What is Cerebral Palsy ?

There is a compelling need to understand Cerebral Palsy. The disease is a disabler known least to people. It is rapidly becoming the commonest cause of disability in India. However, not all is lost if the problem is detected in the early stages. With proper care, medical treatment and society's empathy and warmth, patients can lead a near-independent life.

‘Cerebral' refers to brain and ‘Palsy' means lack of muscle control. The disease is a group of disabling conditions, which arises due to damage to the central nervous system (CNS) during pregnancy or childbirth or in early childhood. It is a disorder of movement and posture usually appearing early in life. Sometimes the damage also occurs in nearby areas of the brain as well, resulting in hearing and speech defects along with problems of perception.

A difficult prolonged labour, suffocation of the child during birth, premature birth, infections in early days, congenital heart disease, a rare genetic defect (Lesch-Nyhan syndrome), infantile jaundice, accidental head injuries and child abuse like repeated shaking or beatings on the head are some common causes.

Contrary to popular belief, most children with CP have average or above average intelligence but remain backward because of their handicap. Their physical disability impedes their chances of normal education. What one forgets is that, given a chance and proper treatment, CP patients can also contribute to the society in their own way!

Symptoms

Poor co-ordination, delay in holding up the neck and sitting, muscle spasms and seizures are typical symptoms. Modern-day therapy can help alleviate these. Traditionally, the treatment for CP has involved physiotherapy, occupational therapy, castings, gaiters, ankle foot orthosis and surgery.

However, in recent years, Botox has emerged as a very promising treatment for CP. The treatment involves giving Botulinum Toxin injections in the spastic muscles. The dose has to be ascertained by an experienced medical practitioner after carefully examining the extent of the condition. This is crucial as only a specialist can identify the muscles to be injected. The toxin works by relaxing the spastic muscles and helps reduce disability. Over a period of time, and in combination with appropriate physio and occupational therapy, the child can start walking or walk better than before and gain self-independence.

The effect of the treatment lasts for about six to nine months and can be prolonged by braces and good physiotherapy. Doctors have observed remarkable improvement in children who start with this treatment at an early stage. It is safe and side effects such as muscle weakness occur only when the wrong muscles are injected. The localised pain at the injection sites too doesn't last long.

Lastly, along with treatment, what is required is a shift in mindset. In the case of CP, early detection can go a long way in helping sufferers and their care givers. As a society, we need to curb discrimination against disability and not the disabled themselves!

Mobile phone users suffering from ‘text neck’

Mobile phone users are increasingly suffering from a new condition, dubbed “text neck”, due to the amount of time they spend hunched over their gadgets, experts have claimed.

According to them, the affliction, caused by flexing the neck for extended periods of time, can be a forerunner of arthritic damage if it goes without treatment. In severe cases the muscles could eventually adapt to fit the flexed position, making it painful to straighten the neck out properly.

Rachael Lancaster of Freedom Back Clinics in Leeds said, “Text neck is caused by the neck being flexed for a prolonged period of time. Sufferers are increasing as the use of smart phones and tablet computers become more popular.”

The condition occurs because the joints and tissue in the neck are not built to withstand being flexed for long periods, and spending hours peering down at a screen puts them under too much stress, she added.

“Keeping the neck and head stretched forwards for long periods could eventually cause the natural curvature of the neck to reverse, potentially leading to serious health problems,” ‘The Daily Telegraph’ quoted her as saying.

Tim Hutchful, of the British Chiropractic Association, another expert, said doctors were seeing a rising number of patients with similar neck problems but that getting regular exercise could help ward of symptoms.

Children are most at risk because their heads are larger in relation to their body size than adults, and women with slender necks should also take extra care to maintain a good posture, he added.

However, the experts say that text neck can be avoided by taking regular screen breaks, and looking straight ahead while tucking the chin back towards the neck every few minutes.

Fight the artery clogging fat :)

Cholesterol is a substance that our body produces naturally--a waxy fat like material that is found in all cells (right from the skin to the brain) and is critical for their proper functioning.

This fat regulates our hormones, regenerates new cells, aids digestion, builds a healthy nervous system. For this reason, our bodies produce cholesterol in the just right amounts that we need.

However, the problem arises when we consume too much fat from our diet. A combination of this and genetic factors, can result in other more serious health problems. “Having high cholesterol levels indicate that there is a risk for stroke and heart disease,” says Dr Abha Shroff, MD, Chief pathologist at Disha Diagnostic Services, Mumbai.

Today, many experts believe that cholesterol levels are rising rapidly amidst the urban Indian population.

“I would blame a Western diet, the concept of fast foods, processed and packaged meals that tend to use excessive preservatives.

All this, in time, can cause cholesterol levels to rise. Indians also seem to be genetically predisposed to developing high cholesterol. For this reason, it is highly advisable for everyone above the age of 40 to take a cholesterol test that clearly indicates LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels in the blood,” explains Dr Abha.

Your health in numbers …

Just as oil doesn't mix in water, cholesterol cannot dissolve in your blood. It travels through the bloodstream by binding with protein molecules called lipoproteins. High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is a dense compact particle that transports cholesterol to the liver, where the body disposes of it. That's why it's good to have higher HDL levels. Low density lipoprotein is a larger, less dense particle that tends to remain in the bloodstream.

This LDL, researchers have found is the culprit behind heart attacks and strokes because it combines with other substances in the blood and clogs the arteries.

Ideally, a normal healthy cholesterol reading would be anything below 200 mg/dl. Your HDL or “good” cholesterol should be above 60 mg/dl. LDL or “bad” cholesterol should be below 130 mg/dl. Fats in the body are also stored as triglycerides and transported through the bloodstream by VLDL (Very Low Density Lipoproteins). Your triglyceride or VLDL levels should be below 150 mg/dl.

“Exercise is the only way to increase your HDL levels,” says Dr Abha. “Even half an hour of walking a day can ensure that your cholesterol is under control.

A good diet, rich in fresh foods, fruits, whole grains and vegetables and low in fat and dairy products can help regulate your LDL and triglyceride levels.”

Make smart diet choices

Researches at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute, U.S.A, have established that making smart choices in your daily diet can help reduce LDL and increase HDL levels, lowering your total cholesterol by as much as 20 per cent!

The focus, the study says, should be on plant based foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. Many dieticians recommend a return to traditional Indian foods since these have a perfect combination of proteins, carbohydrates and micronutrients. Avoid red meat, packaged and processed food, including instant and readymade mixes.

There is good news for the fairer sex. Researchers from the Florida State University have found that women who consume apples everyday were found to have an average of 23 per cent reduced LDL levels within six months. These women also saw a remarkable 4 per cent increase in HDL (good) cholesterol as well.

Control stress

The medical journal Health Psychology recently published a study that asserted that people who have very stressful jobs or face severe stress in their personal lives were three times more likely to have higher LDL than others.

Since stress is an unavoidable part of our lives, managing it efficiently, through meditation or yoga is critical.

Sleeping 6-8 hours can help you reduce weight

Struggling to shed those extra kilos? If yes, try to have a good night’s sleep besides sticking to your diet and daily exercise, scientists suggest.

Researchers have found that those who get between six and eight hours of sleep a night are twice as likely to reduce their desired weight when put on a diet for six months.

The study also found that people trying to lose at least 10 pounds (about 4.5kg) were more likely to reach their goal if they had lower stress levels and slept moderately, the Telegraph reported.

For the study, the researchers from Kaiser Permanente Centre for Health Research — a health care consortium based in Portland, Oregon — recruited nearly 500 obese adults with an average age of 55 years.

The participants were asked to attend 22 counselling sessions, reduce their diet by 500 calories a day and increase the amount of exercise they took to at least three hours a week.

They also had to keep a diary of their habits, including their sleep patterns and stress levels.

After six months, 60 per cent of the participants had lost at least 10 pounds.

Researchers found that the successful dieters were more likely to report that they had slept between six and eight hours each night.

Almost three quarters of dieters who had both low stress levels and six to eight hours sleep a night were likely to achieve the 10-pounds weight loss target.

They were also twice as likely to be successful as participants who reported the highest stress levels and got six or less hours sleep a night.

“This study suggests that when people are trying to lose weight, they should try to get the right amount of sleep and reduce their stress,” said lead author Dr Charles Elder of the Kaiser Permanente Centre for Health Research, in Portland, Oregon.

“Some people may just need to cut back on their schedules and get to bed earlier. Others may find that exercise can reduce stress and help them sleep.

“For some people, mind-body techniques such as meditation also might be helpful.”

The study has been published in the International Journal of Obesity.

Handling emergencies

First-aid measures are simple, but crucial and potentially life-saving. So, arm yourself with the knowledge of such measures. In general, when under trauma, the immediate reflex is to panic. It is understandably, but try to stay calm — it will help you think well and save yourself or the next person better.

Poisoning

Pesticides, kerosene, rat poisons, ant poisons, toilet cleaning fluids, and plant poisons are the commonly ingested poisons. So, store them away from regular things. The common cause of accidental poisoning is because such fluids are stored in cola or juice bottles. “If you notice someone vomiting, having stomach ache, panting and fainting, suspect poisoning and rush to get medical help. Home remedies do not work. And, the poison in the vomit may get absorbed by the skin. So, wipe it off, change the clothing and rush to the hospital,” says C. Rajendiran, director and professor of medicine, Madras Medical College.

“If the person you are taking to hospital is unresponsive, make him lie down with his head turned to the left, so that the vomit doesn't enter his airway,” says Dhavapalani Alagappan, consultant and head, emergency department, Apollo Hospitals. “Excess vomiting can cause low blood pressure and giddiness. So while transporting, don't make the person sit or walk, or transport him in a bike where he may not be able to hold himself,” cautions Dr. Rajendiran.

Burns and scalds

If you see anyone on fire, don't let them run around — it will only fan the flames and make them burn stronger. “Instead, remove the burning clothing, and wrap the person with a (preferably wet) non-inflammable blanket and roll him on the floor, or douse with water to put out the flame. Once the flame is out, cover the area with a clean wet towel or cling film and rush the person to the hospital. In the meantime, for pain relief, over-the-counter drugs such as paracetamol can be given,” says Dr. Alagappan.

In the case of a scald (hot water or wet burn), wash the area with cold water, cover the area with a clean wet cloth or a cling film to protect the exposed nerve endings and rush to the hospital. However, this is not the thing to do in case of an injury on the face area, as the person might suffocate.

Falls and Injuries

Any neck pain following a fall or injury has to be taken seriously and given immediate medical attention, as it could indicate spinal cord injury.

In case of an inflammation or swelling on a body part, place or wrap an ice pack on the area. “It is a good idea to always keep in your freezer a water sachet; if unavailable, use anything from the freezer, such as a packet of flour,” suggests Ram Kumar, general physician. “Also, keep the inflamed or swollen part elevated to bring down the swelling. Keep the injured area immobile so that, in case of fracture, the broken bone does not move, or poke into the flesh and injure the tissue,” says Dr. Alagappan.

If the injury is on the arm, use a sling to hold the arm close to the body and keep it immobile. A simple sling can be put together by knotting a towel or a cotton dupatta with the knot resting on the shoulder. For a leg injury, render the leg immobile by tying two strips of a stiff material such as cardboard along the leg and the thigh, so that the knee can't be bent. Then, rush to the doctor.

Bleeding wounds

“For this, you need to apply direct pressure with a wet towel and take the person to a hospital. Hold up the injured part at an elevation to prevent further blood loss. And, don't keep unwrapping to investigate if the blood flow has stopped or not. This will interfere with closure of the wound,” informs Dr. Alagappan.

He adds: “For a nose bleed, pinch the soft tip of the nose, breath though the mouth and wait for about 10 minutes. If the bleeding continues, or if it trickles down the back of the throat, whereby it could block the airway, call for an ambulance. Don't lie down, as this could also make blood trickle into the airway. Sit straight on a chair, with the head turned down.

Other than this, always keep handy ambulance telephone numbers and the hospital/family physician's telephone numbers. And finally, it pays to maintain friendly ties with your neighbours — you may need their help in a crunch. In an emergency, immediate help can make a world of difference.

Obesity kills more people than AIDS

Obesity kills more people than AIDS and is emerging as a serious threat, said health experts here Friday.

Dr. Shashank Joshi, president of the governing council of the All India Association of Advanced Research in Obesity (AIAARO), said obesity was not a new problem in India.

Speaking on Obesity in 2011, on the first day of the two-day national conference, the expert said that obesity was described in the ancient Indian texts such as the ‘Charak Samhita’. The health condition was emerging as a serious threat with 24 million people in India being obese.

“The Indian population is at a special risk because of the tendency to develop central obesity. The ‘thin fat Asian Indian phenotype’ is now well established,” said Dr. Joshi adding that Indians had a higher proportion of fat in their body composition and more so in the abdominal area.

“Obesity kills more people than AIDS and often underlines problems such as diabetes and heart diseases. It is also associated with accelerated ageing,” he added.

Listing sedentary lifestyle, watching of too much TV, use of internet and other gadgets of comfort as contributing factors in the rise of obesity among Indian children, Dr. Joshi underlined the need for taking proper nutrition, brisk walks, proper yogic practices and de-stressing as ways in managing obesity.

Focusing on obesity as “the emerging Indian epidemic”, the inaugural session was opened by Parimal Trivedi, Vice Chancellor of Gujarat University, and Mrunalini Devi Puar, of the Maharaja Sayajirao University.

Speaking on the occasion, Parimal Trivedi said that case studies in obesity needed to focus on age, food habits, lifestyle and human behaviour too. Mrunalini Puar emphasized on the need to interlink nutrition and obesity and said that nutrition along with yogic practices should be made the mainstay in controlling obesity.

Don’t go jogging on an empty stomach

Jogging before breakfast will not necessarily increase performance, according to Professor Ingo Froboese from the Centre for Health at the German Sport High School.

The reason is because, just like at night, our bodies are still breaking down fats in the morning hours. “When training on an empty stomach, fat metabolism only remains active until the body’s sugar reserves are used up.” When that point is reached, the body’s performance rate falls and you will be forced to end training. If you must go jogging early in the morning, then you should at least eat a food high in carbohydrate such as a banana.

However, Froboese recommends eating breakfast first and then engaging in some weightlifting to build muscles. “That activates the body and will make it fit for the rest of the day,” he says. Weight training raises pressure in the peripheral blood vessels and increases the overall blood pressure in the body, thus making you more alert.

An endurance exercise such as jogging makes more sense in the evening, according to Froboese. Moderate jogging relaxes the body and can have a meditative effect. Stop exercising at least two hours before going to bed in order to guarantee a restful night’s sleep.