Month: July 2020

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COVID-19 Government Guidelines Medical Equipments Medical Updates

Beds to spare at Covid-19 centres as cases decline in Delhi

NEW DELHI: The falling number of Covid-positive cases in the city has resulted in the major makeshift care facilities witnessing a decline in occupancy.

Billed as the world’s largest Covid care facility with 10,000 beds, Sardar Patel Covid Care Centre and Hospital at Radha Soami Satsang Beas in Chhatarpur currently has only 180 patients. Only 16 patients have been admitted in the DRDO-run 1,000 bedded facility near Dwarka, 72 in the 480-bedded Commonwealth Games Village unit and 20 in the 100-bedded facility at Shehnai banquet hall.

Patients who are not critical and don’t have home isolation facilities are admitted in such makeshift centres. While 15 doctors have been deployed at CWG Village, Shehnai banquet hall has 12.

The Centre and Delhi government rushed to create makeshift Covid-19 facilities when the pandemic was on the verge of explosion in the capital. There was widespread anticipation among the authorities that cases would cross 5 lakh by July-end and the city may need 80,000 beds to treat the patients.

Later, it was found that the number of cases was far below what was anticipated. Delhi government had explained that its anticipation was based on details obtained from central government sources.

Though unused, officials at the makeshift facilities have been reassuring people in that enough healthcare facilities are available for them. This boosts the confidence of people testing positive for Covid-19.

Three patients were discharged from Sardar Patel Covid Care Centre and Hospital on Tuesday. The facility is being managed by Indo-Tibetan Border Police. “A team of 100 medical personnel has been deployed at the facility, including 40 doctors who work in shifts. All those currently admitted are showing signs of recovering. Only five people who turned critical were shifted to Safdarjung Hospital since July 5, when the facility became operational,” said an ITBP official.

Yoga sessions are organised daily for patients, who practice it on their beds to destress and aid their healing process. The centre ahas facilities for recreation, newspapers and books.

Most of the beds at the CWG Village facility, which was created in record six days, are vacant. “We currently have 72 patients and all are in a stable condition. Around 50 beds are oxygen supported, but till now only one patient has required the facility. Patients are discharged after nine days when they don’t have fever for three days. No test is required before the discharge. By July 17, many patients might be discharged,” said Dr Rajat Jain of Doctors For You, an NGO.

Even at the Covid-designated government hospitals, 10,900 of 15,000 beds are vacant. Since the threat of the virus and the possibility of cases peaking has not yet passed, these facilities continue to be important in Delhi’s Covid-19 fight.

Source: https://bit.ly/3iZlD1f

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Medical Updates Medicine & Health

Mental health, suicide prevention needs greater attention during pandemic: WHO

Early identification of mental health conditions, recognition of suicidal behaviors, and appropriate management through a multi-sectoral approach is important, even as we continue to focus on arresting the further spread of the pandemic, Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region said.​

New Delhi: With the COVID-19 pandemic still accelerating and impacting people in multiple ways, WHO today called upon countries in South-East Asia Region to pay greater attention to mental health and suicide prevention.

“Hitting lives and livelihoods, the pandemic is causing fear, anxiety, depression and stress among people. Social distancing, isolation and coping with perpetually evolving and changing information about the virus has both triggered and aggravated existing and pre-existing mental health conditions which need urgent attention,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia Region.

Early identification of mental health conditions, recognition of suicidal behaviours and appropriate management through a multi-sectoral approach is important, even as we continue to focus on arresting further spread of the pandemic, Dr Khetrapal Singh added.


Stigma related to COVID-19 infection may also lead to feeling of isolation and depression, the Regional Director said, adding that another precipitating factor impacting mental health amidst COVID-19 could be domestic violence, which is reported to have increased during lockdowns imposed by almost all countries in the Region.

Suicide claims almost 800,000 lives every year globally and is the leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29 years of age. Evidence shows that for each adult who dies of suicide there are more than 20 others attempting suicide.The WHO South-East Asia Region accounts for 39% of global suicide mortality.

Though preventable, suicide a serious public health problem. Survivors of suicide attempts and their family often face stigma and discrimination in many forms. The impact of suicide on families, friends and communities is devastating and far-reaching.” the Regional Director said.

As individual vulnerabilities and sociocultural factors differ between and within populations, the Regional Suicide Prevention Strategy guides countries on strategizing and planning for suicide prevention through a multi-sectoral public health approach.

“These initiatives are most needed today. Together we must work towards promoting mental health and preventing suicide,” Dr Khetrapal Singh added.

Source: https://bit.ly/32oJOQU

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Medical Updates Medicine & Health Techniques

Researchers reveal simpler way to generate sensory hearing cells called ‘hair cells’

A team of researchers is revealing the secrets of a simpler way to generate the sensory cells of the inner ear. Their approach uses direct reprogramming to produce sensory cells known as “hair cells,” due to their hair-like protrusions that sense sound waves.

A team of researchers is revealing the secrets of a simpler way to generate the sensory cells of the inner ear. Their approach uses direct reprogramming to produce sensory cells known as “hair cells,” due to their hair-like protrusions that sense sound waves.

Led by scientists from the USC Stem Cell laboratories of Neil Segil and Justin Ichida, the results of study were published in the journal eLife.

“We’ve succeeded in directly reprogramming a variety of mouse cell types into what we’re calling ‘induced hair cell-like cells, or iHCs. This allows us to efficiently generate large numbers of iHCs to identify causes and treatments for hearing loss,” said PhD student Louise Menendez, the study’s lead author.

The scientists successfully reprogrammed three different types of mouse cells to become iHCs. The first two types were embryonic and adult versions of connective tissue cells, known as fibroblasts. The third was a different type of inner ear cell, known as a supporting cell.

A team of researchers is revealing the secrets of a simpler way to generate the sensory cells of the inner ear. Their approach uses direct reprogramming to produce sensory cells known as “hair cells,” due to their hair-like protrusions that sense sound waves.

Led by scientists from the USC Stem Cell laboratories of Neil Segil and Justin Ichida, the results of study were published in the journal eLife.

“We’ve succeeded in directly reprogramming a variety of mouse cell types into what we’re calling ‘induced hair cell-like cells, or iHCs. This allows us to efficiently generate large numbers of iHCs to identify causes and treatments for hearing loss,” said PhD student Louise Menendez, the study’s lead author.

The scientists successfully reprogrammed three different types of mouse cells to become iHCs. The first two types were embryonic and adult versions of connective tissue cells, known as fibroblasts. The third was a different type of inner ear cell, known as a supporting cell.

“Hair cells are easy to damage, and currently impossible to repair in humans,” said Segil, a professor in the Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, and the USC Tina and Rick Caruso Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, and one of the corresponding authors of the study.

“Aging, loud noises, and certain chemotherapy drugs and antibiotics can all lead to the permanent loss of hair cells, which is the leading contributor to hearing loss worldwide,” Segil added.

iHCs have the potential to accelerate hearing loss research in at least two important ways, according to Ichida, who is the John Douglas French Alzheimer’s Foundation Associate Professor of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at USC, and the other corresponding author of the study.

“In the near term, researchers can use iHCs to screen large numbers of drug candidates that might prevent or treat hearing loss,” said Ichida, who is also a New York Stem Cell Foundation-Robertson Investigator.

“And further in the future, it could become possible to directly reprogram supporting cells in the inner ear of a deafened individual, as a way to restore hearing,” added Ichida.

Source: https://bit.ly/32tA3AZ

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Medical Updates Medicine & Health Techniques

8 Effective And Natural Ways to Manage High Blood Pressure

Medications alone will never suffice because a lifestyle disease like high blood pressure can only be managed through lifestyle changes.

Blood pressure – simply put, this is the force your blood applies to the walls of your blood vessels. If this force is high, then the increased pressure can damage the blood vessels, which in turn can increasingly damage the heart and different organs of the body. Call it high blood pressure or hypertension, but living with this chronic disease is not easy.

According to research published in the Indian Heart Journal in 2019, almost one in every three adults in India suffers from high blood pressure. This disease, therefore, has a high prevalence in India and can lead to cardiovascular diseases, strokes, aneurysms, metabolic syndromes and even dementia. Early diagnosis of high blood pressure can help you cope with much more ease, because like all chronic diseases, this one can be managed but not cured.

Medications to help you control high blood pressure levels are easily available in the market, and it’s likely that your doctor will recommend these medications to you if your blood pressure is particularly high. But medications alone will never suffice because a lifestyle disease like this can only be managed through lifestyle changes. The good thing is that most lifestyle changes are natural and all you need to implement them is determination. The following are some of the easiest ways to manage high blood pressure naturally:

1. Reduce salt intake: This is the first recommendation any expert would make, because a low-sodium diet is known to improve symptoms of hypertension. But this is easier said than done, because sodium is hidden in many foods, from ketchup to bread. You might have to learn to read labels to monitor your salt intake better.

2. Get more potassium: According to the US’ Cleveland Clinic, a daily intake of 3,000 to 3,500 mg of potassium can reduce your blood pressure levels effectively. So, increase your intake of potassium by eating more bananas, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, etc. However, if you also have kidney problems then consult your doctor about potassium intake.

3. Lose weight: Being overweight or obese can increase your blood pressure. So, inversely, shedding some kilos can reduce your blood pressure levels. Even reducing four kilos can improve your condition.

4. Limit alcohol: Drinking too much or too often can spike your blood pressure levels, so keep your alcohol intake to a minimum.

5. Kick the butt: Cigarette butt, that is. Nicotine addiction can keep your blood pressure elevated for long periods of time, so quit smoking immediately.

6. Off with the stress: Stress not only increases your blood pressure levels but chronic stress can keep those levels elevated for a prolonged period. Adopt effective means of de-stressing, like yoga, meditation, etc.

7. Exercise: Walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, playing a sport – these are all forms of exercise that can help improve your blood pressure levels. Try being active for at least 30 minutes to an hour every day.

8. Follow the DASH diet: The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is one of the most effective ways to manage your blood pressure in the long run. It involves eliminating high-fat foods and eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats and fish, nuts and seeds.

Source: https://bit.ly/3j7Lq7g

Categories
Medical Updates Medicine & Health

Mindful hypnotherapy may reduce stress

A new study shows that combining hypnotherapy with mindfulness training has a significant positive effect on stress levels.

Mindfulness is an ancient mental technique that is an acknowledged means of helping people manage stress and anxiety. It involves learning how to stop and become consciously aware of one’s present moment as a revitalizing respite from the ongoing rush of daily life.

A new study from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, finds that combining mindfulness with hypnotherapy may make its benefits more accessible.

The researchers concluded that hypnotherapy might allow people to achieve mindfulness goals more readily and quickly.

“Mindfulness is a type of meditation that involves focusing attention on present moment awareness. It can help people cope with stress but can require months of practice and training. Hypnosis also involves focusing attention, but it includes mental imagery, relaxation, and suggestions for symptom reduction.”

– study co-author Gary Elkins,

The new study features in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis.

Mindful hypnotherapy

The researchers call their new mind-body therapy “mindful hypnotherapy.”

It represents a novel use of hypnotherapy, which more commonly serves as a treatment for pain and symptom management. The study authors assert that applying hypnosis to the practice of mindfulness speeds up the acquisition of mindfulness skills.

They hope to address concerns that learning to manage stress and anxiety with mindfulness can be a prohibitively extended, expensive process involving more than 24 hours of training.

Corresponding author Elkins cites mindfulness curricula that involve eight weekly sessions of 2–2.5 hours, in addition to an all day retreat that can last more than 8 hours. Such training can involve a major investment of time and money in what Elkins says research has not unequivocally proven to be more effective than standard cognitive therapy.

According to the authors:

“Therefore, if a mindfulness treatment could be developed that obtains results equal to or better than existing treatments but with shorter or fewer sessions, it could have advantages and represent a valuable contribution to treatment options for anxiety and stress reduction.”

The study

To ascertain the effectiveness of mindful hypnotherapy, the researchers analyzed its effect in a study of 42 participants of college age who self-reported high levels of stress. Half of the participants served as a control group, receiving no hypnosis and no mindfulness training.

The remaining half took part in eight weekly, 1-hour hypnosis interventions that incorporated hypnotic induction as well as mindfulness suggestions. Over the course of the 8 weeks, the interventions progressed through a series of topics:

  • present moment awareness
  • nonjudgmental awareness of the five senses
  • nonjudgmental awareness of thoughts and feelings
  • self-hypnosis
  • compassion for self and others
  • awareness of personal values and meaning in life
  • integrated mindfulness
  • termination/transition to long-term practice.

The intervention group also received 20-minute self-hypnosis audio CDs designed to promote daily mindfulness and were required to log their practice.

Individuals in this group reported keeping up with their practice almost daily and rated their satisfaction with the process as 8.9 out of a possible 10.

The participants reported a significant reduction in perceived distress and an increase in mindfulness, supporting the value of mindful hypnotherapy. In comparison, the control group reported no such benefits.

Elkin summarizes: “Combining mindfulness and hypnotherapy in a single session is a novel intervention that may be equal to or better than existing treatments, with the advantage of being more time effective, less daunting, and easier to use. This could be a valuable option for treating anxiety and stress reduction.”

Next steps

Elkins notes that one of the study’s limitations is its relatively small sample size, and he looks forward to studies with a larger cohort of participants.

He also suggests that there is a need for more targeted studies that examine the effectiveness of mindful therapy for providing relief from specific conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or chronic pain.

Source: https://bit.ly/3j4Yieu