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Rare surgery saves 70-year-old's heart from massive tumour

Borivili, Mumbai resident Gunavati Shah suffered from a medical condition that only 10 people in the world have recovered from so far.

The operation:

The 17-cm-long tumour linked Shah's right kidney to her heart. During the operation, first the affected kidney was removed. The next task was to operate upon the affected part of the heart. For this it was necessary to drain out blood from the heart by putting Shah on a heart-lung machine.

This involved cooling down temperature of the patient. In the human body, blood in maintained at 37 degrees celsius but it is drained out, it has to be regulated at 22 degree celsius. The removal of the tumour from the heart had to be done within 30 minutes, which was a challenge in itself . In another 15 minutes the drained blood had to be pumped back into the body.

Pune docs remove eraser from Brit boy's throat

Paediatricians in London failed to diagnose two-year-old's problem while surgeons in Pune saved him with timely and accurate treatment.

How to get blood in an emergency

All you have to do is just type "BLOOD and send SMS to 9600097000" (in India)

Ex: "BLOOD B+"

A blood donor will call you.

This information can save somebody's life with a rare blood group.

'Imitinef Mercilet' is a medicine which cures blood cancer.

Its available free of cost at "Adyar Cancer Institute in Chennai".

Address: East Canal Bank Road, Gandhi Nagar Adyar Chennai -600020

Landmark: Near Michael School

Phone: 044-24910754 044-24910754 , 044-24911526 044-24911526 ,

044-22350241 044-22350241

(Received from a reader. Kindly verify the credentials)

Natural Therapy for opening the veins of the heart

For Heart Vein Opening

Lemon Juice .................01 cup

Ginger juice...................01 cup

Garlic Juice ...................01 cup

Apple vinegar ................01 cup

Mix all the above and boil on low heat, approximately half hour, when it becomes 3 cups, take off stove and let it cool. After cooling, mix 3 cups of natural honey and keep it in bottle. Every morning before breakfast use one tablespoon regularly. Your blockage of veins will open.

No need now for any Angiography of Bypass......

Wishing you a healthy life........

Prof. Dr.S.Vikineswary

Boitech Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Malaya 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

1.5 lakh foreigners in India for medical tourism

US citizens treated in India say health care is top class. Last year 1.5 lakh foreigners visited India for medical reason, of which only seventeen persons were US citizens.

Hot flushes may be a blessing: study

Hot flushes and night sweats may be a blessing in disguise for millions of middle-aged woman going through menopause as scientist say those effected by such symptoms have a reduced to risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Swimming in pools may clause bladder cancer

Excessive swimming or taking long baths in chlorinated water may increase the risk of developing bladder cancer, a new study has claimed. A team of Spanish scientists found that cancer-causing chemicals called trihalomethanes (THN) which are created as by-product of chloriating pools are actually absorbing too much THM.

Blood-clotting bandage

Scottish-scientists are developing a new chemical bandage that will helps save lives on the battlefield by instantly helping to clot blood and staunch wounds.

Sex addiction is a psychiatric illness

Sex addiction in which sufferers have relentless sexual urges will soon be formally recognised as a psychiatric disorder by the American Psychiatric Association. Sex addiction actually became highly publicised when celebrities such as Tiger Woods and Russell Brand sort treatment for the condition.

Antibiotics first used 1,500-years-ago

About 1,500 years before the discovery of modern antibiotic tetracycline, North African were consuming it with beer a new study has suggested.

Camel milk, during to treat cancer

A group of Arab researchers is claiming to have developed a medical formula for treating cancer by using camel's milk and urine. Researchers at Arab Biotechnology Company (ABC) have said experiments conducted on mice have proved to be 100% successful.

Post-delivery, it takes 18 months to recover

Giving birth is a high point for a mother. But the downside is it takes a year-and-a-half for her to 'feel like a woman again' after childbirth a new study has revealed.

Stem cell jab could replace hip, knee surgeries.

Synthetic corneas in sight

New cornea developed using the patients own collagen can help restore sight & may eliminate the need for donor corneas

Scientists create liver cells from patients skin.

Scientists have created liver cells in a lab for the first time using reprogrammed cells from human skin, paving way for the potential development of new treatments for liver diseases that kill thousand each year.

Researcher finds revolutionary way to treat eye cancer

A scientist has discovered a method to prevent damage caused while treating a rare but devastating eye cancer whose treatment after requires radiation that leaves half of all patients partially blind, a technique developed by Scott oliver of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, may change all that. He has discovered that silicon oil applied inside the eye can block up to 55 percent of harmful radiation, enough to prevent blinders in most.

Short in the arm can now prevent in the pregnancy

Indian doctors had given go-ahead to radical new contraceptive method - the first injectable contraceptive in India, despite complaints from users in London. According to Dr Rekha Daver, Head of Gynaecology Department, JJ Hospital. All 200 women in Mumbai, who used the implant, led normal lives for three years without any major side effects. The city doctors who conducted the trials on the contraceptive have told the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) that it is 99.9% safe, and that its chances of failure are zero.

Drinking water 'may contain carcinogen' says study

The group found hexavalent chromium in the tap water of 31 out of 35 cities sampled. Of those, 25 had levels that exceeded the goal proposed in California, which has been trying aggressively to reduce the chemical in its water supply.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency is considering whether to set a limit for hexavalent chromium in tap water. The agency is reviewing the chemical after the National Institutes of Health, deemed it a "probable carcinogen" in 2008.

Hexavalent chromium has long been known to cause lung cancer when inhaled, and scientists recently found evidence that it causes cancer in laboratory animals when ingested. It has been linked in animals to liver and kidney damage as well as leukemia, stomach cancer and other cancers.

A widely used industrial chemical until the early 1990s, hexavalent chromium is still used in some industries, such as in chrome plating and the manufacture of plastics and dyes. The chemical can also leach into groundwater from natural ores.

The chemical compound was first made famous in the hit 2000 Hollywood movie Erin Brockovich, about the eponymous environmental crusader who also commented on the EWG's alarming finding.

"This chemical has been so widely used by so many industries across the US that this doesn't surprise me," said Ms Brockovich, known for her fight on behalf of the residents of Hinkley, California against Pacific Gas & Electric.

In that case, PG&E was accused of leaking hexavalent chromium into the town's groundwater for more than 30 years, and ultimately was made to pay $US333 million in damages to more than 600 inhabitants of the town, which it was required to clean up.

"Our municipal water supplies are in danger all over the US," Ms Brockovich told The Post. "This is a chemical that should be regulated."

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Viagra may cause hearing loss

Men who regularly take viagra may be at increased risk of long-term hearing loss, a new study has claimed. According to the study, men who take such a erectile dysfunction drugs are twice as likely to suffer from hearing loss then those who don't use such drugs.

Eat carrot sticks after meals

After a meal eat carrot stick to keep your mouth clean. They help remove sticky debris stimulate the gum and prevent tooth decay.

Avoid noodles

Instant noodles contain high amount of sodium which can increase your risk of high blood pressure.

Eating eggs and cataract

According to a study eating eggs lowers the risk of developing the cataract.

Eating bacon damages sperms

New research by experts at Harvard Medical School in the US suggests that men who eat a lot of saturated fat could be damaging their sperms.

Vaginal gel may offer shield against Aids virus

In a test on monkeys, a vaginal microbicide based on a new type of anti-HIV drug could offer significant protection against infection with the virus similar to HIV, researchers have found.

Green tea may help fight glaucoma & other eye diseases

Scientist claim that the healthful substance found in green tea penetrate into tissues of the eye. Their new report, the first documenting how the lens, retina and other eye tissues absorb this substances, raises the possibility that green tea may protect against glaucoma & other common eye disease. The study appears in the journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry.

Drink lemonade to prevent kidney stones

Drinking lemonade can prevent kidney stones, according to an American expert Roger Sur, director of VC San Diego Comprehensive Kidney Stone Centre, says consumption of lemonade is one of the five ways to prevent kidney stones.

First complete face transplant performed

A team of thirty doctors in Spain conducted 22-hour-long surgery to give patient his looks back. The Spanish hospital said it performed the world's first complete face transplant in March on a man who could not swallow or drink normally following an accident five years ago.

New Therapy for Cancer Patients

Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai has acquired the Rs 15- crore tomotheraphy machine that targets only malignant cells and does not effect non-malignant tissues.

Coconut water

Drinking coconut water with 1 teaspoon of olive oil for 3 days kills intestinal worms

Lavender oil

Lavender oil, rich in vitamin K, when applied over stretch marks, helps lighten them.

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Ayurveda hope for blocked hearts

Varanasi:A green ray of hope for patients of rental failure and coronory heart blocks! Power of Ayurveda coupled with healthy and controlled diet has helped postpone dialysis and renal transplant in acute cases failure at the PD Patel Ayurvedic Hospital in Nadiad (Gujarat). As per Prof S N Gupta, the Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, in as many as 2000 cases of renal failure, spanning fr5om early stage to cases where kidney's functioning is not more than ten per cent, the bouquet of Ayurvedic medicines, Medicated Enema and healthy and restricted diet coupled with healthy lifestyle has postponed dialysis and renal transplant from four year to life long postponement. Also the senior professor of Kaya Chikitsa at J S Ayurvedic College, Nadiad (which operates the Patel Hospital), Gupta said a consortium of Ayurvedic medicines, spanning from Punarnava, Shailajeet and Koksavadi Guggul have been used to success for treating patients of renal failure at the hospital. The Ayurvedic medicines have been coupled with Basti Karma (medicated Enema) and diet and lifestyle changes as per instructions given in Ayurvedic texts. "The troika of medicines, enema and diet-lifestyle changes have helped us postpone dailysis and kidney transplant from four years to life long postponement, depending on degree of renal failure," Gupta maintained Already the data of the successful postponement of dailysis and renal transplant has been published in local medical journals and is up for publication in Ayu, a quarterly peer review journal, Ayurveda is being used to manage chronic heart and liver problems, particularly Liver Cirrhosis and Coronary Arterial Blockages. " For managing chronic arterial blockages we use the time tested and Panchkarma Therapy to purify the body and resultantly clear blockages and improve blood circulation followed byuse of Ayurvedic herbs like Triphala and Arjun to maintain optimal functioning of blood circulation in body which was achieved via Panchkarma Therapy," Gupta said.

Based on cause of Liver Cirrhosis, Ayurvedic management of the disorder, which turns fatal, is also underway.

Scientists in China have found that a naturally-occuring ingredient of soya beans, increasingly sold has substitutes for diary-based food interferes with the part of the male reproductive system involved in sperm productions.

According to a study that appears in the journal ' The Prostate', it was found that men who drank 800 ml daily had double the risk of developing the prostate cancer

Health and Beauty -- Cut Back on Coffee

How much is too much? Any more than four cups of caffeinated coffee each day can lead to bladder irritation. The same amount of caffeine in chocolate, caffeinated tea, or cola can do the same thing, so watch your intake!

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A potent new inhibiter of HIV, derived from bananas may open the door to new treatments to prevent sexual transmission of HIV. According to a study by the University of Michigan Medical School. The team discovered the Ban Lac the lectin in banana can inhibit HIV infection by binding itself to the sugar-rich HIV-1 envelope protein blocking its entry to the body. The researchers say even modest success of Ban Lac could save millions of lives.

A new study finds that circumcised man appear less likely to sustain cuts , abrasion and other minor injuries to the penis during sex - which may help explain why circumcision lowers the risk of HIV transmission from heterosexual sex.

Health experts have warned that unjustified use of CT scan is increasingly becoming a reason behind cancers. A latest medical research have claimed that more than 400 new cases of cancer a year in Australia occured due to diagnostic radiology. However, it has not reduced the number of computerised tomography scans. Scans are growing about 12% a year.

In what could be claimed as a major breakthrough against breast cancer a protein which could stop a tumor from growing and spreading. According to Dutch scientists, the BRD7 protein activates an anti-cancer gene (T53) which is known to combat tumors in breasts or the other parts of the body.

In a ground-breaking operation, British surgeons claimed to have transplanted an incompatible donor kidney on a woman, after freezing and filtering he blood plasma to insure that the new organ wasn't rejected.

Scientists have used an 'Artificial Pancreas' system of pumps and monitor to improve blood sugar control in diabetic patients in the first study to show the new device works better than conventional treatment. Researchers from Britain's Cambridge University found the device kept blood sugar levels within the important normal range for 60% of the time.

A Universite de Montreal research team is developing a pill composed of leptin, the protein that tells our brain to stop eating. Leptin regulates appetite in mamals and its levels decrease when fasting and rise during meals. It has been proven to be an appetite suppressant when administered intravenously to pathologically obese people.

A new research says inserting a stent into clogged neck arteries is as effective and safe as surgeries at preventing strokes.

As an H1N1 precaution it is recommended to have two black paper corns, ten tulsi leaves boiled with tea leaves every day. This stimulates the respiratory system.

Bloodless way for heart tumor operation
After brain and lungs, CyberKnife does another first. CyberKnife is the first and only robotic radiosurgery system to treat tumors located anywhere in the body. Uses Skeletal structure of the body rather than invasive metal frames and skull pins to identify treatment. It not only tells the robot where the tumor is but where it is in relation to the breathing cycle.

Shockwave device to cure male impotence
Scientists have developed a shockwave device to cure erectile dysfunction in males. The hand-held gadget uses high frequency sound waves to widen narrowed blood vessels in the penis responsible for causing erection problems. The research was carried by Israeli doctors and could be available in 18 months.

Big bottoms, good for health
According to British scientists, big bottoms, hips could be good for your health. A team at Oxford University has claimed that having extra weight on your hips, bum and thighs is good for one's health, protecting against heart and metabolic problems.

Virus-size pills to deliver drugs
Tiny capsules can carry medicines to specific cells with 100% efficiency. The technique may one day be used to deliver vaccines, drugs or genetic material to treat cancer and blood and immunological disorders, says the team of Cornnell & Shenzhen University researches.

Choclate attack cuts death in heart patients
Heart attack survivors who eat chocolate more than twice a week cut the risk of dying from heart disease about 3 fold, says a study, which appears in Journal of International Medicine. Kenneth Mukamal, a co-author of the study said that antioxidants in coco are likely candidates for explaining its life-saving properties.

Peanut butter cuts heart attack
A new study has found that snacking on peanuts or peanut butter five days a week can halve the risk of a heart attack. Scientists from Harvad Medical school found that women who regularly ate peanuts had the greatest protection against heart attacks with the risk reduced by up to 44%.

Bananas help muscle-repair
After workout, have two bananas. The high level of potassium and magnesium in them will accelerate the muscle-repair process.

'It's a natural isotonic beverage, with the same level of electrolytic balance as we have in our blood. It's the fluid of life, so to speak.'

During the Pacific War of 1941-45, both sides in the conflict regularly used coconut water- siphoned directly from the nut- to give emergency plasma transfusions to wounded soldiers.

Most coconut water is still consumed fresh in tropical coastal areas - once exposed to air, the liquidity rapidly loses most of its organoleptic and nutritional characteristics, and begins to ferment.

Coconut Water is better than processed baby milk - It contains lauric acid, which is present in human mother's milk.

Coconut Water is a natural isotonic beverage - The same level we have in our blood.

Coconut Water is the very stuff of nature, biologically pure, full of natural sugars, salts, and vitamins to ward off fatigue...and is the next wave of energy drinks but natural! According to Mortin Satin, Chief of United Nation's Food & Agriculture Organization.

Coconut Water contains more potassium (at about 294mg) than most sports drinks (117 mg) and most energy drinks.

Coconut Water has less sodium (25mg) where sports drinks have around 41mg and energy drinks have about 200mg!

Coconut Water is very high 5mg of natural sugars where sports and energy drinks range from 10-25mg of altered sugars.

Coconut Water is very high in Chloride at 118mg; compared to sports drinks at about 39mg.

Eight cancer signs identified

London, August 28 (ANI): Researchers have highlighted the eight unexplained symptoms that are most closely linked to cancer.

The Keele University team also points to the age at which patients should be most concerned by the symptoms, which include blood in urine and anaemia.

The other symptoms are: rectal blood, coughing up blood, breast lump or mass, difficulty swallowing, post-menopausal bleeding and abnormal prostate tests, reports the BBC.

The figure for each symptom was calculated by combining the results of 25 previous studies.

They found that, if the patient was below the age of 55, there were only two signs, which reached the 'one-in-20' threshold.

These were a rectal prostate examination, which gave abnormal results, and a breast lump.

After 55, but only in men, there was evidence that difficulty swallowing could be a sign of oesophageal cancer, while blood in the urine was highlighted as a particular concern for men and women aged over 60.

A few simple lifestyle changes can keep your heart healthy by reducing the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes, according to researchers at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

Fitness expert Karin Richards, director of the exercise science and wellness management program at the University has revealed changes that people can incorporate in their lifestyle to remain heart healthy, and they are:

Engage in cardiovascular exercises such as running, walking, or swimming, at least 20-30 minutes a day, everyday.

Gauge your exercise intensity with the sing/talk test- If your space is meeting your target heart rate, you should be able to talk without being breathless. If you can't catch your breath to talk, your exercise intensity is too great. If you can sing while you exercise, it's not vigorous enough. Walk everywhere-skip the elevator and the escalator and take the stairs.

Spend at least 10 minutes each day going an activity you find relaxing, such as yoga, meditation, reading , or walking. Consume stimulants such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, and chocolate in moderation.

Caffeine can increase the body's levels of cortisol, the "stress hormone," which has been linked with higher body fat percentages and increased stress.

Resting Heart Rate- Find your resting heart rate in the morning before getting out of the bed. with your index and middle finger on your radial artery on the wrist or at the carotid artery in your neck. Over three days, count how many beats occur within 60 seconds to get an average. For adults, a normal resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute. An unusually high or low heart rate may indicate an underlying problem. Consult your doctor if your resting heart rate is consistently above 100 or below 60.

Target heart rate- Target heart rates vary by age, but they are the range, which enables one's heart and lungs to receive the most benefit from a workout.

Cholesterol levels- High blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and stroke and should be checked by your healthcare provider at least once a year. (ANI)

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DANGEROUS DRUGS HAVE BEEN GLOBALLY DISCARDED BUT ARE AVAILABLE IN INDIA . The most common ones are D cold, action 500 & Nimulid.

ANALGIN:
This is a pain-killer. Reason for ban: Bone marrow depression.
Brand name: Novalgin
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CISAPRIDE:
Acidity, constipation. Reason for ban : irregular heartbeat
Brand name : Ciza, Syspride
______________________________________________________
DROPERIDOL:
Anti-depressant. Reason for ban : Irregular heartbeat.
Brand name : Droperol
______________________________________________________
FURAZOLIDONE:
Antidiarrhoeal. Reason for ban : Cancer.
Brand name : Furoxone, Lomofen
______________________________________________________
NIMESULIDE:
Painkiller, fever. Reason for ban : Liver failure.
Brand name : Nise, Nimulid
______________________________________________________

NITROFURAZONE:
Antibacterial cream. Reason for ban : Cancer.
Brand name : Furacin
______________________________________________________

PHENOLPHTHALEIN:
Laxative. Reason for ban : Cancer.
Brand name : Agarol
_______________________________________________________
PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE
cold and cough. Reason for ban : stroke.
Brand name : D'cold, Vicks Action-500
______________________________________________________
OXYPHENBUTAZONE:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Reason for ban : Bone marrow depression.
Brand name : Sioril
_______________________________________________________
PIPERAZINE
Anti-worms. Reason for ban : Nerve damage.
Brand name : Piperazine
_______________________________________________________
QUINIODOCHLOR:
Anti-diarrhoeal. Reason for ban : Damage to sight.
Brand name : Enteroquinol
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Diabetes behind most kidney failures

International Diabetes Federation has predicted the number of all diabetes will increase from 240 million in 2007 to 380 million in 2025.

India is estimated to have 40.9 million diabetes in 2010 and that will rise to 69.9 million in 2025.

A sweetener derived from a herb stevia is taking the global marketplace by storm, promising a zero-calorie product that also has the appeal of being natural. The Reb-A extract is estimated 300 times sweeter than sugar and the largest producer of the leaf is China, which has long supplied extracts widely used for sweeteners in Japan, where stevia has been used since the 1970's.

Indian Scientists clamed to have developed a drug as a 'cure to diabetes from a plant found in West Bengal's Purulia Hills. The drug -- ICB201 -- has been derived from a plant after it was noticed that the people in the Purulia Hills used it in case of diabetic problems, Dr S Bhattacharya of Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, whose team developed the drug, as per the science congress.

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#For relief from earache, put some table salt in a small bag, warm it up to body temperature and put on the affected ear.

#To boost your immune system, have a bunch of strawberries everyday with your breakfast. It is rich in vitamins, phytonutrients and fibre.

#Apples make for a healthy snack as they are completely free of fat, cholesterol or sodium.

#Drink water the first thing after waking up in the morning, even before brushing your teeth. It cleans your digestive system.

#To protect your hair from chlorine, apply baby oil before entering the pool. Even 1/2 a teaspoon is enough to coat the hair shaft and prevent it from absorbing chlorine.

#If your eyes burn for a long time because of any reason, put 3 drops of pure rose water for relief.

#When dealing with low blood pressure, avoid having overly hot showers or baths. They can cause an unhealthy jump in the body temperature and may trigger low BP.

#Eat your beans! it contains nutrient compounds called 'flavnoids' that help protect against heart disease and cancer.

#Eat a small piece of jaggery after meals. It helps eliminate acidity, improves digestion and also helps in the expulsion of worms in small children.

#Chocolate contains a substance called the bromine, which is known to stimulate appetite and facilitate muscular exertion.

#Smear grated potato on your hands if you experience a burning sensation after chopping chillies.

#To ensure sound sleep, snack on foods that are high in carbohydrates but low in protein, such as chocolate biscuits, one hour before bed-time.

#When you cut yourself or get a skin irritation, use Aloe vera. It will speed up the healing of wounds and burns while relieving itching and swelling.

#It is good to get flu now and again - our immune system needs these flu viruses to produce antibodies.

#Stomach cells secrete hydrochloric acid, a corrosive compound used to treat metals. The mucous lining the stomach wall keeps this poisonous liquid safely in the digestive system.

#About 20 per cent of your blood is pumped to the brain, which needs it to keep up with the heavy metabolic demands of its neurons.

* Muscle pain and pain in the joints occurring because of arthritis can be alleviated by the application of aloe vera gels or sprays. In fact if is used regularly it can actually help regress arthritis.

* Tumeric powder has antiseptic properties. Taken internally, it will aid detoxing of the blood and clear acne.

* Almost fat free, beetroots are high in iron and can help treat anemia and tiredness. It also relaxes the mind and eases depression.

* Eating black soya beans helps battle against obesity & cures diabetes & heart diseases.

* Parsley leaves are rich in chlorophyll. Chew some leaves regularly and your breath will remain fresh.

* Strawberries are a tasty source of vitamin C. One cup of fresh strawberries provides about 88 mgs of ascorbic acid.

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A chat with Dr.Devi Shetty, Narayana Hrudayalaya (Heart Specialist) Bangalore was arranged by WIPRO for its employees .
The transcript of the chat is given below. Useful for everyone.

Qn: What are the thumb rules for a layman to take care of his heart?
Ans:
1. Diet - Less of carbohydrate, more of protein, less oil
2. Exercise - Half an hour's walk, at least five days a week; avoid lifts and avoid sitting for a longtime
3. Quit smoking
4. Control weight
5. Control blood pressure and sugar

Qn: Is eating non-veg food (fish) good for the heart?
Ans: No

Qn: It's still a grave shock to hear that some apparently healthy person
gets a cardiac arrest. How do we understand it in perspective?
Ans: This is called silent attack; that is why we recommend everyone past the age of 30 to undergo routine health checkups.

Qn: Are heart diseases hereditary?
Ans: Yes

Qn: What are the ways in which the heart is stressed? What practices do you suggest to de-stress?
Ans: Change your attitude towards life. Do not look for perfection in everything in life.

Qn: Is walking better than jogging or is more intensive exercise required to keep a healthy heart?
Ans: Walking is better than jogging since jogging leads to early fatigue and injury to joints

Qn: You have done so much for the poor and needy. What has inspired you to do so?
Ans: Mother Theresa , who was my patient

Qn: Can people with low blood pressure suffer heart diseases?
Ans: Extremely rare

Qn: Does cholesterol accumulates right from an early age
(I'm currently only 22) or do you have to worry about it only after you are above 30 years of age?
Ans: Cholesterol accumulates from childhood.

Qn: How do irregular eating habits affect the heart ?
Ans: You tend to eat junk food when the habits are irregular and your body's enzyme release for digestion gets confused.

Qn: How can I control cholesterol content without using medicines?
Ans: Control diet, walk and eat walnut.

Qn: Can yoga prevent heart ailments?
Ans: Yoga helps.

Qn: Which is the best and worst food for the heart?
Ans: Fruits and vegetables are the best and the worst is oil.

Qn: Which oil is better - groundnut, sunflower, olive?
Ans: All oils are bad .

Qn: What is the routine checkup one should go through? Is there any specific test?
Ans: Routine blood test to ensure sugar, cholesterol is ok. Check BP, Treadmill test after an echo.

Qn: What are the first aid steps to be taken on a heart attack?
Ans: Help the person into a sleeping position , place an aspirin tablet under the tongue with a sorbitrate tablet if available, and rush him to a coronary care unit since the maximum casualty takes place within the first hour.

Qn: How do you differentiate between pain caused by a heart attack and that caused due to gastric trouble?
Ans: Extremely difficult without ECG.

Qn: What is the main cause of a steep increase in heart problems amongst youngsters? I see people of about 30-40 yrs of age having heart attacks and serious heart problems.
Ans: Increased awareness has increased incidents. Also, edentary lifestyles, smoking, junk food, lack of exercise in a country where people are genetically three times more vulnerable for heart attacks than Europeans and Americans.

Qn: Is it possible for a person to have BP outside the normal range of 120/80 and yet be perfectly healthy?
Ans: Yes.

Qn: Marriages within close relatives can lead to heart problems for the child. Is it true?
Ans : Yes, co-sanguinity leads to congenital abnormalities and you may not have a software engineer as a child

Qn: Many of us have an irregular daily routine and many a times we have to stay late nights in office. Does this affect our heart ? What precautions would you recommend?
Ans : When you are young, nature protects you against all these irregularities. However, as you grow older, respect the biological clock.

Qn: Will taking anti-hypertensive drugs cause some other complications (short / long term)?
Ans : Yes, most drugs have some side effects. However, modern anti-hypertensive drugs are extremely safe.

Qn: Will consuming more coffee/tea lead to heart attacks?
Ans : No.

Qn: Are asthma patients more prone to heart disease?
Ans : No.

Qn: How would you define junk food?
Ans : Fried food like Kentucky , McDonalds , samosas, and even masala dosas.

Qn: You mentioned that Indians are three times more vulnerable. What is the reason for this, as Europeans and Americans also eat a lot of junk food?
Ans: Every race is vulnerable to some disease and unfortunately, Indians are vulnerable for the most expensive disease.

Qn: Does consuming bananas help reduce hypertension?
Ans : No.

Qn: Can a person help himself during a heart attack (Because we see a lot of forwarded emails on this)?
Ans : Yes. Lie down comfortably and put an aspirin tablet of any description under the tongue and ask someone to take you to the nearest coronary care unit without any delay and do not wait for the ambulance since most of the time, the ambulance does not turn up.

Qn: Do, in any way, low white blood cells and low hemoglobin count lead to heart problems?
Ans : No. But it is ideal to have normal hemoglobin level to increase your exercise capacity.

Qn: Sometimes, due to the hectic schedule we are not able to exercise. So, does walking while doing daily chores at home or climbing the stairs in the house, work as a substitute for exercise?
Ans : Certainly. Avoid sitting continuously for more than half an hour and even the act of getting out of the chair and going to another chair and sitting helps a lot.

Qn: Is there a relation between heart problems and blood sugar?
Ans: Yes. A strong relationship since diabetics are more vulnerable to heart attacks than non-diabetics.

Qn: What are the things one needs to take care of after a heart operation?
Ans : Diet, exercise, drugs on time , Control cholesterol, BP, weight..

Qn: Are people working on night shifts more vulnerable to heart disease when compared to day shift workers?
Ans : No.

Qn: What are the modern anti-hypertensive drugs?
Ans : There are hundreds of drugs and your doctor will chose the right combination for your problem, but my suggestion is to avoid the drugs and go for natural ways of controlling blood pressure by walk, diet to
reduce weight and changing attitudes towards lifestyles.

Qn: Does dispirin or similar headache pills increase the risk of heart attacks?
Ans : No.

Qn: Why is the rate of heart attacks more in men than in women?
Ans : Nature protects women till the age of 45.

Qn: How can one keep the heart in a good condition?
Ans : Eat a healthy diet, avoid junk food, exercise everyday, do not smoke and, go for health checkup s if you are past the age of 30 ( once in six months recommended).

If your nails chip, peel or break early, it means your body is deficient on protein and hydrochloric acid.

The world’s first mechanical heart was implanted in a patient at Louisville in Kentucky by Dr. Robert B. Dowling & Dr. Laman A. Gary on 3^rd July 2001. Dr. Geeta Bhat is a professer of medicine & director of Heartfailure & cardiac transplant center form university of Louisville. She has worked closely with Dr. Dowling & Gary. She updates about the Abiocor Heart.
“Abiocor heart is a pump made of Titanium housing and plastic interior. The device has no wires penetrating the chest wall. To keep the heart pumping the device is driven by an electronic system that transmits the energy painlessly through the skin.

The patient “Robert Tool” has gone 60 day mark, hoped for by the manufacturer of abiocor heart. The implanted heart is working flawlessly. His kidney & liver functions are normal. It is too early to predict the patients life expectancy with any degree of certainty. Unfortunately, it is premature to predict the future of the self contained artificial heart. We need to develop and analyse more data. The reason behind the increasing number of cardiac patients the world over is largely due to lifestyle; smoking, eating habits, lack of exercise, family history and other risk factors”.

Mumbai Doctor is proving that lives can be saved with existing resources, using commonly-used household articles and a few innovative techniques.
Dr. S.R. Daga, senior pediatrician at the Cama and Albless hospital at Fort, is saving the lives of prematurely born babies using simple objects as diagnostic and treatment aids. The doctor, who came in the limelight after media reports on his use of a thermocole box to keep premature babies warm, has been teaching the use of techniques and tools that can be used anywhere, at low costs and with a minimum of technology.
Among the techniques that hundreds of doctors are taught each year at Cama and Albless, is to ascertain the rough temperature of a baby by the look and feel of its feet. “If the soles of a baby’s soles are warm and pink, then it is fine,” says Dr Daga.
“This method is useful if the doctor does not have sophisticated instruments to ascertain the baby’s temperature and other indicators of well being”. This method is being widely used by physicians today.

In a break through scientists have successfully identified the genes which cause healthy cells to become cancerous living the prospects of developing a pill for cancer which would make the treatment pain free and natural. The scientist who are preparing to test the treatment in ten terminally ill patients in London and Glasgow, expect the pill to be available on the NHS by 2003. If their trials run successful.

Milk is nature’s most elaborate single food substance. The major macromolecular constituents of milk are fat (3.8%), protein (3.2%), carbohydrate (4.8%), minerals (0.7%) and of course water (87.5%) its major constituent. The other constitutents which are present in minute quantities are fatty acids, amino acids, sugar, sugar phosphates, proteins, peptones, nitrogenous bases, enzymes and vitamins A,C & B12. Milk being a complete food for man and animals would naturally be an exceptionally nutrient medium for even the tiniest most primitive of life forms, the microorganisms, viz. Bacteria, yeast and fungi.

People under kidney dialysis are at 30 times risk of dying from heart disease then those without kidney troubles.

Six out of seven abortions carried out in India are unsafe according to recent study. As many as 6 million unsafe abortions take place in South Asia each year,claiming lives of 33,000 women leaving others with serious health problem.

The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation announced nearly $ 50 million in new grants to help prevent the transmission of the aids virus. This is an additional aid to the $ 50 million declared earlier.

Zinc deficiency hinders growth in infants, report a team of researchers from Ethiopia and Netherlands. The team studied 184 infants ages between 6-12 months in the Dodata district of central Ethiopia. All the children were free of disease and appeared healthy except for the fact that 90 of them were abnormally small for their age.

World Health Organisations first ever analysis on World Health Care System has shown that many countries in the Middle-east, South Africa, including UAE maintain a high health standard.

Women who have irritable bowel syndrome – a condition characterised by abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhoea – are more likely than other women to have been emotionally abused as adults according to Canadian researchers.

Indians working in the Gulf are to set up a super speciality hospital in Kerala by 2001. The hospital is being envisaged as a super speciality hospital with the primary focus on orthopaedics and Urology.

People who lead active lives live long, according to a Denmark study, The researchers at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark in their study on 30,000 men and women aged 20-93 found that those who constantly exercise, played sports were significantly less likely than sedentary subjects to die from any cost over an average of 14 years.

According to the findings published in the August issue of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, numerous studies have suggested that the separation of strong emotion triggers changes in Cardiovascular activity.

Ayurveda India – a group of Delhi – based Ayurvedic Specialist are promoting Himalayan Heritage Institute of Ayurvedic Sciences – comprehensive Ayurveda Complex in the Kangra Valley in the Himalayan foot hills.

Only the spice turmeric saved any anti-inflammatory effects in a study of a variety of Ayurvedic and Herbal preparations according to Data presented at the 9^th Asia Pacific League of Associations of Rheumatology congress.

The British Heart Foundation's recent study has said that regular doses of aspirin intake for combating heart diseases will lead to more harm than good. According to the study a daily low dose of aspirin is unlikely to help men with high blood pressure, those more vulnerable to heart diseases and stroke.

Women who take oral contraceptions run a high risk of suffering a stroke, according to a study by researcher at University of California.

People under kidney dialysis are at 30 times risk of dying from heart disease than those without kidney troubles. Six out of seven abortions carried out in India are unsafe according to recent study. As many as 6 million unsafe abortions take place in South Asia each year,claiming lives of 33,000 women leaving others with serious health problem.

Have you ever wondered if what you eat affects your mood? Or of your mother’s advice to eat fish because it’s a ‘brain food’ was just a way to get you to clean your plate? With the growing incidence of depression and aging of the’ baby boomer’ generation, scientists are now looking into the area of diet and brain function.

A study by the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia in women aged 20 to 92 years, found that supplementation with folate and vitamin B 12 improved memory and mental performance in women in their 20s and in those over 65 years of age. Vitamin B 6 (found in soybeans, chicken and bananas) improved word finding ability in women of all ages. The researchers noted that the normal diets of women were low in some of these nutrients. Folate can be found in fortified breakfast cereals, fruits and vegetables while good sources of vitamin B 12 are meat, fish, dairy products and eggs.

It is thought that the B – vitamins may help chemicals involved in thinking and improve blood flow to the brain.

Teenage girls who are having trouble with their schoolwork, are irritable or constantly tired, may find that iron deficiency is their problem. A recent study in the Lancet of 76 teenage girls found that those who took iron supplements for eight weeks did significantly better on verbal and memory tests than the group that took the placebo. The researchers concluded that even in the absence of anaemia, iron deficiency might impair learning in adolescent females.

Dr. Helman says ‘teenage girls are particularly prone to iron deficiency because they are losing iron rich blood through menstruation, they are losing iron rich blood through menstruation, they are growing fast, and they often don’t eat enough food rich in iron. “Red meat, chicken and fish are all good sources of iron. “Breads, cereals, vegetables, nuts and eggs contain iron in a less available form but absorption can be boosted by combining them with vitamin C- rich foods such as broccoli or orange juice,” said Dr Helman. Iron is important in other age groups too; In infants, iron deficiency is associated with intellectual and psychomotor impairment such as poor eye-hand coordination. This may not always be completely reversed when iron status is corrected.

Iron deficiency in adults can lead to an inability to concentrate, which in turn can hinder verbal learning, memory, mood and energy levels. Tiredness and irritability are both symptoms of iron deficiency.

It is used for treating skin inflammations, healing wounds, bruises,burns, insect stings. The herb could also be used for stopping external bleeding and treating eye inflammations.

In times of anxiety and with bouts of insomnia it can be very helpful. It claims the nerves and decreases tension and can be used as eyewash for conjunctivitis.

Peppermint is a cooling herb and is used to lower fevers. It helps in relieving menstrual cramps. When used as steam it helps in curing congestion.

It is useful for treating blood pressure, altitude illness, gastrointestinal ailments and motion sickness. It can be administered as an instant tea. Boil a cocoa leaf when making tea.

Lavender is used to ease stress headaches. It is good for digestion and is used as a stomach tonic for indigestion, stomach cramps, flatulence and loss of appetite.

It cures dandruff. Soak 2 tablespoons of it in water overnight. In the morning grind into a fine paste. Apply all over scalp and leave for ½ and hour. Wash with mild shampoo.

It is used to cure depression. It’s cooling action makes it useful for breaking fevers. This plant is also used for cold and flu or any kind of virus.

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Did you know

The anaesthetic qualities of nitrous oxide were first discovered by British chemist Humphry Davy in 1800. But initially, the medical use of this so-called 'laughing gas' were limited, with it mainly being used for entertainment purposes. It was first used as an anaesthetic on September 30, 1846, by American dentist William Thomas Green Morton.

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Benefits of sprouts : #Sprouts contain concentrated amounts of phytochemicals (plant compounds) that can protect us against diseases such as pancreatic, colon and leukaemia cancers #Sprouts help increase bone formation and density and prevent bone breakdown or osteoporosis #They are helpful in controlling hot flashes, menopause, PMS and fibrocystic breast tumours #They help lower bad cholesterol #They contain highly active antioxidants that prevent DNA destruction.

Benefits of tomatoes : #Tomatoes contain large amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium and iron #The red pigment in tomatoes called lycopene acts as an antioxidant, neutralising free radicals that can damage cells in the body. Research has also indicated that lycopene can help older people stay active longer #Two powerful compounds found in tomatoes -- coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid also help prevent lung cancer. #While choosing tomatoes, make sure you pick the very red ones as they contain the highest amounts of beta carotene and lycopene #Interestingly, tomatoes hardly loose their nutritional value while processing. Thus canned tomatoes and tomato sauce are both just as nutritious as fresh tomatoes.