As many as 60 leading, practising interventional cardiologists from all over the country recently gathered at Mumbai’s Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre to get acquainted with a newer technique and hardware developed by the Japanese medical fraternity to ease even 100 per cent blockage of coronary artery.
The latest in the treatment of chronic heart ailment amongst all the interventional cardiology procedures, it is called "chronic total occlusion," and it is the most demanding and challenging one. A live demonstration of three different operations was conducted by Dr Toshiya Muramatsu who is the chief director of cardiovascular division, Saiseikai Yokohama City Eastern Hospital, Yokohama, Japan and Dr A.B. Mehta, director of cardiovascular division at Jaslok Hospital, played the role of moderator.
The rare kind of live demo workship was conducted on the 17th floor of the hospital, and the attending cardiologists listened to Dr Mehta speak on a screen on the third floor. Dr Mehta, who has already literally touched hearts of most of the leading corporate leaders, politicians and film personalities in the country including J.R.D.Tata, Morarji Desai and Lata Mangeshkar, just to mention a few, said, "We, at Jaslok, have already achieved a higher rate of success and intend to transfer this technology to a wider section of the cardiology community by holding this workshop for cardiologists.
Chronic Total Occlusion
Chronic total occlusion (CTO) is defined as an artery that has been completely occluded for greater than 30 days. Chronically occluded coronary arteries account for approximately 20 to 30 per cent of the documented coronary disease encountered in coronary catheterisation labs today. In simple words, CTO is a condition of complete obstructions or blockages of an artery that can lead to worsening conditions.
Blink to avoid vision problem
(By Dr Himanshu Mehta)
Just when the world is witnessing scientific breakthroughs and technological advancements, computers have become an extension of our hands, eyes, ears and even mind. People working long hours on computers undergo eye fatigue, eye strain, redness, watering of eyes, blurring of vision and an occasional headache. All these symptoms lead to what we call computer vision syndrome or CVS.
SOME EYE-CATCHING FACTS
A lot of parents enquire with us whether TV or computers are harmful for the eyes. The answer is a firm no. But as too much of anything is good for nothing, when we work for long hours on computers, we tend to blink less and go close to the monitor. Effectively what happens is that long hours of work fatigue the eye muscles, especially if one is not wearing the right type of glasses required for correction, and it might give you a headache.
Hence while working on computers, one should wear the correct glasses, sit at a comfortable distance, blink consciously a few times more, look outside the window, look at the horizon. Take a few frequent short breaks from the screen and take a quick walk around the office which will help the back muscles and avoid spondylitic pain.
EYE CARE FOR BOLLYWOOD
In this glamorous field there were many movies with eyes being central to the subject. But there is little knowledge on the safety and hygience of eyes.
Here are some good tips for the industry:
* Do not put drops in your eyes, just because it is freely available. It may not be meant for you.
* Do not put drops with contact lenses on.
* Wash off the glycerine from your eyes with clean water.
* Do not use semi-soft lens solution with soft lenses because you ran out of solution or that was the only one available.
* Do not use and abuse steroid eye drops like Pyrimon.
* Working on the sets with halogen light will not spoil your eyes, but do not stare at it.
* It is normal for 70 per cent of individuals to have a glass number and there is no magical cure for removing numbers.
* Lasik laser is safe but not everyone is a good candidate.
* Every diabetic should have his eyes examined regularly.
Just when the world is witnessing scientific breakthroughs and technological advancements, computers have become an extension of our hands, eyes, ears and even mind. People working long hours on computers undergo eye fatigue, eye strain, redness, watering of eyes, blurring of vision and an occasional headache. All these symptoms lead to what we call computer vision syndrome or CVS.
SOME EYE-CATCHING FACTS
A lot of parents enquire with us whether TV or computers are harmful for the eyes. The answer is a firm no. But as too much of anything is good for nothing, when we work for long hours on computers, we tend to blink less and go close to the monitor. Effectively what happens is that long hours of work fatigue the eye muscles, especially if one is not wearing the right type of glasses required for correction, and it might give you a headache.
Hence while working on computers, one should wear the correct glasses, sit at a comfortable distance, blink consciously a few times more, look outside the window, look at the horizon. Take a few frequent short breaks from the screen and take a quick walk around the office which will help the back muscles and avoid spondylitic pain.
EYE CARE FOR BOLLYWOOD
In this glamorous field there were many movies with eyes being central to the subject. But there is little knowledge on the safety and hygience of eyes.
Here are some good tips for the industry:
* Do not put drops in your eyes, just because it is freely available. It may not be meant for you.
* Do not put drops with contact lenses on.
* Wash off the glycerine from your eyes with clean water.
* Do not use semi-soft lens solution with soft lenses because you ran out of solution or that was the only one available.
* Do not use and abuse steroid eye drops like Pyrimon.
* Working on the sets with halogen light will not spoil your eyes, but do not stare at it.
* It is normal for 70 per cent of individuals to have a glass number and there is no magical cure for removing numbers.
* Lasik laser is safe but not everyone is a good candidate.
* Every diabetic should have his eyes examined regularly.
Ginger up your life with Maha-aushadhi
(By Dr Anjali Mukherjee)
Some people who were highly prone to motion sickness were put on a spinning chair. Twenty minutes before the test they were given some capsules which contained one of the three ginger powders, empty capsule (placebo) or Dramamine (a drug that controls motion sickness). The results were amazing. Those who look a placebo or Dramamine became extremely nauseated. Half of those who took ginger root powder managed to survive the rotating test without much discomfort proving that ginger prevents motion sickness.
Ginger has several medicinal qualities apart from being an anti-nausea dry. It helps relieve pain, reduces blood pressure, stimulates, prevents vomiting, blocks cancer, cleans mucous, aids digestion, lowers cholesterol, and like asprin has anticlotting and blood thinning properties.
Ginger has been used both as spice and medicine. In India ginger is called maha-aushadhi, meaning the great medicine. It has been used for thousands of years in China to treat numerous health conditions. It is mainly used to eliminate gas problems and it relaxes and soothes the intestinal track. It aids in digestion and elimination. Ginger juice is also known to improve liver functions. Africans drink a ginger preparation as an aphrodisiac.
MEDICINAL USES OF GINGER
It is a regular home remedy for coughs and colds. Ginger juice mixed with honey helps as a remedy for coughs and colds.
For painful and irregular periods try taking ginger tea thrice a day after meals.
To avoid or eliminate gas, indigestion and burping take one teaspoon of freshly squeezed ginger juice in one glass of water along with one teaspoon of honey and juice of half a lime. This helps to avoid bloating and gas and flatulence. You could repeat this after every meal to aid digestion. Ginger juice can help reduce any type of pain. Even arthritic patients greatly benefit by regular intake of ginger juice in water, which help reduce their joint pains.
Some people who were highly prone to motion sickness were put on a spinning chair. Twenty minutes before the test they were given some capsules which contained one of the three ginger powders, empty capsule (placebo) or Dramamine (a drug that controls motion sickness). The results were amazing. Those who look a placebo or Dramamine became extremely nauseated. Half of those who took ginger root powder managed to survive the rotating test without much discomfort proving that ginger prevents motion sickness.
Ginger has several medicinal qualities apart from being an anti-nausea dry. It helps relieve pain, reduces blood pressure, stimulates, prevents vomiting, blocks cancer, cleans mucous, aids digestion, lowers cholesterol, and like asprin has anticlotting and blood thinning properties.
Ginger has been used both as spice and medicine. In India ginger is called maha-aushadhi, meaning the great medicine. It has been used for thousands of years in China to treat numerous health conditions. It is mainly used to eliminate gas problems and it relaxes and soothes the intestinal track. It aids in digestion and elimination. Ginger juice is also known to improve liver functions. Africans drink a ginger preparation as an aphrodisiac.
MEDICINAL USES OF GINGER
It is a regular home remedy for coughs and colds. Ginger juice mixed with honey helps as a remedy for coughs and colds.
For painful and irregular periods try taking ginger tea thrice a day after meals.
To avoid or eliminate gas, indigestion and burping take one teaspoon of freshly squeezed ginger juice in one glass of water along with one teaspoon of honey and juice of half a lime. This helps to avoid bloating and gas and flatulence. You could repeat this after every meal to aid digestion. Ginger juice can help reduce any type of pain. Even arthritic patients greatly benefit by regular intake of ginger juice in water, which help reduce their joint pains.
To curb gas, take less carbohydrates
Do you know what ingredient in your diet keeps you going all day long? Well it is carbohydrate, which is an excellent source of readymade energy for all cells of our body (one gram of carb gives 4 k/cal of energy). But an overdose of carbohydrate in the diet can cause indigestion, which leads to gas problems. However, it must be remembered that functioning of digestive enzymes in the body depends upon one’s genetic constitution, age, climate, lifestyle and food habits.
Elaborating on the effect of excess carbohydrates in one’s diet, consultant dietician Sampa Chakrabarty says, "Since excess carbohydrates are not digested completely, it results in the production of methane gas, which causes flatulence. Digestive problem arises from this incomplete combustion of carbohydrates. Since the body can take maximum ingestion of 50 grams of sugar at a time, the excess carbohydrate may produce fatty acid that causes obesity." "Also certain types of carbohydrates containing cellulose, lignin, polysaccharides and stachyose and scorodose can’t be digested easily. They get fermented and produce colon gas," adds another dietician Sumona Basak.
Dieticians and nutritionists list the dos and don’ts of diet to control gas problem: These include avoiding over-fried or greasy meals, maida, excess of whole grains, starchy and fast food, alcohol and coffee and carbonated beverages. It’s advisable to avoid excessively chilled water after meal as it lowers our body temperature and creates indigestion or gas problem. There should be a minimum interval of 4-5 hours between large meals to aid the digestion process. Drink water at least half an hour before or after the meal. Soups and salad can precede while green tea, sour curd, skimmed milk can follow a meal to help digestion.
Nutritionist Dr B. Shivaji points out that the symptoms of gas problems could include nausea, vomiting, headache, vertigo, heartburn, temporary loss of eye-sight, abdominal colic, constipation or dysentery. Antacid tablets can bring temporary relief to gas patients but ultimately leads to peptic ulcer by causing bleeding in the stomach wall. So, "nothing can be better than the natural antacid like honey water," says Dr Shivaji and adds that a balanced diet and drinking 3-4 litres of water daily can keep gas problems at bay.
Pump up the power with Tai chi moves
(By Ranga Rao)
A survey among the practitioners of tai chi and non-practitioners between the age group 50 and 89 showed that among tai chi students, the cardiovascular level was much better, breathing was deeper and more efficient. The strength of the bones and use of joints was remarkably superior and metabolism in general was better. Among various types of tai chi exercises, Yijinjing is a wonderful therapeutic exercise for orthopedic patients during convalescence, where Yi means strengthening tendons. Jing means method or essence. This exercise is designed to strengthen flaccid and frail muscles and tendons and joints as it brings into play the legs, hip and spine and also stimulate the respiratory and circulating functions.
Method
Stand with both feet together. Move the left foot to left side and bend both legs to a double shoulder width. Sit in a half squat in "Horse Riding Stance," arms crossed at chest level. Extend right arm outside. Extend left arm to the left with index finger pointing upward and other fingers half clenched. Turn your head and look at left arm while simultaneously making a fist with the right hand, extend it to right shoulder level with the arm bent as if you were drawing a bow. While pulling right hand to right shoulder breathe in and breathe out when the hand goes back to the starting position. Repeat this 8 to 12 times on both sides.
A survey among the practitioners of tai chi and non-practitioners between the age group 50 and 89 showed that among tai chi students, the cardiovascular level was much better, breathing was deeper and more efficient. The strength of the bones and use of joints was remarkably superior and metabolism in general was better. Among various types of tai chi exercises, Yijinjing is a wonderful therapeutic exercise for orthopedic patients during convalescence, where Yi means strengthening tendons. Jing means method or essence. This exercise is designed to strengthen flaccid and frail muscles and tendons and joints as it brings into play the legs, hip and spine and also stimulate the respiratory and circulating functions.
Method
Stand with both feet together. Move the left foot to left side and bend both legs to a double shoulder width. Sit in a half squat in "Horse Riding Stance," arms crossed at chest level. Extend right arm outside. Extend left arm to the left with index finger pointing upward and other fingers half clenched. Turn your head and look at left arm while simultaneously making a fist with the right hand, extend it to right shoulder level with the arm bent as if you were drawing a bow. While pulling right hand to right shoulder breathe in and breathe out when the hand goes back to the starting position. Repeat this 8 to 12 times on both sides.
Kick up your heels
If you are ready to kick up your heels for really sexy, shapely legs, try the decline single-leg cable curl. The cable’s movement is regulated by your leg. You’re forced to balance and control the movement.
Set the cable machine to a low setting. Then, position a decline bench far enough away from the low cable pulley on the weight stack so that the plates do not make contact at the bottom of the movement when you perform the exercise. Attach an ankle strap to the low cable and wrap it securely around your left ankle. Lie prone on the decline bench with your left leg extended. Place your right foot on the floor with your knee slightly bent.
Contract your hamstring and curl your leg up toward your glutes while keeping your thigh in contact with the bench. Further squeeze and pause at the top of the movement. Then, slowly control your leg back down to the starting position. Maintain a slight bend in your leg at the bottom of the rep and go immediately into the next repetition. Finish 12 to 16 reps with your left leg and then switch to your right.
Set the cable machine to a low setting. Then, position a decline bench far enough away from the low cable pulley on the weight stack so that the plates do not make contact at the bottom of the movement when you perform the exercise. Attach an ankle strap to the low cable and wrap it securely around your left ankle. Lie prone on the decline bench with your left leg extended. Place your right foot on the floor with your knee slightly bent.
Contract your hamstring and curl your leg up toward your glutes while keeping your thigh in contact with the bench. Further squeeze and pause at the top of the movement. Then, slowly control your leg back down to the starting position. Maintain a slight bend in your leg at the bottom of the rep and go immediately into the next repetition. Finish 12 to 16 reps with your left leg and then switch to your right.
Water is best, so bottoms up
(By S.M. Murthy)
Water is not only used for the external cleansing of the body but also as medicine for various diseases as it helps in washing out toxins and micro-organisms.
As water enters our system, the movement of the vital fluids, the blood and lymph gets accelerated, the heart movement becomes more energetic and the function of the glands, kidneys, lungs, skin along with secretions from sweat and urine glands get activated.
Thus the body gets rid of different water-soluble toxins such as urates, sodium salts, oxalates and other nitrogenous wastes. Moreover, with increased moisture under its surface, the skin becomes soft and looks bright. Increased movement of blood through the lungs enables greater absorption of oxygen.
Depending upon seasonal variations and food habits, a person needs minimum 2-3 litres of water a day, which should be taken at equal intervals.
In diseased conditions, this requirement rises to detoxify the system. The soda water gets absorbed faster than normal water and relieves exhaustion caused due to excessive perspiration during summer. A glass of soda water mixed with lemon juice, sugar and a pinch of salt is really a refreshing drink.
Water is not only used for the external cleansing of the body but also as medicine for various diseases as it helps in washing out toxins and micro-organisms.
As water enters our system, the movement of the vital fluids, the blood and lymph gets accelerated, the heart movement becomes more energetic and the function of the glands, kidneys, lungs, skin along with secretions from sweat and urine glands get activated.
Thus the body gets rid of different water-soluble toxins such as urates, sodium salts, oxalates and other nitrogenous wastes. Moreover, with increased moisture under its surface, the skin becomes soft and looks bright. Increased movement of blood through the lungs enables greater absorption of oxygen.
Depending upon seasonal variations and food habits, a person needs minimum 2-3 litres of water a day, which should be taken at equal intervals.
In diseased conditions, this requirement rises to detoxify the system. The soda water gets absorbed faster than normal water and relieves exhaustion caused due to excessive perspiration during summer. A glass of soda water mixed with lemon juice, sugar and a pinch of salt is really a refreshing drink.
Hair flair: Black is back
Lindsay Lohan did it and so did Jessica Simpson. We are talking about the sudden obsession with jet black locks. In fact, our own Amrita Arora too went all black after sporting a blonde look for years. So, black clearly seems to be the flavour of the season. That said, one must add that just because we are born with darker hair, it doesn’t mean that we can carry off a jet black look with ease. If you want to join the black bandwagon, here are some tips.* Go slow. Especially if you have been dyeing your hair a lighter shade for a long time now. sudden transformation has a shocking effect which can be avoided if you opt for a gradual change.
* if you are of a darker complexion, avoid the jet black look. It will only make you look darker and your skin will look sallow. Jet black hair looks best on very fair skin.
* For those who have a wheatish complexion, dark hair colours with a natural base (black) and highlights like walnut, honey or copper work wonders.
* Just because black is closest to the natural colour of our hair, it doesn’t mean you can treat your dyed hair as natural hair. Even though the colour doesn’t stand out, you still have to take care of your locks with sunscreen shampoos and conditioners for coloured hair.
q Again, just because black doesn’t give an immediate impression of coloured hair, many like to do it at home. But you must remember that the black hair dyes that you buy off the shelves leave metallic colour residue on your hair. Opt for professional hair colour mixes.
(By Javed habib)
Let night cream work magic while you sleep
Beauty sleep has a whole new definition these days with a lineup of lotions and potions specially designed to work wonders while you snooze. It’s a category of skin-care products that’s growing as women opt for even more ways to repair and rejuvenate stressed skin.
"The reasoning for a nighttime product is that they go on clean skin without interference from make-up, daily grime or perspiration, so the active ingredients are working better," explains Dr Richard G. Glogau, a clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California-San Francisco and an expert in cosmetic dermatology.
Without the environmental distractions and with your cells’ natural ability to renew during the night, the right treatment can help make your complexion look fresher and brighter, he adds. But the proliferation of night creams means you have to do your homework to choose what’s best for you. Examine your skin and figure out what type of overnight product might be best for your skin type. Is it plagued by acne? Then perhaps a lotion with glycolic acid will be best. Do you need to correct hyper-pigmentation — brown spots — from too much sun? Look for a cream that contains hydroquinone, which corrects uneven skin color and blotches.
Skin experts recommend that we educate ourself on our skin’s needs first, then read ingredient lists carefully to make sure the cream contains the right formula.
"The reasoning for a nighttime product is that they go on clean skin without interference from make-up, daily grime or perspiration, so the active ingredients are working better," explains Dr Richard G. Glogau, a clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California-San Francisco and an expert in cosmetic dermatology.
Without the environmental distractions and with your cells’ natural ability to renew during the night, the right treatment can help make your complexion look fresher and brighter, he adds. But the proliferation of night creams means you have to do your homework to choose what’s best for you. Examine your skin and figure out what type of overnight product might be best for your skin type. Is it plagued by acne? Then perhaps a lotion with glycolic acid will be best. Do you need to correct hyper-pigmentation — brown spots — from too much sun? Look for a cream that contains hydroquinone, which corrects uneven skin color and blotches.
Skin experts recommend that we educate ourself on our skin’s needs first, then read ingredient lists carefully to make sure the cream contains the right formula.
Beauty routine
By Hansika Motwani
‘Homemade is best for me’
I follow a simple diet that consists of simple home cooked foods containing lots of green leafy vegetables. I also clean my skin regularly. I also drink a lot of water and fresh juices to clear my body of toxins and do not use make-up when not shooting. I completely believe in homemade packs and use a gram flour, milk and turmeric pack for my face.
‘Homemade is best for me’
I follow a simple diet that consists of simple home cooked foods containing lots of green leafy vegetables. I also clean my skin regularly. I also drink a lot of water and fresh juices to clear my body of toxins and do not use make-up when not shooting. I completely believe in homemade packs and use a gram flour, milk and turmeric pack for my face.
Keep eyes bright with gentle care
(By Vikram Kumar)
The eye area, being the most sensitive area of the face, needs to be taken care of carefully. A basic moisturiser will work well as a hydrator for the eye area, but if you want to do a little more (in order to cure dark circles, crow’s feet and reduce puffiness), you’ll have better results with a moisturiser made specifically for the eyes. To avoid irritation, use eye creams which tend to have lower levels of active ingredients. They also contain substances not found in face creams — caffeine to reduce puffiness, vitamin K to minimise dark circles, plus light diffusers and silicone derivatives to plump up crow's feet. Always use eye moisturisers for the skin in the eye area. The writer is a cosmetic consultant
The eye area, being the most sensitive area of the face, needs to be taken care of carefully. A basic moisturiser will work well as a hydrator for the eye area, but if you want to do a little more (in order to cure dark circles, crow’s feet and reduce puffiness), you’ll have better results with a moisturiser made specifically for the eyes. To avoid irritation, use eye creams which tend to have lower levels of active ingredients. They also contain substances not found in face creams — caffeine to reduce puffiness, vitamin K to minimise dark circles, plus light diffusers and silicone derivatives to plump up crow's feet. Always use eye moisturisers for the skin in the eye area. The writer is a cosmetic consultant
Basic steps to keep your breath fresh
(By Dr Venkateshwar Rao)
Bad breath is a sign of improper hygiene. No matter what how you dress or look, bad breath can tarnish your image. There are a number of causes, the most obvious being bad dental hygiene. Brush your teeth regularly. Bits of pieces of food get lodged between your teeth and begins to decompose, causing a bad odour. Brush your teeth carefully twice a day, but there are some other measures you can take to fight bad breath.
Brushing your tongue is probably the single most effective thing you can do. In studies, it has been proved that brushing the tongue alone is a better guard against bad breath than brushing only the teeth. Brushing both teeth and tongue can help reduce bad breath due to poor dental hygiene almost entirely. One need not scrub the tongue. Gently brush it with a soft-bristled brush to wash away the microscopic bits of food that become trapped in the tiny protuberances.
Flossing is also important for fresh breath. It liberates bits of food and gunk that could otherwise promote odor. Floss at least once a day, preferably just before brushing. If you use dentures, don’t forget to clean them regularly and thoroughly. Like natural teeth, they harbour food and bacteria that can cause bad breath.
Bad breath is a sign of improper hygiene. No matter what how you dress or look, bad breath can tarnish your image. There are a number of causes, the most obvious being bad dental hygiene. Brush your teeth regularly. Bits of pieces of food get lodged between your teeth and begins to decompose, causing a bad odour. Brush your teeth carefully twice a day, but there are some other measures you can take to fight bad breath.
Brushing your tongue is probably the single most effective thing you can do. In studies, it has been proved that brushing the tongue alone is a better guard against bad breath than brushing only the teeth. Brushing both teeth and tongue can help reduce bad breath due to poor dental hygiene almost entirely. One need not scrub the tongue. Gently brush it with a soft-bristled brush to wash away the microscopic bits of food that become trapped in the tiny protuberances.
Flossing is also important for fresh breath. It liberates bits of food and gunk that could otherwise promote odor. Floss at least once a day, preferably just before brushing. If you use dentures, don’t forget to clean them regularly and thoroughly. Like natural teeth, they harbour food and bacteria that can cause bad breath.
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