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Thursday, 22 November 2012

AYUSH: Adjunct supportive therapy for cancer control


Cancer Research Institute is offering clinical services of ( AYUSH ) complimentary therapies to cancer patients through collaboration with Ayurveda Center, Holistic Medicine Department , Homeopathy & Yoga services at HIHT.
CRI has started AYUSH clinics staffed by well trained physicians in complimentary therapies such as Ayurveda , Homeopathy , Yoga , Osteopathy . These therapies are offered only as supportive treatment , while patients are receiving standard protocols of modern cancer treatment. Multidisciplinary teams of various experts such as Surgical Oncology, Radiation Oncology & Medical Oncology identify the needs and suitability of patients for integration of these therapies and monitors the progress of patients.
Complimentary therapy is not promoted as Anti - Cancer treatment.
Some of the common indications for use of these therapies are -

  • Rejuvenation after completion of cancer specific therapies, from toxicities and general debility.
  • As supportive therapy for physical , mental & spiritual well being , while a patient is undergoing cancer specific therapy.
  • Symptom control in patients receiving only palliative care for advanced cancer / end of life care.
  • Life style management for prevention of cancer.

AYURVEDIC MEDICINE:

Ayurveda, the most ancient & holistic health system of medicine originated in India provides rational means for the treatment of many chronic diseases including cancer. The Ayurvedic system of medicine is well founded on the basic principles of nature and is the first system to emphasize health as the perfect state of physical, psychological, social and spiritual component of a human being.
According to Ayurveda all the diseases and other health problems are caused due to imbalances of doshas and disharmony with the natural environment. The primary aim of ayurveda is to re-establish balance of doshas and strengthening the body tissues along with body's biological and spiritual forces. The therapeutic approach of Ayurveda has been divided into four categories as Prakritisthapana chikitsa (health maintenance), Roganashani chikitsa (disease cure), Rasayana chikitsa (restoration of normal function) and Naishthiki chikitsa (spiritual approach). This unique holistic approach of ayurveda helps cancer patients in restoring cellular intelligence, doshic balance, immunity, vital strength and healthy environment covering all the levels: physical, mental, emotional & spiritual.
Ayurvedic dietary recommendations, herbal supplements, and lifestyle practices , stress management techniques help the patient to enjoy an optimum state of health while undergoing cancer treatment.

OSTEOPATHY:


Osteopathy is a form of drug-free, non-invasive manual medicine that focuses on total body health by treating and strengthening the musculoskeletal framework, which includes the joints, muscles and spine. Its aim is to positively affect the body's nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems. Osteopaths do not simply concentrate on treating the problem area, but use manual techniques to balance all the systems of the body, to provide overall good health and wellbeing. The philosophy of Osteopathy is what sets it apart from other medical disciplines. The key principles are based on all parts of the body functioning together in an integrated manner. If one part of the body is restricted, then the rest of the body must adapt and compensate for this, eventually leading to inflammation, pain, stiffness and other health conditions. When the body is free of restrictions in movement, Osteopathic treatment assists the body with pain minimization, reduced stress and greater mobility providing the body with the opportunity to heal itself.
Osteopaths use a broad range of gentle hands-on techniques including soft tissue stretching, deep tactile pressure, and mobilization or manipulation of joints. Osteopathic treatment in itself is not disease preventive or curative . Osteopaths respect the body's natural ability as a self-regulating mechanism and only intervene when pain or discomfort is present. The benefits of osteopathy are the general improvement in mobility and structural stability of the body. In turn, other systems of the body such as the circulatory, nervous and lymphatic systems function more effectively and for a number of general conditions, minimal treatment is required.
Osteopathic treatment at CRI is available by a qualified renowned osteopath trained in UK, Dr. Mira Swami, in consultation with treating oncologist.

Friday, 2 November 2012

TN offers siddha cure for dengue




Over 285 cases of dengue have been reported so far across the state and the recent incidents of dengue-related deaths have sparked off panic among the public. Several persons are getting admitted to hospitals with dengue and swine flu and TN has recorded 24 dengue-related deaths so far. On Friday alone, six persons died due to the fever and this has sent alarm bells ringing all over the state.
In a related development, health minister, Dr V.S. Vijay, said Siddha remedies like ‘nila vembu’, a Siddha concoction that helps reduce the spread of the dengue-causing virus in the human body, would be made available at all government hospitals to prevent the disease. It will also be available at the primary health centres and Siddha hospitals in the state.
In a day, more than 7,000 people approach government hospitals across the state for treatment of fever, cold, cough and other viral infections. Up till last week, almost 70 persons have taken the Elisa test for dengue and 300 have tested positive for the disease after using the rapid diagnosis kit. More than 175 people have been treated for dengue in the districts so far and 110 are undergoing treatment at hospitals with symptoms of the fever.
Senior health officials assured that they were identifying hotspots and intensifying mosquito control exercises. “The entire state is under constant monitoring and the hospitals across Tamil Nadu, including primary health centres, have enough stock of medicines and blood. We are identifying the hotspots and conducting vector control measures,” said a senior health official.

Thursday, 1 November 2012

New rule to keep an eye on single doctor establishments

Every private medical practitioner will have to obtain a license for his or her ‘single doctor establishment’ from the state health department, which is headed by chief minister Mamata Banerjee. The state health department has recently prepared a draft for the West Bengal Clinical
Establishment Rule, 2012, in order to keep a watch on the functions of medical practitioners in their individual establishments across West Bengal. The draft will be discussed in the state cabinet meeting before it is passed in the state legislative assembly.
A single doctor establishment is a medical clinic with just one registered medical practitioner, who is the owner of the clinic. Only dental practitioners have been left out of the equation.
According to the rules of the draft, every private practitioner will have to produce documents, such as academic and professional qualifications; registration certificated issued by the West Bengal Medical Council; and a written undertaking declaring that he or she will follow the provisions of bio-medical wasted management & handling rules before the clinical establishment cell at Swasthya Bhaban, while seeking a license for single doctor establishments or chambers.
Licenses will be issued to the applicants if the clinical establishment cell is satisfied with the documents. Licenses will be issued for a maximum of five years.
“Several thousands of private practitioners conduct medical practice in their individual chambers across the state. But, we don’t have official record on how many doctors practice in single doctor establishments or chambers,” said a senior official at the clinical establishment cell.
“The rules will be mandatory for all medical practitioners who practice individually in such chambers. The new rules will help the government prevent quack practice, which is rampant in the districts,” said the official.
“The government doesn’t have official records on doctors with individual chambers. The proposed rules will regulate the system,” said Dr Santanu Sen, state secretary of the Indian Medical Association.
Draft rules also pro-pose that each single doctor establishment should have adequate space for an examination room as well as sitting arrangements for both doctors and patients, and access to toilet facilities and availability of drinking water.
Also, doctors will have to generate and maintain records, as per the Medical Council of India Act, and records related to medico legal cases in the chamber, as well as any other records or registers required.
The name of the establishment and the doctor’s name and license number, the system of medicine practice and the specialty must also be displayed as per the draft rules.