Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Fathers-to-be suffer from pregnancy pain too ANI | May 25, 2011, 03.55pm IST

A quarter of expectant fathers have claimed that they too go through their own nine-month ''pregnancy symptoms' like mothers-to-be.

According to the Pampers study, modern men have become so closely involved with their partner's pregnancy that 23 per cent report emotional and physical changes often associated with women.

The research found they become more emotional, "weepy", and suffer mood swings, nausea and even phantom pregnancy pains.

Fathers-to-be involved in the study also reported cravings for bizarre food combinations.

Experts said, "The strange phenomenon is due to the emotional upheaval men also go through during their partners pregnancy and more of them attending antenatal classes and scans."

"Many fathers-to-be are overwhelmed by the prospect of becoming a father and need support and reassurance during their partner's pregnancy," the Daily Mail quoted Professor Mary Steen, who works as a consultant for Pampers, as saying.

"The expectant mother will always be the main focus during any pregnancy but it is important to recognise how pregnancy can affect the expectant dad," Steen added.

The Article has been taken from
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Fathers-to-be-suffer-from-pregnancy-pain-too/articleshow/8569304.cms

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Vitamin D Supplementation: An Update: Conclusion by medscape

This article seems to be very informative and feel like sharing with you all


Abstract and Introduction
Introduction
An estimated 1 billion people worldwide, across all ethnicities and age groups, have a vitamin D deficiency.[1–3] This is mostly attributable to people getting less sun exposure because of climate, lifestyle, and concerns about skin cancer. The 1997 Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) values for vitamin D, initially established to prevent rickets and osteomalacia, are considered too low by many experts.[4] DRI values are 200 IU for infants, children, adults up to age 50 years, and pregnant and lactating women; 400 IU for adults aged 50 to 70 years; and 600 IU for adults older than 70 years. Current studies suggest that we may need more vitamin D than presently recommended to prevent chronic disease. Emerging research supports the possible role of vitamin D in protecting against cancer, heart disease, fractures and falls, autoimmune diseases, influenza, type 2 diabetes, and depression. Many health care providers have increased their recommendations for vitamin D supplementation to at least 1,000 IU.[5] As a result, more patients are asking their pharmacists about supplementing with vitamin D.

Pharmacology
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as a steroid hormone. The body makes vitamin D from cholesterol through a process triggered by the action of the sun's ultraviolet B rays on the skin (FIGURE 1). Factors such as skin color, age, amount and time of sun exposure, and geographic location affect how much vitamin D the body makes. Vitamin D influences the bones, intestines, immune and cardiovascular systems, pancreas, muscles, brain, and the control of cell cycles.[6] Its primary functions are to maintain normal blood concentrations of calcium and phosphorus and to support bone health.


Vitamin D undergoes two hydroxylations in the body for activation. There are several metabolic products or modified versions of vitamin D (TABLE 1). Calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3), the active form of vitamin D, has a half-life of about 15 hours, while calcidiol (25-hydroxyvitamin D3) has a half-life of about 15 days.[6] Vitamin D binds to receptors located throughout the body.

Deficiency, Blood Concentrations, and Toxicity
Risk factors for vitamin D deficiency include living in northern latitudes (in the U.S., above the line from San Francisco to Philadelphia), failing to get at least 15 minutes of direct sun exposure daily, being African American or dark-skinned, being elderly, or being overweight or obese.[5] Rickets and osteomalacia are the well-known diseases of severe vitamin D deficiency. Musculoskeletal pain and periodontal disease may also indicate a significant vitamin D deficiency.[7] Subtle symptoms of milder deficiency include loss of appetite, diarrhea, insomnia, vision problems, and a burning sensation in the mouth and throat.[7]Drawing a blood calcidiol concentration is the standard test for vitamin D status, since calcidiol has a longer half-life.[8]
A normal range of vitamin D is 30 to 74 ng/mL, but this can vary among laboratories.[8] Most experts agree that a concentration between 35 and 40 ng/mL is reasonable for preventive health. Some suggest that the optimal concentration for protecting against cancer and heart disease is between 50 and 70 ng/mL and up to 100 ng/mL. Side effects or toxicity can occur when blood concentrations reach 88 ng/mL or greater.[9] Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, sleepiness, and weakness.[6] Too much vitamin D can raise blood calcium concentrations, and acute toxicity causes hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria.

Disease Prevention

Cancer
Vitamin D decreases cell proliferation and increases cell differentiation, stops the growth of new blood vessels, and has significant anti-inflammatory effects. Many studies have suggested a link between low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of cancer, with the strongest evidence for colorectal cancer. A Creighton University study found that postmenopausal women given 1,100 IU of vitamin D3 (plus calcium) versus placebo were 77% less likely to be diagnosed with cancer over the next 4 years.[10] In the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS), subjects with high vitamin D concentrations were half as likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer as those with low concentrations.[11]
Some studies have shown less positive results, however. The Women's Health Initiative found that women taking 400 IU of vitamin D3 (plus calcium) versus placebo did not have a lower risk of breast cancer.[12] Many critics have argued that this dosage of vitamin D is too low to prevent cancer. A 2006 Finnish study of male smokers found that those with higher vitamin D concentrations had a threefold increased risk for pancreatic cancer, with cigarette smoking not found to be a confounding factor.[13] A 2009 U.S. study of men and women (mostly nonsmokers) did not confirm these results, finding no association between vitamin D concentrations and pancreatic cancer overall, except in subjects with low sun exposure.[14] In this subgroup, higher versus lower vitamin D concentrations had a positive association with pancreatic cancer.[14] A definitive conclusion cannot yet be made about the association between vitamin D concentration and cancer risk, but results from many studies are promising.

Heart Disease
Several studies are providing evidence that the protective effect of vitamin D on the heart could be via the renin-angiotensin hormone system, through the suppression of inflammation, or directly on the cells of the heart and blood-vessel walls. In the Framingham Heart Study, patients with low vitamin D concentrations (<15 ng/mL) had a 60% higher risk of heart disease than those with higher concentrations.[15] The HPFS found that subjects with low vitamin D concentrations (<15 ng/mL) were two times more likely to have a heart attack than those with high concentrations (>30 ng/mL).[16] In another study, which followed men and women for 4 years, patients with low vitamin D concentrations (<15 ng/mL) were three times more likely to be diagnosed with hypertension than those with high concentrations (>30 ng/mL).[17] As is the case with cancer and vitamin D, more studies are needed to determine the role of vitamin D in preventing heart disease, but the evidence thus far is positive.

Fractures and Falls
Vitamin D is known to help the body absorb calcium, and it plays a role in bone health. Also, vitamin D receptors are located on the fast-twitch muscle fibers, which are the first to respond in a fall.[18] It is theorized that vitamin D may increase muscle strength, thereby preventing falls.[5] Many studies have shown an association between low vitamin D concentrations and an increased risk of fractures and falls in older adults.
A combined analysis of 12 fracture-prevention trials found that supplementation with about 800 IU of vitamin D per day reduced hip and nonspinal fractures by about 20%, and that supplementation with about 400 IU per day showed no benefit.[19] Researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University have examined the best trials of vitamin D versus placebo for falls. Their conclusion is that "fall risk reduction begins at 700 IU and increases progressively with higher doses."[18] Overall, the evidence is strong in support of supplementing with vitamin D to prevent fractures and falls.

Autoimmune Diseases and Influenza
Since vitamin D has a role in regulating the immune system and a strong anti-inflammatory effect, it has been theorized that vitamin D deficiency could contribute to autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune thyroid disease. Scientists have suggested that vitamin D deficiency in the winter months may be the seasonal stimulus that triggers influenza outbreaks in the winter.Numerous trials have evaluated the association between vitamin D and immune-system diseases.
A prospective study of white subjects found that those with the highest vitamin D concentrations had a 62% lower risk of developing MS versus those with the lowest concentrations.[21] A Finnish study that followed children from birth noted that those given vitamin D supplements during infancy had a nearly 90% lower risk of developing type 1 diabetes compared with children who did not receive supplements.22 In a Japanese randomized, controlled trial, children given a daily vitamin D supplement of 1,200 IU had a 40% lower rate of influenza type A compared with those given placebo; there was no significant difference in rates of influenza type B.[23] More studies of the influence of vitamin D on immunity will be emerging, as this is an area of great interest and it remains unclear whether there is a link.
Type 2 Diabetes and Depression
Some studies have shown that vitamin D may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, but few studies have examined the effect of vitamin D on depression. A trial of nondiabetic patients aged 65 years and older found that those who received 700 IU of vitamin D (plus calcium) had a smaller rise in fasting plasma glucose over 3 years versus those who received placebo.[24] A Norwegian trial of overweight subjects showed that those receiving a high dose of vitamin D (20,000 or 40,000 IU weekly) had a significant improvement in depressive symptom scale scores after 1 year versus those receiving placebo.[25] These results need to be replicated in order to determine a correlation between vitamin D and the risk of diabetes or depression.

Dosing
Only a few foods are a good source of vitamin D. These include fortified dairy products and breakfast cereals, fatty fish, beef liver, and egg yolks. Besides increasing sun exposure, the best way to get additional vitamin D is through supplementation. Traditional multivitamins contain about 400 IU of vitamin D, but many multivitamins now contain 800 to 1,000 IU. A variety of options are available for individual vitamin D supplements, including capsules, chewable tablets, liquids, and drops. Cod liver oil is a good source of vitamin D, but in large doses there is a risk of vitamin A toxicity.[26]
The two forms of vitamin D used in supplements are D2(ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol). D3 is the preferred form, as it is chemically similar to the form of vitamin D produced by the body and is more effective than D2 at raising the blood concentration of vitamin D.[27] Since vitamin D is fat soluble, it should be taken with a snack or meal containing fat. In general, 100 IU of vitamin D daily can raise blood concentrations 1 ng/mL after 2 to 3 months (TABLE 2).[28] Once the desired blood concentration is achieved, most people can maintain it with 800 to 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily.[28] Even though dosages up to 10,000 IU daily do not cause toxicity, it generally is not recommended to take more than 2,000 IU daily in supplement form without the advice of a health care provider.[29]Individuals at high risk for deficiency should have a vitamin D blood test first; a dosage of up to 3,000 to 4,000 IU may be required to restore blood concentrations.

Drug Interactions

Vitamin D supplements may interact with several types of medications. Corticosteroids can reduce calcium absorption, which results in impaired vitamin D metabolism.[6] Since vitamin D is fat soluble, orlistat and cholestyramine can reduce its absorption and should be taken several hours apart from it.[6] Phenobarbital and phenytoin increase the hepatic metabolism of vitamin D to inactive compounds and decrease calcium absorption, which also impairs vitamin D metabolism.

Future Research
While considerable research supports the importance of vitamin D beyond bone health, further trials are required before broad claims can be made about vitamin D and prevention of chronic disease. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) is reviewing the research on vitamin D and plans to report in late 2010 regarding any updates to the DRIs for vitamin D (and calcium).[30] Specifically, the IOM will consider the relation of vitamin D to cancer, bone health, and other chronic diseases.[30] An important study, the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial, was launched in early 2010 to determine whether 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 and 1,000 mg of EPA (eicosopentaenoic acid) plus DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) daily can lower the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other diseases.[31] This randomized trial, which will enroll about 20,000 healthy men and women, should provide more insight on vitamin D supplementation.

Conclusion
As the number of people with vitamin D deficiency continues to increase, the importance of this hormone in overall health and the prevention of chronic diseases is at the forefront of research. The best evidence for the possible role of vitamin D in protecting against cancer comes from colorectal cancer studies. Evidence also is strong for the potential role of vitamin D in preventing fractures and falls. At this time, further studies are needed to evaluate the role of vitamin D in protecting against heart disease, autoimmune diseases, influenza, diabetes, and depression.

Web Resources
CDC Norovirus in Healthcare Settings
CDC Division of Viral Diseases - Norovirus
HICPAC 2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings.
US Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticide Programs.
Registered Antimicrobial Products Effective Against Norovirus
References:
1. Holick MF. Vitamin D deficiency. N Engl J Med. 2007;357:266–281.
2. Gordon CM, DePeter KC, Feldman HA, et al. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among healthy adolescents.Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2004;158:531–537.
3. Lips P, Hosking D, Lippuner K, et al. The prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy amongst women with osteoporosis: an international epidemiological investigation. J Intern Med. 2006;260:245–254.
4. Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D, and Fluoride. Chapter 7. Vitamin D. www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/DRI//DRI_Calcium/250–287.pdf. Accessed August 2, 2010.
5. Harvard School of Public Health Nutrition Source. Vitamin D and health. www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/vitamin-d/index.html. Accessed August 30, 2010.
6. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary supplement fact sheet: vitamin D. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp. Accessed August, 4, 2010.
7. Nair S. Symptoms of low vitamin D levels. www.buzzle.com/articles/symptoms-of-low-vitamin-d-levels.html. Accessed September 2, 2010.
8. MedlinePlus. 25-hydroxy vitamin D test. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003569.htm. Accessed August 4, 2010.
9. Moyad MA. Vitamin D: a rapid review: side effects and toxicity. www.medscape.com/viewarticle/589256_10. Accessed September 2, 2010.
10. Lappe JM, Travers-Gustafson D, Davies KM, et al. Vitamin D and calcium supplementation reduces cancer risk: results of a randomized trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;85:1586–1591.
11. Ahn J, Peters U, Albanes D, et al. Serum vitamin D concentration and prostate cancer risk: a nested case-control study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2008;100:796–804.
12. Chlebowski RT, Johnson KC, Kooperberg C, et al. Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and the risk of breast cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2008;100:1581–1591.
13. Stolzenberg-Solomon RZ, Vieth R, Azad A, et al. A prospective nested case-control study of vitamin D status and pancreatic cancer risk in male smokers. Cancer Res. 2006;66:10213–10219.
14. Stolzenberg-Solomon RZ, Hayes RB, Horst RL, et al. Serum vitamin D and risk of pancreatic cancer in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Screening Trial. Cancer Res. 2009;69:1439–1447.
15. Wang TJ, Pencina MJ, Booth SL, et al. Vitamin D deficiency and risk of cardiovascular disease. Circulation. 2008;117:503–511.
16. Giovannucci E, Liu Y, Hollis BW, Rimm EB. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and risk of myocardial infarction in men: a prospective study. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168:1174–1180.
17. Forman JP, Giovannucci E, Holmes MD, et al. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and risk of incident hypertension. Hypertension. 2007;49:1063–1069.
18. Liebman B. From sun & sea: new study puts vitamin D & omega-3s to the test. Nutrition Action Healthletter. November 2009:3–7.
19. Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Willett WC, Wong JB, et al. Prevention of nonvertebral fractures with oral vitamin D and dose dependency: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169:551–561.
20. Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Umhau JC, et al. Epidemic influenza and vitamin D. Epidemiol Infect. 2006;134:1129–1140.
21. Munger KL, Levin LI, Hollis BW, et al. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and risk of multiple sclerosis. JAMA. 2006;296:2832–2838.
22. Hyppönen E, Läärä E, Reunanen A, et al. Intake of vitamin D and risk of type 1 diabetes: a birth-cohort study.Lancet. 2001;358:1500–1503.
23. Urashima M, Segawa T, Okazaki M, et al. Randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation to prevent seasonal influenza A in schoolchildren. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91:1255–1260.
24. Pittas AG, Harris SS, Stark PC, Dawson-Hughes B. The effects of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on blood glucose and markers of inflammation in nondiabetic adults. Diabetes Care. 2007;30:980–986.
25. Jorde R, Sneve M, Figenschau Y, et al. Effects of vitamin D supplementation on symptoms of depression in overweight and obese subjects: randomized double blind trial. J Intern Med. 2008;264:599–609.
26. Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Willett W, et al. Cod liver oil, vitamin A toxicity, frequent respiratory infections, and the vitamin D deficiency epidemic. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2008;117:864–870.
27. HealthTree.com. Vitamin D and calcium supplements. www.healthtree.com/articles/vitamin-d/source/supplement. Accessed September 2, 2010.
28. Moyad MA. Vitamin D: a rapid review: dosage of vitamin D needed to achieve 35 to 40 ng/ml (90–100 nmol/L). www.medscape.com. Accessed August 4, 2010.
29. The Nutrition Source. Ask the expert: vitamin D and chronic disease. www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource. Accessed August 4, 2010.
30. Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamin D and calcium. www.iom.edu/Activities/Nutrition/DRIVitDCalcium.aspx. Accessed August 2, 2010.
31. The Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL). www.vitalstudy.org. Accessed August 2, 2010.
32. Lau AH, How PP. The role of the pharmacist in the identification and management of secondary hyperparathyroidism. US Pharm. 2007;32(7):62–72.
33. Cannell JJ. Vitamin D pharmacology. www.vitamindcouncil.org/vitaminDPharmacology.shtml. Accessed August 30, 2010.


Taken from the link http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/731722_8

Monday, May 16, 2011

Schwabe News : By Dr. . Valavan

Volume 2 | Issue 2 | May 2011 | Editorial Advisor: Dr. P. N. Varma | Editor: Dr. R. Valavan

Contents

* Editorial
* News from the world of homoeopathy
* Clinical verification
* Mother tincture info
* Product watch
* Research news

Editorial

As per reports, India has the large number of practising homoeopaths and has organised infrastructure. The education system is separate from the conventional medicine. It comes under the Department of Ayush. Now Government of India is also focussing on these Ayush systems of medicine. Year by year it is reflected in the budget allocation. In a recent development, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of parliament has recommended to give a separate ministerial status to the Department of Ayush, detaching from the Ministry of Health.



Pharmacists with special training on homoeopathic processes will be good for the profession. They will dispense the medicines in a right way. Diploma in homoeopathy course has been conducted by institutions depending upon the need of the post. Now Government of Uttar Pradesh has decided to start a D. Pharm (Homoeopathy) course this year. It will cater the need of the profession. Both these developments are reported under “News from the world of homoeopathy”.



Under clinical verification, this time we have covered a well-known and widely used drug Plumbum metallicum. In a paper published in the International Journal of High Dilution Research, special emphasis was given to new symptoms as well as unusual or repeated dreams of the drug. 37 new symptoms were found, which are useful to update Homoeopathic Repertories. The researchers have concluded that the new HPT, besides widening the pathogenetic picture of Plumbum metallicum (skin and mucosae symptoms), also allowed us to give new and deeper meanings to some of the symptoms reported in the original trial, such as Anxiety, Activity, Depression, Slowness, Gastro-oesophageal problems, Colitis. All 37 new symptoms reported from this reproving, are given in this section for the readers of Schwabe News.



Brahmi is an old Indian drug. It has been used in Indian medicine for nervine and cardiac problems. Its late introduction into homoeopathy has given a valuable addition in the materia medica, in the name of Bacopa monnieri. Modern research has unearthed its activity on learning abilities, improving memory and other cognitive functions. All such reports are covered under Mother Tincture Info. With scientific understanding, it will be easier for physicians to remember this drug where the case needs.

Schwabe Germany is a name associated with eye drops in homoeopathy since a century. Efficacy of the product Cineraria Maritima Schwabe Eye Drops (CMS) helped expansion of the consumer base beyond homoeopathic market. There was a demand for less expensive all purpose eye drops for common problems from the trusted makers of original CMS Eye drops. People specifically wanted an alcohol free eye drops from Schwabe-Germany. The consumer demand has been met now. The company has produced a much lighter version as Senecio bicolour D2 or Cineraria Maritima D2 Eye Drops. Detailed indications of the product are covered under Product Watch.



Under ‘Research News’, we have covered couple of recent developments in the field of homoeopathic research. In a new research, a bioassay with arsenic-stressed duckweed (Lemna gibba L.) was developed to study potentially regulative effects of homoeopathic preparations. In another paper, the authors have studied and suggested to adopt new method in computer repertorisation called Fuzzy Expert System to aid in accurate remedy selection.

Enjoy reading and don’t miss to reply back with your feedback.

Dr. R. Valavan, BHMS, MD (Hom)

Editor



News from the world of homoeopathy



PAC recommended Department of Ayush should be converted into a full-fledged ministry

New Delhi, March 24 (IANS): The Public Accounts Committee has recommended converting the Department of Ayush into a separate ministry. The committee had presented its report on the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to the parliament. The implementation of the NRHM came under sharp attack from the committee, with the health ministry being asked to carry out a "complete re-appraisal and restructuring" of the project. In the report, it has also lamented that the government's expenditure on public health was merely 1.1 percent of the GDP. An "appalled" PAC also noted that the per capita expenditure in India on public health was still worse at $7, even less than that of neighbouring Sri Lanka at $30.



The PAC recommended that the Department of Ayush should be converted into a full-fledged ministry and for the promotion of indigenous systems of medicine such as ayurveda, unani, siddha, naturopathy, homoeopathy and yoga in rural areas. It also emphasized the formulation of a five-year special plan for the Ayush department to encourage cultivation of herbal medicines for domestic consumption and export.



The PAC, in its report, further said it was dismayed to note that health centres at various levels were being used as foodgrain godowns, community halls, local offices or cow sheds in many of the 18 states where the NRHM is being implemented. It said the health centres also lacked necessary infrastructure, doctors, medical supplies and trained health workers. "The committee apprehended that the goal of universal health care to all the citizens as envisaged in the mission may remain a pious platitude and a distant dream unless the budgetary outlays for the NRHM for both the terminal year of 11th plan and for the 12th plan period are scaled up significantly commensurate with the problem," it added.



Source: http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=229322

http://www.similima.com/homoeopathynews/homoeoworld33.html



UP to begin 2-yr diploma course in homoeopathy pharmacy

Lucknow: Now UP is all set to become the first state in the country to launch a two-year diploma in homoeopathy pharmacy (also called homoeopathy compounder course) that would produce homoeopathy pharmacists for operating government dispensaries in the state. Two government homoeopathy colleges in the state - one each in Lucknow and Allahabad with 100 seats for the course - would provide training to the aspiring candidates in the academic session starting this year. Uttarakhand has also shown interest in launching the course to bolster homoeopathy dispensaries in the state in the next year. All the 200 seats under the course have been filled through competition, and the course is all set to make its beginning this year, said the Registrar, Homoeopathy Medicine Board (UP), while talking to TOI on Monday. Saying that the eligibility criterion for application under the course has been fixed as intermediate pass-out in science stream, he also said that the move would bolster homoeopathy pharmacy besides reviving the government dispensaries.

Source: Times of India. Available at: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-04-18/varanasi/29447645_1_homoeopathy-doctors-dispensaries-colleges

Clinical verification




Plumbum metallicum

It is a new clinical verification trial of Plumbum metallicum conducted in Italy. In a previous paper in the journal ‘Homeopathy’ the authors had reported the statistical analysis and other distribution data of a homoeopathic pathogenetic trial (HPT) of Plumbum metallicum 30CH carried out by the group, without giving pure materia medica elicited. In this paper special emphasis was given to new symptoms as well as unusual or repeated dreams, while in the previous paper special emphasis was given to repeated and crossed symptoms. Symptoms are reported in their chronological order of appearance in each volunteer. 37 new symptoms were found, useful to update Homoeopathic Repertories. The paper has also included a synthesis of the original HPT of Plumbum metallicum, carried out in 1828 in order to make available the full experimental materia medica currently existing. The researchers have concluded that the new HPT, besides widening the pathogenetic picture of Plumbum metallicum (skin and mucosae symptoms), also allowed us to give new and deeper meanings to some of the symptoms reported in the original trial, such as Anxiety, Activity, Depression, Slowness, Gastro-oesophageal problems, Colitis.



As stated above, there are mainly 37 new symptoms reported from this reproving, which are given below for the readers of Schwabe News.



1. Mind, Comprehension, easy

2. Mind, Delusions, tongue, double

3. Mind, Delusions, upright

4. Mind, Fear, heart, diseases of the heart– Mind, Anxiety, heart, about his

5. Mind, Industrious, morning, on waking

6. Mind, Mistakes, writing

7. Mind, Mistakes, writing, omitting, words

8. Mind, Mistakes, writing, thoughts, from fast

9. Mind, Mistakes, writing transposing letters

10. Vertigo, Rising, agg.

11. Head, Congestion, Meninges

12. Head, Congestion, Occiput

13. Vision, Colours, bright, spots (in the dark)

14. Mouth, Bleeding, Gums, cleaning them, when

15. Mouth, Crawling, Lips, around

16. Mouth, Roughness, tongue

17. Mouth, Thick, sensation as if, tongue was

18. Face, Chapped, lips

19. Face, Wrinkled, Forehead

20. Neck, Perspiration

21. Stomach, Appetite increased, night

22. Stomach, Appetite increased, accompanied by sleepiness

23. Rectum, flatus, diarrhoea, during

24. Chest, Itching, Mammae, Nipples

25. Chest, Congestion, Heart

26. Male, Ulcer, Glans

27. Female, Pain, Uterus, stitching

28. Skin, Itching, wandering

29. Skin, Itching, ameliorated by cold water

30. Skin, Prickling

31. Sleep, Semi-conscious

32. Dreams, Penis, cut off

33. Dreams, Teacher, of spiritual

34. Generalities, Air, draft, agg.

35. Generalities, Food, desire for ice-cream

36. Generalities, Heat, anxiety, during

37. Generalities, Trembling, externally, anxiety, with



Reference: Andrea Maria Signorini, Christa Pichler, Homoeopathic pathogenetic trial of Plumbum metallicum: the complete 2000 trial with a synthesis of the original 1828 trial, Int J High Dilution Res 2011; 10(34): 15-36

Mother tincture info


Bacopa monnieri

It has been recently introduced in homoeopathy and is used empirically. It is an Indian herb with long tradition of use as nervine and cardiac tonic. It is an old Indian medicine known as ‘Brahmi’. It attracted the scientific attention as back as 1931 when Journal of Indian Medical Association reported that it has an alkaloid Brahmine, which has therapeutic similarity with strychnine, but is less toxic. Thereafter, the drug has been under continuous research. It is found throughout in India in wet damp marshy regions. It is a small plant and the whole plant is used in preparation of homoeopathic medicine. It is covered by the Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India (Govt. of India). Homoeopathic literature covers impaired memory and indicates its usefulness as a tonic for absent mindedness1,2,3



Recent research reveals that it has significant influence on learning abilities, reduction of levels of anxiety, improved capacity of adjustments, improved mental function like better acquisition of knowledge, improved retention and delayed extinction. All these make it ideal of improving memory. About a dozen of phytochemicals have been isolated including different bacosides and certain sterols. They have positive effect on the central nervous system. In another paper published on the retention and extinction of newly learned skills on rats, the effect of Bacopa monerri for enhancing the learning abilities has been proved beyond doubt. Surprisingly the enhancement of learning skill persists even under tension like punishment and emotional changes. Very recently the alcoholic extract has been found to be having effects like sharpening of dull memory in the patients of anxiety neurosis. It is also used as tranquilizer, muscle relaxant and as anti-cancer drug (preventive and curative role like in animal experiments). 4,5,6,7,8,9



Based on the reports indicated it may be used alone or as complementary medicine for the following conditions:



* As nervine tonic to lower tension due to mental over-work.
* Improve learning potential.
* Improve memory.
* Lower tension and induce good sleep.



Recommended dose: 30 drops in water twice daily for extended period. Dose and duration are to be monitored by the physician with reference to the improvements taking place.



Reference:

1. Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India.

2. Banerjea S. K., Fifty Homoeopathic Indian Drugs.

3. P. N. Varma, Indu Vaid, Encyclopaedia of Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia, Volume II, Updated edition 2007, B. Jain Publishers, New Delhi.

4. Andrew Chevallier, The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants, 1st ed. 1996

5. Dey, C.D. Bose,S. and Mitra,S 1976.Effect of some centrally active Phyto products on maze-learning of albino rat, Indian J Physio.l Allied Sci, 1976, 30, 88

6. Singh HK, Dhawan BN. Effect of Bacopa monniera Linn. (brahmi) extract on avoidance responses in rat. J Ethnopharmacol 1982;5:205–1

7. Roodenrys S, et al., Chronic effects of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) on human memory, Neuropsychopharmacology, 2002 Aug;27(2):279-81

8. Asolkar L. V., Kakkar K. K., Chakre O. J., Second supplement to glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants with Active Principles, Part-I, Publications & Information Directorate (CSIR), New Delhi, 1992

9. Deepak Rai, Gitika Bhatia, Gautam Palit, et al., Adaptogenic effect of Bacopa monniera (Brahmi), Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, Volume 75, Issue 4, July 2003, Pages 823-830

Product watch

Cineraria Maritima Eye Drops without alcohol (CMS D2)

Schwabe Germany is a name associated with eye drops in homoeopathy since a century. Efficacy of the product Cineraria Maritima Schwabe Eye Drops (CMS) helped expansion of the consumer base beyond homoeopathic market. It is now recommended by physicians for corneal opacities, cataract, senile cataract, for disturbed metabolism leading to above changes in the vitreous bodies and to delay the on-set of cataract in people above 45 years of age. It is a medicine to be used under medical advice. However, the company had feed-back of its use in common problems like strain, fatigue, dryness, irritation due to dust, smoke, glare of TV & computers. Even though the product was not meant for these minor problems it was used. Being herbal and safe people had no harmful effect. There was a demand for less expensive all purpose eye drops for common problems from the trusted makers of original CMS Eye drops. People specifically wanted an alcohol free eye drops from Schwabe-Germany. The consumer demand has been met now. The company has produced a much lighter version as Senecio bicolour D2 or Cineraria Maritima D2 Eye Drops. It is a generic eye drop and made as per German Pharmacopoeia. It is recommended for minor problems like strain, fatigue, dryness due to heat or over use, over glares, irritation due to dust, smoke, glare of TV / Computers, conjunctivitis and also for inflammation of eye lids.



CMS D2 is a sterile, isotonic (similar to the tension of tears or lachrymal fluids) with negligible alcohol. It is homoeopathic medicine at D2-level (1/100th) and is non-irritating and non-harming. It can be safely used by young & children. It is a product - free from side effect. Schwabe Cineraria Maritima (CMS-D2) is not a substitute of the original Cineraria Maritima Schwabe Eye Drops containing the succuss (juice) of the plant Senecio Cineraria. An advice to the patients to check the seals and logos when purchasing CMS D2 or CMS is worthwhile.



Usefulness and indication of CMS D2



* All purpose Eye Drops
* Mild injury to the eyes
* Irritation of eyes due to dust pollution etc.
* Eye strain due to prolonged use of computers
* Mild conjunctivitis and inflammation of eyelids



Dosage and direction for use: 2 drops 3 times daily into the eye or as per the physicians’ evaluation of the case.

Research news

Development of a Test System for Homoeopathic Preparations Using Impaired Duckweed (Lemna gibba L.)

In this new research, a bioassay with arsenic-stressed duckweed (Lemna gibba L.) was developed to study potentially regulative effects of homoeopathic preparations. Researchers had compared potentized substances (nine different potency levels between 17x and 33x) with two controls (unsuccussed and succussed water) regarding their influence on number- and area-related growth rate and colour of fronds (leaves). Screening included 11 potentised substances: Arsenicum album, gibberellic acid, nosode, arsenic (V), phosphorus, Conchae, Acidum picrinicum, Argentum nitricum, Crotalus horridus, Hepar sulfuris, and Mercurius vivus naturalis. Duckweed was stressed with arsenic (V) for 48 hours. Afterwards, plants grew in either potentised substances or water controls for 6 days. Growth rate and color of fronds were determined with a computerised image analysis system for different time intervals (days 0–2, 2–6, 0–6). A systematic negative control experiment with unsuccussed water was used to investigate the stability of the bioassay. All experiments were randomized and blinded. Results showed that Arsenicum album and nosode potencies increased frond number–related growth rate compared to controls (succussed water controls or pooled water controls [succussed and unsuccussed], p<0.05, t test). Regarding colour classification, no effects were observed. From this study researchers had concluded that the experimental setup with L. gibba stressed by arsenic (V) provides a valuable tool to investigate regulative effects of potentised substances. In order to verify the effects of Arsenicum album and nosode potencies, further independent replication experiments are necessary.



Reference: Tim Jäger, Claudia Scherr, Meinhard Simon, Peter Heusser, Stephan Baumgartner. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. April 2011, 17(4): 315-323
Remedy Selection based on Artificial Intelligent Methods

It is a new paper suggesting new method of computer repertorisation. Homoeopathy decision is a decision under uncertainty and an essential activity for accurate treatment. Computer expert systems have long history of application in medical diagnosis. In this paper the researchers have studied the application of Fuzzy Expert System (it is a logic system that uses collection of function and rules to reason a data) and decision tree for selection of suitable remedy in homoeopathy. A decision made by homoeopath is highly dependent on the quality of selected rubrics. The rubrics are collected during case taking and generally contains expressions that might be considered fuzzy, such as ‘never’, ‘sometimes’, ‘always’, and so on, making it difficult to model them with conventional computational methods. In this context, fuzzy set theory in expert systems is an interesting tool to deal with the representation of inaccurate medical entities. Hence, the researchers suggest that we can go from natural language (linguistic variables) to numerical variables when repertorising in the computer which are more convenient to handle in a computer. The proposed method reduces sensitivity of system to homoeopath mistakes and increase security of system.



Reference: S. S. Sadidpour, S. S. Ghidary, Remedy Selection based on Artificial Intelligent Methods, International Journal of Computer Applications (0975 – 8887, Volume 19– No.9, April 2011



Disclaimer

The information provided herein is not intended to be taken as a replacement for medical advice and should not be used during any medical emergency. A Registered Medical Practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only and they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.

You are subscribed to email updates from Schwabe India. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. If you have received this mail from your friend, you can directly subscribe now.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Bajaj Auto’s Rajiv Bajaj Adapts Homoeopathic Principles in Business

An interesting email from my dear friend Dr R. Valavan has forced me to put this one in my blog.



Interviewer: The Bajaj Auto website says that your “current priority is the application of the scientific principles of homoeopathy to the task of building a brand-centered strategy at Bajaj Auto with the objective of achieving its vision of being one of the world’s leading motorcycle and small commercial vehicle manufacturers.” Would you explain the reference to homeopathy a bit?


Rajiv Bajaj: Homeopathy is based on the concept of individualization where the doctor looks at the person and not just the problem that he might be having. I found the concept of individualization very applicable to business. Contrary to looking at things piecemeal, like the blind men and the elephant, I found that if one looks at things more holistically as homeopathy does, one is likely to achieve far deeper solutions and solutions that are sustainable over time.

For the whole article:
http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/india/article.cfm?articleid=4589

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Reviewing your knowledge about Homeopathy

NEW EVIDENCE FOR HOMEOPATHY : This is an old article but just found out while surfing in Internet check this out.......






Two new studies conclude that a review which claimed that homeopathy is just a placebo, published in The Lancet, was seriously flawed and based on a series of hidden judgments unfavorable to homeopathy.


Two new studies conclude that a review which claimed that homeopathy is just a placebo, published in The Lancet, was seriously flawed.

(MMD Newswire) November 3, 2008 -- George Lewith, Professor of Health Research at Southampton University comments: ‘The review gave no indication of which trials were analysed nor of the various vital assumptions made about the data. This is not usual scientific practice. If we presume that homeopathy works for some conditions but not others, or change the definition of a ‘larger trial’, the conclusions change. This indicates a fundamental weakness in the conclusions: they are NOT reliable.’

The background to the ongoing debate is as follows:

In August 2005, The Lancet published an editorial entitled ‘The End of Homeopathy’, prompted by a review comparing clinical trials of homeopathy with trials of conventional medicine. The claim that homeopathic medicines are just placebo was based on 6 clinical trials of conventional medicine and 8 studies of homeopathy but did not reveal the identity of these trials. The review was criticized for its opacity as it gave no indication of which trials were analysed and the various assumptions made about the data.

Sufficient detail to enable a reconstruction was eventually published and two recently published scientific papers based on such a reconstruction challenge the Lancet review, showing that:

• Analysis of all high-quality trials of homeopathy yields a positive conclusion.
• The 8 larger higher-quality trials of homeopathy were all for different conditions; if homeopathy works for some of these but not others the result changes, implying that it is not placebo.
• The comparison with conventional medicine was meaningless.
• Doubts remain about the opaque, unpublished criteria used in the review, including the definition of ‘higher quality’.

The Lancet review, led by Prof Matthias Egger of the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine at the University of Berne, started with 110 matched clinical trials of homeopathy and conventional medicine, reduced these to ‘higher-quality trials’ and then to 8 and 6 respectively ‘larger higher-quality trials’. Based on these 14 studies the review concluded that there is ‘weak evidence for a specific effect of homoeopathic remedies, but strong evidence for specific effects of conventional interventions’.

There are a limited number of homeopathic studies so it is quite possible to interpret these data selectively and unfavourably, which is what appears to have been done in the Lancet paper. If we assume that homeopathy does not work for just one condition (Arnica for post-exercise muscle stiffness), or alter the definition of ‘larger trial’, the results are positive. The comparison with conventional medicine was meaningless: the original 110 trials were matched, but matching was lost after they were reduced to 8 and 6. But the quality of homeopathic trials was better than conventional trials.

This reconstruction casts serious doubts on the review, showing that it was based on a series of hidden judgments unfavourable to homeopathy. An open assessment of the current evidence suggests that homeopathy is probably effective for a number of conditions including allergies, upper respiratory tract infections and ‘flu, but more research is desperately needed.

Prof Egger has declined to comment on these findings.

References
Lüdtke R, Rutten ALB. The conclusion on the effectiveness of homeopathy highly depend on the set of analysed trials. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 2008. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2008.06.015
Rutten ALB, Stolper CF. The 2005 meta-analysis of homeopathy: analysis of post-publication data. Homeopathy, 2008. doi:10.1016/j.homp.2008.09.008.

For further information, please contact:
Prof George Lewith Tel: +44 7970 067884 email: gl3@soton.ac.uk
Rainer Lüdtke Tel: +49 201 5630516 email: r.luedtke@carstens-stiftung.de
Dr Lex Rutten Tel: +31 765 227340 email: lexrtn@concepts.nl

Sources:

http://www.homeopathic.org/content/new-evidence-for-homeopathy

Thursday, March 3, 2011


News from the world of homoeopathy: From Schwabe Family March 4, 2011
 
French nobelist takes high dilution research further Dr. Luc Montagnier, the French virologist who won the Nobel Prize in 2008 for discovering the AIDS virus, has surprised the scientific community with his strong support for homoeopathic medicine.

In a remarkable interview published in Science magazine of December 24, 2010, Professor Luc Montagnier, has expressed support for the often maligned and misunderstood medical specialty of homoeopathic medicine.
 
Montagnier, who is also founder and president of the World Foundation for AIDS Research and Prevention, asserted, "I can't say that homoeopathy is right in everything. What I can say now is that the high dilutions (used in homoeopathy) are right. High dilutions of something are not nothing. They are water structures which mimic the original molecules." Here, Montagnier is making reference to his experimental research that confirms one of the controversial features of homoeopathic medicine that uses doses of substances that undergo sequential dilution with vigorous shaking in-between each dilution. Montagnier's research (and other of many of his colleagues) has verified that electromagnetic signals of the original medicine remains in the water and has dramatic biological effects. Montagnier affirms that these new observations will lead to novel treatments for many common chronic diseases, including but not limited to autism, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis.
 
Montagnier's new research evokes memories one of the most sensational stories in French science, often referred to as the 'Benveniste affair.' A highly respected immunologist Dr. Jacques Benveniste., who died in 2004, conducted a study which was replicated in three other university laboratories and that was published in Nature. Benveniste and other researchers used extremely diluted doses of substances that created an effect on a type of white blood cell called basophils. Although Benveniste's work was supposedly debunked, Montagnier considers Benveniste a "modern Galileo" who was far ahead of his day and time and who was attacked for investigating a medical and scientific subject that orthodoxy had mistakenly overlooked and even demonized.
 
In this new interview in Science, Montagnier also expressed real concern about the unscientific atmosphere that presently exists on certain unconventional subjects such as homoeopathy, "I am told that some people have reproduced Benveniste's results, but they are afraid to publish it because of the intellectual terror from people who don't understand it."
 
Montagnier concluded the interview when asked if he is concerned that he is drifting into pseudoscience, he replied adamantly: "No, because it's not pseudoscience. It's not quackery. These are real phenomena which deserve further study."
 
Research news
More chronic patients of musculoskeletal disorders seek homoeopaths than conventional and other CAM therapies – A study from France reported
Many people seek homoeopathy for various musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as joint pains, muscular pains, lumbago, arthritis, etc. But there is a lack of clarity in information describing patients with MSDs using complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) and almost none distinguishing homeopathy from other CAMs. A study was conducted in France to describe and compare patients with MSDs who consulted primary care physicians, either certified homeopaths (Ho) or regular prescribers of CAMs in a mixed practice (Mx), to those consulting physicians who strictly practice conventional medicine (CM), with regard to the severity of their MSD expressed as chronicity, co-morbidity and quality of life (QOL).
 
The study was a nationwide observational survey of a representative sample of general practitioners and their patients in France. The sampling strategy ensured a sufficient number of GPs in each of the three groups to allow comparison of their patients. Patients completed a questionnaire on socio-demographics, lifestyle and QOL using the Short Form 12 (SF-12) questionnaire. Chronicity of MSDs was defined as more than twelve weeks duration of the current episode. Diagnoses and co-morbidities were recorded by the physician.
 
A total of 825 GPs included 1,692 MSD patients (predominantly back pain and osteoarthritis) were included, 21.6% in the CM group, 32.4% Ho and 45.9% Mx. Patients in the Ho group had more often a chronic MSD (62.1%) than the CM (48.6%) or Mx (50.3%) groups, a result that was statistically significant after controlling for patients’ characteristics (Odds ratio = 1.43; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07 - 1.89). Patients seen by homeopaths or mixed practice physicians who were not the regular treating physician, had more often a chronic MSD than those seen in conventional medicine (Odds ratios were1.75; 95% CI: 1.22 - 2.50 and 1.48; 95% CI: 1.06 - 2.12, respectively). Otherwise patients in the three groups did not differ for co-morbidities and QOL

Monday, February 28, 2011

Jack fruit

Food for the Month – ‘Jackfruit (Kanthal)’ From K V Peter, World Noni Research Foundation, Chennai

Jackfruit contains vitamin A, vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, potassium, iron, and magneisum among many other nutrients. Some of the health benefits of jackfruit include:

Ensures Better Gastrointestinal Health: Jackfruits are good for digestion and are known to help cure ulcers and indigestion. Additionally, the high fiber present in the fruit prevents constipation and helps in smooth and regular bowel movements. The fiber also offers protection to the mucous membrane of the colon by driving away the carcinogenic (cancer causing) chemicals from the colon.

Strengthens Immune System: Jackfruit is a very good source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that can help prevent colds and infections. Vitamin C helps in the proper functioning of the immune system by supporting the functions of the white blood cells.

Protection Against Cancer: Apart from containing vitamin C (a powerful antioxidant), jackfruits are also rich in phytonutrients like lignans, isoflavones and saponins that provide protection against cancer. These phytonutrients can help eliminate cancer-causing free radicals from the body and slow down the degeneration of cells that can lead to degenerative diseases.

Lowers Blood Pressure Levels: Jackfruit is a rich source of potassium, containing around 300 mg in 100 grams of jackfruit. Potassium is important for the body as it helps keep the body fluids and electrolyte balance in body cells and helps in regulating blood pressure, thereby reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Aids in Vision: The fruit contains Vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant that is beneficial for vision as well. The vitamin is also known for maintaining the health of the skin and the mucous membranes and for boosting up the functioning of the immune system.

Boost of Energy: Jackfruit might be considered as an energy generating fruit due to the presence of simple sugars like fructose and sucrose. Eating the soft, digestible flesh can make you feel revitalized almost instantly.


The jackfruit tree or Jack is called poor man’s food. Spiny and oval or oblong shaped multiple fruit, it can weigh up to 40kg.The Jack multiple fruit is the largest in the plant kingdom. Fruit is used as vegetable at immature stage, delicious fruit at mature stage and several food products from fruits of varying ages. The timber is highly valued for furniture and household frame making. The leaves are feeds for goats and rabbits. The tree harbors a lot of birds, squirrels and rodents.

Jackfruit is the National tree of Bangladesh. It is grown in India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Southern China, Malaysia, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Philippines and to a lesser extent in Queensland, Mauritius, Kenya, Uganda, Fiji Islands and Zanzibar.

The Jack chips from mature fruits are delicacies. Liquors are made from the fermented juice. As a fresh fruit, Jack is par excellent in taste, colour and flavor. You may break the morning fast by tasting yellow to orange peals of fruits.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Backache - Commonest problem in our daily life


Backache is a common problem and it is on rise due to life style we are living in. People are often seen visiting doctors with this problem. Common among the elderly earlier, this lifestyle ailment has now spread to This article is dedicated to all those who fight the perils of bad back in their daily lives
Causes of back pain
In the present scenario, 80% of people suffer from backaches though the causes for all of them vary. Some of the common causes being:

• Age factor: Back pain is common in people above the age of 50. Females are more prone to be affected as age grows. This is due to easy degeneration of vertebral joints called Lumbar Spondylitis.
• Pregnancy: Pregnancy changes the normal lumbar curvature. This results in mechanical stressing of lumbar spine.
• Kidney problems: Renal calculi (stones), kidney infection or injury to kidney can lead to backache. Mostly the pains are spasmodic in nature.
• Gynecological problem: Dysmenorrhea (pain during periods), ovarian cyst, uterine fibroid can cause backache. Gynecological examination confirms this.
• Improper posture:
 Prolonged sitting on computers.


 Long driving hours
 Long standing jobs
 Improper posture while sitting, standing, moving which results in stressing of back muscles which further leads to back pain.
Gen Now is more susceptible to back problems simply because they inadvertently abuse their bodies by over doing their work or by neglecting the benefits of physical exercises.
• Obesity: Extra weight around the belly can put extra pressure of vertebral joint which may be a main cause for backache.
• Wrong exercising: Every individual is different and no two individuals have equal muscular structure to do the same work or exercise. So it gets very imperative to warm up the body before specific stretching exercise. Exercising without warm up can result in severe backache.

• Lumbar Radiculopaty: It is a nerve irritation that is caused by damage to the discs between the vertebrae.



Damage to the disc occurs because of degeneration ("wear and tear") of the outer ring of the disc, traumatic injury, or both. As a result, the central softer portion of the disc can rupture (herniate) through the outer ring of the disc and damages the spinal cord or its nerves as they exit the bony spinal column. In case of disc involvement pain usually get severe in sitting position.
• Degeneration of ligament of joints. This occurs due to
 Increasing of Age
 History of injury or jerk
 In females after menopause
 Deficiency of calcium; condition commonly called osteoporosis

Treatment
The treatment depends on the precise cause of the lower back pain. Moreover, each patient must be individually evaluated and managed in the context of the underlying background, health status and activity level.

Tips to avoid Lower Backache
1. Avoid smoking as it decreases oxygen supply to muscles
2. Maintain right posture:
 Always sit with proper back support.
 Lift up your body in side lying position from bed, always on knees.
 Avoid continues sitting.
3. Avoid high heels: High heels change the level of center of gravity of the body.
4. Proper dietary intake of calcium and Vitamin for whic milk and milk product and certain amount of exposure to sun are the best sources.
5. Exercise is the most vital aide in treating and avoiding back pain but wrong excercises can deteriorate the condition so always exercise under proper medical attention.
6. Fluid intake should be increased. Consumption of plenty of water helps to solve problem of backache where in constipation or renal stone are the cause. But one should avoid hard drinks and aerated beverages.
7. Handle stree- physical and psychological tactfully.
8. Avoid any condition where pain gets severe by movement or prolonged sitting and forward bending.
9. Never ever avoid a simple backache it may get worse one day. Immediately consult the doctor before it’s too late.
10. Always consult an expert or qualified practitioner only.

What is SLRT?
SLRT is Straight Leg Raise Test and is used to perform to detecting any nerve involvement in case of a backache. It starts with following procedure:
Patient is asked to lie down on back. The trained person will ask him/ her to raise both legs alternately. If the pain is aggravated by raising the leg above the level of 70 degree flexion of hip (lifting of leg), then it is indicative of the involvement of a very important nerve of lower limb named sciatic nerve. This condition is commonly termed as Sciatica.
Aim of Physiotherapy in case of Backache:
1. To improve mobility of spine.
2. To strengthen the muscles.
3. To relieve pain.
4. To relieve stiffness.
5. Improving the posture.
6. Improving the circulation.
7. Preventing recurrence of problem.
8. Mobilizing all joints of spine

Dr Gaurav Chadha, a young physiotherapist caters to many cases everyday with this tormenting ailment. Starting his clinic in 2007, Dr Gaurav has since then been an efficient and dynamic professional dedicated to te cause of curing his patients of back ailments.

With qualities of a true doctor catering to healthcare with all sincerity, Dr Gaurav has been lending his services at minimal affordable charges for a rehabilitation centre since 2005 and continues doing that.

Apart from a BPT Degree, Dr Gaurav Chadha has to his credit a number of valuable degrees namely- Diploma in sports medicines, PG in geriatric care and PG in ergonomics and workplace management.



References:
http://www.google.co.in/imgres?imgurl=http://www.pharmacyinnovation.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/online
http://static.spineuniverse.com/displaygraphic.php/137/dp_latcutaway-BB.jpg
http://www.postureinstyle.com/images/ergonomics101/ergonomics101-improper_sitting.png
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/images/ency/fullsize/9538.jpg
http://faculty.clintoncc.suny.edu/faculty/michael.gregory/files/bio%20102/bio%20102%20lectures/Motor%20Systems/vertebrae.jpg

Monday, February 14, 2011

Psychological Explanation of some of the commonest state of Life

Psychological explanation of some of the commonest state of Life

Every day we come across certain state which we normally ignore or never give importance. These are very common state and if we can interpret them in correct manner it will definitely help us to sort the bigger problem in smaller way. Here I have tried to give explanation to some of the commonest conditions which we face in every day situation please go through this article and give your useful comments on the same.

Difficult to swallowing – As we see this happens in everybody’s life but if its happening very frequently without any underlying cause this might result in some pathology in later life. This can be explained in following way. Difficulty in swallowing is explained as any situation in the life of a person which he cannot express or cannot forget or in a way we say when the person can’t swallow that situation. Try to see his problem and help him to find the solution to his problem.

Nausea: The patient cannot stomach this or that environmental factor and wanted to express that but he or she cannot do so. So if you listen to the person carefully or let him express his feeling of anger, indignation, and vexation or suppressed desires. You might help him to solve his problem of nausea.

Feeling of oppression in the chest accompanied by sighing respirations: Again in the absence of organic findings, indicates that the person has a load in the chest that he would like to get rid of by talking about his problem. A person who takes things by heart has this feeling. (Common symptom noticed in cardiac arrest).

Anorexia Nervosa ((loss of appetite): He or she is very often emotionally starved just as he is physically starved.

Fatigue: Emotional conflict (sufficient energy is used up that little is left) for particular purpose.

Muscle tension giving aches and pain – Emotional tension of unconscious origin frequently expressed as:
Atypical neuralgia- Focal conflict in (face or arm) the person would like to strike someone but is prevented from doing so by the affection or respect that is mingled with hostility.

Itching - Dissatisfaction with the environment which the individual takes out upon himself by scratching himself instead of someone. Itch starts at mind first and then manifest in the body.

Anxiety is specific un-pleasurable state of tension which indicates presence of some danger in organism.

All gone feeling in the epigastric region (empty feeling in stomach area), shaky legs and even vertigo: Indicates severe kind of anxiety attack and so frequently called a heart attack, gall bladder disturbance, hypothyroidism, neurocirculatory asthenia and hyperinsulinism.

These are few of the observations which I always keep in mind whenever I take case history of any patient. This has helped me in understanding their mind state and if we practice to understand in our daily life this might help you to understand you’re near ones psychiatric state. Any doubt or question if you have can call me or can put your questions in this blog.

Dr Rahul Tewari
drrahultewari@gmail.com
09899000998

valentine article by a skooly

Valentine’s day

Its here its here, its back again. Special for some and usual for some .Some are very xcited and will still spend dis day alone. Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-producedgreeting cards.

In earlier times, watevr we present, it used to be acceptable but now a days, evn xpensive rings,jewellery are thrown just lyk dat cuz he or she doesn’t lyk that types of things………..

The problem comes en there z a conflict between mind and heart whether and wat to give on dis day, meanz the special valentine gift, dat z to be given to dat special somebody……………….

So, wat shud be the schedule in order to plan the gifts………..

For the skoolies,

The skoolies, who hav jst fallen in luv cn check out fr ,not too xpensive stuffs, things like chocolates will not help surely, but ya still things like small gifties frm archies or pedellers can help u out.cards or small show pieces wid heart or cute toddies cn help…………….

For her,

The seriousness nd the commitment to be wid her the whole lyf iz enough in itself,it’s the best gift ever dat you are honest nd responsible.Still if you want to get her surprised, a nyc, well planned fine dinner will make it ovr,but dnt go for the candlelight ver.2.0, if you want to move wid the trend. Hey dnt frget the mannerz ovr there, I mean the dinning mannerzz.

For him

Well it’s a tricky question,cuz a guy’s demand never ends,[I m being in a opposite meaning, cuz I dnt wnt any harsh comments]. Ya the girls cn check out for zippo range of goodies and stuffs. Accessories dat will compliment ur guy will surely help you out. Presents like watches,ties or sort of formal accessories,

An idea for shopping or grafting will solve all the problems out,

At last you know him/her very well and you know wat he/she likes.

So,happy valentine’s day,, njoy……………………….















Thursday, February 10, 2011

healing of common ailment during childhood

Life turned out to be full of challenges. Stress level is increasing and every time we solve one of the problems next problem is standing in the quo. But truth of life is that it is a challenge and full of problems. Let us try to find out what is problem? If you ask me to define what is problem then I will define it as lack of solution or difficulty to find the solution of a situation.  But in our daily life we come across in different situations where we face different set of difficulties. If however we solve that then we say in simple language that we have solved the problem.

From the moment of birth we have different set of problems and here I am trying to discuss here first with problems related to health which if we try can be solved by us in simple and easy discussion.

Birth and evolution is the law of nature. Each family is as if a breeding centre and institution for rearing and brining up these descending forces in the forms of children. Human babies are the most helpless creations and need various treatments from the very moment of the birth, show various conditions at various stages with regard to course and boundaries, in various forms in the sequence of a flow originating from a definite source of heredity, the knowledge of which offers anticipatory guidance to look up for the levels and prevention. The acute stages and their languages, which are normally expressed as “distress” and ‘symptoms’ of suffering have been set in the discussion suggesting remedial measures in appropriate places. Every witnessing eye at the sight of such distress puts his mind to it; and searches for a device to alleviate them to any degree it can. To answer these problems the basic knowledge with essential matters has been set in the text. Ideal cure is the cure of the whole man. Yet beyond the limitation of rigidity in rules and principle, homeopathy and other natural methods has flexibility that permits relaxations. This comes under right approach the art of healing. If the scope of such relaxation is sparingly availed of in busy hours of our life, many emergencies can be saved, and evantualities averted.
I do not know how much helpful this tiny series will be to the readers; however, I leave it to their judgment or to that of the users.
All healthy criticism which may help to improve mistakes is cordially invited.