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Five dietary switches you can adapt for a healthy lifestyle
'Healthy lifestyle' a common phrase that has come under much scrutiny over the last couple years, has some of us checking our calorie count with every meal intake, and most of us aiming to achieve it, but never being able to. Despite alarming facts that reveal the sorry state of the Indian population's heart health, and India accounting for approximately 60 per cent of the world's heart diseases, it becomes an important consideration. We know that hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, or obesity can impact our health negatively. These can be caused by our poor lifestyle choices. Our sedentary lifestyles have led to reduced levels of physical activity, coupled with the lack of moderation and imbalance in our food habits that include excess consumption of processed foods high in refined sugar, salt and high-in fat consisting of saturated and trans-fat. The key to minimising health risks is not as hard as you may think. Starting small and adopting simple dietary and lifestyle changes can help in maintaining overall heart health. Choose granola bars over Indian dessert We Indians have a sweet tooth and crave for something sweet with our meals, but most of the time we go overboard with the consumption of desserts which have excessive amount of sugar. Over consumption of sugar for long period of time accumulates as fat in the body causing weight gain. Even though sugar is part of our regular diet one needs to be mindful about the consumption pattern, portion sizes and should go for a snack which is more ideal. Granola bars are a quick snack for those who need a power boost but make sure you use low amounts of sugar. Homemade granola bars can be made at home with oats, berries, edible seeds and dry fruits that are high sources of fibre and protein. Soluble fibre helps to reduce LDL levels i.e., bad cholesterol and blood pressure which will keep your heart healthy. Swap fruit juices with whole fruits Consuming whole fruits in the morning helps in better absorption of vitamins from the fruits. However, people choose the convenient option and consume fruit juices. Natural and canned fruit juices are a concentrated sources of sugars without the benefit of fibre. Hence, it is advisable to include whole fruits as part of your breakfast, which have nutrients like fibre, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Seasonal fruits can be a good way to include fruits in your breakfast every day. Choose blended oils over single seed oils Our day-to-day cooking requires oil in almost all our meals, therefore choosing the right oil is a simple change for overall health. Though single seed oils like ground nut, soybean, canola etc. do have health benefits, they are not enough to provide the right balance of fatty acids which are recommended in our diet. A healthier switch would be opting for multi-source oils, also known as blended oils. Blended oils with antioxidants have multiple benefits like providing nutrition from fats and improving immunity. It is prepared by combining two or more oils into one to obtain benefits of two oils in one. They are scientifically blended to provide good balance of MUFAs and PUFAs that help manage cholesterol. Choosing a blended oil like Saffola Gold Blended Oil as part of your everyday diet can help in keeping your heart healthy. It has natural antioxidants that help build immunity and gives you benefits of oryzanol that helps lower your cholesterol. Additionally, it has LOSORB technology which helps in absorbing lower quantities of oil during frying compared to other cooking oils. The oil is a blend of Rice Bran Oil which is rich in MUFA and Sunflower Oil which is rich in PUFA; and hence, gives you a good balance of MUFA and PUFA, which is beneficial for your heart health. Lower sodium and saturated fat rich snack foods The American Heart Association and Indian Council of Medical Research recommend ideal consumption of sodium to be no more than 2000 mg a day. Processed foods like chips, crackers or white bread as an evening snack has become a norm amongst adults these days and these foods are usually high in sodium and saturated fat. It is important to check nutritional labels before purchasing processed foods to assess the amount of sodium and saturated fat you are consuming. You can also opt for a healthy switch and consume foods like fruits, sprouts, oats, yogurt or millet based foods for snacks. Swap fast food with healthy alternatives Working professionals living sedentary lifestyles tend to depend on fast food to satisfy their hunger pangs. Fast food could have excess amounts of saturated fats, refined sugar and sodium, increasing the possibility of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol imbalance. To counter this, a simple habit of eating healthy alternatives like hummus wrap, savoury oatmeal, and millet dosas can be relished. Chickpeas, oats, millet flour and veggies have great source of plant-based protein and fiber which improves your good gut bacteria and have low glycemic Index that helps to control blood sugar levels. Leafy vegetables like spinach, cabbage, fenugreek leaves, kale and collard greens are high in fibre, vitamins and minerals that promote overall health and heart health. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can seem overwhelming, especially with all the information out there. However, breaking down your health goals and making simple, easy changes to your everyday habits can help achieve a healthy lifestyle. Also Read: Expectations change in relationships with age: Study This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
26 November,2022 07:27 PM IST | New Delhi | IANS
Most people suffering from long Covid are facing social stigma, discrimination
The last two years of the Covid-19 pandemic has had lasting effects on people not only physically but also mentally and that can be seen in many different ways. A new study has now found that majority of people living with long Covid are experiencing some form of social stigma directly related to their condition. Published in the journal PLOS ONE, the study was conducted by researchers at the University of Southampton and Brighton and Sussex Medical School and co-designed by people living with long Covid (from the charity Long Covid Support) in the UK. An estimated 2.3 million people are living with long Covid in the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics data, and numbers are not decreasing due to limited treatment options and continued high Covid infection rates. "There have been countless anecdotal reports of the stigma, dismissal and discrimination faced by people living with long Covid. We were shocked to see just how prevalent it is, but the findings also empower us to do something about it," said Dr Marija Pantelic, lecturer in public health at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. In the study, nearly two thirds (63 per cent) of people reported experiences of stigma such as being treated with less respect or people they care about stopping contact with them due to their health condition. About 91 per cent expected to experience stigma and discrimination, for example they thought many people did not consider long Covid to be a real illness or they anticipated judgment. Eighty-six per cent of respondents felt a profound sense of shame related to having long Covid - they were embarrassed of their illness and felt "very different" from people without long Covid. In the study, 61 per cent of people said they were very careful who they tell about their condition, and about one third (34 per cent) of respondents regretted having told people about it. Overall, the prevalence of experiencing stigma was higher in those who reported having a clinical diagnosis of long Covid compared to those without or who were unsure. "We were surprised to find that people with a clinical diagnosis of Long Covid were more likely to report stigma than people without a formal diagnosis. More research is needed to unpack the potential mechanisms of how and where this stigma is manifested, and who is most likely to stigmatise and be stigmatised," said Nisreen Alwan, Professor of Public Health at the University of Southampton. Also Read: Five bacteria were responsible for at least 6.8 lakh deaths in India in 2019: Lancet study This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
25 November,2022 06:23 PM IST | London | IANS
Five bacteria were responsible for at least 6.8 lakh deaths in India in 2019
A new Lancet study has revealed that infections remain a leading cause of death globally and in India with as many as five bacteria were responsible for at least 6.8 lakh deaths in 2019. The five deadly bacteria in India are led by E.coli, along with S. pneumoniae, K. pneumoniae, S. aureus and A. baumanii. E. Coli alone claimed at least 1.6 lakh lives in India in 2019. Globally, there were 77 lakh deaths associated with the 33 bacterial pathogens (both resistant and susceptible to antimicrobials) across the 11 infectious syndromes. "The 33 bacterial pathogens that we investigated in this study are a substantial source of health loss globally, with considerable variation in their distribution across infectious syndromes and locations," said the Lancet study. "Hence, they should be considered an urgent priority for intervention within the global health community. Strategies to address the burden of bacterial infections include infection prevention, optimised use of antibiotics, improved capacity for microbiological analysis, vaccine development, and improved and more pervasive use of available vaccines," the researchers noted. The researchers estimated deaths associated with 33 bacterial genera or species across 11 infectious syndromes in 2019 using methods from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, in addition to a subset of the input data described in the Global Burden of Antimicrobial Resistance 2019 study. This study included 343 million individual records or isolates covering 11,361 study-location-years. From an estimated 13.7 million infection-related deaths in 2019, there were 7.7 million deaths associated with the 33 bacterial pathogens (both resistant and susceptible to antimicrobials) across the 11 infectious syndromes estimated in this study. Five leading pathogens -- Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa -- were responsible for 54.9 per cent of deaths among the investigated bacteria. "The age-standardised mortality rate associated with these bacterial pathogens was highest in the sub-Saharan Africa super-region, with 230 deaths per 100a邈 population," said the study. S aureus was the leading bacterial cause of death in 135 countries and was also associated with the most deaths in individuals older than 15 years, globally. Among children younger than 5 years, S pneumoniae was the pathogen associated with the most deaths. "In 2019, more than 6 million deaths occurred as a result of three bacterial infectious syndromes, with lower respiratory infections and bloodstream infections each causing more than 2 million deaths and peritoneal and intra-abdominal infections causing more than 1 million deaths," the study noted. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 November,2022 10:42 PM IST | New Delhi | IANS
High amount of good cholesterol levels doesn't guarantee low heart disease risk
As more and more people try to achieve a healthy body by maintaining high levels of good cholesterol in their diet, new research has revealed that high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol may not be as effective in "uniformly predicting cardiovascular disease risk" for adults belonging to all races and ethnic backgrounds. A National Institutes of Health (NIH)-supported, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, found that while low levels of HDL cholesterol predicted an increased risk of heart attacks or related deaths for white adults - a long-accepted association, but the same was not true for Black adults. Additionally, higher HDL cholesterol levels were not associated with reduced cardiovascular disease risk for either group. "The goal was to understand this long-established link that labels HDL as the beneficial cholesterol, and if that's true for all ethnicities," said Nathalie Pamir, associate professor of medicine within the Knight Cardiovascular Institute at Oregon Health & Science University, Portland. "It's been well accepted that low HDL cholesterol levels are detrimental, regardless of race. Our research tested those assumptions," Pamir added. To reach this conclusion, Pamir and her colleagues reviewed data from 23,901 adults who participated in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Study (REGARDS). For the current study, researchers were able to look at how cholesterol levels from black and white middle-aged adults without heart disease who lived throughout the country overlapped with future cardiovascular events. The study was the first to find that lower HDL cholesterol levels only predicted increased cardiovascular disease risk for white adults. It also expands on findings from other studies showing that high HDL cholesterol levels are not always associated with reduced cardiovascular events. "What I hope this type of research establishes is the need to revisit the risk-predicting algorithm for cardiovascular disease," Pamir said. "It could mean that in the future we don't get a pat on the back from our doctors for having higher HDL cholesterol levels." As researchers study HDL cholesterol's role in supporting heart health, they are exploring different theories. One is quality over quantity. That is, instead of having more HDL, the quality of HDL's function - in picking up and transporting excess cholesterol from the body - may be more important for supporting cardiovascular health. "HDL cholesterol has long been an enigmatic risk factor for cardiovascular disease," said Sean Coady, a deputy branch chief of epidemiology within the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)'s Division of Cardiovascular Sciences. The findings suggest that a deeper dive into the epidemiology of lipid metabolism is warranted, especially in terms of how race may modify or mediate these relationships. "When it comes to risk factors for heart disease, they cannot be limited to one race or ethnicity," said Pamir. "They need to apply to everyone."Also Read: Apple Watch may help detect silent heart disease: Study This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 November,2022 10:36 PM IST | New Delhi | IANS
Explainer: Understanding testicular cancer and why men should get tested early
PremiumIn the recent past, when one talks about men’s health, there has been an increasing focus on mental health, which has come to the fore because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Every November there is also an attempt to shed more light on men's health issues. Known as Men’s Health Awareness Month globally, the observance coincides with International Men’s Day which was celebrated on November 19. Incidentally, the month of November focuses on men’s health in more ways than one as worldwide movements such as ‘Movember’ are also underway. It broadly focuses on raising awareness about prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention among men. After focussing on prostate cancer and mental health as a part of the series on men’s health this month, this week throws light on testicular cancer. A type of cancer that experts say is necessary to check even though it has a low incidence in India, because early treatment will lead to complete cure of the cancer. Mid-day Online spoke to Dr Prasad Kasbekar, consultant surgical oncologist, Masina Hospital, and Dr Santoshi Janardan Nagaonkar, director, urological oncology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital to understand more about the type of cancer affecting men. Kasbekar and Nagaonkar not only dwell on the causes and effects but also the need for men to not feel shy and instead conduct self-examinations to help detect and treat the cancer early. What is testicular cancer?Kasbekar: Every male has two reproductive organs located in the groin region of the body in a special sac known as the scrotum; these are your testes, from which the sperms are produced for male reproduction. Abnormal development of the cells in this area can lead to cancer, and that is what we call testicular cancer. Testicular cancers are classified into three types: the first is a seminomatous germ cell tumour type, the second is a non-seminomatous germ cell tumour type, and the third is lymphoma. Who is prone to suffering from testicular cancer? Is it seen more in a particular age group?Kasbekar: Seminomatous and non-seminomatous are seen in younger age groups. While seminomatous is approximately seen in the 30 to 40 years age bracket, non-seminomatous is even younger in the 20 to 30 years age bracket. Testicular lymphomas are seen more in advanced stages, and above 50 years of age. Nagaonkar: One of the predisposing factors for developing testicular cancer is undescended testes. Male children who are born with hidden testes (one or both) which are not palpable in the scrotum at the time of birth have an increased risk of developing testes cancer. This cancer also has family predisposition, mainly kids born to father or brother who suffered with testicular cancer carry higher risk. Testicular cancer is one of the cancers with the highest cure rate, if diagnosed in an early stage. Younger men in the age range of 18-44 years often get diagnosed with this cancer. What are the causes of testicular cancer?Kasbekar: People who have an abnormal descent of testes, which is known as cryptorchidism, or have a history of trauma to the testes, or in general have radiation exposure to the testes, or have a known genetic disorder such as Down Syndrome, or any genetic problem, are more at risk for testicular cancer. What are the effects of testicular cancer?Kasbekar: Usually testicular cancer presents as a reduced or loss of sensation in the testes or as a painless lump or mass in the testes that a man may feel on simple examination. This should always be taken seriously because cancers of the testes, if treated effectively, can have a very good result and long survival. Treatment for these cancers typically begins with the removal of the testes, which is accomplished through a high inguinal orchiectomy surgery. A biopsy of the testes directly by passing a needle is completely contradicted, as it has been shown to increase spread and discomfort due to the testes. What are the symptoms one should look for in testicular cancer?Kasbekar: Usually the symptoms one looks for in testicular cancer are a painless enlargement of one testicle. This is usually insidious on presentation, and during routine examination, a person finds some difference in his testes. Experiencing back pain or even abdominal pain sometimes are the other symptoms. Nagaonkar: Like most other cancers, in early stages this cancer will cause no symptoms. One can feel an abnormal painless lump or heaviness in their scrotum. In advanced cancers, the person can experience weight loss, loss of appetite, bone pain, breathing difficulties or even swelling in the abdomen or neck regions. Standard treatment for this cancer is removal of the affected testes. In slightly advanced cases, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may have to be used. What are the misconceptions about testicular cancer?Nagaonkar: There are some misconceptions about testicular cancer. Even though the cancer is common in the younger population, it also affects older men. Cancer cells do not get transmitted to your sexual partner and neither is it linked to Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s). Also, any trivial trauma to the scrotal region will not lead to cancer. Testicular cancer will not cause infertility (low sperm count), but it has been observed that more than 50 per cent men diagnosed with testis cancer coincidentally will have poor sperm count. However, the therapeutic treatment (surgery/chemotherapy/radiation therapy) of testicular cancer could be one of the causes of male infertility. Therefore, your treating doctor will recommend doing sperm banking (preservation) before initiating any treatment. What is the severity of testicular cancer in men?Kasbekar: Though not as common as other cancers such as breast or mouth cancer, testicular cancer is also a cancer of which people should be aware because if treated early, people can have very good results and live long lives. Avoidance and late treatment generally lead to complications such as the spread of the disease, which later leads to a lot of stress as well as a lot of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and other procedures. Hence, early detection can reduce the morbidity of treatment as well as improve the patient's overall survival. What is the frequency in which men should get themselves checked?Kasbekar: Since early treatment of testicular cancer can have very good results, testicular self-examination is very important. Go to the doctor, get yourself checked once again, understand how you should examine your testes, and do it once every 3 to 4 months after the age of 20. That means you have to look for the size, shape, consistency, and feel when you do the examination. Look for any change in the sensations. Why is it important to raise awareness about testicular cancer? Is it among the top cancers men should be weary of?Nagaonkar: Due to its nature, most men don’t like to talk about this cancer and they are also shy in presenting them to a doctor. Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness about this cancer. A simple ‘Self-Examination Test (SET)’ on a periodical basis can lead to an early diagnosis and complete cure of the cancer. A systematic scrotal examination to palpate individual testis to feel for any lumps is very easy and can be done while having a shower when the muscles are relaxed and one has complete privacy. In case of any doubt, one should not hesitate to seek an opinion from a urologist. The urologist will perform a simple examination and based on his/her findings, will initiate any further tests. Even the subsequent tests are simple which may include an ultrasound examination, X-ray and some blood tests. The incidence of testicular cancer is 1 in 250 male children and cannot be ignorantly low. There have been instances where a few international sports personalities have overcome this cancer in recent years. It is imperative that we buckle ourselves up and start performing SET (Self-Examination Test) and get over with this under-publicised but completely treatable demon. Also read: Bladder health awareness month: Experts advise women not to silently suffer urinary leakages
22 November,2022 10:56 AM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento Pinto
Apple Watch may help detect silent heart disease: Study
A new study focusing on identifying heart abnormalities like left ventricular dysfunction has taken a look at the ECG capabilities of the Apple Watch. Left Ventricular dysfunction of the heart is usually followed by congestive heart failure that can lead to a multitude of cardiac disorders. The Mayo Clinic study explains that cardiac dysfunction often goes undiagnosed due to its asymptomatic nature, meaning people with it are unaware of it, reports 9 to 5 Mac. It would be a major breakthrough if something like the Apple Watch could detect it passively or help diagnose it, the report added. The study included 2,454 patients from the US and 11 other countries. From August 2021 to February 2022, these participants sent over 1,25,000 ECGs via their Apple Watch. These results were then "scrubbed and processed via a proprietary AI algorithm developed by the researchers", according to the report. By using the mean prediction within a 30-day window or the closest ECG relative to the echocardiogram that determined the EF, the AI algorithm detected patients with a low EF (ejection fraction) with an area under the curve of 0.885 (95 per cent confidence interval 0.823-0.946) and 0.881 (0.815-0.947), said the report. The findings showed that "consumer-watch ECGs acquired in nonclinical environments can identify patients with cardiac dysfunction". The study also infers that "the potential of smartwatches to assist with conducting remote digital health studies is just in the beginning phases". Also Read: Bladder health awareness month: Experts advise women not to silently suffer urinary leakages This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 November,2022 05:09 PM IST | San Francisco | IANS
Less discussed urinary leakages affect women's bladder health: Experts
The month of November is being celebrated as the Bladder health awareness month in India to create awareness on bladder health. Experts on this occasion call on women not to suffer urinary leakages silently, which could lead to severe complications. Dr Rubina Shanawaz, Consultant Gynecologist, Fortis Hospital, stated that one in four women in India above the age of 35 face some kind of urinary leakage. The common misconception is that it is a part of having given birth to children and due to the ageing process. Also, it is a fact that women are embarrassed to bring it up to their families and seek treatment options for the same, she said. In Bangalore, the increased incidence of chronic cough owing to allergies leads to more women suffering from urinary leakage on coughing. Another factor is the increased body mass index owing to a sedentary lifestyle which puts pressure on the urinary bladder leading to embarrassing leaks, Dr Rubina explained. Women suffering from diabetes present with constant visits to the restroom with dribbling of urine which is due to the nerve supply to the bladder being affected by high blood sugar values, she noted. "Most women who approach us are used to managing the issue with sanitary napkins or diapers. They also broadly restrict their lifestyle and avoid getting out of the house to prevent embarrassing urinary leaks and the odour associated. Long-term suffering in silence without treatment can lead to vulval skin excoriation, urinary tract infections, and back pressure effects on the kidney, especially in diabetics," she stated. "Utmost importance needs to be given to eliciting the appropriate history from the patient to arrive at the exact issue contributing to the lack of control of the urinary bladder. The need of the hour is increased awareness among women and their caregivers on the effects of urinary leaks and the treatment options available for the same," Dr Rubina said. Dr P. Vamsi Krishna, HOD and Senior Consultant, Department of Urology, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad stated that "Regardless of the gender, around 20-25 per cent of people have issues with bladder health in India." While the need to treat urological infections is very high, patients do not find the right help or guidance for the treatment. Women are hesitant to seek medical care due to the social stigma and taboo that is persistent in our country. There is huge awareness required regarding urinary infections and their urgent treatment, he explained. Dr P. Vamsi Krishna further explained that one in four women have urinary infections, with a lifetime risk of it. A female's urinary tract is only 3-4 cm wide and of very short length. After sexual intercourse, or when the woman is in her reproductive age, she is highly prone to these infections due to the short urethra. Once the woman enters her menopausal phase, due to the physical dryness, replaced additional poor hormonal activity, and estrogen deficiency in the vaginal area, the body immunity is naturally immunity lowered and increases the risk of infection due to aging, he stated. Dr P. Vamsi Krishna stated, there is also an increase in urinary incontinence in India, and the ratio is higher in women due to the shorter length of their urinary tract. There are two types of incontinence - stress urinary incontinence which is caused due to laxity in the urethra and, urgency incontinence which is due to overactive or irritable bladder and does not let you control your urine, he stated. When the tissues around the urethra become loose or lax a person won't be able to hold their urine. Diabetes is one more catalyst for an overall infection of the body which causes an irritable bladder, he said. Dr P. Vamsi Krishna says that for further treatment and prevention, one should take an adequate course of antibiotics with a minimum of 5-7 days as prescribed by the doctor. Many times, as the antibiotic course is inadequate, the patients face residual and persistent infection and require a prolonged antibiotic course. Females should empty their bladder after physical intercourse, he stated. Elderly ladies should check for diabetes. The patients with stress continency are advised kegel exercises. One should accordingly address these issues further after checking for these underlined issues, as prescribed by your doctor, he said. Dr Sreeharsha Harinatha, Consultant Urology, Uro-oncology, Andrology, Transplant and Robotic Surgery, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore stated that 25 to 45 per cent of adult women report occasional leakage. Urinary leakages are more common in women than in men. Awareness about urinary leakage is a must as women are hesitant to talk about their leak condition. 80 per cent of those affected with urinary leakage can be improved or cured. There are various factors that can cause urinary leak like obesity, childbirth, high impact exercise, caffeine or alcohol consumption and co-morbidities such as diabetes, urinary tract infection and heart diseases, as per Dr Sreeharsha Harinatha. It is vital that one understands the types of urinary incontinence - bladder leaks during exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing which puts a pressure or stress on the bladder, sudden urge to pass urine, having an overactive bladder. However, leakage can be prevented by following certain measures like limiting caffeine intake, stop smoking, weight loss, physical therapy and biofeedback, he explains. For those in whom lifestyle modifications do not provide adequate relief, they would require further evaluation with tests such as urine analysis, ultrasound pelvis and Urodynamic study, he said. Treatment is tailored to individual patient needs and expectations based on symptoms and aforementioned test results, Dr Harinatha stated. Also Read: Of style and warmth: Here’s how to style bodycon clothes during winter This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 November,2022 12:20 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
A new technology aims to detect early-stage Alzheimer's disease: Report
Dealing with Alzheimer's disease is difficult and scientists are constantly working different ways to carry out treatment. Now, according to a report, a team of researchers is developing a "dual-mode brain-sensing device" that detects the disease quickly and effectively. According to UTA (University of Texas at Arlington), Hanli Liu, a bioengineering professor, will be the principal investigator of the project "Digital biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease with compact dual-mode brain sensing". She says "what we are doing in this project is developing a quick and comfortable method to measure metabolic, hemodynamic and electrophysiological (MHE) activities in the human brain". "The proposed development enables us to identify digital neurophysiological biomarkers. After we cross-validate them, they can be used for accurate detection of Alzheimer's in each patient as well as for screening for the early phase of AD," she added. This device records data from near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, as well as from dry/wireless electroencephalograms (EEG), according to the report. In spectroscopy, NIR light is absorbed and emitted by the human cortex, while in electroencephalography, electrical activity in the brain reflects dynamic neural activity. This multifunctional device will be able to measure a variety of brain-health parameters, such as cerebral metabolism, cerebral blood volume, cerebral oxygenation, brain oscillation powers and functional connectivity and neurovascular coupling, the report added. The Alzheimer's Association estimates that 50 million people worldwide, including more than 6 million Americans, suffer from Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. Among all types of dementia, AD kills more people than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. AD and other types of dementia cost $355 billion in 2021, a figure that is expected to rise to more than $1 trillion by 2050, said the report.Also Read: What is Movember and why you need to know about prostate cancer affecting men This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
20 November,2022 04:03 PM IST | San Francisco | IANS
Consuming excess salt may lead to increase in stress levels: Study
The benefits of consuming salt are known but excess of it can also cause problems. A new study has now revealed that a diet containing lots of salt can contribute to increased levels of stress. According to the study published in Cardiovascular Research, scientists found in studies of mice that a high-salt diet increased the levels of a stress hormone by 75 per cent. "We are what we eat and understanding how high-salt food changes our mental health is an important step to improving well-being," said Matthew Bailey, Professor of Renal Physiology at the University of Edinburgh's Centre for Cardiovascular Science. "We know that eating too much salt damages our heart, blood vessels, and kidneys. This study now tells us that high salt in our food also changes the way our brain handles stress," he added. The recommended daily salt intake for adults is less than six grams, but most people eat about nine grams, according to the study. This can lead to higher blood pressure, which increases the risks of heart attacks, strokes, and vascular dementia. Despite the well-established effects on the heart and circulatory system, little was known about how a high-salt diet affects a person's behaviour, the study added. In order to study this, experts from the University of Edinburgh used mice, who normally eat a low-salt diet, and high-salt food to resemble the typical human diet. The researchers found that not only did resting stress hormone levels increase, but the mice's hormone response to environmental stress was double that of mice that had a normal diet, said the study. Experts say further studies are already in progress to determine if high salt intake leads to anxiety and aggression.Also Read: Parents have a key role in protecting children from drug abuse: Experts This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
20 November,2022 03:37 PM IST | San Francisco | IANS
Parents have a key role in protecting children from drug abuse: Experts
Experts who took part in the international forum on 'Drug-free Childhood' here feel that parents have a central role in safeguarding children from drug abuse, as even minor deviations on the part of their children that they tend to ignore could lead to serious consequences. The three-day conclave, which concluded on Friday, had the theme 'Children Matter - Right to a Drug-free Childhood' was organised by the Fourth Wave Foundation (FWF) in partnership with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and World Federation Against Drugs (WFAD). Edit Schlaffer, a top global anti-drug campaigner and founder of 'Women Without Borders', said that four to 10 years is the formative period when the physical and mental personality of a child develops, and the use of alcoholic drinks or smoking by parents at home, which have become a new normal, will seriously affect the character formation of children. "The role of parents in ensuring a drugs-free childhood is especially crucial at a time when the pace of transition to nucleus families has accelerated. Family settings are central to defining the trajectories of current and future generations, and parenting education remains a missing link in most youth safeguarding strategies," said Schlaffer. "It is important to keep in mind that drug abuse is not something that affects your neighbour's children alone. It could happen in one's own family. The tendency on the part of over-indulgent parents who justify minor deviations of their children is common these days. This is dangerous. Parents have to remain alert about what is going on in one's own home," Schlaffer added. In the prevailing family ecosystem, parents should first give up alcoholic drinks and smoking if they want their children to be insulated from drug abuse, said Diana Vincent, Director, Fourth Wave Foundation (FWF). "Parents are the role model of children up to 10 years of age, at least. If the words and deeds of the parents are at variance, it would confuse the children, and that could have a life-long impact on them," said Vincent. Raja Shanmugam from FWF said the age of a child is a sensitive factor which should be taken into serious consideration by the parents. "The tendency to slip into drug abuse is strong till one turns 24. So, the parents should not approach their children in the same way they treat the grown-ups. In our society, pre-marriage counselling is organised by religious establishments and community outfits. On the same lines, counselling against drug abuse should be planned to root out this danger", said Shanmugam. Also read: Kerala: Young vlogger, his friend held for carrying banned drug and gun This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 November,2022 04:17 PM IST | Thiruvananthapuram | IANS
International Men`s Day 2022
What is Movember and why you need to know about prostate cancer affecting men
PremiumEvery year, the world celebrates Movember in the month of November to raise awareness about men’s health. The ‘Mo’ in Movember is from ‘moustache’, which founders Travis Garone and Luke Slattery realised wasn’t seen as much then and since then has gone on to become the identity of the movement. It has been conducted by the Movember Foundation since 2003 in Australia and has since seen a lot of people come together at the global level to join the cause. The movement primarily raises awareness about prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s mental health and suicide prevention. In a first for the series on men’s health in November, Mid-day Online focuses on prostate cancer. While the awareness about the disease remains only to those who suffer from it or friends and family around them, the understanding outside of it is debatable. So, what is prostate cancer? Dr Santosh S. Waigankar, consultant, urologic oncology and robotic surgery at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, explains, “Prostate cancer is nothing but an uncontrolled (malignant) growth of cells in the prostate gland. The prostate, a walnut-sized gland in men, is placed just below the bladder and in front of the rectum, gripping the urethra. The urethra is a tube that takes urine out of the bladder. The only function of the prostate is to produce and store fluid.” Mid-day Online spoke to Waigankar and Dr Ganesh Bakshi, Uro-Oncology, PD Hinduja Hospital & MRC, to understand more about the cancer. The city-based urologist explains the causes, symptoms and effects of the disease. He also stresses on the need for men to take it seriously by diagnosing it early, along with busting common myths associated with the disease What is prostate cancer? Bakshi: The prostate is a reproductive organ in males. It grows throughout life and is dependent on testosterone. Prostate cancer develops in secreting gland cells which divide and grow abnormally and in uncontrolled fashion.Is prostate cancer seen more in a particular age group? Waigankar: Men above the age of 50 years do have a considerable risk of developing prostate cancer. It is found more commonly in African men.Bakshi: Prostate cancer can be sporadic or seen in men with BRCA mutation or family history of prostate, breast, colon and pancreatic cancer. With such family history, men are at higher risk for development. Also, it is seen more commonly in the age group 60-80 years. What are the causes of prostate cancer? Waigankar: It's not very clear as to what causes prostate cancer. Scientists and doctors know that prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate develop abnormal changes in their genetic material. The DNA contains pertinent instructions that tell a cell how to work and what to do. Sometimes these instructions turn ‘bad’ and tell the cells to grow and divide uncontrollably and more rapidly than normal cells do.Bakshi: Prostate cancer can be attributed to genetic predisposition and can also occur in sporadic manner. Imbalances in hormones and many other causes like tobacco and pollution can cause mutations leading to abnormal growth forming cancer. What are the effects of prostate cancer? Waigankar: Prostate cancer starts silently with not many symptoms in men. If it progresses, it can cause difficulty in passing urine. If it spreads to the bones, it can cause severe bone pains and sometimes fractures as well of the spine.Bakshi: Prostate cancer is a slow growing cancer with low cancer related death as it occurs in elderly population. In early stages, it doesn't produce any symptoms. Many times it can spread to surrounding organs (locally advanced), can cause urinary retention, hematuria or related to bowel. It can spread to distant parts like bones and organs like liver and lung causing bone pain, weakness and weight loss. What are the symptoms one should look for in prostate cancer? Waigankar: Most men with prostate cancer have no symptoms. Some may have chronic backache not responding to painkillers and affecting sleep and quality of life. Some may have long-standing urine issues which have not improved with medications. Rarely young men may have blood in their semen. Bakshi: Prostate cancer is commonly detected by opportunistic PSA screening, when patient seeks medical advice for Benign Prostatic Disease. These are many times included in health checkups. Many patients with early disease will have no complaints. As it increases, patient will have urinary complaints like frequency, urgency, nocturia, poor stream, straining for micturition, sometimes blood in urine. When it spreads distantly i.e. metastatic it can present as body/boneache or pathological fractures. Why should men take prostate cancer seriously? Waigankar: Prostate cancer is a very indolent cancer. It is very slow to grow. But that doesn't mean one shouldn’t be vigilant about it. It can be aggressive at times, also. It is necessary to take it seriously and that can be done by taking a blood PSA test annually as a part of the health check-up programme. Cancer if diagnosed in an early stage can be offered the best treatment with the best possible outcomes.Bakshi: Prostate cancer if detected at an early stage is curable. If a patient is diagnosed at a later stage such as with spread to distant parts i.e. metastatic, it requires long term therapy, sometimes which is costly, as it occurs in elderly and dependent population, treatment has its social implications. More deaths can occur due to cancer if detected in advanced stages. What are the misconceptions about prostate cancer? Waigankar: Prostate cancer surgery will end your sex life and cause urine leakage: This is a myth. A urine leak is a sequel of surgery and not a complication. If surgery is for treating early-stage prostate cancer, the surgeon can spare the nerves controlling erections during surgery [especially robotic surgery]. With regular pelvic exercises, the patient can become pad-free early. A high PSA score means you have prostate cancer: PSA is an indicator of prostate health. Its level increases with an infection, size increase, or cancer. Some more investigations are needed to look into the exact cause of the rise in the level. Only elderly men get prostate cancer: It is rare for men below 40 years to get it. Even men with mothers or sisters who have breast cancer can be at high risk for developing prostate cancer. If there is a family history of one's father or uncle having prostate cancer, and if there is a concern, then it is better to meet the doctor. You have to start treatment immediately: Sometimes, the doctor may advise 'Active surveillance for early-stage prostate cancers’. This means the patient is only kept on follow-ups with regular PSA, and the treatment is initiated only when the PSA begins to rise. If you get prostate cancer, you'll die of the disease: The fact is many men with prostate cancer are likely to live to old age or die of some other cause. Bakshi: Prostate cancer is less aggressive cancer: This is a misconception. Prostate cancer has a spectrum of severity and aggressiveness. Also, treatment of prostate cancer is available as per stages of disease. Hormone therapy is not a curative treatment for prostate cancer.What is the severity of prostate cancer in men? Waigankar: As per statistics, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer. About one man in 41 will die of prostate cancer. In India, it is certainly in the top five. One also needs to know that prostate cancer can be a serious disease, but most men diagnosed with it do not die. Bakshi: Prostate cancer is risk stratified at the time of diagnosis, based on PSA levels, features on biopsy such as Gleason score and expected life expectancy. We generally classify it into localised - low, intermediate and high risk, locally advanced and metastatic (means spread to other areas). Severity can be put as per stage or symptoms.What is the frequency at which men should get themselves checked? Waigankar: The recommendation is to do a yearly PSA check-up as part of an annual health check-up plan. When to start is a question often asked. It is generally at 50 years for all men, and for men with a very strong family history, it is recommended to start at the age of 40. Bakshi: Risk of prostatic cancer increases with age. Annual PSA levels and trends can guide early diagnosis. PSA screening can be suggested after due consultation in men with a good life expectancy. Men with genetic predisposition should undergo genetic testing after counselling from age of 45 years and further frequent checkup is recommended. Your doctor will give you more advice after taking a detailed history from you and examination.Why is it important to raise awareness about prostate cancer? Is it among the top cancer men should be wary of? Waigankar: In India, prostate cancer is among the top five cancers and is becoming more prominent with time. Awareness about prostate cancer is essential because now, with the development in science and technology, many newer diagnostic modalities like MRI and treatment modalities like robotic surgery are available in Mumbai. Many medicines are available that control even stage four prostate cancer and improve the patient's quality of life.Bakshi: Prostate cancer is among the high incidence cancer in men and also can cause mortality in advanced cases. The genetic predisposition also makes younger males at risk to this cancer. As life expectancy is rising globally there are many elderly who will be at risk for prostate cancer. If awareness is increased people will be understanding the symptoms and then do appropriate consultation with doctor. Accordingly, if diagnosed early, the disease would be curable. Nowadays, many patients present with advanced disease in India as compared to western countries or progressive eastern countries. With awareness we shall possibly detect patients in earlier stages and prevent disease related morbidity and deaths. It also saves on the costs of managing advanced disease. Only thing, the screening needs to be in organised fashion and offered to population at more risk of cancer. Also read: Breast Cancer: Myths, causes, symptoms of the most common cancer in Indian women
19 November,2022 03:11 PM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento Pinto