Category Archives: Awareness Day/Month

The Knights of Days and Nights

“No matter the day, you can always meet them in white, green, and blue, Behind the walls, curing me and you!”

Whites, Blues, and Greens: Standing stoic for sacrifice, devotion, and enthusiasm to challenge any illness, are the colours chosen by our healthcare workers. Nurses are the lifeline of our healthcare system. On duty, come rain or sunshine. A day without nurses in hospitals cannot be dreamt of because it is impossible and catastrophic. Holding your prescriptions, pills, and hand, they dissolve their personal life for mankind without a whiff. The comforting words and gestures of a nurse can treat patients better than injections. Acknowledging the towering service of nurses who take the oath to heal humanity, we express our gratitude to all nurses on World Nurse Day and honour one such lady. A daughter, wife, and mother of two daughters, this is not some fairy-tale or story of some influential businesswoman. This is Head Nurse, Sudesh Kumari Sharma.

Behind those crisp uniforms of millions of nurses, you have crossed by in hospitals, medical institutes, etc., are ordinary girls who came with a vision to heal and a heart to feel. Seeing blood, cleaning stools, and witnessing the shades of life and death in emergency wards is just another day for them. Head nurse, Sudesh, is a divine messenger serving infected and diseased from the last 18 years for the Civil Hospital in Rehan, Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. “I am there for my patients first and then my family. I am working for a special purpose.” – This 47-year-old woman is ruling the hills with her spirit of working endlessly for improving the health of her patients.

Sudesh coloured her dreams with a vision to become a nurse at an early age; “I was motivated to do something like Didi, the nurse looking after my uncle. I don’t know the exact profession back then. But I got my sunshine looking at her; the way she was working with her heart completely into something and how she was making patients smile in that ward of PGI.” Light enters from tiny cracks in our souls and witnessing a nurse while looking after a relative in PGI, a girl turned to be a head nurse in Civil Hospital.

A simple, generous, and amazing lady who cherishes the nature of her work. She has no regrets in life but still trying to figure out why her profession is not respected enough in our society. “We are doing what even the loved ones deny to for the patients.” While narrating her experiences, she describes the moments when on festivals like Diwali, Karwa Chauth, Dussehra or Holi, her chair at the dining table of her home is always empty. When the women around her are adorning their homes or swirling delicious savouries, she is noting down someone’s blood pressure or cleaning up an invalid. Her hardships go unnoticed. Unintentional insults by addicts, unwarranted blame, and brickbats by families who would have lost their loved one, or struggle with mentally challenged patients, there is a lot that nurses soak in, and yet promise to not lose their poise or empathy.

With no complaints or demands, Sudesh has chosen this life. The twinkle in her eyes and glow on her cheeks while describing her journey speaks more than her words. Like any other healthcare worker, she truly loves her job. But being a nurse is not just a job; it takes enormous strength and compassion to lead a life for others. There is nothing disastrous in her story, but magic is in her enthusiasm. How a common woman holds the power to devote herself towards society is itself a miracle! Such was humility in her words and grace on her face.

The ones who put the life, happiness, and safety of others before their own, are certainly made up for a different metal. Painted with colors of blood and fluids, nurses are doing a commendable job. Covid left healthcare units gasping for space as they were inundated with patients; the nursing team was the highest risk group, and despite the virus doing its rounds unceasingly, these nurses never stopped going on their rounds! Let’s appreciate what we miss in the rush, let’s applaud the magic in their dedication and let’s show respect to their dynamics in battling the disease for their whole lives.

We call them sisters. And indeed, they are. Sisters from another mother; sisters who refuse to wink while we sleep in peace; sisters who are there no matter what. They are the real knights.

“The Knights of Days and Nights  who matter come in dark and dirty armours; because they have been soiled in battles for the ones they serve and live for. The knights in shining armours only appear in Cinderella parties!”

Building Happy Clients in Medical Communications

“The customer’s perception is your reality”- Kate Zabriskie

You will not ring the bell of a home where you are welcomed without a smile. This is the simplest description of client servicing. Be it a street eatery or a multinational company, they are running fundamentally on two core aspects: Quality and Service. As the old granny might have said ‘Client is God’, if your client is happy- prosperity surely knows your address. But the problem is the blue image of client servicing. Does client servicing have a protocol? What are the Musts and Haves? What is missing and what is a big NO? There are no absolute answers to these because client servicing is an art and not a recipe!

The next big question is “We have a strong team of project managers; why do we need a separate client servicing department?” Project Management being an independent functional unit of any service, is not anymore just about managing timelines, sharing deliverables, and keeping the team together. Moving beyond occasional hellos and project discussions, managing projects is now about building relationships. And that is where client servicing enters as an irreplaceable skill and grows as an invincible core contributor to this partnership.

Client Servicing grabs the fuller plate when it comes to the Service industry, as opposed to Products; and it becomes even more winding for Healthcare Services. Dealing with doctors, healthcare professionals, scientists, and researchers is a game of acuteness and perseverance. These experts and professionals don’t have much time to adjust with poor servicing or lack of communication skills. It is hard-won to impress a medical professional with their experience and knowledge.

So, what will be the deal breaker? Here are some choices that you can make while giving client servicing in medical communications:

  • Listen! And Listen More!
    • Listening is an important skill if you want to understand the needs and requirements of your client. You need to understand the message behind the product; you must learn about how their needs were not met by other communication agencies; you have to listen their struggles, dilemmas, goals and basically EVERYTHING they want to convey. This will allow you to design a bond with your client as these conversations will guide you to knowing them better. Listening comes with patience. So, decide to listen before you speak in front of professionals.
  • Stay Connected
    • Make your clients feel connected with you and the company. Make online portals where they can share their feedbacks and suggestions. 90 percent of clients expect an online portal for service. Don’t ignore their queries and doubts. Make everything transparent before it becomes a complaint.
  • Own your Work
    • Deal with the problems of client personally. Don’t make him travel through the emails and endless contact numbers of your company. Assist him and talk to your team yourself rather than asking your client to repeat the same sentences. Doctors and scientists need their tasks to be done on time and with professionalism. They don’t have time for lame excuses as they hold a greater responsibility towards public health. So, that’s what they expect from you, meeting the goals and timelines with a sense of responsibility. Remember, you are as much a stakeholder of that task as your client. Ownership is the word.
  • Every client is a Blessing!
    • Irrespective of the lucrative index, no project is small or big. Even if the client is bringing only small business to you, you still give them reasons to come back. Your communication skills will speak before the drafts created by your team. One happy client will be your live marketing. It’s your attitude that matters and not the money.
  • Make a Personal Bond
    • The project is your duty, but client servicing is much more than just submitting the project on time. You should be able to bond with the client at personal level. The comfort zone created by you for the clients will be a building block for your company. Learn about their choices and expectations and give them space to open. Words have their way to create magic, and this is how you can construct a good relationship with your clients. It may seem trivial before a vast complex project staring back at you, but your greetings, signoffs, wishes, frequent calls, exchanges on online portals, being part of their achievements and successes, and a personal touch to your communication will go a longer way than you ever thought.
  • Consolidate your Service
    • Does the onus of client servicing lie on the PM? YES. Does it lie only on the PM? NO. It takes an entire village to raise a child. As a MedComm company, the output of a project is equally divided between technical experts and managers. And precisely why the service we give a client lies on the shoulders of all. However, there is no denial that the weight is felt more by the managers since they face the client directly.

Client servicing is not just a department but a whole gigantic teamwork. Turacoz believes that before you start managing a project, learn to manage a client. We have an impeccable record of rendering more that 80% of repeat business and there is no other route to this statistic but Ace Quality and Great Client Servicing.

The only way we clock in every morning is with a motto: With every project we deliver to a client, we do not close it, we open the next one with them!

Postpartum Depression- What are we missing to provide safe motherhood?

Holding the baby for long hours, cleaning poop with a smile on face, singing lullabies relentlessly, spending sleepless nights are the most common scenes of new motherhood. But what is not seen are the collateral surges of emotional drain-outs, restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, panic, bouts of despondency and detachment. While the former is normal, the latter is compelled to be normalized. And that is where steps in a crucial point to ponder: are you just a new mother adapting to changes or a new mother weighing down deep under those changes. The line is very fine, and more than often, goes unrecognized and unacknowledged. This is the onset of Post-Partum Depression (PPD) which can take ugly turns if not addressed on time.

PPD slips women into extremely dark and dispassionate places and is experienced by one in every eight as reported by CDC, although only 10% report it.

Are you suffering from Postpartum Depression?

A few days after giving birth to your baby, if you feel moody, fatigued, sad and lost, you might be going through “Baby blues”. But when these feelings continue for more than a few weeks then you need to consult your doctor. Postpartum depression can happen to any new mother; dealing with chemical, psychological, physical, and social changes, you are bound to experience what you never did before.

Some of the classic indicators of Postpartum Depression are:

  • Trouble sleeping
  • Appetite changes
  • Feeling that you are not bonding with your baby
  • Thoughts of suicide
  • Thoughts of hurting someone else
  • Crying all the time
  • Panic disorders

Are you at risk?

Postpartum depression can affect people of all genders and sexualities. Parents who are adopting or are surrogating can also find themselves in this haunted space. The first thing to understand about perinatal depression: the way you feel is not your fault. Still there are some major risk factors leading to depression.

Social and Emotional Factors

  • History of depression
  • Recent divorce/ marital conflict
  • Death of loved ones
  • Having twins or triplets
  • Early pregnancy
  • Financial crisis

Physical Factors

  • Lack of Sleep
  • Drug and alcohol misuse
  • Low Thyroid Hormone levels
  • Any other medical conditions

Bringing in Safe Motherhood

Safe motherhood is not just about a physically strong mother and a baby. Mental health of a mother is as important a concern which is sadly neglected by families and peers. The undue pressure of being “perfect mother” and the stigma of being shamed for not being so, is enough to take a woman down the spiral and permanent guilt trips. Swaying back and forth in the closed doors and asking, “Where have I gone wrong?” is not the solution. It is indoctrinated in humans that motherhood comes naturally to a woman. But what if it doesn’t? Ironically there are absolutely, no absolutes! It is very much possible that a new mother doesn’t feel like one, or her mind is not ready to register multiple signals, or perhaps she is plainly not able to differentiate between the reasons for her baby crying. She doesn’t need to hear those caustic comments, she needs to be heard! She might need a bit more compassion and a lot of help.

What Can You Do?

  • Talk it out with your partner, family, or friends you trust
  • Read books or magazines guiding postnatal education
  • Balance your diet and lifestyle
  • Don’t hesitate to arrange for childcare
  • Meet people and socialise with fellow mothers
  • Divide responsibilities with your partner
  • Be realistic about your expectations from yourself and baby
  • Seek help. See a counsellor and accept therapeutic inventions if required

There is nothing called ‘normal parents’ or ‘good parents’. Parenting or motherhood is subjective and a never-ending journey; one starts learning from day one and keeps on learning. Don’t forget to take care of your laughter, your backaches and mental health. If you are feeling different from what society has told you then there is nothing wrong. Feel what you need to feel, this is also a part of growing as a mother. This National Safe Motherhood Day Turacoz is inspiring society to accept new mommies with their concerns, insecurities, and fears. Don’t force motherhood on her but let it come to her slowly and slowly.

Unlocking Mental Health in the Workplace: Building a Healthy Workplace

Fingers constantly working on laptops, eyes lost in the starlight of the screen, and mind battling with anger, fear, anxiety, judgments, and pressure to win the race! This is the image of a modern human working to earn a little more and finding peace a little less. The struggle of the mind against the world has led to an increase in mental health issues.
85 percent of the people say their mental health issues are causing self-deprivation, poor physical health, reduced happiness at home, suffering family relationships, or isolation from friends.
The numbers are shouting about what we don’t want to discuss. We have unfortunately merged the line between hard work and mental pressure and have started accepting our mental ill-health as part of our journey towards success. This is not only a myth but a catastrophic one! Ignoring the red signs our tired brain and body give us is not a smart choice. Workplace is not a battlefield to succumb but a space to grow.

What are you missing?

An employee within a healthy work culture can still suffer anxiety and depression. So, how does one recognize what is going wrong? How can one assess that something is not right around him? How can companies ensure that their employees’ mental health is well taken care of? The warning signs are always in front of our eyes but not seen often.

  1. Choosing self-isolation

If your colleague or manager is ignoring social interaction or unwilling to converse; The day has passed and he has not shared a cup of coffee, taken a break, or isolated himself till the last light is off.

2. Deterioration in work habits

Unable to meet deadlines, poor productivity, and sudden loss of concentration: the most common symptoms, yet 98% of times attributed only to low intellect and performance.

3. Losing the calm

Frequent and regular episodes of anger, nervousness, restlessness, outbursts, and losing control over emotions are red flags that need immediate attention.

4. Leaning on addictions

An increase in alcohol consumption, smoking habits, and drug abuse are the signs that a person is choosing to stay out of the mind rather than in a stable mindset.

5. Physical Buzzers

Decrease in physical activity, constant headaches, lethargy, pale skin, and dizziness are all the buzzers indicating that the person is not feeling good. Indications like these show that there is an importunate need for help.

“What will my colleagues think? Will my manager compromise my promotion because of my condition? My image will be tainted. I will be branded as a weak human with poor performance…” These are lesser of the many heard-of thoughts, and these are the exact imaginary walls that prevent them from seeking help. People often need guidance and a shoulder to lean on but insecurities and fear to show emotions, especially in the workforce are what force them to take a step back.

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A workplace that holds space

We spend most of the days’ time working/at the workplace. Not always does stress stem out of work; it could be a personal struggle or a family conflict. Either way, what is important is if the workplace is receptive to one’s predicament.

Educating to connect

Awareness campaigns and frequent open talks regarding mental health issues are wonderful ways to break the barrier. Employees and managers can be guided to reach out to coworkers who are feeling stressed.

Maintaining Work-life balance

Encouraging employees to take out time for exercise, regular health check-ups and pursuing hobbies take the employee-employer relationship to another level. This not only motivates employees but also facilitates better communication and trust with their team.

Jumping on Mental Health Policies

An establishment without mental health policies is just a pack of cards stacked on a windy day. Mental health policies against harassment, bullying, discrimination like POSH etc. are not something to miss! Documentation and implementation of these policies should be de rigueur.

Look for the gaps

As a leader or manager, connecting with the team-mates at a personal level is important. Monitoring employee engagement as a positive environment will serve an organization with passionate and enthusiastic employees.

  • Taking breaks together as a team
  • Casual meetups and outings
  • Offsite visits
  • Family days and cultural events
  • Celebrations and appreciations
  • Open conversations
  • Employee wellness support teams

These are a few of the numerous possibilities of ensuring active engagement, discernment, and connection amongst the team members. This can go longer way than one can really imagine by rendering a sense of belonging and a non-judgmental environment.

An individual’s mental ability to assimilate and manage multiple chores of life is very subjective; nevertheless, a perpetual unresolved mental health condition of an employee is a direct measure of its organizational ethics. A happy workplace is not one where employees are endlessly rejoicing, rather one where even the tears and woes are given space, held, and supported with equal conviction.

Beyond surgeries and doctors – How to help a cancer patient?

Needles, pills, liquid diets, and a room with the daunting odor of disease, are things a cancer patient is never devoid of experiencing. Cancer is a disease that takes a human down physically and mentally; a disease in which your own body cells refuse to listen to you. This metastasizing monster has its claws all over the globe and the entire healthcare community is leaving no stones unturned to find that perfect cure. Alas! it is still a quest. But what about those who are not equipped to fight this monster in the lab and yet want to offer their share of comfort to a patient? The family sitting next to that bed as damp as the spirit of a cancer patient; that friend who is trying best to cheer the patient while crying helplessly behind closed doors; all and everyone, who want to, but cannot; just to grab something that can make them feel better or show them that there is still light at the end of the tunnel. Well, there is indeed, light. There are numerous ways healing can be offered to a cancer patient.

  • Brew a cup of coffee at their place – Visit them

Time is the best gesture you can offer a patient. Make short visits when they need you the most: days like Wednesday mornings and Saturday nights when other people do not often meet. Do not let them feel lonely – this is the mantra. Watch their favorite show or cook a meal for them. Go on a short walk even they are willing to and talk all the nonsense with them. Before leaving, hug them tight because it is your love that will heal them faster.

  • Virtual Caring

Even if you cannot meet them, use your smartphones. Keep sending them posts, beautiful texts, videos of songs, etc. You can post a story about your past funny memory with him or share some article of their interest with them. Call them randomly and listen to them. More than talking, listen to what they have to say. Ask about what they like and dislike these days. Create an aura of warmth around them. Make sure you are always available on the other side of the phone.

  • Gifts always help in rehabilitation

Spend money on small gifts used on regular basis and not something big- and one-time use. Think about their interests or something that will ease them and cheer them up at the same time. You can also gift the caregiver.

10 Ideas for gifts

  1. Pillow
  2. Book
  3. A Plant
  4. Socks, Mufflers
  5. A massage device
  6. Subscriptions for various OTT platforms
  7. Toiletries like soap, shampoo, etc.
  8. Food that is compliant with the dietary restrictions of the patient
  9. Hot water bottle
  10. A box to keep all their medicines
  • Make a Project

One extra hand is always welcome. Plan to do one of their projects or errands. Clean their kitchen or water their plants. You can always help the caregiver in completing his tasks; it not only helps finish tasks faster, but also is a wonderful way of reassuring your presence even to the caregiver who is undoubtedly exhausted emotionally and physically. Visits to the doctor can be emotionally very draining even if the patient is ready for what is coming. Going along for a visit is not a bad idea at all as it may take rub off some level of anxiety, if not completely. If it is your co-worker battling cancer, a gesture of help in their regular work or targets can go a long way. Having said this, being the one wearing a cape might although sound like a perfect plan, this often comes with a risk of making the patient feel invalid, dependent, and incapable. And that totally defeats the purpose. Be the empowering force, not the crutch. Do not make the patient feel weak; they do not need you, but you want to be there. Remember this.

  • Ask for help from the world

 Sometimes a patient needs economic help or alternate therapy to fight that out. But with the fear and shame of being tagged as weak, help stayed unsought. But even in those scenarios, doors are not shut. There are many waiting outside to help; organizations helping cancer patients financially and through palliative care, are growing leaps and bound. Find the one fit for your loved one.

Battle against cancer has been made easier through organizations and NGOs like:

  1. Charutar Aarogya Mandal  
  2. Cuddles Foundation
  3. Make a Wish Foundation
  4. Cancer Patients Aid Association
  • Charutar Arogya Mandal

A pledge to provide treatment at such affordable rates that any underprivileged can dream to survive cancer was taken by Dr. H. M Patel, former Union Finance and Home Minister, former Union Finance and Home Minister. The team of experts provides free consultation, free treatment for women and children belonging to BPL families, and a promise to hold your hands in this journey. Cancer drains the whole family emotionally and financially. In such a situation, Charutar Aarogya Mandal took a step ahead to deliver better healthcare to all regardless of what is your salary. It started with 136-beds now turned into a post-graduate institute offering healthcare to thousands.

  • Cuddles foundation

A room of people with one mission to heal children with cancer is what cuddles look like. They cuddle the children with nutrition and diet. This foundation works on the principle that nutrition is the key to restoring the health of a cancer patient. More than 40 percent of the children are found malnourished at the time of diagnosis. Through Cuddles Foundation, people start fundraisers at Give India on their birthdays, anniversaries, etc. and the money collected is medium to provide nutrition to the kids struggling with cancer. Cuddles foundation work through an app known as Food Heals with various hospitals and dietitians to reach their goal of beating cancer with food. A stranger can be a life savior for many children with a vision to heal the pain.

  • Make a Wish Foundation

You do not need to be a surgeon to save a life always. Sometimes you can make a little wish come true. It is not the medicines but sometimes a dream can also increase the life span. Make a wish is like a team of archangels on earth who are completing the wishes of children suffering from life-threatening diseases like cancer. A toy airplane or a one-day trip can create magic on their faces. The imagination of a kid smiling and healing with just a wish becoming real is so pleasant. These imaginations and wishes are turning solid at Make a Wish. They have a completely organized plan of who can refer a child and how can you help with genuine paperwork. Parents say that their kids battling cancer at such an early age when they do not even understand the meaning of life and death, someone making their little wish true is like a supernatural power. Sometimes it is the heart that needs to be nourished more than cells.

  • Cancer Patient Aids Association

This is a registered charitable non-government organization that announced a war against Cancer in 1969. They work to manage cancer patients from awareness to aiding beyond medical treatment. This NGO works at different steps to murder cancer like offering fellowships to Patient Mentoring Program. They work at the regional level and involve patients to assess the needs and requirements. National Cancer Control Programme is their weapon in this battle and hence providing technical support to the country and the neighboring countries like Bhutan, Nepal, etc. This organization is working at a global level with a broader vision of cancer-free earth.

In the road of darkness and disease, walk along with them

Doctors and treatments are doing their part, but it is more about inner strength than some colorful pills. That inner strength is enhanced by support from the people around the patient. The willpower and reason to feel good again are what will antidote them. Your one good action put with the right intention can do magic. Do not be afraid and hold your loved one tight on this dark night. You can be a ray of sunlight in their foggy dawn.

References

https://www.giveindia.org/blog/10-cancer-care-ngos-in-india-helping-poor-to-fight-cancer/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK4020/

Why numb fingers are left helpless – Leprosy

She was unfamiliar with the bacteria inside her and hence even after taking Multi-Drug- Therapy she didn’t eat or sleep with her children for more than four years. The universe might be testing her as she lost her husband during this span of her life. She was denied her rights towards her husband’s estate. From economic support to emotional care, every door was closed for her. Her tale is not of a patient, this is about a single mother who was an unaware Leprosy patient. But this lady turned out to be a winner. With her will and strength, she changed her dim days into brighter ones.

Rachna Kumari – the story of a Leprosy Hero

Reciting a story about the journey of the woman who went from closed rooms of her house to an international stage. Once upon a time, she was not able to meet her kids and now she is addressing the world and helping women. Her struggle speaks about a lady who was diagnosed with Leprosy and was not aware of the disease. She was diagnosed at a later stage by the AIIMS professionals when the pain and numbness in her fingers became unbearable. Leprosy is a chronic infectious, transmissible, curable, and less talked about disease. The awareness about the disease is next to negligible and hence patients suffer the social dilemma more than the pain due to disease. Leprosy or Hansen’s disease is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium Leprae, affecting the skin, mucosa, and peripheral nerves. The most common symptom is pale-coloured skin sores, lumps, or bumps that do not go away easily.

Patients also undergo leprosy-related nerve damage, which will lead to loss of feeling. 

This disease is not transmitted through hug or touch and being uninformed she stayed away.

If she was diagnosed early or proper care was provided to her, she might have recovered early. In such dark days, she needed her family and society to hold her, but the opposite was experienced by her. People are often forbidden and thrown behind doors when they need even more sunshine Today, she is speaking the heart of every woman and patient on an international platform. According to her, she got three lives, and this third one she is dedicating to empowering women and seeking proper health facilities for them. She is working for Lepra in the Bihar district; her roles and responsibilities took her to UN Human Rights and Anti-Leprosy Associations Advisory Board. She opened her wings and gave flight to millions of patients saying, “Treatment of leprosy should be combined into the general healthcare in order to promote inclusion.”

Open the doors

Millions of people are suffering from leprosy and lack of information is leading to chaos. we need to remember that this is curable and can be transmitted when you came in close contact with the mouth or nose of the patient. So, freezing out patients from your family or society is not the cure. The treatment lies in taking care of their mental health and not shutting doors for them. They need love, light, and MDT to feel healthy again.

References:

  1. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/leprosy-symptoms-treatments-history
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leprosy
  3. https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/LeprosySurvivorRachna.aspx#:~:text=After%20her%20eight%2Dyear%20battle,and%20campaign%20for%20their%20rights.

Working from home in pandemic: How yoga can be your best friend in this time?

It has been weeks and months since we have stopped counting days being in this pandemic-driven lockdown. There is a unique quality to this day-by-day pandemic despair; this quarantine depression is edging humans into physical and mental stagnation.  According to an article I read in the Hindu couple of days back, approximately  12.2 crore Indians lost their jobs during the coronavirus lockdown in April 2020 only, which makes COVID 19 pandemic much more stressful for people.

Not only for people who have lost their jobs, but also for people who are working from home in this pandemic and trying to juggle between their family and work without any house help and childcare services available, that this pandemic is proving more emotionally exhausting than the virus itself. With an official Microsoft TEAMS video call in my morning joggers or stirring the ladle in a cooking pot with my official call in my earpods and with my toddler in my arms, I too am acing at juggling! Watching this situation very closely for past couple of months now, I feel a more accepting and holistic approach to this fiasco is the need of the hour.

We all know that there is uncertainty & fear and we all are multitasking around for the past 4-5 months, but instead of getting bogged down, coping with stress in a healthy way will not only make us, but the people we care about and our community stronger. The best we can do is accept the situation and take care of our and our family’s mental and physical health. One way that I discovered and loved during this period, is a 40 minutes yoga routine with 10 minutes meditation, to reinforce my strength and potential. Every single day for past three months now: believe me these are the most blissful 60 minutes I have from my day! I feel that my mind is calmer and more focussed; I am able to do one thing at a time, that too perfectly and my productivity has increased like anything. I am following a very good book ‘Light on Yoga’ by BKS Iyengar and practicing yoga from the same.

It can be anything, as long as you are present in the moment mentally & physically and moving, stretching and doing basic pranayama initially for 10 minutes in a day and gradually increasing to half an hour or 40 minutes; but please follow the same with 10 minutes of mediation (just focussing on your breath with closed eyes) and you will feel a positive change in your day. You can even take breaks in between your office calls and stretch your arms, necks or legs for 2 minutes on the chair or your yoga mat.

On the occasion of International Yoga Day 2020, I am sharing some of basic yoga poses which I have been practicing and you can also start with them as a beginner in yoga journey:

Trianga Mukha Eka Pada Paschimottanasana: Keeping one knee folded, try to touch your nose to the other stretched knee. It gives a nice and long stretch to your tense back and can make you ready for a long office call.

Matasyasana: Matasyasana or  Fish pose is a reclining back-bending pose. It relieves tension in your neck, throat, and shoulders and stretches and tones the front of your neck and your abdominals. It could be proven beneficial for all the creative people who like to keep their neck in the laptop screens for better focus.

Dhanurasana: Dhanurasana or chakrasana or wheel pose or The Upper Facing Bow whatever you can call, it can help—and strengthen your arms, legs, abdomen, and spine. For this one, you bend your knees and place your heels as close to the hips as possible and then slowly raise your arms, bend your elbows by resting the palms beside your ears.Floating camel pose: an advance version of Utraasna. This one is little bit of an advance yoga pose and maybe you will be able to do it after a month’s practice but the benefits are for sure worth the pain in the process. It increases flexibility in the spine, stimulates the nervous system, opens the chest and shoulders, improves circulation and digestion, and stimulates the thyroid gland. It’s said to rejuvenate/increase energy levels, and lower blood pressure.Sirsasana or headstand: and finally the king of all the yoga poses, The headstand. This is definitely a very advance yoga pose but is known as the most relaxing and cooling posture. It helps you to draw your attention inwards, to concentrate more, to focus more. This posture is extremely helpful if you are having anxiety, stress, fear or otherwise worrisome thoughts. Combine headstand with long, slow breathing and you have a recipe for stress relief.

So happy International yoga day 2020 people and I would like to leave you with a very special quote from my favourite yogi BKS Iyengar, ‘Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame.’

Blood Donation: Significance

The gift of blood is the gift of life. There is no other substitute for human blood. According to statistics, every two seconds someone is in dire need for blood. And only one pint of blood can save up to three lives. Data collected over a span of many years suggests that the blood type most often requested by hospitals is Type O.

Sickle cell patients are required to have frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives. And for cancer patients (with an estimate of more than 1 million new patients every year), many of them require blood, sometimes on a regular basis, during their chemotherapy treatment.

FYI: A single car accident victim can require up to 100 units of blood to survive.

Things to know about the blood donation process:

  • Blood donation is safe! Hospitals/doctors/nurses make sure that a sterile needle is used only once for each individual donor and then discarded/destroyed.
  • The process is simple. Mainly consisting of four steps:
  1. Registration
  2. Physical & Medical history
  3. Donation
  4. Refreshments
  • A mini-physical is done for every donor, checking his/her temperature, blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin count. Basically, to ensure that the donor is fit for donating, and if whether it is safe.
  • The real process takes around 10-12 minutes. It is crucial for you to stay calm if it is your first time donating.
  • The average human adult has approximately 10 units of blood in their body. At the time of donation, roughly one unit is given (don’t worry you still have enough).
  • Red blood cells can be donated every 56 days (by a healthy person).
  • Platelets can be donated every 7 days apart (a maximum of 24 times a year).
  • All blood donations are tested for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B & C, syphilis and other diseases, before it is transfused.

General FYI:

  • Type O- red cells can be transfused to patients of all blood types.
  • Type AB+ plasma can be transfused to patients of all other blood types.

Top Ten Reasons Why You Should Donate Blood (there is no denying these):

  1. First of all, it saves lives! What else is there to know?
  2. It is one of your civic duties as a responsible citizen.
  3. Not everyone can donate blood, it’s a blessing to have the ability to save people.
  4. If one day you need blood, you won’t hesitate to take it, so why hesitate to give it?
  5. It gives the donors a free medical checkup.
  6. It helps maintain an adequate blood supply in the community for secure blood transfusions.
  7. The feeling of satisfaction of helping others is unreal.
  8. Even though the cure for cancer is not discovered, yet! But donating blood helps keep someone alive while they wait for the cure.
  9. The real question is, why not give blood?
  10. Excuses are always vague, there is no logical reason as to why a healthy person should not donate blood.

Advantages of donating blood:

Donating blood is not only beneficial for the person receiving it, but it is also highly beneficial for the donor’s health.

  • Lowers iron levels: The body needs iron to produce red blood cells. But too much iron in the blood can be harmful. Too much iron in one’s blood can lead to it being deposited in different organs of the body, such as the heart and the liver, and this could lead to a malfunction in the way those organs function. Donating blood can help control the level of iron in your system.
  • Checks your system: Each and every person who donates blood undergoes a simple physical examination and a blood test before they can move on to donating their blood. Through these tests, hospitals can assess a person’s internal fitness and health. It is highly possible that a person could identify unknown health issues as a part of the blood donation process. The donor is tested for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B & C, and/or any other blood-borne diseases.
  • Burns calories: According to the University of California, San Diego, donating blood has been proven to burn around 650 calories per donation. Its like getting ripped without going to gym. But on a more serious note, donating blood cannot be considered as an alternative to exercise. Also, after donating blood try to hold off on going to the gym the very same day, take some rest.

Disadvantages of donating blood:

  • Dizziness
  • Feeling faint
  • Lightheadedness
  • Nausea

Note: These symptoms usually subside within 3 days of donating blood.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions aims to spread awareness about the benefits and advantages of donating blood. We urge the people to take part in this noble act of saving lives. We wish that people would actively contribute in this ‘gift of life’ and are working hard towards achieving a healthier future for the masses.

If you wish to contact us, click here.

HIV Awareness

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) invades the immune system and damages the host’s defense system and causes it to weaken against all kinds of minor and significant infections and cancers. Thus, gradually leading to immunodeficiency, which in turn makes the body susceptible to opportunistic infections. CD4 cell count typically measures immune function. As stated by global statistics about 37.9 million people were HIV infected in 2018, with a prevalence of 0.8% in adults.

The advancement to a stage of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), takes 2 to 15 years to occur if not treated, depending on the individual.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of HIV depend on the stage of infection. It’s noteworthy that people with HIV infection are highly contagious during the initial period. However, most individuals aren’t aware of this until the later stages. People may experience no symptoms or influenza-like illnesses, including headache, rash, fever, and sore throat. The progressing illness leads to advanced symptoms and signs, like diarrhea, fever, cough, without treatment; tuberculosis (TB), cryptococcal meningitis, severe bacterial infections, swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, and cancers such as lymphomas and Kaposi’s sarcoma.

Transmission

Transmission of this dreadful disease occurs through the exchange of a variety of bodily fluids such as blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal secretions from infected people, and from a mother to her child during pregnancy and delivery. Individuals cannot become infected through regular day-to-day contacts such as kissing, hugging, shaking hands, or sharing personal objects, food, or water.

Risk factors

Behaviors and conditions that put individuals at higher risk of contracting HIV include:

  • Unprotected anal or vaginal sex
  • Drug abuse
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STI) like syphilis, gonorrhea, bacterial vaginosis, herpes, and chlamydia
  • Use of contaminated needles, syringes, and other injecting equipment and drug solutions when injecting drugs
  • Unsafe blood transfusions, injections, using contaminated and unsterilized needles, and tissue transplantation
  • Experiencing accidental needle stick injuries, including among health workers

Diagnosis

HIV diagnosis is made through rapid diagnostic tests that provide same-day results. These tests dramatically facilitate early diagnosis and treatment. There are self-diagnostic tests available to help test for HIV infection; however, a confirmatory test is always required, conducted by a qualified and validated health worker at a community center or clinic. The WHO pre-qualified tests are the most accurate for diagnosing HIV infection. These tests detect the antibodies produced from the infected individual. People develop antibodies within 28 days of infection. This period is called window period, during which a person does not experience any symptoms; however, he/she might transmit the disease to others.

All the HIV positive patients should be retested before enrolling for the prescribed treatment, to rule out any testing or reporting error.

While testing for babies born to HIV-positive mothers, the virology test is the test of choice and should be performed at birth or 6 weeks of age. New technologies are being available to help perform these tests more accurately along with delivering the results on same day.

HIV testing services

HIV testing should be voluntary and the right to decline testing should be recognized. Mandatory or coerced testing by a health care provider or authority, or by a partner or family member is not acceptable as it undermines good public health practice and infringes on human rights.

All HIV testing services must follow the WHO-recommended principles known as the “5 Cs”:

  • Informed consent
  • Confidentiality
  • Counseling
  • Correct test results

Connection (linkage to care, treatment and other services)

Prevention

Individuals can reduce the risk of HIV infection by limiting exposure to risk factors. Key approaches for HIV prevention, which are often used in combination, are listed below.

  • Male and female condom use
  • Testing and counseling for HIV and STIs
  • Testing for HIV and other STIs
  • Testing and counseling, linkages to tuberculosis (TB) care
  • Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC)

Prevention benefits of ART

WHO based on the results of a study conducted in 2011 recommended that all the HIV infected individuals should receive ART to prevent the transmission of this deadly condition. Also, a study conducted in 2019 reported negligible transmission risk of HIV in individuals on ART.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV-negative partner

Pre-exposure prophylaxis is recommended for all the individuals who are at a greater risk of HIV infection such as, trans-genders, hetero and homosexual couples, drug abusers, pregnant and lactating women.

Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV (PEP)

Post-exposure prophylaxis should be used within seventy-two hours of being exposed to HIV. This includes testing, counseling, treatment with anti-retroviral for 28 days.

Harm reduction for people who inject and use drugs

Individuals who use the injections can follow the below-mentioned interventions as prevention:

  • needle and syringe programs
  • opioid substitution therapy for people dependent on opioids, and other evidence-based drug dependence treatment
  • risk-reduction information and education, and provision of naloxone to prevent opioid overdose

Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV

HIV infection can be transmitted to the child or the unborn fetus through the mother during pregnancy or breastfeeding. This is called a vertical mother to child transmission (MTCT). However, this can be prevented with the treatment using antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Treatment

Treatment comprises of combination therapy with three or more anti-retroviral drugs. This therapy helps suppress the condition and does not completely cure it. Hence WHO recommends all the individuals suffering from HIV to take lifelong medication to lead a normal life.

The clinical research and health care system is continuously working to develop ARTs with better efficacy, tolerability. Use of dolutegravir-based or low-dose efavirenz for first-line therapy, and raltegravir and darunavir/ritonavir for second line as recommended by WHO.

Making the access to the treatment and prevention is the core goal for the upcoming year. And this aims to bring the world back on track to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

WHO response

The 69th World Health Assembly recommended a new “Global health sector strategy on HIV for 2016–2021”. The strategy comprises of five strategic directions that guide the countries and WHO to take necessary actions over six years.

The strategic directions are:

  • Information for concentrated action for the region/country
  • Interventions designed to have an impact on the variety of services needed
  • Delivering services equally to cover the population in need
  • Financing for the sustainability of the services in terms of cost
  • Innovation in acceleration towards future

WHO is a co-sponsor of the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS). Where it directs the activities on HIV treatment and care and the coinfection. It also jointly organizes with UNICEF, the work on elimination of MTCT of HIV.

Prevention is always better than cure! Follow these tips to notice a change in your lifestyle.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions aims to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS. We urge the people to be aware about the condition. Following the preventive measures and seeking counseling is the best way to avoid this condition. However, for the HIV infected individuals it is best to continue with the ART and maintain a healthy diet. Nevertheless, with love and support from family and friends they can lead a happy and long life.

If you wish to contact us, click here.

 

World Diabetes Day | 2019 Awareness

The campaign “World Diabetes Day (WDD)” was launched in 1991 jointly by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the growing concerns about the rising health issues posed by diabetes. It was officially recognized by United Nations in 2006 and is marked every year on November 14th, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sir Frederick Banting, who along with Charles Best co‑discovered insulin in 1922 (1).

The condition

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia which results from defects in insulin, secretion, insulin action, or both. A long‑term uncontrolled hyperglycemia can cause damage, dysfunction, and failure of the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels (2).

Classification:

Diabetes can broadly be classified into two main categories:

  • Type 1: In this case, body’s own immune system attacks and destroys the cells in pancreas that produce insulin. Although it can occur at any age, but it is prevalent more among children and young adults who require daily dose of insulin to stay alive.
  • Type 2: This situation arises when body does not make or use insulin efficiently. it is the most common type and can occur at any age, but middle‑aged and older people suffer from this condition mostly.

Other forms of diabetes include: Gestational diabetes, monogenetic diabetes, and cystic fibrosis related diabetes (3).

Symptoms

Symptoms associated with diabetes in general includes:

  • Increased thirst and urination
  • Increased appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Blurred vision
  • Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands
  • Sores that do not heal

Unexplained weight loss (4).

Causes

  • Type 1 diabetes is a result of auto immune destruction of beta cells of the pancreas. It may also occur due to certain genetic and environmental factors, such as viruses.
  • Several factors are involved in causing type 2 diabetes such as obesity, physical inactivity, insulin resistance, genes, and a history of diabetes in the family.
  • It is believed that gestational diabetes can be caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy along with genetic and lifestyle factors (4).

Prevalence and some statistics

  • People with diabetes have risen sharply from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014. Prevalence of diabetes among adults over 18 years of age has almost doubled from 4.7% to 8.5% within the same time period.
  • Prevalence of diabetes has become a serious health concern specially in middle‑and‑low‑income countries.
  • As of 2016, approximately 1.6 million deaths were attributed to diabetes only and in 2012, around 2.2 million deaths were reported globally due to high blood glucose.
  • As per an estimate by WHO, diabetes was the 7th leading cause of death in the year 2016 (5).

The campaign and the aim

At present WDD is the largest diabetes campaign having presence in more than 160 countries and a reach to more than 1 billion people. It is represented by a blue circle logo adopted by the UN resolution on diabetes on 2007. The color blue signifies the unity among global diabetes community against the epidemic (6).

WDD serves as:

  • Platform for promoting IDF advocacy efforts throughout the year.
  • Global driver to promote the importance of taking coordinated and concerted actions to confront diabetes as a critical global healthcare (1).

What’s in store for 2019?

WDD will be observed November 14th on Thursday this year which is just around the corner. On this day, millions of people around the globe organize events and activities raising awareness about diabetes (6). The campaign projects a dedicated theme every year which runs for one or more year. For the year 2019, the theme is ‘Family and Diabetes’ with an intent to raise awareness about the effect that diabetes has on the family and support network of those who are suffering as well as promoting the role of family in the management, care, prevention, and education (1).

Diabetes affecting family members

Diabetes can be considered as a family disease since the other members of the family somehow get affected if someone, specially a child is diagnosed with it. It is for this reason that it can be regarded as a form of chronic illness like any other chronic illnesses (7).

In a survey named DAWN2 involving 2000 family members of those affected by diabetes reported that 1/3rd of those experienced a notable burden and negative impact of diabetes, including effects on their emotional wellbeing, financial situation, leisure activities, and physical health (8).

Some of the risks, that family members of those affected by diabetes, experience, can be categorized as (9):

  • Biological risk: it has been shown that there exists a correlation (0.34 and 0.38) on BMI ranges of those suffering from diabetes and their partners. Partners of those with diabetes have been found to have higher BMI than their counterparts with non‑diabetic partner.
  • Health behavioral risk: a study involving multiethnic sample of > 500 patients suffering from type 2 diabetes and their partners showed that significant correlation exists between factors such as; consumption of fat, consumption of carbohydrates, total physical activity, and indulging in smoking and alcohol.
  • Affective/emotional risk: it is reported that female partners of diabetic patients have higher mean level of depressive effect. For male partner, the mean level of depressive effect was comparatively lower but still higher than that of the control subjects.

Role of family members in diabetes management

A family can play a crucial role in managing diabetes of the affected member. Having them involved in the self‑care interventions may help in achieving positive outcomes for the diabetics (10).

Families are required to share responsibilities and reconsider role of family as a result of diabetes. Reports have suggested that low level of conflicts, unity, and efficient organization patterns are linked with better treatment adherence (11).

The Family Approach to Diabetes Management (FADM) is a novel model that focusses on determining and exploring different ways of intra family communication having either positive or negative impact on clinical outcomes while keeping patient and family self‑management at forefront. It has been shown that engagement of entire family is easy to adjust as well as cost‑effective into standard diabetes care in addition to offering positive clinical outcome pertaining to general quality of life and A1C results (12).

Studies have shown that family members while participating in health interventions for diabetes care improves their own knowledge about the disease and inculcate skills necessary to support their loved ones. Family’s participation benefits their own health behaviors and health outcomes (10).

Turacoz Healthcare Solution is committed to raise awareness about diabetes management, prevention and educating people so as to make them help their near and dear ones suffering from this chronic lifestyle disorder to maintain and live a healthy life. Family’s engagement in diabetes care can significantly improve the outcomes and also make other family members learn about the management of diabetes.

If you have any queries, email us at [email protected]

 

References 

  1. About World Diabetes Day. International Diabetes Federation. Available at: https://worlddiabetesday.org/about/
  2. Diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus. American Diabetes Association; 2013: 36(S1). 67‑74. Available at:https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/36/Supplement_1/S67
  3. What is diabetes? National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes
  4. Symptoms and causes of diabetes. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. Available at:https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/symptoms-causes
  5. World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes
  6. Getting Ready for World Diabetes Day 2019. Diabetes self‑management. Available at: https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/getting-ready-world-diabetes-day-2019/
  7. The family approach to diabetes management: Theory into practice toward the development of a new paradigm. Diabetes Spectrum. 2004; 17(1): 31‑36. Available at: https://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/17/1/31
  8. Family matters in diabetes. The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology. 2018; 12(6): 911. Available at: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(18)30317-6/fulltext
  9. Fisher L. Family relationships and diabetes care during the adult years. Diabetes Spectrum. 2006; 19(2): 71‑74. Available at: https://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/19/2/71
  10. Baig AA, Benitez A, Quinn MT et al. Family interventions to improve diabetes outcomes for adults. 2015; 1353(1): 89‑112. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4624026/
  11. Ahmed Z, Yeasmeen F. Active family participation in diabetes self‑care. A commentary. Diabetes Management. 2016; 6(5): 104‑107. Available at: https://www.openaccessjournals.com/articles/active-family-participation-in-diabetes-selfcare-a-commentary.pdf
  12. Solowiejczyk J. The family approach to diabetes management: Theory into practice toward the development of a new paradigm. Diabetes Spectrum. 2004; 17(1): 31‑36. Available at:  https://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/17/1/31

Osteoporosis: Overview and Recent Advances in its Management

Osteoporosis is a silent age-related skeletal disease characterized by loss of bone mineral density and microarchitectural deterioration leading to increased fragility and susceptibility to fractures. The most common sites of fracture are femoral neck, lumbar spine and distal forearm which more than often are debilitating and disabling if not intervened. Osteoporosis has affected more than 200 million people worldwide, with almost 8.9 million fractures reported annually across the globe. Close to 30% of postmenopausal women in America and Europe suffer from osteoporosis while India estimates not less than 50 million of its people in the plexus of this debilitating bone disease. The overall impact of osteoporosis is presented in Table 1.

Impact of osteoporosis
Table 1: Impact of osteoporosis

Assessed by a T score of less than -2.5 (World Health Organization definition in Figure 1) and a Z score significantly higher or lower than the average, osteoporosis may operationally be classified as the following 2 types:

Postmenopausal (type I): Linked to the fall in oestrogen levels, this type affects women between 50 and 70 years of age.

Senile (type II): Affects both men and women over the age of 70, but predominantly women.

Figure 1: Understanding the T-Score

Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

Using Fracture Risk Assessment Tool Model (FRAX) algorithms, several risk factors have been recognized that predispose men and women to osteoporosis. Smoking, alcohol consumption, high salt intake, immobilization, sedentary life, excessive weight loss reducing the BMI below 18.5 kg/m2, inadequate exposure to sun and socioeconomic factors have been shown to be significantly associated with its risk and incidence. The most common risk factors are shown in Figure 2, of which, modifiable factors like declining levels of sex hormones, anorexia nervosa, low calcium and vitamin D intake are attributed to faulty lifestyle. Public awareness campaigns have been spreading their annex to educate and motivate necessary changes towards preventing osteoporosis.

Figure 2: Common osteoporotic risk factors

RECENT ADVANCES IN OSTEOPOROSIS

Diagnosis

With one in three women and one in every five men over the age of 50 years worldwide are being estimated to face the risk of osteoporotic fractures in their lifetime [1], inclusion of diagnostic tests for bone health in their health check-up plans to help them get therapeutic or preventive measures in time becomes imperative.

  • Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA): Stands as the gold-standard for diagnosis of osteoporosis by determination of bone mineral density (BMD). However, the high capital cost of DXA created a need for alternative diagnostic tools.
  • Bindex®: Recently approved by United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for osteoporosis diagnosis, it is a portable hand-held instrument that measures with 90% sensitivity and specificity, cortical bone thickness of the tibia. The algorithm calculates the density index, a parameter which estimates BMD at the hip as measured with DXA.
  • OsCare Sono: This is another inexpensive and small portable ultrasound-based instrument that measures bone strength from the forearm radial bone. It provided measurement results in a few minutes and they correlate well with bone cortical thickness, bone elasticity and BMD, including BMD of the deeper cortical layers. These attributes suggest a promising device that offers enhanced sensitivity to early osteoporotic changes.

Treatment

Currently, to accost the imbalance between bone resorption and build-up in osteoporosis, anti-resorptive and osteoanabolic agents crown the list and fall under the first and second line of therapy [9].

  • Bisphosphonates which bind to bone mineral and also inhibit bone osteoclast activity (resorption), are anti-resorptive agents which mainly increase the trabecular BMD and are one of the reliable and cost-effective first-line therapy options for both primary and secondary osteoporosis.  
  • Denosumab, a human monoclonal antibody, inhibits RANKL-induced bone resorption and increased cortical BMD.
  • Teriparatide is an N-terminal 34-amin acid long peptide of the parathyroid hormone which again acts on increasing lumbar BMD and contributes to prevention of vertebral and non-vertebral fractures.
  • Abaloparatide is again a peptide 34-amino acid long and belonging to the N terminal region of PTH-related protein. It has shown to be effective in increasing the lumbar spine- and proximal femoral BMD.
  • Romosozumab, an anti-sclerostin humanized monoclonal antibody, is shown to increase the lumbar spine- and proximal femoral BMD.

Table 2 gives a brief glance over the current mediation used to treat osteoporosis with their trade names.

Medications for osteoporosis
Table 2: Medications for osteoporosis

Apart from these current ones, there have been a surge in development of more efficacious drugs for osteoporosis management (Table 3).

Recent therapeutic agents for osteoporosis
Table 3: Recent therapeutic agents for osteoporosis

A minimally invasive targeted treatment in which local bone loss due to osteoporosis is restored by implanting a unique material that is resorbed and replaced by bone, is being offered as Ossure LOEP (local osteo-enhancement procedure) kit by AgNovos, USA. Also, during the last decade, vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty has also evolved as an effective surgical procedure in certain cases with subacute pain, oedema and focal joint tenderness.

THE KNOWLEDGE-PRACTICE GAP

Despite path-breaking diagnostic and therapeutic advances, there exists a lacuna in their application and compliance. Osteoporosis stays unfortunately and vastly, underdiagnosed and undertreated, and identifying these gaps in patient care becomes indispensable. A few of them are listed below:

  • Failure to follow screening guidelines for osteoporosis by physicians leading to erroneous assumptions and subsequent lack of appropriate treatment plan.
  • Inefficacy to treat patients sustaining fragility fracture with a timely intervention reducing the likelihood of preventing future fractures. One of the commonly observed reason is concerns around side effects of drugs like bisphosphonates, etc. which lead to reluctance from physicians in prescribing medicines and challenges in compliance by patients.
  • Underestimating the menace of osteoporosis especially by women who are more at risk but are unfortunately lesser concerned about its consequences; poor communication with physicians and non-compliance of screening and diagnostic recommendations puts patients at irreversibly damaging risks.
  • Inadequate follow-up and non-adherence by patients during the treatment regimen.
  • Insufficient funding and reimbursement of exorbitant diagnostic and therapy costs also remaining one of the main reasons why osteoporosis lies low on the priority list of patients.

PREVENTION

Rebuild. Refuel. Renew.

Although lifestyle choices, genetics and systemic diseases, and even certain medications pose as substantial risk factors, the good news is that osteoporosis is preventable.

  • Weight bearing and cardiovascular exercises: These not only work towards building muscles, but also strengthen bones, ligaments and tendons. In turn they improve agility, strength, balance and posture, considerably reducing the risks of fractures.
  • Dietary calcium and vitamin D3 intake: Falling on the fundamentals of skeletal science, calcium and vitamin D stay incontestable for bone health. A good balanced diet and adequate exposure to sun are always the safest choices to regulate calcium and vitamin D3 levels,
  • Supplements: calcium and vitamin D3 supplements are also often opted in times of nutritional inadequacy. Yet, concerns over prolonged supplementation causing serious adverse effects like hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria, have been cropping up lately. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently recommended “against daily supplementation with 400 IU or less of vitamin D3 and 1,000 mg or less of calcium for the primary prevention of fractures in noninstitutionalized postmenopausal women”.

“A thousand tiny steps can conquer the tallest tower”

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions aims to provide information on the latest trends, updates and advances in the field of clinical research, trials and regulatory affairs. Turacoz Healthcare provides an end-to-end support for scientific communications, clinical trial documents and disclosures, regulatory documents writing and submissions, and medico-marketing writing along with e-modules & e-books on healthcare and research.

Myths about HIV/AIDS: Busted

Ever since HIV/AIDS is discovered, there have been lots of rumors surrounding it. This article aims at busting those myths and presenting the fact.

HIV-Human Immunodeficiency Virus attacks the immune system of human body and makes a person weaker and increases his disability to fight against diseases. This is caused by having unprotected sex with a HIV positive person and using shared needles/syringes for injecting drugs.

There are various myths about HIV. Let’s have a look at them and then get aware of the reality:

  • You can get HIV by being around a HIV positive individual: This is the most popular rumor surrounding this situation, that you can get affected by HIV by staying around a person who suffers from this disease.

Fact: You cannot get affected by HIV by shaking hands, touching, hugging, kissing or sitting together with a HIV positive person. The HIV virus transfers to your body through vaginal fluids, semen and blood of a HIV positive person.

  • HIV is caused by mosquito and insect bites: Another popular myth which says that if a mosquito bites a HIV positive person and bites you too, then you can also get HIV.

Fact: One cannot get HIV from any mosquito or insect bites. Mosquitoes never inject blood in your body, not does any other insect.

  • You cannot live long, if diagnosed with HIV: A common misconception is that if you have HIV than your life is cut-short or say is over. You will die soon.

Fact: HIV does not mean that your life is over. When it came into knowledge, there were any deaths due to it because there was nothing that we knew about this disease. But today, a lot is known about it. Though there is no fix cure for this, but still, there are certain treatments and therapies that help control the damage HIV does to your body. If one follows proper therapy and takes daily doses, one can live a normal, healthy and long life.

  • Having sex with a HIV positive person will get you HIV: Another myth, that says, if you become physically intimate with a person who is HIV positive, you can also get affected by the virus.

Fact: It is very important to understand that how HIV spreads, what are the risk factors and the preventative measures. By using quality condoms, you can lower down the risk of transmission of this virus. Practicing safe sex is the key to stay away from getting infected with this virus.

  • A woman affected by HIV will pass it on to her baby: This myth states that a HIV positive woman will pass on this virus to her baby during pregnancy and the baby with be HIV positive too.

Fact: This can only be possible in the case where no proper measures are taken to prevent the baby from the virus. A HIV positive woman can prevent her baby from getting infected by taking proper treatments at the right time. There are some treatments available that ensure safer deliver of child and keep him/her virus-free.

  • There is no need for condom if you use HIV Prevention Pill: A myth that says, one does not need to use condoms if he/she is taking a PrEP.

Fact: PrEP (HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a technique through which the use of a regular antiretroviral pills can lower down the risk of getting infected by HIV by as much as 92%. But this does not state that the condoms should not be used at all. It is always good to stay on the safer side.

  • One can stop using condoms if he has an undetectable virus: A myth that says if you have suppressed your viruses to an undetectable level, you should quit using condoms.

Fact: It is true to a certain extent that a person who has suppressed his viruses completely such that they become undetectable, is less likely to transmit the virus. But this doesn’t ensure that there aren’t any factors that can increase or reduce the risk individually.

  • We are on the verge of curing HIV/AIDS: Another false claim that the cure for HIV is about to be discovered.

Fact: There are numerous researches going on and a lot has been understood on this disease. Advances are being made but we are not yet close to disclosing the cure for it. Till date, this disease has no permanent cure and only certain drugs are available which can help control the damage.

  • Straight men and the ones who do not take IV drugs cannot get HIV: Misconception that only gays can get affected by this virus called HIV.

Fact: Though men involved in homosexual sex are more likely to develop HIV, heterosexual contact can also get you affected. Around 3 in 4 women and 1 out of 6 men have this situation.

  • You cannot have children if you’re HIV positive: A very common misconception stating that a HIV positive cannot conceive and extend family.

Fact: It is not necessary that you will not be able to have children if HIV positive. There are certain ways and treatments that can help you conceive. Though HIV is a sexually transmitted disease, there are various options you can consider for conceiving, depending on which partner is HIV positive.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions aims at spreading awareness regarding HIV/AIDS and debunk any myths or misconceptions surrounding it and make people understand the reality.

Turacoz is a medical communication company and provide services like medical writing, regulatory writing, publication writing,  pharmacovigilance, etc. So, being related to pharma industry, we believe in raising awareness among masses for certain diseases and help them in knowing the truth.

To avail our services or for any query or help, you can contact us at:

[email protected]

It’s about the Blue Circle: Diabetes, its types and challenges

Not everything sugar is good for you! The overdose of sweetness in your life can be fatal as the threat called ‘Diabetes’ is hovering over the head of millions of people around the globe. It has emerged as the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure and lower limb amputations, globally.

The worldwide commonness of diabetes among grown-ups of the age 18 years and above has ascended from 4.7% in 1980 to 8.5% out of 2014, i.e. 108 million to 422 million.

In 2016, an expected 1.6 million deaths were straightforwardly caused by diabetes. Another 2.2 million deaths were inferable from high blood glucose in 2012. As per WHO estimates, diabetes was the 7th prominent cause of deaths in 2016. Diabetes has been prevalent in the middle and low-income nations.

When talking about Asian countries, India accounts for the most number of diabetic people. As per WHO, India is on the top of the list of the countries with highest number of diabetic people. Currently India represents 49% of world’s diabetic population, with around 72 million cases in 2017 and this figure is expected to rise by more than double by the next decade.

A month dedicated to Diabetes:

The month of November is observed as Diabetes month and November 14th of every year is celebrated as World Diabetes Day in order to raise awareness about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, considering the gravity of the ailment.

The theme for the year 2018-2019 is “The Family and Diabetes”.

We all have come across a pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness, a red ribbon for AIDS awareness, etc. The World diabetes is denoted by a Big Blue O.

The blue colour is intended to summon the shade of the sky, and the circle is an image of solidarity. This symbol thus stands for “unite for diabetes”.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a critical, long lasting condition where your blood glucose level is extreme. It is chronic disease in which he pancreas either are unable to produce insulin or the body is not able to efficiently use the insulin formed.

Be it any type of diabetes, it holds one thing in common which is that they cause the patients to form extreme level of glucose (sugar) in their blood. It is true that the human body needs glucose as it is the source of energy but excessive formation of it is not good for the body.

Glucose is formed when our body breaks down the carbohydrates which we consume in form of solids or liquids and this glucose is then diffused to the blood. A hormone named ‘Insulin’, secreted by pancreas, helps the glucose in the blood to enter the cells and provide us energy.

A non-diabetic person’s pancreas realizes when the glucose enters the blood and eventually releases the right amount of insulin helping the glucose to enter the cells. This whole process doesn’t function properly in a person affected by diabetes.

The 2 main type of diabetes are: Type 1 and Type 2. They’re diverse conditions, yet they both are serious.

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes:

People with Type 1 diabetes are not capable of making insulin, but the case differs for the person with Type 2 diabetes. The person with latter form of diabetes has either insufficient amount of insulin produced, or the insulin formed doesn’t work effectively. Around 90-95% of a diabetic cases accounts for Type 2 diabetes.

In both types of diabetes, the glucose is unable to enter the cells and thus start accumulating into blood, causing various health issues such as heart problems, issues with eyesight, adverse effect on kidneys, etc.

Symptoms of Type 1 diabetes:

  • Polyuria (increased frequency of urination)
  • Feeling excessively thirsty (polydipsia)
  • Frequent hunger
  • Weight loss
  • Changes in eyesight
  • Tiredness

Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes:

These are almost similar to the Type 1 diabetes but may remain undiagnosed in initial or early stage and hence the complications arise.

Other rare types of diabetes are:

  • Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY): A rare types of diabetes that runs in family and is caused by a change or mutation in a single gene. So if any parent has this mutation, there are 50% chances that their child will inherit it from them and even can develop it before the age of 25 irrespective of their weight, lifestyle, etc.
  • Neonatal diabetes: It is spotted under the age of 6 months. In it the mutation of genes affects the insulin formation resulting in a high blood glucose level. Around 20% of people affected by this have developmental delay or epilepsy. It’s different from Type 1 diabetes on the point that Type 1 doesn’t affect a person below the age group of 6 months.
  • Wolfram syndrome: A rare type of genetic disorder which is also acknowledged as DIDMOAD syndrome, pertaining to its 4 common features (Diabetes Insipidus, Diabetes Mellitus, Optic Atrophy & Deafness).
  • Alstrom syndrome: It is also a rare genetically inherited condition which has features like Retinal decay, loss of hearing capacity, obesity, kidney failure, rheumatic problems, etc.

People suffering with Type 2 diabetes have quite a few issues when monitoring their health, like:

  • Monitoring their blood sugar level at regular intervals, throughout the day.
  • Consuming a diabetic-friendly diet
  • Exercising on daily basis to stay fit and maintain weight.
  • Taking the daily dose of medications.
  • Frequently visiting the doctor for check-ups.

What makes this a tedious task is that only 1% of diabetic people’s time is spent under the guidance of a healthcare expert, rest 99% are managing it on their own. Self-management is the toughest form of management.

Adhering to a strict and healthy diet becomes quite a difficult task for people today, considering their hectic life schedule.

The most crucial aspect in case of diabetes is early diagnosis. The prediabetes is very important in determining the factors related to Type 2 diabetes. When talking about the challenges in diabetes diagnosis, the awareness of the disease is the most crucial part. The prediabetes stage is the phase when one needs to get alert in order to avoid further complications in diabetes and reach out for early and timely diagnosis.

What is prediabetes?

It is concerned with the pre-diagnosis of diabetes. It is basically a warning signal for a person whose blood sugar level is higher than normal. Though it is not considered as diabetes, but still implementing a healthy lifestyle from thereon can help reduce the risk of forming Type 2 diabetes later.

By adapting a healthy lifestyle, eating healthy and exercising daily and maintaining a healthy weight can prevent prediabetes from converting into diabetes.

Prediabetes strikes when your body starts encountering trouble with the use of insulin. It is yet not clear as to what causes the insulin process to go astray in some people.

Here are the risk factors that contribute to the development of prediabetes:

  • Weight issues: Being overweight i.e. having a BMI more than 25 can result in prediabetes.
  • Absence of exercise: Not doing any form of physical activity can result into mismanagement of weight and leading to problem like obesity which is the root cause of prediabetes.
  • Family history: If someone in your close blood relation or a family member near to you has diabetes, then you are likely to develop it too, as it is hereditary in nature.
  • Age: Getting older has its own set of cons and one such is the risk of developing diabetes. People with age 45 & above can expect to be at the risk of prediabetes and post 65, this risk increases even more.
  • Other health issues: People with high blood pressure/hypertension are at the risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
  • PCOS: In women, PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), wherein multiple cysts get formed into ovaries, increases the risk of developing prediabetes as one cause for these cysts can be insulin resistance.
  • Gestational diabetes: If a woman has developed diabetes during the pregnancy, there are higher chances of developing prediabetes in the long run.

Challenges in health management during diabetes:

  • Absence of disease arbitration for pre-diabetics: As per American Diabetes Association, the predominance of diabetes has hiked up by 40%, during the last decade. Without any mediation, these numbers will constantly rise in the coming years. 1 in every 3 adults is suffering from prediabetes, but dismally only 7-10% are informed of it. In the absence of intervention, around 30% of such people will fall prey to Type 2 diabetes in a time-span of 3 years.
  • Cohesion with medication: Diabetic people juggle between the costs, avenues, competing arrangements and absence of awareness when they struggling to adhere to the medication.
  • Expensive treatments: The treatment expenses for diabetes are really high. The minimum cost care is impediment, early diagnosis and treatment soon after to minimize the chances of any complications.
  • Inclusion for meds and supplies associated with diabetes: The patients today bear a huge responsibility towards their healthcare costs. Along with the payment of rising insurance premiums, they also have to cope-up with the extra costs of co-pays, co-insurance, etc.

Every problem comes with a solution and so is the case with diabetes. Here are the solutions for the complexities of diabetes management:

  • As mentioned, that early diagnosis is very crucial, staying alert and vigilant about the early symptoms is very important which helps in early detection of diabetes. Symptoms like excessive hunger and urination, excessive thirst, fatigueness, etc. are to be watched out for and in case of any doubt consulting with the physician will help in the diagnostics of prediabetes.
  • A fasting plasma glucose test is used to detect diabetes (126 mg/dl & more) or prediabetes (100mg/dl-125mg/dl) and provides with the measurement of blood glucose, post eating for a minimum of 8 hours.
  • Oral Glucose Tolerance is used to measure blood sugar, post 8 hours of eating anything and post 2 hours of drinking glucose drink. It tests diabetes (200mg/dl & above) and prediabetes (140mg/dl-199mg/dl).
  • There is a random plasma glucose test which in conducted test blood sugar irrespective of when the food is consumed. With particular symptoms like excessive urination, hunger or thirst and weight loss, etc., values of 200mg/dl or more is tested.

Type 1 diabetes is diagnosed earlier as compared to Type 2 diabetes as the symptoms are quite evident and it requires immediate medical care. In case of Type 2 diabetes, the symptoms are too mild to be detected early and can go unnoticed for 7-10 years, inviting more complications and greater health risks.

Now it is about the lifestyle choices that you make. The sedentary lifestyle which people lead today has given birth to various health issues, diabetes being the main. Try to live a more active and healthy lifestyle to prevent yourself against this disease. Healthy eating and healthy living is the key to a healthy life. Being aware regarding the disease can help reduce the risk of its development.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions-a medical communications company, understands the complexity of diabetes and acknowledges that the hectic schedule of the corporate has fuelled the condition. Turacoz practices a healthy working style for its employees. Practicing desktop yoga, eating healthy and taking breaks in-between work is the culture practiced here. Turacoz values its employees and understands the fact that ‘health is wealth’ and is constantly working towards making work-life healthier for the employees and practicing a active and healthy living style.

Turacoz follows a ‘NO-STRESS’ policy for its employees and believes in keeping the work environment friendly and healthier to avoid any work or workstation related stress and pressure, as stress is also a key factor in triggering diabetes among people.

“Healthy living, healthy eating and healthy working are the mantra for Turacoz Healthcare Solutions”.

 

 

Breast cancer does not define you nor does it end your life!

The month of October is dedicated to breast cancer to create awareness regarding this prevalent cancer in women, globally. Breast cancer accounts for up to 25% of all new cancers diagnosed in women worldwide. With this being such a serious health issue, it is important to raise awareness about the same.

Here are few of the stories from some of the brave breast cancer survivors:

1. This story is of Kajal:

“My world fell apart on learning that I had breast cancer. It was discovered that my tumor was 1.2 cm and my cancer turned out to be both estrogen and progesterone positive. I cried my eyes out. I was only 24, it wasn’t the time for me to be dealing with cancer. I had different dreams and aspirations but now everything was so different.

I had no family history of breast cancer, so I never ever imagined that I would be going through this. My family and the doctors were my greatest support at this very terrifying phase of my life. Post discussions it was decided that I would be going through double mastectomy. My doctors weren’t concerned about the preservation of fertility until they discovered that I would be needing chemotherapy.

I was clueless when asked that whether I wanted to freeze my eggs, considering that I was so young. But I went on for it. I didn’t wanted to give up on my long hair locks but seeing them fall out in chunks was heartbreaking and I ended up shaving my head.

I was scared to look at myself in the mirror. I was frustrated, sad and miserable complaining why it had to be me! Life was so unfair. But I came in touch with other women who were fighting the same ailment as me. Slowly I began to regain the lost spirit and strength and was determined to defeat cancer. I decided to be a fighter. Everyone around me was so supportive.

It has been 1 year, and I have survived various round of chemo and radiations and I am still going strong. To all the young girls out there struggling with cancer, I would say that don’t let cancer break you, your dreams and your soul. Pull up your socks and fight back and you would emerge victorious.”

2. Neeta’s story:

“Life was going smooth. I got married to the love of my life at the age of 32. We were thinking of a beautiful future ahead, but my world flipped upside down on learning that I had breast cancer. I was noticing a lump on my right breast and ignored it for several days think of it as a normal cyst. My husband insisted that I once get it checked. I had an ultrasound, escalated to mammogram and then biopsy to confirm that I my diagnosis would be for stage 2 triple negative breast cancer.

I was shattered. I knew being a cancer patient means taking all those painful chemo sessions and a lot more and going through various side-effects of the therapies. All I could think of was that it couldn’t have happened to me. I felt helpless but my husband, family and the doctors comforted me and made me believe that I could be cured.

As the chances for pregnancy would eventually decrease with chemo, I went through IVF and got my eggs freezed in hopes of becoming a mother someday. It all began then. I have completed 17 rounds of chemo and dealt with various extra drugs helping me to fight cancer.

I cried seeing my hair fall. I sometimes didn’t had strength to even speak loudly and I ended up crying silently blaming god for my condition. I was dealing with fatigue, nausea and some neuropathy issues.

Undergoing 30 rounds of radiations was not half as painful as the mental and emotional pain I was going through. At one point I even stopped thinking of any future fearing that there might be no future for me. But the support I received from my family, husband, doctors and friends dragged me out of the big black hole of depression I was plunged into.

I came in contact with other cancer patients and interacting with them I learned many things that helped me cope up with this frightening disease. I learnt to be thankful for each day I was breathing, realizing how precious life was. I felt blessed to have such a supporting husband and lovely family and friends besides me, who stood out for me in my toughest times.

It has already been 4 years now and I am all better. I do visit my doctors for health checkups and other essential. I have learned to live even better post cancer. May be not in the best possible way, but I feel cancer has made me a better human being.

Never give up and keep up the spirit. Nothing can bring you down, not even cancer. Just learn how lucky you are to be alive. Learn to give and spread happiness all around.”

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions stands in support of all the women and men dealing with breast cancer and wants to convey them a message that:

“Cancer is not the definition of you. Cancer is just a situation that happened to you. It does not need to define you personally. Gather all your strength and courage and fight against it. No ailment is stronger than your will to live. Be brave, be bold. Wear your pink gloves on and punch the cancer in its face!”

World Rabies Day: September 28th, 2018

Rabies, a viral disease that is mainly transmitted by an infected animal bite, is a 100% preventable disease. However, it is still major a public health problem with one death reported every 15 minutes worldwide. Therefore, to raise awareness regarding the burden of rabies, and to unite efforts for its prevention and control, 28th September is celebrated globally as World Rabies Day. This day also marks the anniversary of Louis Pasteur’s death, the French chemist and microbiologist, who developed the first rabies vaccine. Celebrating the World Rabies Day serves a reminder that our fight against this deadly disease is far from over.

The first World Rabies Day was observed in 2007, which was a collaboration between the Global Alliance for Rabies Control and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA, with the co-sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the Pan American Health Organization. It proved to be an extremely successful campaign, and by 2009, nearly 100 million people worldwide had been educated about rabies and ~3 million dogs had been vaccinated (as estimated by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control). On the last World Rabies Day in 2017, several major health organizations, including WHO, OIE, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), pledged to eliminate human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030.

The World Rabies Day has been identified as an important tool that can assist in rabies prevention by educating and mobilizing at-risk communities, animal health workers, public health practitioners, governments, key opinion leaders, and experts. Today, we have safe and efficacious animal and human vaccines that can eliminate human deaths from rabies; however, lack of awareness is the major roadblock in successfully engaging communities for rabies prevention. Rabies prevention and control has two broad components: animal rabies control and human rabies prevention. Pictorial description of both are shown in Figure 1.

 

 

Figure 1          Rabies prevention and control

The World Rabies Day campaign has a centralized online platform where groups can register their World Rabies Day events and download resources, in print and online, that can support their message for rabies prevention. Moreover, since rabies is a disease that can easily cross borders, especially in wild animal populations, the campaign encourages trans‑national collaboration of rabies control and prevention. The World Rabies Day logo represents the complexity of rabies, which can infect human beings, wildlife and domestic animals, and therefore, needs an interdisciplinary approach to control it.

Overall, the World Rabies Day is a campaign for education, awareness, and action to encourage organizations across all levels-international and local-to increase the spread of messages for rabies prevention. With this blog, Turacoz Healthcare Solutions (a medical communication company) aim to raise awareness about rabies prevention and highlight progress in defeating this animal transmitted viral disease.

Being a Star in your Industry is a Matter of Corporate Etiquettes!

You might wonder about the title of this article, figuring out how manners can make you a star. But before we explain you how, let’s look at the story of 2 individuals, Mr. X, who is an MBA graduate with 90% and is working for a big company for 3 years. Mr. Z, who serves the same company as Mr. X but with qualifications of bachelors & work experience of only a year. Mr. X excels in terms of qualifications & experience.

Both left to meet their clients one day for some work. Mr. X went into the cabin without knocking and discovered that client was his batch-mate & seeing this he said while patting on his client’s shoulders –“Hey! Good morning. How are you doing? Long time. (flipping the file on the table) have a look at my new proposal, I bet it is awesome dude.”

Mr. Z went in after knocking and receiving a welcome gesture from his client. He recognized the client was someone he knew. He then asked for the permission to sit and spoke-“Good Morning, sir. As per the telephonic discussion, I have prepared a draft of the proposal. Kindly have a look. (handing over the file to the client)”

He then stands up, greets again and then leaves.

The client thrashed Mr. X while Mr. Z got an appreciation for his efforts.

Now you must marvel, what went so wrong with Mr. X? Well, the lack of proper business etiquettes landed Mr. X in this situation. No matter how well qualified he was and how much experience he had, he didn’t act accordingly. When into business, your personal relationships don’t signify, you must act formally.

Mr. Z though being less qualified and experienced than Mr. X, knew how to act professionally and thus strike the chord right.

So, when you are driving in a corporate set up, it signifies how you behave in the business environment.

What are Corporate Etiquettes?

These are an array of generally recognized rules for acting reasonably in a business environment. It is a way of displaying socially relevant behavior in business relationships.

Why Corporate Etiquettes?

  • It gives a positive perception of you
  • Behaving properly makes you feel confident & composed, letting you focus on your work
  • It saves your time as you don’t have to appease the individual whose sentiments you have hurt
  • It makes people around you comfortable & they would like to work with you
  • Forms an amicable environment
  • Ward offs misunderstandings to a remarkable extent

As per research organized by the American Society of Quality Control, 68% of business is cast away by corporate because of the improper attitude of employees’ while approaching expected clients.

So, you can simply infer the importance of Corporate Etiquettes now.

Basic Business Etiquettes to follow:

Being a Star in your Industry is a Matter of Corporate Etiquettes!

Here are some absolute DOs & DON’Ts in a corporate set-up:

DOs:

  • Dress properly/formally
  • Respect your fellow employees, juniors & seniors
  • Keep your workplace neat & clean
  • Be punctual, reach office on time
  • Respect the privacy of other employees
  • Take care of your tone & language

DON’Ts:

  • Never adopt a casual attitude at work
  • Don’t squeak into other’s cubicles/workstations
  • Don’t keep your phone on ringing mode
  • Don’t touch or use other people’s belongings without their permission
  • Don’t bully or make fun of fellow employees
  • Never wear flashy or exposing clothes to workplace
  • Never drink while you are at work

By following these simple tricks & tips you can shine at your workplace and be a star. Incorporate these into your daily life & see the difference. Turacoz Healthcare Solutions encourages the practice of good business etiquettes within its employees and promotes the same. Remember:

                            “Standards are not established by your proclamations, but by your routines.”

Because if you kill yourself, you’re also going to kill those who love you

Suicide has become the 3rd highest reason for deaths today in the world, notably among the age group of 15-44 years (male & female). As per the reports, there is 1 death every 40 seconds globally. The suicide rate, globally, has increased by 60% in the last 45 years. Suicide endeavors are up to 20 times more incessant than finished suicides.

This is undeniably a sad state as predominantly the youth is becoming suicidal. When you are surrounded by problems and cannot figure out a way, suicide is not the solution. But still, many people fail to understand this fact and end up taking their lives, leaving their near & dear ones in immense pain, shock & trauma.

The world celebrates “World Suicide Prevention Day” on 10th September to spread awareness about suicide & offer worldwide commitment & action to prevent suicides.

The theme for 2018 is “Working together to prevent suicide.”

There are various reasons for suicide, to name some:

  • Unemployment
  • Losing a loved one
  • Family problems
  • Financial issues
  • Alienation from community, society or any group
  • Mental disorders like depression, substance abuse, etc.

As per a survey, mental states like depression account for most suicides in the world, about 90%.

According to the reports by WHO:

  • The Eastern European region has the highest suicide rate for both the genders.
  • India & China contribute to 30% of total suicides worldwide.
  • 55% of people aged between 15-44 years & 45% aged 45 or above commit suicide.
  • Suicide among the youth is becoming a major reason for concern.

Suicide in India:

A land of over 1.32 billion people has a suicide rate of 16.4 per 100,000 women (6th highest globally) & 25.8 for men (22nd highest in the world), according to WHO. The major causes are identified as family issues, prolonged illness & any mental disorder. People in the age group of 15-44 had the highest number of suicides.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions understands the severity of the problem and presents some tips to help a suicidal person.

First, let’s get ourselves clear about common misconceptions about suicide:

  • Individuals who discuss suicide won’t usually do it
  • Any individual who tries to kill him/herself must be insane
  • In the event that a man is resolved to murder him/herself, nothing will stop them
  • Individuals who committed suicide were individuals unwilling to have looked for help
  • Discussing suicide may give somebody the thought

If you pay attention, then anyone who is about to attempt a suicide or is having suicidal thoughts, won’t commit it abruptly. He/she will drop some or the other hint. Being alert & noticing the hints can aid in preventing the suicide

Below mentioned are some hints that a person thinking of suicide might drop:

  • Discussing suicide
  • Searching out deadly means like pills, gun, etc.
  • Distraction with death
  • No expectation for what’s to come
  • Self-hatred, self-loathing
  • Getting undertakings all together like making a will, etc.
  • Saying farewell
  • Pulling back from others
  • Causing harm to themselves
  • A sudden feeling of quiet

Preventing the suicide:

Because if you kill yourself, you’re also going to kill those who love you

  • Speak up to the individual whom you are really concerned about. If you think he/she is having suicidal intentions, you, being the individual to share the sentiments with might make him feel comfortable and by talking, you will also get an idea of his mental state and judge the gravity of the situation.
  • Respond promptly in a deadlock. Once you have analyzed the urgency of the situation and sensed the degree of the threat, respond accordingly. Call emergency services, remove any hazardous material or weapons & make sure to stick with the person about to commit suicide.
  • Extend your support & sympathy. Lay an ear to the person and hear out all he/she has to say. Comfort the individual and try to console him/her. Show your faith in him/her and make the person believe that they are much needed here and are loved and cared for.

To help a suicidal person you should:

  • Reach out for professional help
  • Have a follow-up on the treatment
  • Raise the person’s morale & encourage a healthy lifestyle for him
  • Keep the person distant from any measures of suicide
  • Keep supporting and caring

There are various Suicide helplines you can reach out to even if you are the person concerned or the victim itself. Below are the list & details of a few 24/7 suicide helplines for India:

  1. AASRA: +91 22-27546669/ +91 22-27546667

      Email: [email protected]

  1. 1life: +91 78930-78930

      Email: [email protected]

  1. Vandrevala Foundation: 1860-266-2345/ 1800-233-3330

      Email: [email protected]

Suicide is an issue that needs to be taken care of immediately. Your support and love for such people can make them love their life again. The individuals suffering from suicidal thoughts don’t want to die; they want their pain to die. We can help them with ending their suffering or at least make them forget their misery and live again.

To all those people who are thinking of ending their existence, Turacoz wants to convey to them the message that-

“You are not alone. Everyone feels lonely at some stage in his or her life. But this feeling is momentary and will not last forever. The world is a predominant place with you in it. Love yourself!”

World Senior Citizen Day- Let us join hands to create awareness about quality healthcare to the elderly

The World Senior Citizens Day is observed on 21st August every year with the intention to acknowledge the contributions of senior citizens of to the society. Further, it intends to make people aware about the condition of elderly and support them while aging. Aging is an unstoppable phenomenon which is also related to numerous health concerns. The global improvement in standard of living has increased longevity and is associated with aging of population. In the year 2011, the estimated number of adults living in India over 60 years of age was about 104 million. This number is expected to increase up to 323 million by 2050, thus constituting approximately 20% of the total Indian population. Furthermore, older people across the globe are estimated by World Health Organization (WHO) to outnumber children under age of 14 years by the year 2050.

With such drastic increase in elderly population, there has been increased burden of geriatric health problems worldwide including India. Therefore, for any nation to prosper in current scenario, wellbeing of its geriatric population is very important. This necessitates proper understanding of their health issues and related needs.

In view of this, WHO in collaboration with the Government of India conducted a cross-sectional survey on elderly population of 60 years and above in 10 different sites of different states and union territories of India. As per this survey, older people are commonly afflicted by diseases such as visual impairment (including uncorrected long sightedness/ reduced near vision), unoperated cataract, uncorrected hearing impairment, urinary problems, obesity, poor nutrition, hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, dental problems, and depression. Thus, overall morbidity is higher in older population of any country. This highlights the need for preventive health checkup camps for them, with affordable laboratory investigation packages, transport service to labs and hospitals. Furthermore, government and other private/charitable hospitals/organizations should come forward and take initiatives either individually or in collaboration to strengthen the healthcare facilities for senior citizens in the country which may be in form of immunization programs or measures for improving their nutrition or simple health awareness programs for elderly.

Further, it is certain that older people suffer from multiple comorbid conditions which leads to polypharmacy i.e., concurrent use of multiple pills. It is known that polypharmacy negatively affects patient’s adherence to treatment protocol which makes medication schedule irregular. Medication non-adherence basically, is a failure to adopt a prescribed medication regimen adequately. It involves either stopping the intake of prescribed medicines, and/or alterations in their dosage or missing doses in between. This non-adherence adversely affects individual’s health. This results in worsening of health issues and leads to increased medical emergencies and hospitalizations, and thus decreases quality of life.

Apart from polypharmacy, medication non-adherence in elders may be due to physical barriers such as cognitive deficits or diminished physical senses. Low health literacy and low socioeconomic status can also negatively impact individual’s ability to manage the prescribed medicines adequately. Furthermore, medication non-adherence might sometimes be because of more faith of elderly people on traditional medicines and the local doctors than specialists. In view of above mentioned health issues related to elderly people, it is of utmost important that they take good care of their health to lead healthy and quality lives. So, below mentioned are few health tips for them.

Tips to keep yourselves healthy while aging:

  • Keep yourself physically active as much as possible by doing regular exercise and walking.
  • Remain socially active by meeting friends, relatives or joining some social clubs, yoga clubs etc.
  • Eat healthy and balanced diet as per your medical condition. Seek advice from dietician or nutritionist if required.
  • Avoid use of tobacco in any form.
  • Visit your doctor and get your health checkups done at regular intervals.
  • Take your medicines as prescribed. If you tend to forget, set alarms in your phone or watch or ask someone you trust to remind you.
  • Join a pharmacy that delivers medicines to you. Your pharmacist can also remind you when your next prescription is due.

Elderly people many times are either completely or partially dependent on their care providers who are usually of comparatively younger generation. Therefore, onus lies on these care givers from younger generation or the youth of nation to take adequate care of older people. So, below mentioned are few tips which can help younger care givers provide adequate care to their elderly to improve their quality of life.

Tips for caregivers for taking care of elderly:

  • Keep track of health of dependent elderly and take them to visit their doctor at regular intervals for routine health checkup and other body investigations.
  • As elderly people tend to become forgetful and miss their medicines, therefore keep track of their medications and ensure a regular intake of medicines.
  • Ensure that the dependent elderly is fed with healthy and nutritious diet as per their health requirements.
  • Accompany dependent elderly during morning and evening walks so that they feel refreshed.
  • Spend some time with dependent elderly so that they do not feel lonely and depressed.

If it is the responsibility of caregiver to take care of good health of their elderly, it is important for caregivers to keep themselves fit and healthy.

If our elderly become self-reliant and if their caregivers and the society become sensitive to their needs, the elderly can lead a healthy meaningful life. The society can benefit from their experience and the growing geriatric population can be a healthy one.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions take an initiative to draw attention of youth towards health concerns of elderly people in nation and shares tips to ensure a better quality of life for them. Turacoz is a medical communication company that provides scientific/medical writing support to the industry and academicians.

Breastfeeding & Love: How they are the same?

With the World Breastfeeding Week (1st Aug-7th Aug) towards its wrap for the year 2018, Turacoz Healthcare Solutions brings to you a beautiful story we received from one of the amazing mothers. The narrative is as expressed by her:

I became mother for the first time. It is a feeling I cannot explain. Being a mother is what completes a woman and my baby gave me that feeling of completeness.

3rd April 2018, the day my baby boy was born, is the happiest day of my life. I have been waiting to meet him for so long. During my pregnancy, I took care of everything and learned about the most important aspect of being a mother, Breastfeeding.

After Ansh (my boy) was born, I breastfed him. He is 4 months old now and I make sure to exclusively breastfeed him. I am aware of all the benefits of breastfeeding and want to deliver the best to my baby.

At first, I struggled a lot with it, as my nipples would hurt a lot when he latched onto them, but slowly it began to settle. Never once in mind, this thought of giving up breastfeeding occurred to me. I knew this is the best thing I can give to my baby as his mother.
I had sore nipples and cracks on them in the beginning and I was worried all the time whether he is receiving enough milk or not. But doctors told me that I would settle down with time and so will the baby. I decided to forget about the pain and discomfort and focus on feeding my baby, which he needed the most. Despite the discomfort, I fed him for 30 minutes every 2-3 hours in a day.

Today my baby is all healthy and naughty. The expressions on his face while he is being breastfed are so satisfying to me that I will go to any extent of pain or discomfort to make him happy.

This is my request to all mothers who hesitate in breastfeeding their baby, that, you should not keep your baby away from this wonderful gift. It not only gives your baby the strength and nutrients he needs but also is beneficial for you and completes you as a mother.

This is so right!

Breastfeeding is important for both babies and mothers. Here is why:

For babies:

  • It provides the best nutrition to the babies: this is what they need at least for the first 6 months of their life. Ideally, breastfeeding is recommended for a year, meanwhile, your baby can try different foods.
  • Breast milk is the source of essential antibodies: it gives babies the immunity to fight against bacteria & viruses. Colostrum, the first milk of a mother is very important for the baby and helps the most to build up the immune system. It contains immunoglobulin A, which enhances the immunity.
  • Breast milk helps in minimizing the risk of diseases: if a baby is exclusively breastfed, the chances of him/her being ill gets low. It gives the baby the strength he/she requires to stay healthy.
  • It reduces the risk of obesity: if you are exclusively breastfeeding the baby, it helps in reducing the risk of childhood obesity and helps in gaining weight healthily.

For mothers:

  • Breastfeeding can help you reduce weight: every mother puts on weight during pregnancy. Many studies have proven that breastfeeding helps you shed the extra weight off your body. For the initial 3 months, mothers who breastfeed may lose weight as compared to the mothers who don’t breastfeed.
  • Breastfeeding stimulates the contraction of the uterus: during pregnancy, the uterus expands a lot and post-delivery it goes through a process known as involution, which assists in returning the uterus to its normal size. It happens due to a hormone Oxytocin released during the pregnancy. The mothers who breastfeed have faster uterus contraction.
  • Breastfeeding lowers the risk of post-partum depression: many mothers suffer from post-partum depression which occurs shortly after delivery. Mothers who breastfeed have a lower risk of suffering from this condition.
  • Breastfeeding prevents you against diseases: breastfeeding can save you against deadly disease like breast & ovarian cancer.
  • Breastfeeding helps restrict menstruation: it provides a halt to ovulation process for some time thus preventing you from menstruating. This acts as a natural birth control.

Breastfeeding is nothing but the love you can give to your baby. Don’t hesitate or restrict yourself from loving your baby. The other name for breastfeeding is surely LOVE.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions (a medical communication company) support and encourages exclusive breastfeeding to newborns in their first six months.

Desktop Yoga: Don’t just sit there! Start Yoga

 

With the years passing, International Yoga Day, has received super positive response from people from all walks of life.
Yoga, introduced to the world by India, was developed in ancient India. Current Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi actively performs Yoga and encourages people to take it up. Each year on International Yoga Day, he performs Yoga himself amongst thousands of Indian citizens.

With our lives getting increasingly busy, we hardly find time to devote to our health which leads to increasing health issues. Yoga helps us to relax and rejuvenate and improve our health in the long run.

Current lifestyle of corporate personnels forces everyone to be at their desk for 8-12 hours a day. This sedentary lifestyle among office-goers takes a huge toll on the respective physical health.

How our bodies get affected?
Constantly glaring at the computer screens while sitting might seem normal but alas! For our bodies it is different. Being a couch potato doesn’t help at all. By constantly being seated in the office chair or couch:

  • Our risk of getting a heart disease increases by 64%.
  • We can become prone to specific types of cancer.
  • We are technically wasting 7 precious years of your life.

So, in simple words, sitting is bumping us off.

What must be done?
Not going to office is not the solution. Then what? If we go to office, we need to sit. But worry not, Turacoz Healthcare Solutions lists out a logical and practical way to help you cope with the issue.

While we cannot convert your office seat to a gym, we can do something light yet effective for our body to keep it healthy. Let us all benefit from “DESKTOP YOGA”.

What is DESKTOP YOGA?
Desktop Yoga is simply a string of easy-to-perform exercises based on traditional yoga and are crafted particularly for the community of working people.

These exercises not only helps our body to relax but also re-energizes us helping us to focus better. It’s also appropriate for people who don’t want to put in much effort and exercise. We can perform desktop yoga easily while sitting on your office chair and ensure towards minimizing your stress.

Desktop yoga spots the muscles that are usually affected while we sit for prolonged hours. It is body part specific, so it is up to us in terms of duration in which we want to practice it.

We, at Turacoz HealthCare Solutions practice Desktop Yoga and aim to spread awareness regarding it thus promoting its practice. For us, the well-being of our employees is of primary concern and we sincerely believe that only a fit and healthy employee can perform at his true and best potential.

The following images depicts the different steps and types of “DESKTOP YOGA”

Desktop yoga

Along with performing these basic exercises, we must also follow few basic but golden tips to stay fit and healthy, both physically and mentally:

  • Must eat healthy food, avoid junk
  • Avoid sitting in one position for too long. We must stand up and take a walk and stretch our body at regular intervals
  • Avoid looking at the screen for elongated hours, must blink frequently to keep our eyes moist.
  • Avoid stress as much as possible and take interest in various hobbies
  • Practice meditation and
  • Stay positive and happy

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions wishes everyone a very happy International Yoga Day and urges all to opt for a healthy and happy lifestyle. STAY FIT, STAY HIT.

‘World No Tobacco Day’ (31st May 2018): Tobacco and Heart Disease.

World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is celebrated every year on 31st May, since its beginning in 1988. The main aim to mark this day is to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption around the world. It also aims to spread awareness about the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and the health risks associated with tobacco consumption. The resolution to celebrate 31 May as WNTD was passed by the World Health Assembly (WHA) in 1998 (WHA40.38). The World Health Organization (WHO) has continuously supported WNTD, every year for this campaign and decides on a theme for the day to create a more unified global message. The global theme for WNTD 2018 is – “Tobacco and Heart disease”. The theme focuses on the association between tobacco consumption and cardiovascular health and aims to inculcate the sense of refraining from tobacco use among general people.

Tobacco contains nicotine, a drug classified as potent parasympathomimetic stimulant. Nicotine is a poisonous alkaloid of the plant genus Nicotiana (family Solanaceae). The WHO declared tobacco as the world’s single greatest preventable cause of death in 2008.

Tobacco use is an important risk factor for the development of various diseases such as cancers (lung, blood, kidney, bladder, brain etc.), respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, peripheral vascular disease, pregnancy complications etc.

Key Facts from 2017 World Tobacco Reports

  • Worldwide, each year tobacco causes nearly 6 million deaths, and current trends show that tobacco use lead to more than 8 million deaths annually by 2030.
  • Almost every child regularly breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke in public places.
  • As per the WHO’s, Global Health Observatory (GHO) data 2016, 40% of children are exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke, accounting for over 600,000 deaths per year. Close to a third of those deaths were reported in children under the age of five and two-thirds were in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia.
  • In 2011, tobacco caused one-tenth of CVDs worldwide. About 12% of all heart disease deaths are due to the use of tobacco and second-hand smoke.
  • After high blood pressure, tobacco use is the second leading cause of CVD.

Aim of the World No Tobacco Day 2018

  • Highlighting the connection between the use of tobacco products and CVDs.
  • Increasing awareness within the masses to refrain from tobacco use and resist exposure to second-hand smoke to improve their cardiovascular health.
  • Promoting heart health by feasible government actions and public measures that can help to reduce the risks to heart health posed by tobacco.
  • Encouraging countries to include tobacco control in their national agenda.

Turacoz healthcare solutions, aims to increase awareness about the negative health impact of tobacco consumption and motivate them to refrain from the use of tobacco products. We must all join hands and raise our voice against both active and passive smoking so that a brighter and healthier future can be ensured for our younger generation and our Nation. Turacoz is a medical communications company, which offers services to healthcare professionals in clinical research, regulatory writing, publication writing, medico-marketing writing, and support for conducting medical advisory board meetings.

World Malaria Day (25th April 2018)

“Ready to Beat Malaria”

World Malaria Day has become a global phenomenon and is celebrated on 25th April every year since its inception in 2007. This year’s global theme for World Malaria Day is ─ “Ready to Beat Malaria”. This theme encloses the universal goal of developing a malaria-free world. Further, it emphasizes the progress achieved in the past to tackle one of humanity’s oldest diseases; and at the same time grabs our attention towards the escalating trends reported in the 2017 World Malaria Report. After a remarkable period of success in controlling the spread of malarial cases, the progress appears to have slowed down. Hence, this year, World Health Organization (WHO) demands a greater expansion and investment of recognized tools that can prevent, diagnose, and treat malaria.

Malaria is an infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites that are transmitted to people through bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes (malaria vector). Initial symptoms include mild fever, headache, and chills, which might become lethal if left untreated for more than 24 hours. Severe malaria often leads to development of cerebral malaria or severe anaemia or involvement of multiple organs.

Statistical Facts according to the 2017 World Malaria Report:

  • In 2016, 216 million cases of malaria were estimated in 91 countries, corresponding to a surge of 5 million cases over those reported in 2015.
  • A total of 445,000 fatality cases were reported in 2016 compared to 446,000 in 2015.
  • In 2016, African regions shared a high global malaria burden, with 90% of malaria cases and 91% of mortality cases.
  • In 2016, India reported 6% of the world’s new malaria cases.

Prevention:

Transmission of malaria can be prevented and reduced with effective vector control. Vector control can be achieved in the following ways:

  • Insecticide-treated mosquito nets: WHO recommends the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) for people residing in areas at high risk of malaria. Pyrethroids are the only class of insecticides presently recommended for use in LLINs.
  • Indoor residual spraying with insecticides: This is a powerful method for rapid reduction of malaria transmission. The effect of indoor spraying persists for 3-6 months, depending on formulation of the insecticide used.
  • Antimalarial drugs: The travelers can use chemoprophylaxis as an effective method for prevention of malaria, as it suppresses the blood stage of malarial infections. WHO recommends the use of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine for pregnant women at risk, and monthly courses of amodiaquine in addition to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine for children at risk below 5 years during high transmission season.
  • Vaccines: Partial protection in children can be achieved by administration of an injectable vaccine “Mosquirix”. The vaccine is a complementary malaria tool rather than a replacement for treatment strategies.

Diagnosis and Treatment:

The diagnosis and treatment of malaria at an early stage limits transmission of the disease, reduces the risk of complications, and prevents death. Parasite-based diagnostic testing (either microscopy or rapid diagnostic test) is suggested by WHO prior to administering the treatment. Post-parasitological confirmation, artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is used for treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions aims to spread awareness about malaria and strategies for its prevention, to aid ‘World Health Assembly’ achieve the global target of reducing 90% of incidence and mortality rates by 2030. Turacoz is a medical communications agency, which offers services to healthcare professionals in clinical research and regulatory writing, publication writing, medico-marketing writing, and support for conducting medical advisory board meetings.

Rare Disease Day: Raising Awareness towards Rare Diseases and Orphan Drugs

Rare Disease Day

On the 28th of February, rare disease day is celebrated globally every year. This day was established for the first time by EURORDIS (The European Rare Disease Organization) in 2008 to spread awareness amongst the public about rare diseases and their impact on the lives of patients suffering with them. Further, it sought to raise awareness about the challenges faced by these patients, their unmet needs and the importance of research and development in the field. In 2009, NORD [The National Organization for Rare Disorders, United States (US)] supported the initiative by EURORDIS and Rare Disease Day was sponsored in the US by both the organizations in partnership. The concept was then propagated beyond Europe and US to spread awareness around the world.

Rare/ Orphan Diseases

Rare diseases also called as orphan diseases affect small number of patients. These diseases might cause serious and life threatening or fatal consequences. The designation of disease as rare/ orphan differs from country to country. As per World Health Organization (WHO), a disease affecting 6.5-10 individuals for every 10,000 people is referred to as rare/orphan disease. However, as per European Union (EU), the diseases with prevalence of 5 per 10,000 people are considered as orphan. While, USA designates a disease as rare if it has an incidence lesser than 7.5 individuals per 10,000 of population. As a clear definition of rare diseases in Indian context was not defined, a non-profit organization namely Organization for Rare Diseases in India (ORDI) took the initiative to define them. According to ORDI, a disease with a prevalence of ≤1 per 5000 people may be referred to as a rare/orphan disease. The estimated prevalence of rare diseases in South Asian countries according to Foundation for research on Rare Diseases and Disorders (FRRDD) is given in Table-1.

Table:1 Prevalence of rare diseases in South Asian countries

 

Challenges Related to Rare Diseases

There are numerous challenges that pertaining to rare diseases. These are as follows:

  • Lack of general understanding about the underlying mechanism responsible for these diseases.
  • Difficulty in recruitment of clinical trials and experimental studies owing to the rarity of diseases and their widely dispersed prevalence.
  • Centers for their diagnosis and treatment are scarce.
  • Research and development is this field is also highly neglected.

Orphan Drugs

Orphan drugs are those that are used for the treatment of an orphan disease. Apart from disease rarity, other concepts also underlie the designation of a drug as orphan. Certain drugs are assigned as orphan based upon their feasibility and financial profits. Illustrating this, few vaccines and drugs which are employed to manage tropical diseases are categorized as orphan drugs. This is attributed to the fact that financial benefits to the drug developers is minimal. The population suffering from these diseases is often incapable to bear their cost and thus they must be provided at a subsidized rate thereby, giving minimal financial benefits to drug developers.

In addition, the drug is also categorized as orphan if it might have earlier been withdrawn from the market and later revives back afresh with recognition of its role in treating some other affliction. For instance, thalidomide, which was once withdrawn from market due to the landmark tragedy in mid-1960s has revived back in recent years is an orphan drug to treat lupus erythematosus.

The recent paradigm shift in market trends and profitability in research and development of orphan drugs and related regulation shall be discussed in our upcoming blog.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions understands its responsibility towards society and this blog is an initiative to draw attention of healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies towards the unaddressed needs of patients with rare diseases.

Summing up Results of Research with Meta-Analysis: How it is Done and Why is it Important?

We all are aware of the different types of publication documents, and meta-analysis is one of those documents with the highest level of evidence (Figure). Meta-analysis is a statistical analysis that combines or integrates the results of several independent clinical trials considered by the analyst to be combinable. It usually aims to resolve controversy over true effect, when results of individual studies are variable; and validate a statistically non-significant but clinically important result of small studies.

A meta-analysis usually considers the main outcome of the overall magnitude of the effect. The process of conducting a meta-analysis is often rigorous and well defined which leaves very less opportunities for bias to distort the results. While systematic reviews summarize the medical literature textually, meta-analyses statistically summarize results to obtain overall estimate of treatment effect.

Conducting a Meta-analysis

Over the years, the methodologies involved in conducting meta-analyses have changed. The Cochrane Collaboration has been the most important contributor to streamline and validate the procedures involved in conducting a meta-analysis. Major contributions of the Cochrane Handbook include development of protocols which describe literature search, and analytic and diagnostic methods for evaluating the output of meta-analyses. Additionally, the PreferredReporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses(PRISMA) statement provides a more robust procedure in which meta-analyses can be conducted. Steps involved in a meta-analysis include:

A sound literature search is the key to achieving robust results. A clear definition of the hypotheses to be investigated can provide the framework for the overall process to be followed in a meta-analysis. The PRISMA statement recommends inclusion of PICOS (Participants, Interventions, Comparators, Outcomes, and Study Designs) explicitly in the research question. Inclusion of PICOS incorporates all aspects being considered for the selection of studies which further helps in searching for studies with specific information/results. Searching most electronic databases with relevant search terms is important to identify articles. However; identifying appropriate search terms is the first step to achieving this. According to the PRISMA statement, complete search strategy used for at least one electronic database must be reported.

The quality assessment of studies to be included is done by evaluating each study for the eligibility for inclusion, study bias, study quality, and reported findings. Often, two independent reviewers are involved in assessing the study quality of the included studies. This assessment basically provides insights to the degree to which the trial design, conduct, analysis, and presentation have minimized or avoided systematic biases.Several tools are available to assess the study quality of which JADAD, and QUADAS are a few to name.

Data extraction decides the result of the meta-analysis. Important data which requires to be collected includes study design, description of study groups, diagnostic information, treatments, length of follow-up evaluations, and outcome measures. Sometimes, data extraction may pose a challenge when studies use different outcome metrics. In these cases, the data must be converted to a uniform metric for easy pooling.

Measuring inter-study heterogeneity is very important to understand whether the data of the meta‑analysis has addressed the two most important questions:

  1. What is the overall relationship between the treatment/intervention/ exposure and the health outcomes?
  2. Is this association consistent across the studies that constitute the systematic review and meta-analysis?

Heterogeneity can be addressed by checking if the data is correct, analyzing variation in results of the study, further exploring heterogeneity by conducting sub-group analysis/ meta‑regression, using analysis procedures which ignore heterogeneity, change the effect measure, and finally exclude the studies which may create conflict.

The data analysis is very complex and involves several analysis techniques. This is usually done using the random effects model or the fixed effect model. The random effects model is used when there is considerable heterogeneity in the studies included while fixed effects model is used when the overall outcome is similar in all studies included. Meta-analyses may also include sensitivity analysis which is a repeat meta-analysis substituting alternative decisions and a meta-regression in which the outcome variable is predicted according to the values of one or more explanatory variables.

Interpretation of the analyzed results must provide answers which are relevant to the context of the current healthcare, state the methodological limitations of studies, consider size of effect in studies and review, their consistency and presence of dose-response relationship, consider interpreting results in context of temporal cumulative meta-analysis, make recommendations that are clear and practical, and finally propose future research age.

In conclusion, conducting a meta-analysis can prove beneficial as it summarizes the overall results in an area of research. However; it must be noted that a single study cannot provide definitive conclusions. In addition, larger randomized controlled trials may sometimes contradict to the results of a meta-analysis. Meta-analysis can summarize the results of studies with varying sample size, diverse populations across different ages which provide an opportunity to explore newer hypotheses. Having said that, meta-analysisstill remains the most important and efficient tool in adding value to the already available evidence. Turacoz Healthcare Solutions (THS) provides guidance in understanding the different attributes of a meta-analysis and its finer details.

World Blood Donor Day

Nations around the globe celebrate World Blood Donor Day (WBDD), every year, on 14th June. The event was established in 2004 not only with the purpose to aware people about the importance and necessity of safe blood and blood products, but also to thank all the blood donors for their unconditional intention and effort to save lives.

The history of blood donation takes us back to the 17th century when blood transfusions performed with poor science knowledge led to some shocking outcomes for the patients. Richard, being the first one to safely transfuse blood among animals, raised a hope of similar practice among humans.  Subsequently, an obstetrician, in 1818, brought blood transfusion back into limelight. Since then, transfusion of blood and blood products is being used to spare many lives each year by supporting people experiencing life-threatening conditions.

This year, the theme of the WBDD campaign is “What can you do?“, with an optional message “Give blood. Give now. Give often“. The campaign underlines the role that every individual can play to save lives just by endowing blood. It additionally focuses on the frequency that should be followed by people in donating blood so as to maintain adequate stock in blood banks to meet crisis.

The International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) and World Health Organization (WHO) are playing an important role making the World Blood Donor Day, a success. They highlight the importance of this day and expect a satisfactory supply of blood through regular donations by intentional unpaid blood donors. In 2014, 60 nations had their national blood supplies in view of 99-100% voluntary unpaid blood donations, with 73 nations still dependent on family and paid donors. The WHO’s global objective is to get all their blood supplies from deliberate unpaid donors by year 2020. To attain the same, numerous events are held far and wide on June 14 to mark WBDD. These include football matches, shows and mobile blood donation camps, etc.

World Blood Donor Day

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions extends its support and cooperation to be a part of this campaign of blood donation. The most ideal approach to observe and celebrate WBDD is to go out and donate blood. Every drop is important, so even a solitary contribution from time to time will help save lives.

 

‘World No Tobacco Day’ (31st May 2017): Tobacco – A Threat to Development

A yearly celebration since 1987, ‘World No Tobacco Day’ observed on 31st of May, is an initiative by World Health Organization (WHO). The main aim to mark this day is to highlight the health risks associated with tobacco consumption and advocate for implementation of effective policies which in turn can help in reducing tobacco uses.

Facts and Figures

  • Tobacco causes cancers (head and neck, lung, blood, stomach, kidney, pancreas, colon, bladder, cervix etc.) cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, pregnancy complications and still birth, congenital malformations and several other debilitating diseases.

  • Every year 6 million people die from tobacco use. By 2030, the number is predicted to rise upto 8 million, if intensified quick action is not taken.

  • National economies and health-care costs are negatively impacted by tobacco uses.

  • Low- or middle-income countries (LMIC) reports approximately 80% of premature tobacco‑related deaths.

  • Tobacco cultivation contributes to global deforestation (2% – 4%), water and land pollution (since growing requires large amounts of pesticides and fertilizers) and significant generation of solid waste.

  • The National Cancer Institute (NCI) in collaboration with WHO found that the global economy is burdened with US$1 trillion annually as a result of tobacco use.

 

 

According to the WHO 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, countries must prioritize and accelerate tobacco control efforts. Tobacco epidemic once controlled will support the health, economy and development of a nation. Alongside, it will lessen the environmental burden of tobacco growing, manufacturing, trade and consumption.

Indian Scenario

As per the National Organization for Tobacco Eradication (NOTE), an Indian federation of 20 non-governmental organizations (founded in 1992) works towards networking and coordinating campaigns of various institutions and NGOs across the country and aims to bring about governmental policy changes which tackle the tobacco problem of our nation.

Way Forward and Developmental Goals

  • The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) treaty, signed with 180 Parties (179 countries and the European Union), guides countries to ward off interference from the tobacco industry in government tobacco control policy.

  • Increase in worldwide cigarette taxes will contribute to government revenue generation. Alongside, it will also reduce the demand for tobacco and help in financing national development activities.

Tobacco control laws and regulations generated and implemented around the globe can promote sustainable agriculture and economic growth, save people dying of hunger, break the poverty cycle, and fight against climate change.

We, Turacoz healthcare solutions, support ‘World No Tobacco Day’, 2017 and urge people to refrain from any form of tobacco consumption and use. We must all join hands and raise our voice against both active and passive smoking so that a brighter and healthier future is ensured for our younger generation and our nation. Healthy food, healthcare and education is what we all deserve, let us not lose it to the tobacco smoke.

World Down Syndrome Day – Let Them Be Heard!

World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. Every year it is observed on 21 March with the same zeal and enthusiasm. On this day, people with Down syndrome and their close friends and acquaintances throughout the world organize and participate in events to raise public awareness.

Why the Date March 21?

The date for this day was selected being the 21st day of the 3rd month to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which is the cause of Down syndrome.

Who Manages WDSD Platform?

The WDSD website is managed by the charity organization, Down Syndrome International (DSi). DSi created this platform as a single global meeting place where everyone can share their experiences, advertise their activities and participate in DSi’s WDSD initiatives. The website is a hub of activity taking place around 21 March each year. DSi, a global network of individuals and organizations from all over the world, is committed to improve the quality of life of people affected by Down syndrome and advocating their inherent right to be accepted.

What is the WDSD-Theme this year?

Each year DSi takes up a theme to champion the cause of Down syndrome. The theme for WDSD this year, My Voice, My Community, has been taken up to encourage people with Down syndrome, and their supporters to speak their mind, and let their voice influence government policy and action, to ensure that they can be included, on a full and equal basis with others, in all aspects of society.

What is Down Syndrome?

Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition, being universally present across racial, gender or socioeconomic lines, and affecting approximately 1 in a few hundred live births, although there is considerable variation worldwide. Per an estimate given by the United Nations, the incidence of Down syndrome is between 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 1,100 live births worldwide. Down syndrome usually causes varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability and associated medical issues.

 

DSi encourages people all over the world to help raise awareness of what Down syndrome is, and how people affected with this disorder play a vital role in our lives and communities. Turacoz Healthcare Solutions, as a part of its corporate social responsibility, joins hands with DSi to raise awareness about Down syndrome and for the well-being of the affected people. Our aim is to communicate our concern and draw more people to be a part of this campaign for those who need our help.

Liver Cancer Awareness Month: October

Facts

  • Approximately 83% of liver cancer cases are diagnosed in developing regions of the world.
  • 1 year survival rate of patients with liver cancer is 44% while the 5-year survival rate is 17%.
  • 1 in 105 men and 1 in 195 women will present liver cancer during their lifetime.

The first step towards finding the right care for liver cancer is to have a better understanding of the disease. Liver cancer awareness month is observed to spread awareness among the general population and a bright emerald-green color ribbon is used to imply this objective.

Liver is the second most important organ in our body, weighing about three pound and located under the rib cage on the right side. It plays a major role in metabolism, hormone production, plasma protein synthesis, glycogen storage, bile secretion and detoxification. Liver cancer or hepatic cancer begins with the tissue of the liver and is the sixth most common cancer in the world.

Risk factors

  • Chronic hepatic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV)
  • Cirrhosis
  • Aflatoxins
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Male gender
  • Family history
  • Old age

Types

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of primary liver cancer accounting of almost 75% of all liver cancer cases. Some other types of liver cancer are bile duct cancer, angiosarcoma, fibrolamellar carcinoma, hepatoblastoma etc. There is even a secondary type of liver cancer (liver metastasis) which develops when another primary cancer spreads to the liver (most commonly from colorectal cancer).

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms are not very specific and may include the following

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Diagnosis

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Treatment

Treatment generally depends on the number, size and location of the tumor. Also, the metastatic spread and the overall hepatic functionality determines the treatment course.

Liver transplantation, tumor ablation, embolization, targeted therapy, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are the current treatment options for liver cancer patients.

Prevention

The American Cancer Society mentions that reducing exposure to known risk factors can prevent some incidences of liver cancer cases. Some of the listed measures are:

  • Proper vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV)
  • Treatment of hepatitis infection
  • Maintaining a healthy body weight
  • Limiting tobacco use and alcohol consumption
  • Avoiding exposure to cancer-causing chemicals
  • Treatment of diseases like cirrhosis, which increase the  risk of liver cancer

Liver cancer is the second most common cause of death due to cancer, and in 2012 it was estimated to be responsible for nearly 746,000 cancer related deaths worldwide. People having some form of liver disease, are infected with HBV or HCV, and don’t even know it. Turacoz Healthcare Solutions supports the cause of Liver Cancer Awareness Month and urges everybody to become more conscious about their liver health and get screened for liver infections. Our accelerated efforts can help in preventing and treating liver cancer.

World Osteoporosis Day-October 20, 2016

“Love Your Bones and Protect Your Future”

World Osteoporosis Day is observed every year on October 20, with a year-long campaign to raise global awareness on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases. Organized by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) every year, the campaign aims to promote awareness about the disease and its associated risk factors. It encourages high-risk individuals to become proactive about their own bone health and advocate for a worldwide preventive care.

Osteoporosis: The Disease

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by decreased bone mass and deterioration of the bone tissue, leading to an increased risk of fracture. It causes a net loss of bone strength; as a result, even a slight bump or fall can lead to a broken bone (referred to as a fragility fracture). Osteoporosis affects all bones in the body; however, fractures occur most frequently in the vertebrae (spine), wrist, and hip. Osteoporotic fractures may also occur in the pelvis, upper arm and lower leg. Osteoporosis itself is not painful but the broken bones can result in severe pain,major physical disability and sometimes, complete immobility.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Bone pain or tenderness
  • Fractures with minimum or no trauma
  • Loss of height with time and age
  • Neck or lower back pain
  • Stooped posture

 

Risk Factors

Modifiable Risk Factors Non-Modifiable Risk Factors
Smoking Family history
Alcohol consumption Previous fracture
Low body mass index Certain medications (glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, steroids etc.)
Poor nutrition Primary/secondary hypogonadism in men
Vitamin D deficiency Menopause/hysterectomy
Frequent falls Certain medical disorders (HIV, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease, malignancy etc.)
Insufficient exercise
Eating disorders (anorexia and bulimia)
Sedentary lifestyle

 

Treatment Options for Osteoporosis

Goals of osteoporosis treatment includes pain management, stopping or slowing down bone loss, preventing bone fractures, and minimizing the risk of falls.

 

Treatment

Non-pharmacological options Pharmacological Options
Calcium supplementation Hormone replacement therapy
Vitamin D supplementation Selective estrogen receptor modulators
Exercise Calcitonin
Surgical intervention Bisphosphonates

 

Preventive Measures

Proper nutrition with regular weight-bearing and resistance exercises are very crucial in protecting bone and muscle health, irrespective of age. Every individual must proactively try to identify their personal risk factors and seek early diagnosis and treatment. Lifestyle modification and medical assistance together could significantly reduce the likelihood for future fractures in osteoporotic patients and give them a better quality of life.

 

Food for Healthy Bones

It’s very important to include adequate daily amounts of calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, and magnesium for good bone health. These vitamins and minerals are the most important in building bones and teeth. Examples include:

  • ¾ Dairy products (low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese)
  • ¾ Fish
  • ¾ Green vegetables
  • ¾ Fruits
  • ¾ Fortified foods (soy milk, rice milk, breakfast cereals, and breads)

Dietary supplements of calcium and vitamin D might be needed,if our diet does not provide us with the required minimum dose.

Though our genes are responsible for our skeletal properties like body height and bone strength, we can positively influence our bone health by incorporating certain lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) and becoming actively involved in monitoring the early signs of osteoporosis.

So much we ignore our bone health and intake of nutritious diet,that we forget that deficiency of calcium and vitamin D may lead to osteoporosis and serious fractures. The disease osteoporosis is not gender-specific; both men and women are affected by its painful consequences. Turacoz Healthcare Solutions supports the cause of healthy bones and tells you about the osteoporosis. So, learn to love your bones and protect your future. On World Osteoporosis Day, let’s join in to know more about your bone health.Include healthy food in your diet and say cheers to the healthy bones!

Breast Cancer: Early Detection Saves Life

October is the “Breast Cancer Awareness Month”. Breast cancer is the second most common cause of death due to cancer in women, after lung cancer. Lately, there has been an increase in the incidence of breast cancer in the developing world, owing to increase in life expectancy, urbanization and adoption of western lifestyle.

Some Statistical Facts about Breast Cancer

According to the World Health Organization (WHO),

  • Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, both in the developed and the less developed countries
  • Over 508, 000 women died due to breast cancerin 2011
  • 58% of breast cancer deaths occur in less developed countries
  • Incidence rates are quite high in non-Hispanic white women
  • Asian/Pacific Islander women have the lowest incidence and death rates due to breast cancer

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

There are no specific symptoms when the tumor is small. Therefore, it is very important for women to follow recommended screening guidelines for detecting breast cancer at an early stage. When breast cancer has grown to a large size, it can be felt as a painless lump.Breast cancer can spread to underarm lymph nodes and cause a lump or swelling. Less common signs and symptoms include:

  • Breast pain or heaviness
  • Persistent changes to the breast, such as swelling, thickening, or redness of the breast’s skin
  • Abnormal discharge from nipple

Prevention of Breast Cancer

The American Cancer Society has recommended guidelines for Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention. They can be enlisted as:

  • Achieve and maintain a healthy weight throughout life.
    • Be fit throughout life without being underweight.
    • Avoid excess weight gain at all ages.
    • Do regular physical activity and limit the intake of high-calorie foods and drinks.
  • Adopt a physically active lifestyle.
    • Adults should doat least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week.
    • Children and adolescents should performat least 1 hour of moderate- or vigorous activity each day.
    • Limit the sedentary behavior such as sitting, lying down, watching television, and other forms of screen-based entertainment.
  • Follow a healthy diet, with an emphasis on plant foods.
    • Choose foods and beverages in amounts that help achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
    • Reduce the consumption of processed meat and red meat.
    • Eat at least 2½ cups of vegetables and fruits each day.
    • Choose whole grains over refined-grain products.
  • Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages.
    • Limit to no more than 1 drink (per day) for women or 2 (per day) for men.

Approximately,eight out of ten women develop malignant lumps in the breast. Therefore, don’t underestimate the importance of a monthly breast self-exam. Breast cancer can be fatal at any age. Women should therefore undergo proper counseling and screening for early detection. Turacoz Healthcare Solutions (THS) aims to raise awareness about the breast cancer. We, as a medical writing company in Delhi, consider it our corporate responsibility to share the healthcare measures for prevention of breast cancer.

 

World Heart Day-September 29, 2016 : Your Heart says, “Listen to the Murmurs!”

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders of the heart and the blood vessels which include coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, ischemic heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, raised blood pressure, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and heart failure. The usual acute events are heart attack and stroke that are mainly caused by the blockage due to fatty-acid deposition which prevents the blood from flowing to the heart or brain.

Disease burden

  • Globally, CVDs are the prime cause of death
  • Around 17.5 million people died from CVDs in 2012
  • Around 7.4 million deaths were due to coronary heart disease only
  • More than half of the CVD deaths take place in low- and middle-income countries

Causes

Cardiovascular diseases may be caused due one or more of the following factors:

  • Tobacco and/or alcohol consumption
  • Unhealthy diet
  • Obesity
  • Physical inactivity
  • Hypertension
  • Diabetes
  • Dyslipidemia

Symptoms

A person experiencing any cardiovascular disease can be noted with the symptoms like:

  • Pain/discomfort in the centre of the chest(in case ofheart attack)
  • Discomfort in the arms, left shoulder, elbows, jaw, or back
  • Sudden weakness of the face, most often on one side of the body (in case of stroke)
  • Difficulty in walking, speech, or vision
  • Shortness of breath, fatigue, irregular heartbeats and chest pain (in case of rheumatic heart disease)
  • Light-headednessor severe headache
  • Cold sweating

Prevention

Thomas Fuller once said, “He who cures a disease may be the ‘skill-fullest’, but he who prevents it is the safest physician.”

Some precautionary measures and effective healthcare can definitely help in preventing the CVDs. Here are listed some healthcare measures that one should take to reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems:

  • Abstain from tobacco use
  • Reduce harmful consumption of alcohol
  • Cut down the intake of salt in diet
  • Include 5 servings of fruits and vegetables in daily diet
  • Exercise for 30 minutes every day
  • Get yourself checked for blood pressure, blood cholesterol and blood sugar (diabetes) every three months

Preventive measures suggested by the World Health Organisation include:

  • Comprehensive tobacco control policies
  • Taxation on foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt
  • Campaigns to encourage physical activities such as walking and cycling
  • Regulations to reduce the consumption of alcohol
  • Healthy school meals for children

Individual healthcare interventions targeted to those at high cardiovascular risks

Your heart is at the heart of your health. Together with the World Heart Federation, Turacoz Healthcare Solutions (THS) raises awareness about the CVDs and wants to make you understand what you can do to fuel your heart and give power to your life. You ought to give your heart the care it deserves. So eat healthy, reduce alcohol and tobacco consumption, and keep your heart healthy. Being involved in the medical writing services, THS provides assistance in publication writing, clinical research and regulatory writing, medico-marketing writing, and support for conducting medical advisory board meetings.

 

World Rabies Day, 28th Sep 2016 : Educate. Vaccinate. Eliminate.

This year marks the 10th World Rabies Day, which has become a global phenomenon since its beginning in the year 2007. The theme of this year is: “Educate. Vaccinate. Eliminate.” which emphasizes on the two important actions that we need to take to prevent rabies. Also, the theme reflects the global target of eliminating deaths due to canine rabies by 2030.

Rabies is a viral disease in mammals that is transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal and infects the central nervous system (CNS). Its symptoms range from fever, headache, and general weakness to insomnia, anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, agitation, and difficulty in swallowing. Once clinical signs and symptoms appear, the disease is nearly fatal and the patient can be given only supportive treatment. Thus, it is very important to prevent the disease. Rightly said, prevention is better than cure and after all, prevention is the only remedy for this deadly disease.

KEY FACTS BY WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

·         Dogs contribute to 99% of all the rabies transmissions to humans

·         Rabies causes tens of thousands of deaths every year, majorly in Asia and Africa

·         40% of people bitten by suspected rabid animals are below 15 years of age

·         More than 15 million people get post-bite vaccinations globally, every year

 

Preventing rabies

Rabies can be easily prevented by vaccination. Following measures can help in easy eradication of the disease:

  • Vaccinating dogs to eliminate rabies.
  • Pre-exposure immunization in people, especially those involved in high risk occupations like laboratory workers dealing with animals, children etc.
  • Post-exposure prophylaxis immediately after exposure to rabies can prevent the infection from entering the CNS. This can be done via:
    • Local treatment of the bitten area/wound immediately after exposure
    • Administration of potent rabies vaccines
    • Administration of rabies immunoglobulin, if needed

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions, a medical writing company, aims to spread awareness about the rabies and ways to prevention, in order to help attain the global target of attaining ZERO deaths due to canine rabies by 2030. We offer services to healthcare professionals in publications writing, clinical research and regulatory writing, medico-marketing writing, and support for medical advisory board meetings. We aim to provide health solutions for everyone to live a happy and healthy life.

World Hepatitis Day July 28th: Know Hep for NOHep!

Viral hepatitis, an inflammatory liver disease is commonly caused by hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E virus. In 2013, an estimated 1.45 million people died of the disease. Around 400 million people are believed to be infected with hepatitis B and C virus worldwide. In India, the population prevalence of chronic hepatitis is around 3-4%. Sadly, only 5% of the patients know about their chronic infection and only 1% have access to current treatment options.

Viral Hepatitis: Know it to Act Now

Many people with hepatitis do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected. If symptoms occur with an acute infection, they can appear anytime from 2 weeks to 6 months after exposure. Chronic viral hepatitis can take decades to develop symptoms. Symptoms of hepatitis are: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, grey-colored stools, joint pain, and jaundice. Common modes of transmission of hepatitis virus are through contaminated blood or blood products, unsafe sex, and use of contaminated medical equipment such as infected syringes. Hepatitis B is transmitted from mother to baby at birth, from family member to child, and also through sexual contact. Hepatitis viruses B and C are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer.

Let’s Join in for Hepatitis Elimination

In 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) had announced World Hepatitis Day (WHD) to be celebrated each year on 28th July. Since then, millions of people across the world have been taking part in WHD campaign to bring awareness about hepatitis. In 2016, WHO has urged different nations to fast-track actions for educating people about the disease, its screening, and to improve access to quality healthcare and services to fight against hepatitis.

NOhep is a global movement which aims to unite hepatitis community worldwide and provide a platform for them to voice their opinion, share their stories, and plan for an action to ensure global commitments for elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030.

  • Know the Risk: Be aware of the modes of transmission of hepatitis. With better information and knowledge about hepatitis risks, you can prevent yourself from getting infected and transmitting the infection to others.
  • Get Diagnosed: WHO has recommended simple testing strategies such as blood tests to help country efforts to scale up screening and early detection of hepatitis
  • Head for Treatment: More than 90% of people with hepatitis C can get completely cured of the virus within 3–6 months. Appropriate treatment of hepatitis B and C can prevent the development of major fatal complications associated with liver dysfunction.

Treatment for hepatitis generally includes:

  • Abstinence from alcohol and bed-rest
  • Medication strategy
    • Preventive vaccines
    • Use of interferons (standard and PEGylated)
    • Nucleoside/nucleotide analogues such as telbivudine, lamivudine, adefovir, or entecavir
  • Liver transplant in severe cases of hepatitis (hepatitis-induced liver damage)

 

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions provides assistance in publication of research articles and clinical research documents. We consider it our corporate social responsibility to raise awareness for hepatitis eradication. On World Hepatitis Day, let’s take a pledge to join the cause. Together we can make it possible!

Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week

Helen Adams Keller (June 27, 1880 – June 1, 1968) was an American author, political activist, and lecturer. She was the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Her birthday on June 27 is commemorated as Helen Keller Day in the US.In 1984, US President Reagan announcedthe last week of June as “Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week” — an occasion to raise awareness about deaf-blindness and highlight the contributions of those who have this disability.

Helen Keller was born with normal hearing and sight butat the age of 19 months, shesuffered from an illness of “acute congestion of the stomach and brain” that was considered to cause her lifelong deafness and blindness.According to the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, there area variety of possible causes fordeaf-blindness which include maternal rubella, Usher syndrome, Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, maternal drug use, AIDS, herpes, syphilis etc.

Keller was well-traveled and outspoken in her convictions. She went on to become a world-famous speaker and author. Today, she is remembered as an advocate for people with disabilities and as a political activist who campaigned for women’s suffrage, labor rights, socialism, antimilitarism, and other similar causes.“Helen Keller Services for the Blind” mission was established to help individuals of all ages who are blind or visually impaired, and who may have additional disabilities, to develop independence. Headquartered in Brooklyn, New York,Helen Keller Services for the Blind’s programs include comprehensive rehabilitation services, low vision clinics, children’s learning center, vocational assessment and job placement, assistive technology centers, preschool vision screening program, senior centers, day treatment program etc.

Keller wrote a total of 12 published books and several articles and at age 22, she published her autobiography “The story of my life” which depicted the story of her life up to age 21 and it was written during her time in college.She was the subject of documentaries “Helen Keller in Her Story” and “The Story of Helen Keller”. In 1984,Keller’s life story was made into a TV movie called “The Miracle Continues”.The Bollywood movie “Black” (2005) was largely based on Keller’s story, from her childhood to her graduation.

In 1915, Helen Keller International was founded that is dedicated to saving and improving the sight and lives of the world’s vulnerable by combating the causes and consequences of blindness, poor health and malnutrition.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions is passionate to spread the awareness on such social or healthcare related issues as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity. On her birthday, we give her a tribute by sharing her story.

Men’s Health Month: Make a Commitment to Improve Your Health

Men’s Health Month is a special awareness period for men’s health observed across the globe. It was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton on May 31, 1994. The purpose of “Men’s Health Month” is to increase the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. Alarming statistics show that men’s health is at great risk. On an average, men die almost 5 years younger than women and have higher mortality rates for cardiovascular diseases.Research has also shown that men do not consult physicians for a physical exam as often as women.

There are also health conditions that only affect men, such as prostate cancer and low testosterone. Many of the major health risks that men face, like colon cancer, heart disease orlung cancer, can be prevented and treated with early diagnosis. Besides, men are associated with the most dangerous occupations, such as mining, firefighting, construction etc. which affect their health adversely.

Men’s health has unique aspects and it should be properlytaken care of. So, this month gives health care providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular check-ups, medical advice, and early treatment for diseases and injuries.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions is passionate to spread the awareness on such social or healthcare related issues as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity. CSR is at the very heart of everything we do at Turacoz. Our medical writing team is well-versed with recent advances in various therapeutic areas which give them a head start in various publication, clinical research and regulatory writing projects.

Arthritis Awareness Month

It’s not just a pain.It’s a complete physical, mental, and emotional assault on your body.

-Jamie Wingo

May is declared as “National Arthritis Awareness Month” by Arthritis Foundation, America. Arthritis is a common chronic disease which affects 1% of the worldwide population.Itis one of the major health problem in the US population, by which more than 50 millionAmericans are affected. In India, it is believed to affect 15% populationi.e. around180 million people.

About Arthritis:

Arthritis is best characterized as an immune-mediated inflammatory disease (IMID) and involves bothimmunological and inflammatory pathways. The exact pathophysiology of this disease is still unclear.

Types of Arthritis:

There are variousforms of arthritis,but the two most commontypesare osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There are over 100 other forms of arthritis such as arthritis associated with psoriasis, arthritis associated with lupus erythematosus, and septic arthritis. However, all these forms are much less common than OA and RA.

Signs and Symptoms:

  • Pain
  • Stiffness
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Joint deformity

Risk Factors:

  • Family history
  • Older age
  • Being female
  • Previous joint injuries
  • Being overweight and obesity
  • Infections

 

Diagnosis:

Arthritis is diagnosed based on complete medical history, including symptoms, and physical examination. Imaging techniquessuch as X-ray, computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound are generally performed.

Management:

  • Drugs like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, disease-modifying drugs like methotrexate and leflunomide, biologics like etanercept and rituximab etc.
  • Non-pharmacological therapies like physical or occupational therapy and patient education
  • Surgery
  • Self-management

Self-Management:

  • Control your weight
  • Exercise regularly
  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Use heating pads or ice packs for pain-relief
  • Assistive devices such as canes, walkers, and raised toilet seats can help perform daily tasks

May is marked as National Arthritis Awareness Month.Turacoz Healthcare Solutions joins with the Arthritis Foundation, America to be a part of this awareness program as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity. Our medical writing team is well-versed with recent advances in various therapeutic areas which give them a head start in publication writing, clinical research and regulatory writing projects and medical marketing services.

KNOW ABOUT ASTHMA AND ALLERGY!!!

The month of May is declared as “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month” by Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. It is the perfect time to educate people about asthma, its causes, and the ways to lead a normal life with asthma.

Asthma is an episodic yetchronic respiratory disease characterized by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing due to bronchospasm and inflammation of the airways. It is the most common chronic disease among children. More than 100 million people worldwide are believed to from asthma, of which 15 to 20 millions are Indians. Asthma can influence the quality of life by causing missed school or working days, increased medical expenses, and poor work performance.

Asthma attacks can be mild, moderate, severe, or sometimes life threatening!!!!Shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, chest tightness, andpus-like sputum (in the recovery phase) are some of the symptoms of mild to moderate asthma. Labored and shallow breathing, bluish discoloration of the skin, and loss of consciousness may indicate life-threatening condition.

Allergy and asthma often occur together. Asthma occurring due to allergens is referred to as “allergic asthma”.

How Does Allergy Cause Asthma?

Exposure to allergens causes release of inflammatory cells such as mast cells, eosinophils, and neutrophils in the bronchi and bronchioles leading to inflammation and obstruction of the airways. This leads to increased contractibility of smooth muscles, that further results in narrowing of the airways.

Allergens Causing Asthma:

  • Pollens
  • Dust mites
  • Cockroaches
  • Animal dander
  • Mold
  • Exposure to indoor volatile organic compounds
  • Air pollution

How is Allergic Asthma Managed??

“Prevention is better than cure”, an age old saying holds good for asthma too. Asthma patients are advised to avoid exposure to known allergens and triggering factors. Though there is no cure for asthma till date, the symptoms can be improved by prompt medications. Bronchodilators are recommended for short-term relief, while low-dose inhalational corticosteroids or mast cell stabilizing drugs are recommended for long-term therapy.

Recent studies have revealed that oligonucleotide agents are found to decrease allergen-induced early and late asthmatic response. Infliximab, etanercept and golimumab are found to provide a short-term efficacy in patients with the severe disease.

Can an Asthmatic Patient Lead a Normal Life??

Asthmatic attacks may occur periodically, based on the exposure to triggering factors. However, a few changes in lifestyle can help an asthmatic lead a normal life. Here are a few:

  • Maintaining good physical and mental health
  • Regular intake of medications
  • Regular physician check-ups
  • Keeping distance from the known allergens
  • Avoiding the use of tobacco

Why is it Important to Raise Awareness About Allergy and Asthma?

According to a survey, 51-68% of the patients experiencing severe asthma and 30-61% of patients with moderate symptoms said that they suffer uncontrolled asthma. As most people may be unaware of the causes and triggering factors of asthma, educating people about allergy and asthma may yield a better treatment outcome.

What are the Various Methods to Spread Awareness About Allergy and Asthma in Public?

  • Conducting a questionnaire study about allergic asthma
  • Publishing the articles on allergy and asthma in social media
  • Organizing medical camps to reach rural population
  • Organizing awareness programs in educational institutes
  • Publishing articles in newspapers and arranging for correspondence
  • Organizing lectures about the disease
  • Organizing for a marathon, to create awareness, will help gain enormous public attention

Some Facts About Allergic Asthma

  •  People with food allergy, allergic rhinitis, hypersensitivity, familial history of asthma are at higher risk of developing asthma
  • Once an individual is sensitized to an allergen, a very minor exposure to the allergen may also precipitate the asthmatic attack
  • 50% of people with allergic rhinitis have asthma
  • Actopic eczema is probably the first sign that a future asthmatic patient develops as a child
  • Treating rhinitis may improve the symptoms of asthma, especially cough
  • In children, males are twice as susceptible to asthma than girls, while, after puberty, it is more common in females

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions is passionate to spread the awareness on such social or healthcare related issues as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity. CSR is at the very heart of everything we do at Turacoz. Our medical writing team is well-versed with recent advances in various therapeutic areas which give them a head start in various publication, clinical research and regulatory writing projects.

Hepatitis Awareness Month

For Hepatitis, Prevention is the Best Intervention

The month of May is titled as “Hepatitis Awareness Month”, as a proactive step to bring together various federal, non-federal, social groups, and public health care groups across the world for spreading awareness about hepatitis infection. As described by the World Health Organization (WHO), hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by drugs, alcohol use, or certain medical conditions. But in most cases, it is caused by a virus. This is known as viral hepatitis. Currently, there are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E, but the most common forms are hepatitis A, B, and C.  Hepatitis is a global concern as it leads to more than1.4 million deaths every year.  Hepatitis is a relatively silent disease in its acute phase, its symptoms often go unnoticed till the disease is progressed to a chronic and often a fatal stage. In its advanced stage, hepatitis can result in fatal complications like liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure. Bridging the knowledge gap about hepatitis (its causes, symptoms, and prevention) among the masses as well as healthcare professionals is the key to reduce the global burden of the disease.

Hepatitis awareness month is an initiative to bring in all stakeholders of the healthcare industry to alliance together in spreading awareness about hepatitis. Enabling the people to identifyviral hepatitis as a critical health concern and providing better healthcare facilities to all the patients with hepatitis are the prime objectives of this collation. The key strategies that are promoted for spreading the awareness are:

  • Campaigns: As an age-old method of spreading awareness, campaigning about hepatitis is a dynamic tool in spreading the word.Patient stories, supporting videos, fact sheets, posters, templates, infographics, customizable flyers, infographics, promotional badges and bands, on the spot quizzes, and street plays are few modalities that could be used for campaigning at institutional and community levels.
  • Digital tools: Using digital media like television, radio,ormobile messagesfor sharing informationabout hepatitis, its risk factors, and vaccines.
  • Social Media: Various social media platforms are used to share information about various campaigns, resources, publications, news updates, and latest updates on hepatitis. This acts as an open platform for masses and healthcare professionals to share knowledge and experience about the disease. Any user can easily join the conversation by using hashtags #HepAware, #HepTestingDay, and #hepatitis.
  • Proclamations: Atinstitutional and community level,several proclamations related to hepatitis such as hepatitis awareness day, hepatitis awareness week, or hepatitis screening day can be initiated to generate awareness among people at the specific level.
  • Free hepatitis risk assessments and testing: Various healthcare institutions, public health care centres, community health groups, and private hospitals run a day/week long free hepatitis risk assessment and testing camps. The sole idea of these camps is to enable the masses to identify the risk factors for hepatitis infection and prevention strategies for the same.Self-assessment forms and professional diagnostic checks are the components for this risk assessment and testing programs.

Viral hepatitis is a preventable disease. Effective and timely vaccination among the high-risk group and all infants is highly recommended by healthcare professionals. Providing cheap vaccination and encouraging people to get vaccinated are crux steps in halting the endemic of hepatitis across the globe.

As said earlier, prevention is the best treatment; the statement holds true for hepatitis. The best way to combat this lethal disease is to make people aware about how it spreads, what are the early signs, what can be done to prevent it, and what should be done if one gets hepatitis. As a member of healthcare industry, we all should actively take up the responsibility to spread awareness about hepatitis in our own way. Remember to be informed is to be safe!

Awareness is the first step towards prevention of viral hepatitis. As a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity,Turacoz Healthcare Solutions wants to raise awareness for prevention of this disease through this blog. We are a medical communication company in Delhi. Our medical writers are well-versed with recent advances in various therapeutic areas which give them a head start in various publication, clinical research and regulatory writing projects.

World Malaria Day : Understanding Malaria

Malaria is a serious life-threatening parasitic disease caused by parasites known as Plasmodium vivax (P.vivax), Plasmodium falciparum (P.falciparum), Plasmodium malariae (P.malariae) and Plasmodium ovale (P.ovale). Its transmission takes place through the infective bite of Anopheles mosquito. Man develops this disease after 10–14 days of being bitten by an infective mosquito.

Every year April 25 is celebrated as “World Malaria Day” across the globe in an effort to provide effective control of the disease. This occasion also provides a common platform for the affected countries to share experiences, showcase technologies and collaborate in programs in the fight against malaria.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF MALARIA

Symptoms of malaria include fever and flu-like illness, including shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur. Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin and eyes) because of the loss of red blood cells. Infection with one type of malaria, P. falciparum, if not promptly treated, may cause kidney failure, seizures, mental confusion, coma, and death.

POPULATION AT RISK

In 2015, approximately 3.2 billion people—nearly half of the world’s population—were at risk of malaria.

Maximum number of malaria cases and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. However, Asia, Latin America, and, to a lesser degree, the Middle East, are also at risk. In 2015, 97 countries and territories had ongoing malaria transmission.

DISEASE BURDEN

  • According to the latest WHO estimates, released in December 2015, there were 214 million cases of malaria in 2015 and 438,000 deaths.
  • Between 2000 and 2015, malaria incidence among populations at risk reduced by 37% globally; during the same period, malaria mortality rates among populations at risk registered a decline by 60%. An estimated 6.2 million malaria deaths have been averted globally since 2001.
  • Sub-Saharan Africa continues to contributethe highest share of the global malaria burden. In 2015, the region accounted for 88% of malaria cases and 90% of malaria deaths.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR CONTROLLING MALARIA

  • Taking antimalarial drugs to kill the parasites
  • Eliminating places where mosquitoes breed
  • Spraying insecticides to kill adult mosquitoes that come inside
  • Sleeping under bed nets—especially effective if they have been treated with insecticide, e.g. insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) and
  • Wearing insect repellent and long-sleeved clothing if out of doors at night.

CURRENT SCENARIO OF MALARIA VACCINE

  • Effective malaria vaccine could helpeliminate and eradicate malaria; there are currently 63 vaccine candidates, 41in preclinical and clinical stages of development.
  • Vaccines are being designedto target pre-erythrocytic stages, erythrocytic stage or the sexual stages ofPlasmodium taken up by a feeding mosquito, or the multiple stages
  • Twovaccines in preclinical and clinical development target falciparum; and themost advanced candidate is the pre-erythrocytic vaccine RTS,S which is inphase-III clinical trials.
  • RTS,S/ASO1 is the first malaria vaccine to have completed pivotal Phase 3 testing and obtained a positive scientific opinion by a stringent medicines regulatory authority.
  • Collaborators of RTS,S Clinical Trials Partnership showed that RTS,S/AS01 prevented a substantial number of cases of clinical malaria over a 3–4-year period in young infants and children when administered with or without a booster dose. Efficacy was enhanced by the administration of a booster dose in both age categories. Thus, the vaccine has the potential to make a substantial contribution to malaria control when used in combination with other effective control measures, especially in areas of high transmission.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions is committed to spread the awareness on such social or healthcare related issues as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity. Our medical writing team is well versed with recent advances in various therapeutic areas which gives them a head start in various publication, clinical research and regulatory writing projects.

World Hemophilia Day

Let’s Join Hands to Fight Against Hemophilia

Hemophilia is one of the oldest known genetic bleeding disorder which is caused by deficiency of the genes responsible for synthesis of clotting factors. Clotting factors are special type of proteins required for blood clotting. If a person does not have enough clotting factor VIII, then the condition is known as “hemophilia A”, while deficiency of clotting factor IX is known as “hemophilia B”.

Misconception                Individuals with hemophilia bleed faster than normal people

    Fact                             Individuals with hemophilia bleed longer than normal people

 

The major symptoms of hemophilia are: prolonged bleeding, spontaneous bleeding, bleeding into joints and muscles, excessive bleeding following trauma or surgery, easy bruising, swelling, pain, and stiffness. Left untreated, it can lead to various life-threatening complications like deep internal bleedings, joint damage, and intracranial hemorrhage. However, there are various treatment options available for the disorder like replacement therapy with clotting factors, gene therapy and anti-fibrinolytic medicines. Unfortunately, a large population of hemophilic patients is unable to receive adequate treatment due to its high cost.

Although the incidence of hemophilia is low and is estimated to affect approximately 1 in 10,000 people, only 25 % of those living with hemophilia get proper care.

 

World Hemophilia Day (WHD) is, therefore, a day to consider those hemophilic patients who are unable to access the care and treatment they require to live a healthy life.

History: WHD was established in 1989 with the help of the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH). Since 1989, WHD is observed globally on April 17 in order to honor Frank Schnabel, the founder of WFH, whose birthday falls on the same date. Today, WHD has grown into a global event which is celebrated across 113 WFH member countries.

 

“Treatment for all is the vision of all” is the main goal of WHD.

The main aim of WHD is to increase public awareness, educate patients, attract volunteers, and advocate for improved treatment and care of hemophilia. This day provides an opportunity to talk to your family, friends, and colleagues to raise awareness and increase support for the patients living with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.

A patient with hemophilia must be encouraged to think and act positively. Since hemophilia is a lifelong condition, requires expensive treatment, and affects patient’s family life, therefore, it is important that parents, spouses, and other family members of the patient should be educated in all aspects of the patient’s care. Besides, general information and education should also be given to the community where hemophilic patient lives.

Today, someone born with hemophilia can live a normal life if he/she has access to adequate treatment. Although access to adequate treatment is a big challenge but the WFH has a vision and is trying hard to provide treatment for all the people with hemophilia.

Autism Awareness Month: The Challenges and Promises of Childhood Neurodisability

Autism is a serious, lifelong developmental disability characterized by considerable impairments in social interactions and communication skills, as well as a restricted/repetitive pattern of interests and/or behaviors. The term autism is also confused with the other autism spectrum disorder (ASD) including classic autism, Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism. Autism used to be considered rare, but it is increasingly recognized as a relatively common condition.
Both genetic and epidemiological research findings have forced a change in concept as a result of the evidence that autistic like abnormalities are common and often occur in individuals with normal intelligence, particularly in first degree relatives of individuals with autism.

Autism and other forms of disability are part of the human experience that contributes to human diversity. An integral approach in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programme in all political, economic and societal spheres, so that inequality is not perpetuate

Neurodevelopment Course of Autism at a Glance

  • Recent neurobiological data suggests that autism is caused by late disruption of the central nervous system (CNS) just prior to birth, perinatally, or postnatally.
  • The limbic system plays a significant role in various aspects of emotion, memory and learning, and motivation. Studies indicate that the neural cells of the limbic system in autism are small in size and more densely packed per unit volume as compared with age and sex-matched controls.
  • The second major area of abnormality found was in the cerebellum and its many circuits and interconnections. Basically they found a substantial loss of Purkinje cells throughout the cerebellum, especially in the posterior regions. The loss of Purkinje cells helps establish the timing of the abnormalities.

 

Reader’s Interest

  • Autism is one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the U.S.
  • Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average.
  • There is no medical detection or cure for autism.
  • Total 2012 National Institute of Health (NIH) budget: $30.86 billion, only $169 million goes directly to autism research. This represents 0.55% of total NIH funding.
  • ASD is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.
  • ASD is about 4.5 times more common among boys (1 in 42) than among girls (1 in 189).
  • The total costs per year for children with ASD in the United States were estimated to be between $11.5 billion – $60.9 billion.

 

Symptoms

The characteristic behaviors of ASD may be apparent in infancy (18 to 24 months), but they usually become clearer during early childhood (24 months to 6 years). The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) lists five behaviors that warrant further evaluation:

  • Does not babble or coo by 12 months
  • Does not gesture (point, wave, grasp) by 12 months
  • Does not say single words by 16 months
  • Does not say two-word phrases on his or her own by 24 months
  • Has any loss of any language or social skill at any age?

2 % of children in the U.S. are living with autism. The earlier they have access to care, services and treatment, the more likely they are to progress

Diagnosis Tests

Early identification is associated with dramatically better outcomes for people with autism. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDD) recommends that all children be screened for autism by their family pediatrician three times by the age of 3, 9, 18, and 24 or 30 months. Treatment should start when an autism diagnosis is suspected, rather than when a formal diagnosis is made.

  • Behavioral assessments: Guidelines and questionnaires are used to help a doctor determine the specific type of developmental delay.
  • Diagnostic guidelines for autism: The American Association of Childhood and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) have established guidelines for diagnosing autism. The criteria are designed so a doctor can assess a child’s behavior relating to core symptoms of autism such as:
    • Clinical observations: The parents may be asked to interpret whether certain developmental delayed behaviors are usual for the child in those circumstances.
    • Developmental and intelligence tests: To evaluate whether a child’s developmental delays affect his or her ability to think and make decisions.
    • Physical examination: Head circumference, weight, and height measurements, to determine whether the child has a normal growth pattern.
    • Hearing tests: To determine whether hearing problems may be causing developmental delays, related to social skills and language use.
    • Testing for lead poisoning: Children with developmental delays usually put items in their mouth after this stage has passed in normally developing children, which should be identified and treated.
    • Chromosomal analysis, if intellectual disability is present or there is a family history of intellectual disability.
    • An electroencephalograph (EEG), if there are symptoms of seizures, such as a history of staring spells or if a person reverts to less mature behavior (developmental regression).
    • Magnetic Resonance Imaging, if there are signs of differences in the structure of the brain.

 

According to Volkmar et al., Autism Spectrum may be distinguished from autism and pervasive developmental disorder- not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) on the basis of higher verbal IQs, greater social deficit, higher rates of the disorder in first-degree relatives, and different patterns of co-morbidity, especially higher rates of depression.

Risk Factors

  • In identical twins, if one child has ASD, then the other will be affected about 36-95% of the time whereas in non-identical twins, if one child has ASD, then the other is affected about 0-31% of the time.
  • Almost half (about 44%) of children identified with ASD has average to above average intellectual ability.
  • A small percentage of children who are born prematurely or with low birth weight are at greater risk for having ASD.
  • ASD commonly co-occurs with other developmental, psychiatric, neurologic, chromosomal, and genetic diagnoses.
  • Children born to older parents are at a higher risk for having ASD.

The best evidence suggests that early, intensive behavioral and educational interventions can improve outcomes for many children with ASD. While there are no medications that target the primary social or repetitive behavior symptoms

Research Gaps

  • Following the emphasis on early identification and early intervention, question has been arising what are the earliest emerging signs of autism? what are the internal and external factors associated with outcomes? What are the emerging early intervention approaches for which the best evidence-base exists? Despite the increase in well-controlled intervention studies, further such trials are required to improve the evidence-base for established and newer interventions.
  • Only recently have longitudinal studies begun to examine the trajectories of social development beyond midchildhood into adolescence and adulthood.
  • Mechanistic studies that employ experimental and neuroscientific methodologies, where possible embedded within genetic and familial designs, are required to elucidate the neurodevelopmental processes that lead to the social difficulties in autism.
  • Such studies will also help us to understand the associations between social difficulties and common comorbidities in adaptive function, sensory difficulties and mental health problems.

 

Current research: Holds new hope for the treatment of autism

  • Researchers have identified a number of genes associated with the disorder and brain-imaging studies have found differences in the development of several regions of the brain. Findings suggest that ASD can result from disruptions in genes that control aspects of brain development or control how brain cells communicate with each other.
  • New and novel approaches began enrolling participants in a clinical trial to test oxytocin (via a nasal spray) for individuals with autism. For nearly 10 years, there have been studies showing that administering oxytocin, a medication and hormone used to start and increase the speed of labor in pregnancy, may change response to social cues in the laboratory setting.
  • The clinical trial at NewYork-Presbyterian (NYP/Westchester Division), which will test individuals between the ages of 3 and 17, will evaluate whether oxytocin may offer benefit as a potential treatment for those on the autism spectrum, while paying careful attention to whether oxytocin is safe for repeated administration.
  • The currently available instruments like Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised, Autism Diagnostic Observational Schedule, and Childhood Autism Rating Scale are not specific to these criteria. So, there is also a need to develop an instrument with high fidelity to international classification of diseases (ICD-10)/ diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-IV) description/criteria

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions is passionate to spread the awareness on such social or healthcare related issues as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity. CSR is at the very heart of everything we do at Turacoz. It is exclusive in a way we deal with our communities, our people, our clients and our environment. Our medical writing team is well versed with recent advances in various therapeutic areas which give them a head start in various publication, clinical research and regulatory writing projects.

World Parkinson’s Disease Day: Shatter the Myths with Hope

World Parkinson’s Disease Day: 11th April, 2016:

World Parkinson’s disease day is celebrated every year on 11th April to commemorate Dr. J Parkinson on his birthday. He was the first to describe the disease in “An Essay on the Shaking Palsy”, as a disorder with a pattern of lessened muscular power and involuntary tremulous motion. On this day, efforts are made to increase the public awareness of this terrible disease.

 

What Is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder which affects the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine. As a result, these nerve cells are reduced in numbers. As cell death spreads to larger parts of the brain more centers are affected which results in an aggravated motor and non-motor functional impairments. It is a progressive disorder and the symptoms gradually worsen.

Symptoms of PD begin gradually, often on one side of the body and later, they affect both sides of the body. The disease is characterized by:

  • Trembling of hands, arms, legs, jaw and face
  • Stiffness of the arms, legs and trunk
  • Slowness of movement and trouble in walking and/or talking
  • Poor balance and coordination
  • Sleep problems and depression

People with the disease may have trouble doing simple tasks as the symptoms get worse. They may also have trouble chewing, swallowing, or speaking.

 

Screening and Diagnosis

PD usually begins around age 60, but it can start earlier. It is more common in men than in women. There is no laboratory test for PD, so it can be difficult to diagnose. Doctors use a medical history and a neurological examination to diagnose it. There is no cure for PD

 

Lifestyle Remedies and Health Care Solution

  • Exercise: It may increase your muscle strength, flexibility and balance. Exercise can also improve your well-being and reduce depression or anxiety
  • Medications: They may help you manage problems with walking, movement and tremor. Medications can help control the PD- symptoms by substituting/increasing for dopamine in the brain.
  • Healthy diet: A balanced diet provides nutrition. Foods such as fish which contain omega-3 fatty acids are also recommended for persons with PD.
  • Training for daily activities: An occupational therapist can show techniques that make daily life easier.
  • Be careful while walking: At later stages of the disease, movement can become difficult. Distribute your weight evenly between both feet, and don’t lean. Avoid walking backward.

 

Create Awareness to Find a Cure:

Many people are not fully aware of how to identify PD. In the interest of promoting awareness of this disease, we can:

  • Organize larger events at local parks, or even with local schools for the cause of PD
  • Work together to create a day where there are educational courses about the disease
  • Arrange for musical performances, conduct marathons and walk-a-thons to help generate donations to support the ongoing research into this condition.
  • Work together with friends and family to help organize refreshment stands or bake sales to produce more funds to donate to research groups

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions is committed to spread the awareness on such social or healthcare-related issues as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity. Our medical writing team is well-versed in various therapeutic areas which gives them a head start in various publication, clinical research and regulatory writing projects.

World Tuberculosis Day: Present Scenario and Future Prospects

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It usually affects the lungs (pulmonary TB), but can affect other sites as well (extra-pulmonary TB). The disease usually spreads through air, for example by coughing. Overall, a relatively small proportion (5–15%) of the people infected with M. tuberculosis will develop TB disease during their lifetime.

World TB Day is celebrated every year on March 24 to commemorate Dr. Robert Koch, who announced his discovery of M. tuberculosis, on the same date in the year 1882

Incidence:

  • There were an estimated 9.6 million incident cases of TB globally, equivalent to 133 cases per 100,000 populations in the year 2014.
  • India, Indonesia, and China had the largest number of cases: 23%, 10% and 10% of the total cases, respectively.
  • An estimated 480,000 people developed multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) globally in 2014.
  • The absolute number of incident cases has fallen over last few years; an average rate of reduction was 1.5% per year between 2000 and 2014, and 2.1% between the year 2013 and 2014. The cumulative reduction in the TB incidence rate from 2000 to 2014 was 18%.

Co-epidemics of TB and HIV

  • The probability of developing TB is much higher among people infected with human immune-deficiency virus (HIV).
  • Out of 9.6 million incident TB cases in 2014, there were approximately 1.1–1.3 million (11–13%) people living with HIV.
  • Almost three-quarters of these cases were noted in the African Region.

Mortality:

  • In the absence of treatment, the death rate of TB is very high.
  • There were an estimated 1.5 million TB deaths in 2014, including 0.4 million among people who were HIV-positive.

Treatment:

  • Effective drug molecules for TB were first developed in the 1940s. The most effective first-line anti-TB drug, rifampicin, became available in the 1960s.
  • The currently recommended treatment for new cases of drug-susceptible TB is a six-month regimen of four first-line drugs: isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide.
  • MDR-TB, defined as resistance to isoniazid and rifampicin (the two most powerful anti-TB drugs), requires more expensive and more toxic drugs such as kanamycin, levofloxacin, cycloserine etc.
  • The duration of the current regimen recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) for MDR-TB is 20 months; however, treatment success rate is much lower for most patients with MDR-TB.

 

In 2014, the cost per patient treated for drug-susceptible TB ranged from US$ 100−500 in most countries with a high burden of TB. The cost per patient treated for MDR-TB was typically US$ 5000−10,000.

Between 2000 and 2014, TB treatment alone saved an estimated 35 million lives among HIV-negative people. Among HIV-positive people, TB treatment supported by anti-retroviral therapy (ART) saved an additional 8.4 million lives.

Research Pipeline

  • WHO has issued an interim guidance on the use of bedaquiline (in 2013) and delamanid (in 2014), two new drugs that have recently been recommended for the treatment of MDR-TB under specific conditions.
  • Additionally, eight new or re-purposed anti-TB drugs are in advanced phases of clinical development; some new chemical entities are discussed below:
    • For the first time in six years, an anti-TB drug candidate (TBA-354) was in Phase I testing. However, on 11 March 2016, TB Alliance announced discontinuation of the clinical development program of TBA-354 based on its safety and pharmacokinetic data.
    • PA-824 (pretomanid), currently in Phase II, is a potential cornerstone of future TB and drug-resistant TB treatment regimens.
    • Sutezolid (PNU-100480) and SQ109 are under development for the treatment of both drug-resistant and sensitive tuberculosis, and are currently in early Phase II testing.
  • Recent observational studies of the effectiveness of short-term regimens for MDR-TB in Niger and Cameroon found that a 12-month regimen (instead of current 20 months) was effective and well-tolerated in patients not previously exposed to second-line drugs.
  • Currently, there are 15 vaccines in Phase I or Phase II trials. However, for the time being, a vaccine that is effective in preventing TB in adults remains elusive.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions is committed to spread the awareness on such social or healthcare-related issues as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity. Our medical writing team is well-versed with recent advances in various therapeutic areas which gives them a head start in various publication, clinical research and regulatory writing projects.

Colorectal Cancer – Spreading Awareness

Overview : Colorectal cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in the colon or rectum (parts of the large intestine) that has the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body. Over 95% of colon cancers are adenocarcinomas and usually begin as polyp in the inner-lining of the colon or rectum.

Other names: Colon cancer, rectal cancer, or bowel cancer

Symptoms: The symptoms of colon cancer vary depending on the location of the tumor within the colon. Following are the symptoms of colon cancer:

  • Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
  • Dark-colored stool
  • Change in bowel movements
  • Change in stool consistency
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Narrow stools
  • Weight loss

Risk Factor: Although colon cancer is non-contagious, several environmental and inherent risk factors are responsible for the development of this cancer. Some common risk factors associated with colon cancer are:

  • Increasing age
  • Excessive alcohol use
  • Obesity
  • Being physically inactive
  • Cigarette smoking
  • History of inflammatory bowel disease
  • Geneticmutations
  • Colorectalpolyps
  • Family history of colorectal cancer

 

Diagnostic tests and Examination:

  • High-sensitivityfecal occult blood test (FOBT) : It checks for hidden (occult) blood in the stool (feces). The test does not directly detect colon cancer, but is often used in clinical screening for the cancer. FDA approved two types of FOBT: Guaiac (GFOBT) and Immunohistochemical (IFOBT) to detect heme. Studies have shown that early detection using GFOBT can reduce the number of deaths due to colorectal cancer by 15 to 33%.
  • SigmoidoscopySigmoidoscopy is a procedure performed using a shorter flexible scope to examine just the sigmoid colon and rectum. Polyp removal and cancer biopsy can be performed through the sigmoidoscope. Studies have shown that people who have regular screening with sigmoidoscopy after age 50 years have a 60 to 70% lower risk of death due to cancer of the rectum.
  • Colonoscopy : Colonoscope, a flexible lighted tube with a lens for viewing and a tool for removing tissue is used to examine the rectum and entire colon. Colonoscopy is generally considered to be more accurate than barium enema X-rays, especially in detecting small polyps. If colon polyps are found, they are removed through the colonoscope and sent to the pathologist. Studies suggest colonoscopy reduces deaths from colorectal cancer by about 60 to 70%.
  • Barium enema X-ray : When colon cancer is suspected, lower gastrointestinal (GI) series (barium enema X-ray) is performed to confirm the diagnosis and locate the tumor. The barium outlines the large intestines on the X-rays. Tumors and other abnormalities appear as dark shadows on the X-rays.
  • Advanced stool DNA technique/Cologuard ®   : This test is an advanced stool DNA technique that detects altered DNA and/or hemoglobin in cancer cells. This is done through identifying nine DNA biomarkers in three genes that have been found in colorectal cancer and precancerous advanced adenomas. People identified as positive with this test are advised to undergo a colonoscopy.

 

Prevention:

  • Early detection and removal of precancerous colorectal polyps before they turn into cancerous. Even in cases where cancer has already developed, early detection still significantly improves the chances of a cure by surgically removing the cancerous polyps before the disease spreads to other organs. Screening has the potential to reduce colorectal cancer deaths by 60%.
  • Regular physical activity is associated with lower risk of colon cancer, but not rectal cancer.
  • Current dietary recommendations to prevent colorectal cancer include increasing the consumption of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and reducing the intake of red meat.
  • Use of medications such as aspirin also appears to lower the risk of colon cancer. The use of combined estrogen and progesteronein hormone replacement therapy lowers the risk of colon cancer in postmenopausal women.

 

Management: Depends on various factors, including the person’s health and preferences and most importantly the stage of the tumor. When colorectal cancer is caught early, surgery can be curative however, when it is detected at later stages this is less expected and the treatment is often directed at palliation, to relieve symptoms caused by the tumor and keep the person as comfortable as possible.

  • Surgery: If the cancer is detected at a very early stage, it may be removed during a colonoscopy. This can either be done by an open laparotomy or sometimes laparoscopically. The colon may then be reconnected or a person may have a colostomy. Robotic surgery, where a surgeon sits at a control panel and operates very precise robotic arms to perform the surgery. This type of surgery is also being studied to see if it is effective as standard surgery.
  • Chemotherapy: In colon and rectum cancer, chemotherapy can be used in addition to surgery in certain cases. The decision to add chemotherapy in management depends on the stage of the disease. New ways to combine drugs already known to be active against colorectal cancer, such as irinotecan and oxaliplatin, to improve their effectiveness.
  • Radiation therapy: Patients who have previously been treated with chemotherapy, there is evidence that selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) can prolong time to progression of non-resectable colorectal metastases in the liver.Radiotherapy decreases 50% of recurrence of rectal cancer, improves quality of life and increases survival by 6-12 months for patients with advanced disease.
  • Palliative care: Palliative care is medical care which focuses on treatment of symptoms with serious illness for improving the quality of life. It is recommended for a person who has advanced colon cancer.

 

Latest in Colon Cancer Research

Current research into cancer immunology may lead to advances in gene therapy and prognostic markers may be useful in identifying those tumors with a high recurrence rate:

  • Colorectalpolyps and tumors can release cells and DNA into the bloodstream as well as into stool. Researchers are studying whether the presence of an altered geneSEPT9 in blood can be used to screen for early-stage colorectal cancer.
  • New approaches which avoid the need for thorough cleansing of the colon, required for ‘virtual colonoscopy’, are being studied and developed. One approach is ‘fecal tagging’ with a contrast agent that is ingested over several days before the procedure. This technique is known as electronic cleansing (EC) which allows fecal material in the colon to be differentiated from colon tissue and aids in removing fecal material that is tagged by the agent.
  • Following lab tests OncotypeDx™ Colon Cancer Assay, ColoPrint™, and ColDx™ were developed to help predict the recurrence of colorectal cancer even after treatment.
  • Colorectal cancers that have gene changes known as microsatellite instability (MSI) have been found to be more likely to respond to the anti-PD-1 drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda®). A large phase II registration study (KEYNOTE-164) is ongoing to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab based on MSI status in patients with previously treated advanced colorectal cancers, and a phase III study (KEYNOTE-177) in a treatment naive patient population is also planned.

 

Did You Know?

  • March is colon cancer awareness month and doctors across the country are trying to remind patients the importance of screening for cancer.
  • As per WHO, colon cancer is the third most common cancer in men (10.0% of the total) and the second in women (9.2% of the total) worldwide.
  • Colon cancer risk is tied to red meat consumption. European study reported that 478,000 men and women found those who ate about five or more ounces of red meat per day were about 33% more risk to develop colon cancer.
  • Research has shown that aspirin, fish oils, aloe vera garlic, ginger and vitamin D have strong protective influence. All these should be in your diet.
  • Japanese research has strongly implicated salt as a major cause. Doubling your salt intake doubles your risk.
  • It is the second leading cause of cancer-relatedmortality in the United States. In 2014, 136,830 individuals were newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 50,310 colorectal cancer deaths in the United States.
  • Over the past decade, colorectal cancerincidence and mortality rates have decreased in all racial/ethnic populations except American Indians/Alaska Natives.
  • The incidence rates of cancer in men and women are similar <40 years’ age and at and above age 40 years, rates are higher in men.

World Glaucoma Week

World Glaucoma Week (March 6-12, 2016) : Be Informed, Be Safe

Each year the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) and the World Glaucoma Patient Association (WGPA) come together to raise awareness about Glaucoma across the world. This joint initiative of WGA and WGPA is marked as “World Glaucoma Week” which is observed from March 6-12 each year worldwide.

What is Glaucoma?

‘Glaucoma’ is a group of progressive optic neuropathies that damage the optic nerve thereby resulting in degeneration of retinal ganglion cells, vision impairment, and blindness. Though unusually high intraocular pressure is been identified as the most common cause for glaucoma, yet this may not always be the case. The two most prevalent types of glaucoma are primary open-angle glaucoma (diagnosed in 90% of cases) and closed angle glaucoma. The common symptom of open angle glaucoma is a gradual loss of peripheral vison (generally in both eyes) which progresses to having a tunnel vision. Whereas, eye pain, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting, vision issues in low light, halos around light sources and red eyes are the common symptoms of closed angle glaucoma.

What is the Global Burden of Glaucoma?

Worrisome is the fact that most of the time onset of glaucoma (particularly in open angle glaucoma) are asymptomatic and disease go unnoticed by patients and healthcare professionals until it progresses to advance stages. Due to the silent nature of the disease, glaucoma is often labelled as ‘silent thief of sight’. It is worth mentioning that, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness globally, after cataract. The silent nature of the disease and rapid progression adds up to the global prevalence of glaucoma. In the year 2010, about 60 million people were found to be affected by glaucoma globally, and it is expected that the toll will rise up to 79 million people worldwide by 2020.

Who is at risk of having Glaucoma?

Even though glaucoma can affect any individual, but the risk increases if the individual is; over 60 years of age, have a family history of glaucoma, African Americans or Mexican American, uses steroids, have diabetes, high blood pressure and hypothyroidism, and other eye conditions.

What are the treatment Options?

Treatment of glaucoma varies according to the type of glaucoma, patient history, and advancement of the condition. Usually, the healthcare professional may prescribe medical interventions like; prostaglandins, beta blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, cholinergic or miotic agents, and alpha-adrenergic agents to relive intraocular pressure. Surgery is considered as therapeutic options if the drugs are not well-tolerated by the patient or if drugs fail to stop the progression of the disease. In such cases, healthcare professionals opt for surgeries like; trabeculoplasy, viscocanalostomy, and aqueous shunt implant.

What are the Preventive Measures?

Even though glaucoma cannot be prevented, but early screening and management of symptoms do reduces the advancement of disease and chances of having a complication. Proper awareness about the disease increases the chances of glaucoma getting a screening in its earlier stage thereby helping healthcare professionals in the timely management of the condition and preserving eyesight of the patient. Regular eye check-ups are recommended in the high risk group. It is also recommended that an individual should immediately consult a health care professional if anything unusual is observed in vision.

What should be done to Spread Awareness about Glaucoma?

‘Awareness is the first step for prevention’, and spreading awareness about glaucoma is anticipated to considerably lower the global burden of disease and associated blindness. World Glaucoma Week is one such initiative to aware masses about glaucoma.  The World Glaucoma Association (WGA) and the World Glaucoma Patient Association (WGPA) runs a week long awareness campaign to make people aware about the disease. It is recommended that healthcare professionals should involve their glaucoma patients as they organize a screening event in their local institute/hospital, should give a lecture to a patient support group, should participate in radio & TV shows to talk about glaucoma and to answer questions, and should contact newspapers to publish information about glaucoma. Additionally, all the health care professional are also suggested to run public health campaigns, eye checks up camps, and patient education classes for the high risk group. As a member of healthcare industry, we all should actively take up the responsibility to spread awareness about glaucoma in our own way. Remember to be informed is to be safe!

World Kidney Day – Kidney Disease & Children Act Early to Prevent It!

World Kidney Day (WKD) is a joint initiative of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) and the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF). The first campaign was initiated ten years ago. Since then, the day is observed every year to raise public awareness of kidney diseases which affect millions of people worldwide, including children who may be at risk of kidney disease at an early age.

Fast Facts:

  • 10% of the global population is affected by kidney disease, and it claims the lives of millions of people each year.
  • Acute kidney injury (AKI) develops in children when red blood cells are destroyed and block the kidneys’ filtering system, or due to trauma such as burns, dehydration, bleeding, injury or surgery.
  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children can be caused by birth defects.
  • A person can lose up to 90% of kidney function before experiencing any signs of CKD.
  • From birth to age 4, birth defects and hereditary diseases are the leading causes of kidney failure.
  • The majority of children with kidney disease progress to end-stage kidney diseases in adulthood.

Mission Statement

The mission of World Kidney Day is to educate people about the importance of our kidneys to our health and to reduce the frequency of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.

Kidney Disease & Children. Act Early to Prevent It

This year’s World Kidney Day campaign emphasizes the importance of following kidney function and blood pressure in children and babies. Kidney disease can affect children in various ways, ranging from treatable disorders without long-term consequences to life-threatening conditions. It is our responsibility to encourage education, early detection and a healthy lifestyle in children, starting at birth and continuing through to old age, to combat the increase of preventable kidney damage including acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to treat children with inborn and acquired disorders of the kidney.

Objectives of World Kidney Day

  • Raise awareness about our “amazing kidneys”
  • Highlight that diabetes and high blood pressure are key risk factors for CKD
  • Encourage preventive behaviors and systematic screening of all patients with diabetes and hypertension for CKD
  • Educate all the doctors and health care professionals about their key role in detecting and reducing the risk of CKD, particularly in high risk populations
  • Emphasize the important role of local and national health authorities in controlling the CKD epidemic.

What can you do for your kidneys?

Kidney diseases are silent killers and largely affect the quality of life. There are a few easy ways to reduce the risk of developing kidney disease.

  • Keep fit and active: Physical activities and exercises help you to keep fit. This will reduce your blood pressure and therefore reduces the risk of Chronic Kidney Disease.
  • Check your blood sugar level: People who have diabetes are more likely to develop kidney damage, so it is important for all to have regular tests for blood sugar level to check their kidney functions. Kidney damage from diabetes can be reduced or prevented if detected early. Keeping control of blood sugar levels with the help of doctors or pharmacists is very important.
  • Monitor your blood pressure: High blood pressure is also the most common cause of kidney damage. High blood pressure is especially likely to cause kidney damage when associated with other factors like diabetes, high cholesterol and Cardio- Vascular Diseases. The normal blood pressure level is 120/80. Between this level and 139/89, you are considered pre-hypertensive. At 140/90 and above, you need to consult your doctor and monitor your blood pressure level regularly.
  • Eat healthy and keep your weight under control: This can help many conditions associated with Chronic Kidney Disease such as diabetes and heart diseases. Reduce your salt intake. The recommended sodium intake is 5-6 grams of salt per day (around a teaspoon). Limit the amount of processed and restaurant food and do not add salt to food. Prepare the food yourself with fresh ingredients.
  • Maintain a healthy fluid intake: To maintain good health, one should consume 1.5 to 2 litres of water per day. Consuming plenty of fluid helps the kidneys clear sodium, urea and toxins from the body which, in turn, results in a “significantly lower risk” of developing chronic kidney disease. Moderately increased water intake may reduce the risk of decline in kidney function. The right level of fluid intake for any individual depends on many factors including gender, exercise, climate, health conditions, pregnancy and breast feeding. People who have had a kidney stone are advised to drink 2 to 3 litres of water daily to lessen the risk of forming a new stone.
  • Quit smoking: Smoking slows the flow of blood to the kidneys, which impairs their function Smoking increases the risk of kidney cancer by about 50 percent.
  • Do not take over-the-counter pills on a regular basis: Common drugs such non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are known to cause kidney dysfunction if taken regularly. Such medications probably do not pose significant danger if your kidneys are relatively healthy and you use them for emergencies only, but if you are dealing with chronic pain, such as arthritis or back pain, ask your doctor to control your pain without putting your kidney at risk.

 

#WorldAIDSday- Getting to Zero

World AIDS Day, 1 Dec was first declared by the World Health Organization and the United Nations General Assembly in 1988. Since then, it has progressively become one of the most successful ‘international days’ for raising awareness on a global issue.  Globally there are an estimated 34 million people who are infected with the HIV virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

The day is marked by activities to unite people in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. Each year this day is observed with a different theme that focuses on diverse but significant dimension of AIDS. For year 2015, the theme is, “The Time to Act Is Now,” which calls us to act with urgency to implement the latest high-impact, evidence-based HIV prevention strategies.

Where do we stand?

In spite of years of sincere efforts by global healthcare organizations to generate awareness about AIDS, each year thousands of people are diagnosed with HIV. The possible reason for high incidence of AIDS could be that the people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others and stigma and discrimination for people living with the condition. World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education. World AIDS Day is an opportunity to show support to and solidarity with the millions of people living with HIV.

World fights AIDS

As a science-based public health and disease prevention agency, centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) provides support that helps more than 60 countries including India strengthen their national HIV/AIDS programs and build sustainable public health systems. CDC conducts these activities through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Recent scientific breakthroughs now point the way to achieving an AIDS-free generation, a goal championed by President Obama in his 2013 State of the Union address. CDC, through PEPFAR, is working to achieve that inspiring goal through proven science, smart investments, and shared responsibility with partner countries. Global efforts have resulted in approximately 13.5 million persons in low-income and middle-income countries receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV infection in 2014, an increase from 2013. Globally, more than 15 million people are on ART.

CDC’s core activities focus on:

  • Providing proven combination prevention interventions, including prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission, antiretroviral treatment, and voluntary medical male circumcision.
  • Reaching orphans and vulnerable children, as well as other neglected and hard-to-reach populations.
  • Building and enhancing health systems, including sustainable human resources for health (e.g., health care workers) and accurate, reliable laboratory systems.

India fights AIDS

Conducting outreach and communication campaigns through the Act against AIDS initiative, including the campaign Let’s Stop HIV Together, which fights stigma and seeks to ensure that all the people should know the facts about HIV.

  • Let’s Stop HIV Together includes many personal stories about living with HIV.
  • Providing training in HIV prevention and treatment.
  • Pleased to join our partners to take unified action to prevent the spread of HIV.
  • Providing funding and technical assistance for health departments.
  • Conducting surveillance and behavioural research.
  • Developing guidelines for HIV treatment, surveillance, and laboratory procedures.
  • Evaluating programs.

As an active member of healthcare industry, each one of us should take it as our moral responsibility to assist the healthcare organizations, NGOs, and social activists of our region in spreading awareness about AIDS. Theme “The Time to Act is Now,” says that everyone in the world should actively participate in teaching and guiding about HIV/AIDS to other fellow members.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions as a socially responsible company spreads the word and awareness and looks forward to collaboration or associations with other agencies/companies with similar goals and aspirations. We have a skilled and competent team of medical writers, clinicians, researchers and biostatisticians. Our clients include major pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and healthcare professionals. Our experience has been in supporting publications, creating regulatory documents, conducting observational studies, designing and creating for print and digital marketing as well as customizing sessions on medical writing. 

#DiabetesAwarenessMonth

Reduce your risk today: Eat healthy, Walk more and Weigh less

Lifestyle modification for prevention of diabetes mellitus

Structured programs that emphasize lifestyle changes for preventing diabetes are recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for people at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. These include:

  • Dietary strategies including low intake of dietary fat and reduced calories
  • Regular physical activity (150 min/week)
  • Moderate weight loss (7% body weight)

Individuals at high risk for type 2 diabetes should be encouraged to achieve the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommendation for dietary fibre (14 g fibre/1,000 kcal) and foods containing whole grains (one-half of grain intake). Low–glycaemic index foods that are rich in fibre and other important nutrients are to be encouraged.

Medical nutrition therapy

Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is a therapeutic approach for treatment of medical conditions and their associated symptoms via the use of a specifically tailored diet devised and monitored by a medical doctor, registered dietitian or professional nutritionist.

MNT goals for prevention of diabetes

  • Goals of nutrition therapy for individuals at risk for diabetes or with pre-diabetes

Decrease the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) by promoting healthy food choices and physical activity leading to moderate weight loss that is maintained.

  • Goals of nutrition therapy that apply to individuals with diabetes
  1.  Maintenance of
  • Blood glucose levels in the normal range or as close to normal as is safely possible
  • Lipid profile that reduces the risk for vascular disease
  • Blood pressure levels in the normal range or as close to normal as is safely possible
  1. Prevention of, or decrease in, the rate of development of the chronic complications of diabetes by modifying nutrient intake and lifestyle.
  2. Consideration of individual nutrition needs and personal preferences with willingness to change.
  3. Maintenance of the pleasure of eating by only limiting food choices as indicated by scientific evidence.
  • Goals of MNT applicable to specific situations
  1. For youth with type 1 diabetes, or type 2 diabetes, pregnant and lactating women, and older adults with diabetes, meeting the nutritional needs for such specific times is important.
  2. For patients being treated with insulin or insulin-stimulating medication, self-management training is essential for safe conduct of exercise, including the prevention and treatment of hypoglycaemia, and diabetes treatment during acute illness.

Significance of weight loss in pre-diabetes and diabetic conditions

  • Weight loss is recommended for all such individuals who have or are at risk for diabetes. In obese insulin-resistant individuals, modest weight loss has been shown to improve insulin resistance.
  • Physical activity, exercise and behaviour modification are important and most helpful in reducing body-weight.
  • For weight management, either low-carbohydrate or low-fat calorie-restricted diets may be effective in the short term (up to 1 year).
  • For patients on low-carbohydrate diets, monitoring of lipid profiles, renal function, and protein intake (in those with nephropathy), and adjustment of hypoglycaemic therapy is recommended.
  • Weight loss medications may be considered in the treatment of overweight type 2 diabetes patients and can help achieve 5–10% weight loss when combined with lifestyle modification.
  • Bariatric surgery may be considered for some individuals with type 2 diabetes and BMI ≥35 kg/m2 and can result in marked improvements in glycaemia.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions as a socially responsible company spreads the word and awareness and looks forward to collaboration or associations with other agencies/companies with similar goals and aspirations. We have a skilled and competent team of medical writers, clinicians, researchers and biostatisticians. Our clients include major pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and healthcare professionals. Our experience has been in supporting publications, creating regulatory documents, conducting observational studies, designing and creating for print and digital marketing as well as customizing sessions on medical writing. 

#BreastCancerAwarenessMonth

Knocking out Triple Negative Breast Cancer: A new paradigm in treatment

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) are the subtypes of breast cancer that are generally diagnosed based upon the presence, or lack of, three “receptors” known to fuel most breast cancers:

  • Estrogen receptors (ER)
  • Progesterone receptors (PR)
  • Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)

These receptor proteins are the “eyes” and “ears” of the cells, receiving messages from substances in the bloodstream and then giving instructions to the cells. The most successful treatments for breast cancer target these receptors.

About 10-20% of breast cancers test negative for both hormone receptors and HER2 in the lab, which means they are triple-negative.

Triple negative breast cancer

  • Tends to be more aggressive than other types of breast cancer
  • Tends to be at a higher grade than other types of breast cancer which makes them bear less resemblance to normal, healthy breast cells in their appearance and growth patterns
  • Cancerous cell type is mostly “basal-like” which can be linked to the family history

Hormonal therapies and HER2-targeted therapies work to interfere with the effects of hormones and HER2 on breast cancer, which can help slow or even stop the growth of breast cancer cells. A triple negative breast cancer diagnosis means that the tumour is oestrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative and HER2-negative, thus giving rise to the name “triple negative breast cancer.” Since hormones are not supporting TNBC growth, the cancer is not likely to respond to hormonal therapies, including tamoxifen, Arimidex, Aromasin, Femara, and Faslodex. Triple-negative breast cancer also is unlikely to respond to medications that target HER2, such as Herceptin or Tykerb.

On a positive note, this type of breast cancer is typically responsive to chemotherapy. Because of its triple negative status, however, triple negative tumours generally do not respond to receptor targeted treatments. Depending on the stage of its diagnosis, triple negative breast cancer can be particularly aggressive, and more likely to recur than other subtypes of breast cancer.

New therapies in TNBC-management

  • Targeting androgen receptor in TNBC

Triple negative breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease composed of multiple subtypes and oncogenic drivers, including a subtype that may be driven by androgen receptor (AR) signalling. Enzalutamide is a potent AR -inhibitor, which significantly improves optimal strategy in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and is currently being developed for patients with breast cancer who have an androgen-driven gene signature.

The AR pathway is a new target in triple-negative breast cancer in the androgen molecular subtypes. Clinical trials in molecularly selected patients should be designed to explore the combination of enzalutamide with other targeted agents such as PIK3CA (phosphatidylinositol-4, 5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha) inhibitors. Enzalutamide may represent a novel therapeutic option in AR-positive patients who would otherwise receive cytotoxic chemotherapy.

  • Designing nanoparticles to counter TNBC

To overcome resistance for chemotherapy in cancer patients, nanoparticles have been engineered that carry the cancer drug doxorubicin, as well as short strands of RNA that can shut off one of the genes that cancer cells use to escape the drug. This “one-two punch” disables tumours’ defences and makes them much more vulnerable to chemotherapy. The new nanoparticles will target a protein found on the surface of triple-negative breast cancer cells and will help to change that. The nanoparticles have three components: a core filled with doxorubicin, a coating of short interfering RNA (siRNA), and an outer layer that protects the particle from degradation in the bloodstream.

Doxorubicin is already used to treat breast cancer and other cancers. It kills cells by damaging their DNA, The researchers based their nanoparticles on the drug known as Doxil, which is packaged in a liposome, or fatty membrane. To improve Doxil’s effectiveness, the researchers combined it with another type of therapy known as RNA interference (RNAi), which uses very short strands of RNA to block the expression of specific genes inside a living cell. They used a technique called layer-by-layer assembly to coat the Doxil particles with one layer of siRNA mixed with a positively charged polymer that helps to stabilize the RNA. This layer contains up to 3,500 siRNA molecules, each targeted to block a gene that allows cancer cells to pump the drug molecules out of the cells.

One of the major challenges that researchers had faced in developing RNAi for cancer treatment is getting the particles to survive in the bloodstream long enough to reach their intended targets. To overcome this, they developed the nanoparticles with an outer coating of hyaluronic acid. These molecules absorb water, allowing the nanoparticles to circulate in the bloodstream undisturbed.

Hyaluronic acid also helps to target the particles to the tumours by binding to a protein called CD44, which is found in great abundance on the surface of triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions as a socially responsible company spreads the word and awareness and looks forward to collaboration or associations with other agencies/companies with similar goals and aspirations. We have a skilled and competent team of medical writers, clinicians, researchers and biostatisticians. Our clients include major pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and healthcare professionals. Our experience has been in supporting publications, creating regulatory documents, conducting observational studies, designing and creating for print and digital marketing as well as customizing sessions on medical writing. 

#LiverCancerAwarenessMonth

Liver cancer: Treatment

Liver cancer treatment is generally based on the stage of disease and the patient response to treatment. Treatment is individualized as each patient respond differently. Based on the disease stage, the size, number, tumor location, other co-morbidities, overall health and well-being, the treatment is decided. Based on the complexity of the tumor a team of specialists are associated in the treatment. The team involves surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, gastroenterologists, radiation therapists, and pathologists.

Liver cancer is generally identified in patients who come to the hospitals with damaged livers. Also as the liver cancer stage increases the side effects also may become worse. Therefore, in order to be safe, best options to treat liver cancer should be chosen.

Treatment options

  • The best treatment option is to remove the liver surgically but only <10% of the patients are suitable for surgery. The reasons can be due to cirrhosis (due to bleeding, infection or liver failure), more tumors that are widespread to remove all. Even after successful surgery, there are some tiny deposits of tumors which are not even visible for the scans or surgery. The survival rate of patients having the surgery is >5 years.
  • Other option when there is no evidence of the spread of liver cancer includes liver transplantation. This method involves transplantation of a diseased liver with a healthy liver from a donor. Recent advances in transplantation techniques and immune medications have made transplantation the first choice for patients with cirrhosis and small tumors. The survival rate is >70% with >5 years.
  • Other possible options include injecting the liver with a toxic material such as pure alcohol or chemotherapy in order to destroy it, cryotherapy, radiofrequency ablation etc. These techniques are used in patients with only one or two small tumors, in general.
  • Chemoembolization which involves chemotherapy drugs which can be given directly into the blood vessel that feeds the liver and the tumors. This technique requires a hospital admission, and can cause pain, fever, nausea, and liver damage.
  • Radioembolization or selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) which is almost similar to chemoembolization in which microscopic radioactive particles are used instead of chemotherapy injected into the blood vessels. This is as effective as chemoembolization for small and multiple tumors.
  • Radiation therapy which uses high-dose energy like X-rays aimed at a small part of the body and can frequently destroy cancer cells. In some cases other techniques like conformal or stereotactic radiation may be useful.

Liver cancer: outcomes

The best treatment options of all discussed above includes surgery and transplantation. Physicians with the help of several tests and scans determines the turmors. Although local treatments such as radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation, and chemoembolization can kill tumors that are visible, “new” tumors may develop which are invisible to the scan or tests. Also, the cirrhosis and conditions that gave rise to the initial cancers will still be there even after successful treatment, so more cancers might actually develop later.

Liver cancer: Prevention

For treating cancers, it not only depends on the type of treatment but also on financial strength. With the growing costs of the machines and drugs one should be able to overcome these. These kind of situations not effect at personal level of the patient.

Hepatoma can be a preventable disease. Hepatitis, alcohol abuse, and obesity can be avoided through

  • Social
  • Medical
  • Lifestyle changes

Also with this transition, there are some chances of improvement observed in the survival rates of liver cancer and hence there is a cause for optimisim.

Liver cancer: Prognosis

The outcome of hepatoma is extremely variable and depends as much upon the state of the liver and the person’s health as on any characteristic of the cancer itself. Therapies such as radiofrequency ablation, chemoembolization, cryoablation, radiosurgery, radioembolization, and systemic therapy are frequently performed sequentially over a patient’s lifetime, depending upon the changes as the disease progresses. Average survival for patients who are able to be treated with these methods is between one and two years.

Multiple techniques can be used in the extension of a patient’s life, while keeping them well and happy. Many drugs have been introduced for the treatment recognizing the molecular defects causing the cancer and few others are still under research. The evolution and improvement in radiologic and interventional technology has helped millions of people in prolongation of their lives. Also the survival rates was almost doubled since early 1990s. Increased and improved medical, scientific, and pharmaceutical areas helped to gain more attention for this disease and still make a better future.

Health tips:

  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Regular exercise
  • Avoid fad diets (weight loss plans)
  • Limit in the intake of fat
  • Moderate alcohol consumption
  • Regular liver check-ups
  • Quit smoking
  • Be aware of drug risks
  • Vaccinations for hepatitis B

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions as a socially responsible company spreads the word and awareness and looks forward to collaboration or associations with other agencies/companies with similar goals and aspirations. We have a skilled and competent team of medical writers, clinicians, researchers and biostatisticians. Our clients include major pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and healthcare professionals. Our experience has been in supporting publications, creating regulatory documents, conducting observational studies, designing and creating for print and digital marketing as well as customizing sessions on medical writing. 

#WorldOsteoporosisDay

Since 1997, October 20, is observed as the “World Osteoporosis Day” for raising global awareness on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease.Every year, International osteoporotic foundation (IOF) launches a year-long campaign dedicated to awareness about osteoporosis that features a specific theme. The 2015 campaign theme is Serve Up Bone Strength, to support the cause, IOF suggest to wear white on October 20 and embrace better bone health. Even though, this year, the World Osteoporosis Day campaign focuses on nutrition of bones, it should be noted that different factors contribute to good bone health and osteoporosis prevention. These include healthy lifestyle, sufficient exercise and osteoporosis treatment for those at high risk. Hence these factors should not be neglected while setting up healthy bones goals.

Bones are living tissues that provide supportive structure to our body, and prevent delicate internal organs from getting damaged by external forces. For optimal functioning of the designated role, bones require nourishment throughout the life. Faulty dietary practices, inadequate nourishment, and sedentary lifestyle in early years of life increases the chances of having weakened bones or osteoporosis in old age.

Osteoporosis is a preventable disease, adequate nutrition and physical activity are the key for building strong bones throughout life and avoiding osteoporotic fractures. The size and the amount of bone contained in a skeleton changes significantly throughout life. Similarly, as the person ages, the specific nutritional needs of his/her skeleton change too. Hence, the rapidly evolving nutritional requirements of the bones should be aptly matched with the diet of the individual. The prime objective of following a bone healthy diet is to help; children and adolescents build maximum peak bone mass, adults maintain healthy bones and avoid premature bone loss, and elderly sustain mobility and independence.

Fundamentals for building healthy bones starts early, from when a baby develops in the womb and during childhood and adolescence, a time when half of a person’s bone mass is accumulated. Therefore, osteoporosis has been termed as ‘a paediatric disease with geriatric consequences’: the consequences of not maximizing the skeleton’s genetic potential in youth become apparent at older age, that clinically manifest as brittle bones and high risk of fractures.

Calcium, Vitamin-D, and proteins are the key nutrients that build up strong bones. Calcium is the building block for bones, 99% of total body calcium is found in bones. Neglecting calcium from diet can lead to negative health outcomes. Dairy foods (milk, yoghurt, cheeses) are the most readily available sources of calcium in the diet, they also contain other important nutrients for growth. Additional food sources include certain green vegetables, whole canned fish with soft, edible bones such as sardines or pilchards, nuts and tofu set with calcium. Vitamin-D is another important nutritional factor required for healthy bones. It regulates calcium absorption from food in the intestine and mineralization of bone. Though sunlight is the most abundant source of Vitamin-D, yet it can also be obtained from vitamin –D fortified food like margarine, breakfast cereals. Protein is indirectly related to bone health. Low protein intake is harmful for the building of peak bone mass during childhood and adolescence. Protein deficiency in elderly is detrimental for the preservation of bone mass.  Other micronutrients that are significantly important in building healthy bones include; magnesium, zinc, and vitamin –K.

Turacoz healthcare Solution urges all of you to spread the awareness about the importance of bone strength and the role of nutrition to build bone strength. We look forward to collaboration or associations with other agencies/companies with similar goals and aspirations. Our team comprises of medical writers, clinicians, researchers and biostatisticians. Our clients include major pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and healthcare professionals. Our experience has been in supporting publications, creating regulatory documents, conducting observational studies, designing and creating for print and digital marketing as well as customizing sessions on medical writing. 

#BreastCancerAwarenessMonth

Protect yourself from Breast Cancer

  • Over last ten years or so, breast cancer is the most common cancer in most cities in India, and 2nd most common in the rural areas.
  • Although women are highly prone to breast cancer, men may rarely get it.

Know the risk factors

  • Age: More incidences in India occur in women over the age of 40-50. However, breast cancers in young pre-menopausal women tend to be more aggressive.
  • Family history: Women with close relatives or first-degree female relative (sister, mother, daughter) who’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer or an inherited mutation in the BRCA1 and BRCA2
  • Race and ethnicity: White women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than are African-American women, but African-American women are more likely to die of this cancer.
  • Dense breasts due to age, menopausal status, certain medications (including menopausal hormone therapy), pregnancy, and genetics.
  • Exposure to the hormone estrogen:
    • Longer Menstrual periods, i.e., early menarche or late menopause
    • Combined hormone therapy given to women after menopause
    • Parabens and phthalates in cosmetics, hair spray and many other cleaning product fragrances.
  • Previous exposure to radiation for treatment of some malignancy (e.g., lymphoma).
  • Diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure
  • Environmental pollutants such as organochlorine pesticides.
  • Occupational exposures: Women employed in commercial sterilization facilities (exposure to high levels of ethylene oxide) and the night shift workers (disturbed sleep/wake cycles).
  • Contraceptives: Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) and Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate, DMPA (injectable progesterone for birth-control).
  • Benign breast conditions: Women diagnosed with certain benign breast conditions might have an increased risk of breast cancer.
  • Lobular carcinoma in situ: Also known as lobular neoplasia, it is an abnormal cellular outgrowth which may become cancerous (invasive) if left untreated for long.
  • Other factors include alcohol-consumption, obesity and lower rates of breast-feeding.

Stay healthy, get screened

A screening plan is planned by the doctor depending upon the unique situation of the patient, if one has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

  • A monthly breast self-exam: Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast changes to a health care provider right away.
  • A yearly medical breast exam by a doctor at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health
  • Clinical breast exam (CBE) about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over
  • One might have one screening test, such as a mammogram, and then have a different test — an MRI — 6 months later.

In addition to the recommended screening guidelines for women at average risk, a screening plan for a woman with a history of breast cancer may include the above screening tests.

  • For women aged 20-30 years, breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for those starting in their 20s. A breast self-exam is when you check your own breasts for lumps, changes in size or shape of the breast, or any other changes in the breasts or underarm (armpit)
  • For women aged 40–49 years, mammography may save lives, but the benefit for younger women may be less than for older women.
  • For women aged 50–69 years, all women in this age group should have mammograms on a regular basis
  • For women above the age of 70 years, screening mammography is probably beneficial for women aged over 70 years who are in good health and have a life expectancy of about 10 years.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions as a socially responsible company spreads the word and awareness and looks forward to collaboration or associations with other agencies/companies with similar goals and aspirations. We have a skilled and competent team of medical writers, clinicians, researchers and biostatisticians. Our clients include major pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and healthcare professionals. Our experience has been in supporting publications, creating regulatory documents, conducting observational studies, designing and creating for print and digital marketing as well as customizing sessions on medical writing. 

#LiverCancerAwarenessMonth

What is liver cancer or hepatic cancer?

Liver is the largest internal organ in the body. It is essential for the digestion of food. Cancers that start in the liver are known as primary liver cancers and if the cancer spreads from one part to the other part such as liver then it is called secondary liver cancers.

Epidemiology

According to the WHO, there are 745000 liver cancer deaths globally in 2012.

Liver cancer is the tenth most common cancer and the fifth most common cause of cancer death among men, and the ninth most common cause of cancer death among women.

The incidence of liver cancer varies widely throughout the world, with high rates in sub – Saharan Africa, eastern and southeastern Asia, and Melanesia and a low incidence in Northern and Western Europe and the Americas.

Causes

  • Infection with hepatitis viruses
  • Smoking
  • Low immunity
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
  • Family history
  • Diabetes
  • Radiation from X-rays and CT-scans
  • Body weight
  • Chemicals

Risk factors

  • Viral hepatitis
  • Cirrhosis
  • Obesity, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and diabetes
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Environmental factors

Having more than one risk factor increases the risk of developing liver cancer more. For example, a person who carries both hepatitis B and C has a higher risk than a person carrying one type of the virus.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Pain, especially at the top right of the abdominal area, or near the right shoulder blade or in the back
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • A hard lump under the ribs on the right side of the body, which could be the tumor or a sign that the liver has increased in size
  • Weakness or fatigue

How is liver cancer diagnosed?

  • Physical examination
  • Blood tests
  • Ultrasound
  • Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Angiogram
  • Laparoscopy
  • Biopsy

Based on the test results, staging is done by doctors.

Types of liver cancer

There are a number of types of adult primary liver cancer. They are named for the type of cell from which the cancer develops.

Type of Liver Cancer Description How Common
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) HCC can have different growth patterns. Some spread tentacle-like growths through the liver. Some start as a single tumor that spreads to other parts of the liver as the disease develops. Others develop as nodules at several different places in the liver. Occasionally, a pattern isn’t clear. Approximately 80% of adult primary liver cancers are hepatocellular carcinomas.
Cholangiocarcinoma, (or bile duct cancer) Develops from the cells in the bile duct of the liver. The bile duct is a thin tube that extends from the liver to the small intestine. The bile duct starts inside the liver as several smaller tubes that join together. About 10% to 20% of adult primary liver cancers are cholangiocarcinomas.
Angiosarcoma Starts in the blood vessels of the liver and grows very quickly. About 1% of adult primary liver cancers are angiosarcomas.

 

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions as a socially responsible company spreads the word and awareness and looks forward to collaboration or associations with other agencies/companies with similar goals and aspirations. We have a skilled and competent team of medical writers, clinicians, researchers and biostatisticians. Our clients include major pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and healthcare professionals. Our experience has been in supporting publications, creating regulatory documents, conducting observational studies, designing and creating for print and digital marketing as well as customizing sessions on medical writing. 

#WorldHeartDay

“A heart for life”

World Heart Day (sponsored by World Heart Federation) was founded in 2000, a biggest intervention against cardiovascular disease (CVD) which takes place on 29 September every year. Around the globe, heart disease and stroke constitutes 17.3 million deaths every year.

The main focus of this is on creating healthy heart environments. By ensuring that everyone has the chance to make healthy heart choices wherever they live, work and play. World Heart Day encourages everyone to reduce our cardiovascular risk, and promotes a heart-healthy planet for those around us.

Each year there is a different theme for World heart day which essentially concentrates on the key issues and topics relating to heart health. This year’s theme is to ‘create heart-healthy environments’.

World Heart Day spreads the news that at least 80% of premature deaths from CVD can be avoided by four main risk factors- tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol – are controlled. The magnitude of the benefits that can be achieved by reducing these risks makes intervention cost-effective. Hence there is a need to designate a special day for activities to prevent heart disease and stroke.

Creating a heart healthy environment,

  • Promoting physical activity, such as trails for walking, running, bicycling and places for playing outdoor games.
  • Schools and child care facilities that provide quality physical education and have nutritious meals available.
  • Workplaces and community spaces that are smoke-free and have healthy food options.

World Heart Day is observed in many different ways across the world. Many innovative ways have been devised by several foundations and professional societies for marking this event. There has been an association between national societies and foundations in many countries. These include runs, sports events, theatre, street events, dancing, and cycling in public spaces, schools, and hospitals. The success of this depends on the proactivity of organizations from around the world to help us spread awareness of CVD.

World Heart Day has enjoyed huge success in building partnerships by obtaining support from the private sector, charities, societies and foundations for this common cause. The next step is to engage the public sector and foster collaboration with the Ministries of Health. An active participation of WHO has already been done in the World Heart Day campaign.

This World Heart Day is an ideal opportunity to scale up efforts at the country level within a globally led initiative. A whole day dedicated to CVD prevention is an effective way of engaging the media, the public, policy-makers, and health professionals in information dissemination, awareness creation, and advocacy.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions as a socially responsible company spreads the word and awareness and looks forward to collaboration or associations with other agencies/companies with similar goals and aspirations. We have a skilled and competent team of medical writers, clinicians, researchers and biostatisticians. Our clients include major pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and healthcare professionals. Our experience has been in supporting publications, creating regulatory documents, conducting observational studies, designing and creating for print and digital marketing as well as customizing sessions on medical writing.

#ProstateCancerAwarenessMonth

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month

Globally, prostate cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in men and the fifth most common cancer.

It accounts for 13.6% of the total cancer incidences in men worldwide, following lung cancer.

In contrast to the prostate cancer trends in western countries, incidence and mortality rates are increasing in some Asian and Eastern European countries.

What’s the score?

  • The worldwide prostate cancer burden is expected to grow to 1.7 million new cases
  • About 6 cases in 10 are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older, and it is rare before age 40.
  • 499 000 new deaths by 2030 simply due to the growth and aging of the global population
  • Incidence rates are highest in Australia/New Zealand (104.2/100,000), Western and Northern Europe, North America.

Where do we stand?

  • Prevalence of prostate cancer in India is far lower as compared to the western countries.
  • Increased migration of rural population to the urban areas, changing life styles, increased awareness, and easy access to medical facility are the reasons for the growing number of prostate cancer cases in India.

Risk factors

Ethnicity:  Incidence of prostate cancer is higher in Black people.

Family history: Having a father or brother with prostate cancer increases the risk of a man getting this disease.

Age: Growing prevalence seen after the age of 50. It is very rare in men younger than 40.

Diet: Red meat, high-calcium containing dairy foods or high-fat dairy products might also increase risk.

 

How well you know your prostate health

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms often become apparent only when the prostate is large enough to affect the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis). Major symptoms of prostate cancer in human include:

  • Frequent urination or nocturia (getting up multiple times at night to urinate)
  • Difficulty in starting urine stream
  • Blood in semen or urine
  • Bowel incontinence
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Pain in bones, especially in the lower back, hips, and ribs

 

Classification of cancer

Classification of the stages of prostate cancer is based on TNM:

T– Primary tumor

N– Tumor at regional lymph nodes

M– Distant metastases of cancer

 

To reduce the risk of Prostate cancer it’s time to get tough on prostate cancer

  • Maintain a healthy body and appropriate body weight
  • Proper exercise and physical activity daily
  • For men, who have at least one first-degree relative affected with prostate cancer, the screening tests are recommended as early as 45 years.
  • Reduce alcohol consumption to two drinks per day and avoid sugary drinks
  • Increase regular intake of diet rich in fibers such as vegetables, fruits, cereals/grains and legumes A healthy diet with more of vegetable oils and nuts could also benefit people
  • Limit salty food consumption and foods processed with salt
  • Restrict intake of red meat (beef, pork, lamb) and processed meat
  • Avoid deep fried food, heating the food at high temperatures and also reusing the cooking oil

It’s time to man up for diagnosis!

  • Some screening tests recommended at the age of 50 include,
  • Rectal examination
  • Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test
  • Transrectal ultra sonography (TRUS)
  • Ultrasound guided biopsy.
  • Bone scan using low-level radioactive material
  • Computerized tomographic (CT) scan
  • Lymph-node biopsy

#WorldContraceptionDay, 26 Sep 2015

World contraception day (WCD) was first conceived in the year 2007 by 10 international family planning

organizations in order to spread awareness and education about effective and safe contraception

methods.

The event has a theme which culminates from an individual perspective of living a responsible life. The motto is: “It’s your life, it’s your future, know your options.”

There are 3 sub-themes:

  • Your options: where young people can learn about all the contraceptive options available, using a reliable, unbiased source of information.
  • Your future: understanding how unplanned pregnancies can happen and how the body changes during puberty
  • Your partner: learning to talk to your partner about contraception and how to build a trusting relationship based on reliable information

WCD is supported by a coalition of 11 international NGOs/GO as well as scientific and medical societies with an interest in sexual and reproductive health. Partners are:

• Asian Pacific Council on Contraception (APCOC)
• Centro Latinamericano Salud y Mujer (CELSAM)
• European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health (ESC)
• Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW)
• International Federation of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (FIGIJ)
• International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)
• Marie Stopes International (MSI)
• Population Services International (PSI)
• The Population Council
• The United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
• Women Deliver (WD)

Benefits of Family Planning / Contraception

Maternal well-being: Family planning ensures access of preferred contraceptive methods for women and couples. It helps women secure their autonomy and well-being while taking care of their family.

Preventing pregnancy-related health risks in women: Controlling the timing of pregnancy can allow women to have better control over her well-being and health. By reducing rates of unintended pregnancies, family planning also reduces the need for unsafe abortion.

Reducing infant mortality

Family planning can prevent closely spaced and ill-timed pregnancies and births, which contribute to some of the world’s highest infant mortality rates.

Helping to prevent HIV/AIDS

Male and female condoms provide dual protection against unintended pregnancies and against STIs including HIV.

Empowering people and enhancing education

Family planning enables people to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health.

Slowing population growth

Family planning is key to slowing unsustainable population growth and the resulting negative impacts on the economy, environment, and national and regional development efforts.

WCD coalition formed a framework for action in order to achieve significant results. It underlines key areas of enabling young people everywhere to benefit from access to high quality sexual and reproductive health advice and services. The framework emphasizes four key points to build understanding of various types of contraceptives and their ease of usage.

  • Knowledge
    Education is the key to success of any program, hence forth, people are informed about short acting methods to long acting reversible methods
  • Practicing Safe-sex

Besides preventing pregnancies, contraception also aids in providing protected sex. Young generation should be well equipped with the knowledge and resources to practice safe sex.

  • Intercourse not for reproduction

Misconception and religious beliefs needs to be addressed and people are advised to inform their partners about contraception. It should be used readily without fear or prejudices.

  • Equality and empowerment

In a relationship, both the partners have equal say and should take an informed decision about family planning. Empowering women to exercise their right to get pregnant is an important tool in ensuring well-being of a family.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions as a socially responsible company spreads the word and awareness and looks forward to collaboration or associations with other agencies/companies with similar goals and aspirations. Our experienced team has delivered publications, regulatory and marketing documents and also conducted medical writing trainings.

#WorldEnviornmentalHealthDay, 26 Sep 2015

Understanding environmental health

The International Federation of Environmental Health, better known by its acronym IFEH, works to impart knowledge regarding environmental health and promote co-operation between countries where environmental health issues are a major concern. The federation chose 26th of September as World Environmental Health Day.

How we live the world?

Environmental health aims at preventing disease and building–up a safe and healthy environment for living. It encompasses the assessment and control of all the factors that affect the behavior of an individual.

These are

  • physical factors
  • chemical factors
  • biological factors
  • environmental factors

It pertains to all factors leading to a healthy living of an individual, irrespective of the socio-cultural background.

Better health through healthy environment!

The theme for World Environmental Health Day 2015 is ‘Children are our future, let’s protect their Environment and Health’. It will include environmental or public health infrastructure or specific projects on air, water, nature restoration, sanitation, housing or waste management.

The IFEH Board of Directors has decided to focus on the several areas as the key points of their agenda.

Love the place where you live

Here are some points that should be taken care of in order to make our environment healthy and safe:

  • Discarding accumulated water from trash cans and waste bottles to prevent breeding of vector-borne diseases.
  • Taking proper health and sanitation measures to prevent spread of infectious diseases in children.
  • Educating children for developing and maintaining hygienic feeding habits at school and home.
  • Management of kitchen and household waste to reduce garbage and landfills in the surrounding areas and providing cleaner playgrounds, roads, parks and neighboring places.
  • No smoking at home, office or crowded places.
  • Reduce noise pollution to lower the risk of dementia, memory-loss and other cognitive dysfunction.
  • Ensuring safety of people, especially children, on the road and at home.
  • Making sure children are getting safe and clean drinking water to avoid water borne diseases.
  • Careful handling and disposal of biomedical waste to reduce microbial contamination of the environment.

Save our environment and keep healthy!

Newborn Screening Awareness-September

Newborn screening test (also known as Guthrie test) is one of the successful innovations in the modern era. It is a procedure where in the newborn infants are pricked at the heel to test their blood for rare genetic, endocrine and metabolic conditions that can be harmful or serious. Also tested for hearing loss before discharge from the hospital. These screening tests has the potential to identify risk of certain diseases before the clinical symptoms appear. Thus, early detection and treatment can prevent mental retardation, spasticity, serious illness, and premature death.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), every year 140 million children are born and out of which 5 million die in the first month of life in developing countries. Four percent of the India population are mentally retarded and 5-15% of sick newborns are thought to have a metabolic problem.

Disorders which can be detected through Newborn Screening test,

  • Biotinidase deficiency
  • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
  • Congenital primary hypothyroidism
  • G6PD deficiency
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Galactosemia
  • Disorders of amino acids, organic acids and fatty acid oxidation by tandem mass spectroscopy
  • Sickle cell anemia

To avoid these anomalies which are hidden at birth, many non-profit organizations are developed taking care of all the newborn screening tests. The main goal of these organizations are to educate the parents, paediatric healthcare workers, lawmakers, and institutional policymakers. Also the educational programs accentuate the importance of newborn screening through comprehensive testing to identify disorders and initiate treatment promptly when necessary.

There are many campaigns like the “Be Bold, Wear Gold Campaign” to create awareness into the public regarding the newborn screening tests. In the month of September, the newborn screening community (which includes families, advocates, state health departments, legislators, and state laboratories) rallied around the principle that all babies deserve a healthy start. As a support to the campaign, members of the community wear a color gold and gold pins throughout the month.

To avoid such serious diseases and save the newborns spread the information (mouth publicity) about the screening test to all the members of your family, friends, colleagues etc. Mass education, media propagation, and training centres also can raise the awareness. Along with these share the stories you know and spread the awareness in the individuals wherein one can keep their newborns happy and safe.

 

Celiac Disease Awareness Day

Fast Facts 2

  • A genetic disease, resulting from environmental (gluten) and genetic (HLA and non-HLA genes) factors.
  • Estimated 1 % Americans (1 in 133) has celiac disease.
  • 5-22% of celiac patients have an immediate family member involved.
  • Infertility, reduced bone density, neurological disorders, some cancers, and other autoimmune diseases are other disorders associated with celiac disease.
  • Average weight time for correct diagnosis is 6-10 years.

Prevalence 3

  • Higher prevalent in women as compared to men with male: female ratio of 1:2.8

North America: Overall CD prevalence

  • 1:133 :- Not at risk groups
  • 1:22 :- first-degree relatives
  • 1:39 :- second-degree relatives

South America

  • Brazil: 1:681 in healthy blood donors & 1:473 among adult outpatients attending clinical laboratory for routine blood testing
  • Argentina: urban areas – 1:167

Overall prevalence in western population: close to 1 % and higher in Northern European countries.

Africa

  • North Africa: 0.28%-5.6% in general population
  • Algeria : 16.4% (highest with CD associated with Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus)

Oceania

  • Western Australia: overall prevalence is 1:251 (0.4%)
  • New Zealand: overall prevalence is 1:82 (1.2%)

Asia

  • India: 1:100-1:310

Middle East: 1:87-1:166

Prevalence of CD is 0.5-1% in all parts of world, except for population having very low and high gluten in their diet.

Signs & Symptoms of celiac disease

Digestive symptoms: more common in children and include

  • Chronic diarrhea
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Constipation
  • Gas
  • Stomach pain
  • Nausea & vomiting
  • Pale, foul-smelling, or fatty stool

Adults are less likely to have digestive problems and may instead have one/more of the following:

  • Headache
  • Anemia
  • Bone or joint pain
  • Anxiety or depression
  • Feeling tired or fatigue
  • Missed menstrual periods
  • Infertility or recurrent miscarriage
  • Seizures
  • Osteoporosis
  • Tingling numbness in hands & feet

 

 

 

 

#WorldSuicidePreventionDay, September 10

Attempting Suicide and having suicidal tendency are the most extreme form of self-harming behaviour exhibited by humans. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, defines suicide as “death caused by self-directed injurious behaviour with an intent to die as a result of the behaviour.” As per the statistical interpretation (for year 2012) by the WHO, suicide accounts for over 800,000 deaths per year worldwide; making it the fifteenth leading cause of death across the globe. Grossly, it can be estimated that there is one death by suicide in the world every 40 seconds! Suicidal attempts and suicidal tendency are noticeably higher in youths i.e. in age group of 15-29 year, and are acknowledged as the second leading cause of death in this age group. India is one of the most suicide prone nations of the world having suicide rate of 21.1 per 100,000 people. As per WHO, 258,075 people committed suicide in India in 2012, with 99,977 women and 158,098 men taking their own lives.

The most common motives behind suicide or suicidal attempt include: depression, bereavement, intimate partner problem, physical health problem (self/family member), job problem, financial problem, or disclosed intent to take one’s life.

It’s worth mentioning that, though suicide is a global threat that prevails among all strata of society, but it can be 100% preventable. In order to generate a worldwide awareness about suicide prevention, the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health to observe 10 September each year as ‘The World Suicide Prevention Day’ (WSPD). The sole objective of this awareness drive is to educate masses about the identification of risk factors for suicide/warning signs for suicide, suicide prevention measures and strategies, and support groups.

The ideology behind WSPD campaign is to identify warning signs of suicide and extending help to the needy which can save a life. To support the cause, each year WSPD is observed with a different theme. “Preventing Suicide: Reaching Out and Saving Lives” is the theme of the 2015 WSPD. The theme focusses on the need to reach out the vulnerable population for suicide prevention. Identifying the high-risk individuals, talking to them, and asking ‘RUOK?’ can indeed bring a lot of difference to their life.

It has been noticed that, suicide as a devastating experience for families, friends and community members of the deceased. Family history of suicide is one of the commonest cause of suicides. The people who are left behind are often haunted by the when, how, and why related to the suicide of their loved ones. Reaching out such individuals who had lost someone due to suicide and extending help and support to them can help them to overcome their loss and help in saving lives.

Another dimension of ‘reaching out and saving lives’ include providing specialist mental health services to the vulnerable individuals. Though, it is largely believed that extended help from family and friends is one of the best way to soothe the individual with suicidal tendency, but in some cases professional help is also required. Many non-profit organizations, support groups, self-help groups, and community welfare services provide professional mental health care to the high-risk individuals. These organisations not only provide support and care to the needy, but they also track the prognosis and mental health status of the individual till the apprehensive person is rehabilitated well.  The WSPD is an effort to inform the masses about these organizations and services provided by them.

Talking someone who has gone through the same emotional turmoil and hearing how they triumphed over suicide is the most motivating experience for any susceptible person. The WSPD this year is also focussing on the globalization of various pro-active suicide prevention communities across the world. Sharing testimonials of individuals who had travelled the same road and how they coped up with the situation that is anticipated to help many who are presently experiencing such emotional warfare.  Easy accessibility to these communities endorsing people who choose life over suicide will help to bring down the global burden of suicide.

Therefore, with the help of WSPD break the silence and stigma attached to suicide. Let us be more vocal about suicide prevention. Let us extent the help to the dispirited souls and make them aware that life is worth living, so fight back! Let us ask them “RUOK?”

Remember,one simple question can save a life.

#PsoriasisAwarenessMonth: Management and prevention

Psoriasis is not all of you, it is just a part of you like everything else

Psoriasis is generally classified based on the severity of the disease from mild to severe with a Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) scale. Based on this severity index treatment is given to the patients.

The score comprises of 3 features of psoriatic plaque:

  • Redness
  • Scaling
  • Thickness, which are assigned a number from 0 (none) to 4 (worst).

The extent of involvement of each region of the body (12 regions) is scored from 0 to 6. The total score is a range of 72. There are many studies that quote the improvement with this index which help to know the drug’s effectiveness. For example, if a patient cleared 75% of his psoriatic lesions then it is described as “PASI 75”. These scores are used by clinicians to follow their patient’s progress.

Psoriasis Management:

Some general recommendations for treatment of psoriasis,

  • Topical application of corticosteroids in the form of ointments, creams, gels, liquids, sprays etc. Example: Keratolytics and calcipotriene, others include anthralin and tars.

Over-the-counter topical medications include, salicylic acid foams or ointments, Coal tar, Zinc pyrithione.

  • UVB is a safe, effective and cost-effective.
  • PUVA (psoralen plus ultraviolet A) is also an effective treatment.
  • Conventional treatment methods:
  • Usage of methotrexate, which is an effective therapy in the majority of patients but has the potential for hepatotoxicity and is contraindicated in some situations.
  • CyA (cyclosporine), another immunosuppressive medication, also an effective treatment for psoriatic patients.
  • Acitretin, a systemic agent which is effective and used for the treatment of psoriasis.
  • Biological agents are proteins that are extracted from animal tissue or can be produced by recombinant DNA technology that possesses pharmacological activity.
  • Few biologics that target pathogenic T cells include Alefacet and Efalizumab.
  • Few other biologics target TNF inhibitors for the treatment of psoriasis include Adalimumab Etanercept, and Infliximab.

Psoriasis can also be managed by education and advocacy. Also should promote awareness and understanding of the disease, ensuring access to treatment and supporting research that can lead to effective management.

Psoriasis Prevention:

Psoriasis is a chronic disorder that requires long-term monitoring for treatment response, adverse events and new comorbidities. Also there is a poor adherence to treatment to obtain good results for patients with psoriasis. Hence, there is no way to completely prevent or avoid the occurrence of psoriasis instead taking some precautionary steps can improvise the symptoms and help reduce number of psoriasis flare-ups. Few preventive measures that a psoriatic patient can do to reduce the flare ups.

  • Taking care of the skin, scalp, and nails and other areas where psoriasis can spread.
  • Trying some psoriasis creams or ointments that can keep the body moisturized all the time.
  • Taking sunbath for some time also helps in reducing the psoriatic skin cells.
  • Try to avoid few medications which can flare up the disease.
  • Psoriasis can spread easily in cold, dry climates and it is always better to avoid such environmental conditions.
  • Quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption.
  • Lifestyle interventions where symptoms can get worse with stress and anxiety so need to avoid such situations. To avoid such conditions patients can start their day with yoga, meditation, and other exercises.
  • Taking a well-balanced diet.

Some health tips to bring symptom relief:

  • Keep the skin moist all the time by applying moisturizers
  • Take warm bathes that helps in skin soothing
  • Expose the body to small doses of ultraviolet light in the sunlight
  • Do not irritate or scratch the psoriatic skin patches
  • Limit intake of alcohol and stop smoking
  • Start the day with stressbusters like yoga or meditation to relieve from tensions and emotions
  • Consider some dietary changes by reducing the intake of sugars, white flour, gluten, caffeine, oils etc.

Diagnosis of psoriasis is not the end but the journey continues with normal ups and downs as with anyone else. Having a disease is not a battle lost but losing hope is defeat. So keep up hope and there are answers to every problems and let’s keep finding them and spreading them.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions is a socially responsible medical communication company which delivers high quality medical content related to scientific publication (manuscript, review, poster, abstract, case report), regulatory documents (protocol, CSR, narratives, clinical trial disclosure, web synopsis) and marketing documents (print and digital).

#organdonationday

Today on Organ Donation day, Turacoz team members pledge their organs for a noble cause and want to contribute to human life even after perishing.

Why should we donate our organs?

In India, where population consists of 1.2 billion people, the statistics stands at 0.08 persons as organ donors per million population (PMP). This is an incredibly small and insignificant number compared to the statistics around the world.

  • 500,000 people die because of non-availability of organs
  • 150,000 people await a kidney transplant but only 5,000 get one
  • 1,000,000 lakh people suffer from corneal blindness and await transplant

What is Organ donation?

Organ donation is the donation of a biological tissue or an organ of the human body from a living or dead person to a living recipient for the purpose of transplantation. The organ is taken from the donor and transplanted in the body of the recipient.

Who can be donor?
Any person can be organ donor, irrespective of age, caste, religion, community, current or past medical condition.

  • Patients having cancer, HIV, active infection (for example, sepsis) or using Intravenous (IV) drugs are not eligible for organ-donation.
  • Most cancer patients may donate corneas.
  • Patients who have Hepatitis C and B rarely donate organs to a patient with Hepatitis C and B respectively.

Which organs and tissues can you donate?

  • Organs like heart, liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs, and pancreas can be donated only after the donor is declared ‘brain dead’.
  • Tissues like corneas, heart valves, skin, bones etc. can be donated in case of natural death.

How are organs harvested after brain death?

  • Efforts are made to stabilize the patient in a hospital. If he is pronounced brain-dead by the doctor’s evaluation, testing and documentation, he may donate his organs.
  • Consent from the family, coroner and legal authorities is obtained to proceed with the donation, and the organ procurement organization is informed.
  • In the meantime, the donor’s body is maintained on ventilator, and stabilized with fluids and medications. Numerous laboratory tests are performed.
  • Recipients are identified for placement of donor’s organs.
  • A surgical team is coordinated for removal of organs and tissues at the hospital.
  • Multiple organ recovery is performed with organs being preserved through special solutions and cold packing. The ventilator support is then discontinued.
  • The donor’s body is surgically closed and released.

How to donate organs?

  • To be an organ donor, it is important to register by signing up for Organ Donation.
  • Discuss with your family and friends and let them understand your decision.
  • Always carry an Organ-donor Card with you. Your family should be aware of your decision. Without their consent, the organs/tissues cannot be donated.

“If something comes to life in others because of you, then you have made an approach to immortality.”
–Norman Cousins

Turacoz supports #SarcomaAwarenessMonth: Do not loose hope

 “Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.”

Christopher Reeve

Sarcoma, may be defined as “a malignant tumor of connective or other non-epithelial tissue.” It occurs in the connective tissue of the body including fat, blood vessels, nerves, bones, muscles, deep skin tissues, and the cartilage.

Types of Sarcoma

Liposarcoma Most common soft tissue sarcoma. Develops in the deep fatty tissue. They are firm, bumpy, and invade the surrounding tissues invasively
Fibrosarcoma Occur in the arms, legs, or the trunk. Occur around scars, muscles, tissues, tendons, and around the lining of the bone
Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans Develops as tumor outgrowths forming outside the skin and are commonly observed on the back or the abdomen. If untreated, the tumor may break through the skin leaving an open wound
Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma Types include storiform pleomorphic, myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma, malignant giant cell tumor of soft parts, and inflammatory malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Usually observed in patients above 50 yr of age and occurs more commonly in men than women.
Synovial Cell Sarcoma Occurs most commonly next to a joint in the arms or legs. This type of sarcoma is very painful and is usually treated with radiation, chemotherapy, or amputation combined with chemotherapy.
Epithelioid Sarcomas Occurs in hand and foot of younger adults. Appears like small nodules. Difficult to treat with surgical intervention and treated with amputation.
Rhabdomyosarcomas Accounts for nearly half of sarcomas in children. Types include embryonal, alveolar, botryoid, and pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma.
Leiomyosarcoma and Uterine Sarcoma Occurs in the smooth muscles mainly in the gastrointestinal tract and the uterus. Metastases occurs in half of the patients and is usually treated with total abdominal hysterectomy.
Gastrointestinal Sarcoma Results in the formation of stroma in the stomach and intestines. Treated with Gleeve (a biological agent that retards the activity of gtenes required for the growth of tumor).
Alveolar Soft-Parts Sarcoma Very rare type of sarcoma which usually occurs in female adolescents and young adults. Slow growing tumor found in extremities and metastases into the lungs.
Kaposi’s Sarcoma A condition in which cancerous cells are found underneath the skin or mucous membranes (mouth, nose, or anus). Commonly occurs in older Jewish, Italian, or Mediterranean men, patients receiving organ transplant, and patients with AIDS.

 

The diagnosis of sarcoma is extremely rare worldwide. Often, patients do not experience any pain or discomfort due to the presence of sarcoma which is the most common reason for its late diagnosis. The diagnosis is confirmed after a series of tests including biopsies, computed topography scan (CT-scan), positron emission tomography scan (PET scan), X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and laparoscopic procedure. In most cases, patients have already gone through immense amount of stress until the diagnosis of sarcoma is confirmed. Developing a thorough treatment plan for sarcoma is only possible with a confirmed diagnosis of the condition. The presently available treatments for soft tissue sarcoma include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, interventional radiology, and targeted therapy.

The National Cancer Institute recommends different treatment options as per the stage of sarcoma.

  • Stage I adult soft tissue sarcoma
    • Surgical removal of the tumor along with radiation therapy either before or after the surgery.
  • Stage II adult soft tissue sarcoma
    • Surgery to remove the tumor; radiation therapy before or after the surgery; radiation therapy or chemotherapy before limb sparing surgery; and high dose radiation therapy for tumors that cannot be removed by surgery
  • Stage III adult soft tissue sarcoma that has spread to the lymph nodes (advanced)
    • Surgery with lymphadenectomy followed by radiation therapy; a clinical trial of surgery followed by chemotherapy; and a clinical trial of regional hyperthermia therapy
  • Stage IV adult soft tissue sarcoma
    • Includes chemotherapy and surgery to remove cancer that has spread to the lungs

 

The duration and intensity of sarcoma therapy can be astonishing and unsettling for patients and their families, and coping with the adverse effects of treatments can be a major and drastic challenge.

The sarcoma center in India “Soft Tissue Tumor Online http://www.histopathology-india.net/SoftTissuePath.htm

There are many NGOs which aides’ new patients and their loved ones to comprehend a sarcoma diagnosis, look for the best care, manage treatment, adapts well and find support.

 

Beat Sarcoma beatsarcoma.org
Cure for Sarcoma http://www.cureforsarcoma.com/
Cynthia Solomon Holmes Foundation http://www.cynthiaholmesfoundation.com/
Dani’s Foundation www.danisfoundation.org
Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation dtrf.org
GIST Support International gistsupport.org
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa moffitt.org
Kristen Ann Carr Fund www.sarcoma.com
Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative sarcomahelp.org
The Life Raft Group liferaftgroup.org
LMSarcoma Direct Research http://www.lmsdr.org/
Jared Juggernaut http://jaredsjuggernaut.org/
Northwest Sarcoma Foundation nwsarcoma.org
Sarcoma Alliance http://sarcomaalliance.org/
Sarcoma Alliance for Research through Collaboration (SARC) www.sarctrials.org
Sarcoma Foundation of America www.curesarcoma.org

 

 

July is #SarcomaAwarenessMonth: Come Spread the Word

Sarcomas are the tumors originating from mesenchyme and contribute to about  20% of all pediatric solid malignant cancers and less than 1% of all adult solid malignant cancers. Sarcoma develops in connective tissue-cells that connect or support other types of tissue in the body. These forms of tumor are most common in normal connective tissues of bones, muscles, tendons, cartilage, nerves, fat, blood vessels of arms and legs, but they can occur anywhere.

What is Sarcoma awareness month?

The majority of patients present in advanced stage of diseases mainly due to ignorance of disease as well as apprehension and fear of surgery. The economic constraints also delay the detection and management. The awareness for the disease is far less and hence the importance of July as the ‘Sarcoma awareness month’, giving a right opportunity to learn more about the disease, spreading awareness to everyone and making difference in lives of patients fighting sarcoma.

Types of Sarcomas

Though sarcomas are more than 50 types, they can be classified into two main kinds: soft tissue sarcoma and bone sarcoma or osteosarcoma. The sarcomas are further sub-classified into based on type of presumed cell of origin found in the tumor. All of these types have certain microscopic characteristics and similar symptoms.

Who is affected?

Sarcomas develop in both children and adults. In children of less than 20 years of age, 15% (approximately) of diagnosed cancer are sarcomas. In adults, about 1 out of 100 adult cancer cases are soft tissue sarcomas. Osteosarcomas are still rare. Treatment of sarcomas is by surgery for tumor removal.

Risk factors

  • Most sarcomas have no known cause. Following factors can contribute to risk factors for developing sarcomas:
  • Previous radiation therapy for cancer.
  • Genetic disorder such as neurofibromatosis type I, Gardner syndrome, Werner syndrome, nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, Li-Fraumeni syndrome or retinoblastoma.
  • Exposure to chemicals such as vinyl chloride monomer used for making plastics.

Symptoms

There may be no signs and symptoms initially or these symptoms may be caused by medical condition, which is not cancer. Soft tissue sarcomas are usually hard to be spot as they grow anywhere in the body.

First signs of sarcoma in an arm, leg, or torso could be painless lump or swelling. These lumps may get bigger as time progresses and might press against nerve or muscles making one uncomfortable or give breathing trouble or both. Unfortunately, there are no tests that can detect these tumors before symptoms occur.

Most often lumps may not be sarcomas and soft-tissue lumps are lipomas, which are made of fat cells and not cancerous. Sarcomas in abdomen may not have any symptoms, or may cause pain or give sense of fullness.

Symptoms or osteosarcoma are more evident, including:

  • On and off pain in the affected bone, that may be worse at night.
  • Swelling that often starts weeks after the pain.
  • Limp, if sarcoma is present in the leg.

Diagnosis

Biopsy: is the only way to find for certain if tumor is a sarcoma.

If biopsy is not possible, other tests may be suggested that can be useful for diagnosis. Imaging tests can be used to find out if cancer has metastasized.

Before choosing diagnostic test following factors may be considered:

  1. Age and medical condition
  2. Type of cancer suspected
  3. Severity of symptoms
  4. Earlier test results

Imaging tests used before or after biopsy for determining location and extent of tumor includes:

  • Ultrasound
  • Chest X-ray
  • CT or CAT (computed axial tomography)
  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans
  • PET (positron emission tomography) scans
  • Bone scan – for osteosarcoma

Treatments

If sarcoma is diagnosed, treatment may depend of several factors that include:

  1. Location and type of sarcoma.
  2. Spread of cancer.
  3. Impact on body.
  4. Health in general.

Depending on above parameters, treatment for sarcoma is customized as per the needs and may include one or more of the following:

Surgery: is done to remove tumor out of the body. In osteosarcoma, only cancer cells can be removed and arm or leg won’t be amputed.

Chemotherapy: may be used as main treatment of sarcoma or with surgery or radiation. Combination of two or more chemotherapy drugs may be used. In some cases, limb profusion, a special way for giving more focused dose of chemotherapy may be done.

Radiation Therapy: not used as main sarcoma treatment, but can be used before surgery for shrinking the tumor or after surgery for destroying remaining cancer cells.

Proton Therapy: gives high doses of radiation directly to tumor site and spares nearby healthy tissue and vital organs.

Post-Treatment plan

Talking with health care provider is essential to develop a follow-up care plan. The plan may include:

  • Regular physical examinations and/or medical tests to monitor the recovery and possible tumor recurrence if any.
  • Learning ways to prevent or manage side effects, if undergone radiation therapy for treating sarcomas where region of the body may be at risk for limb swelling (lymphedema), fracture of the thigh or leg bones, poor joint mobility and hardness of the soft tissues (fibrosis).
  • Rehabilitation program (such as range-of-motion exercises, strengthening exercises, and lymphedema reduction exercise) post surgery or radiation therapy for regaining or maintaining limb function.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions  takes steps in creating awareness and communicating to the society  information on disease-diagnosis, prevention, management and complications because we believe in

You may never know what results come from your action, but it you do nothing there will be no results.

#InternationalYogaDay2015: India is the Global Spiritual Capital

Yoga has been an integral part of India since Indus Saraswati civilization for about 5000 years now. With time the nomenclature has changed with modifications in the practise but the benefit is still the same. Today’s fast paced life with challenges from all quarters requires us to practice a discipline which is beyond achieving a physical goal. The need of the hour is a comprehensive health goal which focuses on physical, mental and spiritual health together.

Types of Yoga

Bhagawad Gita introduces 3 prominent types of Yoga:

  1. Karma yoga: Yoga of action
  2. Bhakti yoga: Yoga of devotion
  3. Jnana yoga: Yoga of knowledge

The Eight-Limbed Yoga or “Ashtanga Yoga” of Patanjali’s writing are as follows:

  1. Yama or the five abstentions
  2. Niyama or the five observances
  3. Asana which literally means seated position used for medidation
  4. Pranayama is to restrain or stop breathing
  5. Pratyahara is the withdrawal of sense organs from external objects
  6. Dharana is concentrating on one object
  7. Dhyana is meditation
  8. Samadhi is the merging consciousness with the object of meditation

There is something for every individual in yoga, all age groups including children and youth, patients with chronic illness like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, obesity etc.

On this First International Yoga Day, the atmosphere is positive and highly charged and let’s make yoga a part of our lives.

 

May is Asthma Awareness Month: How aware are we?

Asthma is a worldwide disease affecting an estimated 300 million individuals globally. Some authors also reported prevalence of Asthma as a wave of “Asthma epidemic”. Inmajority of children, asthma develops before 5 years of age, and in more than half, asthma develops before they reach 3 years of age.

Although asthma triggers vary from person to person based on if you have allergic asthma or non-allergic asthma, some of the most common triggers include: allergens such as dust mites, pollens; irritants in the air; respiratory infections such as colds, flu, sore throats, and sinus infections; exercise and other physical activities; sudden changes in weather; expressing strong emotions like anger, fear; some medications and pets.

CHALLENGES IN ASTHMA DIAGNOSIS

  • International guidelines advise that asthma diagnosis be based on both the presence of symptoms and objective measurements of variable airflow obstruction.
  • In daily practice, there are important barriers to perform lung function tests which can occur more frequently in a primary care setting but also in secondary care setting.
  • Most of the time medication is initiated without putting much effort into further diagnosis.
  •  In almost 30% of diagnosed patients asthma is ultimately excluded when objectively assessed.
    COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA
  •           Wheeze
  •           Chest tightness
  •        Shortness of breath
  •        Cough

A diagnosis of asthma is made more likely if your symptoms:

  •        Keep coming back, or happen at the same time each year
  •        Family history of asthma
  •        Worse at night or in the early morning
  •        Triggered by exercise, allergies or infections
  •        Improve with reliever medication
    COULD IT BE ANOTHER HEALTH ISSUE AND NOT ASTHMA?
  •        Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  •        Pneumonia
  •        Heart disease
  •        Cystic fibrosis
  •        Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
  •        Lung infections (especially in young children)

    Key message

    It is very important for the patient to be diagnosed and to know what triggers the problem. Monitoring your asthma is crucial to reduce symptoms. While there’s no asthma cure, keeping an asthma diary helps you recognize asthma attacks and prevents  from becoming seriously ill.

Not just live, live it full – World hemophilia day- April 17, 2015

“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.” ― Robert Frost

Hemophilia- a rare genetic disorder in which blood doesn’t clot normally due to lack of clotting factors. Because of this, when a person with hemophilia gets a large cut or suffers internal injuries, he’ll bleed for a longer time and have difficulty healing.

How prevalent is hemophilia?

  1. A child born with hemophilia will have it all its life.
  2. About 15% patients have Factor – IX deficiency (Christmas disease).
  3. Rest has Factor VIII – deficiency (Classical hemophilia).
  4. Worldwide incidence of hemophilia is estimated to be more than 400,000 people.
  5. Around 1300 children born in India every year are hemophilic.
  6. There are 50,000 patients with severe hemophilia A at present.
  7. Males have 50% chance of getting disease while females have 50% chance of carrying the disease.

How your hemophilic child is being treated in Indian Society?

  1. Indian schools refuse admission to hemophiliac children due to medical emergencies and complications.
  2. Condition of patient affects the whole family because of fear, anxiety, confusion and guilt.
  3. As women are the carrier of hemophilic gene, they suffer more due to criticism from family and hemophilic child.

 

How parents should help their child with hemophilia?

  1. Hemophiliac patient and their family should fight together against hemophilia.
  2. Hemophilia should not define his or her identity.
  3. Parents should accept it in a short period because being in denial for a long time can affect the child’s well being.
  4. Parents should not withdraw themselves from their own child, relatives, friends and society.
  5. As hemophilia is not curable, steps should be taken to maintain an active, productive lifestyle by proper treatment and healthy living tips.

Can your child live a normal life with Hemophilia? Yes, he can. Read the following to know how

  1. Keep up with regular medical checkups and get vaccinated.
  2. Exercise at least 3 times a week or as recommended by physiotherapist.
  3. Maintain an ideal body weight.
  4. Follow the treatment plans as prescribed by the doctor.
  5. Get tested early for blood borne infections.
  6. Treat bleeds early and adequately.
  7. Eat healthy.
  8. Always wear a seatbelt, helmets (in case of driving or riding).
  9. Make time for yourself.
  10. Get a good night’s sleep.

Last but not the least; you can live your life with hemophilia, the way you want. There is nothing in this world a hemophilic can’t do.

#ChronicFatigueSyndromeAwarenessDay: May 12

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) awareness day and Florence Nightingale’s birthday fall on May 12. The day commemorates victory of Nightingale from pain, fatigue and CFS symptoms to attain many remarkable accomplishments.

What is CFS?

  • Presence of any of the following symptoms can suggest CFS:
  •  You feel fatigued after climbing just 10 stairs of your office?
  •  You don’t feel refreshed after a long sleep or you don’t get sleep at all.
  • You forget things easily and when comes to concentration, you can’t have one task finished in time.
  •   You have a sore throat almost every hour of the day.
  •  You have exhaustion but you can’t describe it.
  •   In the refreshing morning of a beautiful day, you feel so tired as if you just ran a marathon.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or CFS or “systemic exertion intolerance disease,” includes debilitating fatigue that is constant or recurring.  CFS is an unbearable, underserved and under-diagnosed disorder characterized by extreme fatigue. This type of fatigue is not improved by getting rest. It may be made worse by physical or mental activity and can limit your ability to complete ordinary daily activities. CFS can affect multiple systems in the body causing muscle pain or weakness, cognitive dysfunction (brain fog), and insomnia (the inability to sleep). More than 17 million people worldwide suffer from this disease.

What causes CFS?

Despite substantial research, the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome remains unknown. It could be genetic, due to an environmental trigger or your lifestyle, your long working hours, exposure to microbes, toxins, and other physical and emotional factors. It may be triggered by stress, various illnesses or other medical conditions.  So it could be anything behind this dreadful disease.

What are the symptoms of ME/CFS?

  • Feeling extremely exhausted
  • Not feeling refreshed even after sleeping
  • Problems with concentration, attention and memory
  • Feeling dizzy or faint when sitting up or standing (due to a drop in blood pressure)
  • Muscle pain or aches
  • Tender lymph nodes in the neck or under the arm
  • Sore throat that is constant or goes away and comes back often

Less-common symptoms of ME/CFS include:

  • Visual problems (blurring, sensitivity to light, eye pain)
  • Psychological symptoms (irritability, mood swings, panic attacks, anxiety)
  • Chills and night sweats
  • Low grade fever or low body temperature
  • Irritable bowel
  • Allergies and sensitivities to foods, odors, chemicals, medications, and sound
  • Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the face, hands, or feet

How is ME/CFS treated?

Sadly there is no cure or FDA-approved treatments for ME/CFS. But, there are few things you, your family members and your doctor can do to help ease your symptoms.

Graded exercise therapy (GET)

GET is nothing but increasing your physical activities according to your CFS symptoms and closely monitored by a physiotherapist or occupational therapist who is used to treating people with CFS/ME.  GET can improve symptoms for some people. However, some people report that they do not find it beneficial.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT is based on the idea that your mind can treat your body which means that a certain way of thought process can heal your CFS.  It aims to change any harmful behaviors which can fuel certain health problems. It could be anything from physical activity, daily routine management, thinking positively, having a sleep routine, goal setting.

What can I do to cope with ME/CFS?

  • Talking about your feelings with a friend or family member can help.
  • Sometimes it also helps to talk with people who are going through the same thing.
  • Adjust your schedule to take advantage of times when you have more energy and feel less tired.
  • Keep a diary for a week or so. Write down the times of day when you have energy and when you are tired. If there is a pattern to how your energy level changes during the day, try to plan your work, school, or other activities around that pattern.
  • Do what you can to take charge of your fatigue level. Try not to do too much when you have more energy. If you do too much, you may become overtired. And it may take several days for you to recover.
  • Improve your sleep habits.
  • Sleep problems may add to your fatigue and other symptoms.
  • Go to bed only when you are sleepy. Get up at the same time every day, whether or not you feel rested.
  • If you lie awake for longer than 15 minutes, get up, leave the bedroom, and do something quiet until you feel sleepy again.
  • Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco well before bed.
  • Get light, gentle exercise regularly.
  • Eat a balanced diet. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains, cereals, legumes, poultry, fish, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products.

Please keep in mind that CFS can lead to many complex medical conditions like depression and social isolation. You will also have some lifestyle restrictions because of your chronic fatigue. You might lose your career or not be able to spend as much time with family and friends as you would like. If you are employed, your doctor will be able to advise you about whether you should take time off work. Please don’t ignore symptoms

#WorldMultipleSclerosisDay 27 may 2015: Raise Awareness

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is believed to be an immune-mediated disorder in which myelin sheath or nerve fiber is damaged or destroyed due to formation of lesions, scar tissue (sclerosis) is formed and nerve impulses travelling to and from the brain and spinal cord are distorted or interrupted, producing a wide variety of symptoms. People from northern European countries are at a higher risk of developing MS and women are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop MS than men.

MS is a chronic disorder which affects muscular movements of the patients.The progress of MS and a person’s prognosis is not predictable at the early stages with great accuracy. Patients are advised at the early stages to try to lead a normal life, exercise frequently, and follow healthy diets. However, delay in diagnosis of any early warning symptom can lead to more complicated problems. MS is not a fatal disease. Death results from other causes, such as heart attack or pneumonia, which is not related to the MS disease process.

Possible triggering factors:

  • Environmental causes: prevalence increases with distance from Equator
  • Genetics: Siblings of an affected person have a 2%-5% risk of developing MS
  • ·      Viruses: Epstein-Barr, varicella zoster, and hepatitis vaccine may be the cause of MS but not yet proven
  • ·      Sex hormones: Estrogen and progesterone may suppress some immune activity and hence the increased incidence in females

Common symptoms of MS

  1.       Blurred vision and mental imbalance
  2.       Lack of coordination
  3.       Difficulty in walking and doing physical activities due to poor balance and muscular weakness
  4.       Numbness and tingling sensation
  5.       Poor bladder control

 

How to manage MS?

Living life fully with MS demands some basic requirements that can help manage your symptoms

  • Healthy diet
  • Regular exercise
  • Stress management and other wellness strategies
  • Assistive devices for help with walking, bathing and toiletting, dressing –up, eating, sleeping, and writing
  • Memory sharpening tools: by using tools and gadgets like digital recorders, calenders, sticky-notes, diaries or record books.
  • Support in education and employment; Small changes such as having somewhere to have a rest, or flexible work hours, can make a big difference to being able to stay on at work.

 

Raise awareness for MS to make a difference

Educating people about the disease and spreading information about the available solutions and support systems can make a difference in the patient outcome. Multiple Sclerosis is incurable, but with proper medications, physical therapy  and rehabilitation  patients can have fast recovery, or relief from the symptoms.

  •  Seminars  and meetings  to educate people about the symptoms and management of MS can be taken up by physicians and social organizations.
  •  Social media and online forums, can allow space for people to share their personal experiences with MS-affected individuals in their family or acquaintances.
  •  Awareness messages via emails, cards, or  even a news, can create awareness in a group of people.
  • MS awareness days or weeks can play an important role in raising awareness among common people about how to support the patients.
  • Involvement of celebrities for raising awareness and funds for the cause of MS can play a significant role.

This blog from the desk of Turacoz Healthcare Solutions is anendeavour to spread the word for incurabe but controllable Multiple Sclerosis.

Reach out to us for developing patient education material, and building scientific evidence in the form of manuscripts, review articles, and slide deck preparation to train field force/doctors at [email protected].