Prevalence of thyroid disorders increasing in India

Prevalence of thyroid disorders increasing in India Women more likely to get affected, with increased risk of various side effects in pregnant women New Delhi, 07 July 2017: According to a recent report, about 32% of Indians suffer from various kinds of thyroid disorders including thyroid nodules, hyperthyroidism, goiter, thyroiditis, and thyroid cancer. The most prevalent form of thyroid disorders across the country is sub-clinical hypothyroidism, which is a milder form of hypothyroidism and what is more alarming is that it is a silent disease. It is often diagnosed by chance. Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined as serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) above the upper reference limit in combination with a normal free thyroxine (fT4). Thyroid diseases are more prevalent in women and can cause many problems including weight gain and hormonal imbalance. The chances of men suffering from thyroid disease are comparatively lesser. In the developed countries, the prevalence of thyroid disorders is about 4% to 5%. 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, "Hypothyroidism can affect all organ systems. Genetics has a major role in determining thyroid hormones and TSH concentrations as well as susceptibility to autoimmune thyroid disease. Those with a family history are likely to be predisposed to thyroid abnormalities. Therefore, it is imperative for a person to be aware of their family’s medical history. If left untreated, hypothyroidism can cause elevated cholesterol levels, an increase in blood pressure, cardiovascular complications, decreased fertility, and depression. In pregnant women, this condition can increase the risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and miscarriage." Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, "The need of the hour is to reach out and create awareness among people about the causes, symptoms, treatment, and importance of testing for thyroid problems. This is particularly significant for women as the incidence of acquiring this disease is more in them. Pregnant women or those planning to conceive should get themselves checked to ensure that their thyroid functions are normal." Here are some tips for those living with thyroid disorders. • Eat healthy Hypothyroidism is linked to weight gain. Thus, a person with this condition can find it difficult to lose weight. Consume a diet rich in fibre and low in fat to maintain a healthy weight. • Exercise Although it may be difficult to get moving in those with a sluggish thyroid, it is a good idea to push yourself to do some physical activity. • De-¬stress Stress is known to exacerbate thyroid disorders. Do something to reduce those stress levels. It could be yoga, meditation, dance, or anything.

Osteoarthritis prevalence showing an upward trend in India

Osteoarthritis prevalence showing an upward trend in India • India expected to become the osteoarthritis capital by 2025 • Weight loss key to managing this condition New Delhi, 10 May 2017: Statistics indicate that India records more than 10 million cases of osteoarthritis on an annual basis. With over 60 million cases, the country is expected to turn into the osteoarthritis capital of the world by 2025. Osteoarthritis is the most common musculoskeletal disorder with major health and socioeconomic impact in older people. It usually progresses slowly, but some patients experience a more rapid progression. Osteoarthritis is also called the degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis, and can affect any joint. However, it mostly affects the knees, hips, lower back, neck, and small joints of the fingers. Medication and physiotherapy are the common treatment modes and if the pain is not relieved, the person may be bedridden as well. Currently, acute cases are treated through a surgery involving a transplant. 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, "Osteoarthritis is a debilitating condition and the common risk factors include increasing age, obesity, previous joint injury, overuse of the joint, weak thigh muscles, and genes. The symptoms build up gradually, the most common being pain and stiffness especially in the morning. Being overweight or obese can cause rapid deterioration of the cartilage in the knee, leading to osteoarthritis. With every one unit increase in the body mass index (BMI), the chances of rapid cartilage loss increase by 11%. Weight loss is probably the most important factor to slow disease progression. Danger of developing osteoarthritis is another reason to control weight. Dr Aggarwal opined, "Do not let yourself get heavy or overweight. Keeping your weight under control through diet and exercise or weight-loss surgery could prevent the need for knee-replacement surgery." Exercise can help reduce weight and therefore the risk of acquiring osteoarthritis. The simplest exercises are often the best. One can try these three kinds of exercises to manage weight and keep the joints free of pain. • Stretching: helps ease aches and pains and provides movement to the joints • Strengthening exercises: help the muscles in supporting the joints and keep them in the right position during movement. • Fitness exercises: can help in weight management and reduce the risk of osteoarthritis.

Global warming implicated in the rising diabetes prevalence

Global warming implicated in the rising diabetes prevalence Global warming may be contributing to the worldwide epidemic of diabetes, suggests a new study from The Netherlands published online in the journal BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care. In the year 2015, 415 million adults globally had diabetes and this number is estimated to rise up to 642 million cases by 2040, an increase of almost by 55%. Researchers from the Leiden University Medical Center attempted to investigate if global increases in temperature were contributing to the current rise in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes by negatively affecting the glucose metabolism via a reduction in brown adipose tissue activity. Data on diabetes incidence amongst adults in 50 states of the USA and three territories (Guam, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands) for the years 1996 to 2009 from the National Diabetes Surveillance System of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was used in the study. On average, with every 1°C rise in temperature, age-adjusted incidence of diabetes was found to increase by 0.314 per 1,000 in the US. The global prevalence of glucose intolerance also increased by 0.17% per 1°C rise in temperature in mean annual temperature. Overall, warmer countries tended to have a higher prevalence of glucose intolerance. This effect of warmer temperatures on glucose metabolism has been linked to brown adipose tissue. It has been shown earlier that colder temperatures can activate brown fat and improve insulin action and sensitivity. Therefore, it was hypothesized that warmer temperatures could have the opposite effect; decrease in activity of the brown adipose tissue could reduce insulin sensitivity and an increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Although this study did not establish a cause and effect relationship between global warming and type 2 diabetes, the fact remains that climate change is real and is a major challenge of the 21st century, which needs to be tackled urgently. The impact of climate change are global and not limited to a particular region of the world. Climate change affects the environment and consequentially human health both directly and indirectly. Climate change directly affects five components of the environment: water, air, weather, oceans, and ecosystems. Through changes in the environment in the form of extreme heat and cold waves, floods and droughts, typhoons, hurricanes, worsening air quality and other natural disasters, it indirectly affects human health. Many vector-borne diseases such as dengue, Chikungunya are showing a resurgence making them more difficult and challenging to control. Moreover, they are being redistributed across the world to areas that are currently not endemic for these diseases. Not only infectious diseases, non communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, respiratory diseases, type 2 diabetes have also been linked to climate change. (Source: BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care. 2017, Volume 5, Issue 1)

Recurrent kidney stones: IMA guidelines

Recurrent kidney stones: IMA guidelines
About half of people who develop a kidney stone will find it recurring at least once at some stage. New Delhi, March 20, 2017: Lifetime prevalence of kidney stones is approximately 13% in men and 7% in women. Without treatment, approximately 35% to 50% of those with kidney stones will experience recurrence within 5 years from the first stone. Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) in a joint statement said, “A stone may cause no problems but often it causes pain. Most kidney stones are small and pass out with the urine. Some stones become stuck in a kidney or in the tube draining urine from the kidney (the ureter). They can then cause persistent symptoms or problems. There are various treatment options to remove a stuck stone. About half of people who have a kidney stone develop another one at a later time in their life. Drinking plenty of water each day may prevent this from happening again (a recurrence).”
“Some stones become stuck in a kidney or in one of the tubes draining urine from a kidney (the ureter) and cause persistent symptoms or problems. In these cases, the pain usually becomes severe and you may need to be admitted to hospital. Sometimes a large stone can completely block the passage of urine down one of the tubes draining urine from the kidney (the ureter). This may lead to infection or damage to the kidney. This is usually avoided, as X-rays or scans will detect a blockage and large stones can be removed.”, adds Dr K K Aggarwal.
Following are some guidelines: • Increase fluid intake to achieve at least 2 L of urine per day. “Increased fluid intake spread throughout the day can decrease stone recurrence by at least half with virtually no side effects. However, people who already drink the recommended amount of liquids, or when increased fluid intake is contraindicated, should not increase their fluid intake. • Available evidence shows no difference between intake of tap water or intake of a specific brand of mineral water in preventing kidney stones. • If drinking increased amounts of water is ineffective in preventing kidney stones, one may try pharmacologic monotherapy with a thiazide diuretic, citrate, or allopurinol. These three types of drugs effectively reduced recurrence of composite calcium stones in patients who had a history of two or more stones. Combination therapy is no more effective than monotherapy. All these drugs were associated with adverse events. For thiazides, these were orthostasis, gastrointestinal upset, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, and muscle symptoms. Citrates are associated with gastrointestinal symptoms and allopurinol with rash, acute gout, and leukopenia. • Patients should reduce intake of colas and other soft drinks acidified with phosphoric acid, as lower consumption is linked to lower risk for stone recurrence. • Fruit-flavored soft drinks can be taken as they are often acidified with citric acid. • Patients should reduce consumption of dietary oxalate, typically found in chocolate, beets, nuts, rhubarb, spinach, strawberries, tea, and wheat bran. • Patients should eat less dietary animal protein and purines. • Patients should maintain normal dietary calcium.