Category Archives: Awareness Day/Month

The Knights of Days and Nights

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“No matter the day, you can always meet them in white, green, and blue, Behind the walls, curing me and you!”

Whites, Blues, and Greens: Standing stoic for sacrifice, devotion, and enthusiasm to challenge any illness, are the colours chosen by our healthcare workers. Nurses are the lifeline of our healthcare system. On duty, come rain or sunshine. A day without nurses in hospitals cannot be dreamt of because it is impossible and catastrophic. Holding your prescriptions, pills, and hand, they dissolve their personal life for mankind without a whiff. The comforting words and gestures of a nurse can treat patients better than injections. Acknowledging the towering service of nurses who take the oath to heal humanity, we express our gratitude to all nurses on World Nurse Day and honour one such lady. A daughter, wife, and mother of two daughters, this is not some fairy-tale or story of some influential businesswoman. This is Head Nurse, Sudesh Kumari Sharma.

Behind those crisp uniforms of millions of nurses, you have crossed by in hospitals, medical institutes, etc., are ordinary girls who came with a vision to heal and a heart to feel. Seeing blood, cleaning stools, and witnessing the shades of life and death in emergency wards is just another day for them. Head nurse, Sudesh, is a divine messenger serving infected and diseased from the last 18 years for the Civil Hospital in Rehan, Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. “I am there for my patients first and then my family. I am working for a special purpose.” – This 47-year-old woman is ruling the hills with her spirit of working endlessly for improving the health of her patients.

Sudesh coloured her dreams with a vision to become a nurse at an early age; “I was motivated to do something like Didi, the nurse looking after my uncle. I don’t know the exact profession back then. But I got my sunshine looking at her; the way she was working with her heart completely into something and how she was making patients smile in that ward of PGI.” Light enters from tiny cracks in our souls and witnessing a nurse while looking after a relative in PGI, a girl turned to be a head nurse in Civil Hospital.

A simple, generous, and amazing lady who cherishes the nature of her work. She has no regrets in life but still trying to figure out why her profession is not respected enough in our society. “We are doing what even the loved ones deny to for the patients.” While narrating her experiences, she describes the moments when on festivals like Diwali, Karwa Chauth, Dussehra or Holi, her chair at the dining table of her home is always empty. When the women around her are adorning their homes or swirling delicious savouries, she is noting down someone’s blood pressure or cleaning up an invalid. Her hardships go unnoticed. Unintentional insults by addicts, unwarranted blame, and brickbats by families who would have lost their loved one, or struggle with mentally challenged patients, there is a lot that nurses soak in, and yet promise to not lose their poise or empathy.

With no complaints or demands, Sudesh has chosen this life. The twinkle in her eyes and glow on her cheeks while describing her journey speaks more than her words. Like any other healthcare worker, she truly loves her job. But being a nurse is not just a job; it takes enormous strength and compassion to lead a life for others. There is nothing disastrous in her story, but magic is in her enthusiasm. How a common woman holds the power to devote herself towards society is itself a miracle! Such was humility in her words and grace on her face.

The ones who put the life, happiness, and safety of others before their own, are certainly made up for a different metal. Painted with colors of blood and fluids, nurses are doing a commendable job. Covid left healthcare units gasping for space as they were inundated with patients; the nursing team was the highest risk group, and despite the virus doing its rounds unceasingly, these nurses never stopped going on their rounds! Let’s appreciate what we miss in the rush, let’s applaud the magic in their dedication and let’s show respect to their dynamics in battling the disease for their whole lives.

We call them sisters. And indeed, they are. Sisters from another mother; sisters who refuse to wink while we sleep in peace; sisters who are there no matter what. They are the real knights.

“The Knights of Days and Nights  who matter come in dark and dirty armours; because they have been soiled in battles for the ones they serve and live for. The knights in shining armours only appear in Cinderella parties!”

Building Happy Clients in Medical Communications

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“The customer’s perception is your reality”- Kate Zabriskie

You will not ring the bell of a home where you are welcomed without a smile. This is the simplest description of client servicing. Be it a street eatery or a multinational company, they are running fundamentally on two core aspects: Quality and Service. As the old granny might have said ‘Client is God’, if your client is happy- prosperity surely knows your address. But the problem is the blue image of client servicing. Does client servicing have a protocol? What are the Musts and Haves? What is missing and what is a big NO? There are no absolute answers to these because client servicing is an art and not a recipe!

The next big question is “We have a strong team of project managers; why do we need a separate client servicing department?” Project Management being an independent functional unit of any service, is not anymore just about managing timelines, sharing deliverables, and keeping the team together. Moving beyond occasional hellos and project discussions, managing projects is now about building relationships. And that is where client servicing enters as an irreplaceable skill and grows as an invincible core contributor to this partnership.

Client Servicing grabs the fuller plate when it comes to the Service industry, as opposed to Products; and it becomes even more winding for Healthcare Services. Dealing with doctors, healthcare professionals, scientists, and researchers is a game of acuteness and perseverance. These experts and professionals don’t have much time to adjust with poor servicing or lack of communication skills. It is hard-won to impress a medical professional with their experience and knowledge.

So, what will be the deal breaker? Here are some choices that you can make while giving client servicing in medical communications:

  • Listen! And Listen More!
    • Listening is an important skill if you want to understand the needs and requirements of your client. You need to understand the message behind the product; you must learn about how their needs were not met by other communication agencies; you have to listen their struggles, dilemmas, goals and basically EVERYTHING they want to convey. This will allow you to design a bond with your client as these conversations will guide you to knowing them better. Listening comes with patience. So, decide to listen before you speak in front of professionals.
  • Stay Connected
    • Make your clients feel connected with you and the company. Make online portals where they can share their feedbacks and suggestions. 90 percent of clients expect an online portal for service. Don’t ignore their queries and doubts. Make everything transparent before it becomes a complaint.
  • Own your Work
    • Deal with the problems of client personally. Don’t make him travel through the emails and endless contact numbers of your company. Assist him and talk to your team yourself rather than asking your client to repeat the same sentences. Doctors and scientists need their tasks to be done on time and with professionalism. They don’t have time for lame excuses as they hold a greater responsibility towards public health. So, that’s what they expect from you, meeting the goals and timelines with a sense of responsibility. Remember, you are as much a stakeholder of that task as your client. Ownership is the word.
  • Every client is a Blessing!
    • Irrespective of the lucrative index, no project is small or big. Even if the client is bringing only small business to you, you still give them reasons to come back. Your communication skills will speak before the drafts created by your team. One happy client will be your live marketing. It’s your attitude that matters and not the money.
  • Make a Personal Bond
    • The project is your duty, but client servicing is much more than just submitting the project on time. You should be able to bond with the client at personal level. The comfort zone created by you for the clients will be a building block for your company. Learn about their choices and expectations and give them space to open. Words have their way to create magic, and this is how you can construct a good relationship with your clients. It may seem trivial before a vast complex project staring back at you, but your greetings, signoffs, wishes, frequent calls, exchanges on online portals, being part of their achievements and successes, and a personal touch to your communication will go a longer way than you ever thought.
  • Consolidate your Service
    • Does the onus of client servicing lie on the PM? YES. Does it lie only on the PM? NO. It takes an entire village to raise a child. As a MedComm company, the output of a project is equally divided between technical experts and managers. And precisely why the service we give a client lies on the shoulders of all. However, there is no denial that the weight is felt more by the managers since they face the client directly.

Client servicing is not just a department but a whole gigantic teamwork. Turacoz believes that before you start managing a project, learn to manage a client. We have an impeccable record of rendering more that 80% of repeat business and there is no other route to this statistic but Ace Quality and Great Client Servicing.

The only way we clock in every morning is with a motto: With every project we deliver to a client, we do not close it, we open the next one with them!

Postpartum Depression- What are we missing to provide safe motherhood?

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Holding the baby for long hours, cleaning poop with a smile on face, singing lullabies relentlessly, spending sleepless nights are the most common scenes of new motherhood. But what is not seen are the collateral surges of emotional drain-outs, restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, panic, bouts of despondency and detachment. While the former is normal, the latter is compelled to be normalized. And that is where steps in a crucial point to ponder: are you just a new mother adapting to changes or a new mother weighing down deep under those changes. The line is very fine, and more than often, goes unrecognized and unacknowledged. This is the onset of Post-Partum Depression (PPD) which can take ugly turns if not addressed on time.

PPD slips women into extremely dark and dispassionate places and is experienced by one in every eight as reported by CDC, although only 10% report it.

Are you suffering from Postpartum Depression?

A few days after giving birth to your baby, if you feel moody, fatigued, sad and lost, you might be going through “Baby blues”. But when these feelings continue for more than a few weeks then you need to consult your doctor. Postpartum depression can happen to any new mother; dealing with chemical, psychological, physical, and social changes, you are bound to experience what you never did before.

Some of the classic indicators of Postpartum Depression are:

  • Trouble sleeping
  • Appetite changes
  • Feeling that you are not bonding with your baby
  • Thoughts of suicide
  • Thoughts of hurting someone else
  • Crying all the time
  • Panic disorders

Are you at risk?

Postpartum depression can affect people of all genders and sexualities. Parents who are adopting or are surrogating can also find themselves in this haunted space. The first thing to understand about perinatal depression: the way you feel is not your fault. Still there are some major risk factors leading to depression.

Social and Emotional Factors

  • History of depression
  • Recent divorce/ marital conflict
  • Death of loved ones
  • Having twins or triplets
  • Early pregnancy
  • Financial crisis

Physical Factors

  • Lack of Sleep
  • Drug and alcohol misuse
  • Low Thyroid Hormone levels
  • Any other medical conditions

Bringing in Safe Motherhood

Safe motherhood is not just about a physically strong mother and a baby. Mental health of a mother is as important a concern which is sadly neglected by families and peers. The undue pressure of being “perfect mother” and the stigma of being shamed for not being so, is enough to take a woman down the spiral and permanent guilt trips. Swaying back and forth in the closed doors and asking, “Where have I gone wrong?” is not the solution. It is indoctrinated in humans that motherhood comes naturally to a woman. But what if it doesn’t? Ironically there are absolutely, no absolutes! It is very much possible that a new mother doesn’t feel like one, or her mind is not ready to register multiple signals, or perhaps she is plainly not able to differentiate between the reasons for her baby crying. She doesn’t need to hear those caustic comments, she needs to be heard! She might need a bit more compassion and a lot of help.

What Can You Do?

  • Talk it out with your partner, family, or friends you trust
  • Read books or magazines guiding postnatal education
  • Balance your diet and lifestyle
  • Don’t hesitate to arrange for childcare
  • Meet people and socialise with fellow mothers
  • Divide responsibilities with your partner
  • Be realistic about your expectations from yourself and baby
  • Seek help. See a counsellor and accept therapeutic inventions if required

There is nothing called ‘normal parents’ or ‘good parents’. Parenting or motherhood is subjective and a never-ending journey; one starts learning from day one and keeps on learning. Don’t forget to take care of your laughter, your backaches and mental health. If you are feeling different from what society has told you then there is nothing wrong. Feel what you need to feel, this is also a part of growing as a mother. This National Safe Motherhood Day Turacoz is inspiring society to accept new mommies with their concerns, insecurities, and fears. Don’t force motherhood on her but let it come to her slowly and slowly.

Unlocking Mental Health in the Workplace: Building a Healthy Workplace

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Fingers constantly working on laptops, eyes lost in the starlight of the screen, and mind battling with anger, fear, anxiety, judgments, and pressure to win the race! This is the image of a modern human working to earn a little more and finding peace a little less. The struggle of the mind against the world has led to an increase in mental health issues.
85 percent of the people say their mental health issues are causing self-deprivation, poor physical health, reduced happiness at home, suffering family relationships, or isolation from friends.
The numbers are shouting about what we don’t want to discuss. We have unfortunately merged the line between hard work and mental pressure and have started accepting our mental ill-health as part of our journey towards success. This is not only a myth but a catastrophic one! Ignoring the red signs our tired brain and body give us is not a smart choice. Workplace is not a battlefield to succumb but a space to grow.

What are you missing?

An employee within a healthy work culture can still suffer anxiety and depression. So, how does one recognize what is going wrong? How can one assess that something is not right around him? How can companies ensure that their employees’ mental health is well taken care of? The warning signs are always in front of our eyes but not seen often.

  1. Choosing self-isolation

If your colleague or manager is ignoring social interaction or unwilling to converse; The day has passed and he has not shared a cup of coffee, taken a break, or isolated himself till the last light is off.

2. Deterioration in work habits

Unable to meet deadlines, poor productivity, and sudden loss of concentration: the most common symptoms, yet 98% of times attributed only to low intellect and performance.

3. Losing the calm

Frequent and regular episodes of anger, nervousness, restlessness, outbursts, and losing control over emotions are red flags that need immediate attention.

4. Leaning on addictions

An increase in alcohol consumption, smoking habits, and drug abuse are the signs that a person is choosing to stay out of the mind rather than in a stable mindset.

5. Physical Buzzers

Decrease in physical activity, constant headaches, lethargy, pale skin, and dizziness are all the buzzers indicating that the person is not feeling good. Indications like these show that there is an importunate need for help.

“What will my colleagues think? Will my manager compromise my promotion because of my condition? My image will be tainted. I will be branded as a weak human with poor performance…” These are lesser of the many heard-of thoughts, and these are the exact imaginary walls that prevent them from seeking help. People often need guidance and a shoulder to lean on but insecurities and fear to show emotions, especially in the workforce are what force them to take a step back.

Click Here:- From Research to Regulation: Diverse Types of Medical Writing Documents

A workplace that holds space

We spend most of the days’ time working/at the workplace. Not always does stress stem out of work; it could be a personal struggle or a family conflict. Either way, what is important is if the workplace is receptive to one’s predicament.

Educating to connect

Awareness campaigns and frequent open talks regarding mental health issues are wonderful ways to break the barrier. Employees and managers can be guided to reach out to coworkers who are feeling stressed.

Maintaining Work-life balance

Encouraging employees to take out time for exercise, regular health check-ups and pursuing hobbies take the employee-employer relationship to another level. This not only motivates employees but also facilitates better communication and trust with their team.

Jumping on Mental Health Policies

An establishment without mental health policies is just a pack of cards stacked on a windy day. Mental health policies against harassment, bullying, discrimination like POSH etc. are not something to miss! Documentation and implementation of these policies should be de rigueur.

Look for the gaps

As a leader or manager, connecting with the team-mates at a personal level is important. Monitoring employee engagement as a positive environment will serve an organization with passionate and enthusiastic employees.

  • Taking breaks together as a team
  • Casual meetups and outings
  • Offsite visits
  • Family days and cultural events
  • Celebrations and appreciations
  • Open conversations
  • Employee wellness support teams

These are a few of the numerous possibilities of ensuring active engagement, discernment, and connection amongst the team members. This can go longer way than one can really imagine by rendering a sense of belonging and a non-judgmental environment.

An individual’s mental ability to assimilate and manage multiple chores of life is very subjective; nevertheless, a perpetual unresolved mental health condition of an employee is a direct measure of its organizational ethics. A happy workplace is not one where employees are endlessly rejoicing, rather one where even the tears and woes are given space, held, and supported with equal conviction.

Beyond surgeries and doctors – How to help a cancer patient?

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Needles, pills, liquid diets, and a room with the daunting odor of disease, are things a cancer patient is never devoid of experiencing. Cancer is a disease that takes a human down physically and mentally; a disease in which your own body cells refuse to listen to you. This metastasizing monster has its claws all over the globe and the entire healthcare community is leaving no stones unturned to find that perfect cure. Alas! it is still a quest. But what about those who are not equipped to fight this monster in the lab and yet want to offer their share of comfort to a patient? The family sitting next to that bed as damp as the spirit of a cancer patient; that friend who is trying best to cheer the patient while crying helplessly behind closed doors; all and everyone, who want to, but cannot; just to grab something that can make them feel better or show them that there is still light at the end of the tunnel. Well, there is indeed, light. There are numerous ways healing can be offered to a cancer patient.

  • Brew a cup of coffee at their place – Visit them

Time is the best gesture you can offer a patient. Make short visits when they need you the most: days like Wednesday mornings and Saturday nights when other people do not often meet. Do not let them feel lonely – this is the mantra. Watch their favorite show or cook a meal for them. Go on a short walk even they are willing to and talk all the nonsense with them. Before leaving, hug them tight because it is your love that will heal them faster.

  • Virtual Caring

Even if you cannot meet them, use your smartphones. Keep sending them posts, beautiful texts, videos of songs, etc. You can post a story about your past funny memory with him or share some article of their interest with them. Call them randomly and listen to them. More than talking, listen to what they have to say. Ask about what they like and dislike these days. Create an aura of warmth around them. Make sure you are always available on the other side of the phone.

  • Gifts always help in rehabilitation

Spend money on small gifts used on regular basis and not something big- and one-time use. Think about their interests or something that will ease them and cheer them up at the same time. You can also gift the caregiver.

10 Ideas for gifts

  1. Pillow
  2. Book
  3. A Plant
  4. Socks, Mufflers
  5. A massage device
  6. Subscriptions for various OTT platforms
  7. Toiletries like soap, shampoo, etc.
  8. Food that is compliant with the dietary restrictions of the patient
  9. Hot water bottle
  10. A box to keep all their medicines
  • Make a Project

One extra hand is always welcome. Plan to do one of their projects or errands. Clean their kitchen or water their plants. You can always help the caregiver in completing his tasks; it not only helps finish tasks faster, but also is a wonderful way of reassuring your presence even to the caregiver who is undoubtedly exhausted emotionally and physically. Visits to the doctor can be emotionally very draining even if the patient is ready for what is coming. Going along for a visit is not a bad idea at all as it may take rub off some level of anxiety, if not completely. If it is your co-worker battling cancer, a gesture of help in their regular work or targets can go a long way. Having said this, being the one wearing a cape might although sound like a perfect plan, this often comes with a risk of making the patient feel invalid, dependent, and incapable. And that totally defeats the purpose. Be the empowering force, not the crutch. Do not make the patient feel weak; they do not need you, but you want to be there. Remember this.

  • Ask for help from the world

 Sometimes a patient needs economic help or alternate therapy to fight that out. But with the fear and shame of being tagged as weak, help stayed unsought. But even in those scenarios, doors are not shut. There are many waiting outside to help; organizations helping cancer patients financially and through palliative care, are growing leaps and bound. Find the one fit for your loved one.

Battle against cancer has been made easier through organizations and NGOs like:

  1. Charutar Aarogya Mandal  
  2. Cuddles Foundation
  3. Make a Wish Foundation
  4. Cancer Patients Aid Association
  • Charutar Arogya Mandal

A pledge to provide treatment at such affordable rates that any underprivileged can dream to survive cancer was taken by Dr. H. M Patel, former Union Finance and Home Minister, former Union Finance and Home Minister. The team of experts provides free consultation, free treatment for women and children belonging to BPL families, and a promise to hold your hands in this journey. Cancer drains the whole family emotionally and financially. In such a situation, Charutar Aarogya Mandal took a step ahead to deliver better healthcare to all regardless of what is your salary. It started with 136-beds now turned into a post-graduate institute offering healthcare to thousands.

  • Cuddles foundation

A room of people with one mission to heal children with cancer is what cuddles look like. They cuddle the children with nutrition and diet. This foundation works on the principle that nutrition is the key to restoring the health of a cancer patient. More than 40 percent of the children are found malnourished at the time of diagnosis. Through Cuddles Foundation, people start fundraisers at Give India on their birthdays, anniversaries, etc. and the money collected is medium to provide nutrition to the kids struggling with cancer. Cuddles foundation work through an app known as Food Heals with various hospitals and dietitians to reach their goal of beating cancer with food. A stranger can be a life savior for many children with a vision to heal the pain.

  • Make a Wish Foundation

You do not need to be a surgeon to save a life always. Sometimes you can make a little wish come true. It is not the medicines but sometimes a dream can also increase the life span. Make a wish is like a team of archangels on earth who are completing the wishes of children suffering from life-threatening diseases like cancer. A toy airplane or a one-day trip can create magic on their faces. The imagination of a kid smiling and healing with just a wish becoming real is so pleasant. These imaginations and wishes are turning solid at Make a Wish. They have a completely organized plan of who can refer a child and how can you help with genuine paperwork. Parents say that their kids battling cancer at such an early age when they do not even understand the meaning of life and death, someone making their little wish true is like a supernatural power. Sometimes it is the heart that needs to be nourished more than cells.

  • Cancer Patient Aids Association

This is a registered charitable non-government organization that announced a war against Cancer in 1969. They work to manage cancer patients from awareness to aiding beyond medical treatment. This NGO works at different steps to murder cancer like offering fellowships to Patient Mentoring Program. They work at the regional level and involve patients to assess the needs and requirements. National Cancer Control Programme is their weapon in this battle and hence providing technical support to the country and the neighboring countries like Bhutan, Nepal, etc. This organization is working at a global level with a broader vision of cancer-free earth.

In the road of darkness and disease, walk along with them

Doctors and treatments are doing their part, but it is more about inner strength than some colorful pills. That inner strength is enhanced by support from the people around the patient. The willpower and reason to feel good again are what will antidote them. Your one good action put with the right intention can do magic. Do not be afraid and hold your loved one tight on this dark night. You can be a ray of sunlight in their foggy dawn.

References

https://www.giveindia.org/blog/10-cancer-care-ngos-in-india-helping-poor-to-fight-cancer/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK4020/

Why numb fingers are left helpless – Leprosy

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She was unfamiliar with the bacteria inside her and hence even after taking Multi-Drug- Therapy she didn’t eat or sleep with her children for more than four years. The universe might be testing her as she lost her husband during this span of her life. She was denied her rights towards her husband’s estate. From economic support to emotional care, every door was closed for her. Her tale is not of a patient, this is about a single mother who was an unaware Leprosy patient. But this lady turned out to be a winner. With her will and strength, she changed her dim days into brighter ones.

Rachna Kumari – the story of a Leprosy Hero

Reciting a story about the journey of the woman who went from closed rooms of her house to an international stage. Once upon a time, she was not able to meet her kids and now she is addressing the world and helping women. Her struggle speaks about a lady who was diagnosed with Leprosy and was not aware of the disease. She was diagnosed at a later stage by the AIIMS professionals when the pain and numbness in her fingers became unbearable. Leprosy is a chronic infectious, transmissible, curable, and less talked about disease. The awareness about the disease is next to negligible and hence patients suffer the social dilemma more than the pain due to disease. Leprosy or Hansen’s disease is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium Leprae, affecting the skin, mucosa, and peripheral nerves. The most common symptom is pale-coloured skin sores, lumps, or bumps that do not go away easily.

Patients also undergo leprosy-related nerve damage, which will lead to loss of feeling. 

This disease is not transmitted through hug or touch and being uninformed she stayed away.

If she was diagnosed early or proper care was provided to her, she might have recovered early. In such dark days, she needed her family and society to hold her, but the opposite was experienced by her. People are often forbidden and thrown behind doors when they need even more sunshine Today, she is speaking the heart of every woman and patient on an international platform. According to her, she got three lives, and this third one she is dedicating to empowering women and seeking proper health facilities for them. She is working for Lepra in the Bihar district; her roles and responsibilities took her to UN Human Rights and Anti-Leprosy Associations Advisory Board. She opened her wings and gave flight to millions of patients saying, “Treatment of leprosy should be combined into the general healthcare in order to promote inclusion.”

Open the doors

Millions of people are suffering from leprosy and lack of information is leading to chaos. we need to remember that this is curable and can be transmitted when you came in close contact with the mouth or nose of the patient. So, freezing out patients from your family or society is not the cure. The treatment lies in taking care of their mental health and not shutting doors for them. They need love, light, and MDT to feel healthy again.

References:

  1. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/leprosy-symptoms-treatments-history
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leprosy
  3. https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/LeprosySurvivorRachna.aspx#:~:text=After%20her%20eight%2Dyear%20battle,and%20campaign%20for%20their%20rights.

Working from home in pandemic: How yoga can be your best friend in this time?

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It has been weeks and months since we have stopped counting days being in this pandemic-driven lockdown. There is a unique quality to this day-by-day pandemic despair; this quarantine depression is edging humans into physical and mental stagnation.  According to an article I read in the Hindu couple of days back, approximately  12.2 crore Indians lost their jobs during the coronavirus lockdown in April 2020 only, which makes COVID 19 pandemic much more stressful for people.

Not only for people who have lost their jobs, but also for people who are working from home in this pandemic and trying to juggle between their family and work without any house help and childcare services available, that this pandemic is proving more emotionally exhausting than the virus itself. With an official Microsoft TEAMS video call in my morning joggers or stirring the ladle in a cooking pot with my official call in my earpods and with my toddler in my arms, I too am acing at juggling! Watching this situation very closely for past couple of months now, I feel a more accepting and holistic approach to this fiasco is the need of the hour.

We all know that there is uncertainty & fear and we all are multitasking around for the past 4-5 months, but instead of getting bogged down, coping with stress in a healthy way will not only make us, but the people we care about and our community stronger. The best we can do is accept the situation and take care of our and our family’s mental and physical health. One way that I discovered and loved during this period, is a 40 minutes yoga routine with 10 minutes meditation, to reinforce my strength and potential. Every single day for past three months now: believe me these are the most blissful 60 minutes I have from my day! I feel that my mind is calmer and more focussed; I am able to do one thing at a time, that too perfectly and my productivity has increased like anything. I am following a very good book ‘Light on Yoga’ by BKS Iyengar and practicing yoga from the same.

It can be anything, as long as you are present in the moment mentally & physically and moving, stretching and doing basic pranayama initially for 10 minutes in a day and gradually increasing to half an hour or 40 minutes; but please follow the same with 10 minutes of mediation (just focussing on your breath with closed eyes) and you will feel a positive change in your day. You can even take breaks in between your office calls and stretch your arms, necks or legs for 2 minutes on the chair or your yoga mat.

On the occasion of International Yoga Day 2020, I am sharing some of basic yoga poses which I have been practicing and you can also start with them as a beginner in yoga journey:

Trianga Mukha Eka Pada Paschimottanasana: Keeping one knee folded, try to touch your nose to the other stretched knee. It gives a nice and long stretch to your tense back and can make you ready for a long office call.

Matasyasana: Matasyasana or  Fish pose is a reclining back-bending pose. It relieves tension in your neck, throat, and shoulders and stretches and tones the front of your neck and your abdominals. It could be proven beneficial for all the creative people who like to keep their neck in the laptop screens for better focus.

Dhanurasana: Dhanurasana or chakrasana or wheel pose or The Upper Facing Bow whatever you can call, it can help—and strengthen your arms, legs, abdomen, and spine. For this one, you bend your knees and place your heels as close to the hips as possible and then slowly raise your arms, bend your elbows by resting the palms beside your ears.Floating camel pose: an advance version of Utraasna. This one is little bit of an advance yoga pose and maybe you will be able to do it after a month’s practice but the benefits are for sure worth the pain in the process. It increases flexibility in the spine, stimulates the nervous system, opens the chest and shoulders, improves circulation and digestion, and stimulates the thyroid gland. It’s said to rejuvenate/increase energy levels, and lower blood pressure.Sirsasana or headstand: and finally the king of all the yoga poses, The headstand. This is definitely a very advance yoga pose but is known as the most relaxing and cooling posture. It helps you to draw your attention inwards, to concentrate more, to focus more. This posture is extremely helpful if you are having anxiety, stress, fear or otherwise worrisome thoughts. Combine headstand with long, slow breathing and you have a recipe for stress relief.

So happy International yoga day 2020 people and I would like to leave you with a very special quote from my favourite yogi BKS Iyengar, ‘Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame.’

Blood Donation: Significance

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The gift of blood is the gift of life. There is no other substitute for human blood. According to statistics, every two seconds someone is in dire need for blood. And only one pint of blood can save up to three lives. Data collected over a span of many years suggests that the blood type most often requested by hospitals is Type O.

Sickle cell patients are required to have frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives. And for cancer patients (with an estimate of more than 1 million new patients every year), many of them require blood, sometimes on a regular basis, during their chemotherapy treatment.

FYI: A single car accident victim can require up to 100 units of blood to survive.

Things to know about the blood donation process:

  • Blood donation is safe! Hospitals/doctors/nurses make sure that a sterile needle is used only once for each individual donor and then discarded/destroyed.
  • The process is simple. Mainly consisting of four steps:
  1. Registration
  2. Physical & Medical history
  3. Donation
  4. Refreshments
  • A mini-physical is done for every donor, checking his/her temperature, blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin count. Basically, to ensure that the donor is fit for donating, and if whether it is safe.
  • The real process takes around 10-12 minutes. It is crucial for you to stay calm if it is your first time donating.
  • The average human adult has approximately 10 units of blood in their body. At the time of donation, roughly one unit is given (don’t worry you still have enough).
  • Red blood cells can be donated every 56 days (by a healthy person).
  • Platelets can be donated every 7 days apart (a maximum of 24 times a year).
  • All blood donations are tested for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B & C, syphilis and other diseases, before it is transfused.

General FYI:

  • Type O- red cells can be transfused to patients of all blood types.
  • Type AB+ plasma can be transfused to patients of all other blood types.

Top Ten Reasons Why You Should Donate Blood (there is no denying these):

  1. First of all, it saves lives! What else is there to know?
  2. It is one of your civic duties as a responsible citizen.
  3. Not everyone can donate blood, it’s a blessing to have the ability to save people.
  4. If one day you need blood, you won’t hesitate to take it, so why hesitate to give it?
  5. It gives the donors a free medical checkup.
  6. It helps maintain an adequate blood supply in the community for secure blood transfusions.
  7. The feeling of satisfaction of helping others is unreal.
  8. Even though the cure for cancer is not discovered, yet! But donating blood helps keep someone alive while they wait for the cure.
  9. The real question is, why not give blood?
  10. Excuses are always vague, there is no logical reason as to why a healthy person should not donate blood.

Advantages of donating blood:

Donating blood is not only beneficial for the person receiving it, but it is also highly beneficial for the donor’s health.

  • Lowers iron levels: The body needs iron to produce red blood cells. But too much iron in the blood can be harmful. Too much iron in one’s blood can lead to it being deposited in different organs of the body, such as the heart and the liver, and this could lead to a malfunction in the way those organs function. Donating blood can help control the level of iron in your system.
  • Checks your system: Each and every person who donates blood undergoes a simple physical examination and a blood test before they can move on to donating their blood. Through these tests, hospitals can assess a person’s internal fitness and health. It is highly possible that a person could identify unknown health issues as a part of the blood donation process. The donor is tested for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B & C, and/or any other blood-borne diseases.
  • Burns calories: According to the University of California, San Diego, donating blood has been proven to burn around 650 calories per donation. Its like getting ripped without going to gym. But on a more serious note, donating blood cannot be considered as an alternative to exercise. Also, after donating blood try to hold off on going to the gym the very same day, take some rest.

Disadvantages of donating blood:

  • Dizziness
  • Feeling faint
  • Lightheadedness
  • Nausea

Note: These symptoms usually subside within 3 days of donating blood.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions aims to spread awareness about the benefits and advantages of donating blood. We urge the people to take part in this noble act of saving lives. We wish that people would actively contribute in this ‘gift of life’ and are working hard towards achieving a healthier future for the masses.

If you wish to contact us, click here.

HIV Awareness

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The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) invades the immune system and damages the host’s defense system and causes it to weaken against all kinds of minor and significant infections and cancers. Thus, gradually leading to immunodeficiency, which in turn makes the body susceptible to opportunistic infections. CD4 cell count typically measures immune function. As stated by global statistics about 37.9 million people were HIV infected in 2018, with a prevalence of 0.8% in adults.

The advancement to a stage of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), takes 2 to 15 years to occur if not treated, depending on the individual.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of HIV depend on the stage of infection. It’s noteworthy that people with HIV infection are highly contagious during the initial period. However, most individuals aren’t aware of this until the later stages. People may experience no symptoms or influenza-like illnesses, including headache, rash, fever, and sore throat. The progressing illness leads to advanced symptoms and signs, like diarrhea, fever, cough, without treatment; tuberculosis (TB), cryptococcal meningitis, severe bacterial infections, swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, and cancers such as lymphomas and Kaposi’s sarcoma.

Transmission

Transmission of this dreadful disease occurs through the exchange of a variety of bodily fluids such as blood, breast milk, semen, and vaginal secretions from infected people, and from a mother to her child during pregnancy and delivery. Individuals cannot become infected through regular day-to-day contacts such as kissing, hugging, shaking hands, or sharing personal objects, food, or water.

Risk factors

Behaviors and conditions that put individuals at higher risk of contracting HIV include:

  • Unprotected anal or vaginal sex
  • Drug abuse
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STI) like syphilis, gonorrhea, bacterial vaginosis, herpes, and chlamydia
  • Use of contaminated needles, syringes, and other injecting equipment and drug solutions when injecting drugs
  • Unsafe blood transfusions, injections, using contaminated and unsterilized needles, and tissue transplantation
  • Experiencing accidental needle stick injuries, including among health workers

Diagnosis

HIV diagnosis is made through rapid diagnostic tests that provide same-day results. These tests dramatically facilitate early diagnosis and treatment. There are self-diagnostic tests available to help test for HIV infection; however, a confirmatory test is always required, conducted by a qualified and validated health worker at a community center or clinic. The WHO pre-qualified tests are the most accurate for diagnosing HIV infection. These tests detect the antibodies produced from the infected individual. People develop antibodies within 28 days of infection. This period is called window period, during which a person does not experience any symptoms; however, he/she might transmit the disease to others.

All the HIV positive patients should be retested before enrolling for the prescribed treatment, to rule out any testing or reporting error.

While testing for babies born to HIV-positive mothers, the virology test is the test of choice and should be performed at birth or 6 weeks of age. New technologies are being available to help perform these tests more accurately along with delivering the results on same day.

HIV testing services

HIV testing should be voluntary and the right to decline testing should be recognized. Mandatory or coerced testing by a health care provider or authority, or by a partner or family member is not acceptable as it undermines good public health practice and infringes on human rights.

All HIV testing services must follow the WHO-recommended principles known as the “5 Cs”:

  • Informed consent
  • Confidentiality
  • Counseling
  • Correct test results

Connection (linkage to care, treatment and other services)

Prevention

Individuals can reduce the risk of HIV infection by limiting exposure to risk factors. Key approaches for HIV prevention, which are often used in combination, are listed below.

  • Male and female condom use
  • Testing and counseling for HIV and STIs
  • Testing for HIV and other STIs
  • Testing and counseling, linkages to tuberculosis (TB) care
  • Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC)

Prevention benefits of ART

WHO based on the results of a study conducted in 2011 recommended that all the HIV infected individuals should receive ART to prevent the transmission of this deadly condition. Also, a study conducted in 2019 reported negligible transmission risk of HIV in individuals on ART.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV-negative partner

Pre-exposure prophylaxis is recommended for all the individuals who are at a greater risk of HIV infection such as, trans-genders, hetero and homosexual couples, drug abusers, pregnant and lactating women.

Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV (PEP)

Post-exposure prophylaxis should be used within seventy-two hours of being exposed to HIV. This includes testing, counseling, treatment with anti-retroviral for 28 days.

Harm reduction for people who inject and use drugs

Individuals who use the injections can follow the below-mentioned interventions as prevention:

  • needle and syringe programs
  • opioid substitution therapy for people dependent on opioids, and other evidence-based drug dependence treatment
  • risk-reduction information and education, and provision of naloxone to prevent opioid overdose

Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV

HIV infection can be transmitted to the child or the unborn fetus through the mother during pregnancy or breastfeeding. This is called a vertical mother to child transmission (MTCT). However, this can be prevented with the treatment using antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Treatment

Treatment comprises of combination therapy with three or more anti-retroviral drugs. This therapy helps suppress the condition and does not completely cure it. Hence WHO recommends all the individuals suffering from HIV to take lifelong medication to lead a normal life.

The clinical research and health care system is continuously working to develop ARTs with better efficacy, tolerability. Use of dolutegravir-based or low-dose efavirenz for first-line therapy, and raltegravir and darunavir/ritonavir for second line as recommended by WHO.

Making the access to the treatment and prevention is the core goal for the upcoming year. And this aims to bring the world back on track to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

WHO response

The 69th World Health Assembly recommended a new “Global health sector strategy on HIV for 2016–2021”. The strategy comprises of five strategic directions that guide the countries and WHO to take necessary actions over six years.

The strategic directions are:

  • Information for concentrated action for the region/country
  • Interventions designed to have an impact on the variety of services needed
  • Delivering services equally to cover the population in need
  • Financing for the sustainability of the services in terms of cost
  • Innovation in acceleration towards future

WHO is a co-sponsor of the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS). Where it directs the activities on HIV treatment and care and the coinfection. It also jointly organizes with UNICEF, the work on elimination of MTCT of HIV.

Prevention is always better than cure! Follow these tips to notice a change in your lifestyle.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions aims to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS. We urge the people to be aware about the condition. Following the preventive measures and seeking counseling is the best way to avoid this condition. However, for the HIV infected individuals it is best to continue with the ART and maintain a healthy diet. Nevertheless, with love and support from family and friends they can lead a happy and long life.

If you wish to contact us, click here.

 

World Diabetes Day | 2019 Awareness

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The campaign “World Diabetes Day (WDD)” was launched in 1991 jointly by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the growing concerns about the rising health issues posed by diabetes. It was officially recognized by United Nations in 2006 and is marked every year on November 14th, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sir Frederick Banting, who along with Charles Best co‑discovered insulin in 1922 (1).

The condition

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia which results from defects in insulin, secretion, insulin action, or both. A long‑term uncontrolled hyperglycemia can cause damage, dysfunction, and failure of the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels (2).

Classification:

Diabetes can broadly be classified into two main categories:

  • Type 1: In this case, body’s own immune system attacks and destroys the cells in pancreas that produce insulin. Although it can occur at any age, but it is prevalent more among children and young adults who require daily dose of insulin to stay alive.
  • Type 2: This situation arises when body does not make or use insulin efficiently. it is the most common type and can occur at any age, but middle‑aged and older people suffer from this condition mostly.

Other forms of diabetes include: Gestational diabetes, monogenetic diabetes, and cystic fibrosis related diabetes (3).

Symptoms

Symptoms associated with diabetes in general includes:

  • Increased thirst and urination
  • Increased appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Blurred vision
  • Numbness or tingling in the feet or hands
  • Sores that do not heal

Unexplained weight loss (4).

Causes

  • Type 1 diabetes is a result of auto immune destruction of beta cells of the pancreas. It may also occur due to certain genetic and environmental factors, such as viruses.
  • Several factors are involved in causing type 2 diabetes such as obesity, physical inactivity, insulin resistance, genes, and a history of diabetes in the family.
  • It is believed that gestational diabetes can be caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy along with genetic and lifestyle factors (4).

Prevalence and some statistics

  • People with diabetes have risen sharply from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014. Prevalence of diabetes among adults over 18 years of age has almost doubled from 4.7% to 8.5% within the same time period.
  • Prevalence of diabetes has become a serious health concern specially in middle‑and‑low‑income countries.
  • As of 2016, approximately 1.6 million deaths were attributed to diabetes only and in 2012, around 2.2 million deaths were reported globally due to high blood glucose.
  • As per an estimate by WHO, diabetes was the 7th leading cause of death in the year 2016 (5).

The campaign and the aim

At present WDD is the largest diabetes campaign having presence in more than 160 countries and a reach to more than 1 billion people. It is represented by a blue circle logo adopted by the UN resolution on diabetes on 2007. The color blue signifies the unity among global diabetes community against the epidemic (6).

WDD serves as:

  • Platform for promoting IDF advocacy efforts throughout the year.
  • Global driver to promote the importance of taking coordinated and concerted actions to confront diabetes as a critical global healthcare (1).

What’s in store for 2019?

WDD will be observed November 14th on Thursday this year which is just around the corner. On this day, millions of people around the globe organize events and activities raising awareness about diabetes (6). The campaign projects a dedicated theme every year which runs for one or more year. For the year 2019, the theme is ‘Family and Diabetes’ with an intent to raise awareness about the effect that diabetes has on the family and support network of those who are suffering as well as promoting the role of family in the management, care, prevention, and education (1).

Diabetes affecting family members

Diabetes can be considered as a family disease since the other members of the family somehow get affected if someone, specially a child is diagnosed with it. It is for this reason that it can be regarded as a form of chronic illness like any other chronic illnesses (7).

In a survey named DAWN2 involving 2000 family members of those affected by diabetes reported that 1/3rd of those experienced a notable burden and negative impact of diabetes, including effects on their emotional wellbeing, financial situation, leisure activities, and physical health (8).

Some of the risks, that family members of those affected by diabetes, experience, can be categorized as (9):

  • Biological risk: it has been shown that there exists a correlation (0.34 and 0.38) on BMI ranges of those suffering from diabetes and their partners. Partners of those with diabetes have been found to have higher BMI than their counterparts with non‑diabetic partner.
  • Health behavioral risk: a study involving multiethnic sample of > 500 patients suffering from type 2 diabetes and their partners showed that significant correlation exists between factors such as; consumption of fat, consumption of carbohydrates, total physical activity, and indulging in smoking and alcohol.
  • Affective/emotional risk: it is reported that female partners of diabetic patients have higher mean level of depressive effect. For male partner, the mean level of depressive effect was comparatively lower but still higher than that of the control subjects.

Role of family members in diabetes management

A family can play a crucial role in managing diabetes of the affected member. Having them involved in the self‑care interventions may help in achieving positive outcomes for the diabetics (10).

Families are required to share responsibilities and reconsider role of family as a result of diabetes. Reports have suggested that low level of conflicts, unity, and efficient organization patterns are linked with better treatment adherence (11).

The Family Approach to Diabetes Management (FADM) is a novel model that focusses on determining and exploring different ways of intra family communication having either positive or negative impact on clinical outcomes while keeping patient and family self‑management at forefront. It has been shown that engagement of entire family is easy to adjust as well as cost‑effective into standard diabetes care in addition to offering positive clinical outcome pertaining to general quality of life and A1C results (12).

Studies have shown that family members while participating in health interventions for diabetes care improves their own knowledge about the disease and inculcate skills necessary to support their loved ones. Family’s participation benefits their own health behaviors and health outcomes (10).

Turacoz Healthcare Solution is committed to raise awareness about diabetes management, prevention and educating people so as to make them help their near and dear ones suffering from this chronic lifestyle disorder to maintain and live a healthy life. Family’s engagement in diabetes care can significantly improve the outcomes and also make other family members learn about the management of diabetes.

If you have any queries, email us at [email protected]

 

References 

  1. About World Diabetes Day. International Diabetes Federation. Available at: https://worlddiabetesday.org/about/
  2. Diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus. American Diabetes Association; 2013: 36(S1). 67‑74. Available at:https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/36/Supplement_1/S67
  3. What is diabetes? National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes
  4. Symptoms and causes of diabetes. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. Available at:https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/symptoms-causes
  5. World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes
  6. Getting Ready for World Diabetes Day 2019. Diabetes self‑management. Available at: https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/getting-ready-world-diabetes-day-2019/
  7. The family approach to diabetes management: Theory into practice toward the development of a new paradigm. Diabetes Spectrum. 2004; 17(1): 31‑36. Available at: https://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/17/1/31
  8. Family matters in diabetes. The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology. 2018; 12(6): 911. Available at: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(18)30317-6/fulltext
  9. Fisher L. Family relationships and diabetes care during the adult years. Diabetes Spectrum. 2006; 19(2): 71‑74. Available at: https://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/19/2/71
  10. Baig AA, Benitez A, Quinn MT et al. Family interventions to improve diabetes outcomes for adults. 2015; 1353(1): 89‑112. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4624026/
  11. Ahmed Z, Yeasmeen F. Active family participation in diabetes self‑care. A commentary. Diabetes Management. 2016; 6(5): 104‑107. Available at: https://www.openaccessjournals.com/articles/active-family-participation-in-diabetes-selfcare-a-commentary.pdf
  12. Solowiejczyk J. The family approach to diabetes management: Theory into practice toward the development of a new paradigm. Diabetes Spectrum. 2004; 17(1): 31‑36. Available at:  https://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/17/1/31