2007 “World Heart Day” slogan is “Team Up for Healthy Hearts”. Its aim is to encourage people to join together and create hearty-healthy communities. World Heart Federation, World Health Organization and other organizations are taking active part in propagating this message. Heart diseases statistics: Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death globally. An estimated 17.5 million people died from cardiovascular disease in 2005, representing 30 % of all global deaths. Of these deaths, 7.6 million were due to heart attacks and 5.7 million were due to stroke. Around 80% of these deaths occurred in developing countries. If appropriate action is not taken, by 2015, an estimated 20 million people will die from cardiovascular disease every year, mainly from heart attacks and strokes. Heart role in life: 1. Physically: It beats 70times/minute and in a day, it beats more than one lakh times in a day. Even though it is small in size (compared to liver), it plays vital role in the bodily functions. 2. Mentally and socially: we call a particular person as ‘’heart-less fellow”. Here heart means-kindness, sympathy, generosity, loving others, etc. in nature. 3. Spiritually: The golden quotation is “those who are pure at heart, they are blessed and shall see God one day”. That means God is residing in our heart in the form of “Soul”, and reminding us always to do good only. It clearly shows that the heart is not a simple, innocent, physical (muscular) organ but more than that, playing greater role in our day to day activities. Hence it is our duty to protect our heart in every aspect and respect. Heart diseases causes: Heart attacks and paralysis are the main causes of death among the population. 175 million people are dying due to these two diseases only, every year in the world. 1. Obesity: At present 155 million children are suffering from obesity, all over the world. It is a very dangerous situation. We have to be very careful about the food habits and physical exercise in them. Otherwise these habits become stabilized and remain in the later life also. If the children are obese, the chances of getting heart attacks before reaching the age of 65 years are 3-5 times more, than normal weight persons. Many of them are prone to diabetes. 2. Tobacco-smoking: The incidence of smoking is increasing year after year, especially among the youth, who constitute 50% of the population, in spite of the anti-smoking propaganda, undertaken by the governments and other private organizations. 3. Food habits: More intake of fatty, junk foods (high cholesterol diet), leads to heart troubles. 4. Stress and strain, lack of exercise, etc are other factors. 5. Heart diseases in Women: Previously the notion was that only men suffer from heart attacks. Now the trend is changed and 50% of deaths among women are due to heart attacks only. More over the signs and symptoms in females are a little different compared to males. The pain in chest during the heart attack is more felt in men, than the women. But women feel more “tiredness” and it is misunderstood for general weakness. So women are to be more enlightened on these matters. 6. Low intake of fruit and vegetables is estimated to cause about 31% of ischemic heart disease, 11% of stroke worldwide and 19% of gastrointestinal cancer. Overall, 2.7 million deaths are attributable to low fruit and vegetable intake. 7. Physical inactivity is estimated to cause, globally, about 10-16% of cases each of breast cancer, colon and rectal cancers and diabetes mellitus, and about 22% of ischemic heart disease. Overall, 1.9 million deaths are attributable to physical inactivity. How to prevent heart attacks? 1. Heart attacks and strokes are major killers in all parts of the world. But they can often be prevented. 2. You can protect yourself from heart attacks and strokes by investing a little time and effort. 3. Tobacco use, an unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity increase the risk of heart … [Read more...]
World No Tobacco Day – May 31
World No Tobacco Day aims to encourage countries and governments to work toward strict regulation of tobacco products. According to World health organization (WHO), Tobacco is responsible for the death of 1 in 10 adults worldwide. Tobacco is responsible for 5 million deaths worldwide. WHO urged all governments to ban smoking in public places. Women and children are worst sufferers due to passive smoking. China is the worst sufferer where more than 1 lakh people are dying each year due to second hand smoking. Leading causes of death according to WHO: 1. Heart diseases, 2. Tobacco use. Tobacco use in any form can produce number of diseases in the body. Out of them, 70% are diseases of Respiratory system. The most important disease is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and the second important disease is Lung Cancer. Tobacco mainly contains –Nicotine, Tar, Carbon Monoxide and 4000 different types of different harmful cancer producing chemicals. When a person smokes tobacco, the harmful chemicals enter into the respiratory tract damages the inner mucous layer and produce other poisonous substances. The cilia (thread –like small structures) immediately come into action and move vigorously to all sides, trying to remove the harmful products. But after some time the cilia become weak and cannot send out these pollutants from the respiratory system and in turn, the harmful products remain there and begin to damage the respiratory system and infect the organs causing diseases. Diseases due to Tobacco use: 1. Pneumonia 2. Bronchitis 3Tuberculosis 4. Emphysema 5. Lung Cancer. Signs and Symptoms of Lung Diseases: 1. Tightness in the chest 2. Pain in the chest during inhalation 3. Cough and wheezing. 4. Breathlessness 5. Loss of appetite and weight loss, 6. Sleeplessness, tiredness and shivering of the body (mainly due to accumulation of Nicotine in the blood). 7. If the person is already suffering from Asthma, smoking aggravates it severely. 70% of the smokers want to get rid of this bad habit, but only 3% are able to put a full stop to it. How to get rid of this bad habit: 1. Doctor’s moivation is essential.2. Support from family members and friends is also plays a prominent role. 3. Behavior therapy with psychologists. 4. Constipation problem may be there after stopping smoking, but this will be solved with drugs. 5. De- Addiction Therapy the desire of smoking is gradually decreased. The drugs have to be taken under the supervision of a physician. Many individuals might stop the smoking with the above methods, but some may start to smoke again, so the persons should be watched by their relatives for some more time and also they should be kept away from the smokers’ circle. It is good to consult the doctor for every three months. Smoking should not be stopped all of a sudden, because of nicotine effect on the body. If stopped suddenly, the person gets angry even for small causes and develops vomiting, diarrhea, pains all over the body, shivering, loss of concentration and tiredness. So smoking should be stopped gradually. Why they smoke? Brain is activated and there is a sense of happiness develops in the mind of a smoker, due to the presence of Nicotine in the tobacco. Our body naturally produces some amount of Nicotine along with other chemicals. The normal function of Nicotine is to control the emotions that arise in the brain (mind) and gives joyfulness even in the depressed mind (man).The body produces only the required amount of Nicotine, for its normal physiological function, and not excess any more. More over hormones like-Adrenaline and neurotransmitters like Acetyl choline control the production of Nicotine; otherwise the excess production will endanger the life of a person. Here the Nicotine in the tobacco mixes with the already present natural Nicotine in the body and causes the harmful effects in the individual. Now, … [Read more...]
Pergolide (Permax) can damage your heart valve
Pergolide, Parkinson’s disease drug, was pulled out from U.S. market following reports of heart valve damage (side effect). As per reports from FDA, Pergolide (Permax) can damage mitral, Atrial and tricuspid valves of heart by causing them to leak. The drug increases the damage to heart valve by 5-fold. Permax was voluntarily withdrawn by its maker, Valeant Pharmaceuticals, at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). People who are on Pergolide (Permax) should not stop the drug immediately but should slowly reduce the dosage on consulting your physician. Abrupt stoppage may cause hallucinations, Confusion and nervous system problems. Parkinson's Disease: In United States, around 20,000 patients are suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson's is a disease of the nervous system. The four main symptoms are tremors, stiffness of the limbs and trunk, slowness of movement, and impaired balance. . These symptoms usually begin gradually and worsen with time. As they become more pronounced, patients may have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks. Pergolide is a dopamine agonist and is used as starting therapy for Parkinson's patients. Pergolide acts by stimulating the brain's production of the neurotransmitter dopamine and is given in combination with other drugs, such as levodopoa. Other side effects of Pergolide: Diarrhoea, Dyspepsia Abdominal PainInsomniaHallucinations, Delusion and Chest Pain are uncommon but serious side effects. Consult your doctor immediately. Rhinitis … [Read more...]
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