Laugh club is ‘like morning alarm’

It Is Used As A Stress-Buster In Hospitals: Participants     Early one morning, in the twilight that exists between sleep and wakefulness, 28-year-old Sriram Narayanan was gripped by a surreal feeling. It sounded like a collective, fanatical "I-willtake-over-the-world" laughter and it came in bursts.      The culprits, though, weren't so much in his head as the garden outside his in-laws' apartment at Siddhachal, Thane, where the local laughter club assembles each day.      Across the city every day, entire neighbourhoods rise to the sound of the "morning alarm" that is the laughter club. An offshoot of modern "yogic" practices, a laughter club may generate noise levels ranging between 65 and 80 decibels (dB), far above the 45-55 dB allowed in residential zones. From Lokhandwala Complex to Carter Road, Borivli to Cuffe Parade, residents are rudely awakened by the loud chorus of 20-30 people laughing for about 30 minutes each morning.      On Thursday, in response to a petition by a 78-year-old resident of Kurla, the Bombay High Court recommended that the local laughter club shift to a garden or maidan. However, housing colonies located near open spaces are also troubled.      In fact, medical doctor Madan Kataria startedtheconcept of laughter yoga from the garden in Lokhandwala Complex in Andheri in 1995. Since then, residents of surrounding societies such as Regency and Accord are shaken out of their slumber by the "morning alarm", as they call it.      "First floor residents bear the brunt of the cacophony but all those whose flats face the garden listen to different types of raucous laughter every day. We rise and close the windows to mute the volume and bide our time until the ruckus subsides," says a 58-year-old member of Regency. Rashid Musa Memon of Accord has been asking the garden committee to intervene but they "pay no heed". "The health of hundreds is jeopardized by a few reckless people who engage in laughter exercises to improve their own health." Ironically, it is senior citizens who constitute the majority of clubs.      Of course, participants swear by laughter therapy saying it helps them start the day on a cheerful note. "Ordinarily one laughs in reaction to happiness,herethe actof laughing induces happiness," says Indu Mehta of Borivli. Laughter yoga is practised in over 60 countries and used as a stressbusting technique in hospitals and old-age homes.      However, founder Kataria agrees that no member should disturb the peace of the neighbourhood. "I fully respect the sentiments of the high court. In fact, I always recommend that laughter clubs sort matters out with the local community, even shift to an alternate location if need be," he says.      Over at the Gateway of India, 75-year-old practitioner Girdhar Peshawaria says his club does not function in a residential locality. "We conduct our laughter exercises right below Taj Mahal Hotel. In fact guests who look out of windows wondering what the noise is about often join us."  IN HIGH COURT      The Bombay High Court, on Thursday, observed that laughter clubs could disturb the peace of a residential neighbourhood. Responding to a plea by a 78-year-old Kurla resident, a division bench of Justices Sharad Bobde and Mridula Bhatkar urged the local Vinoba Bhave Nagar police to solve the problem.  LOUDER THAN TRAFFIC      Anti-noise pollution activist Sumaira Abdulali had measured the sound emanating from a laughter club in Joggers Park, Bandra, when residents complained a few years ago. "We found that the noise levels ranged from 65 to 80 decibels (dB) which is equivalent to the noise of traffic on a busy road. Given that laughter clubs operate during the quiet morning hour, this would appear to be an unsocial activity," she says.  HEALTH VIRTUES      Laughter relaxes the      body and mind, and      as a cohesive group activity, it allows people to vent their feelings and find solace. Most members are seniors who have few avenues of bonding and recreation anyway. Of course, loud noise can disturb others so the aim is to come to common ground"  Dr Sanjay Kumawat | CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST; THANE MENTAL HOSPITAL EX-DEAN IN FITNESS AND IN HEALTH: A laughter club in action near Gateway of India

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Coming soon in state: Dial a blood bag

Mumbai: For stressed citizens whose near-and-dear ones are in hospital, soon, blood supply could be only a telephone call away. The state government is rolling out a blood-on-call service to break the stranglehold of private blood banks. 
    A pilot project will be launched in two districts and extended across the state, said public health minister Suresh Shetty. He didn't give a timeline. 
    The project plans that once a call for a particular blood type is received at a helpline, a worker on a bike will deliver it at the specified destination. Like pizza, blood will ride in on a bike 
Mumbai: Public health minister Suresh Shetty said the DF government will soon announce the launch of a project that will try to break the stranglehold of private blood banks, which often artificially inflate rates during emergency and help citizens get required blood after only a phonecall. 
    "Sometimes, hospitals ask patients' relative to arrange for blood. Blood banks tell them a particular group is not available.Consumerseven havehadto pay exorbitant amount to get a specified blood packages. To makebloodeasily available and prevent malpractices, the governmentisworking on a project, wherebloodwillbedeliveredon a phone call," Shetty said. "The schemewillbelaunchedon a pilotbasisin twodistricts." 
    Health department officials used the example of pizza delivery boys to explain the scheme. "A special helpline number would be set up for 'dial-a-bloodbag' project.The momentsomeone places a request for blood, a person on two-wheeler will deliver itblood atthedestination," asenior officialsaid. "Therewill be cold storage boxes fixed on the motorcyclesto maintain the required temperature for the blood asitisdelivered." 
    Doctors and NGOs welcomed the initiative. "The new system will help patients' relatives as they will not have to run around to get required blood," said Dr Jayashree Sharma, headof departmentof thetransfusion medicine department at KEM Hospital. But Vinay Shetty, vice-president of Think Foundation, an NGO working in the field of thalassaemia, said, "Many hospitals refuse to accept blood packs from banks. Willthe governmenttake action against them?" He accepted the move will help break the "alleged monopolies and cartel" of bloodbankstosomeextent. 
    According tostatestatistics, nearly 275bloodbanks arethere in Maharashtra and 11.5 lakh units of blood are annually collectedfrom donors. 
PLAN FOR BLOOD 'BUSINESS' 
Price control | Public health department has written to the Centre to cap the processing charges levied by blood banks 
Easy availability of blood | 
Making blood available on a phone call

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Surgery offers relief to chronic migraine patients

Mumbai: Smita Kulkarni has popped up to 15 ibuprofen painkiller tablets on some days, banged her head against the wall on other days and visited various doctors every year. For 16 years, the Pune resident waged a losing battleagainst migraine. On Thursday, 31-year-old Kulkarni took another, decisive step to drive away the pain along her left  temple: a five-hour brain procedure at Jaslok Hospital on Pedder Road. This is only the second time this procedure has been performed in India.      "Each of my migraine attacks would last at least five days. I would be too disoriented to do anything on such days," said the mother of a seven-year-old boy. Worse, she would have at least two such attacks every month.      "She had chronic migraine that hadn't eased with medication. She was an ideal candidate for the occipital nerve stimulator procedure,'' said neurosurgeon Paresh Doshi, who fixed an implantable device near Kulkarni's occipital nerve which will increase her pain threshold and jam the pain signals from the nerves. Implants break migraine patient's pain 'circuit'  Mumbai: Migraine is the most common of all the 150 different conditions that can produce a headache, and it can sometimes also be one of the most painful. "It is often a chronic disorder that won't go away just with a two-or-threemonth treatment. But there is no awareness in India about the need to handle it like other chronic conditions such as diabetes or asthma," said neurologist Dr K Ravishankar of Jaslok and Lilavati Hospital's headache clinic who directed Pune's Smita Kulkarni to surgery. It is only the second surgery to cure migraine in India.      Dr Ravishankar estimates that 20% of the women between 15 and 40, and 8% men suffer from the disorder. "It's one of the most researched headache disorders in the US, with the latest consensus being that it is a genetically inherited disorder of the brain." Most migraine patients get relief with modern medicine. "It's a small fraction like Kulkarni who need a surgical procedure," said neurosurgeon Paresh Doshi, who conducted the operation.      The occipital nerve stimulation procedure is not complex like other brain surgeries: the surgeon doesn't need to cut or go deep into the brain but only place two thin wires in the back of the skull. "Twelve nerves arise from the brain; migraine attacks are felt in distribution of the fifth nerve called the trigeminal nerve," said Dr Doshi. This nerve 'communicates' with the occipital nerve which lies in the spinal cord. "Any stimulation to the occipital nerve can be communicated to the fifth nerve through the pathways in the brainstem, changing the neuro-transmissions.''      The implants provide electrical impulses—through a power source implanted just below the collar bone—that stimulate the occipital nerve. The migraine patient's pain circuit is broken. "Doctors believe the procedure works in three ways. The implants increase the patient's pain threshold; they jam the pain signals and/or change the neuro-transmitter patterns,'' said Dr Doshi.      Dr Milind Sankhe, a neurosurgeon from Hinduja Hospital, said that surgery for migraine is rare in India, but is known to work. A doctor who didn't want to be identified said that long-term studies are needed to observe the efficacyof the procedure. A day after the surgery, Kulkarni is more concerned about her hair that was partially shaved off. "There is pain where the cuts were made, but my head doesn't ache,'' said Kulkarni, who was awake through the surgery. "Within a year, the brain will get used to the new circuitry and Smita may even be able to switch off the power source,'' said Dr Doshi.  NEUROVASCULAR DISORDER  Headaches account for 25% of a general neurologist's out-patient practice Of the various types of headaches, migraine is the most common and also the most burdensome It has mainly genetic causes, with three genes recently identified as being responsible Migraine is now labelled a Corbis 'Neurovascular disorder' and is thought to arise from a primary dysfunction of the brain and the brain stem Migraine are, in most cases, easy to diagnose and treat, but in a small number, it can be complex and debilitating The WHO has identified migraines as among the world's top 20 leading causes of disability. It is more common among women than men SYMPTOMS | Moderate/severe throbbing head pain | Sensitivity to sound and light | Nausea | Vomiting  OCCIPITAL NERVE STIMULATION PROCEDURE      In 50 references available on PUBMED, doctors from across the world have used the greater occipital nerve stimulation procedure to treat chronic migraine      The occipital nerve is a spinal nerve, arising between the first and second cervical vertebrae. It spreads right up to the scalp at the top of the head, over the ear, etc      Its stimulation using an implantable device, say neurosurgeons, increases the patient's pain threshold, thereby reducing the intensity of migraines      A small device is implanted near the occipital nerve. The device is then connected to a power source that sends electrical impulses to the occipital nerve. The power source is also implanted, often under the collarbone      The procedure was first used for migraines in 1977, but is still considered a treatment in development      There have been complaints of a need for surgical revision of wire placement. Infection also is a risk  PROGNOSIS  The intensity and frequency of the migraine attacks are greatly reduced after the surgery. Doctors say that after a year, the brain circuitry is so changed that the patient can even keep his/ her power source off Source: JAPI medical journal PAIN RELIEF: Doctors perform the procedure on Smita who suffers from chronic migraine

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Horticulture will help in economic growth: Experts

BHAGALPUR: The three-day training for farmers of several districts of the region at Bihar Agricultural University (BAU),Sabour, Bhagalpur, which got underway on Thursday, has stressed on the importance of horticulture for growing vegetables, fruits and decorative flowers as well as medicinal flowers, herbs, etc for better income for self and the economic growth of the region. 

The training programme is aimed at developing a fresh model of 'stepping ahead from foodgrains security through Green Revolution in India (1967-1978)' to nutrition security for the citizens for healthier India by promoting horticulture more. 

It may be mentioned here that the Green Revolution spanning the period from 1967-68 to 1977-78 changed the country's agriculture production scenario and image from a starving nation to one of the world's leading agriculture producing nation.Deliberating on the training programme, the vice-chancellor of BAU Mewa Lal Chowdhary said the role of farmers in the overall development of the state is very important and cultivation of vegetables, fruits and others have proved to be more useful in generating employment opportunities and income generation. Urging the farmers to use better seeds and high quality plants for farming for better and optimum yield, the BAU vice-chancellor said the new revolution can be brought about by vegetables, fruits and flower farming. He also informed about the state government's initiative towards horticulture and farming of vegetables, fruits etc. 

Director, BAU edification programme, RK Sohanay said the state government had earmarked each district in the state for one select vegetable or fruit production and farmers will be encouraged to make the facilities available for horticulture. He also advised to form farmer welfare groups (FWGs) for better marketing of their produce. 

Those present included U S Jaiswal, Randhir Kumar, Shashank, Sanjay Sahay, V B Patel, Fiza Ahmed beside other academicians and scientists of BAU and other institutions.

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36L families to benefit from med aid scheme

Mumbai: Nearly 36 lakh families in the city won't have to worry about their medical expenses from Monday, when the state's project, the Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayee Arogya Yojana (RGJAY), will be kicked off for Mumbaikars with an annual income less than Rs 1 lakh.      Under the scheme, the state will bear medical expenditure up to Rs 1.5 lakh (Rs 2.5 lakh in case of kidney transplants) for families holding above and below poverty line ration cards.      The scheme covers expenses incurred on 972 medical procedures, like cardiac and cancer related surgeries, and will be implemented in Amravati,Gadchiroli, Solapur, Nanded, Dhule and Raigad districts apart from Mumbai. In December 2011, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan had launched the scheme in Mumbai by distributing RGJAY cards.      "Within three months, this scheme will be launched in the rest of Maharashtra as well," public health minister Suresh Shetty said.

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Regulate salt use in fast food, WHO tells India

Will Support Delhi With Evidence On Perils Of Overuse

New Delhi: The amount of salt and sugar on the menus of fast food companies in India may soon come under the scanner. 
    The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday said it would like to see the Union health ministry regulate the use of salt and sugar in the fast food being dished out. 
    Experts say junk food — high on such content — is fuelling India's hypertension and obesity epidemic. 
    Dr Nata Menabde, country representative of WHO, told TOI that the global health watchdog would support India with scientific evidence to help better negotiate with companies on cutting down salt and sugar use. 
    "The ministry should put in place effective policies to reduce consumption of salt and sugar. However, there is also a need to change the tastes of general public. We recommend the ministry should take up the issue with the food industry," Dr Menabde said. 
    A recent study — Consensus Dietary Guidelines for Healthy Living and Prevention of Obesity, the Metabolic Syndrome, Diabetes and Related Disorders in Asian Indians — says Indians have become more affluent, urbanized and mechanized. The easy availability of convenience foods have led to irregular meals and frequent snacking on energy dense fast foods that typically have low nutritional value and are packed with sugar. 
    WHO recommends consuming five grams of salt a day by an adult. However, an average Indian consumes 9-10 grams of salt a day. 
    Salt is known to cause hypertension that is responsible for 57% of deaths due to stroke, and 24% of fatalities caused by heart attack in India. Experts say that just by reducing salt consumption, India can reduce incidents of stroke by 25% and heart attacks by 10%. On the other hand, sugar is being considered the new enemy in Indian kitchens. A consortium of scientists recently said sugar is far from just "empty calories" that make people fat. 
    At the levels consumed by most, sugar changes metabolism, raises blood pressure, critically alters the signalling of hormones and causes significant damage to the liver.

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Healthy eating advice for new mums may help cut child obesity

Educating new mothers about healthy eating and active play can help cut the risk of their child being overweight or obese, a new study has revealed.      Childhood obesity is a serious health challenge affecting more than 43 million pre-school children worldwide (6.7per cent) with studies showing it could have adverse effects on later health.      Pre-school children who are obese or overweight have a high chance of carrying this into adulthood and it has been argued that efforts to prevent this should start earlier in life. Methods of feeding children, when they start eating solids and the amount of television watched, are the most common factors that contribute to childhood obesity, especially in lower socio-economic groups.      Authors from the South Western Sydney and Sydney Local Health Districts and Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney in Australia looked at 667 first-time mothers and their infants.      They looked at the children's BMI, feeding habits and television viewing time.      Nurses taught mothers healthy eating and exercise habits for their children.      Mothers in the intervention group were also significantly more likely to eat more than two servings of vegetables per day (52 percent compared with 36 percent) and spend 150 minutes or more exercising per week (48 per cent compared with 38 per cent). This study has found that the first few years of a child's development are crucial in setting the foundation for lifelong learning, behaviour and health outcomes.      The authors conclude that the results are very encouraging but that the cost-effectiveness does require further investigation. The study shows that the early onset of childhood weight and obesity requires "health promotion programmes to start as early as possible" and that they should be family focused and can be effective in improving children's weight status.      ANI ROLE MODEL: Eat healhy and inspire your child

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FIND YOURSELF SLEEPING MORE THAN NECESSARY

You could be inviting a host of health problems. Zeenia F Baria tells you more about it...     While experts say that an average person needs seven to eight hours of sleep everyday, there are people who suffer from the problem of oversleeping. Hypersomnia is a disorder characterised by excessive sleepiness. One often experiences prolonged night sleep and has difficulty waking up. Other symptoms include anxiety, increased irritation, low energy levels, restlessness, slow thought process, loss of appetite and difficulty in remembering things.      Integrated medicine therapy expert Dr Anil Patil opines that human sleep needs can vary with age and among individuals — there is no established criteria to determine exactly how much sleep a person needs, and sleep is considered to be adequate when there is no daytime sleepiness or dysfunction. "There are several side effects of over sleeping, which can interfere with one's lifestyle by inhibiting the ability to cope with social situations," he says.  Why do some people tend to sleep so much?  Healthcare consultant Dr Parul R Sheth says that some people are habituated to oversleep as their circadian rhythm (the 24 hour body clock) makes them so. "There are people who undersleep during the week and oversleep during the weekend. Some may have hypersomnia (too much sleep), that makes you sleep during the day in addition to the night-time sleep. Those individuals with a condition called obstructive sleep apnoea in which breathing stops and starts again repeatedly, oversleep and experience daytime sleepiness. Depressed people tend to oversleep and go into sleep inertia. Alcohol, drug abuse and certain medications can also make you drowsy and  cause sleepiness. Sleep needs vary from person to person and can change as you age. Your ability to function well depends upon how well rested you are, your total sleep time and the amount of various stages of sleep you get each night," says Dr Sheth.      General medicinal expert Dr Amol Manerkar says that one can overcome this problem by making sure they sleep at more or less the same time daily, not sleep for more than eight hours a day, regularly exercise and maintain a healthy weight, avoid excessive stimulants and alcohol and seek medical help for sleep apnoea. "Remember, that inadequate sleep creates a sleep debt, which the body tries to recuperate by sleeping for longer hours. Certain diseases and drugs can cause excessive sleepiness eg. alcohol, cough syrups. Other conditions like asthma, congestive cardiac failure and hypothyroidism also lead to excess sleep," he says.  Alternative treatments      Psychotherapy is recommended for patients with sleep disorders associated with other mental disorders.      Ayurveda treatment is advised only after taking a detailed history of the patient and location and the exact cause of Hypersomnia.      For some people, meditation, breathing exercises and yoga can help. SIDE EFFECTS OF OVERSLEEPING  Diabetes- Researchers have discovered that a side effect of too much sleep is diabetes. In a study of 9,000 people, they found that those who sleep more than nine hours per night are 50 per cent more likely to contract diabetes than those who sleep seven hours per night.  Obesity- Studies have proven that people who sleep nine to 10 hours per night are 21 per cent likelier to become obese over a six-year time span than people who sleep seven to eight hours nightly, even when food consumption and exercise levels were considered.  Heart disease- A study of 72,000 women found that women who sleep over nine hours nightly are 38 per cent likelier to experience coronary heart disease than women who sleep eight hours every night.  Depression- Regular sleep habits are important to recover from depression. Sleeping too much can worsen symptoms.  Death- A myriad of studies have proven that people who sleep nine or more hours per night have notably greater death rates than those who sleep seven to eight hours nightly.  What are the side effects of oversleeping?  Oversleeping can make you feel groggy when you wake up, cause puffiness and eye bags around the eyes. It can also make you lethargic and sleepy during the day.  Children need more sleep per day in order to develop and function properly — up to 18 hours for newborn babies, with a declining rate as a child grows. School children need about 10 to 11 hours of sleep. Adolescents need nine to 10 hours of sleep. Adults need at least seven to eight hours of sleep daily. Sleeping for more than eight hours daily is inviting trouble Headaches- Sleeping too much can cause headaches, which scientists believe are linked to the effect of sleep on certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin. Too much sleep can disrupt the balance of the chemicals in the brain causing headaches. Back pain- Too much sleep can cause great deals of pressure on the back for extended periods of time leading to backaches.

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HIGH ON SOFT DRINK Colas have traces of alocohol, says study

London: Tests have revealed that more than half of leading soft drinks, like Coke and Pepsi, contain traces of alcohol. The revelation will cause concern among those who choose the carbonated soft drink for religious, health or safety reasons.      According to tests carried out by the Paris-based National Institute of Consumption more than half of leading colas contain the traces of alcohol, the Daily Mail reported. These include the brand leaders Coca-Cola and Pepsi Cola, while it is mainly only cheap supermarket versions of the drink which are alcohol-free.      French magazine '60 Million Consumers', published the results of the tests in its latest issue. They suggest that the alcohol levels are as low as 10mg in every litre, and this works out at around 0.001% alcohol.      But the figures will still be enough to upset the thousands of Muslims who regularly drink Cola because their religion forbids them from drinking alcohol.     Those who are teetotallers and drink Coke regularly will also be worried, as will those who choose it as an alternative to alcohol when they are driving. Of 19 colas tested, the nine which did not contain alcohol were made by brands including Auchan, Cora, Casino, Leader Price and Man U-Cola.      Ten which had traces of alcohol in them included Coca-Cola, Pepsi Cola, Coca-Cola Classic Light and Coke Zero. Michel Pepin, scientific director for Coca-Cola France, acknowledged that "It is possible that traces of alcohol come from the process" of making Coca Cola according to its secret recipe. He, however, insisted that Coca-Cola drinks were provably "soft" and recognized as such "by the government authorities in which they are sold."      A spokesman for Pepsi acknowledged that "some soft drinks can contain minute traces of alcohol because of the ingredients used," although "the Pepsi Cola recipe does not contain alcohol." Both companies suggested that natural fruit can ferment and produce minute traces of alcohol. ANI

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Mumbai beware: Noise raises heart attack risk

Mumbai: Loud noise is not only an irritant, it can also kill. Latest research from the western world says that for every 10 decibel increase in noise level, the risk of heart attack went up by 12%. The implication for Mumbai, which is known as one of the noisiest cities in the world, can only be imagined, said anti-noise pollution activist Sumaira Abdulali from NGO Awaaz. "It is time Indians recognized noise pollution as a health problem instead of an environmental issue," she  said, adding that despite the World Health Organization linking noise pollution to health in 1985, the realization has been slow.      The latest study linking heart and noise comes from Denmark, where over 55,000 people between 50 and 64 years of age were studied from 1993 for over a decade. The analysis, which was published in PLOS ONE journal on June 20, showed that residential exposure to road traffic noise was significantly associated with myocardial infarction or heart attack.      While there are no similar studies in India, activists like Abdulali give out instances where noise has been a major health irritant. "I know a family where the woman suffered a heart attack immediately after a cracker burst loudly nearby," she said.      Heart surgeon Pawan Kumar from Nanavati Hospital, Juhu, said previous studies have estimated that noise pollution causes 4% of all heart attacks. Noise literally disrupts the body's rhythm, thereby directly affecting the heart. DEATH BY DECIBEL  • Risk of heart attack went up by 12% for every 10 decibel rise in noise level  • Mumbai is one of the world's noisiest cities, with pollution reaching 132 decibels  • Previous studies estimate noise pollution causes 4% of all heart attacks  • Noise pollution disturbs sleep patterns, affecting the heart  • Loud noise releases stress hormones, causing heart to beat faster  • Constant exposure to noise induces continuous stress Loud noise induces release of stress hormones ADanish study has brought home the deadly effects of noise pollution, particularly in a cacophonous city like Mumbai. Cardiologist Ganesh Kumar from Hiranandani Hospital, Powai, said that noise pollution disturbs sleep patterns, which, in turn, affects the heart.      IIT-Bombay put up sound barriers along its campus wall in Powai immediately after a part of its land was taken over for a road-widening project. "This underlines the fact that traffic sounds are a menace to health," Dr Kumar said.      Dr Pawan Kumar of Nanavati hospital said loud noise causes release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. "These hormones cause the heart to beat faster," he said. Among people who suffer from irregular heart beat or arrhythmia, loud noise of over 80 decibel can lead to loss of beats and a sudden cardiac arrest. "In some people, loud noise can cause the coronary artery to go into aspasm and induce a heart attack," said Dr Pawan Kumar, adding that traffic policemen would at the highest risk here.      "Any increase in stress hormones is good only for a small period. The problem arises when this stress is continuous," said Dr Ramakanta Panda of Asian Heart Institute in BKC. Constant exposure to noise induces continuous stress, which is bad for the heart, he said. The PLOS One study said that "noise is known to affect the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, leading to increased levels of cortisol". In addition, exposure to noise during the night at normal urban levels has been associated with sleep disturbances, which might affect metabolic and endocrine function and impair the immune system, the study added.

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The DIVINE EXPERIENCE of donating

All religions talk about social responsibility, and encourage you to commit acts of charity and selfless love towards one another, as members of one family. Giving your blood for another is an exalted act of charity and love. An act that makes you dearer to your fellow being and takes you closer to God. Many donors have talked about a 'divine' feeling at the end of the blood donation. Instead of feeling enervated, they have felt strengthened and spiritually uplifted.

If you have any doubts, do talk to your spiritual adviser and see what he or she says. Take guidance. And act today, to feel a better human being tomorrow!

AB

People with Blood type AB negative and AB positive are potential universal plasma donors. This means plasma can be transfused to people having all Blood types.

AB +
People with this type of Blood are universal recipients. This means that they can accept any type of Blood.

O +
O positive donors are needed more frequently than any other donor. Because O positive is the most common Blood type, it is needed more often by people requiring Blood in hospitals.

O -
People with O negative donors are potential universal red blood cell donors. This means that their red Blood cells can be transfused to patients with all types of Blood.

Simply put, your Blood is tested for ABO/Rh. These tests identify your 'Blood type.' You may have A, B, O, or AB type Blood and may be either Rh+ or Rh-. The basis of the Blood group tests is the ability to detect specific substances, or antigens, on the red Blood cells. The A antigen is on type A cells; the B antigen is on type B cells. If neither A nor B antigens are detected, the donor has type O Blood; if both are present, the donor has type AB Blood. If the major Rh antigen is present, the donor is Rh+ (for example, O+, A+, B+, or AB+); if not, the donor is Rh- (O-, A-, B-, or AB-).

There are more than 600 other antigens that have now been identified on red Blood cells. These sub-types are important, but often not considered.

In short, What are Blood Types?

Everybody has a Blood type. The most common Blood type classification system is the ABO system discovered and defined by Karl Landsteiner in the early 1900s. There are four types of Blood in the ABO system: A, B, AB, and O. Your Blood type is established before you are born, by specific genes inherited from your parents.

You receive one gene from your mother and one gene from your father; these two combine to establish your Blood type. These two inherited genes determine your Blood type by making proteins called agglutinogens exist on the surface of each red Blood cell in your body. Blood test results are important in Blood disorders in Blood test and Blood tests with Rare Blood types.

There are three alleles (variations) of the Blood type gene: A, B, and O. Since we all have two copies of these genes in our Blood, there are six possible combinations; AA, BB, OO, AB, AO, and BO. These combinations are referred to as genotypes, and they describe the genes you got from your parents.

In addition to the proteins existing on your red Blood cells, other genes make proteins called agglutinins that circulate in your Blood plasma. Agglutinins are protectors of our bodies and are responsible for ensuring that only the Blood cells of our own particular Blood type exist in our bodies.

Under the ABO Blood typing (grouping) scheme, there are two especially important antigens called A and B. Every living human has either one or both or neither of the red Blood cells. An individual with Blood group A is so because he has antigen A. Antigen B makes a person's Blood group B. If a person has both antigens, then they are in group AB. If they have neither, the Blood group is O.

Antibodies against these two antigens are found in Blood plasma. Some of the components of each Blood type act against other components.

For example, Blood groups A, B, AB and O have antigens A, B, A&B and 'none' respectively. The antibodies are anti B, anti A, 'none' and anti A + anti B.

During the transfusion process, Blood matching must first be accurately done. For example if a person of Blood group A is given Blood from a donor from Blood group B, the anti B antibodies will stick to the B antigens on the donated red Blood cells entering their body. This makes a reaction that can be fatal. Therefore, exact matching is critical; possibly the difference between life and death!

Other than in extreme emergency conditions, donor Blood is checked for compatibility with the recipient's Blood (cross-matched) before it is transfused, regardless of Blood type. There are potentially important Blood cell factors other than the A, B, AB and O Blood groups and the Rh (Rhesus) factor that can lead to serious and in some cases, irreversible problems.

Some Blood Donation Facts

•        Only 10% of the required blood is available readily in India
•        Anemic patients  need blood to increase iron levels
•        Accident victims need maximum blood
•        Red blood cells must be used within 42 days.
•        Plasma can be stored and used for up to a year.

 

 

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BREAKTHROUGH Diet supplements can repair spinal injury?

Washington: A diet enriched with curcumin, a component of the popular Indian spice turmeric, and omega-3 fatty acid DHA can repair tissue damage and restore walking abilities in rats with spinal-cord injury, a new study claims. 

    The findings, published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine, suggest that these dietary supplements help repair nerve cells and maintain neurological function after degenerative damage to the neck. 
    "Normal aging often narrows the spinal canal, putting pressure on the spinal cord and injuring tissue," said lead study author Dr Langston Holly, an associate professor of neurosurgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. 
    "While surgery can relieve the pressure and prevent further injury, it can't repair damage to the cells and nerve fibers. 
    "We wanted to explore whether dietary supplementation could help the spinal cord heal itself." PTI

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Fatty food ads triggering obesity epidemic

UNCONTROLLABLE URGE

Just Looking At Images Of High-Calorie Meal Stimulates Brain's Desire To Eat More: Study

London: A picture not only can say a thousand words, but it can also be worth a thousand calories, as a new study has found that images of fatty food can trigger your hunger pangs, leading to overeating and obesity. Scientists at the University of Southern California in the US found that just looking at images of high calorie food stimulates the brain's appetite control centre and results in an increased desire for food. 
    "This stimulation of the brain's reward areas may contribute to overeating and obesity," said Dr Kathleen Page, who led the study. 
    "We thought this was a striking finding, because the current environment is inundated with advertisements showing images of high-calorie foods," he was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. 
    In the study, the researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to look at brain responses of a group of obese young Hispanic women, who were at risk of continuous weight gain. 
    Each participant had two fMRI scans as they viewed images of high calorie foods, such as ice cream and cupcakes, as well as low calorie foods like fruit and veg, and non-food pics. 
    After each set of images, participants rated their hunger and desire for either sweet or savoury foods on a scale of one to ten, drinking 50 grams of glucose on one occasion and fructose on another halfway through the scans. 
    As fMRI measures blood flow to the brain, regions with increased blood flow indicated greater activity. The team measured which brain regions were activated when viewing images and how sugar intake influenced this. 
    Results showed simply viewing high calorie food images activated brain regions that control appetite and reward, compared to pictures of non foods. Viewing pictures of high calorie food also significantly increased ratings of hunger and desire for sweet and savoury foods, the researchers said. 
    They also found ratings of hunger and desire for savoury food were higher after drinking either sugar beverage — but fructose produced greater activation of brain regions involved in reward and motivation for food. PTI

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Lights out, stars to warn during films

New Delhi: Soon, your favourite actor will be warning you about the hazards of smoking. The government plans to mandate that at least one of the film's protagonists read out the statutory health warning twice during the film's duration as part of the new notification against smoking scenes in films.      The warning will be read out before the film begins and immediately after the interval. The statutory warning could also be changed to make it more impactful, sources said. The notification is being finalized by senior officials from the information and broadcasting (I&B) and health ministries.      The new rules are likely to end the unsavoury battle between the two ministries over the smoking ban in films. In Novermber 2011, thehealth ministry had issued a notification making it mandatory for tobacco products to be blurred. It had also said that a health warning should be runduring a smoking scene in a film. The notification was put on hold with the I&B ministry pointing to practical obstacles in its implementation.      Since then, however, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has introduced several changes in its certification of films that show smoking scenes. All films that have smoking scenes get a U/A certificate — recommendimg parental guidance. Films have also been voluntarily blurring cigarettes and other tobacco products and running a health warning scroll. SMOKE-FREE: A new I&B notification will make it mandatory for one of the film's protagonists to read out a warning on the hazards of smoking before the film begins and immediately after the interval

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Olympics facing ‘fast food’ heat!

That a fast food chain and a soft drink major are sponsoring the biggest fitness event in the world is drawing ire everywhere. Advertising gimmickry? Folks react… Ismat Tahseen  There's a storm in the proverbial cup, and one that's not dying down quietly across networking sites and other platforms on how a fast-food giant — not exactly a beacon of healthy living — is sponsoring the world's best athletic events. Doctors in the UK are infuriated over the move, "It's very sad that an event that celebrates the very best of athletic achievements should be sponsored by companies contributing to the obesity problem and unhealthy habits," a site quoted Terence Stephenson, a spokesman for the Academy of Royal Medical Colleges, as saying. Does it send out a wrong message in a country and world battling obesity? Society speaks out….  Indian doctors aghast  Dr Hasmukh Ravat, senior interventional cardiologist at a Mulund hospital, is alarmed. "What a ridiculous thing to happen! Fast food is the biggest culprit for heart disease. Unfortunately here too, we have liqour companies sponsoring events. It should be the moral responsibility of the organisers not to accept such sponsors."  'It's smart advertising'  Author and social commentator Anil Dharker sees it differently. "It's smart marketing and advertising, the chain will certainly get mileage out of this as there are billions of viewers involved. Also brand perception won't change, so if the question is will people eat more fast food? No, people aren't stupid," he states.      Adman Prasoon Joshi who will be going for the Olympics' opening ceremony does not endorse the junk food slant either. "None of the ingredients in burgers etc, are harmful, it all depends on how much you consume. Look at our Indian samosa, it's a daily breakfast and lunch fare here. I don't agree with the aesthetic standards of today that blame a product; it's wrong."  FAT-TALK!  Campaigners from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) say obesity is the 'single greatest public health threat in the UK'. A website reports how parents feel pestered by kids into buying junk food because of adverts.

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ARE YOU GAME TO TAKE ON CANCER?

'MEDICINE'S MIGHTIEST WARRIOR': Screenshot shows digital game Re-Mission's character Roxxi. Gamification — turning boring, unpleasant but necessary tasks into an online game — a new way of thinking, is gaining momentum among drugmakers and health campaigners. Roxxi, a feisty and fullyarmed virtual nanobot, is billed as 'medicine's mightiest warrior'. In Re-Mission, she fights an epic battle deep inside the human body where she launches rapid-fire assaults on malignant cells

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46 H1N1 cases in 3 mths

'not worrisome' ????? City Had Not Reported A Single Case In 2011 Till Jun 26 Mumbai: The civic authorities are insistent that H1N1 cases in the city are sporadic and nothing to worry about. But statistics suggest otherwise. While 46 positive cases of H1N1 have been reported between April and June so far, there were zero cases in Mumbai during the corresponding period last year.      Dr Anil Bandivadekar, executive health officer, attributed it to more awareness. "We cannot say there has been any spurt in cases so far this year. People are occasionally testing positive and we are closely monitoring those cases too," he said. On Sunday, a private laboratory sent its reports to the BMC saying seven people tested positive for H1N1. He said it was a weekly report and not clusters of cases coming positive together. Twelve people have tested positive in June itself.      Dr A C Mishra, director of Pune's National Institute of Virology, also maintained that globally, the virus has taken the character of a seasonal influenza virus. "We have been constantly monitoring its behaviour. There have been no major variations to worry about. Mutations, too, are normal like what other viruses go through," he said.      The virus, Mishra added, has been affecting all age groups alike. This also came forth in the Sunday cases that turned out to be positive. A six-year-old girl from Mahim and a 57-year-old woman from Bandra tested positive and were put on Tamiflu. Barring the 36-yearold man from Malad, who had to be admitted to a private hospital, all patients were treated on an outpatient basis. Infectious diseases consultant Dr Om Srivastava said that although monsoon is here, there has not been a significant rise in H1N1 cases.      "We are seeing cases in Kasturba Hospital but that is a nodal centre. Otherwise there are not many cases in the community."      He, however, said that people have to remain alert. "There is a lot of awareness about getting tested and treated."      The H1N1 influenza has claimed 16 lives in the state since April this year and affected more than 260 individuals. Dr Pradeep Awate, state epidemiologist, said monsoon was favourable for the growth of the virus but it is nothing that cannot be curbed by staying alert. 'Swine flu deadlier than India thought'  Global Death Toll 15 Times Higher Than Reported?  New Delhi: India may have grossly underestimated the might of 21st century's most aggressive pandemic.      A study, which will be published in the medical journal Lancet on Tuesday, says the deaths caused by H1N1 pandemic flu in its first year (2009-10), could be 15 times higher than the number of laboratory-confirmed deaths previously reported to the World Health Organization.      The study was conducted by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, with help from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi. During the pandemic, 18,500 laboratory-confirmed H1N1-deaths were reported worldwide from April 2009 to August 2010. The new research indicates the death toll was anywhere between 1.51 lakh and 5.75 lakh during the first year when the virus circulated worldwide.      The results say, 80% of the total deaths occurred in people below the age of 65, contrary to seasonal influenza where most deaths occur among the elderly.      Additionally, the study suggests that 51% of the deaths may have occurred in south-east Asia and Africa, continents which are home to 38% of the world's population. The scientists say, "China and India, where about a third of the world's population live have garnered little information about the burden of influenza."      India's age-adjusted respiratory and cardiovascular mortality rate associated with 2009 pandemic influenza H1N1 per one lakh individuals stood at 4.1-6 per lakh population. Lead author Dr Fatimah S Dawood from the CDC said, "The study underscores the significant human toll of an influenza pandemic. We hope this work can be used not only to improve influenza disease burden modelling globally, but to improve the publichealth response during future pandemics…".      The study says, "As a general rule, the number of labconfirmed flu deaths is known to be significantly lower than the number of flu deaths that actually occur." The CDC estimated the 12-month cumulative symptomatic attack rate and multiplied it by the estimated symptomatic case fatality ratio from 17 sites in 13 countries — India, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Denmark, Germany, Kenya, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Peru, England, USA and Vietnam.  BIGGER SCOURGE      18,500 laboratory-confirmed H1N1 deaths were reported worldwide from April 2009 to August 2010      Study shows death toll was between 1.51 lakh and 5.75 lakh during first year of the pandemic      80% of the deaths occurred in people below the age of 65

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Eye trouble? That’s ‘BANG’ ON!

A study reveals that side bangs, a hot hairstyle fad, can cause eye hazards. Avoid it for fashion's sake, warn experts to Ismat Tahseen     Let's rephrase the adage from: 'there's never a dull moment' to 'there's never a dangerous moment', especially when it comes to the world of high-octane glamour. For, everything that's able to push you up several notches on the style quotient, it can also pull you down health-wise! You have high heels that can lead to foot impairment, silicone implants that are said to be toxic, botox that also has its hazards and now, it's the turn of the side fringe or 'emo' — the hair style that almost covers one eye.      It has everyone from Hollywood hottie Nicole Richie and popstar Justin Bieber, to Amrita Arora, Bipasha Basu, Chitrangda Singh and Freida Pinto wearing the swoopy-esque trend. The stylish bangs are said to be the only hairstyle that could be a health hazard, as it is said to adversely affect one's vision. A recent buzz on a website got folks into a panic when it reported how Andrew Hogan, an associate member of Optometrist Australia, said side bangs that almost cover the eyes or obscure view, causes amblyopia, also commonly called the lazy eye syndrome.  What are the risks?  Dr Hogan explained that the hair prevents access to sunlight and when the eyes do not get sunlight, they are said to get weaker. A website reported him as saying, "If young people have bangs to cover one eye over a long time, they will not see detail clearly. If that happens from a young age, the eyes get amblyopia." While a huge debate sprang up on whether his comments were accurate, it also threw into focus other often-ignored reasons why the hairstyle is risky. Mumbai-based eye surgeon Dr Keiki Mehta says going as far as amlyopia might be a little far-fetched, but adds that wearing the hair in long side bangs can contribute to serious eye problems. "It's not a good idea to wear hair that way, because one side of the field of vision is lost, making it a safety hazard. The danger is that you may have fall over something or have an accident. It's not logical to have this just for the sake of fashion. Imagine wearing a transient patch all the time. It's like the case of a person suffering from glaucoma, which occurs because part of the field of vision is lost. Here too, you are artificially trying to obstruct the field of the eye! While the longish hair strands that get into the eye can trouble the surface of the cornea, it's worse when such hair is coated with hairsprays. It can cause long-term irritation; that's how you find people blinking away," he explains.      Adds Dr Nikhil Nasta, cataract and refractive surgeon, "As mentioned by an Australian optometrist; the Emo haircut — in which the hair is swept down to cover one eye at all times — is reported to cause a lazy eye. I would not entirely agree with this statement, yet to be on the safer side, the younger generation must especially take note and avoid these funky haircuts for long periods of time. The price you pay to be cool is clearly not worth it!"  Hair-rasing' enough?  Not really, feels actress Amrita Arora, who has worn the style for long. "Really now, there's a medical take on the side bangs as well? That's hysterical," she says, adding, "Bangs have been around forever and the minute they fall into your eyes there are ways to keep it away, so maybe people say it could hurt the eyes but it hasn't for me."  Singer Anushka Manchanda has had a spot of bother with her side bangs. "With the new 'emo' hairstyle, it's no surprise that one's vision could be impaired. I've experimented with bangs but I would pin them up more often than not. It's uncomfortable to have something in your eyes constantly," she admits. Are you ready to give this one up for health's sake?  ismat.tahseen@timesgroup.com  Nicole Richie Liv Tyler Bipasha Basu Chitrangda Singh Freida Pinto Amrita Arora Anushka Manchanda

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