Public Health

Unlike last year's scene in city hospitals where a sense of panic had gripped Bengaluru during the ‘swine flu' season, this year the city seems more aware about this illness. Also, this year, with the availability of the H1N1 vaccine, many have opted to protect themselves through this. Though vaccination against H1N1 influenza virus is not compulsory, those with chronic illnesses are advised to take it. Pic Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons. With the monsoons and winter closing in on Bengaluru, more people are also likely to seek vaccination now. Here is a detailed guide on whether one should get vaccinated, who…

The common adulterants in pulses, tea, soft drinks, sweets, oil, saffron, coffee and chilli powder and so on are as follows.Pulses: Stone is a common occurrence in rice and Tur Dal. Kesari dal is a banned product and is sometimes sold as Tur dal, especially at times when Tur dal prices are high. It contains toxins that can paralyse the individual if consumed for two or three months. "We discovered the dal (Kesari passed off as Tur dal) was being sold in Karnataka border for Rs 25 to Rs 30 per kg and was being passed off for Tur Dal.…

This is something I would loved to have participated in if I'd been in Bangalore....do participate! Cycle Rally - 7th March 2010The Event: 'Go Green Bangalore' - A Cycle Rally in Bangalore on Sunday, 7th March 2010, 6.30 am.The Task: Cycling 21 kms : Kanteerva Stadium - Hebbal Flyover - Kanteerva Stadium.The Cause:· To commemorate International Women's Day.· To tell Bangalore that it is time to Go Green and Healthy.· To urge the Government to create cycling and walking lanes around the city.Participation: Anyone and everyone who believes in cleaner and greener Bangalore. Beg, borrow, buy a cycle and be…

Have you ever wondered what to carry with you on a long ride? Have you been puzzled by how to administer first-aid to a fallen bicyclist? Have you seen bollywood movies where the hero beats on the chest of the his sweet-heart and brings her back to consciousness and wondered if that is really needed? Do you know why a male army doctor and an ardent bicyclist carried a sanitary napkin with him on our trip to Muthathi?Find answers to all your questions on Saturday, February 20th at 6PM in the evening at our BOTS. Click here (http://www.bumsonthesaddle.com/contact) for location.Dr.Major…

Bengaluru is a city that’s learning to stay fit. Running the marathon or biking to work or hitting the gym with increasing regularity, most Bangaloreans are up, about and active. The health and fitness market is India is estimated at around Rs 2,900 crores, according to a Technopak report in Business Standard. It pegs the average annual spend on health and fitness by individuals at approximately Rs 2,600. The statistics are not specific to Bangalore but do give you a general idea of the average citizen’s interest in fitness. Is fitness as an industry seeing satisfied consumers? And who’s rushing…

Recently, I was surprised by the efforts that the government takes in checking TB cases by distributing free medicines through the nearest centres. The system is made so fool-proof that the medicines are taken by the patients regularly in the presence of a medical officer.  In fact a doctor or at least a nurse visits the house of the patient and guides the family members about the importance of taking the medicines regularly, the various precautions that the family should take and ensures that the medicines are distributed from the most convenient location.  The hospitals are monitored strictly.  The doctors…

...so said a friend, partly in anguish, partly in jest, referring to the Principal Secretary of the Government of Karnataka, Department of Health and Family Welfare, IR Perumal! I happened to witness this gentleman speaking at a press conference recently. He was talking about swine flu. He was there to dispel the myths about swine flu and reduce the panic among the public. The one thing about him that would strike you (or anyone) is the capacity of his vocal chords. He's loud! And animated! Well, that's not a bad thing at all. At this particular press conference he was…

Symptoms in children * Fast breathing * Breathlessness* Wheezing * Blue skin or lips * Not drinking enough fluids * Irritable Excessive vomiting * SeizuresSymptoms in adults * Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath * Chest pain * Dizziness * Confusion* Excessive vomiting * Convulsions Prevention* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth* Avoid contact with those are ill * Avoid shaking hands, kissing and hugging when greeting * Avoid crowded places * Cover your nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing * Use a cotton handkerchief or tissue * Dispose used tissues properly * Wash your hands with…

Here's an announcement I got via Hasiru Usiru:Those who want unbaked, uncoloured Ganesha vigrahams of the size that can be dissolved at home in a bucket of water and poured back to join your garden soil, can contact3419177 or 9342303247or email Chandra Ravikumar atchandraravikumar@hotmail.com⊕References

The Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases (RGICD) in Jayanagar is swarmed with people waiting in line outside the H1N1 flu ward. Wearing green masks, they wait for hours to get their nasal or throat swab sample collected. Most of them complain of a sore throat or a running nose or fever, afraid that they might have the H1N1 flu, more commonly known as swine flu. Dr Shashidhar of RGICD appeals to the public to go to a general physician first instead of getting a swab sample taken. Pic: Vaishnavi Vittal. Dr Shashidhar Buggi, Director of RGICD, urges and pleads…