Triple talaq judgement may relieve stress in women

Triple talaq judgement may relieve stress in women Dr KK Aggarwal Our Vedas tell us that every thought in our mind arises from the silent potential web of energized information or consciousness. This thought from the mind is then analyzed by the intellect and the personalized by the ego. It then leads to an action. Every action leads to a memory, which in turn leads to a desire and with this a cycle of action, memory and desire is set into motion. If the desire is fulfilled, it leads to action again and then desire again. Repeated fulfillment of desires leads to habit formation, addictions and development of a particular personality. Unfulfilled desires, on the other hand, lead to irritability and then to anger. Anger destroys peace of mind. It hampers the powers of discriminating between good and bad. Anger distorts intellect and fosters negative emotions. Loss of intellect leads to animal-like behavior and ultimately self-destruction. Anger can be expressive anger or suppressive anger. Expressive anger or anger outbursts manifest as aggressive behavior, violence, hostility and cynicism. Emotionally stressful events, including anger, may trigger the onset of acute heart attack, asthma, anxiety. Cynical hostility has been recognized as major risk factor for coronary artery disease. While, suppressed anger or chronic anger in due course of time may cause depression, despondency, behavioral changes, anxiety, acidity and diarrhea. However, anger is not always bad. Righteous or spiritual anger is a type of anger with good intentions. The classical example of righteous anger is when you become angry in a situation where you see a person doing something wrong to check that person. Righteous anger can make people stand up for their rights and fight against what is wrong. The story of a young Muslim woman who allegedly committed suicide after her son had been taken away from her, two weeks after being divorced through triple talaq was published earlier this year. Depression was reported to be the factor leading to this extreme step. (April 12, 2017. http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2017/apr/12/muslim-woman-divorced-through-triple-talaq-hangs-self-after-two-weeks-1592609.html). Many such women in the country are living in a similar chronic stage of fear and apprehension of being discarded by their husbands. They are vulnerable to depression, anxiety, and various psychomotor disorders. The historic verdict of the Supreme Court of India, abolishing the practice of triple talaq, will liberate women from such fears. Empowering them and giving women equal right in marriage will reduce the prevalence of acute and chronic mental disorders in them, most commonly depression. Stressful events such as psychological trauma, etc. may also trigger development of depression. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is now the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. More than 300 million people are now living with depression, an increase of more than 18% between 2005 and 2015. A person with depression is typically depicted as sad, lonely, having no interest in activities that they earlier enjoyed, too much or too little sleep, low self-esteem, hopelessness. But, depression can also present as anger, irritability, addictions, eating too much or not eating enough, persistent aches and pains, memory problems, fatigue, or other behavioral changes. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this write up are entirely my own.

Stress is a major cause for temporomandibular joint disorders

Stress is a major cause for temporomandibular joint disorders Practicing relaxation techniques can help relieve symptoms New Delhi, 21 August 2017: As per recent studies carried out throughout India, there is a rise in the number of people suffering from TMD (temporomandibular joint) disorders. About 52% of the Indian population suffers from varying degrees of TMD and of these, 22% are affected both in the right and left TMJ. As per the IMA, a lot of these disorders can be attributed to increase in stress levels, especially among the young. TMJ connects the lower jaw to the skull. Although there are many reasons for TMJ disorders, including improper alignment of the teeth or trauma, it can get aggravated by stress as well. This is the only moveable joint in the entire face. 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, “The TMJ is a ball-and-socket joint which can erode due to many reasons. Under stress, a person tends to clench their jaw or grind their teeth (bruxism). Due to this, the muscles become taut and the joint does not get any rest leading to inflammation, pain, and dysfunction. TMJ disorders can lead to a clicking sound or grating sensation when a person opens their mouth or chews. However, provided there is no pain or limitation of movement associated with this jaw clicking, treatment may not be necessary. Many symptoms of TMJ syndrome can respond well to home remedies or stress reduction and relaxation techniques.” Some symptoms of TMJ disorders include pain the jaw, dull ache or radiating pain towards the cheek, ear or neck, a tired feeling to the face, toothaches, headaches, clicking or popping sounds while yawning or even limited movement of the jaw. Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “There are many other conditions which cause symptoms similar to TMJ disorders. These include a toothache, sinus problems, arthritis, or gum disease. A dentist will conduct a careful patient history and clinical examination to find out the exact cause and ascertain whether the symptoms are due to any TMJ disorder. Treatments for TMJ disorders range from simple self-help advice and conservative treatments to injections and surgery.” Some home treatments for these disorders include the following. • Over-the-counter medications: NSAIDs such as naproxen or ibuprofen help relieve muscle pain and swelling. • Heat or cold packs: Applying an ice pack to the side of the face and temple area for about 10 minutes can help. • Eat soft foods: Yogurt, mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, soup, scrambled eggs, fish, cooked fruits and vegetables, beans, and grains are good choices. • Avoid extreme jaw movements: It is good to keep yawning and chewing to a minimum. Avoid any activity that requires you to open your mouth wide. • Posture: Practice good posture to reduce neck and facial pain. • Learn relaxation techniques: As stress is a major cause for these disorders, it is better to consider some stress reduction therapy and techniques such as yoga and meditation.

Memory loss can occur at a young age

Memory loss can occur at a young age Stress and unhealthy lifestyle found to be major contributing factors New Delhi, 09 May 2017: According to a recent study by Georgia Tech University, an average person’s memory declines by as much as 40% between the age of 30 and 65. This is even more pronounced in the “golden years”. Many studies show that a person starts experiencing significant memory loss each year starting at the age of 30. This, coupled with loss of brain function, can pose a lot of problems for an individual. Young people are increasingly complaining of forgetfulness and memory lapses. Be it not remembering names, faces, important dates, appointments, and conversations or forgetting where important things have been kept, stopping mid-sentence, and experiencing brain fog, the warning signs of declining memory and brain function are many. What was once associated with old-age is now gripping the younger generation as well. 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 R N Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, "Decline in memory and brain function in the younger generation is definitely alarming and can be attributed to many factors including multitasking; stress and technologically driven environment; toxins in air, food, and water; and an unhealthy diet and lifestyle. When our body is under stress, there is an increase in the release of free radicals (chemicals that weaken the immune system, exposing the body to degenerative diseases). This in turn can cause hormonal imbalances, alter eating behaviour, and affect overall productivity and well-being. Under such conditions, our body needs more memory boosting nutrients like Vitamin B, Vitamin C, folic acid, zinc, and magnesium." There are several other factors that can impact memory and brain function such as consuming adulterated food, excessive sugar in food, increased alcohol consumption, prolonged exposure to electromagnetic radiations, etc. The right diet and lifestyle changes can go a long way in managing memory loss at a young age. "The way we live, eat and drink, and treat our body affects the memory as well as your physical health and wellbeing. There is a need to rethink our schedules and shift to a lifestyle that is more inclusive of healthy eating habits, regular exercise, and a stress-free schedule," adds Dr Aggarwal. Here are some things you can try on a daily basis to boost your memory naturally. Manage stress: Pressures related to deadlines or stress in personal life can affect your ability to focus and recall. Extreme anxiety can lead to memory impairment. Try managing daily stress through deep breathing, meditation, yoga, and a “mindful” approach to living. Sleep well: A good night's sleep is proven to boost memory and brain power. It helps in consolidating memories. If you suffer from sleep issues, it is a good idea to try and improve your sleep habits first and turn to medication only if nothing helps. Quit smoking: Smokers have a greater degree of age-related memory loss and other memory problems. It has been found that people who smoke have a greater risk of developing dementia in the old age. So, it is better to kick the butt sooner. Drink moderately: Alcohol consumption can increase the risk for memory loss and dementia. Alcoholic people find it more difficult to perform tasks such as memorizing lists. Another type of memory loss associated with alcohol use is called Korsakoff’s syndrome where long-term vitamin B1 deficiency combined with the toxic effects of alcohol on the brain can trigger sudden and dramatic amnesia.

One can reduce stress by changing their interpretation of the situation

One can reduce stress by changing their interpretation of the situation New Delhi, March 03rd, 2017: We live in the age where stress has become an integral part of our lives. While some amount of stress motivates us to be better at what we do and put in just that extra effort to achieve our goals, too much stress has a drastic impact on our health. Stress promotes overindulgence in comfort foods, which are high in trans fats, sodium and sugar making us prone to obesity, diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. It encourages us to depend on evils such as smoking, alcohol/drugs and may lead to substance abuse. It causes a lack of sleep, and promotes a sedentary lifestyle. Stress may also affect our mental health, which and manifest as anxiety and depression. In view of the fact that stress has been implicated in many lifestyle diseases that are prevalent today, stress management is of paramount importance. 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 that, “Stress is the reaction of the body or the mind to the interpretation of a known situation. So, stress can be managed by either changing the situation, changing the interpretation or taming the body the yogic way in such a manner that stress does not affect the body. Every situation has two sides. Changing the interpretation means looking at the other side of the situation. It is something like half a glass of water, which can be interpreted as half empty or half full.” But, removing the known situation may not be possible all the time. For example, if your job is too stressful, resigning may not always be feasible. The modality, therefore, is to change your interpretation towards the stressful situation for which one should start thinking positively and different and choose the resultant options within, which do not hurt the heart. Changing of the interpretation is what in allopathic terms is described as cognitive behavior therapy, the origin of which comes from Ayurveda. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna counsels Arjuna following the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Apart from counseling, one can also prepare the body in such a way that stress does not bother them. This can be done by learning the art of pranayam, relaxation, meditation, regular exercise. Research has shown anger, hostility and aggression to be the new risk factors for heart disease. Even recall of anger has been shown to precipitate a heart attack. Various studies have shown that if doctors talk positively in front of unconscious patients in the ICU, their outcome is better than those in whose presence doctors talk negatively.” The best way to practice spiritual medicine is to experience silence in one’s thoughts, speech and actions. Simply walking amidst nature with silence in the mind and experiencing the sounds of nature can be as effective as 20 minutes of meditation. Twenty minutes of meditation provides the same physiological parameters as that of seven hours of deep sleep.

Never tell patients to reduce their stress… tell them how to reduce the stress instead

IMA Detox President Secretaries Meet

Never tell patients to reduce their stress… tell them how to reduce the stress instead

Doctors very commonly advise patients to reduce their stress. But, what we don’t tell them is how they can do so.

A Detox Leadership Meet was recently organized by IMA HQs at Om Shanti Retreat Centre at Manesar in Gurgaon (Haryana). At the meet, when asked to define stress, every doctor had a different answer to the question.

Under the IMA 1 Voice Program, all IMA members should be clear and speak in one language.

The correct definition of stress is “the reaction (evident or silent) of the body and/or the mind to the interpretation of a known situation”.

The components of stress therefore include:

·         A known situation, which may or may not be alterable

·         An interpretation, which may be natural, positive or negative

·         A reaction, often modifiable, which can be at the level of mind and/or the body and this reaction can be evident or silent. 

Stress management, therefore involves changing or modifying the situation, modifying the interpretation of a given situation or living a lifestyle, which prepares the body and the mind in such a way that the stress alerts or modifies the reaction or does not allow the body to react. This can be done by proper diet, regular physical exercise, pranayama, meditation and relaxation techniques.

Patients should be educated that while a certain amount of stress does motivate us to perform better by putting in extra efforts and do a good job, too much stress or long-standing stress can be detrimental to health.

People overeat (comfort foods), start smoking, drinking or use drugs etc. as means to deal with their stress. These factors, by themselves, increase the risk of many lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, hypertension. Anger or emotional stress, has been known to precipitate a heart attack or trigger arrhythmias. 

One can reduce stress by changing their interpretation of a situation

One can reduce stress by changing their interpretation of a situation The Indian Medical Association, Brahma Kumaris Group and Heart Care Foundation of India organise a two-day stress and leadership meet New Delhi, September 17, 2016: A two-day stress and detox leadership meet of the State and Local Branch Presidents and Secretaries of the Indian Medical Association and stakeholders of Heart Care Foundation of India is ongoing at the Om Shanti Retreat Centre, Pataudi Road, Near Manesar, Gurgaon, Delhi-NCR. The aim of the workshop is to address the increasing incidence of lifestyle diseases amongst doctors and the public due to high levels of stress. Key matters concerning the medical profession at large including the increasing violence against doctors, the need to reform the PCPNDT Act were also discussed. During his address to the attendees, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal – Honorary Secretary General & President Elect IMA and President Heart Care Foundation of India said, “Stress is the reaction of the body or the mind to the interpretation of a known situation. Stress management, therefore, involves either changing the situation, changing the interpretation or taming the body in such a way that stress does not affect the body. Every situation has two sides. Change of interpretation is looking at the other side of the situation. It is something like considering half a glass of water, which can be interpreted as half empty or half full.” Research indicates that anger, hostility and aggression are the new risk factors for heart disease. It has been shown that even recall of anger can precipitate a heart attack. Adding to this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr A Marthanda Pillai, Past President IMA said, “Positive discussion in a healthcare system can result in better outcome. With the stresses that come with being effective medical practitioners, it is essential that each and every doctor takes out time for himself, and takes care of his/her overall health and well-being as well. It is also their duty to raise mass level awareness about the incidence of lifestyle diseases due to everyday stresses.” The best way to practice spiritual medicine is to experience silence in one's thoughts, speech and actions. Simply walking amidst nature with silence in the mind and experiencing the sounds of nature can be as effective as 20 minutes of meditation. 20 minutes of meditation provides the same physiological parameters as that of seven hours of deep sleep. Management of stress, therefore, involves either removing the known situation or changing one’s interpretation or preparing the body in such a way that the stress does not affect the mind and the body. But, removing the known situation may not be possible all the time. For example, if you are stressful in a job, resigning may not be feasible. The modality, therefore, is to change your interpretation towards the stressful situation for which one should start thinking positively and different and choose the resultant options within, which do not hurt the heart. Speaking on the occasion, BK Brij Mohan, Principal Secretary Brahma Kumaris, BK Asha, Director OM Shanti Retreat Centre, BK Sapna, Centre in charge Lajpat Nagar in a joint statement said, “Apart from counselling, one can also prepare the body in such a way that stress does not bother them. This can be done by learning the art of parasympathetic breathing, relaxation, meditation and regular exercise.” Changing of the interpretation is what in allopathic terms is described as cognitive behaviour therapy, the origin of which comes from Bhagavad Gita where Lord Krishna counsels Arjuna following the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Stress management programs for heart patients are a must

Stress management programs for heart patients are a must

New Delhi, September 04, 2016: Drugs such as beta-blockers and psychosocial interventions can reduce the physiologic response to some forms of stress.

In patients with known coronary disease, the cardio-protective effect of beta blockers with regard to heart attack and sudden cardiac death are partly due to a diminution of catecholamine and hemodynamic-induced endothelial damage and a rising of the threshold for ventricular fibrillation.

"In patients at risk of cardiovascular events because of increased psychosocial stress, a stress management program can be considered as part of an overall preventive strategy. In a premature heart attack, the mean age is 53-54 yrs,", said Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal, National President Elect – Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI).

In general, the goal of stress management programs is to reduce the impact in the individual of stressful environmental events and to regulate better the stress response.

Interventions may be considered at several levels:

·    Removal or alteration of the stressor

·    Change in perception of the stressful event

·    Reduction in the physiologic sequelae of stress

·    Use of alternative coping strategies

Stress management techniques typically include components of muscular relaxation, a quiet environment, passive attitude and deep breathing with the repetition of a word or phrase.

The physiologic changes produced include a decrease in oxygen consumption, reduced heart rate and respiratory rate and passive attitude and muscular relaxation. Such changes are consistent with a decrease in sympathetic nervous system activity.

Other measures, such as relaxation techniques and biofeedback, can produce a small reduction in blood pressure of 5 to 10 mmHg.

Behavior modification programs are also an important adjunct to smoking cessation and have been associated with a reduction in cigarette consumption. Improvements in compliance with medication regimens may be an additional benefit from stress reduction program.

Top Stress Triggers for Indian Doctors

Top Stress Triggers for Indian Doctors With a slew of doctor suicides and stress related incidences occurring across the nation, it bears merit to examine what are the major things that cause doctors stress. 1) Work Timings Often times, doctors work 24 or 36 hour shifts. 2) Documentation Paperwork equivalent to Western standards are untaken by Indian doctors; however, the ratio of doctor to patients there is 1:10 at the maximum versus the average of 1:25 in India. 3) Lack of Faith Skeptical attitudes govern how patients and their attendants deal with doctors. 4) Infrastructure It is not surprising that infrastructure an be woefully inadequate in India, with cross-infections being extremely high, and in a lot of cases threat to doctors wellbeing due to unsanitary conditions 5) Legal Troubles With increasing medico legal cases being brought to court across the country, doctors have been thinking twice when treating patients, and often second-guess themselves. Law enforcement is also not in favor of doctors. 6) Taking Care of Oneself Doctors are so busy taking care of patients, that they often neglect their own health. It is advised that doctors undertake the following: 1) Put a voluntary cap on the work you take 2) Take short vacations and time out to relax 3) Be aware of medico-legal laws 4) Use technology for proper data management 5) Divide work pressure 6) Sleep at least 7-8 hours

Negative stress may lead to heart disease

Negative stress may lead to heart disease New Delhi, July 07, 2016: Marital disharmony and job dissatisfaction are the two main psychological risk factors for a heart attack. Many studies in the past have inferred that there is a strong correlation between a nagging wife and early heart attacks in men. "Similarly, literature has shown that work-related stress is related to early onset of high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and heart attacks," said Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal – President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Honorary Secretary General IMA. A study from University College, London has shown that chronically stressed workers have a 68% higher risk of developing heart disease especially those under the age of 50. Whether it is stress-related chemical changes or stress-related behavior linked to heart disease, is yet to be answered. Stress-related lifestyle involves eating unhealthy food, smoking, drinking, and skipping exercises. Chemical changes related to chronic stress are increased levels of cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Negative stress is more dangerous than positive stress and amongst the different kinds of negative stress; jealousy, anger, and cynicism are associated with heart attack. The answer lies in managing stress by acting on a personal situation and not reacting to it. In children the same type of stress, especially during exam days, can result in anxiety, insomnia, and suicidal attempts. To manage stress one should think positive, think opposite or think differently.