Conjunctivitis strain damaging cornea & vision

Mumbai: It is common for people to suffer from sore eyes during the monsoon, the condition lingering for three to five days. But several Mumbaikars have been laid low by a strain of conjunctivitis which refuses to abate for months and is affecting vision. 

    Ophthalmologists say many are being affected by an uncommon virus—adenovirus-8. It, say doctors, not only mutates frequently, but is potent enough to cause chronic damage to the cornea. 
    Take the instance of Advait Shah (name changed). The 30-year-old was afflicted by conjunctivitis in January. He thought he would be fine in a few days, but when his eyes remained swollen even after a week, he went to a doctor. "The doctor prescribed a steroid, after which the situation worsened," said Shah, a professor with a college. By the second week, Shah not only started experiencing severe pain in the eyes, but also a loss in vision. Virulent conjunctivitis may take a year to heal 
    Vile Parle resident Advait Shah (name changed) became alarmed when he began experiencing a loss of vision after suffering conjunctivitis for over two weeks in January. One visit to an ophthalmologist had not helped. He rushed to another and was diagnosed to be suffering from nummular keratitis, a condition in which there was tearing and photophobia, apart from blurred vision. 
    "Even with my shades on, I had trouble teaching. My students lagged behind in their syllabus because of my eye problems. The college had to ultimately arrange for a substitute teacher," said Shah, a professor. Shah has not yet completely recovered. He still has an opaque spot in his eye. 
    Dr Kavita Rao, cornea and refractive surgeon at Aditya Jyot Hospital, said, "There are multiple viruses that otherwise affect the eye. The adenovirus-8 is an uncommon strain. Though the conjunctivitis caused by this virus may resolve in two to three weeks, the antigen may remain in the cornea and cause further problems." 
    Adenovirus-8 eye infections, currently affecting many Mumbaikars, crop up after every few years, say doctors. Dr Phiroze Patel, ophthalmologist at Jaslok Hospital, said vision once blurred by the virus, takes a long time to return to normal. "The virus causes small, fine corneal spots and tear. A few patients take even six months to a year to recover," he said, adding adenovirus conjunctivitis is seen after every two years or so. "It affects in clusters," he added. 
    Melina Gomes, for instance, had a tough time containing the disease. First her husband suffered from conjunctivitis in February, followed by her two-yearold son. "A week after my third son, I contracted the conjunctivitis, followed by my other two sons aged 10 and four. Each one of us suffered for more than two weeks each. But we got a scare when my second son started bleeding from the eye after suffering for a week. We rushed him to the doctor, who said that there was actually no treatment, except to wait for the virus to run its course," said Melina, who still has a blurry vision and itchy eyes sometimes. 
    Dr Sanjay Dhawan, from the All India Ophthalmological Society, said the virus strains keep mutating, which makes it even more difficult for the body to fight it out. 
    "Normally 50 strains of virus cause conjunctivitis, but recently, a particular type, adenovirus-8 has been circulating. The mutation makes the virus even more dangerous," he said, adding that a sharp pain in the eyes and sensitivity to light in those suffering from eye flu should not be ignored. 
    "Patients should avoid self medication and must consult a specialist immediately if the symptoms linger for over a week," he said.

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City docs dole out tips on healthy living

Mumbai: More than 300 women turned up at Mulund and Vashi branches of Fortis Hospital over the weekend to attend the interactive sessions and take tips on ways to stay fit and healthy.      The sessions were followed by free health camps, organized by TOI and facilitated by the hospital.      Speaking to the gathering on Saturday, Dr Kaushal  Malhan, orthopaedic surgeon with the hospital, told the participants that osteoporosis can also be fatal. "Nearly 20% patients can die because of osteoporosis," he said. "30% patients are left disabled for life, 40% cannot walk as they used to and 80% lose at least one aspect of their daily independence," he added.      The women present for the session were explained the importance of measuring bone density too. "Up to the age of 30 years, the bone mass can be increased with the help of well-balanced diet, calcium and Vitamin D. However, the foundation of the bone is more or less made by this time. Which means that what happens to the bones in the later years depends on this foundation," said Dr Malhan.      This was followed by a talk about healthy heart. Dr Hasmukh Rawat, cardiologist with Fortis Hospital, provided women some simple tips. "Oil is the most important part that is in the hands of women. Using olive oil is a very good option. Families should keep in mind the poly unsaturated fats (PUFA) while eating. Apart from that brisk walking at least three times a week for 30-45 minutes, keep an active lifestyle, which will help avoid heart problems," he said.      Gynaecologist Dr Bindhu KS made similar suggestions during her talk at Fortis Hospital in Vashi on Sunday. She explained how eating right and physical exercise still remain the golden rules even though a lot has changed about Indian families. "Earlier, pregnancies were by chance but now they are mostly by choice. What women need to know is that they should remain fit even before conception and not only during pregnancy for long-termhealth benefits," she said.      Women, mostly between the age group of 30 to 55 years, were also given a low down on ways to prevent breast and cervical cancer and how self-awareness is the key by gynaecologist Dr Vandana Gawdi.      Gawdi also said that women should opt for the vaccine that offers protection against cervical cancer. "The best age to take the vaccine is between 9 and 11 years. But women can take it till the age of 45," she said, adding that India still loses 200 women to cervical cancer every day.      The women turned up for consultations with physiotherapists and cardiologists, checking blood pressure, BMI, ECG and bone densitometry.      REGISTER NOW  • Readers can avail of free tests (limited) till April 15 for gynaecological problems at Fortis Vashi. For appointments: smita.sahu@fortishealthcare.com  • Readers can avail of free tests (limited) till April 15 for orthopaedic and cardiac problems at Fortis Mulund. For appointments: rohan.francis@fortishealthcare.com HEALTH TALK: Participants at the free health camps; (top) Dr Vandana Gawdi spoke about ways to prevent breast and cervical cancer

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Ways to Boost your brain power!

Distracted and forgetful? Here are simple ways to stay more alert and improve memory

LEARN TO SING OR PLAY AN INSTRUMENT 
    Music has long been associated with a host of benefits. And learning how to play an instrument or even singing is a challenging workout for your brain, giving it a much-needed boost. So, find out what interests you and pursue it. 
TAKE A BREAK 
    Breaking your head to find a solution but failing abysmally? Step back, take a break and focus on something else. When you can't seem to figure out the right solution, it is a good idea to pry yourself away from your laptop and cell phone and step out for some fresh air. 
CHEW SOME GUM 
    Experts say that chewing gum helps reduce the formation of bacteria and improves jaw muscles; it also makes you feel more alert. Chewing on some mint-flavoured gum reduces feelings of tiredness and improves memory. 
HAVE SOME DARK 
CHOCOLATE 
Instead of munching on bars of regular chocolate, have some dark chocolate, which contains flavanoids. They are brain-boosting chemicals, which enhance cognitive skills by creating new neurons in your brain. They improve the ability to make new memories and increasing blood flow to the brain. 
HAVE CONVERSATIONS 
    When was the last time you had a really stimulating conversation? Or are you among those who likes to keep to themselves? Well, here's some news that will interest you. According to research, when you isolate yourself from people, you're setting yourself up for declining mental function in your later years. Humans have been equipped with a range of communication skills, which need to be used. The wider your social contacts, the lesser 
    cognitive decline you 
    experience with ageing. 
WORK IT OUT 
    Doing high-energy cardio gives your brain a high like nothing else. So, if you want to improve cognitive functions like task switching, paying attention and sharper memory, give exercise a shot. 
PLAY VIDEO GAMES 
    While this may seem a dubious inclusion in this list, research says that playing video games exercises your mind, improves memory, alertness and the ability to switch between tasks more quickly. 
LOOK AT NICE PICTURES 
Find babies or animals cute? Look at their pictures! Experts say even looking at pictures that make you feel good and bring a smile to your face, can do wonders for your alertness levels. So, the next time you want to focus on that task at hand, take a quick break and allow your eyes to feast on some nice visual imagery. 
LET YOUR MIND WANDER 
It is okay to let yourself daydream sometimes. When you allow your mind to wander a bit, it gives your brain a muchneeded break. And researchers say the human mind becomes more active and better at problem-solving when they daydream a bit. Compiled by Zeenia F Baria

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Top tips for beating headaches

Regularly popping pills for a headache can make it worse, says a new study. What else can you do?

HAVE LOTS OF SEX! 
Sex can lead to partial or complete relief from head pain in some migraines, say neurologists. The study found that more than half of sufferers who had intercourse during a migraine episode experienced an improvement in symptoms. It is thought sex triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, which can reduce or even eliminate a headache. 
DON'T BUY EXPENSIVE PAINKILLERS 
    Avoid painkillers that say 'plus' or 'extra'. People choose them because they assume they will work faster, but they simply contain added ingredients like caffeine or codeine that might not be suitable for you. See your GP if you're taking paracetamol, aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 15 days or more a month. 
SIT UP STRAIGHT 
Slumping in your chair is the worst thing you can do if your head is pounding. When we slump forward in a C-shape, we kink the head upwards, which can stretch the neck and pinch nerves, causing headaches. So, sit with your feet flat on the floor and keep hips and knees straight, looking ahead. 
AVOID HAM SANDWICHES 
Ham contains tyramine (a natural substance in preserved foods) and nitrates, which both increase blood flow to the brain, triggering pain. Tyramine is also found in foods that have been preserved, pickled, smoked, marinated or fermented. Cheese and chocolate; and certain fruits like pineapple and bananas, are also high in tyramine or food additives. 
SNACK ON NUTS AND SEEDS 
These are a great source of the mineral magnesium, which is thought to act as a muscle relaxant. Depleted levels are linked with reduced blood flow to the brain and low blood sugar, which can trigger headaches. Researchers found that up to 50% of migraine sufferers have low levels of magnesium. Other good sources of magnesium include fresh green leafy vegetables, tomato puree, wholegrains, beans, peas, potatoes, oats and yeast extract. FORGET AIR FRESHENERS 
Perfumes, aftershaves, strong-smelling soaps, air fresheners and household cleaners contain chemicals that activate nerve cells in our noses, which send signals to the brain. In some people, these nerve signals are strong enough to cause headaches. Open windows and use chemical-free fresheners instead. Use a plant spray half-filled with water and two drops of essential oil and spritz around instead. 
FOLLOW THE 20/20 RULE 
Staring at a computer screen for too long can leave you suffering with headaches, sore or tired eyes and even blurred vision. So, look up from your screen every 20 minutes and focus on something 20ft away for 20 seconds. 
BE CHOOSY ABOUT YOUR TAKEAWAY 
MSG is a commonly used flavour enhancer extracted from an amino acid that occurs naturally in wheat gluten, seaweed and other produce. It's used in many foods, from flavoured crisps to sausages and sauces — but it's particularly associated with Chinese and other Asian dishes. For people who have a sensitivity to MSG, it can also trigger headaches by dilating blood vessels in the brain. If you think you're sensitive to MSG, ask whether dishes contain MSG before ordering a meal. WEAR YOUR HAIR DOWN 
Fifty out of 93 women experienced a headache from wearing a ponytail. Plaits, chignons, tight-fitting hats and Alice bands can all cause headaches if the hair is pulled back tight, straining the connective tissue in the scalp. If you have to tie your hair up for work or exercise, try to avoid the socalled Croydon face-lift effect. 
GLUG PLENTY OF WATER 
Simply drinking a big glass of water and waiting 10 minutes or rubbing the temples and neck for five minutes to relieve any tension is often sufficient to banish a 
    headache. 
DON'T HAVE A LIE-IN 
Sleeping in for just half an hour can trigger a headache, particularly in coffee addicts. Because caffeine directly affects the blood vessels in the brain, withdrawal or reduction during weekends — exacerbated by low blood sugar due to a later breakfast — can cause pain. If you're a regular coffee drinker, try to ensure you have your caffeine fix at the s a m e t i m e eve r y day.

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EAT, DON’T CRASH Do you suffer from headaches and feel tired all the time? Crash diets could be giving you anaemia

 Last October, a woman entered the Juhu clinic of macrobiotic nutritionist Shonali Sabherwal, complaining of fatigue. The woman, in her early 30s, had pale skin and suffered from frequent headaches. After a few consultations Sabherwal realised that the woman — who in her effort to look good had cut down on carbohydrates, consuming only salads and soups for dinner and lunch — was deficient in iron, leading to anaemia. 

    Anaemia, in which the number of red blood cells or their oxygencarrying capacity is insufficient to meet physiologic needs of the body, was once traditionally associated with those who couldn't afford to have nutritious meals. However, in the past five years, doctors say it also common among the city's rich. 
    Sabherwal says like her patient, others assume that if they are eating salads, they will remain healthy. "However, by skipping essential nutrition categories like carbs, which contain a lot of iron, they put themselves at the risk of anaemia." 
    Recently, Hollywood actor and Iron Man star Gwyneth Paltrow revealed during an interview with Daily Mail that she was diagnosed with anaemia and Vitamin D deficiency last year, a condition that followed her selective eating habits. 
WOMEN ARE AT HIGHER RISK 
While constant dieting or eating junk food put both men and women at risk of anaemia, Dr Sonal Kumta, a gynaecologist at Mulund's Fortis Hospital, says, "Women are at higher risk since they undergo periodic blood loss during their menstruation cycle." Anaemia shows up in the haemoglobin levels. The normal count for women is in the 12.1-15.1 grams per deci-litre (dL), for men it ranges from 13.8 to 17.2 gm/dL. 
    Dr Kumta says fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of anaemia. Since the organs do not get a full supply of oxygen, it leads to persistent dullness and irritability, besides low blood pressure, pale skin and a rapid heart rate. 
    The gynaecologist says an 18-year-old woman who moved to Mumbai last year to study architecture, had all of the above symptoms she consulted her for excessive menstrual bleeding. 
    The woman had developed polycystic ovary syndrome — a condition which causes imbalance of female sex hormones and leads to menstrual cycle changes or cysts in the ovaries. "She had been bleeding for 12 days. Lack of sleep and junk food had caused her to develop PCOS, which further led to anaemia," says Kumta. The patient was given a short course of medication and was counselled to correct her diet. 
    According to the 2008 report by the World Health Organisation, there are approximately 524 million anaemic women across the globe. In India, more than 40 per cent women between the ages of 18 and 40 years suffer from anaemia. 
FIX IT WITH YOUR DIET 
The WHO website says that while other conditions, such as folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin A deficiencies, chronic inflammation, parasitic infections, and inherited disorders can also cause anaemia, iron deficiency is thought to be the most common cause. 
    While in severe cases blood transfusion is needed to treat anaemia, those who detect it early can fix it with a correction in their diet. 
    Dietician Sheela Tanna says a woman (in her reproductive years) requires 15mg of iron per day. She recommends the following sources of » DRY iron FRUITS in the : prunes daily , diet apricots : , raisins » LEGUMES: peas, soya beans and kid-» SEEDS ney beans : almonds and Brazil nuts » VEGETABLES: asparagus, kale and spinach » WHOLE GRAINS: wheat, millet, oats and 
    brown rice » DAIRY: egg yolk and chicken breast 
    Tanna says, "Don't limit the iron source to just one of these items. A combination works best." She adds that the body needs Vitamin C for better absorption of iron. This can be found in tomatoes and other citrus fruits.

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GRAB A GRAPEFRUIT TODAY

This simple-looking fruit is said to be one of nature's superfoods

    You may wonder why the grapefruit is called so when it looks like an enlarged orange, a member of the citrus fruits' family. The reason is, they grow in clusters like grapes. Nowadays, grapefruit is easily available locally. Though the fruit is usually red or pink in colour, grapefruits taste sour and bitter and are packed with tremendous health benefits. Here's why you should grab the grapefruit whenever you're out for grocery shopping: 
>> Grapefruit generates alkaline reaction in the body after digestion. This means it's beneficial for treating acidity problems. >> This fruit is packed with the goodness of Vitamin C, which aids in maintaining elasticity and strengthening of the arteries. It also has pectin, a compound known to help in reducing the accumulation of arterial deposits. 
>> Eating grapefruit on a regular basis will help boost your immune system, thereby preventing contraction of cold, cough and flu. 
>> Diabetics can benefit a great deal form grapefruit — they help in lowering the blood sugar levels. 
>> You can reduce the symptoms of insomnia by eating a grapefruit before bedtime. 
>> Pregnant women can reduce 
    w at e r 
    re t e n - 
    t i o n in their bodies and swelling in the legs by consuming grapefruit. >> Grapefruits contain fat-burning enzymes that are highly beneficial in promoting weightloss. They do so by preventing sugars and starch from getting stored in the body. >> Get relief from a sore throat by drinking a glass of grapefruit juice. >> Also, to gain a boost of instant energy, drink a glass of freshly squeezed grape juice. 
DID YOU KNOW? Grapefruits are called Citrus Paradisi in Latin, meaning the citrus from paradise. In fact, the grapefruit diet is one of the most popluarweightloss diets. This diet basically involves drinking a minimum of three glasses of grapefruit juice daily. It helps prevent weightgain by burning calories. Hollywood's legendary beauty Sophia Loren is one of the first celebrities to endorse the grapefruit diet.

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Family dinners lead to better mentalhealth among teens

 Regular family dinners contribute to good mental health in adolescents, a new study has revealed. 

    Family meal times are a measurable signature of social exchanges in the home that benefit adolescents' well-being. 
    "Frequent family dinners related to fewer emotional and behavioural problems, greater emotional well-being, more trusting and helpful behaviours towards others and higher life satisfaction," researcher Frank Elgar said. 
    The study, conducted by researchers of Queen's University, examined the relation between frequency of family dinners and positive and negative aspects of mental health. 
    The researchers used a national sample of 26,069 adolescents aged between 11 and 15 years. They found the same positive effects of family meal time on the mental health of the young subjects, regardless of gender, age or family affluence. 
    "We were surprised to find such consistent effects on every outcome we studied," Elgar said. 
    "From having no dinners together to eating together seven nights a week, each additional dinner related to significantly better mental health," he added.
    Family mealtimes are opportunities for open family interactions which present teaching opportunities for parents. 
    ANI

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TOI’s free health check for women this weekend

Mumbai: The age of women falling prey to this lifestyle disease has been declining. On March 23 and 24, women can get themselves tested for cardio, orthopaedic and gynaecological problems. TOI is holding health camps where women can get free consultation and get their BP, BMI, ECG, bone densitometry, pap smear and breast examinations done. 

    Saturday's health camp will be held at Fortis Hospital in Mulund from 11am to 3pm. To register, SMS TOIMFW<space->OD<space>your name and send it to 58888. Sunday's camp will be held at Fortis Hiranandani, Vashi from 12 pm to 4pm. To register, SMS TOIMFW-<space>GY<space>your 
name and send it to 58888. TNN

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Stressed 24-yr-old suffers heart attack

Mumbai: When Anirudh Singh (24) woke up with an uneasy feeling on March 5, he had no idea that it could be something more serious than an oncoming bout of fever. Not only did the discomfort continue until the evening, the event management executive also began feeling breathless and had a severe pain in the chest. By the time his friends rushed him to a nearby nursing home, Anirudh was on the verge of collapse. Diagnosis by doctors revealed that he had suffered an acute heart attack. 

    Anirudh's lifestyle shifted gears about two years ago when he moved to Mumbai to make a career in event management. 
    During busy periods—usually more than three days a week—he would go without proper sleep, surviving only on cups of coffee and energy drinks. "I even skipped meals many a time while trying to achieve my goals. And since my job is very demanding, I would hardly get time for anything else. It was a case of running around continuously, until the day I felt the chest pain," the Santa Cruz resident said. 
    After the diagnosis, the doctors in the nursing home he was taken to administered a clot-bursting injection. However, it did not make much difference to Anirudh's condition. 
    The nursing home then referred him to SevenHills Hospital in Andheri. 
PRESCRIPTION FOR A HEALTHY HEART 
Get a good night's sleep Stay slim Quit smoking Drink adequate waterAvoid excessive consumption of sweetened drinks, alcohol Eat fruits and vegetables Take up stress-busting activities like a hobby or yoga Young person's heart at greater risk 
Mumbai: According to Dr Saurin Patel, cardiologist at SevenHills Hospital in Andheri, stress had taken a toll on 24-year-old Anirudh Singh and he was critical when he was brought to the hospital. "We realized that he was suffering from acute myocardial infarction. His blood pressure and oxygen levels were low. We admitted him in the ICU and gave him intra-venous medication. When his condition improved a little, we conducted an angiography on him, which revealed a 90% blockage in the main artery which supplies blood to the front wall of the heart," Dr Patel said. 
    The doctors then performed a procedure to remove his clot. " We then conducted an angioplasty and put a stent," Dr Patel added. A young person suffers a more dangerous attack than an older person and there is greater damage to the heart. In an old person, calcium settles on cholesterol and theheart gets used to the condition. In younger people, even if the vessel has little cholesterol, it bleeds. As a result, arteries expand and the heart suddenly suffers an attack. 
    Dr N O Bansal, head of cardiology at JJ Hospital, says sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure and arterial blockages are major factors leading to a cardiac arrest. "We have all been seeing incidence of heart diseases going up in younger people," he said. After spending more than a week in the hospital, Anirudh was discharged on Friday. The doctors have advised him to take it easy for a few days. "I will be taking rest for a few days. After the next check-up, I will come to know the activities I can start again," Anirudh said. 
    (The name of the patient has been changed to protect his identity) 
HEALTHY HEART | KEEP THE BEAT 
WARNING SIGNS 
Slight palpitations 
Small shoots of pain in the chest 
Difficulty in breathing while walking or performing other physically exerting tasks 
DOS & DON'TS 
Do not assume that chest pain is because of gas/ acidity 
Always get an ECG done 
Consult a cardiologist as general physicians may not always be able to recognize a cardiac arrest 
STAY HEALTHY Avoid Stress | Take some time off. Sleep adequately Eat Right | Eat 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day Get Active | Even 30 minutes of activity can help Kick The Butt | Risk will be halved in a year if you do not consume tobacco products 
Watch Your Weight | Weight loss equals lower blood pressure 
Limit your alcohol intake

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Making many night trips to loo? You’re losing work productivity

WHEN PEE SPELLS PROBLEM

London: Night-time trips to the loo can make you less productive at work, a new study has claimed. 

    Nocturia — where a person wakes up once or more in a night to urinate — leads to "notable work productivity loss", according to the study presented to the European Association of Urology congress in Milan. Nocturia reduced work productivity by 24% — greater than the productivity loss shown by people with asthma or lung disease, it was found. 
    The ability to carry out leisure activities in the day was also reduced, by 34%. The team of researchers examined 261 women and 385 men with the condition and questioned them about the effect of health problems on their ability to work and perform regular activities, The Telegraph reported. 
    "Nocturia is a common problem affecting around a third of adults, but its burden is underestimated and it is often dismissed as being less serious than other chronic conditions in terms of impact on quality of life and societal costs," Philip Van Kerrebroeck, professor of urology at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands, said. "These data show that nocturia negatively affects both sleep and daytime performance and its impact on work productivity is in line with many other chronic conditions. Patients with nocturia should seek specific treatment for this debilitating condition," Kerrebroeck said. PTI

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‘Meditation isn’t a self-help tactic’

Expert Susan Piver says the purpose of meditation is not to make people immune to pain, but to make them aware of their innermost feelings — good or bad. She tells Nona Walia how to face problems with strength and genuineness

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 

SUSAN PIVER is an authorised meditation instructor of the Shambhala Buddhist lineage. She's also the bestselling author of six books, including the award-winning, How Not to Be Afraid of Your Own Life and Wisdom of a Broken Heart. Piver holds workshops on meditation, relationships and creativity at the Harvard Medical School and has spoken on the power of meditation on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Today, and The Tyra Banks Show. Through her online community, Open Heart Project, comprising 8,000 members, Piver teaches meditation. "The benefits of meditation don't stop with improving health, relationships and creativity. If you practise it regularly, meditation can change your life completely.You begin to soften — first towards yourself, and then to others," she says. Excerpts from an interview: 
Tell us about Shamatha meditation 
Shamatha meditation is a basic breathing awareness practice. It is about the mindfulness of each breath we inhale and exhale. It's done like this: Sit comfortably but upright. Relax your body and mind. Let the eyes be open and the gaze cast down to a spot about six feet in front. Pay attention to your breathing. There's no problem if your attention strays into thought. Simply let that thought go and return your attention to breathing. There is no need to stop thinking or modulate your thoughts in any way. Let them be as they are, but when they absorb you, let go and concentrate fully on the breathing. 
What are your tips for choosing a meditation practice? 
It is important to choose a practice that is time-tested and rooted in ancient wisdom. No new-age nonsense. Look for a lineage that emphasises meditation and has yearsof wisdom to back their teachings. Here are some parameters: Choose a practice that is rooted in a lineage that is older than, say, 2,500 years; learn the technique from someone who has been trained to teach it. Teaching meditation is more than an explanation, it's transmission. Don't accept anything that's watered down or instant. There are many skilful and intelligent ways to present the practice of meditation in simple ways. Don't make stuff up. Make it very, very personal. Avoid practices that suggest that the point of meditation is transcendence or bliss. Look for a practice that appreciates happiness and lightness, but doesn't turn away from sadness or darkness. Look for something that emphasises compassion, love, tenderness and dedication to become fully human. 
Why should everyone meditate? 
Meditation improves your health. It improves relationships by making you more flexible and patient; and it also introduces you to your true nature, which is very important. 
Are there any wrong beliefs and practices in meditation? 
Meditation is not a self-help 
tactic, it is a spiritual 
practice. It will not make 
you immune to emotion 
and pain. It will help you meet them with strength and genuineness. And it is not as much about transcending the human body and soul as it is about inhabiting your body and mind fully, and becoming joyful with what is within you. 
What do you look for in a meditative practice? 
Tradition and openness. Rather than teaching you something, whoever you learn from should help you discover something new about yourself. 
You've written about how some people feel more vulnerable today than ever. What are the major concerns and why do they feel so vulnerable? 
Almost everyone is concerned about health, money, self-expression and relationships. I don't think people are more vulnerable today; but there is an inevitable association of the feeling of vulnerability with the feeling of weakness. People need to realise that it's totally all right to feel vulnerable. In fact, meditation too makes you vulnerable, and it's a good thing. It is through vulnerability that we feel, express, and connect with others. It's simply a matter of stabilising your emotions in a rough time. The problem arises when we try to hide strong emotions pretending everything is fine. 
How can an individual use the principles of meditation to make his or her relationship work? 
When it comes to relationships, it's of utmost importance to expand your horizons. You have to take into account your feelings as well as that of your partner's, and look into the environment in which your relationship exists. The five ways of making a relationship work are: generosity, discipline, patience, exertion and wisdom. For instance, instead of holding your partner to your ideals, let your guard down. Open up to your partner. Release your agenda over and over again. 
    This is an incredibly generous thing to 
    do. Discipline in a relationship is about 
    handling each problem with integrity and openness. Exertion is a way of opening to your own experience — and to your beloved's — with tenderness and 
    honesty. To experience everything is to live fully. In time, this practice gives rise to vitality, energy, and joy. 
One mantra in life that you live by… 
Open your heart to change the world.

"There is an inevitable association of the feeling of vulnerability with the feeling of weakness. People need to realise that it's totally alright to feel vulnerable. It is through vulnerability that we feel, express, and connect with others. The problem arises when we try to hide our emotions"

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DEEPIKA AND ROHIT BOND OVER DRINKING CHOCOLATE

 Generally, people are known to bond and chill over a round of beer, vodka etc. But Deepika Padukone and Rohit Shetty bond over drinking chocolate! The director is a fitness enthusiast and a teetotaler. So, whenever he sips on hot drinking chocolate, Deepika, who has become buddies with him, too joins him with her mug of the same beverage. That's saying cheers to health, Rohit and DP style.

Deepika Padukone

Rohit Shetty

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ANCIENT PROBLEM Heart diseases not a modern ill, mummies show

London: Like 4.6 crore Indians at present, ancient hunter-gatherers also suffered from clogged arteries, revealing that the plaque build-up causing blood clots, heart attacks and strokes is not just a result of fatty diets or couch potato habits. 

    Ground-breaking research announced on Monday in the British medical journal 'The Lancet' after studying 137 mummies from ancient Egypt, Peru, southwest America and the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, spanning 4,000 years of human history has revealed that atherosclerosis or hardening and narrowing of the a rteries – the disease that causes heart attacks and strokes – may have been much more common among ancient peoples than previously thought. 
    CT scans to look for the characteristic signs of atherosclerosis – vascular calcification or build-up of a hard calcified substance along the walls of arteries found that over a third (34%) of the mummies examined showed signs of probable or definite atherosclerosis. 
    Older people were more likely to show signs of the disease which was equally common in mummies identified as male or female. 
    Professor Randall Thompson, of Saint Luke's Heart Institute in Kansas City, said, "The fact that we found similar levels of atherosclerosis in all of the different cultures we studied, all of whom had very different lifestyles and diets, suggests that atherosclerosis may have been far more common in the ancient world than it is thought to be.

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‘A TIME BOMB IS TICKING’ Antibiotic resistance as bad as terror threat?

Unless Tackled, New Infectious Diseases Can Set Health System Back By 200 Yrs: UK Top Med Official

London: Resistance to antibiotics is all set to get listed alongside catastrophic terrorist attacks, severe gas-rich volcanic eruptions, coastal flooding and pandemic influenza in UK's National Risk of Civil Emergencies. 
    England's chief medical officer professor Dame Sally Davies has called antibiotic resistance a "ticking time bomb" with the world facing an "apocalyptic scenario" where 7% of all hospital admissions are taking place due to drug-resistant infections. 
    She has warned that the global health system could slip back by 200 years unless the catastrophic threat of antibiotic resistance is successfully tackled. 
    UK's Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (the Act) describes a civil emergency as "an event which threatens serious damage to human welfare – loss of human life." 
    Professor Davies says globally, in another 20 years, people will die more often following even a minor surgery. 
    "A simple cut to your finger could leave you fighting for your life. Cases of E Coli and Klebsiella bacteria have increased by two-thirds in recent years. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland 99,000 cases of bloodstream infections were reported in 2011-12. E Coli alone accounted for 36% of cases compared with just 1.6% due to MRSA. Around 5,000 patients a year die from such blood poisoning each year, half with an antibiotic-resistant organism," Davies said. 
    According to her, while a new infectious disease has been discovered nearly every year over the past 30 years, there have been no new antibiotics since 1987, leaving our armoury nearly empty as diseases become resistant to existing drugs. 
    Professor Davies said, "Antimicrobial resistance poses a catastrophic threat. If we don't act now, routine operations like hip replacements or organ transplants could be deadly because of the risk of infection. That's why governments across the world, including the World Health Organization and G8, need to take this seriously". 
    UK will also publish a fiveyear UK Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy shortly which will advocate the responsible use of antibiotics and strengthened surveillance. 
    Dame Sally urged the government to raise the issue during next month's G8 Summit in London. 
    Resistance to antibiotics is becoming a serious threat for India because of a popular habit to pop pills at will. 
    Even the WHO recently warned that the world is staring at a post-antibiotic era, when common infections will no longer have a cure.

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‘Coal pollution led to 1L early deaths’

Nagpur: When the government is going all out to fasttrack power generation, it might as well pause to think of its serious public health effects. A study has revealed pollution caused by coal-fired plants in the country has resulted in an estimated 80,000-1,15,000 premature deaths and more than 20 million asthma cases in 2011-12. It cost the public and the government an estimated Rs16,000-Rs23,000 crore.      The study 'Coal Kills: An assessment of death and disease caused by India's dirtiest energy source' was conducted by NGOs Conservation Action Trust (CAT), Mumbai, Urban Emissions, Delhi, and Greenpeace, Bangalore.      It also reveals that at least 10,000 kids (under 5 years) died during the last year with millions taking impact on respiratory system, chronic bronchitis, chest discomforts, asthma attacks etc.      Studies in the US and Europe have already established that emissions from coal-fired power were responsible for significant levels of illness and premature death. However, such data are hard to come by in India. The study was carried for the first time to address this deficiency, the NGOs who released the findings said.      Debi Goenka of CAT said Urban Emissions developed estimates ofhealth impacts using a well-established and extensively peer-reviewed methodology based on concentration-response functions established from epidemiological studies.      "The data in this study are derived from a database of coal-fired power plants compiled by Urban Emissions for the operational period of 2011-12 and takes into account a total of 111 coal-based plants representing a generation capacity of 121 gigawatts (GW)," Goenka said.      The largest impact of these emissions is felt over the states of Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, MP, Chhattisgarh, Indo-Gangetic Plain, and most of the Central-East India.

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City sees 600 blazes every month, has only 133 beds for burn victims

Mumbai: Three major fire incidents in a month that claimed seven lives and left more than 20 injured, have turned the spotlight on the dismal state of burns' care facilities in Mumbai. For a city that witnesses more than 600 fire incidents every month, both major and minor, there are just about 133 beds for the victims. 

    If not for the single-largest 50-bed private facility in Airoli, the number of beds would dip further to 85. Over the years, the bed count for burns' patients has remained critical with the private sector shying away from offering or even setting up any such facility. Experts said there is an urgent need for an equal number of beds to be added to the pool so as to boost the survival of patients who have sustained more than 50% burns. 
    Following the very recent LPG tanker explosion at Mankhurd, 15 patients with varying degrees of burns were rushed to the civic-run Sion Hospital. Only four patients with 100% burns could be accommodated at the isolated burns' unit ICU for want of vacant beds. Six other patients were given first-aid and covered in sterile sheets but admitted in a makeshift ward for mass casualty. They were later shifted to the dedicated burns ward after other patients gotdischarged. Dr Meena Kumar, the hospital's head of surgery, said there was a need for more beds as public hospitals are always packed to capacity. 
    The 15-bed burns' unit at Sion Hospital and 25-bed unit at Kasturba Hospital are almost always fully occupied, with the result that the patient load often spills over to the general wards. This could prove detrimental for a burns' patient, who needs a sterile environment more than anything else. 
    Dr Sunil Keswani, secretary of National Burns Centre in Airoli and a cosmetic surgeon, called the scarcity of burns' facilities a complex social problem. "Most burns' victims are from lower socio-economic strata, and therefore better burns' management has remained low priority for the state." Keswani further said that new policies are required to deal with the cost factor in burns treatment that can go up to Rs 7 lakh for over 60% burns. 
    Dr Madhuri Gore, who started the country's first skin back at Sion Hospital, said that a more structured approach must be adopted. 
    "There is a need to divide patients according to severity of burns and that way the patient load can be taken away from the tertiary care hospitals." Keswani cautioned that in the event of a mass burns incident, the city may drastically fall short of beds. 
BIG BLAZES IN RECENT PAST 
March 4, 2013 
Seven people were killed and nine injured after an LPG tanker crashed into safety pillars along the Sion-Panvel highway 
November 26, 2011 A fire broke out at Sara Sahara Market in Crawford Market, Yara Shopping Complex and spread to Manish Market, reducing over 500 shops to ashes 
June 21, 2012 Fire engulfed Mantralaya. Sensitive documents were destroyed and two died 
March 4, 2011 A major fire destroyed Garib Nagar, which adjoins Behrampada slum outside Bandra (East) railway station. Eleven people were injured as the inferno claimed 2,000 shanties

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Sion and Nair hospitals get new deans

Mumbai: Two leading public hospitals in the city got new deans on Friday. 

    Gasteroenterology surgeon Dr Avinash Supe, who headed the department in the BMC-run KEMHospitalin Parel, took charge as dean of the BMC-run Sion hospitalon Friday. Dr Ramesh Bharmal, who is at present associated with the Rajiv Gandhi Hospital in Kalwa, will soon be taking charge as dean of the BMCrun Nair Hospital. 
    Rajan Naringekar was appointed insecticide officer for the city while Dr Rajendra Nanavaretookcharge as medical superintendent of Sewri's TB hospital. TNN

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Sausages, bacon tied to early deaths? Processed Meats Raise The Risk Of Cancer And Heart Disease, Says Study

London: The bacon and sausage on your plate or those steaming hot pies are increasing your chances of premature death from cancer and heart disease. Processed meat is to blame for one in 30 early deaths, a large-scale study has now found. 

    The EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition) study involving 10 countries and 23 centres in Europe and almost half a million people has found that risk of premature death increased with the amount of processed meat eaten by a person. According to the study, even one sausage a day is bad for your health. 
    The researchers say that salting, curing and smoking of meat gives rise to carcinogens like nitrosamines, and these may be the cause of the increased cancer mortality. 
    Processed meat products are also high in cholesterol and saturated fats, which are linked with increased risk of heart and circulatory disease. 
    Professor Sabine Rohrmann from the University of Zurich, who led this analysis explained, "Risks of dying earlier from cancer and cardiovascular disease increased with the amount of processed meat eaten such as sausages,salami or ham. Overall, we estimate that 3% of premature deaths each year could be prevented if people ate less than 20g processed meat per day." 
    According to the study, those who eat more than 40g of processed meats daily or other types of meat, are at risk of premature death. 
    In general a diet rich in processed meat is linked to other unhealthy food choices. 
    Men and women who eat more processed meat, consume less of fruits and vegetables and are more likely to smoke. Men who ate a lot of meat also tended to have a high alcohol consumption. 
    Vegetarians on the other hand often lead a healthier lufe, they exercise more and also smoke less. 
    Last year, the World Cancer Research Fund, a 21-member elite panel analysed over 7,000 studies carried out in the last 40 years to access the actual links between lifestyle and cancer. The panel's report — Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer — made some crucial recommendations. The scientists confirmed that carrying extra weight, particularly around the waist, increased chances of cancer of the oesophagus, pancreas, colon, kidney and uterus, as well as postmenopausal breast cancer.

SAY NO TO LIVE LONGER

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Non-life insurers plan disaster fund In Talks With NDMA, Most Affected States To Provide Catastrophe Covers

Mumbai: Non-life insurers are working on a catastrophic fund to provide relief to victims of natural calamities such as cyclone, floods, earthquake and tsunami. Insurers are in talks with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and state governments to set up a fund that will take care of providing immediate relief to victims.      "At present, authorities clear the relief package after the disaster. A catastrophe insurance will ensure that, rather than wait for relief, the cover will provide predefined compensation to the victims," said G Srinivasan, chairman, New India Assurance. "I have recently met with the chief minister of Orissa state and put forward the proposal of a catastrophe cover."      He added that the cover would have a pool structure in which, besidesinsurance companies, the NDMA could also make its fund available.      "Insurance companies can provide a layer of support and get support fromreinsurers. The government can also chip in," said Srinivasan.      Insurers say that the cover could be either designed separately with state government or there could be a central pool for all states. In India, states like Orissa and Andhra on the East Coast and Gujarat on the West have been regularly affected by disasters. The Himalayan states have also been affected by earthquakes in the past.      According to Swiss Re, economic losses from natural catastrophes and man-made disasters may reach at least $140 billion in 2012. The worlddisaster claims are largely from the United States which dominates every year because of hurricanes on the East coast. Of the economic losses of $140 billion, over $65 billion is likely to be borne by reinsurers. This means that the cost of the claims is spread around companies across the world.      Although natural disasters in India rank among the highest in terms of human casualties, there is hardly any impact on the insurance industry because the worst affected are the poor with little assets and no insurance.      Most of the countries that are frequently subject to natural disasters, such as US on the Gulf coast and Japan, have their own insurance programmes to cover such disasters.  Immediate accident cover for AP highway victims on anvil  Mumbai: State-owned insurance companies, led by the GeneralInsurance Council (GIC), are finalizing an assistance programme to provide immediate relief to victims of highway accidents in Andhra Pradesh. "This is a pilot project and it is in the process of being finalized in AP," said G Srinivasan, chairman, New India Assurance. He added that the aim is to provide relief to accident victims by rushing them to hospitals and it was too early to draw conclusions whether it will be of great assistance to theinsurance industry.      The project is being implemented by GIC, the association of all non-life insurers, under the aegis of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority. The council is appointing a service provider which will have a team for highway assistance. According to Srinivasan, such a project could also help insurance companies in managing their third-party liability business which provides compensation to accident victims. "Once we have saved lives, we can collect information about the accident and settle claims immediately," said Srinivasan. TNN

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Health cover may become cheaper for women

Mumbai: Health insurance for women could get cheaper considering thatinsurance companies view them healthier than men. Statistics ofinsurance claims show that women are healthier than men but they end up paying the same price for health cover as Indian companies do not practice gender-based pricing. Besides, how much women will pay in future for health cover will depend on whether insurance companies cover maternity under mainstream policies.      "Most men with health insurance policies are professionals and end up with a more sedentary lifestyle and are, therefore, more prone to be afflicted by these kind of (lifestyle) diseases," said Sanjay Datta, head of claims and underwriting at ICICI Lombard General Insurance, the largest private sector health insurer. The company has done an analysis of its claims which shows that men's illnesses are strongly linked to lifestyle issues such as "stress, long work hours, smoking, drinking" and women's diseases are linked to neglect, weight gain and reproductive issues.      "As of now, we have not inculcated this in finer pricing. But it does have an impact in pricing of family policies," said Datta. According to Datta, most of ICICI Lombard's policies have started incorporating maternity benefits, which add to claims. "Although maternity is not an ailment, there is an element of certainty in it. Though it pushes up costs we cover it because customers find benefit in the product," said Datta. He said the decision to incorporate maternity was to encourage people to buy the cover. "Nobody wants to use a mediclaim policy but when someone holds apolicy for 10 years and there is no claim there is a feeling on the back of his mind that it is not utilized," he said.      "In general, women are better risks then men although there are some conditions peculiar to women in the 45-55 age band," said Segar Sampathkumar, general manager, New India Assurance, the largest insurer in India. Sampathkumar said maternity risks are still excluded but they are being increasingly covered under  group policies by employers. "In some group policies, which do not include coverage of employee's parents, maternity claims account for almost 60% of claims costs," he said.      According to Sampathkumar, there are downsides to covering maternity in health insurance policies. "If this cover is included in standard policies, the pricing will go up for all. Also since this is not an unforeseen event, it will be possible for people to plan and buy the cover," he said. Otherinsurance companies also say that their analysis shows that incidence of Caesarean deliveries is higher among the insured than in the general population.      According to ICICI Lombard's data, women accounted for only 44% of total claims. Claims for injuries are more for men at 11.5% in contrast to women at 6.8% of all claims. Similarly, in claims related to the circulatory system (including heart-related claims) the ratio is 9.3% of total claims for men and 5.2% in women. Women are more afflicted by genitourinary ailments with 13.4% claims under this segment as compared to 9.5% for males.      Overall, the highest number of claims for women is on account of treatment for different types of infections.  FEWER CLAIMS  •Women account for only 44% of total insurance claims  •Claims for injuries are higher for men at 11.5% in contrast to 6.8% for women  •Of claims related to the circulatory system, including heart-related diseases, men account for 9.3% and women 5.2%

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