Now, a wireless pacemaker sans surgery





Device Is Attached To Right Side Of Heart Using Catheter Inserted Through Leg

A tiny , wireless pacemaker could offer some heart patients a surgery-free alternative to the traditional devices, a new study says. Some doctors, however, say there are lingering safety questions and warned patients not to rush to get the new technology . Unlike traditional pacemakers -which need a generator and wires and are implanted via surgery -the new pacemaker is a wireless tiny tube that can be attached to the right side of the heart using a catheter inserted through the leg.
“This is another landmark in the development of pacemakers,“ said Dr Christopher Granger of the American Heart Association and added that doctors need time to learn how to use any new technology to avoid potential problems. In the new research, doctors in Australia, Canada and the US implanted the mini-pacemaker into more than 500 people. After six months, nearly 7% of patients reported side effects including the device poking holes in their heart. In comparison, about 10% of patients who get regular pacemakers suffer complications.
The study was published on Sunday in the New England Journal of Medicine and is being presented at a meeting of the European Society of Cardiology in London. The research was paid for by the pacemaker's manufacturer, St Jude Medical.
The miniature pacemaker is already approved in Europe and the new study will likely be submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration. A study of the device in Europe, however, was twice stopped last year and in May when a worrying number of complications were reported, including one case where the device got dislodged and stuck in the artery leading to the patient's lungs. A similar pacemaker made by Medtronic is also licensed in Europe.
While most pacemakers have wires connecting the device to the right and left sides of the heart, the new device sits in the right ventricle and doesn't coordinate the two sides. Experts estimated the tiny new pacemaker might work for up to 30%of patients.
Many doctors in Europe are still wary of the new device, which is at least double the price of a regular one. Dr Jose Ramon, president of the Spanish Society of Cardiology , said his hospital only implanted the new pacemaker in about a dozen patients last year, compared to approximately 500 patients who got a traditional device.
The tiny pacemaker also lacks some functions that are standard for normal devices, like tracking irregular heart rhythms. “It can't monitor patients remotely , so they have to go to the hospital for checks,“ said Dr Jagmeet Singh, a spokesman for the American College of Cardiology

Wake up to tooth sensitivity





Do you feel a twinge of discomfort when you crunch down a cube of ice or experience excruciating pain after having a sip of hot tea or coffee? If yes, you have sensitive teeth. Teeth become sensitive when a nerve is exposed. When a tooth cracks due to worn-off enamel or gums recede, the nerves are exposed, leading to extra-sensitive teeth. Here are a few ways to avoid aggravation:Watch what you drink and eat. Avoid eating acidic foods and beverages on a regular basis as they can cause your enamel to erode.Minimise intake of soda, wine, coffee, energy drinks and fruit juice. Consume tomatoes and citrus fruits in moderation. If you crave for something acidic, drink through a straw to minimise exposure, afterwards, rinse your mouth with water to neutralise the pH. Wait 30 minutes before brushing.
Calcium is the prime mineral for preventing tooth problems. Dairy products are a great source of calcium, along with veggies like broccoli, nuts and almonds.
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Harder brushes can contribute to receding gums, which expose dentin ­ the tissue that forms the core of each tooth. It can lead to pain.
Opt for a desensitising toothpaste instead of a normal one and a mouth rinse that contains stannous fluoride. Their special formula blocks the tubes in the teeth that are connected to nerves, reducing the pain.
Brush your teeth with the right technique.Brushing in a back-and-forth motion can cause receding gums. Instead, hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth and brush in a circular motion. Never apply too much pressure.
A sensitive tooth may be irritated if you brush with cold water. So swish with warm water. Hot water is a no-no.
Do not go for any whitening treatments as they contain abrasive ingredients that increase tooth sensitivity and cause pain, especially when used too often. Whiten up no more than once in six months.





Now, you don't need to opt for surgery to treat osteoarthritis





Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive painful disease of the joints, where the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones wears off and eventually , they come into contact. On weight-bearing joints like knee and hip, OA is usually seen in an advanced age, especially in people who are overweight or have deformity like bow legs or knock knee. In other joints, OA is seen where there has been some injury to the joint or surrounding tissues.Knee replacement surgery is no longer the only options available to people suffering from OA. SBF Healthcare and Research Center Pvt. Ltd in Bengaluru, founded by Wg.Cdr. (Dr) Vasishta (Retd.), is now a medical facility visited by people from over 33 countries to avail of its new non-invasive SPMF technology . It is said to be the only treatment for osteoarthritis that can regenerate cartilage and reverse the whole process of the disease. It claims to have no side effects and is a cheaper alternative to knee replacement, where both knees can be treated simultaneously . This therapy increases mobility , improves power and stability of the knee joints. The progress of the disease is halted and patients can go about their normal activity during treatment. Painless and safe, patients can undergo the treatment for three weeks. A computer-controlled device, AKTIS, administers sequentially programmed mag netic fields on the affected joint for an hour every day . It treats problems in the knee, lower back, hips and ankles areas. The health and research centre has received several international certificates and patents. “As pioneers in SPMF Therapy, we have plans to expand and are open for new investors,“ Dr Vasishta informs.
Where: SBF Healthcare & Research Centre Pvt Ltd, Lata Kunj, New Nagardas Road, Near Pinky Cinema and Andheri Station, Andheri East Call: +91 22 6452 3777 +91 22 2837 4854 E-mail: info@sbfhealthcare.com http:www.sbfhealthcare (*Procedures given are based on the expert's understanding of the said field)