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Post-COVID-19 conditions change a person’s immunological response: Study

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date April 28, 2023
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The study found that after people with long COVID-19 received the vaccine, they produced antibodies against the virus that causes COVID-19 for months longer.

A recent study from Cedars-Sinai’s Smidt Heart Institute reveals that extended COVID-19 may be caused by a dysfunction of the immune system. The study, published in BMC Infectious Diseases, found that after people with long COVID-19 received the COVID-19 vaccine, they produced antibodies against the virus that causes COVID-19 for months longer than expected.

When a person has an infection, the immune system typically responds by making antibodies that block germs from entering cells. Vaccines imitate an infection so that the body’s immune system knows to release certain antibodies when it comes across a virus. In both cases, the immune system eventually stops creating antibodies when the suspected infection is gone.

“There’s general consensus that some level of aberrant immune response happens in long COVID-19, and this study adds to the evidence to suggest this is true,” said Catherine Le, MD, co-director of the Cedars-Sinai COVID-19 Recovery Program and a senior author of the study.

Long COVID-19, a condition in which people experience COVID-19-related symptoms three months or more after initial infection with the virus that causes COVID-19, is estimated to affect 65 million people worldwide. Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, and cognitive dysfunction such as confusion and forgetfulness. Some symptoms can have debilitating effects.

To study the immune response of people with long COVID-19, investigators analysed blood samples from 245 people diagnosed with long COVID-19 and 86 people who had COVID-19 and fully recovered. All the study participants had received either one or two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine regimen.

“We examined one part of the immune system response, the production of antibodies, which is mediated by immune cells called B-cells,” Le explained.

Specifically, the investigators looked at two types of antibodies that attack the virus that causes COVID-19. One of these is called the spike protein antibody, which attacks a protein on the exterior of the virus. The other is the nucleocapsid antibody, which attacks the part of the virus that allows it to replicate.

The investigators found that people who were diagnosed with long COVID-19 produced higher levels of spike protein and nucleocapsid antibodies than people without long COVID-19. Eight weeks after receiving a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, antibody levels in people without long COVID-19 began to decrease, as was expected. People with long COVID-19, however, continued to have elevated antibody levels, especially of nucleocapsid antibodies.

“What you would expect after getting a COVID-19 vaccination is a jump in your spike protein antibody levels, but you wouldn’t expect a significant increase in nucleocapsid antibody levels,” said Susan Cheng, MD, MPH, the Erika J. Glazer Chair in Women’s Cardiovascular Health and Population Science, director of the Institute for Research on Healthy Aging in the Department of Cardiology at the Smidt Heart Institute, and a senior author of the study. “You would also expect these levels to eventually decrease and not persist for so long after vaccination.”

Although this study shows that long COVID-19 affects the immune system, it’s too soon to draw firm conclusions from these findings, according to the study’s authors.

“Theoretically, the production of these antibodies could mean that people are more protected from infection,” Le said. “We also need to investigate if the elevated immune response corresponds with severity or number of long COVID-19 symptoms.”

Investigators are continuing to study blood samples from people with long COVID-19. They are hoping to identify a measurable molecule that could be used to diagnose long COVID-19 and better understand the biological processes that cause it.

Researchers discover how cancer evades immune system detection, spreads

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date April 13, 2023
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A team of researchers has uncovered how cancer evades the immune system and spreads throughout the body.

A team of researchers has uncovered how cancer evades the immune system and spreads throughout the body and is investigating ways to disable this potentially harmful trait. A research led by the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) with members from Duke-NUS Medical School, KK Women and Children’s Hospital, A*STAR’s Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), the University of Southampton and the Alan Turing Institute.

Many have been trying to figure out how cancer cells managed to avoid being found and eliminated by the immune system over the past few years. This most recent ground-breaking discovery, which was released on March 27, 2023 in the highly regarded scientific journal Nature Communications, has ramifications for the creation of cutting-edge cancer treatment methods.

The immune system searches and destroys abnormal cells such as cancer cells. However, in some instances, cancer cells avoid being detected and killed by the immune system and are able to develop and spread more easily. Metastasis, a process when cancer cells break away from the primary tumour and form in other parts of the body, makes cancer harder to treat and results in poorer prognosis. For this reason, the team decided to investigate early onset of metastasis which typically occurs when cancer cells are detected in lymph nodes near the primary tumour.

“Like an unethical employer that forces their employees to work continuously, cancer forces the immune cells to work overtime and become exhausted, rendering them incapable of functioning normally,” said Professor Gopal Iyer, senior author of the study and Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Singapore General Hospital and NCCS.

“Using a treatment to alleviate stress on immune cells, we found that immune cells were able to kill cancer cells more effectively. Still, just like some employees who are too burnt out to work properly even with a bonus, some immune cells were seen to remain exhausted even after treatment, which is how cancer may not be detected and effectively destroyed by the immune system.”

Uncovering cancer immune system suppression: A three-part investigation

As the basis of their investigation, the team profiled primary and metastatic lymph node tumours from 14 patients with head and neck squamous cell cancers, using single cell RNA sequencing. They found pre-metastatic cells within the primary tumours with the capacity to metastasise to the lymph nodes. They also found that a substantial proportion of CD8 cells, a key component of the immune system that searches and kills abnormal cells such as cancer, were ‘exhausted’ and unable to perform their protective role. This occurred when the immune cells were repeatedly exposed to cancer and unable to eliminate it.

Next, the team identified and targeted pathways that exclusively affected cancer cells, immune cells, as well as pathways that cancer cells utilise to negatively influence immune cells, and were able to prevent some cancer spread and rejuvenate immune cells. However, despite these promising results, cancer cells continued to show their ability to escape immune surveillance.

Using a mouse model, engrafted with pre-metastatic cancer cells, the team analysed a subgroup of CD8 T cells expressing Midkine (MDK) receptors. One group in the model was treated with anti-PD1, while the other was a control arm. There was an increase in exhausted MDK-receptor expressing CD8 T cells even after anti-PD1 treatment, suggesting that the MDK-signalling pathway instigates immune suppression that undoes the effects of anti-PD1 treatment. Taken together, the results implicate MDK-signalling as a pathway which pre-metastatic cancer cells use to evade CD8-mediated immune surveillance. It also explains why some patients do not respond as well as others to anti-PD1 therapy.

Finding solutions to improve treatment outcomes

“Our investigations indicate that we can use multiple pathways to effectively treat cancer – by targeting cancer cells, the immune system and using existing therapies to counter immune system evasion by cancer cells. We know we need an increased arsenal of weapons to use against cancer and have to put it together to improve treatment outcomes,” said Professor Iyer, who is also head of the Division of Medical Sciences at NCCS.

Muscular Dystrophy: Experts on all you need to know about this health condition

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date April 12, 2023
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A set of more than 30 inherited (genetic) illnesses that lead to muscle weakness is referred to as muscular dystrophy. Health experts share all you need to know.

Muscular dystrophies can affect different groups of muscles where some types involve the calf muscles and cause progressive weakness, while others affect the proximal muscles of the limbs, including the muscles of the thighs and shoulders, which is called Limb-Girdle muscular dystrophy. There are also generalized muscular dystrophies that rapidly progress and affect the cardiac muscle, known as cardiomyopathy, which can lead to heart failure and eventually death.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Venkataramana NK, Founder and Chairman at Ayu Health – BRAINS Super Specialty Hospitals in Bangalore, explained, “Each type has its own distinct profile of illness progression, age of onset, and type of complications. Identifying the specific type of muscular dystrophy that a patient has is important for the proper treatment and management of the disease. Children with muscular dystrophy experience difficulty in activities such as walking, standing, and even writing and eventually become wheel chair bound and bedridden.”

He elaborated, “Early diagnosis and proper classification of the disease can slow down the progression and it can be hoped that in the future, advances in gene editing technology and regenerative medicine will allow for better solutions in treating muscular dystrophy. While there is no cure for muscular dystrophy, research into repurposing drugs and finding new solutions continues, at the moment there is a targeted therapy that controls the gene is available for one specific subgroup of Muscular dystrophy. In the meantime, patients require supportive treatment and emotional support, and families need help coping with the challenges of caring for a child with this condition.”

Dr Sorabh Gupta, Consultant, Neurology at Max Super Speciality Hospital in Dehradun, revealed, “A set of more than 30 inherited (genetic) illnesses that lead to muscle weakness is referred to as muscular dystrophy. These issues fall under the category of myopathy, which affects the skeletal muscles. Your ability to walk and carry out regular tasks like brushing your teeth may be hampered as muscles weaken and atrophy with time. Your heart and lungs may be affected by the illness as well. The main sign of muscular dystrophy is muscle weakening. The condition can affect various muscles and body components, depending on the type.”

Highlighting that frequently, muscular dystrophy runs in families, he said, “A mutant (changed) gene that causes muscular dystrophy may be inherited by a child whose parent has the disease. Even though they do not have muscular dystrophy, some people carry the faulty gene. The offspring of these healthy individuals (carriers) may get the disease if they inherit the faulty gene. The majority types of muscular dystrophy are caused by genetic abnormalities or alterations. Even if neither parent has the illness, one or both parents may convey a defective gene to their offspring.”

According to him, muscular dystrophy also manifests as:

Stretched-out calf muscles
Odd way of walking (like waddling)
Difficulty in swallowing
Heart issues including heart failure and Arrhythmia (Cardiomyopathy)
Learning challenges
Loose or stiff joints and muscle ache
Bent spine (Scoliosis)
Breathing difficulties

Dr M Lakshmi Lavanya, Consultant Neurologist at Kamineni Hospitals in Hyderabad, simplified it further and shared, “A group of genetic disorders that weakens your body’s musculoskeletal system, leading to progressive muscle degeneration and weakness is known as Muscular Dystrophy. Mutations in the genes that produce essential proteins for muscle function are what lead to the disorder. Many people in India suffer from muscular dystrophy, thus there is an urgent need for more education and assistance for those who are affected.”

Pointing out that the symptoms and progression of the various kinds of muscular dystrophy differ, she said, “Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are the two types of MD that are most prevalent in India. The most severe type of muscular dystrophy, known as DMD, primarily affects young boys. Among other symptoms, it results in loss of muscle function in the arms, legs, and pelvis. The milder form of BMD, on the other hand, affects both men and women and often manifests later in life. Since the symptoms of muscular dystrophy are frequently mistaken for those of other disorders, diagnosis can be difficult. Genetic testing is typically necessary for a certain diagnosis, however, it can be expensive and difficult to obtain in many regions of India. This lack of access to correct diagnostics and medical care can lead to misdiagnosis and insufficient treatment for persons affected by muscular dystrophy.”

Bringing her expertise to the same, Dr Rashmi Devaraj, Consultant Neurologist at Apollo Specialty Hospital in Bangalore’s Jayanagar, said, “Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. In muscular dystrophy, abnormal genes (mutations) interfere with the production of proteins needed to form healthy muscle. There are many kinds of muscular dystrophy. Symptoms of the most common variety begin in childhood, mostly in boys. There is no cure for muscular dystrophy but medications and therapy can help manage symptoms and slow the course of the disease.”

Calling progressive muscle weakness the main sign of muscular dystrophy, she said, “Specific signs and symptoms begin at different ages and in different muscle groups, depending on the type of muscular dystrophy. Signs and symptoms, which typically appear in early childhood, might include frequent falls, difficulty rising from a lying or sitting position, trouble running and jumping, waddling gait, walking on the toes, large calf muscles, muscle pain and stiffness, learning disabilities and delayed growth.”

The health expert concluded, “Muscular dystrophy occurs in both sexes and in all ages and races. However, the most common variety, Duchenne, usually occurs in young boys. People with a family history of muscular dystrophy are at higher risk of developing the disease or passing it on to their children. The life span of the severe variety that is Duchenne muscular dystrophy, is usually limited to the second decade whereas the Becker variant has a life span of 30 to 40 years.”

Bariatric surgery may reverse diabetes complications for people with obesity

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date April 11, 2023
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Compared to previous studies of medical weight loss, when providers guide patient’s weight loss goals, bariatric surgery led to better metabolic improvements.

A Michigan Medical study found that for more than 100 million obese Americans, bariatric surgery may reverse complications related to diabetes, including regenerating damaged nerves. A research team led by the University of Michigan Health Department of Neurology followed more than 120 patients who underwent bariatric surgery for obesity over two years after the procedure. They found that all metabolic risk factors for developing diabetes, such as high glucose and lipid levels, improved outside of blood pressure and total cholesterol, according to results published in Diabetologia.

Investigators also found that patients two years removed from bariatric surgery showed improvements in peripheral neuropathy, a condition marked by damage to the nerves that go from the spinal cord all the way to the hands and feet.

“Our findings suggest that bariatric surgery likely enables the regeneration of the peripheral nerves and, therefore, may be an effective treatment for millions of individuals with obesity who are at risk of developing diabetes and peripheral neuropathy,” said senior author Brian C Callaghan, MD, MS, a neurologist at University of Michigan Health and the Eva L Feldman, MD, PhD, Professor of Neurology at U-M Medical School.

Obesity is the second leading risk factor for peripheral neuropathy after diabetes, which affects more than 30 million Americans.

Researchers assessed two primary measures for peripheral neuropathy in patients with obesity by taking skin biopsies that show the nerve fiber density in the thigh and the leg. Two years after bariatric surgery, nerve fiber density improved in the thigh and remained stable in the leg.

Compared to previous studies of medical weight loss, when providers guide a patient’s weight loss goals, bariatric surgery led to better metabolic improvements and even greater improvements in peripheral neuropathy.

“Given the natural history of peripheral neuropathy decline in patients with obesity, even stability in nerve fiber density may be considered a successful result,” said first author Evan Reynolds, PhD, lead statistician for the NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies at Michigan Medicine. “Therefore, our findings of stability of nerve fiber density in the leg and improvement in nerve fiber density at the thigh indicate that bariatric surgery may be a successful therapy to improve or reverse peripheral neuropathy for patients with long-term metabolic impairment.”

Treatment for peripheral neuropathy currently focuses on pain, including oral medications such gabapentin and sodium channel blockers, topical analgesics and non-medical treatments, like exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Brain proteins may play important role in body weight regulation: Study

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date April 7, 2023
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The study states that there are 60 proteins produced in the brain that help in regulating the body weight.

Body mass index, or BMI, variation in the population may be caused by genetic variables to the extent of 50-75 per cent. Researchers from Universite Laval and the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute Research Center have discovered 60 distinct proteins produced in the brain that may be important regulators of body weight by examining the genomes of more than 800,000 people of European origin.

This study explored the link between genetic regions associated with body weight and the proteins expressed in the brain. “Previous study showed that hundreds of genetic regions influence body weight. In most cases, the function of these genes remains unknown. Our study reports that about 60 of these genes encode proteins that could influence body weight via their expression in the brain,” said Eloi Gagnon, a doctoral student in clinical and biomedical sciences at the Universite Laval Faculty of Medicine and first author of the study.

Brain proteins may play important role in body weight regulation: Study

For the study, the research team focused on a brain region that could influence food reward sensitivity, such as the pleasure felt when eating fatty or sugary food, as well as cognitive processes including decision-making and memory. This brain region, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, is also thought to be implicated in appetite and satiety.

The team’s results support the hypothesis that the brain plays a critical role in body weight regulation. This discovery could explain why BMI varies significantly from one person to another.

Lead author Benoit Arsenault, professor at the Universite Laval Faculty of Medicine and researcher at the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, points out that several myths remain in the public domain regarding the impact of genetic factors on body weight. “I often hear that genes cannot explain why the average weight of the population has increased over the past 40 years when our genes have not changed,” he said.

Genetics and the food environment

According to the researchers, the evolving food environment may have influenced food behaviours and energy storage capacity over the last few decades. “Individuals with a genetic predisposition to an elevated body weight have a higher weight than before, whereas individuals who do not have this predisposition were thin before and are still thin today,” added Professor Arsenault.

The team believes that the biological role of these proteins in various parts of the brain and their contribution to energy homeostasis, i.e., the balance between food intake and energy expenditure, needs to be studied in more detail. “Overall, the results of our study support the existence of a potential interaction between the brain proteome and the evolving food environment. This relationship could influence eating behaviors and energy storage,” said Professor Arsenault.

He stresses that people living in larger bodies are often victims of prejudice and may experience discrimination, intimidation, or stigmatization. These phenomena associated with fatphobia could have repercussions on physical and psychological health. The researcher also notes that several studies have shown that factors beyond our control, such as genetics, account for an important proportion of body weight variation across the population.

“Weight is not a choice. Neither is it a lifestyle habit. We don’t have elevated body weight because we are lazy or lack willpower. Unconscious neuronal mechanisms are at play. The brain is the one in charge. I hope that the results of this study can partly explain why body weight varies so much from one person to another,” concluded Benoit Arsenault.

8 chronic illnesses that are becoming common in post Covid-19 world

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date April 6, 2023
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Chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer are on rise post pandemic. Here are 8 such illnesses you need to know about.

Covid-19 cases have been on rise in the past couple of weeks in India, but the virus is no longer perceived as a threat it earlier was. People have been largely reporting mild cases of Covid in the recent times, however, its long-term impact on people’s health remains unclear. The pandemic not only affected mental health as people lived in isolation from their loved ones and many grieved for their departed ones, it also impacted physical health as many studies discussed the virus’s impact on heart, lungs, kidneys and other body processes. The ongoing pandemic also acted as a roadblock to diagnosis and treatment of many existing diseases that could have been cured effectively otherwise. Another aspect of Covid-19 pandemic has been the sedentary lifestyle people became accustomed to. Many are still reeling with its impact as its endless side-effects continue to ail people.

Chronic diseases are those that last for at least one year or more and require ongoing medical attention. Be it diabetes, cancer heart disease, chronic kidney disease, they are the leading cause of death and disability all over the world. we asked experts about the chronic illnesses that are on rise post pandemic.

“If we look at the statistics, lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases are on rise in the post- pandemic era. One may wonder why this is happening. During the pandemic era, the people were sitting at home doing Yoga, Pranayama and exercises. There was hardly any traffic on the roads. Now the roads are full, and so also the traffic jams people were on their nerves and cursing each other. Businesses are thriving and so also the competition that is the reason for increased BP in the population. People are having no time for exercise or yoga and eating unhealthy food, smoking, and drinking alcohol to reduce stress. In the nutshell, a ripe atmosphere for lifestyle diseases,” says Dr Pawan Kumar Goyal – Senior Consultant – Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital Shalimar Bagh.

“Covid-19 not only affects lung but also harm kidneys, heart, and brain. Many psycho-social issues are also brought on by it. Heart attacks, paralysis, kidney illness, or a need for long-term oxygen are just a few of the less frequent but dangerous adverse effects. Cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are among the main comorbidities with Covid-19. People of any age can get Covid-19 infection, but the elderly are most vulnerable. The pandemic significantly hampered the ability to diagnose, treat, and monitor chronic diseases. As a result, there are now more people suffering from chronic illnesses,” says Dr Parth Prajapati, MD – General Medicine, General Physician, Lybrate.

“The burden of non-communicable diseases has been on an alarming rise in India, accounting for 66% of deaths in 2019. The last three years brought to the fore the relationship COVID-19 and NCDs share, i.e., both exacerbating each other’s impact. NCDs that involve the cardio-renal-metabolic systems like diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular diseases are the top contributors to the rising healthcare burden. Moreover, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in our Indian population, accounting for over 1 out of all 4 deaths. Our national health policy aims to reduce the risk of premature deaths in India by 25%, by the year 2025,” says Dr. Shraddha Bhure, Medical Director, Boehringer Ingelheim India.

Here are chronic illnesses that have become common post Covid-19.

1. Psychological conditions

“Anxiety, depression, new or worsened problems with memory, concentration issues, worsened quality of life have become common post pandemic. The contributing factors have been stress, isolation, grief due to loss of near and dear ones and financial hardships,” says Dr Rajiva Gupta, Senior Consultant – Internal medicine at the CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram.

2. Cancer

“As Covid-19 targets multiple proteins involved in the pathophysiology, the infection may raise the risk of getting several cancers. A recent study described how the Covid-19 virus interacts with p53 and associated pathways, potentially leading to DNA and cell oxidative damage,” says Dr Prajapati.

3. Respiratory illnesses:

“Covid-19 may result in long term persistent cough, shortness of breath, tightness of the chest etc. These may deteriorate the quality of life of people with pre-existing respiratory conditions like Asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),” says Dr Gupta.

4. Hypertension:

“Increasing evidence indicates that the prevalence of hypertension among people has reached epidemic levels. According to a study in the journal Circulation, Covid pandemic has increased patients with high blood pressure among different age groups which is worrisome,” says Dr Prajapati.

5. Heart diseases

“The risk of cardiovascular or heart complications eg heart attack, stroke, irregularities of the heart rhythms, heart failure and blood clotting may have increased after Covid-19,” says Dr Gupta.

6. Diabetes

“Some Covid-19 survivors may develop newly diagnosed diabetes or other long-term health problems. High blood glucose, or blood sugar, causes this chronic illness,” says Dr Prajapati.

7. Asthma

“Inhaled oxygen typically has a more challenging time entering the bloodstream for persons with Covid-19. An inflammatory reaction can start when the immune system encounters a virus or other foreign substance. As a result, the muscles around the airways contract, and the airways narrow, swell, and produce more mucus. The subsequent mucus build-up causes related symptoms, such as coughing, chest aches, wheezing, etc,” says Dr Prajapati.

8. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

The respiratory and lung symptoms of Covid-19 may be substantially more severe for people with COPD than those without COPD. Being diagnosed with COPD already increases your risk of developing pneumonia, which is true of Covid-19. You could experience worsening COPD symptoms in addition to the signs of Covid-19, which would make breathing extremely difficult and cause severe shortness of breath,” says Dr Prajapati.

COVID XBB 1.16 variant: Tracker finds high cases in India, know the symptoms

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date March 17, 2023
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A new variant of COVID XBB, namely XBB 1.16 is in news currently for driving infection cases in the country. As per an international COVID tracking platform, the highest number of sequences of this sublineage have come from India followed by Brunei, the US and Singapore, media reports have said.The prevalence of this variant of COVID virus can lead to a fresh wave of infections, reports have predicted.

The COVID positivity rates in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat have increased. Maharashtra, from where this new variant is believed to have originated, reported 155 COVID positive cases in a single day along with two deaths. Telangana recorded more than 100 cases on Tuesday and Wednesday combinedly. In states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, HimachalPradesh and J&K the positivity rate is between 5% and 10%.

So far, no different symptom related to the new circulating COVID variant has been reported.The classic symptoms of COVID which give a preliminary idea about the infection are headache, muscle pain, fatigue, sore throat, runny nose and cough.Apart from the classic signs people also experience abdominal pain and discomfort, and diarrhea.

“In India, XBB.1.16 is showing a high prevalence in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat as per covSPECTRUM. XBB 1.16 has not descended from XBB.1.5 but both have descended from XBB and more recently XBB.1,” TOI has reported quoting a top expert from India’s genome sequencing network.”XBB is currently dominating in India, and the latest uptick in cases in the country could be a result of XBB 1.16 and perhaps XBB 1.5 but a few more sample runs would clear the picture,” the expert has told the media.

The new variant is circulating at a faster pace and is already seen as a threat. Going with the previous experience of dealing with the virus, mutants of COVID virus are smarter in escaping immunity and are contagious in nature. The Omicron variant, of which the XBB 1.16 is a sub-sub variant, is notorious for its high transmission rate. Since the later months of 2021, the Omicron variant has been circulating worldwide replacing the Delta variant.As of now less is known about the course of action of the variant is not known. The rate of hospitalisation which is a serious concern during a COVID wave is also unknown. Hence people need to be careful about their own safety and also take care of those who are in the vulnerable groups.

Avoid going outdoors when you have few symptoms of the infectionAvoid going near to those who have the symptoms of the infectionAvoid going to crowded places without wearing masksDo not touch the face, especially nose, mouth and eyes, without cleaning the handsDo not touch any exposed and unclean surfaceKeep kids and older people isolated when someone in the family or in the neighbourhood has COVID.Keep the indoor air circulating. Stale air indoors is a breeding ground for coronavirus.

XBB 1.16 scare has arised amid scare around the H3N2 influenza virus which has claimed 7 lives in the country so far.H3N2 is a seasonal influenza virus caused by the viruses which are part of the viral family Orthomyxoviridae. Health experts have said that H3N2 virus does not affect the lungs and is mild in nature except for older people and those with comorbidities.COVID led to global pandemic and nationwide shut down in 2020. While things have returned to normalcy health experts are constantly warning people to stay safe from the viral infection. COVID also poses another risk of complications which are combinedly referred to as long COVID.

Morality risk for people with dementia rises after hurricane exposure

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date March 15, 2023
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It is observed that with disruption in normal routine, such as access to caregiving, changes in living environment, loss in access to medications, and change in daily routines, the mortality risk for dementia patients see a significant rise.

Prior hurricane studies have found general increases in fatality, but nothing is known about how death may differ among older adults living with dementia.

Their increased risk could be due to disruption of normal routine, such as access to caregiving, changes in living environment, loss in access to medications, and change in daily routines, said study first author Sue Anne Bell, assistant professor at the U-M School of Nursing.

The analysis focused on risk for mortality among people with dementia, rather than actual increases in mortality. The findings don’t give a precise number of deaths due to hurricane effects.

Bell and colleagues examined counties in U.S. states affected by Hurricanes Irma, Harvey and Florence in the year before and after the storm. There were 54,340 deaths among the study population of 346,171.

Key findings include:

Risk of mortality was highest in those aged 85 and older, with a 9% increase in risk of death compared to adults over 85 without dementia. Older adults who are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid had an 11% increased risk for mortality. Among people with dementia who moved a year after the storm, the risks for mortality remained whether they moved or not. The percentage of mortality attributed to exposure among people with dementia ranged from 10.9% for Harvey to 6.2% for Irma. Mortality peaked 3-6 months after hurricanes Irma and Harvey, suggesting the increase in mortality was due to factors other than the immediate harms of the storm, such as lack of health care access and changes in normal routines. Why the impact on dementia patients matters

The Population Reference Bureau estimates that more than 7 million people aged 65 or older had dementia in 2020, Bell said. If current demographic and health trends continue, more than 9 million Americans could have dementia by 2030 and nearly 12 million by 2040. As climate change worsens, disasters will increase along with the numbers of people with dementia.

“The important message is that older adults with dementia have unique needs, most notably that during a disaster, they are almost entirely dependent on caregivers due to their lack of awareness of the crisis,” Bell said. “I think if anything, there is new attention to the needs of older adults during a disaster, and this study is one of an emerging body of evidence that is working to better support the needs of older adults before, during and after disasters.

Next steps in disaster research and dementia

“There is so much more that needs to be studied here that could help inform us about being ready for disasters,” Bell said. “Studying how caregivers have prepared, whether people evacuated, what type of response capabilities their community had–would potentially influence the impact of the disaster on this group of older adults.”

Bell hopes these findings raise awareness about the special needs of people living with dementia during disasters and call for an integrated approach to preparedness and response that includes local, state and federal responders, healthcare regulators, and policy makers.

Diabetes management plan: Understanding medications, diet and exercise

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date March 14, 2023
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Diabetes management is a life-long intervention and positive health outcomes hugely depend on your commitment, engagement and participation in your own healthcare management. Here’s all you need to know about medications, diet and exercise for diabetics.

Type 2 diabetes still remains undoubtedly a lifestyle malady, the result of abundance, poor food choices, lack of awareness, little need for self control, obesity, reducing need for physical toil for daily living, a curse of human advancement and industrialisation. However, this very scientific advancement is now also paving the way for diabetes cure and urging humankind to unlearn and relearn a lifestyle that can fight this diabetes pandemic.

The discovery of diabetes remission in 2017 is one such scientific marvel that will be looked back upon by humankind as one of the life changing discoveries of the century. This has now led us to rethink the predominant drug-based approach to diabetes and instead bring in strong life-style based interventions as the first step in diabetes management.

Diabetes is one of the major global concerns, which is now turning into an epidemic with more than 463 million adults affected by diabetes and it has nearly quadrupled in the past two decades, growing from 4.7% to 8.5%. This challenging illness is affecting an increasing number of adults and is now more prevalent in young people where according to experts, it is sharply rising in rural and urban India so, there is an immediate need to pay attention to the growing concerns about the health threats posed by this and prioritise preventive care.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Hema Venkataraman, Consultant Endocrinologist at NHS UK and Medical Advisor, shared, “With the advent of new wonder drugs for diabetes and obesity (eg Munjaro, Semaglutide), the pharma industry in diabetes care is also entering a new era. These new drugs bring unparalleled weight loss and induce a drug induced diabetes remission of sorts. It is well known that the average Indian with diabetes does not meet the required physical activity levels necessary for optimal health (150 min of aerobic activity / week), with over 50% deemed to be inactive as per the ICMR-Indiab-5 report.”

She insisted, “Just like the idea of “diet” should pave the way for “healthy food choices”, so must “exercise” pave the way for “active living”. Our society will have to come full circle from ditching the bicycle for the car and now ditching the car for the bicycle (only this one will have some gears!).”

According to Vilasini Bhaskaran, Specialist Registered Dietitian at NHS UK and Head of Nutrition and Dietetics at Practo in India, there is no one single prescriptive dietary approach to diabetes management as “one-size” doesn’t fit all and nutrition therapy should be aimed at catering to the individual needs of patients. She recomended, “It is high-time we ditch the diet mentality and re-tune our overall approach and behavior towards eating. The ideal way to control blood sugars long term is through intuitive, healthy eating, focusing on food choices, balance, moderation, textures and consistency. A healthy meal plate should consist of vegetables or salad (1/2 plate), proteins (1/4 plate) and carbohydrates (1/4 plate) in recommended portions. Restrict eating out/ takeaways to once a fortnight as they contain a lot of calories and saturated fat even in smaller portions and this could make you put on extra pounds.”

The health expert added, “It is ‘OK’ to include sweets occasionally in smaller portions and choose ‘sugar-free’ alternatives where possible. Non-nutritive artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, stevia, acesulfame and saccharin don’t increase blood glucose and can be safely used as part of a healthy diet. Avoid foods labeled as ‘suitable for diabetics’ as these products have no special health benefits and they are often high in calories, may contain hidden ingredients that can still increase your blood glucose levels and may have a laxative effect!”

Vilasini Bhaskaran advised, “People with diabetes need to be extra careful with alcohol as it significantly increases the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) and adds to calories. Recommended allowance is <14 units (around 6 medium {175ml} glasses of wine) per week spread throughout the week with 2-3 alcohol-free days/ week. Remember, diabetes management is a life-long intervention and positive health outcomes hugely depend on your commitment, engagement and participation in your own healthcare management.”

Be on alert, closely monitor H3N2 influenza situation, Union Health Minister tells states

Post author By Pragya sharma
Post date March 11, 2023
No Comments on Be on alert, closely monitor H3N2 influenza situation, Union Health Minister tells states

Synopsis

In a tweet, Mandaviya said, “Held a meeting to review rising cases of #H3N2 Influenza virus in the country. Advisory issued to states to be on the alert and closely monitor the situation. Government of India is working with states and extending support for public health measures to address the situation.”

As India recorded its first two deaths due to seasonal influenza subtype H3N2, one each from Karnataka and Haryana, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday asked states to be on alert and closely monitor the situation in view of “rising” cases. From January 2 to March 5, 451 cases of H3N2 have been reported in the country, according to data shared by the health ministry.

“It can be seen that Influenza H3N2 is the predominant subtype among the samples testing positive for influenza, since the beginning of this year,” it said.

In a tweet, Mandaviya said, “Held a meeting to review rising cases of #H3N2 Influenza virus in the country. Advisory issued to states to be on the alert and closely monitor the situation. Government of India is working with states and extending support for public health measures to address the situation.”

The ministry is also tracking and keeping a close watch on morbidity and mortality due to the H3N2 subtype of the seasonal influenza, according to an official statement.

“Young children and old age persons with comorbidities are the most vulnerable groups in context of seasonal influenza. So far, Karnataka and Haryana have confirmed one death each from H3N2 influenza,” the ministry said.

In an advisory issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) last week, it urged people to wash hands with soap and water if symptomatic, wear masks and avoid crowded places, and cover mouth and nose while sneezing and coughing.

The apex health research body also advised people to take plenty of liquids, avoid touching eyes and nose, and take paracetamol for fever and bodyache.

Among the dont’s, it has urged people not to shake hands or use other contact greetings, spit in public, not to take antibiotics or other medicines without consulting doctor and eat together sitting close to others.