Friday, November 30, 2012

Vedic Science behind running Post- traumatic Stress Disorder?

Vedic Science behind running Post- traumatic Stress Disorder?


PTSD is a stress which lasts for up to 13 days if handled properly and for months or years if not handled after an acute stress. This can be a serious disorder.
The reference to grieved mourning a death can be found in the Vedic literature. There is custom that the grieved partner is made to weep till she or he is overwhelmed with emotions. In fact, all relatives and friends participate in the exercise, depending upon their respective closeness to the deceased.
In the antim yatra most relations join and after that the grieved person is made to sit for 90 minutes every day as a part of the ceremony which either ends on chautha or tervi where again everybody known gather together to end the ceremony. Thereafter, normal activities of life are resumed.
In some sections of the society there is also a custom of shaving the head or doing ‘daan’ of hairs and or wearing white clothes.
There is a scientific explanation behind these customs?
The plausible explanation are many and are based on the observation that a grieved person may go into depression which if not treated properly may last for months together, or even forever. For example the acute stress after the death of somebody very close will be called acute traumatic stress and the condition Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Children And Adolescents With Congenital Heart Disease Should Avoid Body Piercing

Children And Adolescents With Congenital Heart Disease Should Avoid Body Piercing


Children and teenagers with congenital heart disease should be strongly discouraged from getting a tattoo or piercing their ears or other body parts, because it could lead to a potentially deadly infection of the heart called endocarditis
Infective endocarditis occurs when bacteria or fungi attaches and begins to grow on the valves of the heart. If left untreated, it can lead to a fatal destruction of heart muscle.
Most people are not aware that they should talk to their doctor before tattooing or piercing their body.
Body art in the form of tattoos and piercing has become increasingly popular among children and teenagers.
Most experts today strongly discourage all forms of body art. For those who cannot be dissuaded, the recommendation is to give antibiotics prior to tattooing or piercing, “with strong advice for prompt treatment of any signs of subsequent infection”.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Why Spirituality is Happiness Friendly

Why Spirituality is Happiness Friendly

1. What you believe in can have a big impact on health and longevity. People with high levels of religious beliefs or spirituality have lower cortisol responses. Cortisol is a hormone the body releases in response to stress.
2. Positive thinking produces nearly a 30 percent drop in perception of pain.
3. Spirituality and the practice of religion is associated with a slower progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
4. Those who regularly attend organized religious activities may live longer than those who don’t. Regular participation lowers mortality rate by about 12 percent a year.
5. People undergoing cardiac rehabilitation feels more confident and perceive greater improvements in their physical abilities if they have a strong faith.
6. Increased levels of spirituality and religious faith may help substance abusers kick their habit.
7. Spirituality stimulates the relaxation response. When the body is relaxed, your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate all go down, which decreases the body’s stress response.
8. Spirituality can affect immune-system function. Spirituality, faith, church attendance improves immune function in ways that can be measured, like an increase in white blood cells.
9. Prayer heals the heart. Positive talking and thinking in the ICU produces better results.
10. Spirituality is what brings you peace and safety. It can be achieved through God or Goddess, nature, a beautiful sunset, a meditation, Pranayama, religious meeting, chanting, mind body relaxation, etc. Spirituality is something that can help all the way from promoting wellness to helping with recovery.

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women and elderly are Different

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women and elderly are Different


Winter is the month for heart attacks and the symptoms in women and the elderly may be different,
  • Chest pain is still the most common sign of a heart attack for most women but women are more likely than men to have symptoms other than chest pain or discomfort when experiencing a heart pain. In a study published in Archives of Internal Medicine researchers examined 35 years of research that yielded 69 studies and found that, between 30 and 37 percent of women did not have chest discomfort during a heart attack. In contrast, 17 to 27 percent of men did not experience chest discomfort.
  • Older people are also more likely to have heart attack without chest discomfort. Absence of chest discomfort is a strong predictor for missed diagnosis and treatment delays.
  • Women are also more likely than men to experience other forms of cardiac chest pain syndromes, such as unstable angina, and they appear to report a wider range of symptoms associated with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). They are more likely to report pain in the middle or upper back, neck, or jaw; shortness of breath; nausea or vomiting; indigestion; loss of appetite; weakness or fatigue; cough; dizziness; and palpitations.
·  Women are, on an average, nearly a decade older than men at the time of their initial heart attack. Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death among U.S.women, and affects one in 10 women over the age of 18.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Why do We Prostrate Before Parents And Seniors?

Why do We Prostrate Before Parents And Seniors?

Most of us are taught to prostrate before our parents, elders, teachers and noble souls by touching their feet.  The elder in turn blesses us by placing his or her hand on or over our heads.
Prostration is done daily or on important occasions. Touching the feet in prostration is a sign of respect for the age, maturity, nobility and divinity that our elders personify.
Good thoughts create positive vibrations. Good wishes springing from a heart full of love, divinity and nobility have a tremendous strength through the transfer of energy during blessing. When we prostrate with humility and respect, we invoke the good wishes and blessings of elders which flow in the form of positive energy to envelop us. This is why the posture assumed whether it is in the standing or prone position, enables the entire body to receive the energy thus received.
Other forms of showing respect are :
  1. Pratuthana – rising to welcome a person.
  2.  Namaskaara – paying homage in the form of namaste.
  3.  Upasangrahan – touching the feet of elders or teachers.
  4.  Shaashtaanga – prostrating fully with the feet, knees, stomach, chest, forehead and arms touching the ground in front of the elder.
  5.  Pratyabivaadana – returning a greeting.

Soul Does Not depart the Body Immediately after the Death

Soul Does Not depart the Body Immediately after the Death


According to Prashna Upanishad, at the time of death, the Prana Vayu (life force and respiration) merges with Udana Vayu (brain stem reflexes) and leaves the body.
But this does not happen immediately after clinical death which is defined as stoppage of heart and respiration. Medically the term used for clinically dead patients is sudden cardiac arrest.
As per the modern medicine, in cardiac arrest, the brain does not die for the next ten minutes and during this period, if the heart can be revived, life can be brought back.
The revival of patient during this period can be remembered by the formula of ten which is that within ten minutes of the stoppage of heart (cardiac arrest), if effective chest compressions are given for the next ten minutes with a speed of 100 per minutes (10X10), 80% of the cardiac arrest victims can be revived.
This period can be much longer in hypothermia state. If the temperature of the body is low, the soul does not leave the body till the temperature is brought back to normal. Today, this property of soul is also used as therapeutic measure where patients who cannot be revived in the first ten minutes of clinical death are put in a freezing chamber and artificial hypothermia is produced and these patients can then be transported to an advance cardiac centre where even after 24 hours resuscitation measure can be applied after re-warming the body. Many people have been revived even after 24 hours of cardiac arrest with such a technology.
There are instances in literature where a newborn with hypothermia was declared dead and got revived in the cremation ground when the heat of the atmosphere brought his temperature to normal and the pressure of the wood worked like cardiac massage.
This aspect of “life after death” is a contribution of the modern science to the Vedic science. Though in Vedic literature, it was well known phenomenon as Savitri brought life back into Satyavan even after his clinical death.
Take home message is that one should not declare a patient dead in the first ten minutes give cardiac massage and try reviving him with chest compression cardio pulmonary resuscitation.

Monday, November 26, 2012

In Meditative peace, you need an Environment with Practically No Noise.

In Meditative peace, you need an Environment with Practically No Noise.


When I joined my medical college at Sevagram, my first encounter with ‘silence’ was with Acharya Vinoba Bhave who was observing one year silence. During this period, he was participating in all activities but not speaking.
My second encounter was when I heard about Vipasana meditation where people are made to observe silence for ten days with no communication with the outer world. Same times of retreats I came across being organized by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Dr. Deepak Chopra across the world.
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi also used to go into silence for one month before his birthday. Now we have seen Anna Hazare going the Vinoba Bhave way and observing silence over a period of time for self purification.
In his Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, Dr. Deepak Chopra also recommends observing a silence for ½ an hour every day.
There is a difference between observing silence and Vipasana Meditation. When you are observing silence but doing your usual activities like reading and watching TV, communicating in written language, you are not in meditation phase but still you follow the principles of Buddha’s laws of speech that is to speak only if it is necessary based on truthfulness and kindness.
There are two types of communications “Violent” and “Non-violent”. In meditative silence, you are in a phase of non-violence in your communication with the outer world. In non-meditative silence, you can still have violence in your facial expressions but when you communicate in writing, you invariably go from a violent to non-violent mode of communication. Your turmoil of thoughts is less; you shift from sympathetic mode to parasympathetic mode. It also shifts your stress levels.
In a normal conversation, the speech is from the mind but when you are communicating in writing, you think before you speak.
When you are not speaking but expressing through your emotions, your communication is violent; your respiratory rate will increase.
In both, when you observing silence over a period of time or when you are doing meditative silence, you go into the yogic state of Ritam Bhara and Pragya where you are in connection with the macrocosm. This increases your creativity and spiritual powers.
By observing silence, you have an appointment with your body in parasympathetic state and are able to take more conscious based decisions than impulsive ego based decisions.
In silence, you may be communicating to others but in meditative silence, your communication is with self.

Alcohol: Benefits vs risk

Alcohol: Benefits vs risk

There is consensus that non drinkers should not start and the ones who drink can continue provided they do so in moderation and in the absence of contraindications.
Persons who have been lifelong abstainers cannot be easily compared with moderate or even rare drinkers. Recommending alcohol intake to them even if they would agree to drink is not justified.
The diseases that moderate alcohol use prevents (such as coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke, and diabetes) are most prevalent in the elderly, men, and people with coronary heart disease risk factors. For these groups, moderate alcohol use is associated with a substantial mortality benefit relative to abstention or rare drinking.
For young to middle-aged adults, especially women, moderate alcohol use increases the risk of the most common causes of death (such as trauma and breast cancer).
Women who drink alcohol should take supplemental folate to help decrease the risk of breast cancer.
Men under the age of 45 may also experience more harm than benefit from alcohol consumption. In this age group, moderate alcohol use is unlikely to provide any mortality benefit, but consumption of less than one drink daily appears to be safe if temporally removed from operation of dangerous equipment. For individuals with established contraindications to alcohol use, even this level of alcohol use is dangerous.
Men can tolerate more alcohol than women. The ideal therapeutic dose of alcohol is around 6 gms per day. Medically safe limits are 10 gms in one hour, 20 gms in a day and 70 gms in a week (50% for the women).

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Why We Close Our Eyes For Meditation?

Why We Close Our Eyes For Meditation?


Whenever we pray, think of God, undertake an internal healing procedure, make love, kiss someone, or meditate, we automatically close our eyes.
 It is a common Vedic saying that the soul resides in the heart and all the feelings are felt at the level of heart.
Most learning procedures in meditation involves sitting in an erect, straight posture,  closing the eyes, withdrawing from the world and concentrating on the object of concentration. Yoga Sutra of Patanjali describes pratihara (withdrawal of senses) as one of the seven limbs of yoga, Yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratihara, dharma, dhyana and Samadhi.
 After pranayama, one needs to withdraw from the world and the senses and then start dhyana on the object of concentration. The process of pratihara becomes easy and is initiated with the closing of the eyes.
 The inward journey starts with the detachment of the body from the external world and in yogic language, it is called Kayotsarga.
 In the initiation of hypnosis also , a person is made to lie down, look at the roof and withdraw from the world. The procedure involves asking the person to gently roll the eyeball up until he goes into a trans. Rolling of the eyeballs upward has the same physiological significance as that of closing the eyes.
 When we close our eyes, there is a suppression of sympathetic nervous system and activation of para sympathetic nervous system. During this period blood pressure and pulse reduces and skin resistance goes up. A person goes into a progressive phase of internal and muscular relaxation.
 The inward journey is a journey towards restful alertness where the body is restful yet the consciousness is alert. The intention is to relax the body and than the attention is focused on the object of concentration. Most visualization and meditation techniques involve closing of the eyes.
 By detaching from the external stimuli, one suppresses the activities of the five senses and shifts ones awareness from disturbed to undisturbed state of consciousness. The inner journey helps in producing a state of ritam bhara pragyawhere the inner vibrations of the body become in symphony with the vibrations of the nature.
 People who visit Vaishno Devi by traveling long distances on foot enter the cave and as soon as they see the darshan of Maa Vaishno Devi they close their eyes. This is natural and instant. Because Maa Vaishno Devi is not felt in the murti but her presence is felt in the heart and that presence can only be felt by closing the eyes.
 Most yogic techniques like shavasana, yoga nidra, body -mind relaxation, progressive muscular relaxation, hypnosis involves closing the eyes in the very first step. Daytime nap is also incomplete without closing the eyes. Shoksabha and 2 minutes maun sabha are also practiced with the eyes closed. When we think of someone or try to remember something the body automatically closes the eyes and one starts exploring the hidden memories. For recalling anything one must withdraw from the external world through its five senses.
 Only advanced yogis or rishis acquire the power where with eyes opened they are in a state of ritam, bhara, pragya. These yogic powers are acquired by practicing advanced sutra meditation for hours, days and years.  Lord Shiva has been shown in a meditative pose sitting on Kailash Parvat with the eyes semi opened. But for ordinary persons like us where the aim is to be in that phase only for 20 min. twice a day, the best is to close our eyes as the first step towards the process of meditation.

Friday, November 23, 2012

5 Of The Best Workouts You Can Ever Do: Harvard Medical School

5 Of The Best Workouts You Can Ever Do: Harvard Medical School


1. Swimming: Swimming is good for individuals with arthritis because it’s less weight bearing. Swimming can improve your mental state and put you in a better mood. Water aerobics is another option. These classes help you burn calories and tone up.
2. Tai Chi: It is good for both body and mind. In fact, it’s been called “meditation in motion. Tai chi is made up of a series of graceful movements, one transitioning smoothly into the next. Because the classes are offered at various levels, tai chi is accessible, and valuable, for people of all ages and fitness levels. “It’s particularly good for older people because balance is an important component of fitness, and balance is something we lose as we get older,” Dr. Lee says.
3. Strength training: Lifting light weights won’t bulk up your muscles, but it will keep them strong. If you don’t use muscles, they will lose their strength over time. Muscle also helps burn calories. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn, so it’s easier to maintain your weight. Strength training might also help preserve your ability to remember.
Before starting a weight training program, be sure to learn the proper form. Start light with just one or two pounds. You should be able to lift the weights 10 times with ease. After a couple of weeks, increase that by a pound or two. If you can easily lift the weights through the entire range of motion more than 12 times, move up to slightly heavier weight.
4. Walking: Walking is simple yet powerful. It can help you stay trim, improve cholesterol levels, strengthen bones, keep blood pressure in check, lift your mood and lower your risk for a number of diseases (diabetes and heart disease for example). A number of studies have shown that walking and other physical activities can improve memory and resist age-related memory loss.
All you need is a well-fitting and supportive pair of shoes. Start by walking for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Over time, walk farther and faster until you are walking for 30 to 60 minutes on most days of the week.
5.  Kegel exercises: These exercises won’t help you look better, but they do something just as important — strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder. Strong pelvic floor muscles can go a long way toward preventing incontinence. While many women are familiar with Kegels, these exercises can benefit men too.
To do a Kegel exercise correctly, squeeze and release the muscles you would use to stop urination or keep from passing gas. Alternate quick squeezes and releases with longer contractions that you hold for 10 seconds, release, and then relax for 10 seconds. Work up to three 3 sets of 10-15 Kegel exercises each day.

3d Projection Technology Was Available In Mahabharata Era

3d Projection Technology Was Available In Mahabharata Era


Three Christie Roadster HD18K DLP projectors were used for the first-ever transmission of live, interactive 3D holograms from London and Montreal to Orlando, Florida from June 17-19, 2009.
The interactive transmission process called Musion Live Stage telepresence offers a new way for people to holographically communicate face-to-face in real time, crossing the boundaries of geographic distance.
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s recently used this hi-tech 3D campaign in his election meetings delivering lectures simultaneously at four places. USD 1 million is the cost of 3D holographic projection at one site.
Modi’s speech was telecasted on specially erected screens in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot and Surat with the help of 3D holographic technology and satellite link-ups. The BJP leader claimed this was first such election campaign anywhere in the world.
In mythology this technique was available in India. Lord Krishna danced with every Gopi and Radha at the same time.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Dr Deepak Chopra Endorses Hands only CPR 10


Heart Care Foundation of India trains over 10,000 people in CPR 10

Heart Care Foundation of India completed practical training of 10500 members of the general public in hands-only cardio pulmonary resuscitation, said Padma Shri and Dr B C Roy National Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal. The campaign began on 1st November and lasted till 16th November as part of the recently concluded 19th MTNL Perfect Health Mela celebrations. The training was conducted in person by Dr Aggarwal.

The following records were made
1. Crossed 10,000 number and trained 10392 members of the public in hands-only CPR over “a period of 16 days” (1st to 16th November). A total of 12613 have been trained so far.
2. Trained 1050 children and teachers in one session in multiple rescuer hands-only CPR on 1st November 2012 at Birla Vidya Niketan School using 200 human manikins.
3. Trained 201 nurses in one session in single rescuer hands-only CPR on 9th November 2012 at Constitution Club of India, Rafi Marg, New Delhi.
4. Trained 96 physically and mentally challenged students “in one session” in single rescuer hands-only CPR on 9th November 2012.
5. Trained 2217 members of the general public "in one day” in single rescuer hands-only CPR on 8th November 2012 at Constitution Club of India, Rafi Marg, New Delhi
 
Releasing these statistics Dr Aggarwal said that the Foundation intends to train 100,000 people in the next one year.

Dr Deepak Chopra, New Age Guru and an internationally acclaimed author, chief guest for the function said, that hands-only CPR should be taught to every school child, health care worker and relations of heart patients. He said that every effort should be made to revive a person within 10 minutes of sudden death. "It is good Karma."

The CPR manta is within 10 minutes of death, earlier the better, for the next at least 10 minutes, compress the centre of the chest, continuously and effectively, with a speed of 10x10, hundred per minute.

The general public must learn CPR as Doctors often cannot reach the site or the victim cannot be taken to the medical facility in 10 minutes. Therefore, it is the public who has to learn and provide hand-only CPR, revive the heart and take the victim to the nearest medical facility.

Harshita Gupta, a 16 years old girl form Birla Vidya Niketan successfully revived her uncle last week from Cardiac arrest.

Reflexology for Cancer Symptoms

Reflexology for Cancer Symptoms


A study led by a Michigan State University researcher offers the strongest evidence yet that reflexology can help cancer patients manage their symptoms and perform daily tasks.
Funded by the National Cancer Institute and published in the latest issue of Oncology Nursing Forum, it is the first large-scale, randomized study of reflexology as a complement to standard cancer treatment, according to lead author Gwen Wyatt, a professor in the College of Nursing.
Reflexology is based on the idea that stimulating specific points on the feet can improve the functioning of corresponding organs, glands and other parts of the body.
The study involved 385 women undergoing chemotherapy or hormonal therapy for advanced-stage breast cancer that had spread beyond the breast. The women were assigned randomly to three groups: Some received treatment by a certified reflexologist, others got a foot massage meant to act like a placebo, and the rest had only standard medical treatment and no foot manipulation.
They found that those in the reflexology group experienced significantly less shortness of breath, a common symptom in breast cancer patients. Perhaps as a result of their improved breathing, they also were better able to perform daily tasks such as climbing a flight of stairs, getting dressed or going grocery shopping.
Also unexpected was the reduced fatigue reported by those who received the “placebo” foot massage, particularly since the reflexology group did not show similarly significant improvement. Wyatt is now researching whether massage similar to reflexology performed by cancer patients’ friends and family, as opposed to certified reflexologists, might be a simple and inexpensive treatment option.

Harvard’s Medical School’s 4 Exercising Tips For People With Diabetes

Harvard’s Medical School’s 4 Exercising Tips For People With Diabetes


1.   Get a “preflight” check
a.   Talk with your doctor before you start or change a fitness routine.
b.   Especially if you are overweight or have a history of heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, or diabetic neuropathy.
c.   Go for a complete physical exam and an exercise stress test for people if you are 35 or older and who have had diabetes for more than 10 years. The results can help determine the safest way for you to increase physical activity.
2.   Spread your activity throughout the week
a.   Adults should aim for a weekly total of at least 160 minutes of moderate aerobic activity, or 80 minutes of vigorous activity, or an equivalent mix of the two.
b.   Be  active at least 3 to 5 days a week.
3.   Time your exercise wisely
a.   The best time to exercise is 1 to 3 hours after eating, when your blood sugar level is likely to be higher.
b.    If you use insulin, it’s important to test your blood sugar before exercising. If it is below 100 mg/dL, eat a piece of fruit or have a small snack to boost it and help you avoid hypoglycemia. Test again 30 minutes later to see if your blood sugar level is stable.
c.    Check your blood sugar after any particularly grueling workout or activity.
d.    If you use insulin, your risk of developing hypoglycemia may be highest 6 to 12 hours after exercising.
e.   Do not exercise if your blood sugar is too high (over 250).
Be prepared
Should you experience a medical problem while exercising (or at any time) it is important that the people who care for you know that you have diabetes. Keep card handy or glucose tablets with you while exercising in case your blood sugar takes a sudden nosedive.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Mini-Relaxation Exercises: When you’ve Got Three Minutes

Mini-Relaxation Exercises: When you’ve Got Three Minutes
While sitting, take a break from whatever you’re doing and check your body for tension. Relax your facial muscles and allow your jaw to open slightly. Let your shoulders drop. Let your arms fall to your sides. Allow your hands to loosen so there are spaces between your fingers. Uncross your legs or ankles. Feel your thighs sink into your chair, letting your legs fall comfortably apart. Feel your shins and calves become heavier and your feet grow roots into the floor. Now breathe in slowly and breathe out slowly. [Harvard Medical School]

In Diabetes Give Vitamin D Supplementation As An Adjuvant Therapy

In Diabetes Give Vitamin D Supplementation As An Adjuvant Therapy

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with impaired human insulin action, suggesting a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus type 2.
In a study of Saudi T2 diabetes patients receiving oral vitamin D3 (2000 IU/day), supplementation of vitamin D at 18 months significantly improved lipid profile with a favorable change in HDL/LDL ratio, and HOMA-β function, which were more pronounced in T2DM females.
The present interventional study performed in an Arab population suggests that daily 2000 IU vitamin D3 supplementation in a vitamin D deficient T2DM population is associated with measurable cardioprotective indices.
Supplementation to achieve higher levels of vitamin D remains a promising adjuvant therapy for T2DM patients.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Meditation May Reduce Death, Heart Attack And Stroke In Heart Patients

Meditation May Reduce Death, Heart Attack And Stroke In Heart Patients


Twice-a-day Transcendental Meditation helped African Americans with heart disease reduce risk of death, heart attack and stroke. Meditation helped patients lower their blood pressure, stress and anger compared with patients who attended a health education class.
African Americans with heart disease who practiced Transcendental Meditation regularly were 48 percent less likely to have a heart attack and stroke or die from all causes compared with African Americans who attended a health education class over more than five years, according to new research published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
Those practicing meditation also lowered their blood pressure and reported less stress and anger. And the more regularly patients meditated, the greater their survival, said researchers who conducted the study at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute funded the study. [Medline]

Even Children Can Have Acidity

Even Children Can Have Acidity


Children who have continuing recurrence of cough and croup could be suffering from stomach acid reflux problems.
Croup or ‘Kali Khansi’ as it is called in local parlance is recognized by a loud cough that often sounds like the barking of a seal. It can cause rapid or difficult breathing, and sometimes wheezing. Croup is thought to be caused by a virus, but reflux acidity has been suggested as a possible trigger.
In gastroesophageal reflux disease, stomach acid causes swelling and inflammation of the larynx, which narrows the airway. It can trigger more swelling with any kind of viral or respiratory infection.
Identifying children with gastroesophageal reflux disease could help treat and improve recurring croup. It is unusual for a child to have three or more bouts of croup over a short period of time. These children need to be evaluated.
The same is true for adults also. Patients with non responding asthma should be investigated for underlying acidity as the cause of acute asthma.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Mini-Relaxation Exercises: When you’ve Got One Minute

Mini-Relaxation Exercises: When you’ve Got One Minute


1.     Place your hand just beneath your navel so you can feel the gentle rise and fall of your belly as you breathe. Breathe in. Pause for a count of three. Breathe out. Pause for a count of three. Continue to breathe deeply for one minute, pausing for a count of three after each inhalation and exhalation.
2.     Or while sitting comfortably, take a few slow deep breaths and quietly repeat to yourself “I am” as you breathe in and “at peace” as you breathe out. Repeat slowly two or three times. Then feel your entire body relax into the support of your chair. [Harvard Medical school]

Do Not Take More than 4 Grams Paracetamol in A Day

Do Not Take More than 4 Grams Paracetamol in A Day


Supra-therapeutic amounts of paracetamol are given to at least 4% of adult inpatients a review by Dr Li Zhou at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, and published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.
Paracetamol is one of the most widely used medications for relieving pain and reducing fever, but it is also the most common cause of acute liver failure.
In the study
  • About 6.6% of all hospitalized adults were given in excess of 4 g/day.
  • The recommended limit of 3 g/day was exceeded by 22.3% of patients 65 years or older and 17.6% of patients with chronic liver disease.
  • Half of the occurrences of supratherapeutic dosing were at least 5 g/day.
  • Forty percent of patients were given supratherapeutic dosing for at least 3 days and 4.0% for at least 10 days.
  • Osteoarthritis was associated with an increased likelihood of supratherapeutic dosing

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Difference Between Prayer And Meditation

Difference Between Prayer And Meditation


  • Prayer is talking to God; Meditation is listening to God
  • All can pray but only a purified mind is really able to meditate
  • Righteous conduct, moral and ethical values, quality in work, fulfillment of duties, unselfishness, etc. purifies the mind.
  • Repetition of a holy name, Japa or brief ‘prayer’ or mantra, prayers for good of all, etc. purifies and calms the mind and prepares its launch into meditation
  • We are slaves of memories of past experiences and consequences of our own past good and bad deeds, which we ourselves impress upon and store in our minds; these make the mind restless and unable to meditate.
  • Prayers purify the mind by pouring of holy thoughts, just as an ink-bottle is purified by pouring fresh water!
  • Only a pure mind can really be controlled
  • The highest prayer is when mind flows spontaneously towards God
  • Prayers become more effective when we can establish a relationship with God – as mother, father, friend, family member
  • Since God is all-powerful, omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient, full of consciousness and ananda or bliss, the best prayer is: “may all beings be happy, may all beings be peaceful, may all beings be blissful”
2.       Role of prayer in health:
  • Since prayers calm and purify the mind they are positive influence on our health
3.       Role of prayer in disease
  • Prayers have been known to cure disease also; but perhaps depend upon factors beyond our full comprehension
4.       Should hospitals have prayer rooms?
  • Yes, certainly; all educational institutes, offices, factories also.
5.       Should doctors pray along with their patients?
  • To labor is to pray; best professional services offered without selfish motives is the highest prayer for all professionals.
  • This spontaneous feelings of love, care, concern for others has to be developed and cultivated by daily routine of prayers and meditations, which purify the mind and help us experience ‘perfection’ and ananda, which is already within us.
Swami Vivekananda has described the essence of education and religions based on the essential nature of man: Each soul is potentially divine (our swaroopa – our inherent, unchanging nature is Perfection, goodness andananda personified – divine). The goal is to manifest this divinity within by controlling nature external and internal (our mind). Do this through work, devotion and prayers, meditation and knowledge (of all-pervasive divinity)
(Contributed by: Sunil Kumar, Member, Managing Committee,Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi)

Heart Aphorisms: Ten Commandments for Healthy Heart

Heart Aphorisms: Ten Commandments for Healthy Heart

‘Saying prevention is better than cure Nothing more apt to keep heart assure ‘
  • Exercise and walking keeps heart talking
  • High blood pressure puts heart under  pressure
  •  Eating more  salt makes  heart halt
  •  Smoking thrills but kills
  •  Tobacco invitation  to cancer death and destruction
  •  Rich fat food does heart no good
  •  Larger the waist line shorter the heart line
  • Hard drink pushes heart to brink
  • Heart attack immediate medication only solution
  • Smoking and health you cannot chose both
(Contributed by S Dwivedi,  Dean/ Principal, Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, New Delhi-110062)

Learn CPR 10 … Smt. Sheila Dikshit demonstrating CPR 10 in Heart Care Foundation of India stall at IITF 2012



On the inaugural day of the India International Trade Fair 2012 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi today, Smt. Sheila Dikshit, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi and Shri Haroon Yusuf, Minister, Power, Development, Food & Civil Supplies Dept. Govt. of Delhi visited the Heart Care Foundation of India stall.

Padma Shri and Dr BC Roy National Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India demonstrated the technique of CPR 10 – compression only cardiopulmonary resuscitation to Smt. Sheila Dikshit and Shri Haroon Yusuf, who actively participated in learning the CPR 10 technique.

Dr. KK Aggarwal said that everybody should remember the CPR 10 Mantra, which is “Within 10 minutes of cardiac arrest (earlier the better) for the next 10 minutes at least, compress the centre of the chest with a speed of 100 compressions per minute (10x10)”. CPR 10 is easy to learn and easy to do and one does not need to be a doctor or be certified in this technique to do CPR.

He further said that so far the Foundation has trained 9000 people in CPR 10 technique.


Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Diwali The Festival Of Inner Purnima On Outer Amavasya

Diwali The Festival Of Inner Purnima On Outer Amavasya


Diwali is celebrated on the day of Amavasya but the festival is symbolized by inner happiness, lighting or Purnima.
Moon in mythology is symbolized by cool positive thoughts. Normally on the day of Amavasya one encounters negatives thoughts and on the day of Purnima positive thoughts.
Diwali is the only day in a year where one experiences positive thoughts on the day of Amavasya, hence some people believes Diwali symbolizes Diwali with inner Purnima and out Amavasya.
Diwali celebrations also coincide with the terminal phase of Chaturmas, the four months of negative state of mind.
The purification process in Chaturmas starts with 1st Navratre falling on Amavasya. During these nine days one undergoes mind, body and soul detoxification by not thinking negative, doing positive things and acquiring soul based knowledge.
The mind, body detoxification during Navratre ends with killing of Tamas (Kumbhakarna), Rajas (Meghnath) and ego (Ravan) and of consciousness (Rama) over the evil.
These benefits do not lead to inner Moksha or happiness until 20 days, the day of Diwali. In order to continue getting benefits of Navratre one needs to fast with positive state of mind every fourth day till Diwali.
On Sharad Purnima, the fast involves thinking positive with a cool mind to get health benefits. Four days later, on Karvachauth again, one fasts and worships the Moon with positive thoughts and acquires longevity benefits. Four days later on Ahoi Ashtami again, one worships the moon and the stars with positive thoughts and acquires fertility benefits. On the day of Dhanteras one acquires a win over the fear of death (Yama). On this day, the fast involves deeper meditation (Samudra manthan) to get all the benefits of Samadhi.
At the end of the meditation in the state of Samadhi, one gets in touch with the consciousness or the God, the insight gets illuminated and a person experiences bliss, a state of ecstasy of inner happiness and that is what is called experiencing inner Purnima on the day of outer Amavasya and the festival is celebrated as Diwali.
Let us all worship this Diwali as a state of positive mental state. This one month of purification of thoughts helps one in combating the depression phase seen in winter.
Diwali is the only Amavasya where one does not do Shraadh pooja.  On Diwali Amavasya (falling in Chaturmas) one is allowed to start any new project. Even deaths on this Amavasya are considered auspicious (unlike on other Amavasya days).

Diwali Alcohol And Gambling

Diwali Alcohol And Gambling

Many people indulge in drinking alcohol on Diwali and gamble. It is the duty of the host to see that alcohol is not served to people who are going to drive back home themselves. They should take away their car keys and get them dropped by an arranged driver or by car poling.
After consumption of 30ml of alcohol (whiskey), one should not drive for the next one hour. For every subsequent 30 ml of alcohol, one should add one hour of not driving.
Alcohol takes away the power of judgment and one may end up with accidents.
Drunken driving and using a mobile while driving work like a Sone Pe Suhaga

Monday, November 12, 2012

Gambling in Indian Mythology

Gambling in Indian Mythology

1. Gambling is mentioned on Diwali celebrations in the story of Mahabharata. It teaches us about taking calculated risk in life
2. In Mahabharata it teaches that excess of everything is bad. If Yudhishtira had not risked Draupadi on that day while plying dice Mahabharata could not have been there. The same divine dice game became a vice for that moment.
3. Even if you lose while gambling one should not lose the heart and take conscious based decisions. Krishna (consciousness) saving Draupadi (material things in life) means the same.
4. On Diwali day one starts with new projects in life and taking calculated risks makes sense.
5. Gambling on Diwali can be a symbolic game but should not become a vice.
6. According to mythology Goddess Parvati enjoyed playing dice with Lord Shiva on this day. It’s a popular saying that those who cling to virtue at this festival time, refusing to gamble, will be reborn as donkeys. Mean its foolishness not to take calculated risks in business.
7. Loosing and winning is part of life and one must learn to balance the two states of mind.

Diwali A Festival Of Lights Can Be Hazardous To People.

Diwali A Festival Of Lights Can Be Hazardous To People.


Candles: With Diwali approaching, one should be careful of candle pollution. Candles made from beeswax or soy, although more expensive, apparently are safer because they do not release potentially harmful pollutants.
However an occasional paraffin candle and its emissions does not harm but lighting many paraffin candles daily or lighting them frequently in an unventilated bathroom around a tub, may cause problems. Pollutants from burning candles can also cause respiratory irritation and allergy. The candles, which are made from petroleum, are a source of known human carcinogens and indoor pollution.
Diwali Sweets: White sugar in sweets can lead to uncontrolled diabetes and gain weight in individuals. Adulterated khoya can cause GI upset. Artificial coloring in sweets can cause cancer in long run. Eating chocolates can add to calories in blood sugar. The best item for Diwali is fruits and dry fruits.
Diwali Fire Hazards: Diwali should not lead to fire with resulted burns and loss to life. In case of burning the effected part should be put in the running water till burning disappears. Blisters should not be punctured, as they work like a natural dressing.
Eye injury- Particle of crackers can cause eye burn. Continuous water should be poured into the effected eye till the burning is over.
Safe dressing- if medicated bandage is not available, one can use a piece of cloth and iron it. It will work like a medicated bandage.
Alcohol Hazards: Diwali is often used as a festival of gambling and alcohol drink. One should not drive after consuming more than 30 ml in one hour. While gambling one should not argue with others as someone under the influence of alcohol may cause harm.
Diwali Pollution: Patients with COPD (Adult Asthma) may worsen in Diwali festival and they should use wet clothes whenever they are exposed to smoke.
Noise Pollution: Excessive noise pollution during Diwali day can cause hearing loss. One should wear ear plugs to avoid noise related ear injury. Noise pollution can also cause high blood pressure and mental irritation.

Learn CPR- Sushil Shinde The popular Perfect Health Mela ends

  Learn CPR- Sushil Shinde 

The popular Perfect Health Mela ends


New Delhi: Sunday, 11 November 2012: On the concluding day of MTNL Perfect Health Mela being organised by Heart Care Foundation of India, India’s Home Minister Sh Sushil Shinde released the CPR 10 Mantra “Within 10 Miniutes of Cardiac arrest( earlier the better) for the next atleast 10 miniutes compress the centre of the chest with a speed of 100/min (10x10)”

Mr Shinde to the Mela Delegation led by Padmashri & Dr. BC Roy National Awardee, Dr. KK Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India said that CPR should be learned by everybody. He wished the
CPR-10 initiative all the success.

The 19th Perfect Health Mela was formally closed on Sunday evening. Thousands of people participated and visited the Mela. Dr. (Prof.) Kiran Walia, Women & Child Department, Social Welfare Department and Languages in her message said that youngsters should not indulge into alcoholism. She said that the drug addiction is becoming a major problem in adolescents. Patient who indulges in substance abuse should be tackled gently and with care. She also said that menstruating women should take a weekly dose of folic acid.
Dr. KK Aggarwal said that the Mela has ended with a good note for the public as dengue is at its decline.
CPR 10 a draw at the Mela Following records were made
•       1050 students were trained in one session of multiple-rescuer CPR.
•       201 people were trained in one session of single-rescuer CPR.
•       Maximum people trained in one day were 2168.
•       96 children with special needs were trained in one session.
•       Total number of people trained more than 8500 people in CPR 10

Heritage Inter Dancing School Competition

Various classical dances like Bharatnatyam, Odissi and Kathak were organized as part of Heritage, the Inter Dance School Festival. The competitions were coordinated by Indian Oil Corporation.
•       Classical dance has effects like meditation.
•       Classical dancing should be part and parcel of school education.
•       People who indulge into classical dance have less lifestyle disorders.

Conference on Zoonoses 2012

Over 100 people participated in a conference on Zoonoses. The messages were:
•       Zoonoses is an animal disease, which can be transmitted to humans.
•       Humans are accidental hosts who acquire disease through close contact with an infected animal who may or may not be having a Zoonosis.
•       Children are at higher risk.
•       Pets can transmit bacterial, fungal and parasitic zoonoses.
•       The different routes of transmission may be saliva, respiratory secretions or through direct contact.
•       Saliva transmission can be through bites or contaminated scratches.
•       The risk of transmission can be reduced by simple precautions.
•       Owners should wash their hands following contact with their pets or cleaning of their cages.
•       Younger pets present a greater risk of diseases than older pets.
•       Pets should not be fed raw meat or eggs.
•       Pets should not be allowed to eat garbage.
•       Pets should not be allowed to drink surface water or toilet water.
•       Pets should be treated timely for diarrhea and dermatoses.
•       All dogs should be vaccinated for rabies.

 National Workshop on pre-hospital care in heart attack

A national workshop on pre-hospital care in heart attack was organized in association with National Heart Institute. The faculty included Dr Vinod Sharma, Dr K K Aggarwal, Dr. Tushar Roy, Dr. Lokesh C Gupta, Dr.SK Modi, Dr. KC Goswami and Dr. Sameer Srivastava.

Facts released
In heart attack, at the onset of chest pain, one should chew a tablet of 300 gm of water soluble aspirin. This will reduce chances of death by 22%.
•       Any pain which can pinpointed by a finger is not a heart pain.
•       Any pain of less than 30 seconds duration is not a heart pain.
•       One should reach hospital within 90 minutes of heart attack to receive clot dissolving or clot removing therapy.
•       At the onset of heart attack, one should also be given stat dose of anti cholesterol medicine.
•       Burning in chest for the first time in life after the age of 40 should raise the suspicion of a heart attack.
•       Breathlessness after the age of 40 for the first time in life should not be ignored.
 Live discussion on diabetes
 A live discussion was held on Dilli Aajtak on diabetes. The faculty included Dr K K Aggarwal and Dr A K Jinghan. The star attraction was cricketer Mr Vijay Dahiya.
 Facts about diabetes:
•       Fasting sugar of more than 90 can have cardiovascular involvement.
•       A1c of more than 6.5 is diagnostic of diabetes.
•       A1c testing should be done every three years.
•       Blood sugar along with blood pressure should be kept under control in all patients with diabetes.
•       If uncontrolled, diabetes can damage the heart, eyes, kidney and brain.



Sindhi Academy organized cultural evening

 A cultural evening was organized where Sindhi singer Uma Lallo performed.  


Symposium on Prayer, Health & Religion 
A symposium was organized on prayer, health and religion in association with Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
The panelists included Prof. Sunil Kumar (Hinduism), Imam Umar Ahmed Iliyasi (Islam), Padri Kanasih G (Christianity), Bhikshu Purnima (Buddhism), Dr. AK Merchant (Bahai Faith), Dr. E A Malekar (Yahudi)
and Acharya Dr. Sadhvi Sadhna Ji Maharaj (Jainism). The session was moderated by Padma Shri & Dr. BC Roy National Awardee, Dr. KK Aggarwal, President of the Mela. Mr. J. Veeraraghavan delivered the
keynote address.
 Facts about prayer:
• Even silent prayers can be effective
• Prayer has been known to help heal patients.
• Every hospital should have a prayer room with facilities for prayer for every religion.
•  Patients of some religions may request the doctor to pray with them. Their sentiments should be preserved.
•  In Islam doctors may pray for patients and they are encouraged to do so.
• Prayer is one of the five pillars in Islam.
• Prayer is a staple of Jewish spiritual life.


Saturday, November 10, 2012

Communicate Better With Your Patients, Haryana Health Minister Tells Doctors


 Over 500 homeopathic doctors participated in a workshop on Homeopathy in Cardiology conducted by Dr. Sameer Srivastava, Dr. Praveen Chandra, Dr. Aparna Jaswal, Dr. Praveen Chandra and Dr. Avdesh Pandey.  The faculty from Homeopathy was represented by Dr. LM Khan and Dr. Manpreet S. Bindra.
Inaugurating the workshop, Shri Rao Narendra Singh, Health Minister, Haryana said that doctors should communicate with their patients better so as to avoid any litigation. He further added that more and more research is needed in homeopathic cardiology.
Padma Shri and Dr B C Roy National Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal President Heart Care Foundation of India said that in Allopathy there should be sessions of homeopathy so that one knows the strength and weaknesses of other systems of medicine.
The conclusions of the discussion were as follows:
§  Some homeopathic drugs, which can interact with allopathic drugs.
§  Homeopaths and Allopaths, both should know each other’s weaknesses and strengths.
§  Crataegus is a homeopathic tincture medicine, which has ACE-inhibitor like action.
§  Homeopathy does not differ in terms of lifestyle changes a person should adopt for prevention of heart diseases.
§  Tincture homeopathy is similar to Allopathy and Ayurveda.

National Workshop on Naturopathy and Yoga in Cardiology
A national workshop on Naturopathy and Yoga in cardiology was organized in association with National Duniya and Sevakram Naturopathy Centre, New Delhi. More than 300 delegates participated in the workshop. The chief guest for the function was Shri Alok Mehta. The summary of the discussions in the workshop were:
§  Meditation and pranayama are integral parts of cardiac care.
§  Pranayama is slower and deeper breathing.
§  Breathing at a speed of 4 times per minute for 20 minutes a day can reduce blood pressure and shift one to parasympathetic mode.
§  Yoga is not just Asans but involves 8 steps including pranayama, asan and meditation.
§  Meditation has similar effects in cardiology as that of the beta-blocker drugs.
§  Slower pranayama are more cardiac-friendly than faster breathing pranayama.
Delhi Medical Association organized a seminar on Nursing Home Problems
A National Seminar on Nursing Home Problems was organized in association with Delhi Medical Association, which was attended by over 200 nursing home owners. The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Harish Gupta, President Delhi Medical Association and coordinated by Dr. Anil Goel, Member, Delhi Medical Council and Dr. KK Aggarwal, President, Perfect Health Mela.
§  All nursing homes should display dengue and smog prevention guidelines in their premises.
§  The high rates of compensation being given to patients under Consumer Protection Act will end up in high fee structure for the patients.
§  The insurance companies should consider insuring OPD consultations.
§  Nursing homes should be given more infrastructural concessions by the Government.

Medico Masti in the Mela
Over 1000 college youth participated in various competitions like western dance, choreography, fashion show, rock band, poster making, slogan writing and mehendi. The festival was inaugurated by Shri Satish Goel Chairman Mujaffar Nagar Medical College. Shri Gajender Solanki Rashtriya Kavi was the star guest.
Following health messages were released.
§  Medical students should learn to write legibly and use electronic records as much as possible.
§  Medical students should inculcate the habit of all spending 10% of their time in community service.
§  Nursing students should learn the art of patient counseling and cognitive behavior therapy.
§  Medical students should learn the strengths and weaknesses of other systems of medicines.

 Sahitya Kala Academy
 A cultural evening was organized by Sahitya Kala Academy