Intrmittent drug treatment can curb Malaria

      WHO estimates that about six billion dollars a year are needed to wipe out malaria.
      The intermittent use of preventive antimalarial drugs can be beneficial in curbing the spread of the disease in children , according to the results of a study released Tuesday.
      Trials conducted in Mali and Burkina Faso showed that this type of treatment during the malaria transmission season could reduce infection rates y between 70 and 85 percent.
      The two randomized controlled trials each involved more than 3,000 children who were treated with intermittently with the antimalarial drugs sulphadoxine pyrimethamine and amodiaquine.
      The treatment "provided substantial additional protection against episodes of clinical malaria , severe malaria and all cause hospital admissions" , said the study reported in the public Library of science journal.

 
      The drug treatment "adds the benefit of sleeping under bednets" the report said adding that "that this public health intervention is best delivered by community-based , volunteer village health workers".
      The authors of the Burkina Faso study wrote that the results offer "strong evidence to support the integration of (intermittent preventive treatment for children) into malaria control strategies in areas of seasonal malaria transmission'.
      The authors of the study in Mali arrived at a similar conclusion , saying : "These findings indicate that (the drugs) could make a valuable contribution to malaria control in areas of seasonal malaria transmission alongside other interventions".

      The research was led by Diadier Diallo from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine ; Amadou Konate from the center National de Recherche et de Formation sur le paludisme in Ouagadougou ; and Alassane Diko from the Malaria Research and Training Center in Mali.
      A third study in Gambia , also noted in the journal , indicated administering the drugs by comminity-based , volunteer village health workers was more effective and less costly than delivery by reproductive and child health teams run by the Ministry of health.
      The disease killed an estimated 781,000 people in 2009 - including about 650,000 children aged under five - but that figure has been reduced from 985,000 in 2000 , the World Health organization said recently.
      International spending in the war on malaria is predicted to peak at 1.8 billion dollars in 2010 , but WHO estimates that about six billion dollars a year is needed to wipe out the disease.

Parkinon's disease

Researchers develop new , working mammalian model to combat genetic causes of Parkinsons

      Evidence is steadily mounting that genetic factors play an important role in many cases of Parkinson's Disease (PD). In a study published February 2 , 2011 , online in the journal of Neuroscience , researchers from the Ecole poly-technique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland report a new mammalian model for studying a specific gene mutation commonly found in PD sufferers , opening the door to new drugs to fight the malady.

      "This is a great step forward toward a more comprehensive understanding of how the disease works , and how it can be diagnosed and treated" , explains neuroscientist and EPFL President Patrick Aebischer , lead author of the study.
      PD is a common neurodegenerative disease that greatly reduces quality of life and costs the United States around 23 billion dollars a year.
      Until now , researchers have encountered difficulty in reproducing PD pathology in animals because of an incomplete understanding of the disease.
      Recently , a mutation of the gene coding for LRRK2 , a large enzyme in the brain , has emerged as the most prevalent genetic cause of  PD (genetics are implicated in about 10 percent of all PD cases). When the enzyme is mutated , it becomes hyperactive , causing the death of vulnerable neurons and leading to a reduction in levels of the brain neurotransmistter dopamine. This decrease in dopamine eventually triggers the symptoms characteristic of Parkinsons , such as tremors , instability , impaired movement and later stage dementia.

      Now , with funding from the Micheal J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research , Aebischer and his team in the Neurodegenerative Studies Laboratory at EPFL , have successfully introduced mutant LRRK2 enzyme into one hemisphere of a rat brain , resulting in the same PD manifestation that occur in humans in one side of the rodent,s body.
      To do this , the researchers spent two years producing and optimizing a viral vector to deliver mutated , LRRK2 coding DNA into the rat brain.
      LRRK2 is a large and complicated enzyme and designing a vector capable of transporting its extremely long genetic code was no small feat.

      The new animal model developed by EPFL is sure to benefit future Parkinson's research. The fact that LRRK2 is an enzyme - a cat - alyzing protein involved in chemical reactions - makes it drug accessible and there fore of specific interest to researches looking for neuroprotective strategies or pharmaceutical treatments that halt or slow disease progression by protecting vulnerable neurons. Armed with the LRRK2 model , new pharmaceuticals that inhibit the hyper-activity of the enzyme could one day prevent the destructive chain of events that leads to neurodegeneration and devastation in many with PD.

 

Fever fits

    Common condition in young children

By Nilma Dole

      Parents should be cautious and mindful when their children have fever fits because not all are related to epilepsy. More often than not , we tend to worry about it confusing it with epileptic fits but for any problem , a medical consultation is vital to determine what exactly is the cause. President of the college of paediatricians , Dr.Deepthi Smarage spoke about a particular type of fainting attack called fever fits.
      Q : What are febrile convulsions (fever fits) ?
      A : Febrile convulsions (also called fever fits , fits with fever or febrile seizures) is common condition in children , in the age group of six months to six years. They occur in 3-4%of all children.
           The child loses consciousness briefly and may develop jerky movements coupled with a bout of fever.
           This is not a prolonged fever because it is nothing to worry about but parents should ensure that the child is safe and not in harm's way.
      Q : Do fever fits need prompt treatment if there are repeated fits ?
      A : No. Since it is an age-related condition , it will pass when the child becomes older , after six years.
            Long-term medications have their own side effects because it can be harmful later on in the individual's life. As febrile convulsions are self-limiting , ensure that the child is in a safe environment when such a fit occurs.
      Q : In what way can parents or the guardians help the child when a fit occurs ?
      A : Unwanted manoeuvres during the time of the fit can endanger the child's health and will have dramatic consequences. This can lead to chocking and difficulty in breathing so parents/guardians should be educated on what to do. The important thing is not to panic and bring the child to a position lying down (horizontal) in a foetal position.
            No external substances should be administered by mouth during the time of the fit as it can have a dangerous impact. If the fit doesn't subside after about five minutes , the child should be taken to the doctor immediately.
      Q : Is there a particular drug which the parents/guardian can administer at home ?
      A : Yes , if the fit doesn't resolve spontaneously within five minutes , the parent/guardian can administer a medicine called diazepam which is given through a vial through the rectum.
            The child should be kept under observation and consult the doctor on a fre-quent basis.
      Q : Do febrile convulsions develop into epilepsy later in life ?
      A : This is very rare but if febrile convulsions prolong for more than 20minutes then the chances of developing epilepsy can be more.
            Even though febrile seizures are quite benign , every episode should be fully evaluated by a doctor. A child may have had three febrile seizures from which they recovered quickly and easily , but the fourth episode of convulsions and fever may be a serious illness , not febrile seizures. So it really depends from each child as it can trigger different reactions in children.
      Q : Do children with febrile convulsions need EEG (Electroencephalography) and CT (Computed axial Tomography) scans ?
      A : Not at all. If the diagnosis of febrile convulsions are very clear these investigations are not really necessary.
            Best is to talk to a doctor first before doing any sort of investigations.
      Q : Do febrile convulsions affect the development of the child ?
      A : No. A child will develop normally and achieve their full potential even if they have had febrile convulsions when they were small

Mano Roga or Ayurveda Psychiatry

OCTOBER 10 -   WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

By Ayur. Psychiatrist
  Dr.Saman S.Hettige

      Mental illnesses are increasing day by day. According to the WHO there are 450 million phychiatric patients around the world.
      Mano Roga is classified into twenty two psy-chopathologies. It emphasizes how important the biological predisposition is to amalgamate with the environmental factors to develop psychiatric disease in human beings. This system is still being practiced in its original form at Manasa Hospital Boralesgamuwa (Sri Lanka) , Neelammahara by generations of traditional psychiatrists , which is endemic to them.
      Ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to the Indian sub continent and practiced in other parts of the world as a form of alternative therapy.
      Ayurveda remains an influential system of medicine in South Asia. The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic Period in India.Over the following centuries , Ayurvedic practitioners developed a number of medicinal preparations and surgical procedures for the treatment of various ailments and diseases and the first plastic surgery was done by Ayurvedic surgeon Susrutha 3500 ago and the blood circulation was exactly described in earliest ayurveda literature exactly as William Harvey described in 17th century.
      According to Ayurveda , "Nidrava" or sleep factor plays a vital role in one's mental health. One needs to have a sound sleep for at least 7 to 8 hours a day for the well-being of one's mental heath. It is stressed that breaking rest at night and sleeping during the day time are factors detrimental to the well-being of one's mental heath.
      The food we consume has an impact on our Mano dhosa and Kaika dhosa (Mental and physical heath). If consuming harmful food influences the mano Dhosa , it can effect the kaika dhosa and Manasika dhosa as well as in the end cause the malfunction of the brain.


Treatment
      This also indicates that physical conditions also effect the psycological state of and individual and vice versa. In Sankaya dharshanaya this bond is known as "Samavai Sambandathavaya" if broken there will be losses in the bond between the body and mind. Environment plays a vital role in one's mental health. If the individual id frequently exposed to stress induced environment or if a person is addicted to substance such as alcohol , heroin or even betel leaves they are vulnerable to mental illness. hereditary factor is also mentioned in the classical text as Nija Roga.
      In ayurveda the treatments are mainly divided into three. Ukththi Viyapashra (Rational therapy) , Daivap Viyapashra (Spiritual therapy) and Sathvawviyapashra (Phycological theraphy).
      Treatments are conducted according to the severity of the individual's condition.
      If the patients are aggressive , hostile and if the treatment cannot be conducted at home , we admit them to hospital for indoor treatments.For patients who are aggresive and hostile , special treatments such as Nasna (Nasal draining) , Hisagalvum (head packs) , Werechana (Purgatives) and Sheerodara are administered. If their condition is critical , counseling would have no effect. Therefore we are using these special methods to sedate the aggressive patients in the initial stage.
      October 10 is World Mental Heath Day. Boralesgamuwa Neelammahara Manasa Ayurveda Hospital the first ayurvedic mental hospital in Sri Lanka would be conducting a mental health campaign at the hospital the hospital premises today from 10a.m to 4p.m to raise public awareness about mental health issues. We want to make people aware of three conditions.
      Most often patients' guardians fail to recognize these conditions. And bring them to us only after the situation becomes worse. Once the disease becomes Nidangatha or chronic , it is very difficult to handle than during acute phase.   

Prostrate cancer

     

      The prostrate gland that contributes to form seminal fluid which provides nourishment to sperms when you are young. In old age it can become bigger and it could be benign or malignant , the latter being caused by cancerous changes. As the prostate gland enlarges , the layer of tissue surrounding it stops it from expanding and blocks the urethra. The bladder wall becomes thicker and irritable and contracts sending little urine , causing more frequent urination.

    * Prostate problems such as pain in the genitals , difficulty in passing urine and
       erectile dysfunction make people consult a doctor for a check-up.
    * There are symptoms like walking up in the middle of the night to pass urine and
       slow unsteady urine flow which is also part of prostate problems.
    * First a physical examination is done and then tests are checked to see if the
       biopsy is cancer cancer-causing.
    * A prostate-specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test and a Urine Flow Study might
       also be done.
    * In young men , a prostrate problem called prostatitis can occur in which the
       prostrate gland can be infected due to an unknown reason.
    * Advance in medical science help produce drugs to relax and reduce the size of
       the prostrate.
    * Minimal Access Surgery including transurethral microwave thermotherapy
       (TUMT) can be used.
    * Seek advice from a qualified urologist or physician.
    * There is no way of preventing benign prostate enlargement since it occurs in
       old age but the best way to prevent complications is to submit yourself to a
       medical checkup early and seek treatment before the worst happens.
    * Neglecting prostrate problems can cause much discomfort and disruption in the
       quality of one's life. It may occasionally be life threatening if one fails to detect
       a cancer in time or wait till the bladder and kidneys are affected.

 

Cervical cancer

      "Studies have shown that if you are addicted to smoking and taking strong drinks at the same time , the chances of getting cancer are more.
      Also there are other forms of cancers that spread sexually like the human papillo-mavirus which causes cervical cancer" , She said. We should be careful and not indulge in bad habits , Dr.Perera said. "With a country having a history of oral cancer due to betel-chewing , the odds are heavily weighed against us with more cancer cases like lung cancer , colon cancer , ovarian cancer and even esophagus cancer becoming common".

      At present , some men may feel that prostrate cancer won't effect them and it's only a western disease. But in the future , the major cause of cancer in men in men would be prostrate cancer. She said , "Firstly , I would advise people to drink kola kenda at least three times a week , consult a qualified doctor if you are taking any form of medicine and have a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise and good food".