MALABAR HOSPITALS

Fetal Sex Plays Role in Immunity of Pregnant Women

2017-03-01T13:33:00.001+04:00

Study found out that Women tend to react with stronger responses to immune challenges while pregnant with girls than with boys.

A team of scientists at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center followed 80 pregnant women (46 with male and 34 with female fetuses) across the course of their pregnancy and examined whether women exhibited different levels of immune markers called cytokines based on fetal sex.

Studies suggest that fetal sex plays a role in maternal physiological processes during pregnancy including glycemic control, blood pressure, and cortisol regulation. However, data examining fetal sex-specific differences in maternal immune parameters is lacking. In the current study, serum levels of interleukin(IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α as well as LPS-stimulated production of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-1β by PBMCs incubated for 24 h were assessed in early, mid, and late pregnancy among 80 women (46 with male and 34 with female fetuses). Linear mixed models showed that women carrying females versus males exhibited greater stimulated production of IL-6 at each timepoint (ps ⩽ 0.03), TNF-α in early pregnancy (p = 0.04), and IL-1β in mid- and late pregnancy (ps ⩽ 0.05). Despite changes in serum levels of IL-8 (p = 0.002) and TNF-α (p < 0.0001) across pregnancy, no differences in any serum cytokines were observed in relation to fetal sex (ps > 0.85). In conclusion, in pregnant women, those carrying female versus male fetuses exhibited greater stimulated cytokine production across pregnancy. Differential inflammatory responses could affect maternal health and fetal development. Fetal sex should be considered as a factor in studies of maternal inflammation. These findings have relevance both clinically and conceptually. For example, maternal asthma is exacerbated among women carrying female versus male fetuses. In addition, data on associations between fetal sex and maternal immune function among women with health conditions (e.g., preeclampsia) and adverse pregnancy outcomes (e.g., preterm birth) would be informative.

This means that women carrying female fetuses exhibited a heightened inflammatory response when their immune system was challenged, compared to women carrying male fetuses.

Reference: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889159116301945
Image credits : Scott , Michelle Tribe - wikimedia commons

First Aid in case of severed body part

2016-08-01T14:19:00.000+04:00

Most importantly administer first aid to the patient:

Check for responsiveness and breathing.
Give first aid for bleeding.
Monitor and treat for shock if present.
Care for amputated part(s): Clean amputated part, if necessary, with sterile or clean water, then cover and wrap in sterile dressing. Place in a sealed plastic bag. Place bag in another container with chilled or ice water. Label with victim's name.
Keep the amputated part with the victim at all times.

First Aid in case of Bleeding wound

2016-07-25T11:52:00.003+04:00

First Aid in case of Bleeding wound

How you can help

Clean the wound with warm soapy water and allow it to penetrate the puncture track because tetanus spores may be trapped deep in the wound.
Allow the wound to dry thoroughly in the air before covering it.
If a protective dressing is needed, use a porous adhesive dressing and change it daily to keep the wound healthy and dry.

First Aid in case of foregin body in ear and nose

2016-07-14T11:44:00.001+04:00

ചെവിയിൽ എന്തെക്കിലും കടന്നാൽ , മൂക്കിൽ എന്തെക്കിലും അകപ്പെട്ടാൽ . First aid in case something get in to your nose or ear.

Everything about Milk

2016-07-12T13:47:00.002+04:00

Milk: Sources, Kinds, and Benefits

Milk is a pale liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for infant mammals before they are able to digest other types of food. Early-lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother's antibodies to its young and can reduce the risk of many diseases. It contains many other nutrientsincluding protein and lactose.

Milk Sources:

Milk can be obtained from many different sources, such as goats, cattle, buffalos, and camels; The females of all mammal species can by definition produce milk, but cow's milk dominates commercial production. Aside from cattle, many kinds of livestock provide milk used by humans for dairy products. These animals include buffalo, goat, sheep, camel, donkey, horse, reindeer and yak. The first four respectively produced about 11%, 2%, 1.4% and 0.2% of all milk worldwide in 2011.

Milk Types:
Raw milk:
Raw milk is milk that has not been pasteurized. While proponents have stated that there are benefits to consuming raw milk, the medical community has warned of the dangers of consuming unpasteurized milk. Availability and regulation of raw milk vary from region to region.

Dried Milk:

The fresh milk is evaporated to dryness by manufacturing process while maintaining most of the nutritional elements the fresh milk holds, and with the same proportions. Still, some vitamins and key minerals may be added to the dried milk such as vitamin D.

The dried or powered milk is available as full-fat dry milk with 6-9 month shelf life, or fat-free with two-year shelf life. Having opened the pack, you should store the dried milk in cool, dry place, as well as protecting it against moisture and sun beams.

Long-Term Milk:

The fresh milk is exposed to a high temperature to have it pasteurized, and then it is packed in specially-made packs. The expiry term of that type of milk reaches as many as six months, before it is used outside the refrigerator. After it is used, the pack should be stored in the refrigerator and be used within a week's time.

Fresh Milk:

After the milk is milked and collected, it is pasteurized, and then it is stored cool. It should be stored since the beginning of the production until its expiration which does not go beyond a week as it is spoiled fast.

Domestic Condensed Milk:

Great amounts of sugar are added to the pasteurized fresh milk haveits form condensed. It is rich in fats or milk cream, and it is not considered one of the useful milk types, or one of the milk substitutes. It holds a great deal of sugar and calories. It is used in the dessert ingredients, and it is stored in a cool, dry place. It has 12-month shelf life.

A2 milk:
cow's milk that contains only the A2 type of beta-casein protein rather than the more common A1 protein commonly found in regular milk.

Milk-derived Products:

Milk, Yoghurt, and Hard White Cheese:

They are products made of fresh milk; hence, they have the same milk composition. They also contain the same nutritional elements, but they differ in terms of the amounts of yeast and water.

If these products contain flavors such as strawberry or chocolate flavor, the proportion of calories only increases without any change in the other properties; providing these additives are within the allowed proportions.

Creamy Cheese, cream, butter, ice cream, and Labneh:

They are other products derived from milk, and they are fat substitutes. They are manufactured from the milk fats with little amount of milk. They are not milk substitutes, and they cannot replace it.

Milk Health Benefits:

Building and Maintaining bone and teeth.
Preventing cardiac diseases
Keeping the blood pressure at a normal rate.
Protecting against some types of cancer such as colon cancer.
Diminishing the likelihood of developing the diabetes.
Keeping and improving the performance of the nerve system.
Helping in growth
Improving the digestion process.
Boosting the immunity.
Protecting the eyesight.
Maintaining the skin, hair, and delicate membranes.
Treating the dehydration.
Providing the body with energy.

Groups In Need of Drinking More Milk:

Neonates: it is recommended depending on the mother's milk or the artificial milk meant for the breast-fed.
The elderly: as we grow in age, the skin or kidney health condition changes, this in turn weakens its ability to produce vitamin D and change it into the active or effective formula.
The pregnant and those breast-feeding: are mostly in need of many vitamins, such as vitamin D which the children need to absorb the calcium and form bones.
Fractures and after operations.

Factors Affecting Benefiting from the Milk:

Having beverages and food containing caffeine, such as fizzy beverages, tea, coffee, and chocolate reduces the absorbing of calcium.
Not getting enough intakes of vitamin C rich fruits such as citruses, as it is instrumental in absorbing the calcium from the milk.

Breaking down the Nutritional Elements in a Cup of Milk:

Nutrients	Low-Fat Milk	Fat-Free Milk	Full-Fat Milk
Calories	102	86	146
Fats	2mg	0mg	8 mg
Cholesterol	12mg	5mg	24mg
Sodium	107mg	128mg	98mg
Carbohydrates	13mg	12mg	13mg
Sugar	13mg	12mg	13mg
Proteins	8mg	8mg	8mg
Dietary	0mg	0mg	0mg

Daily Needs of Calcium and Vitamin D for all the Age Groups:

Age Group	Calcium Need Milligram/Day	Vitamin "D" Need Microgram/ Day	Daily Milk Amount
Birth- Six months	200	10	800-1200 mil/Daily
Six Months- Year	260	10	800-1200 mil/Daily
1-3 years	700	15	Two Cups
4-8 years	1000	15	Three Cups
9-18 years	1300	15	Three Cups
19-50 years	1000	15	Two Cups
51-70- years (Women)	1200	15	Three Cups

**Cow's milk (whole)**
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy	252 kJ (60 kcal)

Carbohydrates	5.26 g
Sugars lactose	5.26 g 5.26 g

Fat	3.25 g
Saturated	1.865 g
Monounsaturated	0.812 g
Polyunsaturated	0.195 g

Protein	3.22 g
Tryptophan	0.075 g
Threonine	0.143 g
Isoleucine	0.165 g
Leucine	0.265 g
Lysine	0.140 g
Methionine	0.075 g
Cystine	0.017 g
Phenylalanine	0.147 g
Tyrosine	0.152 g
Valine	0.192 g
Arginine	0.075 g
Histidine	0.075 g
Alanine	0.103 g
Aspartic acid	0.237 g
Glutamic acid	0.648 g
Glycine	0.075 g
Proline	0.342 g
Serine	0.107 g

Vitamins
Vitamin A equiv.	(6%) 46 μg
Thiamine (B1)	(4%) 0.044 mg
Riboflavin (B2)	(15%) 0.183 mg
Vitamin B12	(19%) 0.45 μg
Choline	(3%) 14.3 mg
Vitamin D	(0%) 2 IU

Minerals
Calcium	(11%) 113 mg
Magnesium	(3%) 10 mg
Potassium	(3%) 132 mg
Sodium	(3%) 43 mg

Other constituents
Water	88.32 g
100 mL corresponds to 103 g.
Units μg = micrograms • mg = milligrams IU = International units
Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database

Content courtesy en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk and mohksa

Milk composition analysis, per 100 grams
Constituents	Unit	Cow	Goat	Sheep	Water buffalo
Water	g	87.8	88.9	83.0	81.1
Protein	g	3.2	3.1	5.4	4.5
Fat	g	3.9	3.5	6.0	8.0
----Saturated fatty acids	g	2.4	2.3	3.8	4.2
----Monounsaturated fatty acids	g	1.1	0.8	1.5	1.7
----Polyunsaturated fatty acids	g	0.1	0.1	0.3	0.2
Carbohydrate (i.e the sugar form of lactose)	g	4.8	4.4	5.1	4.9
Cholesterol	mg	14	10	11	8
Calcium	mg	120	100	170	195
Energy	kcal	66	60	95	110
Energy	kJ	275	253	396	463

A precise stem cell signaling process

2015-02-08T16:17:00.000+04:00

Researchers at Sanford-Burnham have discovered a precise stem cell signaling process that can lead to intestinal tumors if disrupted. The findings add to our understanding of how stem cells give rise to tumors and identify specific stem cell molecules that may be targeted to prevent the onset, progression, and recurrence of intestinal cancers.

“Accumulating evidence suggests that cancer stem cells are responsible for cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, recurrence, and drug resistance,” said Jorge Moscat, Ph.D., program director of our Cell Death and Survival Networks Program. “Our new research provides a better understanding of the signaling cascades that regulate stem cells and is essential for the design of new and more-efficacious therapies for cancer.”
“We have shown that protein kinase C-zeta (PKC-zeta) normally inhibits stem cell activity through downregulation of two signaling pathways: beta-catenin and Yap,” said Maria Diaz-Meco, Ph.D., senior co-author of the paper and professor in the Program. “Previously, our lab showed that PKC-zeta acts as a tumor suppressor that maintains homeostasis of intestinal stem cells. The current study reveals the mechanism by which this occurs.”
The intestine is covered by a single layer of epithelial cells that are renewed every 3 to 5 days. The pool of cells that replace these epithelial cells—intestinal stem cells—needs to be regulated to maintain homeostasis.
“Disturbing the homeostasis of the stem cell pool can go two ways—it can either reduce intestinal epithelial cell regeneration or increase the proliferation of stem cells,” said Diaz-Meco. “Cancer is produced by the accumulation of mutations in critical genes that control central mechanisms of cell growth. Stem cells are a ‘permanent’ population in the intestine and a reservoir for those mutations. Therefore, if stem cell activity is increased, as in the case of intestines deficient in PKC-zeta, then the likelihood of developing tumors is much higher, and when the tumor is initiated it becomes more aggressive.”
Using a genetically engineered mouse model for intestinal cancer, the research team found that this process is kept under control by direct phosphorylation by PKC-zeta of two essential tumor promoters: beta-catenin and Yap.
“Importantly, we confirmed the tumorigenic profiles of PKC-zeta, beta-catenin, and Yap in human colon adenocarcinoma samples. The correlation of human results with our in-vivo mouse studies strongly suggests that Yap and beta-catenin are potential targets of PKC-zeta function and potential targets for new anti-cancer therapies.
“Our results offer new possibilities for the prevention and treatment of intestinal cancers by blocking the pathways that lead to tumors,” said Moscat. “They also highlight a new strategy to promote intestinal regeneration after acute or chronic damage, such as that triggered by chemotherapy and radiation.”

“Accumulating evidence suggests that cancer stem cells are responsible for cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, recurrence, and drug resistance,” said Jorge Moscat, Ph.D., program director of our Cell Death and Survival Networks Program. “Our new research provides a better understanding of the signaling cascades that regulate stem cells and is essential for the design of new and more-efficacious therapies for cancer.”
“We have shown that protein kinase C-zeta (PKC-zeta) normally inhibits stem cell activity through downregulation of two signaling pathways: beta-catenin and Yap,” said Maria Diaz-Meco, Ph.D., senior co-author of the paper and professor in the Program. “Previously, our lab showed that PKC-zeta acts as a tumor suppressor that maintains homeostasis of intestinal stem cells. The current study reveals the mechanism by which this occurs.”
The intestine is covered by a single layer of epithelial cells that are renewed every 3 to 5 days. The pool of cells that replace these epithelial cells—intestinal stem cells—needs to be regulated to maintain homeostasis.
“Disturbing the homeostasis of the stem cell pool can go two ways—it can either reduce intestinal epithelial cell regeneration or increase the proliferation of stem cells,” said Diaz-Meco. “Cancer is produced by the accumulation of mutations in critical genes that control central mechanisms of cell growth. Stem cells are a ‘permanent’ population in the intestine and a reservoir for those mutations. Therefore, if stem cell activity is increased, as in the case of intestines deficient in PKC-zeta, then the likelihood of developing tumors is much higher, and when the tumor is initiated it becomes more aggressive.”
Using a genetically engineered mouse model for intestinal cancer, the research team found that this process is kept under control by direct phosphorylation by PKC-zeta of two essential tumor promoters: beta-catenin and Yap.
“Importantly, we confirmed the tumorigenic profiles of PKC-zeta, beta-catenin, and Yap in human colon adenocarcinoma samples. The correlation of human results with our in-vivo mouse studies strongly suggests that Yap and beta-catenin are potential targets of PKC-zeta function and potential targets for new anti-cancer therapies.
“Our results offer new possibilities for the prevention and treatment of intestinal cancers by blocking the pathways that lead to tumors,” said Moscat. “They also highlight a new strategy to promote intestinal regeneration after acute or chronic damage, such as that triggered by chemotherapy and radiation.”
- See more at: http://beaker.sanfordburnham.org/2015/02/new-study-sheds-light-on-cancer-stem-cell-regulation/#sthash.QktTbsjw.dpuf

Reference:

Victoria Llado, Yuki Nakanishi, Angeles Duran, Miguel Reina-Campos, Phillip M. Shelton, Juan F. Linares, Tomoko Yajima, Alex Campos, Pedro Aza-Blanc, Michael Leitges, Maria T. Diaz-Meco, Jorge Moscat. Repression of Intestinal Stem Cell Function and Tumorigenesis through Direct Phosphorylation of β-Catenin and Yap by PKCζ. Cell Reports, 2015; DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.01.007

First Aids - CPR - cardiopulmonary resuscitation

2014-10-23T15:45:00.002+04:00

CPR

CPR or Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, commonly known as CPR, is an emergency procedure performed in an effort to manually preserve intact brain function until further measures are taken to restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing in a person who is in cardiac arrest. It is indicated in those who are unresponsive with no breathing or abnormal breathing, for example, agonal respirations. Combination of rescue lungs, by mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and heart by chest compressions (between rib bone and Spinal) where blood pumps to vital parts of the body, especially the brain.

The following steps are based on instructions from the American Heart Association.

Check for responsiveness. Shake or tap the person gently. See if the person moves or makes a noise. Shout, "Are you OK?"
Call Paramedics if there is no response. Shout for help and send someone to call paramedics.
Carefully place the person on their back. If there is a chance the person has a spinal injury, two people should move the person to prevent the head and neck from twisting.
Perform chest compressions:
- Place the heel of one hand on the breastbone -- right between the nipples.
- Place the heel of your other hand on top of the first hand.
- Position your body directly over your hands.
- Give 30 chest compressions. These compressions should be fast and hard. Press down about 2 inches into the chest. Each time, let the chest rise completely. Count the 30 compressions.
Open the airway. Lift up the chin with two fingers. At the same time, tilt the head by pushing down on the forehead with the other hand.
Look, listen, and feel for breathing. Place your ear close to the person's mouth and nose. Watch for chest movement. Feel for breath on your cheek.
If the person is not breathing or has trouble breathing:
- Cover their mouth tightly with your mouth.
- Pinch the nose closed.
- Keep the chin lifted and head tilted.
- Give 2 rescue breaths. Each breath should take about a second and make the chest rise.
Continue CPR (30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths, then repeat) until the person recovers or help arrives.

If the person starts breathing again, place them in the recovery position. Periodically recheck for breathing until help arrives.

courtesy : Wikipedia , Wikimedia Commons .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiopulmonary_resuscitation

Tahini or Grinded sesame seeds

2014-08-06T16:43:00.000+04:00

Tahini with lemon and garlic

Health benefits of Tahini

Tahini is a paste that is made by finely grinding sesame seeds in order to release their oil content. it is a staple of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking. It's perhaps most notable for its essential role in making hummus, although its uses go far beyond that iconic dip.

How its made

Tahini may be made from hulled or unhulled sesame seeds. The tahini made with unhulled seeds is richer in vitamins and minerals but it is darker and has a stronger flavour, so it may not suit some recipes. Because the sesame seeds are ground into a paste, tahini is easy to digest, and within half an hour of consuming it, the body is provided with a balanced supply of energy, vitamins, and minerals.

tahini can get pricey at the grocery store, and it's sometimes bitter or rancid after its long wait on the shelf. The good news is you can make this pantry staple at home for a fraction of the cost — and chances are it will taste better, too! You only need two ingredients: sesame seeds and oil.

Hummus and ful topped with tahini

Health Benefits of Tahini

Tahini is a nutritional powerhouse, being high in vitamins E, F and T, as well as vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B15, biotin, and choline. It is also a source of vitamin A. Tahini is also 20 percent complete protein – making it a richer protein source than milk, soya beans, sunflower seeds, and most nuts.
Tahini is one of the highest sources of methionine, an essential amino acid, and also contains lecithin, which reduces the levels of fat in the blood and also protects against environmental toxins such as nicotine. Tahini is also high in minerals such as magnesium, potassium, iron, and phosphorus, and is an excellent source of calcium. In fact tahini is claimed to be the best source of calcium there is and, unlike the dairy products that supply calcium in the western diet, it is not mucus forming.
Tahini is very high in oil, over 50 percent. However, despite being high in fat, most of the oil is unsaturated fat, which is much healthier for the body. Even though it is high in oil, tahini keeps very well and will not go rancid, even if it is not refrigerated after opening. This is because sesame seeds contain the natural preservatives sesamin and sesamol, which stabilise it.

ലോക വൃക്കദിനം

2013-03-13T16:48:00.004+04:00

ലോക വൃക്കദിനം
എല്ലാ കൊല്ലവും മാര്‍ച്ച്‌ മാസത്തെ രണ്ടാമത്തെ വ്യാഴം ആണ് ലോക വൃക്ക ദിനം ആയി ആചരിക്കുന്നതു. ഇത് ജനങ്ങളില്‍ വൃക്ക രോഗങ്ങളെ കുറിച്ചുള്ള അവബോധം വളര്‍ത്താന്‍ ലക്ഷ്യം വെച്ചുള്ള ഒരു പരിപാടി ആണ് .

പ്രവർത്തനം
സങ്കീർണ്ണ ഘടനയോടുകൂടിയ വിവിധതരത്തിലുള്ള ധർമ്മങ്ങളുള്ള ആന്തരീക അവയവങ്ങളാണ് വൃക്കകൾ . . യൂറിയ പോലുള്ള അപദ്രവ്യങ്ങളും ധാതു-ലവണങ്ങളും രക്തത്തിൽ നിന്നും നീക്കം ചെയ്ത് ശരീര ദ്രവങ്ങളുടെ ജൈവപരമായ സന്തുലിതാവസ്ഥ നിലനിർത്തുകയാണ് വൃക്കകളുടെ ഏറ്റവും പ്രധാനപ്പെട്ട ധർമ്മം. മനുഷ്യന്റെ മാത്രമല്ല, പരിണാമത്തിലൂടെ വൃക്കകൾ ലഭിച്ച എല്ലാ ജീവിവർഗ്ഗങ്ങളുടേയും ശരീരത്തിൽ നിന്നും മാലിന്യങ്ങൾ അരിച്ച് പുറത്ത് കളയുന്ന പ്രക്രിയ ചെയ്യുന്ന ആന്തരികാവയവം ആണ്‌ വൃക്ക എന്ന് അറിയപ്പെടുന്നത്. ശരീരത്തിലെ രക്തം,ആഹാരം, വെള്ളം തുടങ്ങിയവയിൽ നിന്നും ആവശ്യമുള്ള പോഷകങ്ങൾ സ്വീകരിക്കുകയും മാലിന്യങ്ങളേയും ആവശ്യമില്ലാത്ത മറ്റ് വസ്തുക്കളേയും പുറത്ത് കളഞ്ഞ് ശരീരം വൃത്തിയായി സൂക്ഷിക്കുന്നതിൽ പ്രധാന പങ്ക് വഹിക്കുന്നത് വൃക്കകളാണ്‌.

Celebrated on the second Thursday in March, the mission of World Kidney Day is to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.

About Your Kidneys
The kidneys are complicated and amazing organs that have numerous essential biological roles.
The main job of your kidneys is to remove toxins and excess water from our blood. Kidneys also help to control our blood pressure, to produce red blood cells and to keep our bones healthy.
Each roughly the size of your fist, kidneys are located deep in the abdomen, beneath the rib cage.
Your kidneys control blood stream levels of many minerals and molecules including sodium and potassium, and help to control blood acidity. Every day your kidneys carefully control the salt and water in your body so that your blood pressure remains the same.

About Ayurveda

2012-10-24T14:28:00.001+04:00

Ayurveda (Sanskrit: आयुर्वेद; Āyurveda, "the knowledge for long life"; /ˌaɪ.ərˈveɪdə/) or ayurvedic medicine is a Hindu system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India, i.e., in the mid-second millennium BCE. The Suśruta Saṃhitā and the Charaka Saṃhitā, encyclopedias of medicine compiled from various sources from the mid-first millennium BCE to about 500 CE, are among the foundational works of Ayurveda. Over the following centuries, ayurvedic practitioners developed a number of medicinal preparations and surgical procedures for the treatment of various ailments. Current practices derived (or reportedly derived) from Ayurvedic medicine are regarded as part of complementary and alternative medicine.                                                                         Dhanvantari (धन्वंतरी), known as an avatar of Vishnu is the Hindu god associated with Ayurveda.

Safety concerns have been raised about Ayurveda, with two U.S. studies finding about 20 percent of Ayurvedic Indian-manufactured patent medicines contained toxic levels of heavy metals such as lead, mercury and arsenic. Other concerns include the use of herbs containing toxic compounds and the lack of quality control in Ayurvedic facilities.

Approach
The three doṣas and the 5 elements from which they are composed.

At an early period, Ayurveda adopted the physics of the "five elements" (Devanāgarī: [महा] पञ्चभूत); earth (Pṛthvī), water (Jala), fire (Agni), air (Vāyu) and space (Ākāśa) that compose the universe, including the human body. Ayurveda describes seven types of tissues of the body, known as the saptadhātu (Devanāgarī: सप्तधातु). They are plasma (rasa dhātu), blood (rakta dhātu), flesh (māṃsa dhātu), adipose (medha dhātu), bone (asthi dhātu), marrow and nervous (majja dhātu), and reproductive (semen or female reproductive tissue) (śukra dhātu). Ayurvedic literature deals elaborately with measures of healthful living during the entire span of life and its various phases. Ayurveda stresses a balance of three elemental energies or humors: Vāyu / vāta (air & space – "wind"), pitta (fire & water – "bile") and kapha (water & earth – "phlegm"). According to ayurvedic medical theory, these three substances — doṣas (Devanāgarī: दोष)—are important for health, because when they exist in equal quantities, the body will be healthy, and when they are not in equal amounts, the body will be unhealthy in various ways. One ayurvedic theory asserts that each human possesses a unique combination of doṣas that define that person's temperament and characteristics. Another view, also present in the ancient literature, asserts that humoral equality is identical to health, and that persons with preponderances of humours are proportionately unhealthy, and that this is not their natural temperament. In ayurveda, unlike the Sāṅkhya philosophical system, there are 20 fundamental qualities, guṇa (Devanāgarī: गुण, meaning qualities) inherent in all substances. While surgery and surgical instruments were employed from a very early period, Ayurvedic theory asserts that building a healthy metabolic system, attaining good digestion, and proper excretion lead to vitality. Ayurveda also focuses on exercise, yoga, and meditation.

The practice of panchakarma (Devanāgarī: पंचकर्म‌) is a therapeutic way of eliminating toxic elements from the body.

As early as the Mahābhārata, ayurveda was called "the science of eight components" (Skt. aṣṭāṅga, Devanāgarī: अष्टांग), a classification that became canonical for ayurveda. They are:

    Internal medicine (Kāya-cikitsā)
    Paediatrics (Kaumārabhṛtyam)
    Surgery (Śalya-cikitsā)
    Opthalmology and ENT (Śālākya tantra)
    Psychiatry has been called Bhūta vidyā .
    Toxicology (Agadatantram)
    Prevention of diseases and improving immunity and rejuvenation (rasayana)
    Aphrodisiacs and improving health of progeny (Vajikaranam)

In Hindu mythology, the origin of ayurvedic medicine is attributed to Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods.
Practices
Several philosophers in India combined religion and traditional medicine—notable examples being that of Hinduism and ayurveda. Shown in the image is the philosopher Nagarjuna—known chiefly for his doctrine of the Madhyamaka (middle path)—who wrote medical works The Hundred Prescriptions and The Precious Collection, among others.
Balance

Hinduism and Buddhism have been an influence on the development of many of ayurveda's central ideas – particularly its fascination with balance, known in Buddhism as Madhyathmaka (Devanāgarī: माध्यात्मिक). Balance is emphasized; suppressing natural urges is seen to be unhealthy, and doing so claimed to lead to illness. However, people are cautioned to stay within the limits of reasonable balance and measure. For example, emphasis is placed on moderation of food intake, sleep, sexual intercourse.
Diagnosis

Ayurvedic practitioners approach diagnosis by using all five senses. Hearing is used to observe the condition of breathing and speech. The study of the lethal points or marman marma is of special importance. Ayurvedic doctors regard physical and mental existence together with personality as a unit, each element having the capacity to influence the others. One of the fundamental aspects of ayurvedic medicine is to take this into account during diagnosis and therapy.
Hygiene

Hygiene is a central practice of ayurvedic medicine. Hygienic living involves regular bathing, cleansing of teeth, skin care, and eye washing.
Treatments
Head massage is used to apply oils.

Ayurveda stresses the use of plant-based medicines and treatments. Hundreds of plant-based medicines are employed, including cardamom and cinnamon. Some animal products may also be used, for example milk, bones, and gallstones. In addition, fats are used both for consumption and for external use. Minerals, including sulfur, arsenic, lead, copper sulfate and gold are also consumed as prescribed. This practice of adding minerals to herbal medicine is known as rasa shastra.

In some cases, alcohol was used as a narcotic for the patient undergoing an operation. The advent of Islam introduced opium as a narcotic. Both oil and tar were used to stop bleeding.[10] Traumatic bleeding was said to be stopped by four different methods: ligation of the blood vessel; cauterisation by heat; using different herbal or animal preparations locally which could facilitate clotting; and different medical preparations which could constrict the bleeding or oozing vessels. Various oils could be used in a number of ways, including regular consumption as a part of food, anointing, smearing, head massage, and prescribed application to infected areas.
Srotas

Ensuring the proper functions of channels (srotas) that transport fluids from one point to another is a vital goal of ayurvedic medicine, because the lack of healthy srotas is thought to cause rheumatism, epilepsy, autism, paralysis, convulsions, and insanity. Practitioners induce sweating and prescribe steam-based treatments as a means to open up the channels and dilute the doshas that cause the blockages and lead to disease.
History
The mantra Om mani padme hum written on rocks. Chanting mantras has been a feature of ayurveda since the Atharvaveda, the vedic spiritual text, was compiled.

One view of the early history of ayurveda asserts that around 1500 BC, ayurveda's fundamental and applied principles got organized and enunciated. In this historical construction, Ayurveda traces its origins to the Vedas, Atharvaveda in particular, and is connected to Hindu religion. Atharvaveda (one of the four most ancient books of Indian knowledge, wisdom and culture) contains 114 hymns or formulations for the treatment of diseases. Ayurveda originated in and developed from these hymns. In this sense, ayurveda is considered by some to have divine origin. Indian medicine has a long history, and is one of the oldest organised systems of medicine. Its earliest concepts are set out in the sacred writings called the Vedas, especially in the metrical passages of the Atharvaveda, which may possibly date as far back as the 2nd millennium BC. According to a later writer, the system of medicine was received by Dhanvantari from Brahma, and Dhanvantari was deified as the god of medicine. In later times his status was gradually reduced, until he was credited with having been an earthly king named Divodasa.
Cataract in human eye – magnified view seen on examination with a slit lamp. Cataract surgery was known to the physician Sushruta in the early centuries of the first millennium AD, and was performed with a special tool called the jabamukhi salaka, a curved needle used to loosen the obstructing phlegm and push it out of the field of vision. The eye would later be soaked with warm butter and then bandaged.

Underwood & Rhodes (2008) hold that this early phase of traditional Indian medicine identified "fever (takman), cough, consumption, diarrhea, dropsy, abscesses, seizures, tumours, and skin diseases (including leprosy)". Treatment of complex ailments, including angina pectoris, diabetes, hypertension, and stones, also ensued during this period.

Plastic surgery, couching (a form of cataract surgery), puncturing to release fluids in the abdomen, extraction of foreign elements, treatment of anal fistulas, treating fractures, amputations, cesarean sections, and stitching of wounds were known. The use of herbs and surgical instruments became widespread. The Charaka Samhita text is arguably the principal classic reference. It gives emphasis to the triune nature of each person: body care, mental regulation, and spiritual/consciousness refinement.

Other early works of ayurveda include the Charaka Samhita, attributed to Charaka. The earliest surviving excavated written material which contains references to the works of Sushruta is the Bower Manuscript, dated to the 6th century AD. The Bower manuscript is of special interest to historians due to the presence of Indian medicine and its concepts in Central Asia. Vagbhata, the son of a senior doctor by the name of Simhagupta, also compiled his works on traditional medicine. Early ayurveda had a school of physicians and a school of surgeons. Tradition holds that the text Agnivesh tantra, written by the sage Agnivesh, a student of the sage Bharadwaja, influenced the writings of ayurveda.

The Chinese pilgrim Fa Hsien (ca. 337–422 AD) wrote about the health care system of the Gupta empire (320–550) and described the institutional approach of Indian medicine, also visible in the works of Charaka, who mentions a clinic and how it should be equipped. Madhava (fl. 700), Sarngadhara (fl. 1300), and Bhavamisra (fl. 1500) compiled works on Indian medicine. The medical works of both Sushruta and Charaka were translated into the Arabic language during the Abbasid Caliphate (ca. 750). These Arabic works made their way into Europe via intermediaries. In Italy, the Branca family of Sicily and Gaspare Tagliacozzi (Bologna) became familiar with the techniques of Sushruta.

British physicians traveled to India to see rhinoplasty being performed by native methods. Reports on Indian rhinoplasty were published in the Gentleman's Magazine in 1794. Joseph Constantine Carpue spent 20 years in India studying local plastic surgery methods. Carpue was able to perform the first major surgery in the western world in 1815. Instruments described in the Sushruta Samhita were further modified in the Western World.
Current status
A typical ayurvedic Pharmacy, Rishikesh.
India

According to some sources up to 80 percent of people in India use some form of traditional medicines, a category which includes Ayurveda.

In 1970, the Indian Medical Central Council Act which aims to standardize qualifications for ayurveda and provide accredited institutions for its study and research was passed by the Parliament of India. In India, over 100 colleges offer degrees in traditional ayurvedic medicine. The Indian government supports research and teaching in ayurveda through many channels at both the national and state levels, and helps institutionalize traditional medicine so that it can be studied in major towns and cities. The state-sponsored Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has been set up to research the subject. To fight biopiracy and unethical patents, the Government of India, in 2001, set up the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library as repository of 1200 formulations of various systems of Indian medicine, such as ayurveda, unani and siddha.[36][37] The library also has 50 traditional ayurveda books digitized and available online.

Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) a statutory body established in 1971, under Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, monitors higher education in ayurveda. Many clinics in urban and rural areas are run by professionals who qualify from these institutes.
Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan tradition of Ayurveda is very similar to the Indian tradition. Practitioners of Ayurveda in Sri Lanka refer to texts on the subject written in Sanskrit, which are common to both countries. However, they do differ in some aspects, particularly in the herbs used.

The Sri Lankan government has established a Ministry of Indigenous Medicine (established in 1980) to revive and regulate the practice within the country The Institute of Indigenous Medicine (affiliated to the University of Colombo currently offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and MD degrees in the practice of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery, and similar degrees in unani medicine.

There are currently 62 Ayurvedic Hospitals and 208 central dispensaries in the public system, and they served almost 3 million people (approximately 11 percent of Sri Lanka's total population) in 2010. In total there are currently approximately 20,000 registered practitioners of Ayurveda in the country.

Many Sri Lankan hotels and resorts offer Ayurveda themed packages, where guests are treated to a wide array of Ayurveda treatments during their stay.
Outside South Asia

Due to different laws and medical regulations in the rest of the world, the unregulated practice and commercialization of ayurvedic medicine has raised ethical and legal issues; in some cases, this damages the reputation of ayurvedic medicine outside India.
Scientific appraisal
In studies in mice, the leaves of Terminalia arjuna have been shown to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.

As a traditional medicine, many ayurveda products have not been tested in rigorous scientific studies and clinical trials. In India, research in ayurveda is undertaken by the statutory body of the Central Government, the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS), through a national network of research institutes.[48] A systematic review of ayurveda treatments for rheumatoid arthritis concluded that there was insufficient evidence, as most of the trials were not done properly, and the one high-quality trial showed no benefits. A review of ayurveda and cardiovascular disease concluded that the evidence for ayurveda was not convincing, though some herbs seemed promising.

Two varieties of Salvia have been tested in small trials; one trial provided evidence that Salvia lavandulifolia (Spanish sage) may improve word recall in young adults, and another provided evidence that Salvia officinalis (Common sage) may improve symptoms in Alzheimer's patients. Many plants used as rasayana (rejuvenation) medications are potent antioxidants. Neem appears to have beneficial pharmacological properties.
Safety

Rasa shastra, the practice of adding metals, minerals or gems to herbs, may have toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury and arsenic.

Adverse reactions to herbs due to their pharmacology are described in traditional ayurvedic texts, but ayurvedic practitioners are reluctant to admit that herbs could be toxic and that reliable information on herbal toxicity is not readily available. And there is communication gap between modern medicine practitioners and Ayurvedic practitioners

According to a 1990 study on ayurvedic medicines in India, 41 percent of the products tested contained arsenic, and 64 percent contained lead and mercury.

A 2004 study found toxic levels of heavy metals in 20 percent of ayurvedic preparations made in South Asia and sold in the Boston area, and concluded that ayurvedic products posed serious health risks and should be tested for heavy-metal contamination.

A 2008 study of more than 230 products found that approximately 20 percent of remedies (and 40 percent of rasa shastra medicines) purchased over the Internet from both US and Indian suppliers contained lead, mercury or arsenic.

In 2012 Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Washington states in its report that Ayurvedic drugs has links to lead poisoning on the basis of some cases presented where some pregnant woman had taken Ayurvedic drugs toxic materials were found in their blood.

Ayurvedic proponents believe that the toxicity of these materials is reduced through purification processes such as samskaras or shodhanas (for metals), similar to the Chinese pao zhi, although the ayurvedic technique is more complex and may involve prayers as well as physical pharmacy techniques. However, these products have nonetheless caused severe lead poisoning and other toxic effects.

Due to these concerns, the Government of India ruled that ayurvedic products must specify their metallic content directly on the labels of the product, but, writing on the subject for Current Science, a publication of the Indian Academy of Sciences, M. S. Valiathan noted that "the absence of post-market surveillance and the paucity of test laboratory facilities [in India] make the quality control of Ayurvedic medicines exceedingly difficult at this time.

Approach

The three doṣas and the 5 elements from which they are composed.

Several philosophers in India combined religion and traditional medicine—notable examples being that of Hinduism and ayurveda. Shown in the image is the philosopher Nagarjuna—known chiefly for his doctrine of the Madhyamaka (middle path)—who wrote medical works The Hundred Prescriptions and The Precious Collection, among others.

Cataract in human eye – magnified view seen on examination with a slit lamp. Cataract surgery was known to the physician Sushruta in the early centuries of the first millennium AD, and was performed with a special tool called the jabamukhi salaka, a curved needle used to loosen the obstructing phlegm and push it out of the field of vision. The eye would later be soaked with warm butter and then bandaged.

In studies in mice, the leaves of Terminalia arjuna have been shown to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.

courtesy : Wikipedia

Major health care event weeks in September 2012

2012-08-24T12:46:00.003+04:00

Health Care Weeks - September 2012

Major health care events weeks across the world

Event	Date	Nation	Organization
National Asthma Week	Sat 1st Sep - Thu 6th Sep 2012 [Begins In 8 Days]	Australia	Asthma Foundation
Migraine Awareness Week	Sun 2nd Sep - Sat 8th Sep 2012 [Begins In 9 Days]	United Kingdom	Migraine Action
National Suicide Prevention Week	Sun 9th Sep - Sat 15th Sep 2012 [Begins In 16 Days]	United States	American Association of Suicidology
National Stroke Week	Mon 10th Sep - Sun 16th Sep 2012 [Begins In 17 Days]	Australia	Stroke Foundation
Sexual Health Week	Mon 10th Sep - Sun 16th Sep 2012 [Begins In 17 Days]	United Kingdom	FPA
Reye's Syndrome Awareness Week	Sun 16th Sep - Sat 22nd Sep 2012 [Begins In 23 Days]	United States	National Reye's Syndrome Foundation
National Eczema Week	Sun 23rd Sep - Sat 29th Sep 2012 [Begins In 30 Days]	United Kingdom	National Eczema Society

Anoop Shankar Musical Nite

2012-08-15T14:02:00.001+04:00

Malabar Hospitals is proud to be associated with Making Waves for the Anoop Shankar Musical Nite at the Taj Gateway on Aug 23rd 2012 6:00 PM

Ramadan Ghabqa by Indian Doctors Forum Kuwait

2012-08-07T12:35:00.000+04:00

Many well known figures in Kuwait attended the Ramadan Ghabqa organized by the Indian Doctors Forum here in kuwait at Salmiya Crown Plaza. From Ministry sided Under secretary of Ministry of Labour Mr. Mohammed Al Kandari and other prominent peoples both from public and Goverment sector took part in the function.

The Function began with the reading of the holy Quraan, Dr Jagannath, IDF General Secretary gave the welcome speech and IDF President Dr Amir Ahmad gave the presidential address. Dr Hasan Ali Khan gave the Ramadan message and spoke of the importance of fasting during Ramadan.

Chief Guest H.E. Satish Mehta spoke on the occasion.

Program ended with vote of thanks by Dr Vinod Grover.
Dinner was served and grigian gifts where distributed.

World Blood Donor Day . ലോക രക്തദാന ദിനം .

2012-06-14T15:28:00.001+04:00

ഇന്ന് ലോക രക്തദാന ദിനം.

'ഹൃദയത്തില്‍ നിന്ന് സ്നേഹം സിരകളില്‍ നിന്ന് രക്തം...
ഒരു മനുഷ്യന്‍ മറ്റൊരാള്‍ക്ക്‌ ഇതില്പരമെന്തു നല്‍കാനാവും...'
രക്ത ബന്ധത്തേക്കാള്‍ ഉപരിയായി വേറെ ഒന്നും ഇല്ല . ഇതിനെക്കാള്‍ വലുതായി മറ്റൊരു ദാനവും ഇല്ല . നിങ്ങള്‍ ദാനം ചെയ്യുന്ന രക്തം ഒരു വ്യക്തിയുടെ ജീവന്‍ രക്ഷിക്കുന്നു എങ്കില്‍ ഒരു പക്ഷെ നിങ്ങളുടെ ജീവിതത്തിലെ ഏറ്റവും വിലപ്പെട്ട സേവനം ആയിരിക്കും . രക്ത ദാനം ദാതാവിന് ഒരു കോട്ടവും വരുത്തുന്നില്ല നേട്ടങ്ങള്‍ അല്ലാതെ .
ആരോഗ്യമുള്ള 18 നും 50 നും മദ്ധ്യേ പ്രായമുള്ള ആര്‍ക്കും രക്തം ദാനം ചെയ്യാവുന്നതാണ് സ്വമേധയാ രക്തദാനത്തിനായി എല്ലാവരെയും സന്നദ്ധരാക്കുക എന്നതാണ് ഈ ദിനാചരണത്തിന്‍റെ ലക്‍ഷ്യം. രക്തം അമൂല്യമാണ്. മനുഷ്യരക്തത്തിനു പകരമായി ഒന്നും ഇതുവരെ വൈദ്യശാസ്ത്രം കണ്ടെത്തിയിട്ടില്ല. പ്രായപൂര്‍ത്തിയായ ഒരാളിന്‍റെ ശരീരത്തില്‍ ശരാശരി 5 ലിറ്റര്‍ രക്തം ഉണ്ടാകും. ആരോഗ്യമുള്ള ഏതൊരാള്‍ക്കും മൂന്നു മാസത്തിലൊരിക്കല്‍ രക്തം ദാനം ചെയ്യാവുന്നതാണ്. സാധാരണ 350 മില്ലി ലിറ്റര്‍ രക്തമാണ് ശേഖരിക്കുന്നത്. രക്തം ദാനം ചെയ്താല്‍ ചുരുങ്ങിയ സമയത്തിനുള്ളില്‍ അത്രയും രക്തം പുതുതായി ശരീരം ഉല്‍പ്പാദിപ്പിക്കും.

രക്തദാനം ശീലമാക്കു... ഈ ജന്മം അമൂല്യമാക്കൂ...

World Blood Donor Day 2012

On 14 June, countries worldwide celebrate World Blood Donor Day with events to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.
The theme of the 2012 World Blood Donor Day campaign, “Every blood donor is a hero” focuses on the idea that every one of us can become a hero by giving blood. While recognizing the silent and unsung heroes who save lives every day through their blood donations, the theme also strongly encourages more people all over the world to donate blood voluntarily and regularly.

World Blood Donor Day 2012 - Every blood donor is a hero

National Institute of Haematology, Viet Nam

On 14 June, countries worldwide celebrate World Blood Donor Day with events to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. The theme of the 2012 World Blood Donor Day campaign, “Every blood donor is a hero” focuses on the idea that every one of us can become a hero by giving blood. While recognizing the silent and unsung heroes who save lives every day through their blood donations, the theme also strongly encourages more people all over the world to donate blood voluntarily and regularly.

The journey of blood: from one life to another

June 2012

Blood is vital for life. Despite ongoing efforts, it will still be many years before artificial blood substitutes can widely replace the donated human blood. A nation can meet all its need for blood if only 1% to 3% of its population donate.
Voluntary blood donors are the safest source of blood, compared to people who donate for family members in emergencies or who give blood for payment. WHO is advocating that all countries move to a system of regular voluntary blood donation to meet their needs. It is essential that every nation has a stable pool of healthy donors who donate blood regularly.
The journey from the time blood is donated to when it is transfused is a complex one as it needs to be tested, stored and transported prior to use. Transfusion services face the challenge of providing blood that is safe and adequate to meet the rising demand.

10 facts on blood transfusion

February 2012

Blood transfusion saves lives and improves health, but many patients requiring transfusion do not have timely access to safe blood. The need for blood transfusion may arise at anytime in both urban and rural areas. The unavailability of blood has lead to deaths and many patients suffering from ill-health.
Around 92 million units of blood donations are collected globally every year. Nearly 50% of these blood donations are collected in high-income countries, home to 15% of the world’s population.
An adequate and reliable supply of safe blood can be assured by a stable base of regular, voluntary, unpaid blood donors. Regular, voluntary, unpaid blood donors are also the safest group of donors as the prevalence of bloodborne infections is lowest among these donors.

World Asthma Day 2012

2012-05-11T14:18:00.006+04:00

World Asthma Day 2012

Tue 1st May 2012

The aim of World Asthma Day is to raise awareness, care and support for those affected by asthma. Whilst the primary focus is supporting the person with asthma, support may also extend to family, friends and caregivers.
Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs which causes breathing problems. Symptoms of asthma include breathlessness, coughing, wheezing and a feeling of tightness in the chest. These symptoms vary in frequency and severity. When the symptoms are not under control, the airways can become inflamed making breathing difficult. Whilst asthma can not be cured, the symptoms can be controlled enabling people with asthma to live full lives.

World Asthma Day is supported by the organization GINA, the Global Initiative for Asthma which works with health care groups around the world to help raise awareness. GINA is an initiative taken by the US based National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLB). World Asthma Day is also supported by the World Asthma Foundation.

The World Asthma Foundation Supports This Day

World Asthma Day was established in 1998; the first event was set to coincide with the first World Asthma Meeting (WAM) in Barcelona, Spain. Over 35 countries were involved. Over time, World Asthma Day has grown and is widely recognized as the worlds most important asthma awareness event.

The World Asthma Foundation Supports This Day

As with many other awareness events, a theme is often set for this day which provides a focus for activities.
During previous World Asthma Days, the theme had been 'Reduce The Burden Of Asthma'. People with asthma were made aware of positive steps they can take to help them cope with their condition.

Positive Steps For Coping With Asthma

Prepare a personal asthma management plan with the help of doctor. The management plan is tailored to the person with asthma and will cover which medications should be taken at certain times during the day and which risk factors of asthma to avoid.
Take relevant medications prescribed by your doctor which relieve symptoms of asthma and control related inflammation and swelling of the airways.
Educate yourself about the risk factors of asthma which can bring on symptoms and make the condition worse.
Learn to recognize when the symptoms are becoming worse.
Be prepared in case you have an asthma attack. This could include carrying a card which informs others about your condition and gives instructions on what to do when you have a severe asthma attack.

For 2012, (and for a number of preceding years) the theme has been 'You Can Control Your Asthma'. This theme coincides with GINA's campaign to reduce worldwide asthma hospitalizations by half, by the year 2015. By educating people with asthma how to control their symptoms, it is hoped that the incidence of severe asthma attacks will fall and also the subsequent number of hospital visits.

Activities & Resources Which Raise Awareness

GINA provides many free resources for health care organizations, charities and members of the public who wish to organize their own awareness activities for World Asthma Day. World Asthma Day activities may include:

free asthma screening clinics at a local surgery or hospitalizations

arranging media advertisements (radio, TV, internet)
organizing debates about local factors which can affect asthma sufferers
setting up a free asthma telephone help line
educating children about asthma in a fun manner using games

Ideas for fund raising events include, sponsored activities such as walks, swims and runs.
For more information please visit the dedicated World Asthma Day website.

World Health Day 2012

2012-04-10T09:42:00.000+04:00

World Health Day is on the 7th of April each year. This day marks the anniversary of the World Health Organization which was founded in 1948.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is the leading global health authority within the United Nations System. The work of WHO is varied and can mostly be summarized through their 6 point agenda. WHO:

Promote Development – poverty is linked to poor health; by promoting development poverty falls and the overall health of a given population improves.
Fosters Health Security – WHO takes steps to increase health security by reducing health risks from outbreaks of new, existing & mutating diseases.
Strengthens Health Systems – in poorer countries many health systems are inadequate. WHO strengthens these systems through various means which may include the provision of funding, access to drugs and relevant technology, data collection systems and trained staff.
Harnesses information, research and evidence – WHO uses evidence as a sound basis for setting health priorities, strategies and measuring results. In consultation with leading health experts, WHO provides authoritative health information.

World Health Day Details

Coverage	Worldwide
Month	April
Duration	1 Day
Date	Sat 7th Apr 2012

Organization	World Health Organization

Enhances Partnerships – WHO works closely with many health organizations around the world. WHO aims to improve or enhance the work of these organizations by encouraging them to use their evidence based practices and follow their technical guidelines when implementing their health programs.
Improves Performance – WHO also strives to improve the performance of its own organization. In order to improve the performance or effectiveness of an organization there needs to be clear results which can be measured and compared. WHO improves performance by implementing results based management, which provide clear results and goals which can be measured on a regional, country or international level.

WHO use the anniversary of their founding day not only as an opportunity to celebrate the organization and its work but also as an opportunity to highlight a current global health priority.
For each World Health Day, WHO designates a health challenge or theme. Previous years themes have included:

Road Safety (2005)
Shape The Future Of Life (2003)
Protecting Health From Climate Change (2008)
International Health Security (2007)
Anti micro-bacterial Resistance: No Action Today No Cure Tomorrow (2011)

The theme for 2012 World Health Day is 'Aging and Health'. As with other years themes, this theme is set in accordance to what WHO regards as current health issues within the world. The worlds population is aging; people are living longer.
WHO provides a toolkit to event organizers which includes the materials such as:

aging and health information
advice on how to engage with the media and use social networks to promote the day
a list of technical and communication support contacts
clearly defined messages and calls to action
information on how to plan and run events and campaigns

The slogan for 2012 World Health Day is: 'Good Health Adds Life To Years'. This slogan helps reflect the WHO message that when people improve their health they enjoy fuller lives without the burden of health complications such as pain or disability, remain productive for longer and continue to contribute more to society.
A key message of this day is that older people in good health are a valuable resource and should be valued.

Cesarean Awareness Month April 2012

2012-03-29T10:49:00.000+04:00

Cesarean Awareness Month aims to raise awareness and educate people about cesareans.
This awareness campaign supports a reduction in the number of cesareans in mothers who do not really need or who will not benefit from this procedure when compared to a vaginal birth. Cesarean Awareness Month also promotes Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) and support for recovery from a cesarean.

Raising Awareness About Cesarean Section

A cesarean section is a surgical operation in which a baby is delivered through a cut in the front wall of the abdomen and womb. This procedure is often used when a vaginal birth carries a higher risk of complications. For example, a cesarean section may be performed when:

A baby is in a feet first position (breech position).
The mother has gone into premature labor.
The labor does not progress in a normal manner.
There is a viral infection (such as hepatitis C or HIV).
The mother has placenta praevia; a condition in which the placenta is low lying and covers part of the entrance to the womb.






Becoming Aware Of The Increasing Trend Towards Cesarean Section In the US and in many other countries the proportion of cesarean sections has risen steadily in recent years and this rise is not due to a rise in complications listed above. In the US, the 2007 cesarean section rate was about 32%; for every 3 births one was by cesarean section, compared to about 5%, or 1 in 20, during the mid 1960's. The reasons for this rise have been widely debated and may be due to many factors. These include a rise in multiple births, an increase in obesity in pregnant women, and a rise in the number of older women giving birth. Induced labor is also more commonplace and is associated with a rise in C-Sections. Couple these factors with a trend in healthcare providers and health insurance companies generally favoring cesarean section over vaginal birth, and we can begin to understand this higher rate. Lack Of Awareness Of Cesarean Complications There is also a lack of awareness in mothers that cesarean sections are a major operation which carries its own potential complications. This surgery can lead to increased risk of infection, blood clots, intense longer lasting pain, and repeat hospital visits as a result. Health professionals do not always give expectant mothers an informed choice, favoring cesarean section over a vaginal birth. This may be due to a fear that there is greater risk of being sued if there are complications with vaginal birth when compared to cesarean section. Whilst current rates are over 30% in the US, there is evidence which suggests that a cesarean section rate of about 5-10% is optimal in terms of best outcome for mothers and babies. Cesarean Awareness Month aims to make expectant mothers aware that vaginal births can often be a choice they can take over cesarean section.

World Kidney Day - 8th March

2012-03-09T18:01:00.000+04:00

Kidney diseases are increasing very rapidly to epidemic proportions worldwide. In order to increase public awareness about kidney diseases, World Kidney Day (WKD) is observed on the second Thursday of March every year. This year, it falls on 8^th March.

World Kidney day is a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF).

Mission statement:

The mission of World Kidney Day is to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.

Our objectives are the following:
Raise awareness about our "amazing kidneys"
Highlight that diabetes and high blood pressure are key risk factors for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Encourage systematic screening of all patients with diabetes and hypertension for CKD
Encourage preventive behaviors
Educate all medical professionals about their key role in detecting and reducing the risk of CKD, particularly in high risk populations.
Stress the important role of local and national health authorities in controlling the CKD epidemic. Health authorities worldwide will have to deal with high and escalating costs if no action is taken to treat the growing number of people with CKD. On World Kidney Day all governments are encouraged to take action and invest in further kidney screening
Encourage Transplantation as a best-outcome option for kidney failure, and the act of organ donation as a life-saving initiative.

‘Protect your kidneys save your heart’.

addressing kidney disease early is one way of preventing any damage to kidneys & will have a positive impact on helping to reduce cardiovascular diseases as well.

If detected early, Chronic Kidney Diseases can be treated--thereby reducing other complications and dramatically reduce the growing burden of deaths and disability from chronic renal and cardiovascular disease worldwide.

Red Cross Month March

2012-03-08T23:41:00.000+04:00

About American Red Cross - ARC

The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 by Clara Barton and is the United States premier emergency response organization. The American Red Cross is part of a worldwide organization which offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war.

In the United States around 4 million people give blood to the Red Cross, making this organization the largest supplier of blood and products in the country.
The American Red Cross is not funded by the government. They rely on donations of time, money and blood to keep the organization running.
Over the years, the American Red Cross has expanded its services. These include:

Disaster Services - the American Red Cross supports victims of disasters including fires, floods, earthquakes, heat waves and hurricanes. This support helps to 'pick up the pieces' after the disaster and make take the form of: medical help food safety water treatment financial help emergency accommodation

Blood Services - the American Red Cross serves more than three thousand hospitals throughout the United States

Communications Between Military Members and Families - the American Red Cross facilities communications between those serving in the Armed Forces in important events around the world and their family members back home.

Health and Safety Safety Services - these include health and safety training in wide range of areas. From CPR and blood bourne pathogens training to HIV/AID education. From swimming and life guarding to American Red Cross Preparedness programs which help people lead healthier and safer lives.

International Services - these include helping vulnerable people worldwide to prevent, prepare for and respond to: disasters life-threatening health conditions complex humanitarian emergencies

Volunteer Services - there are various opportunities to help the American Red Cross. Opportunities include: Disaster Services HIV/AIDS mentoring Health and Safety instructors Blood donor recruiter Youth group liaison Speakers Special Projects

Youth Services - The Red Cross have been partners with the Junior Red Cross since it was founded in 1917. Services include: Disaster Response Leadership Development Health and Safety Services Biomedical Services School Related Activities International Services

Nursing - over 30 000 nurses are involved in paid and volunteer capacities at all levels and in all service areas throughout the American Red Cross. Nursing services include: Functioning in governance roles Teaching and development courses: including CPR, first aid, Nurse Assistant Training Direct services including local Disaster Action Teams, volunteer in military clinics and hospitals, first aid stations, blood collection teams and health fairs.

World AIDS Day

2011-12-09T16:52:00.001+04:00

World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988.Every year World AIDS Day events take place across the country to raise awareness and show support for people living with HIV.

More than 90,000 people are currently living with HIV in the UK and globally an estimated 33.3 million people have HIV. More than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.
Today, many scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. But despite this, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others from HIV, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with HIV. World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

International Osteoporosis Day 20th October

2011-10-21T10:02:00.002+04:00

For this year’s World Osteoporosis Day (October 20), IOF calls on the public and health professionals around the world to take action for bone health and osteoporosis prevention. The global campaign, launched in more than six languages, urges people of all ages to take three essential steps to set a strong foundation for healthy bones and muscles:

1. Ensure you have enough vitamin D intake (through safe exposure to sunlight, diet, and supplementation if required, particularly if you are over 60)
2. Eat a calcium and protein-rich diet
3. Keep active with daily weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening physical activity

Osteoporosis is often called a ‘silent disease’ because it has few symptoms. However, unless the disease is treated, the skeleton becomes progressively weaker and more fragile, leaving people at serious risk of debilitating fractures.

Around the world, at least one in three women and one in five men over the age of fifty will suffer a fracture caused by weak bones. Fractures result in pain, debilitation and loss of quality of life. One in three seniors who suffers a hip fracture becomes physically impaired and loses his or her ability to live independently. At least one in five will die within a year of the fracture. Vertebral (spine) fractures can cause extreme pain, long or short term disability, dowager’s hump, and significant loss in quality of life. Without treatment, the risk of suffering new fractures is high.

Make sure you take action for your bone health! Osteoporosis and fracture prevention must be a priority for us all.

Osteoporosis report pdf click here

Contact details for International Osteoporosis Foundation address phone fax & website

Name: International Osteoporosis Foundation

(INF)

Address: 9, rue Juste-Olivier

Nyon

CH-1260

Switzerland

Telephone: 22 994 0100

Fax: 22 994 0101

Website: www.iofbonehealth.org

About International Osteoporosis Foundation - INF

Established in 1998, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is a registered not for profit organization dedicated to:

motivating - individuals to take action to diagnose, prevent and treat osteoporosis
raising - awareness and increasing understanding of osteoporosis
supporting - osteoporosis societies throughout the world in order to maximize their effectiveness

Activities of the International Osteoporosis Foundation include:

nurturing and expanding the International Osteoporosis Foundation network of osteoporosis societies worldwide
promoting - innovations within the medical community and improving care
lobbying - for changes to policy in countries throughout the world with the aim for diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis to become standard
expanding partnerships with other organizations working in similar fields to the the IOF

World Heart Day 29 September

2011-09-30T15:17:00.001+04:00

World Heart Day was created in 2000 to inform people around the globe that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.1 million lives each year.
Together with its members, the World Heart Federation spreads the news that at least 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided if the main risk factors, tobacco, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, are controlled.
World Heart Day will take place on 29 September each year.

National activities such as public talks and screenings, walks and runs, concerts or sporting events are organized worldwide by members and partners of the World Heart Federation.
In 2010, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of World Heart Day the World Heart Federation launched the ‘State of the Heart’ CVD Report.

Contact details for World Heart Federation address phone fax & website

Name: World Heart Federation

(WHF)

Address: 7, rue des Battoirs

Switzerland

Telephone: (+41 22) 807 03 20

Fax: (+41 22) 807 03 39

Website: www.worldheart.org

About World Heart Federation - WHF

The World Heart Federation helps people achieve a better and longer life through prevention and control of heart disease and stroke.
Activities, programs and campaigns run by the World Heart Federation include:

World Heart Day
Go Red For Women
Children and Youth
Workplace Wellness
Sesame Workshop
Advocacy
China - Bridging the Gap

World No Tobacco Day

2011-05-31T10:01:00.001+04:00

31 May 2011 marks the World No Tobacco Day and following the leadership of the World Health Organization (WHO) anti-smoking initiatives all around the globe are driving home an urgent message: Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death today. Every year 5.4 million people worldwide die of tobacco-related cancer or cardio-vascular illnesses. Unless action is taken now, that figure is likely to increase to more than 8 million a year by 2030.
The link between tobacco and lung cancer is conclusive. Yet in spite of growing awareness in many countries, a WHO report published earlier this year showed that governments around the world continue to collect up to 500 times more money in tobacco taxes each year than they spend on anti-tobacco efforts. And not one country has fully implemented all six internationally agreed key tobacco control measures at the highest level. The report also revealed that the smoking epidemic is shifting to the developing world where, by 2030, 80 percent of tobacco-related deaths are expected to occur.

first no tobacco day poster.
Join the Cause..... quit Tobacco products today...........

Womens Day Special

2011-03-08T12:08:00.000+04:00

International Womens Day, we present before you 'SNEHASPARSHAM' along with IMA Calicut for Kudumbasree-India's largest Women Empowerment Organisation. We will be conducting 9 weeks camp for nearly 450 Kudumbasree employees free of cost.

Panchakarma Therapy Course

2011-01-30T12:42:00.001+04:00

Panchakarma Therapy CourseMH Academy in association with Ignou - Oleena Community College started Certificate course in Ayaurveda Panchakarma Therapy. The aim of the course is to help youngsters grow a career in Panchakarma .

Name:	International Osteoporosis Foundation
	(INF)
Address:	9, rue Juste-Olivier
	Nyon
	CH-1260
	Switzerland
Telephone:	22 994 0100
Fax:	22 994 0101
Website:	www.iofbonehealth.org

Name:	World Heart Federation
	(WHF)
Address:	7, rue des Battoirs
	Switzerland
Telephone:	(+41 22) 807 03 20
Fax:	(+41 22) 807 03 39
Website:	www.worldheart.org

MALABAR HOSPITALS

Fetal Sex Plays Role in Immunity of Pregnant Women

First Aid in case of severed body part

First Aid in case of Bleeding wound

First Aid in case of foregin body in ear and nose

Everything about Milk

A precise stem cell signaling process

First Aids - CPR - cardiopulmonary resuscitation

CPR

Tahini or Grinded sesame seeds

Health benefits of Tahini

How its made

Health Benefits of Tahini

ലോക വൃക്കദിനം

About Ayurveda

Approach

Major health care event weeks in September 2012

Health Care Weeks - September 2012

Anoop Shankar Musical Nite

Ramadan Ghabqa by Indian Doctors Forum Kuwait

World Blood Donor Day . ലോക രക്തദാന ദിനം .

World Blood Donor Day 2012

World Blood Donor Day 2012 - Every blood donor is a hero

The journey of blood: from one life to another

10 facts on blood transfusion

World Asthma Day 2012

World Asthma Day 2012

Tue 1st May 2012

The World Asthma Foundation Supports This Day

Positive Steps For Coping With Asthma

Activities & Resources Which Raise Awareness

World Health Day 2012

World Health Day Details

Cesarean Awareness Month April 2012

Becoming Aware Of The Increasing Trend Towards Cesarean Section

Lack Of Awareness Of Cesarean Complications

World Kidney Day - 8th March

Mission statement:

Our objectives are the following:

Red Cross Month March

World AIDS Day

International Osteoporosis Day 20th October

About International Osteoporosis Foundation - INF

World Heart Day 29 September

About World Heart Federation - WHF

World No Tobacco Day

Womens Day Special

Panchakarma Therapy Course