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Health guide
Compiled by Shanika Sriyananda

Smoking causes cancer in throat

Cancer of the larynx is a major illness which is seen widely in Sri Lanka. Depending on the severity of the cancer, sometimes it becomes necessary to remove the larynx to completely to cure the patient.

"Early cancers of vocal cords are commonly present with hoarseness, and can be cured easily by radiotheraphy.

Therefore it is imporatant to get an ENT surgical opinion if hoarseness persists for more than two weeks", Dr. Chandra Jayasuriya, Consultant ENT Surgeon of the Colomb National Hospital, says.

If hoarseness and a cancer is neglected, it can enlarge to such an extent as to make breathing difficult. In such instances, the patient will have to undergo 'Tracheostomy' (an operation to insert a tube into the trachea) to make breathing possible. To treat the cancer, it may be necessary to remove the entire larynx which is called laryngectomy.

"It is possible to live free of disease for a long time after the surgical removal of larynx. It is possible to swallow normally after a laryngectomy, but breathing is through an opening in the neck and normal speech is not possible", she says.

According to Dr. Jayasuriya, smoking is the main cause for larynex. "The throat has a very sensitive lining that can be damaged by infections and mainly by consuming alcohol and smoking. Most of laryngectomy patients are smokers", she says.

However, according to Dr. Jayasuriya, unlike most other cancers, this doesn't spread to other parts of the body except in exceptional places.

According to Dr. Jayasuriya, once a larynx is removed the patient will be able to lead an almost normal life but without speech.

Even this aspect has been corrected by the use of speech valves. These valves are fitted to the trachea to enable good speech. In those people who are unable to have a speech valve due to any reason can use artificial instruments to talk.

In Sri Lanka due to the lack of resources speech valve fittings and the use of artificial instruments have commenced only recently. This means a large number of people after laryngectomy are scattered all over the country with no knowledge or access to these modern techniques.

It is with this in mind that the Laryngectomees Association was created. This will enable to get-together all the Laryngectomees under one roof.

This will be a forum to discuss the problems faced by them, to educate them regarding available facilities, to start a program for speech rehabilitation, and to disseminate information about their needs among the general public, the government and other associations.

Another main aim of the association is to educate the general public about the prevention of laryngeal cancer by refraining from alcohol consumption and smoking.

The association will be run by a committee comprising of ENT specialists and Laryngectomees. In the long term it is hoped that the Laryngectomees themselves will takeover most of the functions of the committee. However there will be supervision by the ENT specialists on a continued basis.

The association with the organising committee was inaugurated last week.

The organising committee invites all the Laryngectomees to join the association.

Further details could be obtained from the Colombo National Hospital on 2691111.

****

The Laryngectomees Association was established with the following aims.

1. Providing help to obtaining speech devices - Electro-larynx and T E valve.

2. Providing the assistantce of a speech therapist for the proper utilization of the speech devices.

3. Providing access to experienced & trained nursing care.

4. Providing assistant in finding or changing employment through social workers.

5. Providing counselling and psychological assistance by a psychologist.

6. Providing ready access to the drugs.

7. Functioning as a self-help group for Laryngectomees.

8. Helping in preventive campaigns.

Healthy delight to reduce cholesterol

by D. P. Atukorale

The soya and sea weeds have become part and parcel of the daily diet of the Japanese and the Chinese. The surprisingly low levels of heart problems, blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes and kidney disease due to their consumption of these natural foods for thousands of years, has led the western scientist to seriously look at plant food like soy milk.

Heart health

Soya bean is a versatile plant food that provides a very high quality protein. Soy protein lowers scrum cholesterol, and soya is good for people even without high cholesterol, to reduce the risk of coronary heart diseases (CHD) that prevails all over the world including Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan.

There is convincing evidence that cholesterol lowering effect by as little as 25 gr. of soy protein per day, as part of low fat diet helps heart patients to avoid heart attacks.

Soya protein is equal in quality to meat and milk protein but without the saturated fats and cholesterol found in such food. Studies have shown that soy protein stimulates the liver to remove LDL (bad) cholesterol from the blood.

A serving of 200 ml of soy milk provides 6.25 g of high quality protein and four glasses of soy milk fulfils the need of 25 gr of high quality protein per day and this is effective in reducing both total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol and serum triglycerides, while maintaining and improving HDL (good) cholesterol. USFDA has granted a health claim that 20 gr of soy protein per day as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Phytoestrogens present in soy milk are natural plant compounds which offer many health benefits and these include isoflavons namely genistein and diadgzein. Isoflavons are often referred to as plant oestrogens as they have a similar structure to female human oestrogens and thus soy milk and other soy products alleviate menopausal symptoms like hot flushes and is viewed as a possible alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Breast and prostrate cancer

Soy holds considerable promise for reducing the breast cancer mortality rate which is so much lower in China and Japan due to their soy consumption throughout life. The daily consumption of soya products reduces the risk of prostrate cancer and other tumours.

Bone health

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bone becomes brittle and breaks easily. Soy protein (present in soy milk) reduces bone loss and stimulates bone formation and reduces the risk of menopausal problems. Soy protein enhances bone health especially in the elderly.

Diabetes and kidney disease

It is common knowledge that one of the complications of uncontrolled diabetes is renal (kidney) failure and renal failure patients cannot handle high protein intake. Soy protein is significantly better than animal proteins in preventing renal failure. Soy protein has low glycaemic index which helps to promote blood glucose control.

As per the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, "It can be concluded that soy protein can serve as the sole protein source in all human beings except premature infants". The protein present in soy milk and tofu is the most balanced protein for human consumption. It contains all the nine essential amino acids required by the human body, from the dietary sources.

Soy protein is superior to proteins derived from animal sources as soy protein does not contain cholesterol and unhealthy saturated fats found in animal products. In Japan people consume 50-80 gr of soya bean daily in their diet in various forms such as tofu and soya milk and the average life span of the Japanese is higher than any other country. This proves its nutritional quality.

Lactose intolerance

A large number of Sri Lankan adults (about 40-50%) are unable to properly digest dairy milk and lactose intolerance is a common medical problem faced by Sri Lankan family physicians; some of these cases are misdiagnosed as chronic amoebiasis. While lactose intolerance may exist in children, it becomes problematic with age as our digestive system reduces production of lactose enzyme necessary for breaking down lactose in dairy milk.

Soy milk is the most ideal food for people suffering from this common problem. Children fed on soy milk will be saved from diseases like heart disease, diabetes, cancer and many more in future life.

Headphones worsen hearing loss

Researchers fear the growing popularity of portable music players and other items that attach directly to the ears - including cell phones - is contributing to hearing loss in younger people.

"It's becoming more of a full-day listening experience, as opposed to just when you're jogging." said Robert Novak, Director of clinical education in audiology at Purdue University, Indiana. Increasingly, Novak says he's seeing too many young people with "older ears on younger bodies" - a trend that's been building since the portable Walkman made its debut a few decades back.

Everywhere she turns, Angella Day sees people carrying portable music players, often with the ear buds stuffed firmly in place.

To document the trend, Novak and colleagues have been randomly examining students and found a disturbing and growing incidence of what is known as noise-induced hearing loss. Usually, it means they've lost the ability to hear higher frequencies, evidenced at times by mild ear-ringing or trouble following conversations in noisy situations.

Hearing specialists say they're also seeing more people in their 30s and 40s - many of them among the first Walkman users - who suffer from more pronounced tinnitus, an internal ringing or even the sound of whooshing or buzzing in the ears.

Noise-induced hearing loss happens in a number of ways, from attending noisy concerts and clubs to using firearms or loud power tools and even recreational vehicles (snowmobiles and some motorcycles are among the offenders).

One telltale sign that you've done damage to your ears is when you leave a loud venue with ringing ears. If you rest your ears, they might recover, at least partially, doctors say. But with repeated exposure comes more damage to the hair cells in the inner ear, which are key to good hearing.

With long-lasting rechargeable batteries, people who use portable music players also are listening longer - and not giving their ears a rest, says Deanna Meinke, an audiologist at the University of Northern Colorado.

( AP)

Holistic healing

Arthritis and life style

by Dr. Danister L. Perera

Arthritis can be created by, and aggravated through, improper diet. Some foods can make Vaata highly active, thereby increasing sensitivity to pain and aggravating arthritic symptoms. These foods have the potential to create toxins (undigested food not only clogs the channels in the body but actually becomes toxic) and need to be avoided.

You must also learn which type of food can easily be digested, creating micronutrients that are assimilated into the tissues, to rebuild their strength and balance. Just as important as what you eat is how well you digest, metabolize and eliminate food. Your Ayurveda physician or health consultant will also provide programs to improve digestion, metabolism and elimination to build a strong foundation for your healing process.

In summary, improper nutrition can create and aggravate arthritis, but proper nutrition can go a long way to curing and preventing it.

Stress Management

Stress Management through improved mental and emotional function.

It is well documented that arthritis is often worsened by heightened stress, anxiety and mental fatigue.

There are hormonal changes and other biochemical responses to stress that can aggravate the nervous system, and the inflammatory response.

The sleep disturbance that is often created by arthritis symptoms increases fatigue, which increases one's susceptibility to stress, which in turn aggravates the arthritis condition. A downward spiral is created. Research shows it creates virtually the opposite physiological response that stress does and helps the body recover more quickly from stressful stimuli. Practise of meditation twice a day is an ideal stress management program for arthritis.

Lifestyle and daily routine

One of the most important factors for balancing Vaata and maintaining stability in the nervous system is to have a lifestyle that does not disrupt natural bodily rhythms. When we eat, sleep and exercise in constantly fluctuating and disturbing patterns, the body loses its natural balancing cycles and cannot cleanse or heal itself as effectively.

Therefore, regularity in our daily routine can be extremely effective in reducing the Vata imbalances at the basis of arthritis. Your Ayurveda physician or health consultant will review your daily routine and provide the information you need to create a daily schedule that will actually increase balance in your nervous system and aid in healing your body.

Ayurvedic herbs for reduction of free radicals

During your consultation, the ayurveda physician or health consultant selects the appropriate herbal formulae for aiding the healing process, strengthening digestion and helping the body purify itself of toxins and free radicals.

Free radicals are highly irritating to the physiology and their presence creates and worsens many disorders, including arthritis. When appropriate, our Ayurveda Health Consultants recommend Ayurveda herbs that research has shown to be powerful anti-oxidants and free radical scavengers.

These herbs have a holistic influence of balancing and nourishing the entire physiology. Traditional Ayurveda theory says that herbs are most effective after a person completes an internal cleansing program.

Regaining flexibility and mobility

Stretching exercise is known to have a positive effect on many chronic conditions. As prescribed by Ayurvedic physicians Yoga postures are the best form of exercise suitable for arthritic patients. There are selective yoga postures specially effective in relieving discomfort and difficulties in mobility of the joints.

As well as these Yoga postures can stimulate the endocrine system and enzymic function in the organism for augmenting the healing process.

Yoga can simultaneously achieve physical and mental relaxation, which helps you to get normalcy within a short period, and best outcomes of the other treatments.

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