Teething troubles

Stay away from the dentist's chair... a quick guide to dental hygiene for all ages

From brushing your teeth twice daily to paying a visit to the dentist, no amount of care is enough when it comes to your teeth. A painful tooth will always make you wince. Dr Ashok Dhoble, Hon. Secretary General, Indian Dental Association, tells you all about oral care throughout your life. 1
ORAL CARE FOR YOUR BABY
    Taking care of
your baby's teeth is important because these allow him/her to eat a good diet, allow for proper jaw growth, give the face its form and appearance, assist in the formation of proper speech, and most important, act as "space savers" for adult teeth. If baby teeth are damaged or destroyed, they can't help guide permanent teeth into their proper position, resulting in crowded or crooked permanent teeth.
WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW
» There are a number of problems that affect the oral health of children, including tooth decay, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, lip sucking, and early tooth loss. » Breast milk can cause tooth decay as well. As these liquids break down in the mouth into simple sugars and are allowed to sit in the mouth, bacteria start feeding on the sugars, causing tooth decay. » Use a wet cloth to wipe your child's teeth and gums after each feeding. This helps remove any bacteria-forming plaque and excess sugar that have built up on the teeth and gums. 2
ORAL CARE FOR YOUR TOT
Just follow these
simple tips to help your tot get strong teeth and gums
» Teach your child to brush twice a day with accepted fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque - the sticky film on teeth causing tooth decay. » Give your child a peasized amount of toothpaste and make sure he/she doesn't swallow the paste. » Thumb sucking after age four can lead to crooked, crowded teeth and/or bite problems, so make sure this habit is dropped early. » Make sure that your child's drinking water is fluoridated. If your water supply, municipal, well or bottled does not contain fluoride, your dentist or pediatrician may prescribe daily fluoride supplements. » Take your child to the dentist for regular checkups. 3
ORAL CARE FOR TEENAGERS
As a teen, the best
way for you to enjoy a nice smile and healthy teeth, irrespective of wearing braces or other orthodontic treatment is to continue the good oral habits that you started early in childhood.
DENTAL ISSUES FOR TEENAGERS
»ORTHODONTICS: An orthodontic evaluation will determine if you need braces, and what type of treatment is right for you. If a person wears braces, extra care should be taken to properly clean teeth. »SMOKING: If you don't smoke or chew tobacco, don't start. In addition to other health problems, smoking can stain your teeth and gums, stain the tartar build-up on your teeth and contribute to bad breath. »ORAL PIERCING: If you're considering oral piercing let your dentist know; he or she can help you make the safest choices. »EATING DISORDERS: Both bulimia (binge-eating and vomiting) and anorexia (an inordinate fear of gaining weight often resulting in vomiting) are serious disorders that directly affect the appearance of teeth by eroding the tooth enamel. While a dentist can correct the deteriorated tooth enamel, he or she cannot treat the actual eating disorder — a potential lifethreatening condition that requires addressing psychological issues of self-image and self-control. 4
ORAL CARE FOR ADULTS
The key to keeping a
bright, healthy smile throughout adulthood is to practise proper oral hygiene. Even as an adult you can get cavities and gum disease, which can lead to serious problems. The best way out is to continue to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily to remove plaque between your teeth, limit sugary or starchy foods, especially sticky snacks and visit your dentist regularly for professional cleaning and checkup.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
»Gum disease begins as gingivitis, which in this early stage is still reversible. Symptoms of gingivitis include red, swollen or tender gums that tend to bleed when you brush them. If you notice any of these symptoms, see your dentist before serious problems develop. »The health of your gums can also affect your overall health. Recent studies have shown a possible link between periodontitis (a gum disease) and other diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and a possible link to premature births. 5
ORAL CARE FOR SENIORS
Teeth can last a lifetime with proper home care and regular dental checkups. Nevertheless, there can be issues too.
DENTAL ISSUES FOR SENIORS
»Dry mouth is a common condition in seniors, one that may be caused by medications or certain medical disorders. Left untreated, dry mouth can damage your teeth. Consult your dentist on ways to restore saliva in your mouth. »Existing health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, can affect your oral health. Be sure to let your dentist know of any general health issues you're facing. »Dentures can make life easier for many seniors, but they require special care. Follow your dentist's instructions carefully in this regard.

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Turmeric may help prevent osteoporosis

 Arecently published study by Janet Funk of the University of Arizona College of Medicine adds to the literature supporting the potential health benefits of turmeric, showing that it may be an effective resource for preventing osteoporosis, or bone loss, a significant concern for postmenopausal women, among others. The study findings also point to characteristics of the turmeric tested that may determine its efficacy.
    Turmeric comes from a plant that is related to ginger. It is a mainstay of Indian cooking, and it has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine as a treatment for a variety of ills, from stomach ache to arthritis. Commercially produced turmeric is consumed widely as a spice and is readily available as a dietary supplement.
    Funk, an endocrinologist, has studied turmeric for several years, working with carefully characterised extracts that have been processed specifically for her research.
    In earlier studies that she conducted to assess the antiarthritic effects of turmeric, Funk discovered that it not only prevented arthritis, but also prevented the development of bone cells that foster bone resorption and bone destruction around the joint in a model of rheumatoid arthritis.
    To study whether turmeric might prevent bone loss occurring with postmenopausal osteoporosis, Funk's team evaluated and compared two turmeric extracts analogous to those that are commercially available and marketed.
    The extracts contained a mixture of three major curcuminoids – chemical substances also known as polyphenols that occur in turmeric in varying proportions. One was a complex turmeric fraction containing 41 per cent cucuminoids. The second, a curcuminoid-enriched turmeric fraction, contained 94 per cent curcuminoids and was by far the more effective in preventing loss of bone mineral density and trabecular bone, the spongy or porous bone found in the spine and hip, the types of bone areas that are most subject to fracture in post-menopausal women.
    The study appears in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

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Have an itchy eye? Keep away from steroid-based eyedrops

Mumbai: A senior researcher with a government lab thought his conjunctivitis had healed in a record time of 48 hours after his redness, itchiness and irritation disappeared soon after applying a steroid-based eye drop. But, as soon as he withdrew the drop, the infection returned with a vengeance affecting his vision and causing unbearable pain in his eyes.
    He rushed to JJ Hospital where the steroid-based eye drop was immediately replaced with an antibiotic one. Professor of ophthalmology at the hospital Dr Ragini Parekh cautioned that it was not an isolated case. And, that there were many instances where abuse of steroid drops have led to deterioration in normal conjunctivitis infections. The hospital has treated over 100 conjunctivitis cases in the last three weeks.
    Steroid-based drops, as Parekh explained, hide the infection, and give a feel good feeling to the patients. "But, the infection lies dormant and does not get killed by steroids. So as soon as the drop is discontinued, the actual infection comes out and takes a virulent form," she said. The duration of infection also gets prolonged as healing takes longer.
    Steroid drops, say city ophthalmologists, are primarily meant for post-surgical comfort, and is mostly prescribed under the cover of antibiotics. Cornea surgeon Dr Tripti Mongia of Aryan Hospital in Kurla said that every one-two out of 20 conjunctivitis cases this year had some corneal infiltration. "Normal conjunctivitis does not affect the cornea but due to improper medication the infection moves to the secondary level requiring
more aggressive management," she said. Plain antibiotics are more than enough to treat viral or bacterial conjunctivitis, she added.
Bacteria vs virus
Incidentally, the verdict is split over the issue if it is a virus or a bacteria that is responsible for the 'pinkeye syndrome' in the city. Some eyecare centres in the city like the Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital are seeing more of bacterial infections (60%), while several other centres including JJ Hospital is witnessing more of viral. Parekh said that conjunctival swabs had been sent to the hospital's microbiology laboratory for investigation. "They will look into the nature and trend of the organism this year," she said adding that reports are expected within two days.
Red in the eye
Besides, ophthalmologists are also witnessing cases of sub-conjunctival haemorrhage where patients are left with a red clot in the eye even after the infection has subsided. Cornea surgeon Dr Kavita Rao of Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital said that those were cases of bleeding on the outer surface of the cornea. "Viral infection can make the blood vessels to rupture as they become fragile," she said. "But, it is a routine occurrence and is self-resolving," she said.
Not an epidemic
The good news though is that doctors say it is still not an epidemic like situation. "Cases are more and worse than normal but not that unusually high," said ophthalmologist Dr SS Bhatti. Head of epidemiology cell of BMC Dr Daksha Shah too said that numbers are normal so far and ample medicines have been made available to civic hospitals. Till last week, civic hospitals had treated over 850 cases.
Pink-Eye Threat
Wash hands often Avoid rubbing eyes Refrain from sharing eye drops, towels, pillows, etc Stay indoors and avoid attending gatherings to curb the spread of infection Watch out for reduced vision or sensitivity to light Wear sunglasses Avoid using public swimming pools

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Coffee's 'the secret to long life'

LONDON: Sipping a hot cup of coffee daily could give you more than a healthful lift of energy. The drink helps people live longer by warding off heart disease, a study has revealed.

Researchers at the University of Athens have carried out the study and found that drinking a cup of coffee everyday improves elasticity of the arteries, which can stave off heart disease, the 'Daily Mail' reported.

In fact, the researchers have based their findings on an analysis of 485 people with high blood pressure.

The subjects of the study were all aged between 65 and 100 and long term inhabitants of Greek island of Ikaria. It is known as the "land of longevity" and a third of residents reach the age of 90.

Dr Christina Chrysohoou, who led the study, said there was conflicting evidence about the effect of coffee drinking on heart health, with some research showing it aggravated high blood pressure.

"But drinking coffee is a deeply embedded social tradition in Greek culture which made it imperative to probe on this island of 'high life-expectancy," she said.

In the study, the subjects' arteries were assessed for distensibility - or elasticity. The 56 per cent who were moderate coffee drinkers consuming between one and two cups a day, had best arterial health, with their blood vessels behaving like those found in younger people.

Their arteries were more elastic than those measured in people who drank little or no coffee. Around one in 10 who drank three or more cups a day had the least elasticity.

Dr Chrysohoou said moderate coffee drinkers consumed 25-50ml of coffee a day. Typically they were drinking strong Greek coffee but other types might work as well.

She suggested that ingredients such as caffeine and antioxidants may partly improve arterial function by increasing the ability to take up nitric oxide, which is impaired in hypertensive patients.

The findings have been released at European Society of Cardiology Congress in Stockholm.

Read more: Coffee's 'the secret to long life' - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Coffees-the-secret-to-long-life/articleshow/6473132.cms#ixzz1029IGaQm

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There’s much more to health than karela juice

In the first of a two-part series, Rujuta Diwekar debunks the popular premise of detox foods

If you think you need to 'detox' you need to think really hard. For starters think what really drives you to toxify your system. And then think what makes you think that 'detox' for 2/5/7 days will magically wipe out all the diet and lifestyle sins committed over the last 2/5/7 months or who knows years.
    Honestly, I think what we do to our bodies in the name of 'detox' is similar to what the BMC does to our neighbourhood gully two days before some big neta's visit. What happens after the netaji leaves? Our little street goes back to its dirty old self in a matter of few moments. Now what we need to do to keep our neighbourhood gully permanently clean is exactly what you will need to do to 'detox' your system. First know that it's not a one day or a one week job, it's a behaviour modification or a lifestyle change that needs to be adopted forever.
    Nutritionally what you do to your body in the name of detox is just as bad, if not worse, as things you do to your body when you are in the 'toxic' (normal) zone. 'Detox' is understood as something that you will do over few days where you will probably eat nuts, fruits, juices of various vegetable or just eat nothing to 'rest' or detoxify your system. Some really exotic detox will mean some magical potion being injected anally into your system and then all your system gets wiped clean, or so we are told. (I have never been able to understand why a running stomach is mixed with the idea of 'cleansing the system'). We subject ourselves to this torture feeling really virtous about ourselves, all the while knowing deep within our hearts that we will be back to our old dirty ways in a matter of few days, max weeks. Let's assume for a second that the torture of starving our body or limiting its intake by consuming only fruits, nuts, vegetable juices accompanied by excessive amount of water and other liquids (orally and or anally) actually cleanses and is healthy. Then why not do it for the rest of our lives? And here is the true answer, because its unsustainable. A true detox will require an approach that is reasonable, sustainable and takes into account your work timings, diet history, likes, dislikes, state of mind, exercise status, the environmental factors like humidity, heat, height from sea level etc. In short, it's hard work to come up with a detox which is not just doable (for few days) but also sustainable for the rest of our lives. Or else our life will be going along the lines of the latest buffet at five star hotels — the salad and dessert buffet. Yup, they have cracked it, they know that we are avoiding main course and eating salads in the name of detox and allowing ourselves to eat that pastry because we have 'earned it' after putting ourselves through detox.
    Here's what you really need to understand, cleansing and detoxying the system is something that needs to be practised on a daily if not hourly basis. And like the thumb rule of any cleaning process you have to begin by
    reducing the damage. The four main pillars on which our sense of wellbeing
    rests are — 1. Food, 2. Activity, 3.
    Sleep, 4. State of mind. To achieve that truly light and energetic feeling that we are hoping for after repeated attempts to detox can be achieved by reducing our abuse to these factors and simultaneously working to strengthen these pillars. Work at identifying what is your state of your mind, sleep, exercise and food patterns just before deciding to take that harsh step to 'detox'. Do you notice a sense of irresponsibility towards your body's needs? Do you typically feel like a detox after a festive season or a holiday? Is it coming from a sense of guilt or shame? Are you hoping to fit into those tight jeans or to lose weight after the detox ordeal? It's important to answer these questions if we want to get out of the salad — dessert mode. It's your responsibility to keep your body clean, smooth and light, just like it's our responsibility to put our garbage inside and not outside the BMC's garabage cans. A detox can be a disaster because it follows the now proven and well understood phenomenon — feasting and fasting or starving and stuffing. So know that other than a yo-yo weight there is nothing to achieve post a fad, whatever its name, including detox. So let's begin by getting real and by reducing the toxins that we expose our bodies to on a daily basis.
Tomorrow, I will talk of detox from the holistic angle of the four main pillars and sincerely urge you to put that glass of dudhi/ karela juice down. There is more to it than food.
(Rujuta Diwekar is the author of the popular book, Don't lose your mind, lose your weight. She is the nutrition consultant to the country's A-list)

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Reduce your blood cholesterol during National Cholesterol Week

Have you had your cholesterol checked recently? Now is the time. Cholesterol is the biggest single risk factor for heart disease, and cholesterol testing is a good way to highlight that risk.

This week in the United Kingdom has been designated National Cholesterol Week (13 – 19 September), and national charity HEART UK has organised activities and events to promote the importance of knowing your risk for cardiovascular disease.

"There is still a lot of work to be done in improving the nation's knowledge about cholesterol and also eradicating many misconceptions," says Jules Payne, Chief Executive of HEART UK. " Everyone should get their cholesterol checked, "even if you are fit, young and healthy and you don't think you are at risk," adds Payne. "It can be a silent killer with few visible symptoms and often the first sign could be a fatal heart attack."

Oily fish, such as mackerel pictured here, are among the richest sources of healthy omega-3 oils. Photo: Nazma Lakhani

One way to lower your cholesterol is to replace foods that are high in saturated fat (such as fatty meats, full-fat dairy products or ghee) with foods that contain unsaturated fats (like oily fish, spreads made from olive or sunflower oils, and avocado). Saturated fat is one of the causes of high blood cholesterol levels. Having too much saturated fat can raise your bad cholesterol levels (LDL), increasing your risk of heart disease.

• Choose lean varieties of meat and cut down on the amount of mutton and lamb served in a portion. Remove the skin from chicken and turkey as it is rich in saturated fats.
• Choose fish twice a week and make sure that one portion is an oily fish, such as mackerel, salmon, trout, herring, tuna, sardines or pilchards. Oily fish are the richest sources of healthy omega-3 oils. Avoid frying fish — you can make delicious masala fish by smothering your favourite fish with spices and tomatoes and baking it in the oven.
• Minimise the use of oils and fats used in cooking. When cooking meat-based dishes, try cooking onions and spices in the meat juices rather than frying them first.
• Butter is rich in saturated fat; use a poly or mono-unsaturated spread instead. This simple swap can help to reduce your overall saturated fat intake.
• Avoid using ghee or creamed coconut in cooking. Did you know that there are ten grams of saturated fat in just one tablespoon of ghee? Vegetable ghee is often rich in trans-fat — another bad fat — so choose oils made from rapeseed (canola), olives, corn or sunflowers instead.
• Remember, fat is often hidden in foods, so you could be eating it without realising. Mithai, like burfi and penda, are often made with ingredients like ghee, butter, condensed milk and full cream milk powder.
• Choose lower fat dairy products such as skimmed (1%) or semi-skimmed (2%) milk, low-fat yoghurt and reduced fat cheeses.

Have at least five fruits and vegetables every day, eat oily fish once or twice a week, use less salt, eat more whole grains and be more active. Photo: Nazma Lakhani

Here are some additional tips that will help you to keep your cholesterol level in check and your heart healthy:

• Reduce sugar intake by choosing lower-sugar foods and drinks. Too much sugar can increase your blood triglycerides, a type of fat in your blood. People with high triglyceride levels are at greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
• Include whole grain foods in your diet such as granary bread, and chapattis made from wholemeal flour. Increase your soluble fibre with oats, lentils (dhals), beans and fruit. Try lentil soup or warming porridge for breakfast topped with dried fruit. Whole grains have been shown to be heart-protective.
• Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day.
• Try taking a plant sterol or stanol drink daily. Some companies make yoghurts and spreads with plant sterols or stanols. You need two grams per day (check the label). Studies show that this amount can reduce your blood cholesterol by up to 15 per cent, when eaten regularly as part of a balanced diet.
• To cut down on unhealthy fat and salt generally, eat fewer fried foods like samosas, and fewer processed foods, like burgers, pastries and pies.

Be wise with your fats. Have at least five fruits and vegetables every day, eat oily fish once or twice a week, use less salt, eat more whole grains and be more active. Most importantly, if you smoke — stop!

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Food as Medicine

 

I enjoy my food.  Do you??   Very   informative - spread  the  information     Here is to your health, a good read.   Food as Medicine    HEADACHE?   EAT   FISH!    Eat   plenty of fish -- fish oil helps prevent  headaches..  So  does ginger, which  reduces inflammation and pain.    HAY   FEVER?   EAT   YOGURT!  Eat   lots of yogurt before pollen season..   Also-eat honey from  your area (local  region) daily.  TO   PREVENT STROKE   DRINK   TEA!    Prevent   build-up of fatty deposits on artery walls  with regular  doses of tea.  (actually,   tea suppresses appetite and keeps the  pounds from  invading....Green tea is great  for our immune  system)!   INSOMNIA   (CAN'T SLEEP?)   HONEY!    Use honey as a tranquilizer and  sedative..   ASTHMA?   EAT   ONIONS!!!!    Eating   onions helps ease constriction of  bronchial tubes.  (onion   packs place   on chest  helped   the respiratory ailments and actually made   breathing   better). ARTHRITIS?   EAT   FISH, TOO!!    Salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines  actually  prevent arthritis.  (fish   has omega oils, good for our immune   system)   UPSET   STOMACH?    BANANAS   - GINGER!!!!!    Bananas   will settle an upset stomach.  Ginger  will cure morning  sickness and nausea..   BLADDER   INFECTION?   DRINK   CRANBERRY  JUICE!!!!    High-acid   cranberry juice controls harmful bacteria.    BONE   PROBLEMS?   EAT   PINEAPPLE!!!    Bone fractures and osteoporosis can be  prevented by the  manganese in pineapple.   MEMORY   PROBLEMS?   EAT   OYSTERS!    Oysters   help improve your mental functioning by  supplying  much-needed zinc.   COLDS?   EAT   GARLIC!    Clear   up that stuffy head with garlic.  (remember,   garlic lowers cholesterol,  too.) COUGHING?   USE   RED PEPPERS!!    A substance similar to that found in  the cough syrups is  found in hot red  pepper. Use red (cayenne) pepper  with  caution-it can irritate your tummy.    BREAST   CANCER?    EAT   Wheat, bran and  cabbage    Helps to maintain estrogen at healthy  levels.   LUNG   CANCER?   EAT   DARK GREEN AND ORANGE AND  VEGGIES!!!   A   good antidote is beta carotene, a form of  Vitamin A found in  dark green and orange  vegetables.   ULCERS?   EAT   CABBAGE ALSO!!!    Cabbage contains chemicals that help  heal both gastric  and duodenal ulcers.   DIARRHEA?   EAT   APPLES!  Grate   an apple with its skin, let it turn brown  and eat it to cure  this condition.  (Bananas   are good for this  ailment) CLOGGED   ARTERIES?   EAT   AVOCADO!    Mono   unsaturated fat in avocados lowers  cholesterol.    HIGH   BLOOD PRESSURE?   EAT   CELERY AND OLIVE  OIL!!!    Olive oil has been shown to lower  blood pressure.   Celery contains a  chemical that lowers pressure too.    BLOOD   SUGAR IMBALANCE?   EAT   BROCCOLI AND PEANUTS!!!   The   chromium in broccoli and peanuts helps  regulate insulin and  blood sugar.   Kiwi:   Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of  potassium,  magnesium, Vitamin E &  fibre. It's Vitamin C content is  twice  that of an orange.   Apple:   An apple a day keeps the doctor away?  Although an apple has  a low Vitamin C  content, it has antioxidants &   flavonoids which enhances the activity of  Vitamin C thereby  helping to lower the  risks of colon cancer, heart  attack &  stroke..  Strawberry:   Protective fruit. Strawberries have the  highest total  antioxidant power among  major fruits & protects the body  from  cancer causing, blood vessels clogging   free radicals.(Actually,   any berry is good for you..they're high in  anti-oxidants and  they actually keep us  young...........blueberries are the best  and  very versatile in the health field........they  get rid  of all the free-radicals that  invade our  bodies) Orange :   Sweetest medicine. Taking 2 - 4 oranges a  day may help  keep colds away, lower  cholesterol, prevent  & dissolve kidney  stones as well as lessen the risk  of colon  cancer..  Watermelon:   Coolest Thirst Quencher. Composed of 92%  water, it is also  packed with a giant dose  of glutathione which helps boost  our  immune system..  They are also a key source  of  lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant.   Other  nutrients     Found in watermelon are Vitamin  C  & Potassium. (watermelon   also has natural substances [natural SPF  sources] that keep  our skin healthy,  protecting our skin from those darn UV   rays) Guava   & Papaya:   Top awards for Vitamin C. They are the  clear winners for  their high Vitamin C  content. Guava is also rich in fibre  which  helps prevent constipation.    Papaya   is rich in carotene, this is good for your  eyes.  (also   good for gas and  indigestion)   Tomatoes   are   very good as a preventative measure for  men, keeps those  prostrate problems from  invading their  bodies......GOOD   AS MEDICINE..         Very   informative - spread  the  information

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Positive vibes have definitive curative powers that often turn the tables around when medications fight a losing battle

Dr Love

Outside the world of Bollywood potboilers where emotions make a dead person come alive, the standing of love and other intangibles is often debated. Recently, this newspaper's report of a man from Nallasopara plunging into depression owing to his family's neglect made one sit up and take notice. Earlier it was the case of Mekhala Mukherjee, a schizophrenic abandoned by her family that made headlines. Doctors said if these individuals had received attention, perhaps they could have led a healthy, normal life.
    Scientific studies too are increasingly recognising the role of love and family support in one's recovery from serious ailments. Research at the University of Pittsburgh found that postmenopausal women who were optimistic were less likely to be diabetic. Another study by the Columbia University Medical Center says that positive emotions protect a person from a first heart attack.
    Here are three case studies that prove the curative powers of a few kind words and unshakeable faith. 'I KNEW SHE WOULD LIVE'
    If you don't give up on someone, they won't give up on themselves.' That was Mahesh Killa's rebuttal when told his wife Vimla won't survive for more than three years. The family was already in turmoil after she suffered a brain hemorrhage. After over a month in hospital, she went through a painful process of medication and therapists. When she just started recovering, doctors detected another aneurysm in the brain. The second surgery saved her life, but she (again) lost her memory, speech and mobility. "I decided that my wife would live irrespective of what doctors said," says Killa.
    Often, recovery after surgery is slow. The patient is flustered by a near-handicapped life and the family finds it difficult to sustain the level of care. Gradually, (s)he starts withdrawing. "I decided to jam-pack her schedule so she didn't have time for negativity. Also, we decided to never lose our cool with her," says Killa.
    Vimla was never left alone. "We constantly told her about our children's career achievements. Every small improvement in her health was conveyed to her. After she regained mobility, we'd go for movies, walks, and to the club to meet friends. We ensured she was a part of every conversation, though she couldn't speak. When she couldn't go to the club, friends came over," recalls Killa.
    Dr Abhijit Chatterjee, the family's neurophysician, says, "When the person realises that (s)he is needed, the internal motivation aids healing." Also, that she was kept busy "exercised her brain unknowingly". Vimla's recovery even surprised doctors. "Looking at the improvement, doctors refused to believe that the grim CT scan was hers," smiles Killa.
    It's been almost 16 years and Vimla has outlived the three-year concessionary life that science predicted. What worked was her family's support and most importantly, her husband's. "I knew she would live. I just knew it," he gushes.
'I AM A CONQUEROR, NOT A SURVIVOR'
    How would you determine the extent of your recovery from a terminal ailment? Neerja Malik did it by the number of movies she watched. "The first year of my battle against cancer I watched 56 movies... in the theatre!" laughs the 56-year-old. This humour, coupled with a positive attitude and unending support of dear ones, helped Neerja beat breast cancer twice — in
1998 and in 2004. "I am not a survivor, I am a conqueror," she quips.
    It was an ominous date when she was diagnosed the first time — February 13, 1998. Even as surgery arrangements were being made at her native Chennai, her Mumbai-based family urged her to fly here for treatment and TLC. "In all 25 people came to see me off at the airport. Here I was received by as large a group and every day I had visitors," recalls Neerja.
    The drill of chemotherapy and radiation sessions covered the next few months as her family built a wall of positive energy around her. "We never behaved as if we were going through a difficult situation," says her feisty 81-year-old mom Kamala Bhushan. They went for movies, parties, bhajan sessions and card games. Her husband and twins held her hand throughout.
    She recovered but cancer struck more aggressively in 2004. "We did the same all over again," she says. And she again emerged triumphant. "Coping is complex; it includes finding out, accepting, leading a healthy life thereafter… Neerja did it wonderfully," says her oncologist Dr Vijay Haribhakti.
    Meanwhile, Neerja gave life a new direction by setting up a Cancer Support Group in Chennai. She also founded Sahayika, an NGO that funds treatment for children. The role of a counsellor fulfils her the most. "After my second surgery, as I was out of anesthesia, a friend called for some advice for his cancer-afflicted wife. I gave him the dope — from the hospital bed!"
    Two maxims define her life — 'This too shall pass'; 'Love makes the world go around'. "I have only one answer to those who ask how my life is — 'Rocking'!" she says. 'I STOPPED LYING TO CURE MYSELF'
    When someone recommended the 'Who Am I' counselling session to Kavita Sanchite, she didn't think twice. Tested HIV positive after her (late) husband, she was "desperate, open to almost anything". "Even if it didn't help, at least it wouldn't harm," she says. Her tryst with medications had already begun as she started falling ill frequently, once even being admitted for a relatively simple illness. "This was 14 years ago. My first (and only) thought was that I have to get out of this," says the Nasik resident.
    With an undertone of spirituality, the three layers of the session concentrated on getting in touch with one's body, mind and soul. "The emphasis is to better one's thinking pattern," says Ranganathan of the counselling group. "Most disorders arise out of negative thoughts — fears, anxieties and suppression of emotions. Asthma and arthritis being the best examples. In case of HIV, even if it's an external agent causing the problem, the fight lies within," he adds.
    Sanchite practised the philosophy zealously and her positive thinking bore results. "To begin with, I stopped blaming others. I accepted that my condition is nobody's fault. It was the most difficult aspect — to accept," she says. Her first step, as Ranganathan explains, "put her in charge. If she is the cause, she'd also have the power to set it right." With the acceptance that everybody makes mistakes, the energy body expands. Another inexplicably simple (but not easy) change that came next was to quit lying. "Despite what I was going through, I felt a never-before-experienced peace," she says. Ranganathan explains, "When you lie, subconsciously, you ask yourself to 'remember' to hide it. With more lies comes more pressure, a very exhausting state of mind to be in." The peace of mind boosted Sanchite's health and miraculously, she was completely off medicines.
    The session, she claims, taught her to listen to her body and get rid of "tensions". "Earlier, I confronted situations with a knee-jerk reaction. Today, I observe and a lot of times, the situation solves itself," she smiles. The near absence of stress played a pivotal role in reclaiming her health. However, she doesn't discount the improved relations with her in-laws and family members whose presence is "comforting". As Ranganathan says, Sanchite's success exemplifies what a positive mind can do. Optimism does have its perks.

BEHIND THE SCENES
DR HARISH SHETTY, counsellor and psychiatrist, elaborates on the role of optimism and positive outlook in your overall health. » Under stress, the first thing to take a beating is your immunity; you become susceptible to a host of illnesses. Love and attention helps deal with that stress, boosts the biological fight-spirit of the body and hence, is directly connected to one's health. » During illnesses, positive vibes give that much-needed push to the body. Support and care helps release 'happy' chemicals in the brain and helps deal with the imbalance in the body. » Family support is effective in dealing with anything that disturbs one's equilibrium, even an economic disaster, for instance. When a situation is met with a level of acceptance and understanding, it helps him/her think rationally and look for better options he may have hitherto missed. » One can't put 100 per cent in dealing with a situation when there are other preoccupations. That's where the acceptance factor comes in, from the person and of the person, both. It helps resolve old worries.

Mahesh and Vimla Killa (seated centre) share a happy moment with the family

Neerja (centre) with her twins

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