The Chhattisgarh government is making desperate attempts to convince the Medical Council of India (MCI) to reverse its recent decision to 200 medical seats in the state for the ensuing 2014-15 academic years. With the cut, only 250 seats are left, leaving other aspirants in a lurch.
According to information, the MCI found a host of deficiencies in all the state-run medical colleges at Raipur, Bilaspur, Jagdalpur and Raigarh and it cut 50 seats in each of the institutions.
While Raipur and Bilaspur Medical colleges hitherto had 150 seats each, the MCI has permitted to counselling for only 100 seats in each college.
The Jagdalpur Medical College, which earlier had 100 seats, has been permitted to recruit for only 50 seats. The Raigarh Medical College, which only had 50 seats, has been declared a “zero year” with the all the seats being cut for various deficiencies, including faculty.
Source: Times of India
The unripe green fruit of papaya has a mild flavour. Green papaya has a smooth white flesh and is a rich source of vitamin C. Papaya offers an excellent source of potassium and fiber and is low in calories. It has a high amount of pectin which helps in digestion.
Health Benefits from Green Papaya:
The anti-inflammatory virtue from the papain in papaya greatly reduce inflammation in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout and asthma.
The rich fiber in papaya bind to cancer-causing toxins in the colon and is eliminated from the body during bowel movements.
Papaya is commonly known for its fine and natural laxative virtue which aids digestion. Taken regularly, it can help habitual constipation, bleeding piles and chronic diarrhea.
The three very powerful anti-oxidants in papayas help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. Oxidized cholesterol forms dangerous plagues that can eventually cause heart attacks or strokes.
Vitamin A available in papaya helps to reduce lung inflammation. So it is useful for active as well as passive smokers.
The papain in unripe papaya is extremely beneficial for those who are deficient in gastric juice, have excess of unhealthy mucus in the stomach, dyspepsia and intestinal irritation.
Consumption of unripe papaya juice help to contract the muscle fibers of the womb, resulting in proper and regular menstrual flow. It is especially helpful in cases of menstruation cessation in young ladies due to cold or trauma.
The juice from unripe papaya is highly beneficial in treating skin disorders like acne and psoriasis. When applied to wounds, it prevents pus formation and swelling. Paste made from unripe papaya when applied to the face, may remove pigmentation or brown spots, and making the skin smooth and delicate. Try it.
Immerse cut ripe papaya in vinegar for a week, then consume twice a day with meals until spleen is normalized.
Drink honey mixed in fresh juice from unripe papaya regularly over inflamed tonsils for diphtheria and other throat disorders. It dissolves the membrane and prevents infection from spreading.
Health Hazards :
Anti-estrogen effects have been noted as well. Green papaya (unripe) can cause abortion due to the presence of a plant compound, benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), found primarily in the latex of green papaya tissue, Food forms of papaya, containing papain, are best avoided by pregnant women. This warning does not extend to a fully ripe fresh fruit, which contains much lower levels of papain and is considered very healthy for pregnant women with it’s rich antioxidant and vitamin content.
There are mixed reports from health resources regarding papaya and ulcers. On the one hand, people suffering from severe stomach ulcers are sometimes advised to avoid the fruit, particularly when it’s green, as well as any digestive enzymes with papain. On the other, eating papaya with its many nutrients and enzymes is often said to help prevent stomach ulcers and heal minor ones. It may do this by both increasing the protective mucus secretions in the stomach and, due to its ability to speed up the break down of protein, lessening the amount of time hydrochloric acid sits in the stomach. While the occasional ripe fruit should not cause problems. Doctor,s advice must be solicited in case to case basis.
Papain may increase the blood thinning effects of medications such as Warfarin and other anticoagulants, including daily aspirin taken for this purpose. As such it is not recommended for use at the same time as a course of these drugs. It is best not to take papain for several days before major surgery for the same reason.
People with blood clotting disorders, such as thrombosis and hemophilia, are also advised to avoid papain and green papaya. In cases like these, and any of the above, it is best to discuss using papain enzymes with a knowledgeable healthcare professional.
Papaya and especially the green fruit should be avoided by anyone with a latex allergy. Papaya allergies are rare, but people who experience allergic reactions to papaw may also have an adverse reaction to pineapples, avocados, bananas, figs, kiwi fruit, melons and possibly other tropical fruit as well and should use these with caution and watch for symptoms.
Source: health digezt
Researchers at Rhode Island Hospital’s Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Center have found positive associations between fish oil supplements and cognitive functioning as well as differences in brain structure between users and non-users of fish oil supplements. The findings suggest possible benefits of fish oil supplements on brain health and aging.
The results were reported at the recent International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease, in Paris, France.
The study was led by Lori Daiello, PharmD, a research scientist at the Rhode Island Hospital Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Center. Data for the analyses was obtained from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), a large multi-center, NIH-funded study that followed older adults with normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer’s Disease for over three years with periodic memory testing and brain MRIs.
The study included 819 individuals, 117 of whom reported regular use of fish oil supplements before entry and during study follow-up. The researchers compared cognitive functioning and brain atrophy for patients who reported routinely using these supplements to those who were not using fish oil supplements.
Daiello reports that compared to non-users, use of fish oil supplements was associated with better cognitive functioning during the study. However, this association was significant only in those individuals who had a normal baseline cognitive function and in individuals who tested negative for a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s Disease known as APOE4. This is consistent with previous research.
The unique finding, however, is that there was a clear association between fish oil supplements and brain volume. Consistent with the cognitive outcomes, these observations were significant only for those who were APOE4 negative.
Daiello says, “In the imaging analyses for the entire study population, we found a significant positive association between fish oil supplement use and average brain volumes in two critical areas utilized in memory and thinking (cerebral cortex and hippocampus), as well as smaller brain ventricular volumes compared to non-users at any given time in the study. In other words, fish oil use was associated with less brain shrinkage in patients taking these supplements during the ADNI study compared to those who didn’t report using them.”
Daiello continues, “These observations should motivate further study of the possible effects of long-term fish oil supplementation on important markers of cognitive decline and the potential influence of genetics on these outcomes.”
Source: science daily
Knee Pain and an Active Lifestyle
Most people experience knee pain at some point in their lives. Sports, exercise and other activities can cause muscle strains, tendinitis, and more serious injuries to ligaments and cartilage. For some, knee pain can be so severe that it limits daily activities. For others, mild knee pain may be a chronic hindrance to the active lifestyle they desire. In either case, chances are that you’re dealing with a knee problem that shouldn’t be ignored.
Knee Ligament Injuries
The ligaments are what connect your thigh bone to your lower leg bones. They hold your bones together and keep the knee stable. Knee ligament sprains and tears are very common sports injuries, and can occur to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and medial collateral ligament (MCL). Any of these injuries can result in severe knee pain and could require surgery.
Knee Cartilage Tears
Other injuries, including tears, can take place in the cartilage of the knee. Cartilage is a semi-hard (tough, but flexible) tissue that covers the end of your bones. Knee cartilage comprises the two menisci on either side of the joint: the medial meniscus, located on the inside of the knee and the lateral meniscus, positioned on the outside of the knee. You’ve probably heard the phrase “meniscus tear”. A tear in the knee cartilage is a common injury, and typically requires surgery.
Arthritis of the Knee
Arthritis is a common cause of severe knee pain and disability. Unfortunately, arthritis is a chronic degenerative condition that can eventually require surgery. The three most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and osteoarthritis. In the case of any of these three, you may experience stiffness and swelling, and it may be hard to bend your knee
Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Knee
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes the tissue around the joint to become inflamed and thickened. Chronic inflammation often leads to damage and loss of cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis represents only about 10 percent to 15 percent of all arthritis cases.
Post-Traumatic Arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis can result after a serious knee injury, including bone fractures and ligament tears. These injuries can damage the cartilage in your knee over time and lead to pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Osteoarthritis of the Knee
The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is a progressive wearing of the cartilage in the knee joint. It occurs more frequently in individuals 50 and older. After 50, the impact of osteoarthritis can worsen due to accumulated use and the wearing down of cartilage that occurs with age. Osteoarthritis of the knee causes pain, limited range of motion, stiffness of the knee, swelling of the joint, tenderness, deformity and weakness.
Causes of osteoarthritis include age, weight, genetics, previous injuries, infections, and illness (such as a tumor or gout). Osteoarthritis can also be caused by sports injuries and wear and tear resulting from physical work in occupations, such as construction and manufacturing.
Diagnosing Knee Pain
Doctors diagnose arthritis and other knee problems using x-rays and a physical evaluation. You will be asked about your pain level, knee flexibility and function, and general mobility. Medical professionals will also use special tests to identify the type of arthritis affecting your knee.
Treating Knee Pain from Arthritis
Knee pain usually becomes worse as arthritis progresses. Common treatments include: weight loss, strengthening exercises, wrapping, and pain relievers—such as acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
While osteoarthritis is the most common surgical patient diagnosis, those with severe pain from any type of arthritis may benefit from surgery, including a partial or total knee replacement. It’s crucial to discuss and explore all treatment options with your doctor before opting for surgery.
Source: texilaconnect
Researchers say 15 million children are living in homes with adults who have the disease
More than 650,000 children worldwide develop tuberculosis each year, research in the journal Lancet Global Health suggests.
The figure stands almost 25% higher than current predictions made by the World Health Organization.
Scientists say health officials may be missing an "enormous opportunity" to prevent the disease from spreading.
Alternative approaches
The World Health Organization plans to revise its estimates in its next report.
Tuberculosis (TB) in children can be difficult to detect - younger people harbour fewer bacteria than adults and it is more challenging to collect samples from them.
Alternative approaches
The World Health Organization put together the first international estimates in children in 2012, predicting some 530,000 cases that year.
But researchers say these figures - which rely on reports of cases to national authorities - do not give the full picture as the quality of surveillance varies across the globe.
And scientists say some cases will be missed as a perception persists that children are not infectious and present a less pressing problem than adults.
Responding to the WHO's call for alternative approaches to the problem, the team from the University of Sheffield, Imperial College London, and the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development created a mathematical model, focusing on data from adults with the disease.
Taking into account the natural behaviour of the bacteria and the rates of adult TB in households and communities in 22 countries with the highest levels of disease, they were able to estimate how many children have tuberculosis.
They suggest some 15 million children currently live in the same household as an adult with infectious TB.
And nearly 53 million children have inactive TB - a form of the disease which can progress to the infectious, active type at any time.
'Often ignored'
These estimates indicate nearly two-thirds of the cases of active TB may be missed every year.
Dr Peter Dodd of the University of Sheffield and lead author of the research, said: "Children are an often ignored but important part of TB control efforts.
"Our findings highlight an enormous opportunity for preventative antibiotic treatment among children who are living in the same household as an adult with infectious TB.
"Wider use of preventative treatment would probably substantially reduce the numbers of children who develop the disease."
Dr Ruth McNerney from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who was not involved in the research says: "We know children develop and die from TB but we do not know how many.
"Solving this problem is very important - treating children appropriately when they are exposed to the disease may help prevent the disease from reappearing in later life."
Andrea Cruz and Jeffrey Starke from the Baylor College of Medicine, USA, who were not involved in the research but contributed to a related article in the journal said: "These findings show that what often has been taken as truth - that control of TB in adults will inevitably result in improved tuberculosis control for children - is fallacious as a stand-alone control strategy."
Source: BBC
There's nothing like a good night's sleep, but millions of people in this country struggle with insomnia, at least occasionally.
They may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. Insomnia can start with the challenge of trying to sleep in a loud hotel room, struggling with arthritis or dealing with a death in the family. And the current culture is contributing to the problem with people always tethered to work, tapping into computers, cellphones and social media late into the day, plus there's the economic stress from worries about raising families and affording retirement, sleep experts say.
An estimated 70 million Americans suffer from sleep problems, such as insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, shift-work sleep disorder or narcolepsy, as well as sleep disturbances associated with many diseases, mental illnesses and addictions, according to the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research, part of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
"Insomnia is among the most common problems encountered in medicine," says David Neubauer, associate director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Johns Hopkins Medical School in Baltimore. "Sleeplessness at nighttime and poor concentration and fatigue during the daytime are terribly frustrating."
Among the most common causes of insomnia:
• Anxiety. Half of all those who have experienced insomnia blame the problem on stress and worry, according to the National Sleep Foundation. People often wake up feeling anxious. Sometimes they experience powerful anxiety attacks. These may be people who are hyper alert and hyper vigilant all of the time, Badr says.
Or people may have a bout of insomnia the night before you have a job interview or court date, he says.
• Conditioned mental arousal. When some people wake up, instead of going right back to sleep, they may quickly become anxious because they're not sleeping and worry that they'll feel terrible the following day, Neubauer says. "It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy."
• Medications. Some drugs prescribed for depression, anxiety, hypertension, pain, asthma, and even colds and allergies can cause sleep problems for some individuals, Neubauer says. "When people come in complaining of poor sleep we always review their prescribed and over-the-counter medications."
• Depression. When people are experiencing a major episode of depression, it's common for them to have lighter sleep and to experience the early-morning awakenings and lots of difficulty falling asleep. "Patients with depression often have sleep-maintenance insomnia and may wake up at 3 in the morning, and can't get back to sleep," Badr says.
• Alcohol consumption. Alcohol may have a sedative effect for the first few hours of sleep, but it metabolizes quickly, causing a rebound effect that contributes to lighter, fragmented sleep or total wakefulness in the second part of the night. "Some people may drink two glasses of wine at night, fall asleep OK and then wake up three hours later," Badr says. "They start watching TV and it creates a vicious circle."
• Medical problems. These include arthritis, asthma, hot flashes and sleep disorders such as sleep apnea — frequent pauses in breathing that reduce the quality of sleep — and restless legs syndrome, an uncomfortable sensation in the legs that causes people to want to move them to get relief. Some describe it as a creepy, crawling feeling or like they have ants under their legs. These sleep disorders should be treated aggressively, sleep experts say.
Sleep doctors offer different suggestions to patients with insomnia, often specific to the cause of the problem. "We use sleeping pills and hypnotics strategically for a short period of time," Badr says.
He says the first thing he advises patients with insomnia is to make sure they are practicing good sleep hygiene. Among his suggestions:
• Keep a consistent wake-up time and bedtime.
• Don't watch TV in bed.
• Don't take naps during the day — that's stealing from that night's sleep.
• If you are unable to fall asleep or get back to sleep within 20 to 30 minutes, leave your bedroom to go to another room.
• Do low-key activities if you change rooms. Don't turn on the TV, do work, balance your checkbook or call your friends in Australia, Badr says. Instead, listen to quiet music, pray or meditate.
Source: usatoday
If you are looking to maximize the protective and healing power of your diet, you can’t do better than to add chia to your recipes.
Gram for gram, chia seeds have 70 percent more protein than soybeans, 25 percent more fiber than flaxseed, 600 percent more calcium than milk, 200 percent more potassium than a banana, and 30 percent more antioxidants than blueberries. Two tablespoons of chia also contain 5.1 grams of omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart health, lower cholesterol and blood pressure and reduce inflammation.
Chia can transform the texture and look of foods. Stirred into a dish, they impart a satisfying crunch. But when you soak chia in liquid before combining it with other ingredients, you create a gel that adds moisture, thickness and a velvety mouth-feel to a dish.
When you’re adding chia gel to a recipe, start with a tablespoon, give it a taste, then add more as needed. When adding chia gel to something like a soup or smoothie, start by adding a half cup then test out the thickness and texture.
Use chia to reduce calories in condiments
Mixing condiments with chia gel reduces fat and calories while boosting their nutritional profile. Use a thick chia gel (3 tablespoons of chia to 1 cup of purified, room-temperature water) to cut ketchup, mayonnaise and pre-made salad dressings. A ratio of one-third gel to two-thirds condiment is a good rule of thumb.
Use chia as a flour substitute
Milled chia can be substituted for flour to thicken soups, used as coating for breaded fish or chicken, or used as a flour replacement in baking. You can replace up to one-quarter of the flour in a recipe with milled chia. To make it, grind whole chia seeds in a spice mill, clean coffee grinder, blender or food processor.
Use chia as an egg substitute
Chia gel can be as thick and smooth as an egg. To replace one large egg, combine 1 tablespoon chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of room-temperature water. Whisk and let sit until a gel forms, about 20 minutes. Chia adds liquid to a recipe, so you may want to add a few minutes to your baking time.
The combination of chia with fresh organic produce, whole grains and healthy sources of protein will lead you down the path to vitality, giving you the energy and strength to lead a more beautiful and dynamic life.
Source: foxnews
Following six diet guidelines can reduce your cancer risk, researchers say. The advice is a combination of what foods to limit or avoid, and which ones to eat.
The recommendations, which appear in the June 30 issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, were spearheaded by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit group known for its advocacy of plant-based diets and alternatives to research on animals.
Perhaps not surprising for an organization that encourages plant-based diets, the advice highlighted the benefits of fruits and vegetables, and recommended limited consumption of meat. But dieticians and doctors not involved with the report say the guidelines are reasonable.
The guidelines are based on a review of published studies, albeit cherry-picked to highlight the advantages of a plant-based diet. The recommendations are to eat more fresh vegetables and fruits; eat more soy products; limit dairy; limit or avoid alcohol; avoid red meats and processed meats; and avoid grilled, broiled or fried meats. [10 New Ways to Eat Well]
"The overall recommendation is to favor plant-based foods," said lead author Joseph Gonzales, a registered dietician with the PCRM. "Plants are rich in protective compounds, and help consumers avoid the cancer-causing substances found in animal products."
PCRM's recommendations are similar to those offered by cancer research organizations such as the American Cancer Society, although arguably more extreme in terms of what they say to avoid.
"It's never a bad idea to cut back" on red meat or alcohol, as the PCRM recommends, said Colleen Doyle, a registered dietician and director for nutrition and physical activity for the American Cancer Society. But you don't need to be a teetotaler or vegetarian to significantly reduce your cancer risk, she added.
The recommendations
1. Eat more fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens, to help reduce overall cancer risk. Most doctors agree. "It is an incontrovertible fact" that a plant-based diet lowers your risk of cancer and heart disease, said Dr. Paul Talalay, a distinguished service professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, who was not involved in this study. The reason fruits and vegetables help lower cancer risk is that they contain protective compounds, such as the phytochemicals that Talalay discovered in broccoli in the 1990s, that reduce the risk of several cancers and, as reported this June, the toxic effects of the pollutant benzene.
2. Eat soy products to reduce both the risk and recurrence of breast cancer. Soy products — such as edamame, tempeh and tofu — also have protective properties and, if substituted for red meat, can help reduce exposure to fats and other chemicals that promote cancer and heart disease.
3. Limit or avoid dairy products to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.Studies have linked dairy to prostate cancer, but the culprit might be calcium. Yet other studies suggest that consuming dairy products might prevent colorectal cancer. Dolye said men should consider limiting dairy if they have a family history of prostate cancer.
4. Limit or avoid alcohol to reduce the risk of cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, colon, rectum and breast. The PCRM reports that one drink per week increases the risk of mouth, pharynx and larynx cancers by 24 percent; two to three drinks per day increase the risk of colorectal cancer by 21 percent.
As with the dairy recommendation, the dangers depend on which studies you read. Mouth, pharynx and larynx cancers are rare in nonsmokers, so a 24-percent risk increase isn't something to fret over. Also, a drink a day seems to promote heart health. The American Cancer Society recommends that people limit their alcohol intake to no more than two drinks per day for men, and one per day for women (in part because of women's smaller average body size).
5. Avoid red and processed meats to reduce the risk of cancers of the colon and rectum. Following this advice may help prevent heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Large studies from the Harvard School of Public Health revealed that regular consumption of red meat — particularly processed meats such as sausages and cold cuts — will shorten your life.
This news doesn't need to ruin your summer cookout plans. Doyle said to "exercise common sense" and that the occasional hamburger or hotdog, even grilled (uh-oh, see the next recommendation), is fine. The broader issue, she said, is reducing consumption to reduce risk, given your risk profile and family history.
6. Avoid grilled, fried and broiled meats to reduce the risk of cancers of the colon, rectum, breast, prostate, kidney and pancreas. The reason is that cancer-causing chemicals called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are created when creatine and amino acids in skeletal muscle, aka meat, are cooked at high temperatures. Even the smoke from grilled meat can contaminate grilled vegetables, which otherwise don't have HCAs.
Cancer risk reduction doesn't guarantee cancer avoidance. According to the World Health Organization, up to 30 percent of all cancers might be caused by a poor diet. The rest are attributed to smoking, pollution and genetics, which may affect you no matter what you eat.
Source: Webmd
Nearly 80 percent of young people in the United States who die are killed by injuries, and more than half of these injuries are unintentional, such as those sustained in car crashes, falls or fires, according to a new report.
Researchers looked at all people ages 1 to 30 in the United States who died in 2010, and found that 79 percent of deaths in that group were from injuries; while 20 percent were from chronic diseases such as heart disease or cancer, and 1 percent were due to infections, the report said.
Of the deaths among young people that were due to injuries, about 60 percent were a result of unintentional injuries, while 20 percent were due to suicide, and another 20 percent to homicide.
Among people of all ages, there were 121,000 deaths from unintentional injuries in 2010; the most common such injuries were those from car crashes, poisoning, falls, suffocation and drowning. In addition, there were 55,000 deaths among all ages related to violence that year.
Millions more people survive injuries, but are left with physical, emotional and financial problems, the researchers said. In 2010, more than 31 million people experienced unintentional injury, or injury from violence, the report said.
More than 2 million older adults were injured in falls in 2011, about 20 percent of which cause serious injuries, such as fractures and head injuries. These can restrict people's ability to move and increase their risk of early death, the researchers said.
The study authors argued that these injuries can be prevented.
"Injuries and violence are not accidents and are not inevitable," study researcher Tamara Haegerich, of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a statement.
For example, laws that require young children to sit in child safety seats while riding in cars can decrease fatal injuries from car crashes by 35 percent, and laws against drunk driving can reduce deaths by 7 percent, the researchers said. Other methods can reduce intentional injuries caused by violent acts. School-based programs aimed at violence prevention (for example, those that teach students productive ways to resolve conflicts) can lead to a 29-percent reduction in violence among high schoolers, the report said.
But more work is needed to bring effective injury prevention methods into communities, and to educate doctors and the public about injury prevention, the researchers said.
"Clinical medicine and public health partnerships can help to ensure that life is not stopped by a preventable injury and that thousands are spared the debilitating effects of a car crash, non-fatal drowning, severe burn, fall or assault," the researchers wrote in the July 2 issue of the journal The Lancet.
Source: Livescience
While Raipur and Bilaspur Medical colleges hitherto had 150 seats each, the MCI has permitted to counselling for only 100 seats in each college.
