Elbows replaced in two hrs

Rare Surgery Helps 52-Yr-Old Get Over Rheumatoid Arthritis
Kounteya Sinha TNN
New Delhi: Fifty-two-year-old Savita Devi could hardly move her elbows. Red and swollen, the joints experienced excruciating pain, every time she tried to move it. After suffering for over four years, Savita Devi, a patient of acute rheumatoid arthritis, now tosses her granddaughter Roshni into the air with utmost ease. The pain has gone and so has the swelling and stiffness. She underwent a total elbow replacement surgery. Dr Naveen Talwar, orthopaedic surgeon at Sir Ganga Ram hospital, who has conducted seven such successful surgeries in the past eight months, says lack of awareness both among doctors and patients has been the cause for the surgery’s low prevalence. “Hips and knees are common weight-bearing joints and are more prone to arthritis. Patients are now aware of hips and knees being replaced. But those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis of the elbow or post-traumatic arthritis should know elbow replacement surgery is also being conducted in India,” Dr Talwar says. According to experts, at present only 2% of all arthroplasty (joint replacement surgeries) are that of the elbow. Rheumatoid arthritis at the elbow, however, accounts for 40% of all arthritis cases. Boasting of a good success rate, elbow replacement surgery lasts two hours and requires the patient to be in hospital for three days. “At the end of two weeks, the patient will be able to move his or her elbows at will and have no pain. The bioinert implants, made of either titanium or stainless steel, give the patient relief for at least 15 years and cause no reaction with the tissues,” he adds. Dr Subhasish Deb, orthopaedic surgeon from Kolkata, says, “Elbow replacement surgery is not very common in India. Till now, there weren’t many patients coming forward for it and so the number of doctors trained in this procedure was also low.” Senior orthopaedic surgeon Dr J P Manocha says, “An elbow joint replacement may also be used immediately following elbow fractures in elderly patients.” Elbow replacement arthroplasty restores functional mechanics to the joint by removing scar tissue, balancing muscles and inserting a joint replacement in place of the destroyed elbow. One part of the artificial joint is fixed to the inside of the humerus (arm bone) and the other part to the inside of the ulna (one of the forearm bones). The two parts are then connected using a hinge pin that gives the joint stability. As for the surgery, after anaesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision in the back of the elbow joint helping prevent damage because most of the blood vessels and nerves are on the inside of the elbow. The tendons and ligaments are then moved, exposing the joint. The joint surfaces of the ulna and the radius are removed with a surgical saw. The surgeon then prepares the hollow marrow of the ulna to hold the metal stem. He then repeats the procedure on the humerus.

(Source: TOI Mumbai, 24th sept Page 12)

Carb-rich diets ‘may damage liver’

Adiet rich in potatoes, white bread and white rice may be contributing to a “silent epidemic” of a dangerous liver condition. “High-glycaemic” foods—rapidly digested by the body—could be causing “fatty liver”, increasing the risk of serious illness. Boston-based researchers, writing in the journal Obesity, found mice fed starchy foods developed the disease. Those fed a similar quantity of other foods did not. One obesity expert said fatty liver in today’s children was “a tragedy of the future”. Fatty liver is exactly as it sounds - a build-up over time of fat deposits around the organ. At the time, no ill-effects are felt, but it has been linked with a higher risk of potentially fatal liver failure later in life. The study, carried out at Boston Children’s Hospital, looked at the effect of diets with precisely the same calorific content, but very different ingredients when measured using the glycaemic index (GI). This is a measure of how quickly the energy in the food is absorbed by the body, producing a rise in blood sugar levels—high GI foods lead to sharper rises in blood sugar, and similar rises in insulin levels, as the body releases the chemical in response. High GI foods include many breakfast cereals and processed foods such as white bread and white rice. Low GI foods include unprocessed fruit, nuts, pulses and grains, including rye or granary bread, spaghetti, apples and oranges. After six months on the diet, the mice weighed the same, but those on the high GI diet had twice the normal amount of fat in their bodies, blood and livers. The researchers say that because the processed carbohydrates are absorbed so quickly, they trigger the release of more of the chemical insulin, which tells the body to lay down more fat. Dr David Ludwig, who led the research, said that the results would also apply to humans, and even children, in whom fatty liver is becoming far more common. “This is a silent but dangerous epidemic,” he said. “Just as type 2 diabetes exploded into our consciousness in the 1990s, so we think fatty liver will in the coming decade.” Tam Fry, National Obesity Forum board member and chairman of the Child Growth Foundation, said it was clear that eating a diet rich in high-glycaemic food led to increased fat. He said: “Fatty liver is going to be one of the tragedies of the future unless we do something about it.” Azmina Govindja, a dietician and spokesman for the British Dietetic Association, said that the biggest threat from a diet rich in high-glycaemic food was development of insulin resistance—the first sign of type 2 diabetes. She said: “There is a place for high-glycaemic carbohydrates in moderation as part of a balanced diet, but there’s good research that eating too much can increase the risk of insulin resistance—and this can lead to serious health problems. AGENCIES

Ugly face of your beauty regime

Every day we pile tons of products on our skin to make it look more attractive. Here’s a look at what those chemicals are doing to our bodies
Whether we’re slapping on beauty products, spraying on deodorant or slathering hair dye, we all strive to look and smell good on a daily basis. However, we often do it without even a second thought to what we are actually applying to our bodies. Women who use make-up daily are flooding their bodies with as much as two kilos of chemicals each year. So what are the hidden consequences of our product-rich beauty regimes?

LIPSTICK: It's tempting to apply lipstick several times a day, but do we ever stop to think about where it actually disappears to? Could it be that the sweet treat we scoffed for lunch was accompanied by a petroleum-laced lipstick coulis? The average woman will eat two pounds of lipstick in her lifetime. Most lipsticks contain petroleum derivatives. So try brands based on beeswax, plant oils or vitamin E.

OLD MAKE-UP Despite recommendations eye make-up should be thrown away after six months, a shocking 92 per cent of women admit they keep their mascara for longer. And twothirds of them use eye make-up that’s over two years old. Mascara can be a breeding ground for bacteria. A lot of women suffer from itchy, watery and red eyes when they keep makeup for long and share it with their friends. Pay heed to dispose it the next time around.

HAIR DYE Those who use permanent hair dye are 2.1 times more likely to develop bladder cancer (as are their hairdressers). Both ammonia and paraphenylenediamine (PPD) — a chemical substance widely used in dyes — can cause allergic reactions too.

TOOTHPASTE You've been faithfully brushing twice daily since childhood. But some pastes contain sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)—known to cause recurrent mouth ulcers. It's been prohibited in bubble baths because it can cause rashes and infection.

TEETH WHITENING KITS A pearly white smile is obviously appealing but teeth whitening kits can have their pitfalls too. Over-the-counter whitening kits use chemicals with a low pH which are highly acidic. Acid softens and dissolves tooth enamel which can mean your teeth could end up weaker and looking more yellow.

ANTIPERSPIRANT Aluminium in antiperspirants has been highlighted after tests on women who've had mastectomies found high levels of metal in their outer breast tissue. Research has showed that metal could cause cancer and tests suggest parabens — chemicals in beauty products and toiletries — are also linked with the killer disease.

SANITARY PRODUCTS Toxic Shock Syndrome, is a rare but potentially fatal disease, linked to tampon use. Some pads may also contain chlorine-bleached wood pulp. Chlorine bleaching produces an unwanted byproduct called dioxin which has been linked to cancer, endometriosis and immune system suppression.

ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP Around 79 per cent of liquid soaps and 29 per cent of bar soaps contain triclosan — an antibiotic designed to kill a wide variety of germs. However it seems the need for cleanliness could actually be too effective and lead to bacterial resistance. This in turn can contribute to incidence of MRSA. This chemical is an unnecessary addition to most products and retailers should phase out such products as soon as possible.

MUMS AND BABIES BEWARE! One of the main things to avoid during pregnancy are laurel sulphates (often in shampoos and toothpaste). Our skin absorbs around 60 per cent of products. So what we apply to our skin goes into our system which is then absorbed by the foetus. Parabens (often in deodorants, shampoos and make-up) have been linked with cancer so should also be avoided. Don't bathe your baby in anything apart from plain warm water for at least a month after the birth. Their skin is tender and thin and the chemicals that they absorb leave them with skin problems for the rest of their lives. Use olive oil on dry cracked skin or even breast milk! Baby wipes often contain propylene glycol, a chemical that carries moisture in cosmetics. A common ingredient in anti-freeze and paint it's classified as a safe toxin. Talcum powder contains a substance similar to asbestos and the use of talc has been linked to increased cases of ovarian cancer. — Daily Mirror
(Source: Mumbai Mirror, Page 34, 23rd Sept 2007)

THE WAR WITHIN

The battle that rages within us starts when we enter the world and continues until the day we die, says Robert T Melaccio
The conflict that rages within is an integral part of all of us. It is the war between good and bad, right and wrong, hate or love, mercy or vengeance, want and need, lust and relationship and much more. It starts the moment we open our eyes and enter this world and it continues until the day we finally close those eyes and leave this world. Those who remain are left to deal with our influences. When we are born, conflict enters on a personal note through our body needs and wants. We cry, yell, annoy, interrupt — those of us who have raised babies understand. We care not about others, we only care about us. We recognise just what is required through our inner self. As we get older we shape those needs and wants via our senses, opinions, desires, environment, influences, education and outside impacts. It is now that the true war begins not only with ourselves but also with every single being we come to interact with. Some of those interactions are good and some are bad. The bottom line we are consistently at war within and it is a consistent and constant battle. Now this war relates to the choices one makes. It could be said it is the path you chose. The inner being is the real you in effect your intellect, your spiritual being. That is who you are. Our outer being most likely demonstrates that which we have installed as part of our shield, that book cover we show to all and which demonstrates that which we accept as right and perceive as acceptable by those whom we want to accept us. That which we have been taught, instructed and accepted as being right. Who is to say what is right or wrong? We all dream, fantasise and covet. It is however, the disciplines and controls, the safety mechanisms that we have set, accepted and installed that keep us on the path and which we perceive as good, verses that of bad. Well that is where society as a whole emerges. Society is the collective thoughts of many which are translated into laws, norms and traditions. They are the outer forces or controls that we as a majority put into place to stop, warn, and allow for what is perceived as good for all of us. That is why conflict when you have the breaking or abuse of those norms, which have been established for the good of the whole. It matters not what your inner being thinks, desires or wants, it is what society, the group, the majority has established as norms and acceptable. Break them and there is a price to pay, no one greater then the whole. This is what creates tranquillity, peace, security, safety, and society and reduce separation and conflict. Once we cross the line and break the law for one, a group and ideology and want to impose that and our will and philosophy on all without the acceptance of all we can expect anger, conflict or worse. Our inner self should be open to truth, facts, the roots of the entire issue and not selectively impose our thoughts while eliminating all others as bad, wrong, non important.

(Source: TOI, Mumbai, 23rd Sept, Page 23)

HOW TO QUIT SMOKING:

Purwa Duggal, head-nutrition therapy, in a Mumbai hospital, says a few simple steps, coupled with a healthy approach, can help achieve this:
Start your day with thinking positive thoughts about quitting smoking.

Make use of healthy substitutes such as apples, carrot sticks, celery, etc.

Opt for vitamin C-rich food,which is a powerful antioxidant,abundant in foods such as guava,oranges, red pepper.This helps protect the body against the oxidative damage caused by smoking.

Keep away from alcohol, sugar and coffee, as these may stimulate a desire to have a cigarette. l

Increase intake of water and plenty of fluids to flush out nicotine from the body.

Never eat large portions. Eat small quantities, frequently and regularly.

Get exercising. Quitting is all about changing your approach — you can change your life when you change your mind.

WHERE HELP IS AT HAND

Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences, Delhi, Ph: 011-22112136, 22114025
PGIMER, Chandigarh, Ph : 0172-2747585
King George's Medical College, Lucknow, Ph: 0522-2257450, 2257451, 2257452, 2257453
Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Bhopal, Ph: 0755-2665720, 2666374, 4255680, 4255682
Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Jaipur, Ph: 0141-2700107, 2702106, 2702120, 2702899, 5113107
Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, Tel: 033-24765101/5102/5103
Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, Ph: 022-24177000, 24146750
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, Ph: 080-26995001/5002, 26564140, 26561811, 26565822
National Organisation for Tobacco Eradication, Panaji, Ph: 0832-2423366
MNJ Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Centre, Hyderabad, Ph: 040-23318414, 23318422, 23318424
Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai, Ph: 044-24911526 norbert.rego@timesgroup.com
(Source:TOI Mumbai,Times Life, 23rd Sept 2007)

YOGA FOR A CONSTIPATED STOMACH - I

Exercises to improve digestion
Some diseases are clearly a result of modern day lifestyle where stress has reached its peak and the quality of food is at its worst. Instead of natural foods, man is consuming processed food. One can imagine the number of chemicals in such foods. In this series, we will cover simple yet effective yogic techniques to strengthen your body so that it can digest or eliminate any kind of food.

EXERCISE 1
Step 1: Stand straight, with your feet together and your palms joined in front of your chest Breathe normally.
Step 2: Inhale, keep your palms together and bend your back, stretching your arms over your head.
Step 3: Exhale and bend forward from the hip Place your palms on the floor and your head on your knees Keep your knees straight Hold the position for a few seconds Slowly return to the starting position and relax.

EXERCISE 2
Stand straight with your feet together and your arms by your side Raise one arm sideways to the shoulder level.Turn the palm up and stretch it Exhale, stretching arm over the head and bend the body to one side Hold the position for 10-30 seconds. Inhale, and resume the starting position Repeat with the other side.

Regular yoga relieves migraines

Practise of yoga can do wonders for your aching head

Workplace and harmony make uneasy bedfellows. The cargo of deadlines, expectations, conflict with colleagues and new challenges take a heavy toll on us. The mercury of pressure seems insurmountable at times. It’s as if late afternoon triggers of headache have become an ungainly part of our constitution.

What causes wash out?

• Getting into overdrive and spending
extra hours at work

• Not switching off and taking work home

• Striving for perfection and driving expectations to unrealistic levels
Regular Yoga practise will go a long way in releasing muscular tension. You will learn a lot about your body, its posture and the way it reacts to stress – this often helps keep headache at bay.
But Yoga is not a panacea; you should always seek a doctor’s advice if you suffer from anything more severe than a tension headache.
Let’s understand two basic yogic techniques that should help you alleviate stress. One of the best postures to counter headache is Viparita Karani (supported inverted) or legs-up-the-wall posture. You could also treat yourself to Shavasana with your knees up, or legs supported on a blanket.
Yoga can also aid in relieving migraines and other severe headaches, but in these cases it might be wiser to talk with a Yoga instructor who specialises in therapeutic practices - he or she will assess your problem and prescribe a combination of Asanas and Pranayama that will help.

Tips to de-stress

You may not have much time to get up and walk off those throbbing pains at work place. So, attempt some of these guidelines at your desk:

• Raise your shoulders and try and touch your ears

• Hold this position for a few seconds. Then release it

• Do this about 10 times or until your shoulder feels less tense

• Shake your wrist for at least 30 seconds

• Breathe in hold your breath for a few seconds and then exhale slowly. Repeat this about five times

• Tense your whole body

• Clench your fist

• Twitch your face and close your eyes

• Hold this for few seconds then relax A note of caution – it is better you do this when your colleagues take a break and go for tea/coffee. Don’t do it in their presence; they might think that you are nuts.

At the desk

• Attach a glare screen to your monitor if you spend hours spent in front of the computer

• Put a hood over your monitor to keep light from hitting it from above and the sides

• A ten-minute break (even if the day is arduous) does one a world of good.
(Source:Mumbai Mirror,17.06.2006)

Male sex organ is new source for stem cells

Male sex organ is new source for stem cells

May Help Treat Injuries, Replace Diseased Tissue And Perhaps Even Regenerate Organs: Experts
Washington: Stem cells that normally make sperm can be taught to make other tissues as well, perhaps offering men a medical repair kit, US researchers said. They found a way to easily pick the cells out from other tissue in the testicles and to grow them into batches big enough to use medically. This provides a new source of stem cells, the body’s master cells, which experts hope can be used to treat injuries, replace diseased tissue and perhaps even regenerate organs. Dr Shahin Rafii of Weill Cornell Medical College in New York and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute worked with mice, and is starting work now to find the same cells in humans. “Some hurdles remain, of course — we have to replicate these findings in humans, and we haven’t discovered the exact ‘switch’ that would allow us to control (their) development on demand,” Rafii said. “Nevertheless, it appears that these unique specialised spermatogonial cells could be an easily obtained and manipulated source of stem cells with exactly the same capability to form new tissues that we see in embryonic stem cells.” On Tuesday, the National Institutes of Health said it would follow a presidential executive order to encourage the search for various sources of stem cells. US president George Bush opposes the use of most embryonic stem cells — those taken from tiny human embryos. Rafii’s is one of many new sources being worked on by researchers, who have found so-called adult stem cells in blood, bone marrow and other tissue. Other, more primitive cells have been found in the placenta and amniotic fluid. In general, the more primitive the stem cell, the more flexible it is and the more various tissues it can be used to make. “Adult stem cells are much more difficult to work with,” Rafii said in a telephone interview. “But now we have another potential source and in this paper we have delineated all the things we have to do to get these amazing stem cells.” A small little sample of flesh from the testicles should provide enough cells to work with, Rafii said. Once isolated, they grew the mouse cells into blood vessel, heart and muscle cells. These could provide a perfectly matched transplant for the patient himself and perhaps others as well. They can also be transferred to other individuals who are a genetic match. You could even give it to a sister if they are genetically compatible,” Rafii said. The cells should be robust in most men, the researchers believe. “Normally, the spermatogonial progenitor cell is committed to only that function, and they’re remarkably efficient, keeping men fertile well into advanced age,” said Dr Marco Seandel, a researcher at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. REUTERS
Source:TOI,Mumbai,20th Sep 07