New York, Oct 4 Women with high blood pressure and gestational diabetes during pregnancy are likely to experience more hot flashes during their menopause, a new study reports.

According to researchers, an estimated 60 to 80 per cent of women experience hot flashes as part of menopause.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational diabetes may be modestly associated with a greater number of hot flashes.

It could be because of the cholesterol-lowering and diabetes medications, the findings revealed.

In contrast, women who had never been pregnant experienced fewer hot flashes.

“Women with a history of these pregnancy disorders were heavier and more likely to be taking lipid-lowering medications and diabetes medications,” said lead researcher, Rhoda Conant, from the University of Oklahoma in the US.

In the study, published in the journal Menopause, the team examined data on more than 2,200 women.

“With so many women affected by hot flashes, healthcare providers need to understand all the underlying risk factors that could influence hot flashes at the time of menopause,” said JoAnn Pinkerton, Executive Director from The North American Menopause Society in the US.

(IANS)

Kajol Launches Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness

On the occasion of the “World Heart Day Bollywoos actress Kajol Devgan came specially to launch the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Initiative by CSI2018 & MCGM at NSCI, Worli, Mumbai. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) kills one Indian every minute! This amounts to losing, every year, nearly 20 lac people to SCA in India & about 20000 lives in Mumbai alone.

Sudden cardiac arrest is common in the young, people in the prime of their lives (35 – 60 years of age). A precious life lost, devastating family & society. Survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is dismal, with the probability of only 1 life saved for every 10 victims. Immediate recognition of SCA & early initiation of chest compressions by bystanders improves survival 3 to 4 fold.

In India, recognition & assistance of a SCA victim is non-existent. It is about time to save precious Indian lives.

The agenda of the launch was to highlight the burden of the problem & more importantly, spread awareness amongst the public about identifying the SCA victim, calling for medical help, initiating “hands-only CPR” & familiarize them with the use of AED – automated external defibrillator, which is a life saver. It is important to note that cities & countries where media has supported this cause & spread public awareness have saved many more lives.

Dr. Prafulla Kerkar spoke regarding spreading the awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest. He also asked everyone to learn regarding C. P. R.

Subodh Jaiswal, Commissioner of Police also spoke regarding the importance of C. P. R. knowledge. He want every police station should have 1 AED.

Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta said, “We are thankful to Kajol for associating with this campaign.

The follow-up to this launch initiative will be the training of public servants (MCGM employees, General Police, Traffic Police, Railway Police & Fire Brigade officers). It is the endeavor of CSI2018 to educate public servants & eventually the general public so that every SCA victim in India is recognized & receives basic resuscitative measures in good time. CSI2018 & MCGM solicit your support in achieving this goal & saving Indian lives. Lend your hands to save a heart!

Older adults can prevent their risk of strokes by taking a daily stroll for just 35 minutes a day or four hours a week, say researchers.

Indulging in moderate physical activity, such as swimming, brisk walking, or running two to three hours a week may also reduce the severity of strokes than people who are physically inactive.

“Stroke is a major cause of serious disability, so finding ways to prevent stroke or reduce the disability caused by stroke are important,” said Katharina S. Sunnerhagen, from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.

“While exercise benefits health in many ways, our research suggests that even simply getting in a small amount of physical activity each week may have a big impact later by possibly reducing the severity of a stroke,” she added.

For the study, published in the journal Neurology, the team identified 925 people with an average age of 73 who had a stroke.

Of the 481 people who were physically inactive, 354 or 73 per cent had mild stroke. Of the 384 who engaged in light physical activity, 330 or 85 per cent had mild stroke. Of the 59 people who engaged in moderate physical activity, 53 or 89 per cent had mild stroke.

People who engaged in light to moderate physical activity before their stroke were twice as likely to have a mild stroke rather than a moderate or severe stroke when compared to people who were physically inactive, the researchers said.

“There is a growing body of evidence that physical activity may have a protective effect on the brain and our research adds to that evidence,” Sunnerhagen said.

The study does not prove that physical activity reduces stroke severity; it only shows an association, she noted.

(IANS)

Union Minister and Bengaluru South MP, HN Ananth Kumar, who is said to be in a critical condition, is likely to be shifted to the US for further treatment.
For the last two weeks, Kumar, a 5-term MP has been at his relatives’ home in London undergoing treatment. A section of media has reported that the Parliamentary Affairs Minister is diagnosed with advanced stage of pancreatic cancer.
His office in Bengaluru, however, denied any such report and said that he is doing good and will be returning to the country in the next fortnight.

For the last three months there were talks in political and bureaucratic circles that Kumar is unwell. A few senior politicians that media spoke to had confirmed that he was not well, but they too were unsure whether he has cancer or not. “They are keeping it a secret,” one of the top BJP leaders in Bengaluru said.
Kumar has been out of action for the last few weeks and not attending to office or signing files. In fact, sources said that he had to defer his treatment due to Karnataka Assembly polls.

PTI

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered that awareness be spread about the free treatment available for leprosy patients and directed the central and state governments to formulate rehabilitation schemes for those suffering from the disease.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud issued a slew of directions to thecentre and the states and asked them to ensure proper treatment of leprosy patients and end discrimination against them.

It directed that a “massive” awareness campaign be carried out by the government on curability of leprosy, adding that patients “should not be isolated” by the family or community as the person can “lead a normal life”.

The bench directed to “end stigma” against leprosy patients and to make sure they get adequate medical care and rehabilitation measures.

It further directed that the Centre and state governments to ensure that both private and government aided schools should not discriminate against children affected by leprosy.

The court also directed that leprosy patients should be given Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards so they can avail Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) scheme, which provides highly subsidised food to the poorest families.

The judgement of the apex court came on a PIL filed by advocate Pankaj Sinha who had alleged that governments have failed to eliminate the disease despite medical treatment available since 1981.

He had claimed that leprosy affects over 1.25 lakh people annually in the country and had sought a direction to the governments that leprosy drugs be made available at primary health centres in the country.

He also pleaded that an appropriate scheme be formulated to bring people suffering from leprosy into the national mainstream.

Earlier, the apex court had asked the Centre to consider framing a law to repeal all laws that discriminate against those suffering from leprosy and granted six weeks to the government for taking a decision on the issue.

(IANS)

Over 50 countries around the world will hold a four-day meeting here to learn about the best Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) practices across the globe, the UNICEF said on Thursday.

The upcoming international meeting goes with the name Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention (MGISC) organised by India’s Swachh Bharat Mission, will be held from September 29 to October 2, attended by ministers and other leaders from 50 countries– Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria, Japan and others.

Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Secretary Parameswaran Iyer said that Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) aims to build a clean and Open Defecation Free (ODF) India by October 2 2019, as a befitting tribute to the 150 birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

“Safe water, effective sanitation and hygiene are critical to the health of every child and every community – and thus are essential to building stronger, healthier, and more equitable societies ” UNICEF India representative Yasmin Ali Haque, said.

UNICEF said that women are the worst affected due to lack of sanitation facilities. India is on track to achieve open defecation free status by 2019, significantly contributing to the global achievement, it added.

(IANS)

Nearly 200 persons, including students, took ill after consuming temple prasadam at Bilichodi in Jagaluru taluk in the district on Saturday.

Within two hours of consuming the food, served during the Anjaneya Swami temple fair, several of the devotees started complaining of vomiting and loose motions.

The victims were immediately rushed to the Davangere district hospital while few were given preliminary treatment at the Bilichodi PHC.

The DHO Tripulambha visited the spot. Confirmed that this was a case of food poisoning he informed that arrangements had been made to treat the victims

During this last decade there has been a huge surge in the demand for bodybuilding supplements in the country. However, a study by Assocham and business management consultant RNCOS indicates that as much as 60-70 per cent of the dietary supplement being peddled across India is counterfeit.

Not only are the manufacturers of these fake supplements duping their customers, but using various unapproved and potentially harmful chemicals in their fake offerings and putting the youngsters of our nation in harm’s way.

Another study found that nearly 80 percent of the youth who are into bodybuilding consume one or the other form of dietary supplement. Assocham estimates that the market for dietary supplements is set to double from the current $2 billion to $4 billion by 2020. Why? Well, most Indian diets are vegetarian-heavy and lack the fast-acting proteins necessary for quick muscle recovery. Health supplements bridge this gap which, in turn, aids in muscle growth.

However, most of the high-quality health supplement brands available in the market today are imported which is on the expensive side (taxes, customs and overheads on imports) especially for young adults who form a sizeable chunk of the target market which is also completely clueless on how health supplements work thus making the perfect market for fake products.

How to identify fake supplements

One has to really look closely to figure out whether or not the supplement in question is a fake or not. Here are a few ways to tell the genuine ones from the fake:

* Check the hologram: One of the best ways to tell a fake product from the genuine one is to look for the brand’s hologram. Because most of the fake supplements in India are made in extremely low-quality facilities, the technology to properly replicate the hologram doesn’t exist

* Check the barcode: Most smartphones today support apps that can read barcodes and QR codes. Just do a quick scan; the scan of an original brand should ideally lead you to its website

* Check the packaging: This can be a bit tricky. Watch out for spelling mistakes, bizarre fonts, wrong logos and even wrong nutritional information

* Check the seal: If the seal of the product looks weird or of bad quality, chances are that it has been tampered with

* Dissolve a spoonful in water: Add a spoonful of the supplement to water at room temperature and stir for a few seconds. The original supplement will dissolve easily whereas the fake products usually leave behind clumps of the powder as residue in the glass

* Look for FSSAI approval on the packaging: The Food Safety and Standards Association of India or FSSAI is the regulatory body responsible for health supplements

India has a long way to go as far as the health and fitness of its citizens is concerned. The only way to achieve this is by empowering the youth with the right knowledge so that they really understand the science behind it.

A boost to the local manufacturers under the ‘Make In India’ initiative will give the youth access to high-quality supplements at affordable prices. Only when the youth start making informed choices will the black market of fake supplements die a well-deserved death.

As Kerala is slowly coming to terms with the devastating floods which wreaked havoc in the state, a new problem is rearing its head. Over 20 people have reportedly died due to Rat Fever, also known as leptospirosis. Representational Image Leptospirosis is an infection caused by corkscrew-shaped bacteria called Leptospira.

Rats, mice, and moles are important primary hosts of this bacteria. The incidence of leptospirosis correlates directly with the amount of rainfall, making it seasonal in temperate climates and year-round in tropical climates. Kozhikode has registered a total of 17 leptospirosis deaths from August 1 to September 2 which include six confirmed and 11 suspected deaths. On Sunday, four deaths including two confirmed and two suspected were reported from the district,

Minister for Labour and Excise T.P. Ramakrishnan told the media after a review meeting that an 85-bed isolation ward would be set up at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, and special facilities were being provided at the Government General Hospital in Kozhikode and government hospitals in Vadakara, Koyilandy, and Feroke as part of efforts to contain the outbreak, a report by The Hindu said.

Health Minister K.K. Shailaja advised people in the flood-hit areas to take precautions. She said contagious diseases were on the rise in post-flood Kerala. On Saturday, three north-central districts and low-lying Alappuzha reported a total of nine casualties due to the Rat Fever. Last month, 559 people took treatment for rat fever across the state. Of them, the disease was confirmed in 229 cases. In April-May this year, Kerala saw an outbreak of Nipah virus which claimed around 25 lives.

How does Rat Fever or Leptospirosis spread? Leptospirosis is transmitted by the urine of an infected animal and is contagious as long as the urine is still moist. Although Leptospira has been detected in reptiles and birds, only mammals are able to transmit the bacterium to humans and other animals. Rats, mice, and moles are important primary hosts-but a wide range of other mammals including dogs, deer, rabbits, hedgehogs, cows, sheep, swine, raccoons, opossums, skunks, and certain marine mammals carry and transmit the disease as secondary hosts. In Africa, the banded mongoose has been identified as a carrier of the pathogen, likely in addition to other African wildlife hosts. Dogs may lick the urine of an infected animal off the grass or soil, or drink from an infected puddle. [Health Ministry issues advisory to contain spreading of Nipah virus] House-bound domestic dogs have contracted leptospirosis, apparently from licking the urine of infected mice in the house.
The type of habitats most likely to carry infective bacteria includes muddy riverbanks, ditches, gullies, and muddy livestock rearing areas where there is a regular passage of wild or farm mammals. The incidence of leptospirosis correlates directly with the amount of rainfall, making it seasonal in temperate climates and year-round in tropical climates. Leptospirosis also transmits via the semen of infected animals.

Humans become infected through contact with water, food, or soil that contains urine from these infected animals. This may happen by swallowing contaminated food or water or through skin contact. The disease is not known to spread between humans, and bacterial dissemination in convalescence is extremely rare in humans.

A Kerala Minister on Sunday warned that strict action would be taken against the state government officials who were not making an objective assessment of the damages caused to houses by the recent floods.

With Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan leaving for medical treatment to the US, Industries Minister EP Jayarajan, the de facto number two in the government, told the media that “very tough action” would be taken against erring officials.

“All complaints will be looked into and none will be spared,” he said.

Kerala floods have claimed 483 lives and the estimated loss is more than the annual outlay of the state. Thousands of houses have been destroyed, while a greater number of homes have been damaged.

With the state government starting a massive fund collection drive to rebuild a ‘new Kerala’, besides announcing compensation to the losses suffered, the local bodies officials have begun estimation of the losses.

Jayarajan spoke tough when he was told about specific cases of officials overestimating the damages suffered to residential properties in Malappuram district.

The state government has also announced an interim relief of Rs 10,000 to every family that has suffered on account of floods.

“This money will be given to all and there is no rule that this money will be given to only who were in relief camps. Every family who suffered the floods… even if they remained in their homes would get this. Only those who say they do not want, will not be given,” said Revenue Secretary PH Kurien.

Meanwhile, Kerala CM Pinarayi left for America for medical treatment in the early hours of Sunday. He took a 4.30 am Dubai-bound flight from Thiruvananthapuram airport. From Dubai, he will be leaving for New York to undergo treatment at the Mayo clinic in Rochester. His wife, Kamala, is accompanying him.

(IANS)