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Health guide
Compiled by Shanika Sriyananda

Call for effective family planning services

by Shanika Sriyananda

It is a silent cry for life, by both the mother and the tiny foetus. In this battle for survival, over 3500 foetuses lose their struggle daily in the hands of 'butchers'.

That estimated number of abortions take place daily in Sri Lanka, is a fine indicator for the failure of the so-called achievements or popularity of contraceptive methods introduced during the last few decades. It is sad to note that in a country where several contraceptive methods are available, a majority of women, despite their educational background, resort to abortion as a 'last resort'.

At a media seminar held recently at the Health Education Bureau, on the 'Prevention of abortions' it was revealed that over 66.7 per cent of women who underwent abortions were in the age group of 35 to 39.

And the reasons for abortion are: mother-to-be is too young, economic and other factors, employment opportunities overseas, children growing old, unmarried and rape. Abortion is high among married women.According to Prof. Lalani Rajapakse, the Faculty of Medicine, Colombo, who did a study on abortion, women who had three children resorted more to abortion.

"Majority of them who underwent abortion (39.4 per cent) practised the method in the cycle of conception instead of other contraceptive methods like condoms, injectable, OCP and IUCD", she said. Some women who had used a contraceptive method earlier, according to Prof. Rajapakse, had discontinued it due to its side effects, or feeling that they were too old to conceive, or on medical advice and for some unknown reasons as well.

"The other reasons they gave for the discontinuation of contraception were lack of knowledge, infrequent sex, partner's objection and breast feeding", she added.

Dr. Sardha Hemapriya, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist said that the impact of an abortion is a trauma not only for the victim, but also for the State, the family and relatives and even the children.

"To treat an abortion victim the Health Ministry has to spend nearly Rs. 35,000 for a week's stay at a State hospital," he said.

Most of the victims need 'post-abortion care' but since abortion is illegal in Sri Lanka they suffer silently or get admitted to a hospital if the condition becomes serious.

"Sometimes we inform the police not to do any harm to the victim, but to facilitate a raid of the place, which carried out the abortion in very unsafe conditions," Dr. Hemapriya pointed out.

Dr. Loshan Moonasinghe, Consultant Community Physician said that educating women on family planning methods and birth-spacing, is the primary precaution to bring down the number of unwanted pregnancies. "Improving access to family planning services is important to reduce unwanted pregnancies. At the same time there is a need to improve access to safe services for rape victims, and contraceptive failures," he pointed out.

However, the social attitudes still prevent people from purchasing, especially condoms, which are available at every MOH offices and family planning clinics, issued free of charge.

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In every minute:

- 380 women become pregnant

- 190 unwanted or unplanned pregnancies.

- One maternal death

- 30 women pregnancy-related morbidity.

Source : Induced Abortion: The Sri Lankan scenario by Prof. Lalini C. Rajapakse.

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Holistic healing- Understanding arthritis

by Dr. Danister L. Perera

The word Arthritis literally means, "inflamed joint". However the term includes not only inflammation of the joint but also a joint that is injured, strained, damaged and/or degenerated. Given that there are over 200 types of arthritis, it is easy to see why arthritis plagues so many people.

The word Rheumatism describes any of the several disorders characterised by inflammation of connective tissues such as muscles, joints and tendons. The rheumatic diseases like rheumatic fever, rheumatism and rheumatic arthritis are acute and chronic conditions when the body is filled with 'rheum', a form of aama. This rheumatic disease provides a good example of an auto-immune condition characterised by inflammation, soreness and stiffness of muscles and pains in joints and associated structures.

Arthritis affects people from all walks of life, no matter what their age, gender, ethnicity or background. Worldwide, as many as nine out of ten are affected by some form. Therefore arthritis is the most common cause of disability in the western world. Common types of arthritis are Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Gout etc.

It is one of the most common chronic and degenerative health problems in the world. Causes can be attributed to injury, infections, metabolic conditions, or even tumors, but the main cause is from a toxic condition. According to Ayurveda, arthritis is mainly a Vaata disease, which involves pain and weakening of the bones (the main Vaata tissue in the body). In most cases the causes remain unknown to western medicine. Disorders are also related to age, sex and weather conditions. Ayurveda also cites causes related to digestive disorders.

Arthritis is referred to as aamavaatha, sandhigatha vaata and aamavathaja sandhi sotha in Ayurveda. It is considered as a disease caused by profound dysfunction of Vaata bio-energy. Like other auto-immune diseases, chronic rheumatoid arthritis displays two separate alternating phases; exacerbation and remission. During the exacerbation phase, there is acute inflammation of joints.

During remission, the symptoms disappear because the acute accumulation of Doshas in joints is scattered.

Causes include both internal and external factors. Arthritis is more common in windy, damp and stormy climates. It is related to weak digestion which causes the accumulation of toxins in the joints, and as we age our digestive power weakens.

Poor colon function allows the toxins to accumulate and be reabsorbed back into the blood stream and settle in the joints where circulation is reduced. Healthy, flexible joints rely on strong digestion and metabolism. Poor eating habits and weak digestion allow impurities to accumulate, circulate and build up in the joints. This inhibits joint function, mobility and comfort. Because impurities can develop faster than the body eliminates them, cleansing alone is not enough.

The key to preventing a toxic build-up is to create healthier cells. Eating incompatible food combinations, foods, which create toxins, lack of exercise or exercising after eating fatty foods or poor digestion, produces aama (undigested food toxins). The raw material for building healthy joints and bones is nutrient plasma. Plasma flows throughout the body- like the sap in a tree- and delivers vital nutrients. The body uses these nutrients to build tissues, including the joints.

Aama associated with Vaata (internal moving body air) quickly moves to different parts of the body and accumulates where circulation is sluggish or slow, such as the hands, knees and other bone joints filling the blood vessels with a waxy-type of material. It is also more common in old-age when Vaata naturally increases in the body.

Meat diets, foods such as ice cream, too much concentrated dairy such as aged cheese or blobs of sour cream or cheese with your meals, cold foods especially during cold weather which weaken the digestion, heavy cakes, pastries and candies, packaged and processed foods with little fibre, are the main dietary causes. Gas producing vegetables and legumes also create more internal air, which pushes the toxins into the joints. This aama blocks the tissue pores and passages. This causes heaviness and weakness of the heart, which becomes the seat of the disease.

Vataja type: Most common type. Severe throbbing and cutting pain that is variable and shifting. This becomes worse in cold weather or when cold water comes into contact with the affected joints. Other symptoms include dry or scaly skin, stiff or cracking joints, bone deformities, gas, abdominal distention, low back pain, nervousness, fear, anxiety and insomnia. The pain is relieved by heat.

Constipation is usually a symptom. Body types will usually be thin. Best to live in a tropical climate and follow a Vata diet. Pittaja type: Second common. There will be a burning sensation with redness and inflammation which becomes worse in hot weather or due to hot water. Diarrhoea, loose stools, temper, sweating, fever, irritability are usually present. With Pitta type it is recommended to use bitter herbs in combination with heating ones.

It is best to live in a cold climate and follow a Pitta diet.

Kaphaja type: Least common. There will be itching, swelling or loss of movement and edema without inflammation around the joints.

It becomes worse in cold, damp or wet weather. Other symptoms may be heaviness, aches, oily skin, congestion or mucus in the stools. Pain is relieved by heat or hot-dry weather. Best to live in a hot-dry climate and follow a Kapha diet.

Combinations: One may also have a combination of the symptoms from the three types, so that treatment by your ayurvedic doctor may vary accordingly.

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Music to heal illness

Music ... all we know about is its power of taking us to a peaceful moment. But, according to recent scientific studies music is not just a source of entertainment but a therapy which can heal some illnesses.

Mounting evidence shows that rhythmic cue from 'raga' or 'Spice Girls' can have therapeutic effects, which lower the hypertension, coronary heart attack, diabetes, osteoporosis and mental disorders.

Bored and working from dawn to dusk just as a machine, a moment with music will bring the inner peace to one's mind, easing stressfulness.

Then just try...music CDs - Heartchakra, Aswari and Nirvana. All by based ragas by Dr. Rishi Kendra they promise to reduce the risk of heart disorders and lower high blood pressure. Nirvana, a CD which contains ragas like dwijivanti, Neelambari and mantras for healing, brings inner peace and harmony.

But...music therapies for health should be practised either early morning, evening or night. Remember one should not listen to music for long hours on and empty stomach. These CDs are ideal for one-hour durations with two or three short sessions with breaks. It would be better to practise some relaxing (Meditation) techniques before the five minute-listening of these CDs.

These CDs are now available in all supermarkets and leading pharmacies. For more details: www.srilankamusictheraphy.com

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Four tips to prevent food contamination

Almost everyone has experienced a food-borne illness at some point in time. But do we only get sick from restaurant food? No, in fact many cases of food-borne illnesses occur when food is prepared at home.

If food is handled and prepared safely, most of those can be avoided. All food may contain some natural bacteria, and improper handling gives the bacteria a chance to grow. Also, food can be contaminated with bacteria from other sources that can make you ill. Contaminated or unclean food can be very dangerous, especially to young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

There are four major tips you can use to prevent contaminating food.

1. Use caution when you buy your food.

Buy perishable food such as meat, eggs, and milk last.

Avoid raw or unpasteurized milk.

Because eggs, meat, seafood and poultry are most likely to contain bacteria, do not allow their juices to drip on other food.

Shop for groceries when you can take food home right away so that it does not spoil in a hot car.

2. Store your food properly.

Store eggs, raw meat, poultry, and seafood in the refrigerator.

Use containers to prevent contaminating other foods or kitchen surfaces.

Your refrigerator should be set at 40o F.

Your freezer should be set at 0o F.

Regularly clean and disinfect the refrigerator and freezer.

3. Use special precautions when preparing and cooking food.

Wash your hands and clean and disinfect kitchen surfaces before, during and after handling, cooking, and serving food.

Wash raw fruits and vegetables before eating them.

Defrost frozen food on a plate either in the refrigerator or in a microwave, but not on the counter.

Cook food immediately after defrosting.

Use different dishes and utensils for raw foods than those you use for cooked foods.

4. Cool and promptly store leftovers after food has been served.

Because harmful bacteria grow at room temperature keep hot food hot at 140o F or higher, and keep cold food cold at 40o F or cooler. This is especially important during picnics and buffets.

Do not leave perishable foods out for more than two hours.

Promptly refrigerate or freeze leftovers in shallow containers or wrapped tightly in bags.

Basically use common sense and when in doubt, throw it out.

It is much cheaper to throw out bad food than it is to pay expensive medical bills or miss work.

Source: Centre for Disease Control, USA

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