Month: April 2014

Neuro and Spine

Exposure to mosquito coil smoke may be a risk factor for lung cancer

A recent Indian study highlighted the presence of carcinogenic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

(PAHs)  in the emissions, indicating the potential risks associated with the inhalation of coil smoke.

Another potent lung carcinogen called bischloromethyl ether (BCME), has also been reported by researchers based in the US.

A case control study based in Taiwan, where mosquito coil usage has high prevalence as in India, proved that smoke from mosquito coils may be a risk factor for lung cancer. This study stemmed out of the observation that about 50% of lung cancer deaths in Taiwan are not related to cigarette smoking.

Mosquito coil smoke exposure was more frequent in lung cancer patients than controls (38.1% vs.17.8%; p < 0.01). Risk of lung cancer was significantly higher in frequent burners of mosquito coils (more than 3 times per week) than nonburners (adjusted odds ratio = 3.78; 95% confidence interval- 1.55-6.90). Those who seldom burned mosquito coils (less than 3 times per week) also had a significantly higher risk of lung cancer (adjusted odds ratio = 2.67; 95% confidence interval- 1.60-4.50).

This shows that mosquito coils used widely, even in urban households in India present a significant risk of developing lung cancer. As per the current practice, mosquito coils are freely marketed in India and there is no warning issued for regular consumers on its health risks.

The Arogyada
www.arogyada.in
April 24, 2014 / by drsandeep.net

Therapeutic target identified for antihypertensive action of a polyherbal Siddha medicine called Venthamarai chooranam (VMC)

An animal study was conducted by Babu CS et al at Centre for Toxicology and Developmental Research (CEFT), Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai to identify the therapeutic target for the antihypertensive action of a polyherbal Siddha medicine called Venthamarai chooranam (VMC).  It was concluded that VMC alleviates hypertension via AT1R and eNOS signaling pathway in 2K1C hypertensive rats.

VMC upregulated eNOS expression which in turn improved plasma nitric oxide and decreased SBP in hypertensive rats. It down-regulated AT1R and simultaneously upregulated AT2R expression in comparison to vehicle-treated 2K1C rats. Further, renal TNFα and IL-6 expressions were down-regulated while TRX1 and TRXR1 were upregulated by VMC. VMC potentially interacts with renin-angiotensin components and endothelial functions, and thereby exerts its antihypertensive action. 
This is the first study to demonstrate the mechanism of anti-hypertensive action of VMC in an animal model of renovascular hypertension.
The Arogyada
www.arogyada.in
April 12, 2014 / by drsandeep.net

Family Medicine Clinics in India: The Next Big Thing for Indian Healthcare?


By Astha Gupta, MSc(BioMed) MHA PAHM

Healthcare in India has fast moved away from general practice to super specialised medicine. As a consequence the erstwhile family physician who had detailed knowledge of his patient’s lifestyle, family history and clinical history has somewhere gotten lost. Family Medicine is a branch of medical sciences which aims to provide comprehensive and continuing healthcare for individuals of all ages and genders. A popular branch of practised medicine across the globe, it provides for the first line of treatment and preventive care. In India, very recent times have seen a resurgence of this concept with a few private players stepping into this arena. The next few sections highlight the potential for this stream of healthcare in India and the challenges associated with it.

Models of Family Clinics 

1. Single Practitioner
A decades old model followed within the Indian market, it typically involves a single physician catering to a small local population. Services provided may range from only consultation to limited pharmacy, basic diagnostics and small procedures like suturing. Word of mouth is the most commonly employed tool for marketing. Mainstreaming and expansion of this model is extremely difficult since it is largely person dependent.

2. Practice Association
Continue reading this post…

The Arogyada
www.arogyada.in
April 2, 2014 / by drsandeep.net