Tag: Health

Odisha scrub typhus

8 Die Of Scrub Typhus In Odisha, Testing Intensified: Health Director

By LokMarg

At least eight people have died in Odisha due to scrub typhus, the state’s health director said.

“At least eight people in Odisha died due to scrub typhus infection, which spreads through bites of infected chiggers,” Niranjan Mishra, Odisha’s Health Director said.

Several districts have reported scrub typhus infection, and people are advised for testing at the hospitals across Odisha, the director said adding that the number of testing against scrub infection has been increased to 22 thousand in the state this year.

The Odisha Government last month asked district health authorities to increase the surveillance for seasonal upsurge of Scrub Typhus and Leptospirosis in the state.

The state Health and Family Welfare Department has given directions to all the Chief District Medical and Public Health Officers, Director, Capital Hospital Bhubaneswar and the Director, RGH, Rourkela.

“Scrub typhus and Leptospirosis cases are being reported from most of the districts across the state. So intensive surveillance system for early diagnosis need to be strengthened to ensure timely treatment for prevention and management of Scrub Typhus and Leptospirosis,” read the statement from Odisha’s Health and Family Welfare Department.

The Health Department asked the district health authorities to ensure the availability of tests in DPHL by procurement and supply of required test kits, sensitize doctors to advise the tests in case of PUO, and increase public awareness and early diagnosis along with Increased surveillance.

The department also has asked the authorities to use appropriate antibiotics and an adequate stock of drugs.

Scrub typhus is a disease caused by a bacteria called Orientia tsutsugamushi. Scrub typhus is spread to people through bites of infected larval mites. The most common symptoms of scrub typhus include fever, headache, body aches, and sometimes rash.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. In humans, it can cause a wide range of symptoms. (ANI)

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Bone health

Study Discovers Link Between Gut Health & Bone Density

By LokMarg

According to a new study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology, there is rising evidence that the relative abundance of certain gut microorganisms may be associated with bone health. If the findings are validated by subsequent research, scientists may be able to adjust gut microbiomes to improve bone health as they learn more about “osteomicrobiology,” a new term coined recently to describe this relationship.

Due to the lack of large-scale human studies of the gut microbiome and skeletal health, researchers led by Paul C Okoro, Data Scientist II at Hebrew SeniorLife and Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, and principal investigator Douglas P. Kiel, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Scientist at the Marcus Institute, conducted an observational study based on the Framingham Third Generation Study of men and women, and the Osteoporotic fractures in Men (MrOS) study of older men to determine whether they could find a potentially modifiable factor contributing to skeletal health. The study used high-resolution imaging of the arm and leg.

This is significant because low bone density increases the risk of developing osteoporosis, affecting more than 10 million Americans over the age of 50, and can increase the risk of fractures.

Entitled “A Two-Cohort Study on the Association between the Gut Microbiota and Bone Density, Microarchitecture, and Strength,” the study found that bacteria called Akkermansia, which has been associated with obesity, and Clostridiales bacterium DTU089, had negative associations with bone health for older adults. DTU089, a bacterium from the class, Clostridia, has been described to be more abundant in people with lower physical activity, and lower protein intake, and could be significant because prior studies have found protein intake and physical activity have a definite connection to skeletal health.

“We found patterns in which greater abundance of microbiota were associated with worse measures of bone density and microarchitecture. In fact, some bacteria were associated with differences in the bone cross-sectional area, suggesting the possibility that certain microbes could influence how the bone changes size with aging,” said Dr Kiel.

“It is premature to know if the bacterial organisms themselves may have effects on skeletal health. With additional studies we might be able to gain insights regarding associations between specific bacterial species in the intestine and skeletal integrity. We also hope to identify specific functional pathways influenced by the bacteria that could influence the skeleton. For example, some bacteria can lead to low levels of inflammation that may affect bone health. Ultimately, if findings like this are confirmed, we may be able to target the gut microbiome to influence skeletal health,” Dr Kiel said.

 Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health, Oregon Health and Sciences University, BIDMC, Minneapolis and Palo Alto VA Health Care System, University of Minnesota, University of Pittsburgh, Stanford University, and Emory University collaborated in this retrospective cohort study. (ANI)

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Stop mom-shaming those wanting to breastfeed (World Breastfeeding Week)

By LokMarg


With breastfeeding considered “gross”, the concept of nursing rooms for moms in public places also continues to be a dream. Being able to get out of home following birth is incredibly important for women as they are likely to suffer post-natal depression. And so please, it is not appropriate to confront, ridicule, scoff at, harass, or mistreat a woman who is breastfeeding.
Indian women, while feeding in public, do not bare their breast. It is certainly unacceptable in a country that brags of moral policing and cultural vigilantism. The breastfeeding mothers do “cover up” fearing lashes but several mothers feel that the child is put to a lot of discomfort. How would it be like to eat all covered up, under a blanket?
To put things into perspective, Brock Smith from Florida was filmed by his wife eating at a restaurant under a blanket — something many babies are forced to do when being publicly breastfed, in order not to upset onlookers.

Public places with nursing rooms in India are not in plenty. And a few that are blessed with such rooms, mostly remain unused. The stigma attached to feeding anywhere outside home has demoralised women to a great extent as they hesitate to satiate the hunger pangs of their infants once they step out, even as it is proven time and again that breast milk is the best.
For a civilised society of the 21st century, shaming of women who feed in public seems to be overdoing of things. The mother is being judged, chastised, and pressured for trying to avoid bottles to boost immunity and protect the child against chronic conditions.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Medical Association (AMA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommend breastfeeding as the best choice for babies. Breastfeeding helps defend against infections and prevent allergies. Often called the “perfect food” for a human baby’s digestive system, breast milk’s components — lactose, protein (whey and casein), and fat — are easily digested by a newborn.
To add to the physical benefits, some studies suggest that children who are exclusively breastfed have slightly higher IQs than children who are formula-fed. Busting myths that a mother can never regain her shape, breastfeeding burns calories and helps shrink the uterus so nursing mothers may be able to return to their pre-pregnancy shape and weight quicker. Also, studies show that breastfeeding helps lower the risk of breast cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease — and also may help decrease the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer.
Mothers should get it straight that none of the antibodies found in breast milk are available in manufactured formula feeds, so these can’t provide a baby with the added protection against infection and illness that breast milk does. Now, with all the positives of mother’s milk, it is very important to encourage women and show a positive attitude towards breastfeeding. Spouses should be made to understand the importance of the natural feed as the mother is much likely to continue with her husband’s support. And finally, give the thumbs up to women breastfeeding in public.
(Dr. Rajat Arora is an Interventional Cardiologist and Medical Director at Yashoda Hospitals in Delhi. . He can be contacted at drrajat@yashodahospital.org)