Monthly Archives: September 2018

World Rabies Day: September 28th, 2018

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Rabies, a viral disease that is mainly transmitted by an infected animal bite, is a 100% preventable disease. However, it is still major a public health problem with one death reported every 15 minutes worldwide. Therefore, to raise awareness regarding the burden of rabies, and to unite efforts for its prevention and control, 28th September is celebrated globally as World Rabies Day. This day also marks the anniversary of Louis Pasteur’s death, the French chemist and microbiologist, who developed the first rabies vaccine. Celebrating the World Rabies Day serves a reminder that our fight against this deadly disease is far from over.

The first World Rabies Day was observed in 2007, which was a collaboration between the Global Alliance for Rabies Control and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA, with the co-sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the Pan American Health Organization. It proved to be an extremely successful campaign, and by 2009, nearly 100 million people worldwide had been educated about rabies and ~3 million dogs had been vaccinated (as estimated by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control). On the last World Rabies Day in 2017, several major health organizations, including WHO, OIE, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), pledged to eliminate human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030.

The World Rabies Day has been identified as an important tool that can assist in rabies prevention by educating and mobilizing at-risk communities, animal health workers, public health practitioners, governments, key opinion leaders, and experts. Today, we have safe and efficacious animal and human vaccines that can eliminate human deaths from rabies; however, lack of awareness is the major roadblock in successfully engaging communities for rabies prevention. Rabies prevention and control has two broad components: animal rabies control and human rabies prevention. Pictorial description of both are shown in Figure 1.

 

 

Figure 1          Rabies prevention and control

The World Rabies Day campaign has a centralized online platform where groups can register their World Rabies Day events and download resources, in print and online, that can support their message for rabies prevention. Moreover, since rabies is a disease that can easily cross borders, especially in wild animal populations, the campaign encourages trans‑national collaboration of rabies control and prevention. The World Rabies Day logo represents the complexity of rabies, which can infect human beings, wildlife and domestic animals, and therefore, needs an interdisciplinary approach to control it.

Overall, the World Rabies Day is a campaign for education, awareness, and action to encourage organizations across all levels-international and local-to increase the spread of messages for rabies prevention. With this blog, Turacoz Healthcare Solutions (a medical communication company) aim to raise awareness about rabies prevention and highlight progress in defeating this animal transmitted viral disease.

A guide to Alzheimer’s care: Tips for daily tasks

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It is estimated that nearly 44 million people worldwide have Alzheimer’s or related dementia. The total number of people with Alzheimer’s is projected to almost double every 20 years.

What really scares me is Alzheimer’s or premature senility, losing that ability to read and enjoy and to write. And you do it, and some days maybe aren’t so good, and then some days, you really catch a wave, and it’s as good as it ever was: – Stephen King

Patience and flexibility are of most importance in Alzheimer’s patients care. Practical tips to be considered by caregivers when handling patients with Alzheimer’s are illustrated in the figure. This helps maintain a sense of independence, dignity and boost their confidence as the patient becomes dependent on caregiver for his/her daily needs.

A guide to Alzheimer’s care: Tips for daily tasks

Figure 1: Tips for caregivers’ family and friends of patient on how a person with Alzheimer’s disease should be cared.

Handling patients with Alzheimer’s disease

Caring for patients with Alzheimer’s disease is challenging, and in many instances the caregiver also falls into depression if they are not supported by friends and family. One of the major challenges a caregiver faces is the change in behaviour of the patient. Both the patient and the caregiver find it difficult to manage the daily basic activities like bathing, eating dressing etc.

  • Tackling communication challenge in Alzheimer’s Disease

Communicating with a patient with Alzheimer’s can be challenging as both understanding and being understood pose a problem. Thus, always try to communicate in simple words and short sentences, avoiding distractions. In many cases the patient finds it difficult to frame sentences to communicate. Have patience and provide them the words he/she is looking for. Give them enough time to respond.

  • Tips to reduce bathing and showering challenge in Alzheimer’s disease

Plan bathing or shower for time of the day when the patient is calm and is ready for bathing. Try to make it a routine. The patient must be made comfortable. As the patient is sensitive to temperature, test the water temperature before bath.

  • Dressing a person with Alzheimer’s disease

Try to get the patient dressed same time each day and make it a routine. Give the patient time to dress and encourage the patient to dress himself/herself.

  • Getting a Person with Alzheimer’s disease to Eat

Try to maintain familiar meal time routine. Ensure a calm, relaxed environment free of distractions during meal time. This helps to reduce confusion and anxiety of patients. Caregivers must ensure that patients are drinking enough water to avoid dehydration. Routine oral check-ups have to be done.

  • Exercises and Activities for people with Alzheimer’s disease

Always watch for agitations. Simple and easy activities which will enhance his/her skills will be more effective than teaching them something new. Exercises can improve the patients’ health and help them to sleep better.

  • Incontinence in patients with Alzheimer’s disease

This is a common problem faced by the patients as the disease progress. Limit fluids containing caffeine and other diuretics.

  • Sleep Problems for Caregivers and a Person with Alzheimer’s disease

Many patients with Alzheimer’s faces ‘sundowning syndrome’, where the patient gets agitated and irritated during bed time. Exercises and physical activity with minimized day time naps helps the patient to get a sound sleep during night.

  • Hallucinations and delusion in patients with Alzheimer’s disease

In most cases hallucination and delusions are signs of physical illness. In such situations avoid arguing with the patient and distract the patient attention to some other topics. Check whether the patient has access to any dangerous objects that can cause harm to others and the patient himself/herself.

  • Wandering: A problem for a person with Alzheimer’s disease

People with Alzheimer’s tend to wander away from their home. Always ensure that the patient carries some sort of identification. Notify local authorities in advance regarding this problem. Always try to keep the doors locked.

Turacoz is a medical communications company, providing customized and cost-effective services in regulatory writing, publication writing, medico-marketing writing, and support for conducting medical advisory board meetings.

Turacoz healthcare solutions, aims to increase awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and with this blog, provide useful tips to caregivers, family and friends of Alzheimer’s patients.

Being a Star in your Industry is a Matter of Corporate Etiquettes!

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You might wonder about the title of this article, figuring out how manners can make you a star. But before we explain you how, let’s look at the story of 2 individuals, Mr. X, who is an MBA graduate with 90% and is working for a big company for 3 years. Mr. Z, who serves the same company as Mr. X but with qualifications of bachelors & work experience of only a year. Mr. X excels in terms of qualifications & experience.

Both left to meet their clients one day for some work. Mr. X went into the cabin without knocking and discovered that client was his batch-mate & seeing this he said while patting on his client’s shoulders –“Hey! Good morning. How are you doing? Long time. (flipping the file on the table) have a look at my new proposal, I bet it is awesome dude.”

Mr. Z went in after knocking and receiving a welcome gesture from his client. He recognized the client was someone he knew. He then asked for the permission to sit and spoke-“Good Morning, sir. As per the telephonic discussion, I have prepared a draft of the proposal. Kindly have a look. (handing over the file to the client)”

He then stands up, greets again and then leaves.

The client thrashed Mr. X while Mr. Z got an appreciation for his efforts.

Now you must marvel, what went so wrong with Mr. X? Well, the lack of proper business etiquettes landed Mr. X in this situation. No matter how well qualified he was and how much experience he had, he didn’t act accordingly. When into business, your personal relationships don’t signify, you must act formally.

Mr. Z though being less qualified and experienced than Mr. X, knew how to act professionally and thus strike the chord right.

So, when you are driving in a corporate set up, it signifies how you behave in the business environment.

What are Corporate Etiquettes?

These are an array of generally recognized rules for acting reasonably in a business environment. It is a way of displaying socially relevant behavior in business relationships.

Why Corporate Etiquettes?

  • It gives a positive perception of you
  • Behaving properly makes you feel confident & composed, letting you focus on your work
  • It saves your time as you don’t have to appease the individual whose sentiments you have hurt
  • It makes people around you comfortable & they would like to work with you
  • Forms an amicable environment
  • Ward offs misunderstandings to a remarkable extent

As per research organized by the American Society of Quality Control, 68% of business is cast away by corporate because of the improper attitude of employees’ while approaching expected clients.

So, you can simply infer the importance of Corporate Etiquettes now.

Basic Business Etiquettes to follow:

Being a Star in your Industry is a Matter of Corporate Etiquettes!

Here are some absolute DOs & DON’Ts in a corporate set-up:

DOs:

  • Dress properly/formally
  • Respect your fellow employees, juniors & seniors
  • Keep your workplace neat & clean
  • Be punctual, reach office on time
  • Respect the privacy of other employees
  • Take care of your tone & language

DON’Ts:

  • Never adopt a casual attitude at work
  • Don’t squeak into other’s cubicles/workstations
  • Don’t keep your phone on ringing mode
  • Don’t touch or use other people’s belongings without their permission
  • Don’t bully or make fun of fellow employees
  • Never wear flashy or exposing clothes to workplace
  • Never drink while you are at work

By following these simple tricks & tips you can shine at your workplace and be a star. Incorporate these into your daily life & see the difference. Turacoz Healthcare Solutions encourages the practice of good business etiquettes within its employees and promotes the same. Remember:

                            “Standards are not established by your proclamations, but by your routines.”

Because if you kill yourself, you’re also going to kill those who love you

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Suicide has become the 3rd highest reason for deaths today in the world, notably among the age group of 15-44 years (male & female). As per the reports, there is 1 death every 40 seconds globally. The suicide rate, globally, has increased by 60% in the last 45 years. Suicide endeavors are up to 20 times more incessant than finished suicides.

This is undeniably a sad state as predominantly the youth is becoming suicidal. When you are surrounded by problems and cannot figure out a way, suicide is not the solution. But still, many people fail to understand this fact and end up taking their lives, leaving their near & dear ones in immense pain, shock & trauma.

The world celebrates “World Suicide Prevention Day” on 10th September to spread awareness about suicide & offer worldwide commitment & action to prevent suicides.

The theme for 2018 is “Working together to prevent suicide.”

There are various reasons for suicide, to name some:

  • Unemployment
  • Losing a loved one
  • Family problems
  • Financial issues
  • Alienation from community, society or any group
  • Mental disorders like depression, substance abuse, etc.

As per a survey, mental states like depression account for most suicides in the world, about 90%.

According to the reports by WHO:

  • The Eastern European region has the highest suicide rate for both the genders.
  • India & China contribute to 30% of total suicides worldwide.
  • 55% of people aged between 15-44 years & 45% aged 45 or above commit suicide.
  • Suicide among the youth is becoming a major reason for concern.

Suicide in India:

A land of over 1.32 billion people has a suicide rate of 16.4 per 100,000 women (6th highest globally) & 25.8 for men (22nd highest in the world), according to WHO. The major causes are identified as family issues, prolonged illness & any mental disorder. People in the age group of 15-44 had the highest number of suicides.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions understands the severity of the problem and presents some tips to help a suicidal person.

First, let’s get ourselves clear about common misconceptions about suicide:

  • Individuals who discuss suicide won’t usually do it
  • Any individual who tries to kill him/herself must be insane
  • In the event that a man is resolved to murder him/herself, nothing will stop them
  • Individuals who committed suicide were individuals unwilling to have looked for help
  • Discussing suicide may give somebody the thought

If you pay attention, then anyone who is about to attempt a suicide or is having suicidal thoughts, won’t commit it abruptly. He/she will drop some or the other hint. Being alert & noticing the hints can aid in preventing the suicide

Below mentioned are some hints that a person thinking of suicide might drop:

  • Discussing suicide
  • Searching out deadly means like pills, gun, etc.
  • Distraction with death
  • No expectation for what’s to come
  • Self-hatred, self-loathing
  • Getting undertakings all together like making a will, etc.
  • Saying farewell
  • Pulling back from others
  • Causing harm to themselves
  • A sudden feeling of quiet

Preventing the suicide:

Because if you kill yourself, you’re also going to kill those who love you

  • Speak up to the individual whom you are really concerned about. If you think he/she is having suicidal intentions, you, being the individual to share the sentiments with might make him feel comfortable and by talking, you will also get an idea of his mental state and judge the gravity of the situation.
  • Respond promptly in a deadlock. Once you have analyzed the urgency of the situation and sensed the degree of the threat, respond accordingly. Call emergency services, remove any hazardous material or weapons & make sure to stick with the person about to commit suicide.
  • Extend your support & sympathy. Lay an ear to the person and hear out all he/she has to say. Comfort the individual and try to console him/her. Show your faith in him/her and make the person believe that they are much needed here and are loved and cared for.

To help a suicidal person you should:

  • Reach out for professional help
  • Have a follow-up on the treatment
  • Raise the person’s morale & encourage a healthy lifestyle for him
  • Keep the person distant from any measures of suicide
  • Keep supporting and caring

There are various Suicide helplines you can reach out to even if you are the person concerned or the victim itself. Below are the list & details of a few 24/7 suicide helplines for India:

  1. AASRA: +91 22-27546669/ +91 22-27546667

      Email: [email protected]

  1. 1life: +91 78930-78930

      Email: [email protected]

  1. Vandrevala Foundation: 1860-266-2345/ 1800-233-3330

      Email: [email protected]

Suicide is an issue that needs to be taken care of immediately. Your support and love for such people can make them love their life again. The individuals suffering from suicidal thoughts don’t want to die; they want their pain to die. We can help them with ending their suffering or at least make them forget their misery and live again.

To all those people who are thinking of ending their existence, Turacoz wants to convey to them the message that-

“You are not alone. Everyone feels lonely at some stage in his or her life. But this feeling is momentary and will not last forever. The world is a predominant place with you in it. Love yourself!”