ambulance Service, who were training the new batch of students.

Speaking on the need to start this course, Dr John Pramod, Director, remarked that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had projected for India that by 2020, road accidents will he a major killer, accounting for 5,46,000 deaths and 1,53,14,000 disability-adjusted life years lost. India at present had l per cent of the motor vehicles in the world, but bore the burden of 6 per cent of the global vehicular accidents. Thus, the CMCH had taken the lead in starting an integrated service of ambulance, emergency and trauma care.

Ludhiana, October 19
The Krishna Breast Cancer Care Trust organised a lecture on breast cancer and a check-up camp at the Lakshmi Ladies Club here yesterday. More than 100 members of the club attended the lecture while around 36 of them were examined for the disease free of cost.

A team of doctors, comprising Dr J.S. Sekhon, Dr D.S. Sandhu and Dr G.S. Brar, all from Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, conducted the check-up and advised the women to conduct self-examination to detect breast cancer at regular intervals.

The doctors stressed if diagnosed and properly treated in early stages, the disease was completely curable, but it could lead to serious consequences in an advanced stage.

Mr Sanjeev Arora, one of the trustees, said the trust was offering treatment to breast cancer patients from the weaker sections of society in association with the DMCH. The trust had treated nine patients free of cost during the past six or seven months.

Ludhiana, October 19
Namdhari Academy, Bhaini Sahib, defeated Grewal Academy, Kila Raipur, 4-2 to win the 7th Bibi Surjit Kaur Memorial Hockey League held at Mata Sahib Kaur Stadium at Jarkhar village today. Mata Sahib Kaur Academy finished third.

Getting off to an impressive start, the Namdhari team scored three consecutive goals in the 16 minute. But, the Kila Raipur team fought back and scored two goals before half time.

In the dying minutes, the Namdharis again went on the attack and scored another goal to take their score to four. The scorers for the team were Malik Singh, Gurbhag Singh, Gurbhej Singh and Jarnail Singh.

Tejwant Singh and Jarnail Singh scored for Grewal Academy.

Malik Singh was declared man of the tournament while Balwinder Singh was adjudged the top scorer. Kiratpal Singh Monty of Grewal Academy was declared the best goal keeper and Gurbhej Singh of the Namdharis the best halfback. Taranjot Singh of Jarkhar Academy was adjudged the best full back.

The winning team also got a cash award. The coaches and the referees were also honoured.

Ludhiana, October 19
The Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate, Mr Ashok Kumar Gupta, has banned the bursting of fire crackers, producing loud sound, between 10 pm and 6 am everyday.

The order comes in view of festival of lights when residents continue to burst crackers throughout the night. The restriction would, however, not be on bursting of colourful crackers.

Passing the order under Section 144, CrPC, the Magistrate also banned the loud speakers during that period of time.

The peripheral noise level of privately owned sound system shall not exceed by more than 5 dB, no horn is allowed at night in residential areas and there shall be a complete ban on manufacture and use of pressure horns and other such horns. The orders will remain in force up to October 30. — TNS