Back Pain - How to get cured without medicines?

Meet Mr Sarda – the Bibliotherapist

Mr Rameshwar Sarda has helped many patients suffering from back pain. He suggests a few books to be read and to strictly follow the regimen / exercises mentioned therein.  Then, cure and permanent relief are almost always possible, he claims . NO medication, NO expenses, No consultation fee!!!

Mr Sarda wanted to be a doctor or rather a physician. His mother prevented him taking up that line saying: "You will have to cut dead bodies to learn what is inside us". A mother-loving Sarda dutifully obeyed her and therefore took up engineering – He is both a mechanical as well as electrical engineer.  He worked long years in Hyderabad Asbestos, later in Orissa Asbestos, retired as GM over there. Now 72, lives a peaceful life as a passionate librarian (without any professional qualifications!) recommending health / medical books to those who suffer from many ailments. The books are selected from a stock of a personal collection of over 500 books – all on health / medicine. He has donated the entire lot to the library at the Association of Senior Citizens Hyderabad near Paradise Circle, of which he is a member himself.

For buying books, he used to visit Sunday book bazaars in Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad Annual Book Fairs to pour over rare books. He goes to the patient's house on his own expense to "lend" (some books don't come back) books. Some books have become rare and he has a good collection of photocopies of such books. Say "Rameshwar Sarda"  in book shops in Sultan Bazar, they are all smiles and  welcome you as a friend of their friend.   

He gave me a long list several people who have been relieved of back pain, sciatica, cervical pain etc: there are bankers, shop keepers, highly qualified engineers etc among his beneficiaries.  He often talks about a classic case of one Keshav Murthy  (Ph 040-27565033) who was perfectly cured after suffering from back pain for 8 years! And the funny thing is that Rameswar Sarda  does not know he is practicing Bibliotherapy. When I appraised of his noble profession, he started beaming with happiness.

Some titles which he mostly recommends are:

Mike Hage:  Back Pain KV Rajendra: Treat your spinal problems without drugs Charles B Inlander and Porter Shimer: Back Ache: 51 ways to relieve the pain

HIV Jayson: Looking after your Back MK Gupta: Cervical and back pain Savithri Ramaiah: Knee Joint Pain

I am deliberately not giving complete details of the books here for two reasons: 1) they are so popular you can get them in any book shop 2) they are so rare, if you are interested you will ask me or Sarda and we will know have ready this story. You may Contact Sri Sarda at: 09908474241 / 040-27843241

Sayani Surgicals - One stop shop for Disability Aids

Recently a friend of mine asked me to refer a shop where her friend can buy Folding type of Walker. She said  the requirement was urgent. I gave two addresses and contact numbers: one Balaji Surgicals near Bata Show Room in Vikram Puri and another Sayani Sugicals near Shadaan College in Khairatabad - both in Hyderabad.

After a week I rang up my friend to find out whether the addresses were useful. Normally I never do any follow up - be it giving info on Old Age Homes, suppliers of breakfast / meals at doorstep, agencies hiring bedside assistant / ayahs (semi skilled persons to take care of bed ridden old people), fixed deposit rates etc.I was pleasantly surprised  to learn that two persons immediately bought foldable walkers from Sayani Surgicals. They are Dr Gouri Namburi and Dr Hatti - both senior citizens with mobility problems, members of Senior Citizens Forum.

What was surprising is that both were senior citizens, doctors and as well patients / customers themselves; but they did not know that folding type of walkers are available. You can carry it in your car and start using it when you reach the destination. This info was a great relief and they bought it immediately.

My inkling is that merchants do not publicize much. They need to advertise. It is useful not only to them but also to others!!   www.sayanisurgicals.com has a whole range of mobility aids and worthwhile place to visit by senior citizens and their wards.

Dialysis may affect mobility in frail elderly with end-stage renal disease

(I was under the impression that there is no alternative to Dialysis for ESRD)

Dialysis may affect mobility in frail elderly with end-stage renal disease

Thursday, October 15, 2009 21:24 IST

Washington: Researchers suggest that before offering the treatment,
kidney specialists need to weigh which elderly patient suffering from
end-stage renal disease (ESRD) would benefit the most from either
dialysis or conservative therapies.
click here

Dialysis provides artificial replacement of lost kidney function,
passing a patient's blood through a machine that filters out
impurities normally captured in the organ. The treatment can be
lengthy and physically challenging for patients.

Conservative treatment, which does not involve dialysis, focus on
medicines to decrease the symptoms of the kidney failure places less
physical stress on patients and can result in a better quality of
life, particularly for patients in ESRD.

The researchers have found that elderly patients with ESRD have
multiple functional impairments, physical symptoms and a high rate of
depression, facts that require an integrated, holistic approach to the
care.

There are also increased rates of frailty, cognitive dysfunction and
geriatric syndromes such as falls and hospitalization involving elders
undergoing dialysis.

"To care effectively for these persons, we must now learn much more -
we must define who among this population will benefit most from
dialysis and who will benefit most from conservative therapy," said
the researchers.

Lead researchers Mark L. Zeidel, and Robert M. Arnold said that small
studies that examine the outcome of patients who elect conservative
therapy over dialysis suggest that mortality and quality-of-life
outcomes do not differ very much among selected patients who undergo
dialysis and those who do not.

They believe it is critical that larger studies be designed to
determine the actual benefit of dialysis for frail elders.

The study conducted over home residents on dialysis. It found poor
overall outcomes, in the first year after initiation of dialysis with
58 percent of residents dying and 29 percent having a decrease in
functional status. Only 13 percent maintained functional status.

They found that elderly patients with ESRD have multiple functional
impairments, physical symptoms and a high rate of depression, facts
that require an integrated, holistic approach to the care.

There are also increased rates of frailty, cognitive dysfunction and
geriatric syndromes such as falls and hospitalization involving elders
undergoing dialysis.
=============
Source:
http://www.dnaindia.com/health/report_dialysis-may-affect-mobility-in-frail-elderly-with-end-stage-renal-disease_1299443

‘Siddha system can help the elderly’

'Siddha system can help the elderly'

Special Correspondent

Over 350 delegates from various States took part in the seminar

A compendium of 78 abstracts was released

Coimbatore: Siddha is the oldest system of medicine and has gone deep
into the problem of the elderly people, K. Manickavasakam, Director
National Institute of Siddha, has asserted.

He was speaking at the two-day national seminar on " the role of
Siddha and Ayurvedha medicines in geriatric care" organised by the
School of Biosciences of Dr. GRD Damodaran College of Science here
recently.

The seminar was sponsored by the Department of AYUSH, Union Ministry
of Health and Family Welfare.
Three components

According to him, successful ageing consists of three components- low
probability of disease or disability, high cognitive and physical
function capacity and active engagement with life. Successful ageing
may be viewed as an interdisciplinary concept, spanning both
psychology and sociology, where it is seen as the transaction between
society and individuals across the life span with specific focus on
the later years of life.

The terms 'healthy ageing' 'optimal ageing' have been proposed as
alternatives to successful ageing. Six suggested dimensions of
successful ageing include no physical disability over the age of 75 as
rated by a physician, good subjective health assessment (i.e. good
self-ratings of one's health), length of 'undisabled' life, good
mental health, objective social support and self-rated life
satisfaction in eight domains- marriage, income-related work,
children, friendship and social contacts, hobbies, community service
activities, religion and recreation/sports.

Lifestyle modification is an integral part of geriatric treatment. It
includes proper food habits, sleep and relaxation, exercise, personal
cleanliness, tension free and clear mind, entertainment etc.

Ageing process also occurs due to loneliness during old age. Joint
family system as in the earlier years is the best treatment to avoid
old age sickness and ageing. Isolation plays the key factor in ageing.
This has to be avoided. Elderly people should be involved in all the
family activities giving due respect to their age and experience.

They should be kept in good spirits always. Health care and
psychological care are integrated with the best possible combination
of services such as housing, home care services, socialisation
programmes, financial and legal planning.
Care plan

A care plan tailored for each individual's circumstances is prepared
after a comprehensive assessment.

The care plan is modified when necessary based on the professional
geriatric care manager's monitoring of the effectiveness of the
components of the care plan. Professional geriatric care managers
accomplish this by combining a working knowledge of health and
psychology, human development, family dynamics, public and private
resources and funding sources while advocating for their clients
throughout the continuum of care.

He pointed out that the Siddha system proposed mainly the 'Kayakalpa'
treatment. 'Kaya' means the body and 'Kalpa' means the stone. Keeping
the body as strong as a stone is the main aim of 'Kayakalpa'.

According to him, by this treatment the body gets free from the
greying of hair, ageing, diseases etc. In Siddha there were 108
'Kayakalpa' drugs. Most of these drugs were antioxidant and
immuno-modulatory in their medicinal action.
Rheumatism

He asserted that yoga and pranayama had significance in dealing with
this challenge.

Researches had proved beyond doubt that these were efficacious in
neuro-muscular, musculo-skeletol, respiration and psychosomatic and
other health problems in elderly people.

"Rheumatism which produces immobility and pain in the joints first and
serious problems later is one of the common ailments that affect the
elderly people. Here in 'Siddha Thokkanam' physical manipulation of
the body with or without oil is the most effective remedy."

Alex Hankey, Consultant Professor, Vyasa Yoga Research Institute,
stressed the scientific integration of Ayurveda and Yoga which would
ultimately benefit the mankind.Over 350 delegates from various States
took part in the seminar and 46 research articles were presented.

A compendium of 78 abstracts was released. An exhibition of Siddha and
herbal products was also organised.
==
Souce: The Hindu 27th october 2009

Dr P Vyasamoorthy,
30 Gruhalakshmi Colony Secunderabad 500015 Ph 040-27846631 / 9490804278
http://www.google.com/profiles/vyasamoorthy.

Exclusive primary health centre for the elderly

Comments: Nice initiative on the part on TN govt. See how a
multipurpose center combining Day Care, Health care, Medicine
distribution, Diagnostic tests etc are combined.
======================
Exclusive primary health centre for the elderly

Staff Reporter

Mayor M. Subramanian declares it open

Doctor and counsellor trained in geriatrics

Ophthalmologist will be available for consultation on Fridays

CHENNAI: Chennai Corporation's first urban primary health centre
exclusively for senior citizens on Rottler Street, Purasawalkam, was
inaugurated on Friday. A doctor and counsellor will be available at
the facility.

Mayor M. Subramanian, who declared open the Balaiah Memorial — Urban
Primary Health Centre for Senior Citizens (geriatric care), said
various investigations, including electrocardiogram (ECG) test and
those to check sugar levels, besides physiotherapy sessions, were
available at the clinic. Treatment for skin and bone-related ailments
would also be made available. He said the facility will function
alongside the existing PHC there.

Senior citizens who are alone at home can also spend their free time
at the clinic and interact with persons of their age group.

"Comfortable seating arrangements and games, including chess and
carrom, have been provided. We will soon install a television set." He
said that in a few days arrangements would be made with the help of
philanthropists for tea and snacks.

Mr. Subramanian added that the civic body would distribute over five
lakh vitamin tablets to students in private, government-run and civic
body-run schools on October 15. Corporation Commissioner Rajesh
Lakhoni said the doctor and counsellor at the urban PHC were trained
in geriatrics. An ophthalmologist would be available for consultation
on Fridays.

Lakshmi Masilamani (68), who came for a check-up, said she was happy
to know that medicines for diabetes would also be supplied to senior
citizens. "I come here for regular check-ups and get tablets for blood
pressure."
========

Source: The Hindu 10th Oct 2009

Suicide risk among elderly varies according to sex

My comment: Do people really bother if oldies commit suicide? They
would be welcome and perhaps assisted to succeed though covertly.
==============

Suicide risk among elderly varies according to sex
2009-09-29 16:10:00

Elderly men and women show different patterns of suicide, reveals a study.

Louise Bradvik and Mats Berglund, from Lund University, Sweden, say
that women who have tried to kill themselves several times in the past
should be kept under suicide watch, as they have an increased risk of
death in a future attempt.

For men, say the researchers, this increased risk reflects the
severity of their previous attempts.

They came to the above conclusion after examining suicide attempts in
100 patients who committed suicide and in an age- and sex-matched
control group, investigating the effects of age on suicidal behaviour,
as a risk factor for accomplished suicide.

They studied the hospital records of patients admitted between 1956
and 1969 and followed up until 2006.

"Men and women showed different patterns of suicide attempts in the
older age groups. The risk for an initial suicide attempt reduced with
age in all females and in male controls, but not in male victims,
repetition and severity then showing a special pattern," said Bradvik.

"Suicide attempt is known to be one of the main predictors for suicide
in depression. If attempts are repeated or serious, the risk for
suicide is considered to be increased. However, to our knowledge,
there has been no investigation into the predictive value of age at
repeated and severe suicide attempt for accomplished suicide. In our
study it appears that from middle age onwards, repeated attempts are a
risk factor for suicide in women and so are severe attempts for men,"
said Bradvik.

"In other words, though all suicide attempts should be taken
seriously, an older woman who makes a repeated attempt is at higher
risk for suicide and needs more observation and treatment than a young
female repeater. Correspondingly, an older man who makes a severe
attempt (or an initial attempt) is in need of more observation," he
added.

The study focussed on patients with severe depression (with psychotic
and melancholic features) only.

It is unknown if the findings are applicable for other depressives.

The study has been published in the open access journal BMC Psychiatry. (ANI)
===

Dr P Vyasamoorthy,
30 Gruhalakshmi Colony Secunderabad 500015 Ph 040-27846631 / 9490804278
http://www.google.com/profiles/vyasamoorthy.

How to Cure Diseases with Natural Foods: Book Review

How to Cure Diseases with Natural Foods: Book Review

Original in Tamil by Dr M Anaiappan. English Translation by JN Daamodharan. Part 1 Ed2 2000 pp 224 Rs 130/-. Part 2 Ed2 2005 pp126 Rs 120. Published by Good Health Foundation, Hyderabad.

General:

This book on natural foods and its use to cure diseases is a book on alternate therapy. The author advocates total avoidance of cooked food of any sort and recommends one to eat only fruits, nuts, pulses, vegetables etc - all in the raw form.

The book provides basic information on the following aspects:

• Fruits and their medicinal uses
• Which fruits cure which of the diseases
• Usefulness of Natural foods
• Methods of preparing healthy foods
• Nature food plan (Time Table)
• Tables giving Salt content, nutritional values, vitamin contents of many natural food items
• Brief details about Nature Cure treatment.
  
  

Apart from the above useful sections/chapters the book also gives the following - these points require attention when the author brings out the next edition:

1) The chapter "What is the right food for human beings" is a haphazard collection/compilation of several hundred quotations, statements, extracts, comments, ideas, opinions from books articles newspapers periodicals etc. Though the content is useful, there is no particular order in these 40 pages.
2) A bibliography of some 63 books is given in the middle of the book. Only author and title are given. Details of publisher, year, edition, price etc are absent. If you want to buy a book the listing is not useful.
3) "A List of Nature Cure Hospitals in India" contains 33 institutions mostly in Tamilnadu. No Phone numbers or Email is given, which if furnished will make contacting easier.
4) The 40 page chapter of Diseases and treatment is most repetitive. The whole chapter can be summarized into far less number of pages.
5) As many as three chapters (60 pages - 17% of the two part book) contain only testimonials from patients who have benefited from Nature food therapy.
6) The chapter on usefulness of natural foods is very generic to be of any practical use. Few examples: "There will be no fear in Society", "Devotion to God will increase" "It is a great sin to cook and eat" etc
7) Some what costly for most people.

Summary: If you are a collector books on Alternate therapies you may buy it. If you want to buy only a few titles on this topic, you may want to wait for the next (improved) edition!

(Contact Publisher at: Plot 100 Road 7c Jubilee Hills Hyderabad 500033 Phone 23543613 & 23545231.

Book Review: Wellness of Elderly

HelpAge India and VLCC: Wellness of Elderly. No Date.pages 24.
No price mentioned. Presumably free.

This booklet on Healthy Aging provides health, fitness, Nutrition and diet related information for Senior Citizens. This will help them lead a healthy independent life.

Topics covered include:

1. Information of the human body's nutrition requirements (elders),
2. Common eating problems and their management,
3. medical conditions associated with old age (Diabetes, Hypertension,  Cardiovascular afflictions, arthritis, osteoporosis)
4. Aging and Exercises - how to choose safe activities,
5. Mental and social well being,

Annexure gives a Sample Diet Plan for Elders

=============