Do Graphic Warning Labels on cigarette packs make any difference?

When it comes to smoking, smokers often seem to have deaf ears. Whatever they are told or requested or warned, their habit of smoking seems really hard to pull off. However, since the rule to display graphical warnings on cigarette packets has been put into place, has there been any deterring behaviour? Have the visual warnings led to any per cent of demotivation in the smokers? Studies say yes.

In first-of-its-kind law in India, courts made it compulsory for cigarette brands to carry horrific visual graphic warning labels (GWLs) on cigarette packs. In fact, till today, over 65 countries carry such warnings because they have been proved to reduce smoking rates.

Smoking is a leading cause of preventable death throughout the world, including India.

The idea was proposed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Mays and colleagues conducted a study to map the impact and biological mechanisms that explained why and how GWLs impacted smokers to think of the health consequences of smoking.

The team took 19 current smokers aged 18 to 30 and showed them a series of images that displayed two types of packaging. First, GWLs, consisting of a graphic and text or text-only warning labels. Second, plain cigarette packaging for four seconds each person.

The study mapped the brains of the participants through functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Also, the participants had to record their willingness to quit ranging from 1 to 4 post the image viewing.

The study concluded that GWLs were much more successful at demotivating participants to smoke as compared to plain or even text-only warnings. GWLs demonstrated responses in various regions in the brain, including the amygdala and in the medial prefrontal cortex.

 "The medial prefrontal region that responded to graphic warning labels in this study has been previously associated with self-relevant processing... When we find information to be self-relevant, that may increase how impactful it is for our life decisions," co-lead study author Adam Green told a website.

 TOI Health team conducted a poll asking people if GWLs made any difference for them in their decision to buy a pack. We asked people if they would buy a cigarette pack despite the GWL on it. Of the total 3800 respondents, 54 per cent said no, while 46 per cent said yes, proving what the study had concluded.

 Smoking causes 90 per cent of the total lung cancer deaths in the world. It harms every organ in the body! It causes 80 per cent deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Kick the butt now or you won’t ever!

Source:TOI

4 common skin problems during summer and their solutions

Summer can be damaging to your precious skin. Some of the common skin ailments seen during the summer are acne getting aggravated, oily skin, a sun tan and a sun burned skin, prickly heat, body odour and fungal infections.
The hair and skin are the usual victims of the harsh rays of the sun and harmful polluted gases that inhabit the air. The situation is aggravated by sweat, which acts like a magnet and attracts dust particles and other polluted elements. The harsh sun’s rays cause the skin to tan and can further lead to sun burns. This when not checked in time, leads to the skin showing up pigment spots.

1) Sun tan: Due to constant sun exposure, which happens more-so in summers, the skin tends to get tanned more easily. A suntan is actually the body’s defense mechanism against strong sunlight. But then sun-burning on the other hand in severe forms can be quite uncomfortable. It results in redness of the skin, skin peeling and sometimes itching.

A sunscreen when applied, no matter how high the SPF is, will protect the skin from the detrimental effects of the UV rays, but not against a tan. Despite that, the use of a sunscreen is essential to prevent the damage of skin. The tanned effect on the skin should not deter you from the use of sunscreen. Intake of oral antioxidants and 1000mgs of Vitamin C daily will also help.

Additional protection by wearing light colour clothes which deflect the sun’s rays. Wear broad rimmed hats, sun glasses and if possible carry an umbrella.

A facial done regularly makes the skin look radiant by eliminating dead skin cells thereby improving uneven skin tone, rehydrating and restoring the skin’s suppleness. De-tanning and exfoliating the skin should be the primary goal of a facial treatment besides rejuvenation.

Aloe vera soothes the skin, so can be applied to skin that is tanned and also on the rashes to bring relief from itching.

Take 3 peeled cucumbers and grate them. Add 4-5 almonds to it, put it in the blender to make a paste. Refrigerate it and apply the cool mask on tanned or sun burned skin to help soothe the skin as well as lift off the tan.

2) During summer, your body perspires more to keep your body temperature lower. This in turn triggers the sebaceous glands to produce more oil(sebum) to keep your skin moisturized. The sebum and the accumulation of the dead skin cells block the pores which results in come done and acne formation. Oily skin and excessive sweating is also the reason for “runny make-up” and the need for a touch-up.

Mix about 2 teaspoons of fresh tomato juice with a few drops of lemon juice. Apply this to your face at least once a day, allow it to dry and then rinse your face once more. This will help to control sebum production, but at the same time, won’t make your skin too dry.

In many cases, topical application is what will be sufficient to heal the acne, but at times you may need to take oral medications. One can use salicylic acid based face wash to help reduce the oiliness of your skin. Another good bet is to use a mud based face mask as that again helps in absorbing the excess sebum that is secreted.

Take 2 tbsp of curds, few drops of lime juice and 2 pinch of turmeric powder. Make a paste of smooth consistency and apply on the face. Rinse off after 20 mins. It helps in drying the acne as well as lightening of marks.

3) In summer, hair becomes static, dry, brittle and frizzy as the humidity and summer sun damages the cuticle ( outer layer) of your hair. Your scalp tends to get more sticky because of excessive sweating.

You need to wash your hair 2-3 times a week to keep it clean and less greasy. Use a mild shampoo followed by a good conditioner on the hair ends. Use a medicated anti-dandruff shampoo once a week if you are prone to dandruff. Leave in conditioners help protect the hair further by sealing in the moisture and also help protect the hair from the damaging effects of the sun and pollution to some extent.

Source: TheTimesOfIndia

List of 6 Health Effects of Chemotherapy by AMRI Hospitals

A treatment potent enough to give a fresh lease of life to someone, Chemotherapy is certainly a remarkable achievement in the field of modern medicine. AMRI Hospital, the best multispecialty hospital in Salt Lake explains that it is one of the most effective cancer treatments that use drugs to destroy cancer cells. However, it is looked upon as a mind-altering and emotionally challenging treatment. Anyone undergoing chemotherapy would probably be submerged in a lot of emotions.

As a matter of fact, there are a number of adverse effects associated with this treatment. Experienced medics at AMRI Hospital enumerate all that side effects you need to know before undergoing chemotherapy.

Hair Loss (Alopecia)

It is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy, which usually starts after several weeks of the treatment. The hair may come out gradually or in large clumps. However, it is a lesser known fact that the entire body hair (eyelashes, eyebrows, arm hair to the little hairs on your toes) fall off during the treatment. This makes it one of the hardest side-effects, especially for women.

Nausea and vomiting

This side-effect depends majorly on the dosage of the drugs during the treatment. AMRI Hospital group recommends the patients to be relaxed while receiving chemo as it can help in controlling nausea and vomiting. Also, there are a number of anti-nausea/pre-chemo meds like Zofran or Promethazine along with added anti-anxiety meds like Lorazepam, which can keep this condition under control. Avoiding greasy, spicy and acidic food is equally effective in combating nausea.

Dehydration 

Keeping yourself hydrated is imperative throughout chemotherapy. It helps in flushing out the toxins and maintaining overall health. It is equally important to ensure that every infusion, in and out the patient, includes pre-chemo meds and hydration. Prevention and early treatment is effective in keeping a check on the dehydration level.

Anemia

The loss of red blood cells during chemotherapy causes anemia. This comes with symptoms like heart palpitations, excursions, fatigue and shortness of breath. AMRI Hospital Group recommends patients to include iron-rich food items, such as dark green leafy vegetables, beans, meat, nuts, prunes, raisins, and apricots in their everyday diet.

Loss of appetite

A significant decline in the appetitive is yet another common side-effect of chemotherapy.  Chemo therapy results in loss of appetite and body weight as it has a major impact on the body's metabolism. However, severity is determined by the type of cancer and chemotherapy treatment. The health experts at AMRI Hospital Saltlake suggest consuming small meals at frequent intervals to keep up the supply of nutrients to the body.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is another common side-effect associated with chemotherapy. It mainly occurs when the damaged cells are suddenly expelled from the body. The symptoms of loose or watery bowel movements can be seen a few days after the treatment starts.

The severity of side-effects associated with chemotherapy call for a dire need to ensure appropriate remedial measures. Undergoing a timely treatment can help you alleviating the damage. It might seem difficult in the start and probably you will lose hope many-a-times. But all you need is the right survivorship plan, attitude and will power to embrace and recover. 

Reference URL: https://amrihospitals.wordpress.com/2017/09/01/amri-hospitals-list-of-6-health-effects-of-chemotherapy/

Bone problems associated with diabetes- Article by AMRI Hospitals

Bones play an important role in the overall functioning of the human body. Apart from providing a frame structure, they protect the vital organs of the body and are imperative for performing the day-to-day physical activities. AMRI Hospitals, one of the leading multispecialty hospitals in Kolkata highlights that bone health is essential and determines your overall health and wellbeing. Thus, it is imperative to ensure that the bones are healthy and in perfect condition. However, there are a number of diseases and disorders that pose a major threat to the functioning and overall effectiveness of the bones.

According to the experienced medics at AMRI Hospital Kolkata, diabetes is one of the most common diseases which increases the risk of various bone and joint disorders. It is a long-term condition that leads to high blood sugar levels. There are a number of bone problems associated with diabetes, directly related to blood sugar control and duration of the disease. The factors like nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy), arterial disease and obesity, often lead to these problems. Various studies have shown that majority of the people having bone problems like arthritis also have diabetes. The most common bone problems associated with diabetes include:

Charcot's joint (also known as Charcot's foot or Charcot's arthropathy)

It is one of the most common problems which majorly affects the feet. Charcot's joint leads to the loss of sensation and numbness in the feet due to the nerve damage. As a result, the people suffering from this disease become prone to injuries and have wear and tear of joints due to the pressure put on them. AMRI Hospital Group states that severe damage can also lead to deformities in the affected foot.

Osteoarthritis

The inflammation of tissues in the joints and damaging of the cartilage usually leads to Osteoarthritis. Though this condition is not directly related to diabetes, it is quite common in overweight people with type 2 diabetes. The people suffering from Osteoarthritis have weak bones which become prone to fractures. The risk of developing this disease is higher in overweight people due to the extra strain put on their joints. It has been observed that the symptoms of osteoarthritis are rarely seen in the early stages. They are usually seen in the advanced stage and often result in the loss of height, stooped posture or bone fractures.

Rheumatoid arthritis

It is s an autoimmune disease in which the immune system of the body attacks the joints. This condition is common in people with type 1 diabetes. As a matter of fact, Type 1 diabetes is also classified as an autoimmune disease, which points out the possible link between the two diseases. The pain and stiffness experienced in the morning that usually lasts for more than 30 minutes is one of the most common systems of rheumatoid arthritis.

Diabetic hand syndrome (also known as cheiroarthropathy)

It is a common joint disorder affecting the hands, which has a link with diabetes. It leads to restricted movement of fingers as the skin on the hands becomes thick and waxy. Though the actual cause of this disease isn't known, it is quite common in the people having diabetes for a long time. The ability of fully extending the fingers or to press the palms together is alleviated in this condition.  It is recommended to undergo a physical therapy and manage the blood glucose levels in order to cure this disease.

Thus, the severity of the bone problems associated with diabetes makes it important to ensure appropriate measures to combat the same.

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AMRI Hospitals Wish you a very Happy and safe Holi.

As we as all know Holi is the celebration of colors and any place you see, on this day, individuals toss colors on each other. It is trusted that without colors Holi celebration is fragmented. In the past, Holi was celebrated with characteristic colors that were effectively accessible in the market or can be made at home. Set up of yellow shading they utilized turmeric powder where with respect to red shading they took hibiscus and for green shading they pick the henna powder. Along these lines, everyone plays safe Holi around then. 

In any case, today, markets are over overflowed with various sorts of glue hues, wet and dry hues. These hues contain unsafe chemicals in it and individuals appreciate playing with these hurtful joyfully. The substance hues contain solvents like lead, sweet-smelling mixes, tetrathyline and benzene. Red, green and dark are a portion of the dim hues that contain copper sulfate, mercury sulphite and lead oxide in high substance. These destructive solvents when blended with hues can specifically prompt to skin related issues like rashes, skin tumor, sensitivity, and so forth. 

Impacts of substance colors

The hues contain high lethal chemicals which come in substance with our skin and enter inside our body through pores. In this manner offer ascent to skin and different ailments. 

Causes sensitivity in eyes which brings about visual deficiency, redness of the eyes. 

Overabundance admission of dark shading containing lead oxide through air straightforwardly influences the kidney. 

Chlorine iodine contains in purple shading causes asthma. 

Causes skin tumor. 

Specifically, assault the sensory system which brings about mental hindrance. 

Prompts to dermatitis because of rashes and tingling. 

Specifically, influences the hair. Once the shading gets dry, it brings about dry and weak hair. 

Permanent colors are additionally accessible in the market as Holi colors. It is exceptionally hard to wash these colors and hold for a few days on the skin once it gets dry and in this way named as pucca colors. Individuals likewise make utilization of oil and motor oil to play Holi. These chemicals when interacts with our skin offer ascent to different skin related issues. You will feel the response following a few hours. You need to utilize lamp fuel oil, cleaners and cleansers to dispose of these chemicals which thusly cause more issues for the skin. 

Concoction hues are more popular and effortlessly accessible as they are shabby when contrasted with the regular home grew colors. These are by and largely arranged effectively by including destructive substances like mica, soluble bases and glass powder. 

Purple, green and some other dull hues very contain the synthetic substance. Abstain from coming in direct contact with these hues. Wash these hues from your body as quickly as time permits before they enter through pores and blend with the blood. Do whatever it takes not to remain before daylight for quite a while in the wake of applying hues. To stay away from all the unsafe impacts of compound hues, pick bloom petals and regular hues. It is exceptionally important to utilize eco-accommodating hues and play safe Holi.

AMRI Hospital Wishes you a very Happy and safe Holi.