AYUSH by Allopath

Let us make AYUSH graceful with the grace of allopathic doctors
September 17,2015, 02.09 PM IST | | The Hans India

Promoting ISM (AYUSH) especially to our present generation, the Government needs to develop innovative approaches and methods. Just by self boasting or making incredible promises, credence of ISM cannot be established. Only with proven science and merit, hereafter, the ISM can survive and sustain.

When we make such statement, naturally the question will be asked, then how the ISM has survived all through these years?

The answer is simple that it is blind faith and hope born out of hopelessness only has made many people to try ISM.

Most people who are choosing AYUSH system or its products, not as their natural or first choice for treating or curing diseases but only due to

1. Availability (only ISM practitioners are available in the locality)
2. Hope born of total hopelessness

Certain diseases like Diabetes, Arthritis etc., cannot be cured but only can be managed. That is science.

This science, the allopathic doctors will definitely share to the patients in the beginning itself.

But on the contrary, some AYUSH private practitioners make huge noise that they can cure all such incurable diseases, naturally some people would find hope to experiment ISM for their incurable diseases.

Ironically no one ask how ISM does not have drugs for curable diseases like allopathic system?

People who claim ISM is 3000- 5000 years old must recognize the fact that all through these years until now, ISM is in critical care unit, surviving with life support system? Innovative approach is needed for promoting AYUSH.

Who has brought AYUSH to the present state?

The question is who is betraying the ISM, those who speaks the truth or those who falsifies it?

Is it not those institutionally qualified ISM private practitioners/healers by prescribing allopathic drugs exposes the emptiness of ISM? If ISM has effective drugs, then why some ISM healers in private practice go after scientifically proven allopathic drugs? Is it not wrong on the part of Government to promote a paramedical wellness based AYUSH as system of medicine and giving status equal to globally proven, scientifically tested allopathic system?

Innovative methods not innovation is need of the hour

Time is up for all of us to devise and evolve innovative methods for promoting ISM instead of engaging in blame game, proving who is right and wrong or whether ISM has any merit etc.

The big question is what the science can really prove or bring out from AYUSH?

At best science may prove that some AYUSH products have small medicinal value? But, will that such small medicinal value of some AYUSH products really qualify those products to be called ‘drugs’ for curing and treating diseases’ or such system as system of medicine?

Funding research or big bang research approaches in AYUSH products will not prove anything great either to the system or to the humanity.

Many research organizations may find an easy way to get Government funding in the name of scientific evaluation of some ISM products. Before funding, Government agencies must get an undertaking from the research centres that the findings should be worthy enough to publish in leading journals like Lancet, PNAS, Nature, Science etc. Otherwise the research on AYUSH products is unlikely to bring any great science. Instead, the fund can be used to create better facilities in Government hospitals and giving better remuneration to allopathic doctors to attract them towards rural service.

Innovative methods for promoting ISM is essential than innovation or research in AYUSH.

One of the innovative methods the Government must explore is to involve allopathic doctors in promoting ISM.

How and Why?

How allopathic doctors can be involved in promoting ISM as it lacks science, merit, evidence and convincing usefulness for treating and curing diseases?

No allopathic doctor would like to risk the life of their patients by prescribing some untested faith based ISM products.

How?

Following are the suggestions to the Government

1Declare and re-position ISM as wellness based paramedical system
2.Redefine the ISM products as wellness based products and may have some small medicinal value
3.Remove all toxic metal and mineral based ISM products from ISM
4.Give support and encouragement for allopathic doctors to establish the palliative value ISM products and use them
5.Encourage and support the allopathic doctors to recognize the paramedical values of ISM and to take its service
6.Set up large number of AYUSH wellness centres and create opportunity for ISM healers to offer their paramedical services like massage therapy, panchakarma etc.,
7.Involve ISM practitioners for promoting swachh bharat campaign, community health education, providing wellness insights, moral teachings etc., to people in rural areas
8.Hereafter appoint only allopathic doctors in PHC’s and rural dispensaries
9.Appoint ISM practitioners in rural AYUSH wellness centres

Why?

Some of the ISM products enjoy great respect only because they are recognized and prescribed by allopathic doctors and the best example being Liv52, a product of Himalaya. The century old company Himalaya, the pride of our country; itself promotes its ISM products only under the concept of wellness.

If Government involves allopathic doctors, AYUSH will safely sail through, otherwise it would remain in the turbid pond of false and incredible promises, without offering anything.

But unfortunately, Government in many states are conducting reverse experiment by granting ISM private practitioners the right to practice allopathic drugs.

When ISM private practitioners prescribe allopathic drugs, it raises several questions and concerns such as

1. Are they eligible, duly qualified and do they have knowledge and competency to prescribe allopathic drugs?
2. If so, under which condition?
3. If under emergency they can prescribe allopathic drugs means, have we defined what is medical emergency in India?
4. Medical emergency involve first aid and immediate hospitalization? In first aid, use of drugs is not followed?
5. Then can the ISM healers attend medical emergency that require hospitalization?
6. Is it legally correct and prudent for an ISM healer to prescribe allopathic drugs?
7. Does the allopathic treatment offered by AYUSH healer not worth to be called quackery?
8. Does it not mean AYUSH products are ineffective and that is why they prescribe allopathic drugs?
9. In the above circumstances, should we trust and believe AYUSH products?
10. To get allopathic drugs from AYUSH practitioner, why should people consult AYUSH doctors, instead they can consult allopathic doctors?

Let us sink with truth

Today AYUSH suffer the worst only because of cross pathy that has raised several such questions and doubts. Cross pathy by large number of institutionally qualified ISM private practitioners only has created the above situation for ISM. On the contrary, the traditional ISM healers are obtaining patent for their innovations in ISM.

Allopathic doctors can easily make use of the paramedical value of some AYUSH products but reverse is dangerous i.e. permitting ISM healers to practice allopathic drugs.

Only way and the best way to promote ISM is to empower allopathic doctors. Accept the truth that ISM is meant only for its paramedical benefits. It is not a medical science. Those who have studied the courses are therapists/healers as per the content and philosophy of the curriculum.

The two surveys of NSSO clearly reveal only the above truth. The first survey has shown that 94% of Indians are aware of AYUSH but only small population prefers ISM.

The second survey of NSSO shows that about 98% of Indians (both in rural and urban areas) prefers only allopathic system and not AYUSH.

Writing on the wall is clear and vivid. We need the grace of allopathic doctors to help AYUSH to survive.

But only if we speak the truth, we can win the support of allopathic doctors. The truth is that none of the ISM products are drugs and ISM is paramedical science and not system of medicine.

Let us be scientifically correct and not emotionally correct and perfect.

Let us show our patriotism against our enemy force and not against our own people. In the name of patriotism let us not promote ISM as system of medicine and legalize quackery and cross pathy. Let us not gift such system to poor people in rural India.

It is a wonderful paramedical wellness based system let us promote ISM with the help of qualified allopathic doctors.
With their grace, let us make AYUSH graceful.

Dr S Ranganathan

chikungunya

Chikungunya
is an infection caused by the chikungunya virus. The disease features the sudden onset of fever two to four days after exposure. The fever usually lasts two to seven days, while accompanying joint pains typically last weeks or months but sometimes years. The mortality rate is a little less than 1 in 1000, with the elderly or those with underlying chronic medical problems most likely having severe complications.

The virus is passed to humans by two species of mosquito of the genus Aedes: A. albopictus and A. aegypti. Animal reservoirs of the virus include monkeys, birds, cattle, and rodents.This is in contrast to dengue, for which primates are the only hosts.Since 2004, the disease has occurred in outbreaks in Asia, Europe and the Americas.

The best means of prevention is overall mosquito control and the avoidance of bites by mosquitoes in areas where the disease is common. This may be partly achieved with the use of mosquito nets. No specific treatment is known, but supportive care is recommended, including rest, fluids, and medications to reduce fever and joint pain

1.sudden onset with high fever,
2.joint pain
3.headache,
4.fatigue
5.conjunctivitis
6.sore throat
7.maculopapular rash
8.nausea, vomiting or diarrhea,

treat fever by acetaminophen only not by corticosteroid 

Methotrexate, a drug used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, has been shown to have benefit in treating inflammatory polyarthritis resulting from chikungunya,

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease first described during an outbreak in southern Tanzania in 1952. It is an RNA virus that belongs to the alphavirus genus of the family Togaviridae. The name “chikungunya” derives from a word in the Kimakonde language, meaning “to become contorted”, and describes the stooped appearance of sufferers with joint pain (arthralgia).

Signs and symptoms

Chikungunya is characterized by an abrupt onset of fever frequently accompanied by joint pain. Other common signs and symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and rash. The joint pain is often very debilitating, but usually lasts for a few days or may be prolonged to weeks. Hence the virus can cause acute, subacute or chronic disease.

Most patients recover fully, but in some cases joint pain may persist for several months, or even years. Occasional cases of eye, neurological and heart complications have been reported, as well as gastrointestinal complaints. Serious complications are not common, but in older people, the disease can contribute to the cause of death. Often symptoms in infected individuals are mild and the infection may go unrecognized, or be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue occurs.

Transmission

Chikungunya has been identified in over 60 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

The virus is transmitted from human to human by the bites of infected female mosquitoes. Most commonly, the mosquitoes involved are Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, two species which can also transmit other mosquito-borne viruses, including dengue. These mosquitoes can be found biting throughout daylight hours, though there may be peaks of activity in the early morning and late afternoon. Both species are found biting outdoors, but Ae. aegypti will also readily feed indoors.

After the bite of an infected mosquito, onset of illness occurs usually between 4 and 8 days but can range from 2 to 12 days.

Diagnosis

Several methods can be used for diagnosis. Serological tests, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), may confirm the presence of IgM and IgG anti-chikungunya antibodies. IgM antibody levels are highest 3 to 5 weeks after the onset of illness and persist for about 2 months. Samples collected during the first week after the onset of symptoms should be tested by both serological and virological methods (RT-PCR).

The virus may be isolated from the blood during the first few days of infection. Various reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) methods are available but are of variable sensitivity. Some are suited to clinical diagnosis. RT–PCR products from clinical samples may also be used for genotyping of the virus, allowing comparisons with virus samples from various geographical sources.

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral drug treatment for chikungunya. Treatment is directed primarily at relieving the symptoms, including the joint pain using anti-pyretics, optimal analgesics and fluids. There is no commercial chikungunya vaccine.

Prevention and control

The proximity of mosquito vector breeding sites to human habitation is a significant risk factor for chikungunya as well as for other diseases that these species transmit. Prevention and control relies heavily on reducing the number of natural and artificial water-filled container habitats that support breeding of the mosquitoes. This requires mobilization of affected communities. During outbreaks, insecticides may be sprayed to kill flying mosquitoes, applied to surfaces in and around containers where the mosquitoes land, and used to treat water in containers to kill the immature larvae.

For protection during outbreaks of chikungunya, clothing which minimizes skin exposure to the day-biting vectors is advised. Repellents can be applied to exposed skin or to clothing in strict accordance with product label instructions. Repellents should contain DEET (N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide), IR3535 (3-[N-acetyl-N-butyl]-aminopropionic acid ethyl ester) or icaridin (1-piperidinecarboxylic acid, 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-methylpropylester). For those who sleep during the daytime, particularly young children, or sick or older people, insecticide-treated mosquito nets afford good protection. Mosquito coils or other insecticide vaporizers may also reduce indoor biting.

Basic precautions should be taken by people travelling to risk areas and these include use of repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants and ensuring rooms are fitted with screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering.

• Do not take aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen, naproxen, etc. Chikungunya can mimic other mosquito-borne diseases like dengue which can cause excessive bleeding. Aspirin and NSAIDS can thin your blood and increase the bleeding. Your doctor must rule out Dengue first. Your doctor may recommend NSAIDS for the joint symptoms after ruling out Dengue.
• If you have unbearable joint pain or no relief after your doctor has advised you to take NSAIDS, your doctor may prescribe you hydroxychloroquine 200 mg orally once a day or chloroquine phosphate 300 mg once per day for up to 4 weeks.

Human Body now 4G

Human Body Has Undergone Four Stages Of Evolution, Finds New Study (Focus News Bureau)02.09.2015

The human body has undergone four stages of evolution, according to recent study conducted by a team of international scientists who studied fossils from the Sima de los Huesos in Spain’s Sierra de Atapuerca.
Dated to around 430,000 years ago, this cave site preserves a large collection of fossils attributed to an enigmatic hominin species, named the Sima de los Huesos
hominin after the site.

Prof Arsuaga and co-authors found that the Sima de los Huesos individuals were relatively tall, with wide, muscular bodies and less brain mass relative to body mass compared to Neanderthals. They shared many anatomical features with the later Neanderthals not present in anatomically modern Homo sapiens, and analysis of their postcranial skeletons (the bones of the body other than the skull) indicated that they are closely related evolutionarily to Neanderthals.



“This is really interesting since it suggests that the evolutionary process in our genus is largely characterized by stasis (i.e. little to no evolutionary change) in body form for most of our evolutionary history,” Rolf Quam of Binghamton University said in a press release.

Comparison of the Sima de los Huesos fossils with the rest of the human fossil record suggests that the evolution of the human body has gone through four main stages, depending on the degree of arboreality (living in the trees) and bipedalism (walking on two legs).

The Sima de los Huesos fossils represent the third stage, with tall, wide and robust bodies and an exclusively terrestrial bipedalism, with no evidence of arboreal behaviors.

This same body form was likely shared with earlier members of our genus, such as Homo erectus, as well as some later members, including the Neanderthals.

Thus, this body form seems to have been present in the genus Homo for over a million years.

It was not until the appearance of our own species, Homo sapiens, when a new taller, lighter and narrower body form emerged.

They describe their findings in a paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.