Delayed treatment can worsen heart attack impact

The delay of patients in recognising heart-attack symptoms and seeking the treatment later may increase the damage to heart, warns a new study.

The researchers in this study compared the impact of the time from heart attack symptom onset-to-balloon and door-to-balloon on heart muscle function.

"The decrease in median door-to-balloon time in recent years has not resulted in a reduction in mortality in STEMI patients," said study author Roxana Mehran from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in the US.

STEMI or ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is a a full-blown heart attack caused by the complete blockage of a heart artery.

"This study highlights the need to reconsider the role of door-to-balloon as a performance metric and examine the utility of a broader metric of systems delay such as first medical contact to balloon time as well as total ischemic time," Mehran added.

Door-to-balloon time is the time from when a heart attack patient arrives in the emergency room until percutaneous coronary intervention is performed to restore blood flow.

The researchers reviewed the records of 2,056 patients and compared them with the symptom onset-to-balloon time in three categories - two hours and less, more than two hours to four hours, and more than four hours.

The patients who took two to four hours or longer from the onset of symptoms to get treated to restore blood flow to the heart were less likely to have blood flow fully restored to the heart and were more likely to die within three years than patients treated more quickly, the study found.

Breast Cancer Drug Could Have Wider Use

A drug used to fight breast cancer may be effective against other forms of the disease, according to a new study.

Writing in the journal JAMA Oncology, researchers from the Abramson Cancer Center (ACC) in the University of Pennsylvania, say that after reviewing existing literature and doing their own research, palbociclib could attack other types of cancer cells while inflicting little or no harm to healthy cells.

Palbociclib is a CDK4/6 inhibitor, meaning it targets certain enzymes that drive rapid tumor cell division. It was the first such drug approved against breast cancer.

"All living cells undergo cell division and palbociclib's unique capacity to halt the cell division process (also known as the 'cell cycle') therefore has potentially broad applicability," said lead author Amy S. Clark, MD, MSCE, an assistant professor of Hematology/Oncology at Penn's Perelman School of Medicine and ACC. "Pairing palbociclib with other anti-cancer therapies such as endocrine therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy can create a powerful combinatorial effect with real promise for addressing a variety of cancers."

The researchers say the drug has shown promise against lymphoma, sarcoma, and teratoma, which are relatively rare, but often strike young people.

In a phase 2 trial, the drug was used on 17 patients with mantle-cell lymphoma. One patient had a “complete response,” meaning the cancer disappeared for at least some time, while two others had “partial responses.” The drug also appeared to improve survival times among patients with the disease.

Furthermore, researchers said that in other cancer trials, the drug “has been shown to be safe with once-daily dosing,” with the main side effect being lower counts of a certain type of white blood cells that fight infection. That, researchers say, can be reversed by temporarily stopping the drug, then later resuming treatment at a lower dose.

Shopping Can Make You Happier, Here's how

Good news for all the shopaholics! Recent study reveals that shopping can reduce stress and even make you happier in long-term. This study is contrary to the common debate that money can't buy you happiness. Conducted by the researchers at University of British Columbia, the findings revealed that spending money can actually make the spender happy regularly. It has also revealed that buying stuff brings much more happiness than buying experiences such as traveling or visiting a zoo. "Consider a holiday shopper deciding between tickets to a concert or a new couch in the living room," explains study author Aaron Weidman, from University of British Columbia. The concert will provide an intense thrill for one spectacular night, but then it will end, and will no longer provide momentary happiness, aside from being a happy memory. In contrast, the new couch will never provide a thrilling moment to match the concert, but will keep the owner snug and comfortable each day throughout the winter months.
Previous studies were based on analyzing the material and experiential purchases and the things that the participants remembered about these experiences and items. However, the researchers Aaron Weidman and Elizabeth Dunn from the University of British Columbia wanted to know how the people felt when they were in the moment of a new purchase, say first few weeks of buying a new dress or a phone. The assessed that the momentary happiness people got from experiential and material purchases was as much as five times a day for two weeks. For the study, Weidman and Dunn evaluated the participant's actual-period of happiness that they got from buying things or experiential purchases such as spa gift cards, ski trip etc.

Anxiety Could be a Good Thing in a Crisis: How Brains Respond to Social Cues

Do you get anxious easily? This could be a good thing in a crisis. Scientists have found that the brain devotes more processing resources to social situations that signal threat than those that are benign.

Facial displays of emotion can be ambiguous. In this case, though, researchers managed to identify what it is that makes a person particularly threatening. They found that the direction a person is looking in is key to enhancing our sensitivity to their emotions. Anger paired with a direct gaze produces a response in the brain in only 200 milliseconds, which is faster than if the angry person is looking elsewhere.Many people know about a "sixth sense" that we have for danger. But what if the ability to devote more resources to specific situations could explain that sixth sense? In this latest study, the researchers looked at social threats and how our brains respond to them.

The scientists also found that anxious individuals detect threat in a different region of the brain from people who are more laid-back. This difference, though, may serve a useful purpose; anxious people process threats using regions of the brain responsible for action. Meanwhile, low anxious people process them in sensory circuits, which are responsible for face recognition.

"In contrast to previous work, our findings demonstrate that the brain devotes more processing resources to negative emotions that signal threat, rather than to any display of negative emotion," said Marwa El Zein, lead author of the new study, in a news release.

The findings reveal that anxiety may actually help people process threats. With that said, the researchers hope to also determine whether the same is true for people with anxiety scores in the clinical range.

Ways to undo the effects of party make-up

After wearing make-up for outings and parties, your skin tends to lose its shine. Try a cream-based moisturising facewash, and a day after the party spend some time reviving your skin by exfoliating it with a mild scrub to get back the natural glow, says an expert.

Manoj Khanna, chairman and managing director, head of cosmetic surgeon at city-based Enhance Clinics, has shared tips to make your skin glow:

* Get an extra dose of moisture: Make-up removers and harsh facewashes can destroy skin's natural moisture. Post the party season, switch to a cream-based moisturising facewash. Let it stay on for a few seconds so it permeates deeper into the skin, before washing it off. End your day with a thick night cream and be sure to greet the next morning with a fresh face.

* Opt for an instant eye cooler: Cucumber slices work the best. They cool, have a lightening effect and help counter puffiness. If not cucumbers, try the next best remedy -- green tea bags. Once they come to room temperature, squeeze out the excess water and keep them on your eyes for 20 minutes to find respite from stubborn dark circles.

* Don't forget to scrub: A day after the party, spend some time reviving your skin by first opening the clogged pores with a steam session and then exfoliating it with a mild scrub. The steam will open up the pores and the abrasive action of the scrub will force all the grime, make-up residue and impurities out.

* Follow up with a moisturising face pack: Treat yourself to a nourishing do-it-yourself face packs. Papaya and honey together are a winning combination to hydrate the skin and combat dryness or grind soaked almonds with milk and use it as a paste to make the skin look and feel smooth. Milk is rich in antioxidants, vitamin B and essential minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and selenium whereas almonds are full of proteins, antioxidants and vitamin E.

* Declare a no make-up day: After a few days of partying and wearing heavy make-up, make sure the next few days keep cosmetics at bay. This will allow your skin to breathe and get its original glow back, naturally.

Eat only when you're hungry for a good health

Do you tend to munch something or the other between your meals even when you are not hungry? If yes, such a habit could certainly satisfy your taste buds but harm your health, warns a new study.

In contrast to people in traditional societies, people in contemporary societies often eat not on account of hunger but because tasty food is available.The widespread advertising of such food also bombards the consumer with the temptation to eat.

But the findings of the new study by David Gal from University of Illinois at Chicago suggest that it might be healthier for individuals to eat when they are moderately hungry than when they are not hungry.

The individuals participating in the study were 45 undergraduate students.

They were first asked to rate their level of hunger and then to consume a meal rich in carbohydrates.

To measure how the meal was impacting participants' health, participants' blood glucose levels were measured at regular intervals after they consumed the meal.

Blood glucose levels tend to rise after a meal containing carbohydrates and it is generally healthier if blood glucose levels rise by a relatively small amount because elevated blood glucose is damaging to the body's cells.

The results of the study showed that individuals who were moderately hungry before the meal tended to have lower blood glucose levels after consuming the meal than individuals who were not particularly hungry before consuming the meal.

Attention to-be mommies: Vaginal birth helps build baby’s immunity

Opting for a vaginal birth can make your baby healthier as researchers have found that this practice is beneficial for inter-generational transfer of the microbiome from mother to infant, which is crucial for the newborn to build strong immunity.

Perturbation of the microbiome environment in the gut during pregnancy, delivery and early infancy could impact the developing baby’s early microbiome and set the stage for health problems later in life, the study said.

The term “microbiome” refers to the trillions of organisms we harbor on our skin and within our respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.“Not only do we have to consider the microbiome of the child but also that of the mother, and the irony is that some of our modern medical practices, through their effect on these early microbiota, could have unintended consequences, interfering with normal development of children’s immune, metabolic, and neurologic systems,” explained Sharon Meropol, assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Ohio, US.

“Disturbed microbiota could potentially contribute to a wide range of childhood diseases including allergies, asthma, obesity, and autism-like neurodevelopmental conditions,” Meropol said.

Recent studies suggest that traditional practices like vaginal births, skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth and breastfeeding may promote the development of the microbiome in the infant and help set the trajectory towards healthy development, the researchers pointed out in their review of studies.

Medicinal Benefits and uses of Avarai or Country Beans

Plant name : Avarai or Meghari or Country Beans
“Used in Siddha to treat Diabetes, Eye problems and Skin diseases”.

Botanical name : Cassia auriculata
Family : Fabaceae
Actions : Astringent, Anti Bacterial, Anthelmintic, Coolant, Anti Diabetic

Siddha Medicinal Uses :

1. It is mentioned in traditional books that people travelling in hot sun crush the leaves of this plant and pace it under their turban before stepping out in sun. This way they remain protected from scorching heat and its harmful effects.
2. Water soaked in flowers are helpful to manage peaking sugar levels. It also reduces thirst, burning sensation of body and removes bad odor of body.
   Dried flowers and buds are prepared as tea and consumed by diabetics.
3. The decoction of roots are helpful in curing constipation, fever, diabetes, urinary infection etc.
4. The bark, flowers, leavers and fruits taken in equal parts prepared as decoction for treating diabetes.
5. Water soaked in flowers are also helpful in managing skin problems.
6. Leaves fried in ghee, cooled and applied over eyelids for eye diseases like conjunctivitis, Chronic purulent ophthalmia etc.
7. Decoction of bark is used to cure leucorrhoea. It also acts as a coolant.
8. Flowers can be ground well with turmeric and chick pea powder and used as bath powder to treat burning sensation of body and bad odor.
9. Flowers cooked as Manapagu can be given for Vellai noi, Urinary infections and burning sensation in genitals.
10. Dried powdered seeds can be ground in water and used as eye application for various eye ailments.

Health Benefits of Lemon – Citrus limon

Botanical Name :  Citrus Lemon
Other Names : Elumicham, Jambira, Nimbu, Naranga
A very good and rich source of Citric acid, Citrate and Vitamin C. As per Siddha, it is a very good Anti-Pitha drug, a coolant, and a good carminative. Siddha Literatures also classify this herb under Kayakalpa or Kayakarpam. Regular intake makes the body healthy and rejuvenated. It also has various health benefits as discussed below.

Lemon Juice  : Extract of a squeezed lemon :

1. 2 teaspoons of lemon juice with warm water daily in empty stomach cures constipation.
2. Lemon juice mixed with equal quantity of honey and given empty stomach to reduce body weight.
3. 2 teaspoons of lemon juice with 2 pinches of Black Pepper cures Diarrhea.
4. Massaging tooth and gums with lemon juice helps to stop bleeding and eases pain.
5. Warm coconut oil with few drops of lemon juice can massaged well in scalp regularly for dandruff and hair fall.

Lemonade : Drink prepared from Lemon juice, water, sugar/salt/honey

1. Daily intake of Lemonade helps to cure increased Pitham, cools the body detoxifies the body, purifies blood, calms the mind. Also cures cough and respiratory problems.
2. Lemonade prepared with honey helps to burn fat and lose weight. It also makes our skin glow.
3. Lemonade acts as a Diuretic and flushes out all the toxins in our body in adding 1 teaspoon of ginger juice and 2 pinches of jeera powder to a glass of lemonade aids digestion after a heavy meal.
4. Inhibits Urinary calculi or Kidney stones as it contains highest amount of Citrate.

Make sure you include this wonder fruit in your diet daily.

Siddha Maruthuvam or Siddha Medicine and its history

Siddha system of medicine is the most primitive medical system. This system was formulated and established about more than 25000 years back by the eminent powers called Siddhars and hence the name Siddha Medicine. The medicines were prepared by the various research work done by the Siddhars on herbs,minerals and animals. The father of Siddha Medicine or Siddha Vaidyam is the primordial Guru, Agasthiyar. There are also 18 prime Siddhars who are the followers of the primordial Guru, contributed their valuable knowledge and experiences in this field. Siddha medical system doesn’t consider treatment and prevention separately. The main aim of this system is prevention of disease, as it is well said that“Prevention is better than cure”!

This medical system was then carried over generations after generations by the Traditional practitioners under Gurukula system, it was found and practiced in the earliest Dravidian civilization and hence was developed in Tamil language only. Then after independence,the government of Tamil Nadu developed this Traditional system as a Medical system. So far there are 6 Siddha colleges under government and private sector in Tamil Nadu which are based in Tamil medium. Recently, a college in English medium started in Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram. This is a 5 year course which holds B.S.M.S degree that is Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery. The interested professionals can also opt for P.G course and then PhD.

Today, the treatment like physiotherapy, panchakarmam, marmam, acupressure, naturopathy and yoga are well known separately but it can be confirmed that all these are evolved from Siddha system of Medicine or Siddham. These methods are present in this single system of medicine. Siddha system emphasizes not only a healthy body but a peaceful mind and pure soul. Hence, it is unique when compared to any other medical system.

When the methods of treatment taken into account, then Siddha system holds the 8 unique methods of diagnosis. One among these 8 method is Naadi(Veins). A Siddha physician keenly observes the naadi before starting any treatment. Hence unlike other system of medicines there does not exist only a symptomatic treatment in Siddha. A strong relationship develops between the patient and physician. The physician not only heals the disease of the patient through medicines but also provides an assurance to his mind and prays for the soul. For example, in a patient suffering from psoriasis, medicines are not enough as stress is an aggravating factor of the the disease. So, it is only possible by a Siddha physician to pacify the disturbed mind of the patient by the spiritual counseling.

Siddha treatment is based on Pancha Bhootha Pancheekaranam(Five elements). Human body is made of 5 elements and 3 humours ( Vatham, Pitham and Kapham). These forces or humours are in a balanced ratio in our body say 1:1/2:1/4 as Vatha: Pitha: Kapha. Sometimes due to some pathological reason or seasonal variation this equilibrium or balanced ratio may change and hence diseases may occur. A Siddha Physician who is well versed in Naadi diagnosis can detect this change and prescribe internal and external medicines accordingly.

Siddha System comprises of 32 types of internal medicines and 32 types of external medicines. The medicines are safe, natural and very effective, derived from the flora, fauna and rich mineral resources of mother nature. Internal and External medicines are available in market manufactured by various companies. However there are traditional practioners still practicing with their self prepared drugs. External Therapies like Thokkanam (9 unique Siddha Physiotherapic techniques), Ottradam (formentation), Vedhu (steam therapy), Varmam (stimulation of vital points of body therapeutically), Kaya-karpam, Attanga Yogam (8 limbs of Yoga) etc are very effectively used for diseases like hemiplegia, parkinsonism, arthritis etc.In Siddha, there is a wide range of drugs which includes medicines that has got no expiry date. They can be preserved life-long. The formulas of medicine was prepared by Siddhars thousand of years ago

Siddham or the Siddha medicine or Siddha Vaidyam is a not purely a medical system for curing the physical body, Its a way of life formulated by Siddhars through their vision and realisation for getting peace for the mind, health for the physical body and purity for the Soul. Siddhar’s through there Great powers like Ashtamasiddhikal and through immense prayers they realised the fact that Soul which is ultimately a part of the Supreme which is like a drop of water from sea.

Treatment for Mind, Body And Soul:

Siddha medical system is a part of a way of life of the well known Dravidian civilization which emphasizes the importance of Spirituality for Soul, Peace for the Mind and Health for the Physical body. Siddha system of medicine is most ancient and spiritually enriched one. Medicines are formulated and prepared by the Siddhars thousands of years ago after undergoing various research work on flora, fauna and the rich mineral resources of Mother Earth. The medicines are enriched with prayers and power which not only cures the disease but also provides peace to the mind and spirituality to the soul. This divine system of medicine is a treasure of numerous medicines. Just like medicines work for the physical body, mind should be kept peaceful through prayers and meditation.

According to Siddhars or Saiva Siddhantham, Lord Sivam is the Supreme Reality which is eternal, changeless, formless, independent, omnipresent, omniscient, one without a second, omnipotent, taintless, causeless, self-existent, beginningless, ever free, everpure, of course perfect. They realised the fact that Sivam is the Supreme Guru who liberates the Souls from the web of bondage or births. These Great Knowledge they passed it to generations in the form of manuscripts. According to Siddhars the creator or the supreme creates a physical body for a soul to attain the salvation. But it not possible for a soul to attain the parammukti or Salvation by one birth. So a soul must take cycle of births to realise these facts. While getting a birth the Soul is binded with the Mumalams or the Anavam, Kanmam and Mayai which are the impurities just like the Trithodam of the physical body. This is well explained in Saiva Siddhantham as the Pati, Pasu and Pasam. Pati is the Sivam or Eternal Energy and Pasu is the Soul and Pasam the bondage. Anavam is the impurity which pervades in the soul which produces incorrect perception. Kanmam is the other impurity binded in the soul which does the good and bad acts. Mayai is the experience or the material cause which the soul acquires a little of Knowledge and realisation. For these Siddhars formulated certain rules and disciplines or Tapas to clean the three impurities present in the Soul so that one can perceive the spiritual luminance or the Siva lokam within. It is just like as the Kaya karpam to protect the physical body.

Counseling:

Counseling should be a part of treatment always. Just like prayer, Yoga and Meditation, counseling also plays a major role in tuning the disturbed mind of the sufferer. Proper counseling improves the result of the treatment. During counseling a bond of trust and confidence is build between the patient and the physician. All the personal information and data collected during counseling and consultation are kept highly confidential.