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| Sunday, 8 September 2002 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Light at the end of the tunnel? "Depression could be broadly classified into two categories. One is reactive depression and the other endogenous depression. Reactive depression is caused by one's environment - a life event like the death of a spouse or the loss of a job. Endogenous depression is caused by no known trigger. A sufferer would say, 'Everything is fine with my life, doc. But I don't know why I am feeling this way. The feeling inside is awful.' This is more dangerous than reactive depression," says Dr. Rangarajan, a psychiatrist at the Malar Hospital, India. symptoms "The sufferer would be having disturbed sleep. There would a time lag, sometimes as long as a few hours, between waking up and getting out of bed. He would be suffering from anhedonia or loss of interest in anything pleasurable. There would be a total loss of sexual interest. Colours would look dim. Music would not move him, though he was once addicted to music. He would lose his appetite. He would be suffering from constipation. There would be crying spells. Sufferers often report that they feel as though they are walking through a mist," says Dr. Rangarajan. "Those suffering from the most virulent type of depression would be paranoid and have hallucinations. A sufferer may not only think he is a failure, but also hear voices reinforcing his opinion of himself. He may think that the Government has sent somebody to get him for extermination." The most common symptom is an all-pervasive attitude of apathy. Activities that once provided a lot of pleasure lose their value. A depressed person is in jeopardy of taking his own life. "But when depression sets in the sufferer is too weak in body to carry out his resolve to end his life. In a treatment, which marries psychotherapy with medication, the patient's condition would improve by the second or third week. It's then that he may try to commit suicide, as he would feel a bit energised. And from the sixth week upwards the patient would show marked improvement. That's when the doc and the relatives should beware, lest they let the guard down. The patient would now be physically strong enough to turn his death wish into a reality," says Dr. Rangarajan. The problem with treating depression is that the sufferer, more often than not, refuses to seek help for two reasons. One, because he honestly believes his condition is not so serious as to seek an appointment with a psychiatrist; and, secondly, because of the stigma attached to the illness. "Depression is no more to be ashamed of than diabetes. A diabetic is given insulin shots and a depressed person is given medication to boost up his serotonin levels," says Sowmya Srikumar, psychiatric social worker. "The neuro-transmitters serotonin and norepinephrine have to be in the right ratio for the brain to function normally. In depressed people the levels of these neuro-transmitters would be low. Anti-depressants ensure that neuro-transmitters are maintained at their right levels," says Dr. V. Palaniappun, Director, Institute of Mental Health (IMH). "The treatment of depression has to be three-pronged. It is biological, psychological and social in nature. Biological in that medication is provided, psychological in that the patient is counselled and social in that the family or those comprising the immediate environment of the patient are urged to remove the other stressors that might make treatment difficult, says Dr. Rangarajan. One of the little known facts about depression is that it could attack even children. Since children do not have the vocabulary to express how they feel, intervention is difficult. And parents often find it unthinkable that the limpid eyes of their little one could be hiding anguish within. "Some of the symptoms of child depression are incontinence, loss of acquired skills such as tying shoe-laces, poor food habits, social withdrawal, sudden lack of interest in play and puzzling drop in grades. Sometimes the depression would show up as aggressive behaviour," says Dr. Rangarajan. One section of the population most vulnerable to depression is the new mothers. According to medical argot, it is called post-partum depression. "About 20 per cent of women suffer from post-partum depression or post-delivery depression," says Sowmya. "Most of them get out of it by their own steam. Very few have to undergo clinical care." "Some new mothers undergo what could be called post-partum blues. It would last for two weeks since delivery. This phenomenon is triggered by biological and psychological factors. There is no need for medicine. In our culture, a new mother is provided a protective cover by relatives. That would be enough to help her tide over this problem," says Bharati Visveswaran, consultant psychologist attached to the Apollo Hospitals. "A variant of this "blues" is called post-partum depression. It could last up to six months. Sometimes even a year. The new mother would have disturbed sleep, would feel suicidal and would be consumed by an overwhelming ennui. She needs treatment. Her husband and caregivers would also have to be counselled. The most virulent form of this illness is called post-partum psychosis. In this case, the new mother is aggressive, talks to herself, is paranoid and sometimes tries to harm the child." Another interesting form of depression is bipolar affective disorder (popularly known as manic depression). This is a form of depression where the sufferer feels ten feet tall at one time and a little while later squirms in the slough of despond, for no valid reasons. There is a view that manic-depressives are very creative persons. "Some great writers and painters are known to have been manic depressives. They produce their masterpieces when they are in the manic stage," says Sowmya. There is also a line of thinking that manic-depressives and creative in the normal spells they have when they are neither manic nor depressive. It is, indeed, one of the paradoxes of life that creativity at times finds itself an unlikely crucible. - The Hindu
====================== New pill launched to combat anxiety by E. WEERAPPERUMA Buspirone HCL, a new chemical to combat anxiety and anxiety related disorders was introduced to Sri Lanka at a launching held at the Taj Samudra Hotel by J. L. Morrison and Jones Ltd., the reputed dealers in drugs and other health care products of Sri Lanka. This is the first time a tablet of this nature has been introduced to the country where every third person suffers from anxiety related disorders. Dr. Lakshman Weerasena introducing the new pill told the media at the launching that Buspirone HCL was an anxiloytic with a difference and was free from all the adverse effects of Benzodiazepines. " It treats anxiety without compromising on the quality of the life of the patients, as it does not cause sedation, tolerance, dependence and withdrawal effects. Because of its excellent product profile, Buspirone HCL is now regarded as a preferred choice to treat anxiety and anxiety associated depression effective and safely. "This pill will help people with various symptoms with no apparent physical disorder and there is no side effects at all", he added. According to Dr. Weerasena most people suffer from fear and worry and they lack courage to face life situations. People go to doctors when they are sick physically but they do not go to doctors or stay away from seeing a doctor when they are worried. When they are in such a mental state they cannot attend to the day to day work. And at times they tend to take pills on the advice of another failing to understand the bad side-effects."We have rules and regulations. But they are not put into force and people buy their medicine over the counter without a prescription. Prof. (Dr) Ijaz Haider, Professor of Psychiatry and Former Head of the Department of Psychiatry Allma Iqbal Medical College and Jinnah Hospital, Lahore said that although the Benzodiazepines was a very common form of drug therapy for the management of anxiety and was in use of over five decades, the medical experts have found that to be 'addictive'. "It should not be used as a long-term therapy and is a non-addictive tablet," he said. Officials from the J. L. Morrisons and Jones were also present at the launching. ====================== Meditation/management of hypertension/heart disease by Dr. D.P. Atukorale Several studies suggest that Transcendal Meditation (T.M.) can also lower blood pressure and the accompanying risk for heart disease and strokes. What is transcendal meditation (T.M.)? T.M. is a simple natural mental technique characterised by repetition of a word or a phrase - mantra - while seated in a comfortable position with the eyes closed for about 20 minutes, twice daily. A quiet environment would be ideal. Studies suggest that T.M. might lower blood pressure (B.P.) better than lifestyle modification and medication. How T.M. lowers B.P.? Previous studies showed that T.M. reduced systolic B.P. as T.M. deeply relaxes both mind and body. The body reaches a deep state of rest twice that of deep sleep. Researchers speculate that this deep rest triggers biochemical changes that help to move the body towards homeostasis or more balanced state of body and mind. In other words T.M. Technique appears to be triggering the body's own self repair mechanisms. Can T.M. replace the medication? The side-effects from conventional therapy may be problematic or if the traditional medication has not been successful, a hypertension patient can try T.M. You should never stop taking hypertension drugs but should reduce the hypertension drugs gradually and even may discontinue the drugs under your family physician's guidance. Studies suggest that practising TM twice daily is effective. Many people notice deeper relaxation relief from insomnia and greater feeling of well being. Does T.M. improve heart disease and strokes? A person with uncontrolled hypertension is seven times more prone to have a stroke, six times more likely to develop congestive heart failure and 3 times more likely to develop ischaemic heart disease (angina and heart attacks) than someone with normal blood pressure according to American Heart Association (AHA). So by practising T.M., not only you can decrease your risk for heart disease but also strokes. Studies published in March 2000 issue of "Stroke" (which is an AHA journal) suggest that even after onset of heart disease T.M. can reduce the amount of plaque build up in the coronary arteries. It is common knowledge that plaque build up in coronary arteries gives rise to unstable angina and heart attacks (myocardial infarction). T.M. derived from ancient Vedic tradition of India is a technique pure and simple. It does not go against your religious beliefs, philosophy or change in lifestyle. Any one can benefit whether they are deeply religious or not. Over 5,000 scientific research studies, conducted during the last 25 years at more than 2000 universities and research institutions in 30 countries have shown that T.M. program benefits all areas of an individual's life, mind, body and behaviour. The research findings include: 1. Increased happiness, 2. Reduced stress, 3. Increased intelligence, 4. Increased creativity, 5. Improved memory, 6. Improved health, 7. Reduced high B.P., 8. Improvement in relationships, 9. Increased energy, 10. Reduced insomnia, 11. Reversal of biological ageing, 12. Reduced crimes, and improvement in quality of life in society. Research indicates that T.M. on the average reduces the biological age of a person by 5-12 years and reduces the incidence heart disease and also these people have warmer interpersonal relationship, less anxiety, increased self-esteem and self confidence. ====================== Medicinal values of apples The apple is a highly nutritive food. It contains many minerals and vitamins in abundance. The food value of the apple is chiefly constituted by its contents of sugar which ranges from 9 to 51%. Of this, fruit sugar constitutes 60% and glucose 25% and cane sugar only 15%. Contents It also have a small amount of copper. Apples are very helpful in the maintenance of good health and in the treatment of many diseases. Apples contain pectin a natural therapeutic ingredient which is formed in the inner portion of the rind and the pulp. Pectin forms 'galacturonic acid' which aids in detoxification a process for the elimination many harmful substances. It prevents decomposition of protein matter in the alimentary canal. The malic acid of apple keeps fit the bowels, liver and brain. Anaemia - Apples contain arsenic iron & phosphorus which are necessary for the treatment of anaemia. Its juice may be taken in quantities of 1 kg. daily. The best time to take the juice is half an hour before meals and just before retiring to bed. Constipation - For the treatment of constipation apples are very helpful. Raw apples acts as medicine for constipation. At least two apples should be taken daily for proper evacuation of bowels. Dental Disorders - Apples possess a mouth cleaning property. Tooth-decay can be prevented by regular consumption of apples. The acid of the apples also exert an antiseptic influence upon the germs present in the mouth and teeth when they are thoroughly chewed. Dry Cough - Apples are good treatment in dry hacking cough. Sweet apples should be taken daily for about a week to get relief from dry cough but no cold-drink should be taken after the consumption of apples. Eye Treatment - The apple peel water has proved as an excellent medicine for the inflamed eyes. Peel the apples, put them in a pan, well covered with water. Bring the water to boiling point and allowed to simmer for a few minutes and then some honey may be added to it. The consumption of this water gives relief to the inflamed eyes. The over-ripe apples can be used as poultice for sore eyes. Apply the pulp over the closed eyes and help position with a bandage. Keep it there for one to two hours. This will also give relief. Headache - If you are suffering from acute headache then take a ripe apple and remove the upper rind and the inner hard portion with a little salt every morning on empty stomach. Continue this for about a week. If consumed thrice a week by this way, there will be no headache. Heart Disease - From ancient times, apple with honey is considered a very effective remedy for functional disorders of heart. They are rich in potassium and phosphorus but low in sodium. Dieticians have established recently that people who consume plenty of potassium through diet there is no danger of heart attacks. Kidney stones - Apple juice is useful in Kidney stone-trouble. The content of high levels of Potassium gives relief to this trouble. The ripe fresh apple juice will be more useful. Dysentery - Apples are very useful in acute and chronic dysentery among children. Ripe apples should be crushed into pulp and given several times a day, this will give relief to the disorder. Courtesy: Cure By Fruits & Vegetables ====================== From our readers.... Guillein Barre Syndrome I read with great interest the letter by Ms Selvi Mahesan on the above mentioned subject in your issue of 25th August 2002. I too have for over two years been suffering from a nerve ailment very much similar to the Guillein Barre Syndrome, and known as Chronic Inflammatory Demyleanating Poly-Neuropathy (CIDP). The symptoms are very much similar with severe pain and numbness of both feet resulting in an imbalance in walking, which is progressively deteriorating. Visits to several Neurologists locally and abroad have proved to be of no use and these acute symptoms continue to worsen. I feel that the Ayurveda Doctor referred to by Ms Mahesan could be of help to me. I wonder whether she will be kind enough to write to your paper giving details of the contact telephone number of the Ayurveda Doctor concerned, for which merciful action I will be most grateful. CIDP Sufferer Ms Mahesan can be contacted at the following address. ****** Why obese persons eat more The idea that obese people eat too much because they find food more palatable than lean people do has gained support from a new brain imaging study at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory. The study reveals that the parts of the brain responsible for sensation in the mouth, lips, and tongue are more active in obese people than in normal-weight control subjects. This study appeared in the journal Neuro Report. "This enhanced activity in brain regions involved with sensory processing of food could make obese people more sensitive to the rewarding properties of food, and could be one of the reasons they overeat," Brookhaven physician Gene-Jack Wang, lead author of the study says. Wang acknowledges that obesity is a complex disease with many contributing factors, including genetics,abnormal eating behaviour, lack of exercise, and cultural influences, as well as cerebral mechanisms, which are not yet fully understood. In a recent study, he and his team found that obese people have fewer brain receptors for dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps produce feelings of satisfaction and pleasure, implying that obese people may eat to stimulate their undeserved reward circuits, just as addicts do by taking drugs. ****** Own blood cells deliver cure A patient's own red blood cells may be used to deliver drugs and gene therapy, new research revealed in the journal Gene Therapy. Researchers hope to treat many diseases by delivering drugs or replacement genes to the correct location in the body; for example, by targeting airway cells in the lungs of cystic fibrosis sufferers. This is difficult because the molecules to be transferred are generally unstable and delivery systems are often inefficient at pushing them into target cells. Mauro Magnani and colleagues of the University of Urbino, Italy, have developed system that loads up a patient's red blood cells with drugs via pores in their membranes. Preliminary trials on sufferers of cystic fibrosisor patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease showed that blood cells carrying steroids slowly released the drug into the blood-stream, resulting in an improvement in the patient's symptoms. The team show that drug-loaded blood cells can also be modified so that they are recognized and engulfed by specific cell types, where they release their contents. This might be used to deliver genes or proteins to target tissues, they hope. Red blood cells have a number of other advantages as a delivery system: they have a long lifespan in the circulation, a large capacity and don't cause an immune reaction. - The Hindu ****** Guide to selecting fresh fish Eating spoilt fish can be fatal. Follow these guidelines to make sure that the fish you buy is fresh and healthy. Look out for the appearance of the fish. A fresh fish has the following features - * Shiny iridescent surface, Fish Smell * "Marine-like" smell or "fresh sea-weedy" smell. Feel of the fish * Fresh fish is flabby to the touch. When pressed with finger, it pits,
but regains the original shape. How do you know if the fish is stale? As fish starts undergoing change - * Surface loses bright sheen and colour. - Dept. of Health Services |
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