Pneumonia still a major cause of mortality in Indian children

Pneumonia still a major cause of mortality in Indian children

Many children lack access to the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine

New Delhi, 30 November 2017: About 20 children die every hour due to pneumonia in India, reveal recent statistics. Despite efforts being made toward universal immunization, more than 25 million children in India were not immunized with Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) in 2016.Pneumonia claims more lives in children around the world than any other infectious disease. A majority of those who die are from low and middle-income countries. If this continues, the disease is likely to claim 22,587 lives 2030.

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection which affects the lungs. It causes difficulty in breathing and limits oxygen intake. It can be caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses and is a contagious disease.

Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, "Pneumonia in India in children under five is caused by malnutrition, low birth weight, non-exclusive breastfeeding, lack of measles immunization, indoor air pollution and overcrowding. When the germs reach the lungs, the lungs become inflamed and fill up with fluid. This causes breathing difficulties, which makes it difficult for enough oxygen to enter the bloodstream. The body's cells can't function as they normally would, and infection can't be flushed from the body. If untreated, the infection may continue to spread, leading to death. Certain children whose immune defenses or lungs are weakened by other illnesses, such as cystic fibrosis, abnormalities in the immune system or cancer (as well as by the chemotherapy used to treat cancer), may be more likely to develop pneumonia. Children whose airways or lungs are abnormal in other ways may have a higher risk.”

Pneumonia usually produces a fever, which in turn may cause sweating, chills, flushed skin, and general discomfort. Children can lose their appetite and seem less energetic than normal. Babies and toddlers may seem pale and limp, and cry more than usual.

Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “Pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics. A large majority of the cases can be tackled at home itself. Hospitalization is recommended only in very severe cases. Pneumonia is not contagious, but the upper respiratory viruses and bacteria that lead to it are. It is a good idea to keep kids away from anyone with stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, cough, or respiratory infection in general”.

Here are some tips to prevent pneumonia in children.

• Breastfeed regularly as it is a great way to boost immunity.
• Wash hands frequently with alcohol based sanitizer every time you blow your nose, use bathroom and before eating and preparation of food.
• Children younger than 5 should be vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia a common form of bacterial pneumonia.
• Keep children away from people suffering from colds, flu or other respiratory infections. This greatly increases their risk of catching an infection.

About 1.8 million Indians suffer from stroke every year

About 1.8 million Indians suffer from stroke every year

On World Stroke Day, it is important to create awareness on the fact that timely detection and treatment can prevent permanent disability

New Delhi, 28 October 2017: The second most common cause of death globally, next to coronary artery disease, stroke is also the most prevalent cause of chronic adult disability, reveal statistics. India accounts for more than four-fifths of all strokes with about 1.8 million Indians suffering from this condition every year. The IMA opines that stroke is not just limited to the elderly and increasingly, young Indians below 40 years of age are becoming susceptible to this condition primarily due to lifestyle factors.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted or severely reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die. It is imperative to detect a stroke early, as with every second that the disease goes untreated, about 32,000 brain cells are damaged.

Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, ‘Time is brain’. A patient with suspected stroke or ‘brain attack’ should therefore be shifted to hospital at the earliest and given a clot dissolving therapy. A stroke may result from a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or the leaking or bursting of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). In others, there could be a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain (transient ischemic attack, or TIA).About 85% of strokes are ischemic in nature. Some common risk factors for stroke in the country include hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and dyslipidemia. These are further insufficiently controlled due to low awareness levels about the disease. Another major challenge in this direction is that treatment for stroke is still evolving in our country.”

The acronym FAST can be used to recognize the warning signs of stroke: face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, and time to emergency. The disabilities caused due to a stroke can be temporary or permanent, depending on how long the brain lacks blood flow and which part is affected.
Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “Stroke is an emergency and getting timely help and treatment is extremely important. Hence, it is very important to act fast to identify these patients. Early treatment improves the chances of recovery. While one cannot control factors such as race, gender, and genetic predisposition, it is possible to make certain lifestyle changes which will go a long way in reducing a person’s chances of getting a stroke at a young age.”

Some tips to prevent a stroke include the following.
Lower your blood pressure levels as a high BP is one of the leading causes for a stroke.
Losing weight can help prevent other associated complications.
Indulge in about 30 minutes of physical activity every day.
Quit smoking and drink in moderation if you must.
Keep your blood sugar levels under control.
Reduce stress through activities such as meditation and yoga. 

Indian men increasingly suffering premature hair loss

Indian men increasingly suffering premature hair loss Men in 20s and 30s are opting for hair restoration surgery New Delhi, 30 August 2017: According to statistics, there has been an increase in the number of people with premature hair loss in the last few years. Of every 10 people complaining of hair loss, about 8 are men. As per the IMA, a sizeable number of young men in their 20s and 30s are opting for hair restoration surgery. Premature hair loss is a problem that is increasing in incidence among young Indian men due largely to stress and lifestyle factors. It is normal for a person to lose about 50 to 100 strands of hair a day. However, serious hair loss is a sign that something is not right with the body and is called alopecia. The four major factors responsible for premature hair loss include stress, certain habits such as smoking and drinking, pollution, and poor nutrition. Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, “Alopecia is usually genetic. However, thanks to the lifestyle changes and stress today, younger men are becoming prone to this problem. Hair fall can be a reaction to extreme mental or physical stress. The body typically starts shedding hair after a gap of three months. Other than this, certain diseases which cause mal-absorption of nutrients such as food poisoning can also lead to hair loss. With increasingly stressful jobs, consumption of junk food that is devoid of nutrients and fibre, inadequate consumption of water, and habits such as smoking and drinking, premature hair loss is becoming a major cause of concern among young men.” Nutrition is vital for hair growth. No other part of the human body grows at the rate of half an inch per month, except the bone marrow. It is therefore important to feed it right. Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “Unless the problem becomes severe and requires treatment, it is possible to bring about an 80% change through lifestyle changes only. One can bring about some simple lifestyle changes such as getting seven hours of sleep, drinking enough water (strands are made up of minerals, which only water can replenish), and eating protein-rich foods at regular intervals, as these can prevent premature hair loss.” Some tips to prevent premature hair loss include the following. • Massage your scalp with lukewarm oil as this will help in improving blood circulation and stimulate hair follicles. • Try and avoid stress through techniques such as yoga and meditation. The stress hormones, epinephrine and cortisol, interfere with the natural growth of hair. • Eat fresh fruits and vegetables as they help in promoting healthy hair growth. It is good to consume food rich in iron, zinc, proteins, and omega three fatty acids. • Quit smoking and drinking. Not only do these habits result in hair loss but also prevent hair growth.