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Medical voice 2nd July 2019

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Dr KK Aggarwal    02 July 2019

Study identifies early warning signs of eating disorders

New research from the Swansea University Medical School has identified early warning signs that someone may have an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, which may help in earlier detection of these disorders.

The results, published in the British Journal of Psychiatry by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, showed that people diagnosed with a disorder had higher rates of other conditions and of prescriptions in the years before their diagnosis. The researchers examined anonymised electronic health records from GPs and hospital admissions in Wales. 15,558 people in Wales were diagnosed as having eating disorders between 1990 and 2017. In the 2 years before their diagnosis, data shows that these 15,558 people had:

  • Higher levels of other mental disorders such as personality or alcohol disorders and depression
  • Higher levels of accidents, injuries and self-harm
  • Higher rate of prescription for central nervous system drugs such as antipsychotics and antidepressants
  • Higher rate of prescriptions for gastrointestinal drugs (e.g. for constipation and upset stomach) and for dietetic supplements (e.g. multivitamins, iron)

Therefore, looking out for one or a combination of these factors can help GPs identify eating disorders early.

Current Temperature Status and Warning for next five days

Heat Wave and Temperature Observed Yesterday (Past 24 hours from 0830 hrs IST of 30 June, 2019 to 0830 hrs IST 01 July, 2019)

Heat Wave:

Yesterday, heat Wave Conditions were observed in some parts over West Uttar Pradesh and in isolated pockets over Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi, East Madhya Pradesh, East Uttar Pradesh, West Rajasthan and Bihar.

Maximum Temperature:

Maximum temperatures were markedly above normal (5.1°C or more) at most places over Punjab; at isolated places over Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, West Uttar Pradesh, East Rajasthan and Assam & Meghalaya; appreciably above normal (3.1°C to 5.0°C) at most places over Haryana, Chandigarh & Delhi and West Rajasthan; at many places over Uttarakhand, East Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim; at a few places over Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Arunachal Pradesh; at isolated places over West Madhya Pradesh, Gangetic West Bengal and Tamilnadu, Puducherry & Karaikal; above normal (1.6°C to 3.0°C) at many places over Gujarat region and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura; at a few places over Saurashtra & Kutch, Konkan & Goa, Coastal Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam and Odisha and at isolated places over Lakshadweep.Yesterday, the highest maximum temperature of 45.5°C was recorded at Churu (West Rajasthan).

Temperatures Recorded at 1430 Hours IST of Yesterday, the 01th July, 2019

  • Ganganagar(West Rajasthan) recorded the maximum temperature of 44.0°C
  • Temperatures recorded at 1430 hours IST of yesterday rose by 1-4°C in most parts over East Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Maharashtra, Sub Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Telangana and North & South Interior Karnataka; in many Parts over Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Gangetic West Bengal; in few parts over Madhya Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Tamilnadu & Puducherry and in one or two pockets of Assam & Meghalaya, Gujarat State and Coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Healthcare News Monitor

Doctors raise concerns about online advice, self-medication

The Times of India

Health experts have raised concerns about self-medication by residents after internet searches. Doctors warn such people against serious possible complications. “I had been suffering from migraine for the last two years. Initially, I searched on the internet and ended up in depression because the symptoms I found online were that of a brain tumour. After consulting a neurologist, I came to know that it was nothing to do with brain tumour. He prescribed me some medicines and precautionary measures,” said Shweta Raj (19) of Rajendra Nagar. PMCH superintendent Dr Rajiv Ranjan Prasad says medical services available online are “another form of quackery”. “Though online and mobile phone-based medical services are convenient for people as well as doctors, they neither provide conclusive diagnosis nor treatment. It is not a good medical practice as any treatment or medication is advised on clinical diagnosis and assessment, which is not possible through online mediums,” Dr Prasad said. Senior resident doctor at AIIMS-Patna, Dr Vinay Kumar, said: “There can be many diseases having the same symptoms. Thus, specific clinical diagnosis is very important before taking medicines. However, people suffering from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) tend to search the internet for symptoms as well as finding medications to avoid disclosing their problems.” He further said: “Doctors keep a patient’s records confidential. No matter what problem people have, they can frequently consult us regarding any disease.” Many people also claimed that cellphone-based medical services failed to provide them any respite. “I have been a diabetic for the last five years. Once, I was on a business tour and was unable to contact my regular doctor. I booked a doctor through a mobile application, but despite a long conversation with him, I remained unsatisfied,” said Sunil Sinha (42) of Kankarbagh.

Doctors make a difference every single day

Deccan Chronicle-Guest Article

Each day, doctors impact the lives of patients and work hand-in-hand with a team of professionals to deliver the meaning of care. Through their actions from a simple bedside gesture to a life-saving procedure, doctors make a difference every day. This Doctors Day, let us celebrate our physicians all over the world who have touched our lives in a special way. There’s little argument that it is tough being a physician these days. And let’s not forget that for all the challenges that come their way, there’s little or no recognition for the long days they spend and extra patience they show. Attacks on doctors in India are increasing. So is in other parts of Asia, such as China, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. An Indian Medical Association study shows 75 per cent of doctors in India have faced violence at some point in time. The doctor-patient relationship has deteriorated so much that the physicians have become easy targets. The society accuses them of negligence or malpractice without seeking an expert opinion. A couple of decades ago, doctors were most respected in society and treated next to God. But the alarming rise of private institutions raises concerns about quality healthcare. A difference in knowledge, attitude and skills is noticeable between graduates from private and public medical colleges, which might reflect in patient care as well. The governments never care about their benefits and job satisfaction and dump loads of extended working hours and patients on them. Physicians are not immune to anxiety or depression.

Over-burdened and under pressure

The Pioneer- Dharminder Nagar

It is the inadequacy of the healthcare system to address the disease burden of an entire country that must be blamed for the problems in healthcare delivery. Doctors are themselves a victim of this rot, not its cause. One of the most conspicuous images of the media coverage of the Muzaffarpur encephalitis tragedy involved a prominent TV anchor thrusting her mike on the face of an on-duty doctor and almost heckling him. The anchor’s demanding of answers from a serving doctor about the poor state of the public hospital is as ignorant as it is unfortunate. Doctors in India are often blamed for the rot in our public healthcare system and find themselves at the receiving end of public anger. Negative often callous media coverage (as highlighted by the above example) does no good either. Across the country, doctors have been striking work in recent weeks, drawing our attention towards their plight in an inadequately resources healthcare system. The recent episode of attack on doctors in a Kolkata hospital was not a one-off case. Attacks on doctors by kin of patients are highly common. A study conducted by the Indian Medical Association a few years ago found that a whopping 75 per cent of surveyed doctors had suffered some form of physical violence while on official duty. Pertinently, a majority of these assaults are reported from ICUs or Emergency Rooms where critically ill patients are admitted. The poor doctor-patient ratio, shortage of resources and support medical staff and inadequate infrastructure are well-known problems bedeviling the Indian healthcare system. It is the inadequacy of the healthcare system to address the disease burden of an entire country that must be blamed for the problems in healthcare delivery. Doctors are themselves a victim of this rot, not its cause.

Clash breaks out between doctors and relatives of deceased patient at Delhi hospital

Financial Express-PTI

A clash allegedly broke out between doctors and relatives of a deceased patient at Bara Hindu Rao Hospital here late Saturday night, police said Sunday. Two doctors Rajesh Kumar and Pranay were allegedly beaten up by the relatives of the deceased woman, they said. According to police, a chronic kidney failure patient, Rajbala, a resident of Roop Nagar here, was admitted in critical condition in the casualty ward of Hindu Rao Hospital on Saturday at around 11.40 pm. Rajbala died during treatment, following which her husband, son and other relatives started quarrelling with the doctors on duty, police said. During heated exchanges, Rajbala’s son allegedly slapped a doctor, they said. Soon after more doctors poured in and a scuffle broke out in which two doctors sustained minor injuries, a senior police officer said. A case was registered against the deceased’s relatives based on the complaint of Dr Jagmohan from the hospital’s human resource wing on behalf of Kumar and Pranay, they said. Meanwhile, the relatives of Rajbala submitted a written complaint, alleging negligence and delay in treatment by the doctors resulting in her death, police said. The body has been sent to the mortuary for post-mortem, they said, adding the autopsy report will help ascertain the claims of negligence. The situation in the hospital is normal and police personnel have been deployed at the casualty wing and mortuary, police said. Earlier this month, a similar incident took place in Kolkata, West Bengal. Junior doctors at the state-run NRS Medical College were allegedly assaulted by the relatives of a 75-year-old patient after he died due to alleged negligence. After the incident of violence, healthcare services were disrupted in West Bengal for nearly a week.

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