Alcohol

Our genes could turn us against alcohol (The Times of India:20180223)

https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/

Humans Developing A Gene That Results In Adverse Physical Response To Drinking:

Experts

Humans may be developing a gene that results in an adverse physical response to drinking

alcohol, according to new research.

Scientists believe people have begun evolving so they find it so unpleasant it could stop our

species from drinking in the future.

Examining recent trends in the positive selection of genes across human populations they

discovered that a variant of a gene that results in an adverse physical response to alcohol

had simultaneously emerged in various populations without direct genetic inheritance.

Authored by two researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, the study has been published

in the journal Nature, Ecology & Evolution.

They came to the conclusion after filtering the findings of the 1000 Genomes Project (a

seven-year study which catalogued human variation and genetic data) to analyse data from

2,500 people from 20 population groups across four continents.

They discovered that a group of enzymes known as alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) which are

normally present in humans to help break down alcohols have seen genetic variation which

increases enzyme activity and instead results in an adverse physical response to alcohol

consumption.

DAILY NEWS BULLETINLEADING HEALTH, POPULATION AND FAMILY WELFARE STORIES OF THE DayFriday 20180223

The alcohol is less effectively broken down, the result being that those who then drink it feel

so sick they are highly unlikely to develop a taste for it or drink enough to become alcoholic.

The genetic variations were not just found in one population, but was observed in five

populations in different continents, making the changes unlikely to be solely the product of

genetic inheritance.

These loci immediately raise questions of how these examples arose, whether by gene flow

after divergence or a common ancestral event, the study stated.

Though only a small amount of gene flow between African and non-African populations is

thought to have occurred since their divergence, the introduction of an adaptively

advantageous allele at very low frequency could lead to the signature we observed. But...it

seems apparent that each locus is unique.

The authors added, Taken collectively, these patterns suggest that alcohol oxidation

pathways broadly have been subject to recent positive selection in humans.

Genes in this pathway have been repeatedly targeted, with multiple events segregating at

these sites, (and) the selective pressure appears to operate across the major continental groups

included in this study.

The research follows new evidence that alcohol abuse is linked to an increased risk of

dementia. Those with drinking disorders are associated with a three-times greater risk of all

types of the disease, a study published in the Lancet Public Health journal says. THE

INDEPENDENT

Antidepressant drugs

Drugs to treat depression are effective: Study (The Times of India:20180223)

https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/

A vast research study that sought to settle a long-standing debate about whether or not

antidepressant drugs really work has found they are indeed effective in relieving acute

depression in adults.

The international study a meta-analysis pooling results of 522 trials covering 21

commonly-used antidepressants and almost 120,000 patients uncovered a range of

outcomes, with some drugs proving more effective than others and some having fewer side

effects.

But all 21 drugs including both off-patent generic and newer, patented drugs were more

effective than placebos, or dummy pills, the results showed.

Antidepressants are routinely used worldwide yet there remains considerable debate about

their effectiveness and tolerability, said John Ioannidis of Stanford University in the United

States, who worked on a team of researchers led by Andrea Cipriani of Britains Oxford

University.

Cipriani said these findings now offered the best available evidence to inform and guide

doctors and patients and should reassure people with depression that drugs can help.

Anti-depressants can be an effective tool to treat major depression, but this does not

necessarily mean antidepressants should always be the first line of treatment, he said.

According to the World Health Organization, some 300 million people worldwide have

depression. While both pharmacological and psychological treatments are available, only one

in six people with depression in rich countries gets effective treatment. That drops to one in

27 patients in poor and middle-income countries.

The study, published in The Lancet medical journal, found some differences in the

effectiveness of the 21 drugs.

In general, newer antidepressants tended to be better tolerated due to fewer side effects, while

the most effective drug in terms of reducing depressive symptoms was amitriptyline a

drug first discovered in the 1950s. REUTERS

Cancer

Treating cancer using immunotherapy (The Times of India: 20180223)

https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/

Cancer patients can now be hopeful of living a healthier life. When cancer evolves through

the years into a life-threatening disease, Dr Tarang Krishna at his clinic, Dr Tarang Krishnas

Cancer Healer Center, also evolves his approach with the much-needed immunity-boosting

armour to guard his patients.

With the estimated rise of over million cancer deaths all over the world, the need to revamp

the strategic battleground against cancer is important. Keeping this in mind, Dr Krishna,

Director of Cancer Healer Center, offers an alternative treatment for cancer patients.

The centre uses immunotherapy as the lasting remedy for cancer, which has proved to be

successful with many patients. The treatment focuses on strengthening the immune system of

the body. The stronger the immune system, the better the fight against cancer will be. The

clinic uses immunotherapy to eliminate the ill effects that come with chemotherapy and

radiotherapy, like fatigue, feeling of dullness, hair loss, skin discoloration, hardened veins

and aches. Even depression, that has a huge negative impact on the recovery chances of the

patient, is drastically reduced. Using immunotherapy, coupled with appropriate diet and

change in lifestyle habits, the clinic guides the patient throughout the healing process, which

makes the treatment unique. The centre believes in treating their patients with utmost care,

both medically and emotionally.

Also, it educates the patient about cancer and its treatment, which makes it easier for the

patient and their family to make an informed decision on the treatment method. The

information on cancer is imparted both at the centre and on its website, showcasing authentic

and scientifically resourced information on immunotherapy, providing the information one

would want to know about cancer and natural treatments for it.

Cancer survivors, who have undergone immunotherapy at the Cancer Healer Center, explain

how their battle against cancer made them stronger and more confident about life. There was

no affect on the appetite during the treatment as compared to others. Therefore, their bodies

were easily nourished and strengthened during the course of treatment and recovery.

Infant Mortality

Saving lives: on mortality rate (The Hindu:20180223)

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/saving-lives-on-mortality-

rate/article22828317.ece

It needs political will for India to bring down its shamefully high newborn mortality rate

A new country-wise ranking of neonatal mortality rates the number of babies dying in

their first month for every thousand live births gives India cause for both hope and shame.

Shame, because the report, produced by the United Nations Childrens Fund (Unicef), ranks

India behind poorer countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal and Rwanda. Hope, because the

ranking shows that financial resources are not the biggest constraint in improving this health

indicator; political will is. According to the report, titled Every Child Alive, while average

newborn mortality in low-income nations is nine times that of high-income ones, several

countries buck the trend, showing a way forward for India. For example, Sri Lanka and

Ukraine, which like India are categorised as lower-middle income economies, had a neonatal

mortality of around 5/1000 in 2016. In comparison, the U.S., a high-income economy, did

only slightly better with a rate of 3.7/1000. Meanwhile, Rwanda, which falls in the lowest

income group of less than $1,005 per capita, has brought down its mortality rates from

41/1000 in the 1990s to 16.5 through programmes targeted at poor and vulnerable mothers.

Money matters, but intent matters more.

India saw the 31st highest newborn-mortality rate, at 25.4 deaths per 1000 in 2016, while

Pakistan had the highest. Coming in after 30 countries is no comfort, however, because a

small mortality rate can translate to numerous deaths when the birth-rate is high. This means

India lost 640,000 babies in 2016, more than any other country. How can we chip away at

this staggering number? The report points out that the most powerful solutions are not

necessarily the most expensive. The 10 critical products that hospitals must stock to save

newborns include a piece of cloth to keep a baby warm and close to the mother to encourage

breastfeeding. The list also includes antibiotics and disinfectants, the use of which can stave

off killers like sepsis and meningitis. But other solutions will need greater investment. The

biggest cause of death is premature birth, while the second is complications like asphyxia

during delivery. Preventing these would mean paying attention to the mothers health during

pregnancy and ensuring she delivers in a hospital attended by trained doctors or midwives.

India has programmes such as the Janani Suraksha Yojana for this, but must expand its reach

in laggard States like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Then there are factors outside the

healthcare system, like female literacy rates, that make a big difference to healthcare-seeking

behaviour. But changes in education levels will come slowly. Despite these challenges,

progress is within reach. States like Kerala and Tamil Nadu show that by focussing on these

factors, newborn deaths can be brought to fewer than 15 per 1000 in Indian settings. Its time

for the rest of India to follow suit.

Complete Care

AIIMS rolls out measures for complete care (The Hindu:20180223)

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/aiims-rolls-out-measures-for-

complete-care/article22830497.ece

Patients must be educated about their health so that they dont suffer: doctors

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has integrated palliative care with not

just the oncology department but also with the pulmonary, psychiatry and emergency ward to

give its patients a complete care.

The idea is to ensure that the patients are educated about their health and do not suffer and

prolong their medical misery because of their ignorance. Our experience has shown that

patients and their families are very brave when it comes to life and death scenario, Sushma

Bhatnagar, professor and head department of Onco-Anaesthesia, Pain and Palliative care,

AIIMS.

Two min per patient

We have also seen that giving each patient an undivided attention for two minutes cuts out

50% of all doc-patient conflicts, Dr. Bhatnagar said.

Speaking about the topic of palliative care and pain management at a press conference

organised at AIIMS director Randeep Guleria said, The recognition of pain as the fifth vital

sign and adoption of a disease based on an approach to the assessment has led to a change in

the attitude towards pain management. Extensive study and research on pain pathophysiology

and pharmacology has shown that meticulous assessment of pain along with simple and

inexpensive medicine can be the key to freedom. Yet, the majority of the population suffer a

disgraceful pain crisis.

AIIMS also organised a lecture on Thursday titled Cancer Pain is Preventable. In India,

with a sixth of the worlds total population, more than two million adult and children suffer

from severe untreated pain because of the deadly disease. Doctors stated that the palliative

care can claim an end to the grievance that for too long have strangled our system.

Public Health

PM Modi to inaugurate first ever TB India summit next month (The Indian

Express:20180223)

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-first-ever-tb-india-summit-

next-month-5070754/

During the summit, PM Narendra Modi is also expected to formally launch the National

Strategic Plan for TB Elimination 2017-25 (NSP) which was unveiled last year.

PM Modi to inaugurate first ever TB India summit next month

Justin Trudeau in India LIVE updates: Canadian PM received by PM Modi at Rashtrapati

BhavanJustin Trudeau in India LIVE updates: Canadian PM received by PM Modi at

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Canadian PM Justin Trudeau in New Delhi: Heres what is on his itinerary todayCanadian

PM Justin Trudeau in New Delhi: Heres what is on his itinerary today

Uttar Pradesh Investors Summit: Economic future of India lies with states like UP, says

President Ram Nath KovindUttar Pradesh Investors Summit: Economic future of India lies

with states like UP, says President Ram Nath Kovind

The government of India is all set to organise a mega India TB summit from March 13-16.

All chief ministers will be invited and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first

of its kind event which is aimed at generating sufficient momentum for his vision of a TB

free India by 2025, five years ahead of the global TB elimination target of 2030.

While the prime ministers office has confirmed his participation on the first day of the high

profile event, the presence of several other global figures in India around that time

including WHO Secretary General Tedros Ghebreyesus raises the possibility of the

presence of not just the WHO boss but also Indias export to the global health behemoth,

WHO DDG Dr Soumya Swaminathan who has a special professional interest in TB.

During the summit, PM Modi is also expected to formally launch the National Strategic Plan

for TB Elimination 2017-25 (NSP) which was unveiled last year. Though some of the key

features of the plan are already in place, the ministry is hoping that a formal launch by the

prime minister would give an additional impetus to the programme on the ground.

Late last year, PM Modi had written a letter to all the chief ministers of the country asking

them to hold at least quarterly reviews of the TB control programme in order to meet the

elimination target. There are about 29 lakh new TB cases every year and about 4.20 lakh

people, mostly poor, are estimated to die annually on account of TB, leaving lakhs of children

orphaned. Economic loss on account of TB in India is estimated to be about Rs 20,000 crore

per annum. We cannot allow such human tragedies for a disease which is treatable and for

which drugs and diagnostics are available in the public healthcare system, PM Modi had

written at the start of his letter.

TB kills an estimated 480,000 Indians every year and more than 1,400 every day. India also

has more than a million missing cases every year that are not notified and most remain

either undiagnosed or unaccountably and inadequately diagnosed and treated in the private

sector. This despite the fact that India as a nation has been engaged in TB control for over 50

years now.

Crafted in line with World Health Organizations (WHO) End TB Strategy, and the

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN), the key features of NSP

are to effectively address patients seeking care in private sector, including provision for free

medicines, augmentation of availability of rapid molecular tests, a nutritional support to TB

patients in DBT mode Rs 500 per month has already been cleared by the expenditure

finance committee and an India TB Control Foundation.

For the incentives that will be given to all TB patients for the duration of the treatment

irrespective of income levels, the total annual expenditure sanctioned by the committee of the

department of expenditure is Rs 900 crore for 26 lakh patients.

Health ministry sources say all senior government ministers including Finance Minister Arun

Jaitley, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka

Gandhi and Drinking Water and Sanitation Minister Uma Bharti will be invited for the

summit. Incidentally, even before its formal and expectedly high profile launch, NSP suffered

a setback last year when the budget estimate in the NSP was pared by Rs 4000 crore. The TB

elimination plan was finally allocated Rs 12000 crore instead of the Rs 16000 crore

requirement envisaged in the NSP.

Interestingly, a joint monitoring committee set up for the purpose of evaluating the TB

programme had singled out fund constraint as a major challenge. The strategic plan too

recognises that fact when it says: The JMM 2015 observed that the implementation of the

NSP for 2012-2017 did not achieve the projected increase in case detection by the RNTCP. In

addition, the ambitious expansion of resources planned under the NSP, 2012-2017 will have

tripled the expenditure of the prior plan but has not been matched by allocations. While

RNTCP expenditure has increased 27 per cent since 2012, there is a growing gap between the

allocation of funds and the minimum investment required to reach the goals of the plan.

National Health Protection Scheme

National Health Protection Scheme: HealthMin meets insurers to chalk out a roadmap

(The Indian Express:20180223)

http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/national-health-protection-scheme-healthmin-

meets-insurers-to-chalk-out-a-roadmap/

NHPS will be part of Centres Ayushman Bharat Yojana.

The Niti Aayog has calculated an outgo of Rs 10,000-12,000 crore a year for the Centre and

is confident of successful implementation with the low premiums it hopes to get from

insurance firms. (Photo for representation)

The government and the insurers on Thursday kicked off the process for the roll-out of the

National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS).

The Ministry of Health met the general insurers and state-owned reinsurer GIC Re in New

Delhi to prepare the road-map for the world s largest health insurance scheme, which is

likely to be expanded at a later stage. While the broad contours of the scheme like whether

the government would a prefer an insurance model or a Trust model are not known, the

details are being worked out in discussions with state health secretaries and general insurers.

The implementation will involve questions about how the centre and states will split

financing the scheme in a 60:40 ratio, and how the national insurance scheme will fit in with

the existing Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (or RSBY which targets those below the

poverty line) and state level schemes in states like Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

While Niti Aayog has suggested that the government should pay around Rs 1,000 of premium

per policy, general insurers have insisted that Rs 2,500 of premium per policy on the basis of

acturial pricing to make the scheme sustainable in the long run. As its a unique scheme to be

implemented on a mass scale, insurers are keen that they shouldnt end up making huge

losses. If the government agrees to the Rs 2,500 premium, the cost will more than double

from the present estimate of Rs 10,000-12,000 crore. The ministry had earlier called meeting

of health secretaries of states to get their suggestions on implementation of the mega scheme.

Under the scheme, announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his February 1 Budget

speech, the government plans to provide health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family to 100 million

families in India, which is about 50 crore people or 40 per cent of the population.

G Srinivasan, CMD, New India Assurance (NIA) and chairman of the General Insurance

Council, the official representative of the general insurers and Alice Vaidyan, CMD, GIC Re

along with the officials of other state owned and private sector general insurers attended first

ever meeting called by the Health Ministry over NHPS. The government wants to start the

scheme at the earliest and wants our suggestions about the implementation of this mega

scheme. We didnt discuss about the possible premiums per policy. This was a preliminary

level meeting all of us had, said the CMD of a public sector general insurance company,

adding that government officials indicated that the scheme will be expanded afterwards to

include more segments of population.

NHPS will be part of Centres Ayushman Bharat Yojana. The Niti Aayog, which is a policy

think tank of the government, has calculated an outgo of Rs 10,000-12,000 crore a year for

the Central government and is confident of successful implementation with the low premiums

it hopes to get from insurance firms.

Manoj Jhalani, 1987 batch MP cadre IAS officer, currently serving as Additional Secretary in

the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been given additional charge and designated

as Mission Director of Ayushman Bharat. Kerala cadre IAS officer Dinesh Arora (2002

batch) has also been appointed Director for Ayushman Bharat Scheme in the Ministry of

Health and Family Welfare.

Medical practitioners

A national medical exam is what the doctor ordered (Hindustan Times:20180223)

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

It could help restore confidence in medical practitioners by ensuring uniform quality

standards across India

The National Medical Commission (NMC) Bill, 2017, tabled recently in the Lok Sabha and

currently under consideration of the parliamentary standing committee on health, has invited

a lot of debate. The provision regarding National Licentiate Examination (NLE) has

generated particular interest.

As the trust deficit between physicians and patients is on the rise, it is important to restore

public confidence in the competence of medical practitioners

The Bill provides that the NMC shall conduct a uniform NLE for graduating students to earn

a licence to practise medicine and for enrolment in the register of medical practitioners.

Currently, after clearing the final year MBBS examination and completing one year of

compulsory internship, students are eligible for enrolment in the register of medical

practitioners, which qualifies them to practise medicine. Critics argue that the failure of

MBBS graduates to qualify for the NLE may lead to further shortage of doctors and worsen

the already woeful doctor-patient ratio. Besides, students will have to qualify in yet another

examination to be eligible to practise medicine. Supporters, on the other hand, contend that it

will ensure minimum quality standards in MBBS education across India.

The fact that the quality of medical education varies widely across medical colleges is not in

dispute. Every now and then, news of ineptitude on the part of poorly trained doctors is

reported in media. Besides, the trust deficit between physicians and patients is on the rise. In

this situation, it is important to restore public confidence in the competence of medical

practitioners by ensuring uniform quality standards. Apprehension among critics that the

NLE may result in shortage of doctors is premature since the examination is yet to start.

Second, anecdotal evidence suggests that most medical students aspire for post-graduation

(PG) and, therefore, spend considerable time preparing for the PG entrance examination

(NEET-PG). The Bill provides that the NLE shall be the basis for admission to postgraduate

courses. Therefore, rather than creating an additional burden on medical students, the

introduction of the NLE will serve the twin objective of obtaining a licence to practise as well

as admission to PG courses.

Third, since NEET-PG assesses students only on theoretical knowledge, acquiring clinical

and soft skills during the MBBS course tends to be neglected. A carefully-designed NLE can

shift the focus away from just learning theoretical concepts towards a more balanced

approach of acquiring clinical knowledge and skills as well.

A well-designed NLE may be a harbinger of improvement in the quality of patient care in our

country and may also restore public confidence in the medical practitioners. Amandeep Garg

is joint secretary, Cabinet Secretariat

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Women's Health

What is the average weight for women? (Medical News Today:20180223)

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321003.php

Average weight Ideal weight range Other factors Management Summary

Knowing if your weight is within a healthy range can be beneficial. This is never more so

than in the United States where obesity is a significant problem.

American women aged 20 years and above weigh an average of 168.5 pounds (lbs),

according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Height-wise, the average

adult female is 5 feet 3.7 inches, and her waist measures 38.1 inches.

While these numbers may be the average, they are not a measure of health. One of the

commonly used indicators of well being is a person's BMI, which stands for body mass

index.

The BMI of the average woman in the U.S. is 26.5, which falls into the category of

"overweight." Out of all American adults, more than two-thirds are deemed to be

"overweight" or "obese," which represents a worrying trend for the nation's health.

So, what is the ideal weight range for women, how is it best measured, and what can women

do to achieve their ideal weight?

Average weight and obesity rates worldwide

Average weight for women

A commonly used indicator for measuring well-being is BMI.

At 177.9 lbs the average body mass in North America is the highest of any continent

worldwide, according to 2005 statistics published in 2012 by BMC Public Health.

North America also has the highest percentage of people who are overweight, with 73.9

percent classed as such.

The following table shows the weight data for different world regions:

RegionAverage body mass (kg) Percentage of people overweight

Asia 57.7 (127 lbs) 24.2

Europe70.8 (156 lbs) 55.6

Africa 60.7 (133 lbs) 28.9

Latin America (Caribbean) 67.9 (149 lbs) 57.9

North America 80.7 (177 lbs) 73.9

Oceania 74.1 (163 lbs) 63.3

World 62.0 (136 lbs) 34.7

In a 2015 review, the U.S. also had the highest rate of childhood obesity out of the world's 20

most populated countries, with a rate of 12.7 percent, although Egypt topped the table for

adults at 35.3 percent.

What is the ideal weight range for women?

An "ideal weight" is where a person is at their healthiest and fittest in terms of what they

weigh. There is a variety of different ways to calculate ideal weight ranges:

BMI

BMI is the most commonly used system for calculating ideal weight range, as it is relatively

easy to work out. An individual can work out their BMI by applying their height and weight

to the following formula:

divide weight in kilograms by height in meters

divide the answer by height again

For those people more familiar with using imperial measurements, there are various online

calculators for working out BMI scores.

BMI calculations are the same for men and women, and BMI is seen as correlating fairly well

with a person's percentage of body fat.

Despite this, BMI can give a false picture, as muscle weighs more than fat. Research in the

journal Sports Health, showed athletes rating as "overweight" or "obese," according to their

BMI scorings, despite being in peak condition.

One study also criticizes BMI for underestimating the prevalence of obesity in both sexes and

being increasingly inaccurate as women age.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, BMI ranges are as follows:

Underweight Less than 18.5

Normal weight 18.524.9

Overweight 2529.9

Obesity 30 or greater

Waist circumference and hip-to-waist ratio

Fat is spread around a person's body but not all types of fat are equal.

The fat that can build up around someone's midsection and turn into a beer belly or love

handles can indicate a higher risk for related diseases that have potential to do harm to your

body.

The World Health Organization (WHO) note that fat around the midsection is associated with

an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and premature death.

Furthermore, it says calculating a person's waist-to-hip ratio is a better indicator of their fat

distribution and disease implications than BMI is.

A person can work out their waist-to-hip ratio by dividing their waist measurement by their

hip measurement.

Women should keep their waist circumference at 80 centimeters (cm) or 31.5 inches or less,

according to the WHO. Anything more is associated with increased risk of related health

problems, as follows:

Indicator Cut-off points Risk of health problems

Waist circumference More than 80 cm (31.5 inches) Increased risk

Waist circumference More than 88 cm (34.6 inches) Substantially increased risk

Waist-to-hip ratio Equal or more than 0.85 cm (0.33 inches) Substantially increased

risk

Body fat percentage

Body fat percentage is another way of calculating a person's ideal weight. Unlike BMI, it

differentiates between how much of a person's weight is lean tissue and how much is fat.

In theory, body fat percentage is a good way of measuring ideal weight. However, in practice

there are drawbacks:

The most accurate ways of measuring body fat percentage, such as DXA scans (dual-energy

X-ray absorptiometry), can be expensive and time-consuming.

There is no set scientific agreement on what the ideal body fat percentages are or where the

cut-off points should be.

Nonetheless, the American Council on Exercise propose the following body fat guidelines for

women:

Condition Percentage

Essential fat 1013

Athletes 1420

Fitness 2124

Acceptable 2531

Obesity More than 32

Weight and other factors

A woman's BMI and waist-to-hip ratio can help decide what is a healthy weight. But there are

other factors to consider when finding what the ideal weight is for women.

Age

Research shows that when people age, the amount of fat in their bodies increases while their

muscle decreases. This means that people who want to stay lean may have to work harder on

their diets and exercise when they get older compared to when they were younger.

What are the best foods for weight loss?

Certain foods may be better than others when it comes to trying to lose weight. Learn about

seven healthful options here.

Height

Since BMI takes into account both height and weight, people who have the same BMI score

but are of different heights will weigh different amounts.

Here's how a healthy BMI range translates to different weights at different heights:

Height Weight (BMI 1924)

4'10" 91115 lbs

4'11" 94119 lbs

5'0" 97123 lbs

5'1" 100127 lbs

5'2" 104131 lbs

5'3" 107135 lbs

5'4" 110140 lbs

5'5" 114144 Ibs

5'6" 118148 lbs

5'7" 121153 lbs

5'8" 125158 lbs

5'9" 128162 lbs

5'10" 132167 lbs

5'11" 136172 lbs

6'0" 140177 lbs

6'1" 144182 lbs

6'2" 148186 lbs

6'3" 152192 lbs

Weight management tips

Woman sprinting

High-intensity interval training may be recommended to help manage weight.

Below are seven ways in which women can try to reach or maintain their ideal weight.

1. Do high-intensity interval training

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) involves circuits of exercises that use the maximum

effort a person can manage. Each of these is followed by a cooldown period and then

repeated.

Doing sprints in intervals is an example of HIIT.

Some research suggests that HIIT might fight fat in a variety of ways. It may also improve

how the body handles blood glucose.

2. Cut out processed foods

As well as being less healthful than freshly prepared foods, processed foods are often laden

with calories in the forms of sugar and fat. Cutting out all processed foods is a great way to

reduce calorie intake.

3. Stay physically active

Staying active burns calories and positively alters someone's metabolism, helping them to

maintain an ideal weight.

The U.S. government recommend that adults get 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.

This target might include brisk walking or playing tennis. Alternatively, they can chose 75

minutes of vigorous exercise every week, examples being jogging or continuous swimming.

4. Try intermittent fasting

Intermittent fasting means going for a time without food, and doing all your daily eating

within a restricted time window, such as within 8 hours.

Some research has found that periodic fasting may help to promote greater overall fat loss.

5. Try a ketogenic diet

A ketogenic diet involves eating very few carbohydrates and a lot of fat.

Varous studies show that a ketogenic diet may control hunger and cause the body to burn

more fat than a standard diet.

6. Reduce your portion sizes

Reducing portion sizes is one of the easiest ways a person can consume less calories in a day.

Simply eating off a smaller plate can do the trick.

7. Stay hydrated

Staying hydrated is essential for overall health and may help to stave off hunger pangs.

Sometimes people can mix signals of thirst for those of hunger and have a snack when a glass

of water would be satisfying.

Summary

There are many reasons why women might want to achieve their ideal weight, including

personal beauty standards, athletic performance, and health.

Weight issues and obesity are significant problems in the U.S. Although not perfect,

measures such BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio can help a woman better

understand her weight.

If people feel their weight is a health risk, or they have worries, such as raised blood pressure,

it may be a good idea to consult a doctor.

Moderate and intense exercise, portion control, and occasional fasting, among other things,

can help encourage weight loss.

Stroke

Experimental stroke drug succeeds in preliminary trials (Medical News

Today:20180223)

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320989.php

A new anti-stroke drug has now successfully passed preliminary clinical trials, leading its

developers to enthuse over its potential as a more effective treatment, less likely to be

accompanied by unwanted health events.

Could this experimental drug protect against the adverse effects of traditional anti-stroke

treatments?

Stroke, a cardiovascular event, occurs when the brain's supply of blood is obstructed,

meaning that an area of the brain does not receive enough oxygen.

The most common type of stroke is ischemic stroke, which is caused by a blood clot

obstructing a blood vessel.

In the United States, more than 795,000 people have a stroke per year, according to the

Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Stroke is also responsible for 1 in 20

deaths every year.

Treatment for acute ischemic stroke is done by administering tissue plasminogen activator

(tPA), which is the only drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the

treatment of stroke. This drug type acts by dissolving obstructive blood clots, in order to

allow blood to flow normally again.

However, tPA has a number of shortcomings, including the fact that it has to be administered

within a fairly short window of time 4.5 hours from the event and that it is sometimes

accompanied by serious complications, such as intracranial hemorrhage.

The road to a reliable treatment

In an effort to find an additional treatment that may protect against some of these effects,

scientists from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) in La Jolla, CA, have developed a new

drug called 3K3A-APC.

The drug is an engineered variant of activated protein C, which humans normally produce. It

has been linked to the regulation of blood clotting and to certain aspects of the body's

inflammatory response.

Stroke risk may depend on your height as a child

Have researchers uncovered a new predictor for stroke?

A preliminary phase II clinical trial of 3K3A-APC has so far suggested that the drug is safe to

use in humans.

"These results lay the groundwork for the next steps toward FDA approval," says John

Griffin, who was one of the researchers involved in the development of the experimental

drug.

The success of this clinical trial was reported at the 2018 International Stroke Conference,

held in Los Angeles, CA.

Preclinical studies testing the efficacy and safety of the newly developed drug were

conducted by Griffin's laboratory at TSPI, in collaboration with that of Dr. Berislav Zlokovic,

from the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute at the University of Southern California in Los

Angeles, CA.

Initial tests suggest that the experimental drug not only decreased any damage consistent with

stroke, but it also shielded the brain from the complications normally caused by tPA.

Experimental drug has protective effects

This new clinical trial was placebo-controlled, meaning that the drug's actual efficacy was

tested against a placebo. It also set out to confirm how high a dose of the experimental drug

would be safe for human participants.

Therefore, the scientists recruited 110 people who had had acute ischemic stroke and who

were following treatment with tPA, intra-arterial thrombectomy, or both of these therapies.

The participants all aged between 18 and 90 were followed for a period of 90 days, as

they were administered varying doses of the experimental drug.

The scientists experimented with four different dosages 120, 240, 360, and 540

micrograms per kilogram. All four dose levels including the highest one were tolerated

well by the subjects, so the researchers declared them safe for human use.

Also, the drug was seen to perform well in terms of results related to intracranial hemorrhage,

or brain hemorrhage.

It was found that the drug helped to reduce both total hemorrhage volume, or how much

blood "leaked," and hemorrhage incidence, or how often the participants experienced this

event, significantly.

"The observed trend toward lower hemorrhage rates is consistent with our expectations based

on the drug's mechanism of action and activity in animal studies," says Dr. Patrick Lyden,

one of the researchers involved with the current clinical trial.

But he adds that "[t]hese results should be confirmed in a larger clinical trial." This, the

researchers explain, will be their next step. They aim to eventually get FDA approval for the

experimental drug.

Meningitis

What is aseptic meningitis? (Medical News Today:20180223)

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320993.php

Causes Risk factors Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Outlook

Meningitis is a condition that causes swelling of the protective membranes or meninges that

surround the brain and spinal cord. Aseptic meningitis is when something other than a

bacterial infection causes meningitis. Most often, it is the result of a virus.

When someone has aseptic meningitis, the meninges become inflamed, similarly to bacterial

meningitis. However, unlike bacterial meningitis, aseptic meningitis is not usually life-

threatening.

While still rare, it is more common than bacterial meningitis, but its symptoms are less

severe. Most cases of aseptic meningitis resolve within 2 weeks.

Despite this, anyone who thinks they or their child may have aseptic meningitis should seek

medical care as soon as possible to avoid complications and receive treatment if necessary.

Causes

Child with a high fever which may be caused by aseptic meningitis

Aseptic meningitis can be caused by a range of viruses. High fever may be one symptom.

Aseptic meningitis can be caused by a range of viruses. These are usually enteroviruses, such

as seasonal viruses that are prevalent in late summer and fall. These viruses are by far the

most common cause of viral meningitis, as well as other, milder illnesses.

A person can contract one of these viruses by coming into contact with the saliva or fecal

matter of an infected person. Most people who contract one of these viruses do not develop

meningitis, however.

Other viruses that are much less common causes of aseptic meningitis include:

chicken pox

West Nile

influenza

measles

mumps

Herpes viruses

HIV

Some other conditions that may cause aseptic meningitis include:

certain drug allergies

inflammatory conditions

Vaccines for many of the viruses that cause aseptic meningitis exist.

Risk factors

Anyone can develop aseptic meningitis. However, children under the age of 5 are at most risk

of developing the condition, particularly if they go to daycare or school.

Adults who work with young children in these settings are also at increased risk of

developing aseptic meningitis.

Other people at risk of contracting aseptic meningitis include people who have:

HIV or AIDs

diabetes

other conditions that suppress the immune system

Symptoms

small boy sick with flu

Symptoms of aseptic meningitis may include headache, chills, sensitivity to light, and nausea.

Symptoms of aseptic meningitis vary according to what is causing the condition. The

symptoms can range in severity from so mild that a person may not even know they have it,

to much more serious.

Symptoms of aseptic meningitis can include a combination of the following:

headache

fever

chills

stomachache

nausea and vomiting

sensitivity to light

fatigue

In very young children and infants, the symptoms of aseptic meningitis may present

differently.

Parents who think their infant may have aseptic meningitis should look out for the following

signs:

fever

excessive crying or irritability

refusal to eat

extreme sleepiness

Young children and infants who have aseptic meningitis tend to present with more severe

symptoms than adults. Adults with aseptic meningitis may confuse their symptoms with a

cold or another viral illness, whereas infants may become much sicker.

Anyone who thinks they or their child may have aseptic meningitis should seek medical care,

as soon as possible. However, people who experience any of the following symptoms should

seek immediate medical attention to rule out another, more serious condition:

stiff neck

seizures

severe, debilitating headache

change of consciousness

Diagnosis

To diagnose aseptic meningitis, a doctor will first do a physical exam to assess a person's

symptoms. If a person is very ill, the doctor will likely recommend some further tests to help

diagnose the problem, including:

blood cultures

CT scans to check for brain swelling

chest X-rays

The only test that can confirm whether a person has meningitis or not is a spinal tap.

A spinal tap involves removing fluid from a person's spinal column and analyzing it to check

for viral or bacterial infections.

A doctor will also check the fluid for elevated protein and white blood cells, both of which

indicate infection.

All about bacterial meningitis

To learn about bacterial meningitis, including its symptoms and treatment option, read this

article.

Treatment

Treatment options for aseptic meningitis vary according to its cause. Most adults and older

children recover on their own within 2 weeks without any medical treatment. For these

people, a doctor will likely recommend standard at-home care for a viral infection, including

extra rest and fluids.

Sometimes, a doctor may prescribe medications to treat the underlying cause of aseptic

meningitis. For example, if a fungal infection has caused a person to have aseptic meningitis,

a doctor may prescribe antifungal medications.

Outlook

Most cases of aseptic meningitis resolve with no lasting complications. However, some

people, particularly babies and people with weakened immune systems, may develop a severe

illness from aseptic meningitis that requires a stay in the hospital.

Drug News (Navbharat Times:20180223)

http://epaper.navbharattimes.com/details/59150-57154-1.html

Diet/Nutrition (Navbharat Times:20180223)

http://epaper.navbharattimes.com/details/59144-50625-1.html

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Retirement of Doctors (Dainik Jagran:20180223)

http://epaper.jagran.com/ePaperArticle/23-fev-2018-edition-National-page_5-11086-21876-

262.html

Heart Disease (Dainik Jagran:20180223)

http://epaper.jagran.com/ePaperArticle/23-fev-2018-edition-National-page_14-11082-20320-

262.html

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