Drugs,

Kids as young as 12 yrs trying drugs, say experts (The Times of India:

20180102)

http://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/#

It started with an experiment. Vasudha’s (name changed) friends used to have cannabis

regularly and she also thought of trying it out once on her birthday. When did the experiment

turn into a habit, she had no clue.

The 19-year-old Delhi University student became so addicted to substance abuse that she and

her friends rented out a flat in south Delhi where they would often hangout on weekends.

Her parents did not like this but Vasudha was in no mood to give in. She would fight with

them, and even get violent at times.

Finally, she was taken to AIIMS where psychiatrists diagnosed the teenager with psychosis, a

condition characterised by loss of sense of reality among others. “She had to be admitted and

put on medications for two weeks,” Dr Nand Kumar, professor of psychiatry at the institute

told TOI.

But Vasudha is not alone. Dr Kumar added more and more youngsters are falling prey to

substance abuse.

Recently, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested students of top colleges in the city with

over one kilogram of charas and LSD blotters.

“For the last few months, NCB Delhi unit has been receiving inputs about drug peddling and

intense abuse of drugs around institutional areas,” an official said.

DAILY NEWS BULLETINLEADING HEALTH, POPULATION AND FAMILY WELFARE STORIES OF THE DayTuesday 20180102

The AIIMS doctors said the age of initiation of substance abuse has gone down from 17-19

years to 11-12 years, which is even more worrying.

Dr Samir Parikh, director of department of mental health and behavioural sciences at Fortis

Healthcare also confirmed the trend. “Most teenagers and youth take to substance abuse out

of peer pressure. They identify it with gaining independence also,” he said.

According to Dr Parikh, lack of social values, parental control and the availability of

information of drugs on internet is a major cause of increasing drug use among the

youngsters. “Parents should talk openly to their wards about any substance abuse. With

counselling and medications, if needed, the habit can be checked,” Dr Parikh said. Mental

health experts say smoking, drinking and use of cannabis may often prove to be a gateway for

other more lethal drugs.

“Often, those addicted to drugs don’t have the classical symptoms. They have sleep disorders,

behavioural issues and decline in academic or professional excellence. Accepting there is a

problem is the first and major step towards deaddiction,” said an expert.

Diabetes,

For diabetes, cancer cure, Raj institute to study the Vedas (The Times of

India: 20180102)

http://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/#

Jaipur: Are you curious to discover the science behind unresolved mysteries of the universe

or looking for a permanent solution to disorders and illnesses like diabetes, blood pressure or

cancer? Well, the ‘Vedas’ could show you the way. Proposed in 2005, the Rajasthan

government’s research institute to study the science of ancient Hindu texts, the first-of-itskind

in India, is all set become operational soon.

On Monday, the Research Institute of Mantra Sciences (RIMS) or the Rajasthan Mantra

Pratishtan, under the Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Rajasthan Sa- nskrit University (JRRSU),

called for applications from eligible candidates for various posts, including that of teachers.

Ghanshyam Tiwari, then education minister, had proposed the institute in 2005. While

presenting the concept, inspired by ‘Manusmriti’, the ancient Hindu book of law, Tiwari had

quoted a verse from the text, ‘Sarvam vedaat prasiddhyati’ (Every solution lies in Vedas), in

the state assembly. The idea caught second wind in 2015-16 when the Vasundhara Raje

government earmarked Rs 24 crore to construct the building for the institute in the JRRSU

campus.

The recruitment process has now begun and academics are hoping that the institute would

become functional in 2018.

Jaya Dava, a patron of RIMS and the chairperson of Rajasthan Sanskrit Academy, said the

institute intends to reclaim and revive the lost ancient knowledge of ‘Bharat’. Outlining the

objectives of the institute, she said, “Vedas, Upanishads, Aranyakas and other ancient texts

have answers to all the questions of the universe. Primary research work will be done in the

areas of Ayurveda, Dhanur Veda, Gandarva Veda and Shilpa Veda.”

Food and Nutrition

Poor food quality norms may lead to a health crisis (Hindustan Times:

20180102)

http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

The upgrade of FSSAI’s labs is critical for India’s food safety ecosystem

The country’s food regulator — the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

— plans to upgrade 15 laboratories across the country. Currently, after primary testing at

local labs, the sample is sent to an appellate authority in case of discrepancies. Once

upgraded, the 15 labs will have the authority to certify their findings, which can be used as

the basis for punitive action. India has more than 250 food-testing laboratories, of which

about 150 are run by either the state or central governments, but none has the standing that

would mean its findings are accepted by all stakeholders, including food companies. That’s

the gap FSSAI will be looking to fill.

There’s more work to be done, though, as enumerated in a recent report on the regulator by

the government auditor, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) that revealed

serious gaps in the organisation’s processes. According to CAG, neither the nodal

organisation nor state authorities has documented policies and procedures on inspections, a

critical aspect of the regulator’s jop. Alarmingly, FSSAI does not even have a database on

food businesses. There’s more: FSSAI seems to have failed in its effort to set up well-

equipped food labs in the states: Only seven out of 72 state laboratories passed the standards

issued by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. The

audit report also found that the there is a shortage of licensing and enforcement officers in the

states.

This is worrying. The foods business is a rapidly growing one, and , more importantly, one

where poor quality standards could even result in a public health crisis. The foods regulator

has to enjoy the confidence of the public as well as companies in the foods business. FSSAI

is in the process of reviewing the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 by benchmarking it

with similar laws in other parts of the world. It should also look within and address the gaps

highlighted by CAG’s audit.

Alternative Drugs (The Asian Age: 20180102)

http://onlineepaper.asianage.com/articledetailpage.aspx?id=9735471

Exercise

How exercise can help you to quit smoking (Medical News Today:

20180102)

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320484.php

The day you promised yourself you'd quit smoking. If you're finding it hard, try working out!

New research shows how exercising may reduce tobacco withdrawal symptoms.

woman shows a broken cigarette

New research shows how exercise can help you kick the habit once and for all.

We all know that smoking is bad for us, but quitting can be hard. Withdrawal symptoms such

as irritability, trouble sleeping, or even depression are commonly reported by people

struggling with tobacco addiction.

In addition to specialized support services that might help you to deal with these symptoms,

meditation and avoiding smoking triggers are also helpful methods.

Exercise is known to reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Older studies have shown that

even a short 10-minute bout of moderate exercise can have immediate effects of reducing

tobacco cravings.

The exact mechanisms responsible for this effect remain largely unknown. But new research

brings us closer to understanding these mechanisms, as it shows how various degrees of

exercise intensity affect nicotine cravings in mice.

Dr. Alexis Bailey, senior lecturer in neuropharmacology at St George's University of London

in the United Kingdom, is the corresponding author of the study, and the findings were

published in the British Journal of Pharmacology.

How exercise helps nicotine-dependent mice

Dr. Bailey and his team treated mice with nicotine for 14 days and then subjected them to one

of three wheel running regimens: 24 hours per day, 2 hours per day, or no exercise at all.

On the 14th day, the researchers assessed the rodents' withdrawal symptoms. Brain sections

of the mice were also analyzed.

Five ways to quit smoking

Five ways to quit smoking

We've put together some helpful tips to help you stay smoke-free.

It was found that "nicotine-treated mice undertaking 2 or 24 hrs day wheel running displayed

a significant reduction of withdrawal symptom severity compared with the sedentary group."

Additionally, in the mice that exercised, the researchers were able to see an increase in the

activity of a type of nicotine brain receptor called alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine. The receptor

was located in the mice's hippocampus, a brain area associated with creating new memories

and implicated in mood disorders.

Interestingly, 2 hours of exercise every day seemed to be just as good for relieving

withdrawal symptoms as exercising continuously for 24 hours. This suggests that the

beneficial effects of exercise do not depend on the intensity of the exercise.

"These findings support the protective effect of exercise preceding smoking cessation against

the development of physical dependence, which may aid smoking cessation by reducing

withdrawal symptom severity," write the authors.

As the team explains, "[O]ur results demonstrate the effectiveness of even a moderate amount

of exercise during nicotine exposure in attenuating nicotine withdrawal symptoms and point

toward the hippocampal [alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine] system as a potential mechanism

underlying this effect."

"These findings may also have implications for the development of targeted interventions

prior to smoking cessation which may increase the chances of smoking cessation," add Dr.

Bailey and colleagues.

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first time that such a profound effect of exercise on

animals addicted to nicotine has been shown in a study.

"The evidence suggests that exercise decreases nicotine withdrawal symptoms in humans [...]

Our research has shed light on how the protective effect of exercise against nicotine

dependence actually works."

Dr. Alexis Bailey

However, the study authors also caution that the evidence is not yet sufficient to establish

causality between the increased activity of the hippocampal nicotine receptor and the

beneficial effects of exercise.

Trigger finger surgery

Trigger finger surgery: What to expect ((Medical News Today: 20180102)

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320488.php

Last reviewed Sun 31 December 2017 By Claire Sissons Reviewed by William Morrison,

MD

Trigger finger Types Recovery Who gets surgery? Complications Causes Outlook

Trigger finger can leave the finger or thumb stuck in a crooked position. It causes pain and

stiffness and makes it hard to move the affected digit.

If other treatments are not successful or the condition is severe, surgery is usually successful

in restoring full movement.

The recovery time for trigger finger surgery is quick, and the procedure has a high chance of

success.

What is trigger finger?

Trigger finger in hand.

Trigger finger is a condition characterized by the fingers getting stuck in a particular position,

usually a bent or 'crooked' position.

Trigger finger or stenosing tenosynovitis is when the finger gets stuck in a particular position

at one or more of the joints.

Trigger finger can make it difficult to move or use the finger; it also causes pain and

discomfort.

The condition can affect any finger or the thumb and can occur in one or more fingers.

Trigger finger is sometimes called trigger digit, as it can affect the thumb as well as the

fingers.

Tendons connect the bones to muscles, allowing them to move. The tendons are protected by

a covering called a sheath. When the tendon sheath becomes inflamed, it can make movement

difficult and sometimes result in trigger finger.

The symptoms of trigger finger are:

pain at the bottom of the finger or thumb when it moves or is pressed on

stiffness or a clicking sound when moving the finger or thumb

as the condition worsens, the finger or thumb may curl and get stuck, before straightening

suddenly

loss of the ability to bend or straighten the finger or thumb

The condition can affect any digit but is most common in the fourth and fifth fingers of the

hand and the thumb.

Types of surgery

There are three types of surgery for trigger finger:

Open surgery: A surgeon makes a small incision in the palm of the hand and then cuts the

tendon sheath to give the tendon more room to move. The surgeon will use stitches to close

the wound. A person will typically be given a local anesthetic so should not feel any pain.

Percutaneous release surgery: This surgery is also done using a local anesthetic. A surgeon

inserts a needle into the bottom of the digit to cut the tendon sheath. This type of surgery does

not leave a wound.

Tenosynovectomy: A doctor will only recommend this procedure if the first two options are

not suitable, such as in person with rheumatoid arthritis. A tenosynovectomy involves

removing part of the tendon sheath, allowing the finger to move freely again.

Open surgery has traditionally been preferred by medical professionals because it has a very

low risk of complications.

There is a small chance that percutaneous release surgery may damage blood vessels or

nerves close to the tendon sheath.

However, percutaneous release surgery does not leave a scar and is more cost-effective. A

small 2016 study found that people had an equal level of long-term satisfaction with both

open and percutaneous release surgery.

Surgery will take around 20 minutes, and a person should not have to stay in the hospital

overnight. The person will remain awake during the procedure, but local anesthetic will

ensure they do not feel any pain.

Recovery and aftercare

Bandage wrapping being applied to finger and hand.

Fresh dressing should be applied to the finger for a couple of days after open surgery.

Surgery may initially cause some pain or soreness. Doctors may recommend over-the-counter

painkillers for relief.

Immediately after surgery, a person should be able to move their finger or thumb. Be gentle

with movements at first; full movement can be expected to return in 1 to 2 weeks.

People should keep a dressing on their finger for a few days following open surgery. After

this, they must keep the wound clean, using mild soap and water.

If a person has stitches, a medical professional may need to remove them after 2 to 3 weeks.

Dissolvable stitches will dissolve within 3 weeks.

A person should ask their doctor about when they can resume everyday activities, such as

driving or using a computer. Recovery time may be longer for someone who has had trigger

finger surgery on more than one finger or thumb.

Some people may need to do finger exercises or undertake hand therapy to return full

movement to the affected digit.

Who requires surgery?

If left untreated, trigger finger can become permanent. If the affected finger or thumb

becomes stuck in one position, it can make day-to-day tasks more difficult.

However, trigger finger is curable without surgery in most cases. Non-surgical treatments

include:

strapping or splinting the digit to stop it moving

taking anti-inflammatory medication

injecting steroids into the base of the affected digit to reduce swelling

reducing or temporarily stopping the activity that causes pain

If these treatments do not work, surgery may be needed. Before deciding on surgery, a doctor

will consider how much pain a person is in, how much it affects their day-to-day activities,

and how long they have been experiencing the pain.

Around 20 to 50 percent of people who have trigger finger might need surgery to correct the

condition.

Trigger finger can affect children, but surgery is not usually the recommended treatment.

Trigger finger in children can often be treated with stretching and splints.

Complications

All three types of trigger finger surgery are considered very safe and straightforward, so

complications are unlikely.

There are some risks, and a doctor should explain these before surgery. These include:

Nari Portal (Dainik Gagaran: 20180102)

http://epaper.jagran.com/ePaperArticle/02-jan-2018-edition-National-page_7-333-18068-

262.html

Healthy Society (Dainik Gagaran: 20180102)

http://epaper.jagran.com/ePaperArticle/02-jan-2018-edition-National-page_7-333-17559-

262.html