Health, Mind, Beauty and Relations



Ever wondered why your body as a kid was more flexible and as you age, the flexibility diminishes?
Because of the neurological safeguards against injury , it becomes difficult to stretch most muscle groups to their fullest length with out training.Another reason is the activation of muscle ene mies as the muscle reaches the limit of its normal ROM (Range of Motion).
The answer lies in stretching. It helps in improving elasticity by activating specific muscles, depending upon the body part you stretch. Regular stretching sessions lead to increased muscle control, flexibility and range of motion. It is also helpful in reducing cramps. Categorically speaking, stretching can be divided into two broad types.

1. STATIC STRETCHING

It is a form of stretching where one holds the muscle in place for 10 seconds or longer. Think hamstring stretches or calf stretches. Research shows that holding the position for 30 to 60 seconds will increase flexibility in the tissue. Conversely , done prior to an activity , static stretching may inhibit the muscle's ability to fire.

2. DYNAMIC STRETCHING

Dynamic stretching works on a joint or muscle through a challenging motion by moving a body part further with each repetition. Thai boxers do hip rotations to reduce hip stiffness prior to the start, reducing the risk of overuse injury .Dynamic stretching is ideal prior to exercise to prepare the joints for movement and muscles for optimal activation.

WHAT TO DO AND WHEN?

Get the best results by working on dynamic stretching before the workout and static stretching after the workout.



Digestive problems are on the rise due to urban lifestyles and increasing work pres sures. Gas, acidity , bloating, constipation and indigestion are some common symptoms almost everyone suffers from and treats with overthe-counter medication. However, what we don't know is that indiscriminate use of such medicines can lead to severe nutritional side-effects such as vitamin B12 and D3 deficiencies apart from nutritional mismanagement. And acidity , if left undiagnosed and untreated properly , can lead to cancer at the junction of the food pipe and stomach.
In times like these, it is important to create awareness for both patients and doctors alike on timely and accurate diagnosis of such gastric problems.Hence, on May 29, which was World Digestive Day , World Gastroenterology Institute (WGI), western India's largest standalone digestive disease hospital, conducted an International Advanced Endoscopy Conference and a focused hands-on-training for gastroenterologists from across the globe. Under the guidance of top world gastro experts, the delegate doctors were sensitised to major breakthroughs in the field of Advanced Digestive Endoscopy . They were trained to diagnose and treat an array of digestive diseases such as cancers of the food pipe, stomach, colon, pancreas and biliary system.

A new endoscopic treatment called Stretta was launched at WGI for the first time in the whole of western India. Stretta treats a common reflux-relat ed disease called Gerd. This innovative technique tightens the junction of the food pipe and stomach, which prevents acid reflux and the need for prolonged medication. This procedure is useful in young patients, who have acid reflux problems as it saves them the inconvenience of taking long courses of medication. In turn, it also prevents medicinerelated side-effects.

Advancement in endoscopic procedures has ushered in an era of scar-free surgery for digestive problems. Due to the day-care nature of these procedures, a patient can return to work within a couple of days and it cuts down the human work hour loss to the patient as well as organisations.Endoscopy also allows treatment for patients suffering from jaundice, gall bladder stones, pancreatitis and related complications. These procedures are safe and painless and can also be done for children and infants.With advancement in technology and techniques, we can now avoid the need for surgery in a vast majority of patients suffering from digestive problems (including cancers of the digestive system).

WGI holds a record for resecting an esophageal tumour measuring 8cm x 2.5cm -the largest in the world to ever be resected without surgical intervention. Headed by the internationally renowned Dr Vipulroy Rathod, the centre is committed to deliver the most minimally invasive treatments for all your digestive problems.

Where: World Gastroenterology Institute, Andheri (W). Call: 022-61099888, 9820091763.

Toll Free: 1800 267 0141 http://www.wgi.ooo (*Procedures given are based on the expert's understanding of the said field)



The first teacher that any child has is their mother. She helps the kid learn from the moment heshe comes into this world. She is the best person to provide personalised learning. But unfortunately , because of the current education system, we compare what a mother teaches her child to what the child is taught in the school. Well, that is not the case for Rashi Bansal or any mother at Mindseed. Rashi's daughter Pihu studies in one of the Mindseed preschools. She collaborates with Pihu's teacher and together, they focus on the kid's learning.This has resulted in fast-paced learning for Pihu, so much so that she learnt how to read more than 50 words just at the age of two. Pihu's fast-paced learning can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of her mother and her teacher, which was enabled by the Mindseed Mobile App.
The academic team has put down a skill-based learning path. The teacher uses this path to do an activity in the class. She collects evidences of the children and marks Pihu on the learning level. This information is available for Rashi on a real-time basis. She also gets personalised strategies that help Pihu progress on the learning arc. She tries these activities at home and sees tremendous results. She promptly uploads a video of Pihu on the app, which immediately reflects in the classroom. Soon, the teacher also uploads videos and pictures of Pihu's new learning moments. These combined efforts helps Pihu in learning at a much faster pace. Rashi can also view Pihu's progress on the learner profile on a real-time basis.

And Rashi is not alone. This process has benefitted all the kids at the preschools. “Children here learn at a triple faster pace as compared to their peers. We think of parents as collaborators and partners in the development of their child,“ says Amrut Dhumal (Chief Learning Officer, Mindseed). With over 40 preschools in just four years, Mindseed has already impacted the lives of more than 3,000 learners across seven cities and two states.The chain aims to grow to 200 preschools by 2020 and usher in a `learning' revolution.

mindseed.in




For most of us, a good beginning to the day would mean a satis factory visit to the toilet.According to a survey , 14 per cent of ` people in urban India suffer from constipation. However, definition of constipation is quite subjective as bowel habits vary from person to person. While a daily evacuation could be a necessity for one, another could empty on alternate days, and both the individuals are equally healthy . Thus, before clicking the panic button, it is important to understand how the bowel normally functions and what actually constitutes constipation.
The bowel or intestine is a tube-like organ that extends from the stomach to the anus. It is divided into two parts. The upper part called `small intestine' begins from the stomach and along with it, is responsible for digestion of food. It is also here that absorption of nutrients takes place; whatever remains is passed further into the `large intestine' as liquid faeces. The large intestine aka colon absorbs water back into the body causing the faeces to become more solid. When these faeces reach the rectum (the lowest part of the colon), one feels the urge to pass motion.

An unhealthy bowel is a doorway to constipation that can cause piles, fissure, prolapse and a diminished sense of well-being. At Healing Hands Clinic (HHC), a proctology centre that specialises in diseases of the rectum and anal canal, constipation is tackled with a multi-pronged approach. For those with an occasional bout or looking for a detox, there is Colon Hydrotherapy , which is a drug-free, safe and effective way to cleanse the colon. If constipation is chronic (lasting more than three months), a holistic treatment MCDPA provides excellent results. “MCDPA is an amalgamation of modern science and Ayurveda and includes herbal laxatives, Biofeedback and Ayurvedic oil therapy, June onwards, we are opening a world class clinic at Kemps Corner,“ says Dr Nehal Patel (Proctologist, HHC Navi Mumbai).

Obstructed Defecation Syndrome (ODS), a type of chronic constipation more common in women, cannot be corrected with any amount of medicines as it is a structural problem of the rectum and needs surgical correction. Recently proctologist and surgeon Dr Ashwin Porwal (MBBS, D.N.B.(Surgery), Dip. in Proctology (Italy), Dip. in Laparoscopy (EITSIRCAD, France), also the Founder of HHC, published his research paper on chronic constipation titled `STARR Surgery: Highest case series of 500 patients at India's largest proctology clinic'.

Where: Healing Hands Clinic, 5, Gahlot Majesty, Opposite NRI Colony, Palm Beach Road, Navi Mumbai.

Call SMS: 8693850004.

http://www.healinghandsclinic.co.in (*Procedures given are based on the expert's understanding of the said field)



Thanks to a variety of teas available in the market, you'll be spoilt for choice
Multiple brands have come up with numerous tea variants ranging from green tea to organic, black, herbal and fruit-based infusions. While we all drink tea as a stress buster, there are many other hidden benefits that different types of tea offer when consumed regularly. Here are some of the benefits you can reap from commonly used tea variants:

GREEN TEA

Being a storehouse of many antioxidant compounds, it's easy to assume that green tea is one of the healthiest beverages that you can consume.According to traditional Chinese medicine, drinking green tea helps relieve bodyache, aids digestion, impacts the process of detoxification and, generally, enhances the quality of life. The aqueous extract of green tea polyphenols contains antimutagenic, antidiabetic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and hypocholesterolemic properties.

OOLONG TEA

Oolong tea promotes fat metabolism (pushing the body to burn fat for energy), and blocks the absorption of excess fat and cholesterol. Regular consumption can boost weight loss.Blood sugar and insulin are also said to regulated during consumption.This prevents dangerous spikes and dips in blood sugar that spells disaster for type-2 diabetes patients. With regular medicines, it can balance blood sugar levels. One study says that it lowers stress levels due to the presence of natural polyphenols.

BLACK TEA

Black tea is rarely mentioned in the context of tea's health benefits but it is rich in antioxidants, improves oral health, boosts weight loss and even lowers stress levels, according to some studies. Also, since it is an oxidised tea, it is known to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties that help control levels of bad cholesterol in the body , improve bone density , mitigate cardiovascular ailments and promote overall wellness.


Data Being Collected On War Footing
After cardiac stents, around 14 more medical devices that are rampantly sold at inflated rates in hospitals, could see a price regulation in the coming months.The list includes orthopedic implants, intraocular lenses and artificial heart valves to consumables such as syringes, needles and catheters.

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has begun scrutiny of such devices, even asking makers to log in every detail about their manufacture and cost.NPPA chairman Bhupendra Singh told TOI, “We are collecting data on these devices on a war-footing. It will give us a fair idea about the volume of consumption, cost of manufacturing and price at which they are supplied to a patient.Exorbitant pricing in the health system will be dealt with strongly .“

In terms of steep retail markups, orthopedic implants probably come closest to cardiac stents. The imported hip and knee implants easily see profit margins in the range of 500-1,000%, industry insiders said. Indian implants too are sold at margins of 200500%, though surgeons often prefer imported types. The cost of intraocular lenses also varies widely depending on the hospital and the operating surgeon. Consumables, on the other hand, are not just sold at arbitrary MRPs, but also billed in bulk to make money .

Currently , 14 devices are classified as `drugs' under Section 3 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, but none feature in the list of essential medicines.Cardiac stents therefore had to be included in the National List of Essential Medicines (NELM) before their prices could be capped. If a drug is not in the NELM, the NPPA can merely ensure that their MRP is not increased by more than 10% annually .

“It is therefore important for us to see the extent of profiteering in other devices and seek the union health ministry's help to add them to the list of essential medicines before their prices can be capped. In our online platform IPDMS (Integrated Pharmaceutical Database Management System), a tab has been created for information on medical devices and not just stents,“ said Singh.

Singh said the NPPA is undeterred by the medical industry's hue and cry that innovation and research will be throttled by price regulation.“We did an elaborate study before cracking the whip on stents. When an original ma nufacturer sells a product, the cost of innovation, packaging and everything else is built into it. The importer spends nothing on R&D or packaging.Their money is only spent on marketing, paying commissions and distorting the system. With price-capping, affordability will increase,“ Singh said.

A senior cardiologist recently alleged that the NPPA's move was meant to facilitate two Indian stent-makers.Singh said, “Indian stent players were making equal profits as their counterparts who were importing them. Our price calculation was objective and based on research.“

 Avg stent costs little over Rs 16,000 on import

Angioplasties Resume With Old Models
Manufacturers and distributors have withdrawn the latest generation of cardiac stents from most city hospitals in the name of re-labelling, forcing patients to settle for dated versions. In centres where the stents have not been physically removed, there are verbal orders not to offer the “highend“ varieties to patients.

This is despite the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) issuing clear orders that manufacturers, importers and retailers are required to implement the price cap without trying to create any artificial shortage. NPPA had capp ed prices of bare metal stents at Rs 7,260 and that of drug-eluting and bioresorbable stents at Rs 29,600 on Monday . Ithas now written to all chief secretaries to ensure compliance. Cardiologists told TOI on Thursday that the bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS)--the most recent version that dissolves into the body after healing the diseased artery--is now practically unavailable after prices were capped. “The companies have taken it away for pasting new rates, our fear is they will not return any time soon,“ said a senior cardiologist from Bombay Hospital, Marine Lines. The latest version of the drug eluting stents (DES) has also been whisked away from centres. Both categories of stents used to be sold for more than Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh before their price was fixed at Rs 29,600.

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority said it is “puzzling“ that none of the 52 imported brands of DES are superior to each other, as per global clinical norms, to justify their wide price variation. It added that the average landed cost of a DES imported by nine companies was only Rs 16,918.

Cardiac surgeon Dr Pavan Kumar said many centres had to postpone angioplasties on Wednesday due to confusion at the stentmakers' and suppliers' end. On average, over 12,000 angioplasties are carried out in Mumbai Metropolitan Region every year.

On Thursday , heart procedures resumed in most hospitals albeit with the older version of stents that had disappeared from catheterisation labs for a while now. “The technology available to patients now is the first and second generation of DES that arrived more than two years ago. It is not that they are ineffective but the newer generation offered certain ease in placing them,“ said interventional cardiologist Dr Dev Pahlanji, who consults at Breach Candy Hospital.

Pahlanji explained the first generation DES were polymerbased, which were found to be slightly toxic. The next generation took care of toxicity repla cing polymer with cobalt and chromium as well as altering the type of catheter required to deliver the device in the artery.“But it can be determined only over time if the treatment outcomes will differ,“ he said. Cardiologist Dr Anand Rao said newer generations have some technical superiority in terms of deployment, make and compatibility with body tissues.“But there is no solid data to compare outcomes between different generations,“ he said.

A spokesperson from Medtronic, a leading stent player said, “We have not taken any decision on withdrawal of any product. As per the requirement, we have initiated relabeling of all products.“



If the stents do not come back to the hospitals in time after the so-called relabelling, the health ministry must step in and ensure that any attempt to create an artificial shortage of these medical devices is thwarted. Any shortage will negatively affect healthcare and make patients suffer for no fault of theirs