Category Archives: Health & Fitness

Sedentary Lifestyle: A Threat to your Good Health!

Health & Fitness

Humans were designed to move around and stay physically active. However, over the period of time, we evolved technologically and the levels of our physical activity steeply declined. Our environment at work, schools, homes, and public places were gradually engineered in such a way which restricted our daily physical activity and compelled us to assume a non-exercising behaviour. Steadily, we adapted the non-exercising behaviour in our lifestyle and became sedentary or negligibly active.Parallel with this major change in our lifestyle, several pieces of evidence emerged which identified sedentary behaviour as a novel risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases and all-cause mortality. Studies showed that the mediocrity begins the precise moment when we swap activity with sedentary behaviour. Therefore, it is important to understand the health risks associated with sedentary lifestyle and take timely action.

What is a sedentary lifestyle?

A sedentary lifestyle can be defined as sitting, lying down, and expending very little energy (approximately 1.0-1.5 metabolic equivalents [METs]) in a day. Due to limited physical activity and associated health risks, asedentary lifestyle is also termed as a “sitting disease”.

Who is expected to have a sedentary lifestyle?

With changing nature of our work and leisure activities, an average adult is likely to spend more than 70% of the waking time in a day being sedentary or minimally active. The levels of inactivity tend to increase with growing age, and women are more prone to inactive lifestyle as compared to men. However, recent trends have shown a surge in sedentary behaviour among children.

Health risks associated with sedentary lifestyle

Lack of physical activity has clearly been shown to be a risk factor for several physical, mental and psychological disorders. Individuals having a sedentary lifestyle are at greater risk of having cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, pulmonary embolism, diabetes, and obesity. Increased adiposity (excessive weight gain) due to sedentary lifestyle also increases the risk of certain cancers like endometrial cancer, colon cancer and breast cancer. Additionally, non-exercising behaviour also results in several bone and muscle disorders like osteoporosis, back or neck pain, and muscle degeneration. An overall poor health of a sedentary individual is later accountable for developing psychological stress, depression and anxiety disorders. Worrisome is the fact that lack of physical activity and its associated conditions account for about 3.2 million deaths a year across the globe.

Tips to overcome sedentary lifestyle

Sedentary lifestyle can be easily avoided by making few smart choices at work and leisure, such as:

  • Go NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis), i.e. set an alarm after each couple of hours which reminds you to stand up and go on your feet. This can include simple stretching, taking a walk around the office, or a 10-minute brisk walk. It is an ideal option for those who can’t manage to go to the gym after work.
  • Walk n Work:Schedule walking meetings with your team, walk while having a telephonic conversation, pick up your lunch instead of ordering delivery, walk to the market for picking up daily grocery, and take stairs instead of elevator whenever permissible.
  • Rearrange the workplace: Install treadmills or stationary cycles to encourage physical activity at work, schedule regular exercise sessions at workplace for your team, and relocate water coolers and trash cans so that people have to move from their workplace to use them.
  • Commute differently:If possible, try to commute with public transport or use cycle instead of personal vehicles.
  • Exercise:Try to engage yourself in a physical activity, exercise or sport of your choice. Make sure you spend at least a day each week exercising.

Being physically active is necessary for having a physical and mental well-being. A sedentary lifestyle is a root cause for most of the modern day diseases and it can be easily avoided by making healthy choices for you and your family. Turacoz Healthcare Solutions always tries to encourage its employees and everyone to exercise daily and lead a physically active, healthy life.

Physical activity should be adopted as a behaviour in daily life, and one should remember to ‘get up and move’!

Novel Therapeutic Advances for Management of Diabetes Mellitus

Health & Fitness

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has become one of the most challenging health problems in the 21st century. It is a serious public health problem globally, but the good news is that various advances are being made in prevention, detection, and treatment of diabetes. Though prevention is always better than cure, yet sometimes prevention is not possible and the cure seems to take ages. The interest to find a possible cure for diabetes has eventually led to exploration of various new scientific areas of research.

Volanesorsen

Volanesorsen (formerly ISIS-APOCIIIRx)is an antisense drug in development intended to treat patients with severely high triglycerides either as a single agent or in combination with other triglyceride-lowering agents.Elevation in triglycerides has always increased the risk of cardiovascular disorders as well as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have found the therapeutic effect of lipid-lowering medication sin improving insulin sensitivity in people with T2DM. Volanesorsen is an oral medication that can help to control the blood sugar levels. Itis believed to improve the insulin sensitivity and significantly decrease the patients’ overall glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). After taking the medication for 12 weeks, researchers found that adult T2DM patients receiving volanesorsen experienced 69% reduction in triglycerides, and 57% improvement in whole-body insulin sensitivity.Researchers concluded that decrease in triglycerides was strongly related to improved insulin sensitivity and improved HbA1c.

PEGylated Lispro

PEGylated lispro (LY2605541) has been developed by the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to insulin lispro, leading to its extended half-life. Early phase evaluations of PEGyalted lispro confirm its non-inferiority to glargine with a potential weight advantage when used in T2DM. Since insulin therapy is anabolic and its initiation is commonly associated with weight gain, an insulin preparation associated with a beneficial weight profile would represent a particularly valuable therapeutic entity.

Pre-clinical studies indicate that LY2605541 has low mitogenic potency, exerting a preferential hepatic effect on glucose homeostasis. However, LY2605541 appears to cause elevated transaminases and derangement of lipid profiles. On the basis of these initial observations, LY2605541 requires further extensive clinical evaluation to fully assess its risk/benefit profile in the management ofdiabetes.

Islet Transplantation

A novel technology has been developed to help treat type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and potentially negate the need for insulin injections. Islets are organoids that produce multiple hormones, including insulin, and donated islets are already treating severe cases of T1DMeffectively. Islet transplantation can transform the lives of T1DM patients, and may result in long-term freedom from insulin injections with excellent glucose control.

Natural Products

Plants possessing antidiabetic properties may be suitable as an adjunct to the existing therapies or as a prospective source of new hypoglycemic compounds. Many new bioactive drugs isolated from plants demonstrate antidiabetic activity equal to known oral hypoglycemic agents such as tolbutamide and chlorpropamide. Several plant species with terpenoids, flavonoids, phenols, coumarins, and other bioactive constituents have shown their potency in reducing blood glucose levels. Plants likeAllium sativum(Liliaceae),Gymnema sylvestre(Asclepiadaceae),Murraya koenigii(Rutaceae),Allium cepa(Liliaceae),Withania somnifera (Solanaceae), andFerula foetida (Umbelliferae) have exhibited antidiabetic properties when assessed in experimental models of diabetes. These traditional approaches might prove to bebeneficial in treatment of diabetic complications.

Great strides have been made clinically in the management of diabetes. Extensive research may lead to discovery of newer and better options for diabetes. With new technologies revolutionizing the treatment possibilities, the search for an effective medication is not far ahead.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions aims to create awareness for such healthcare issues like diabetes mellitus which pose a serious threat to people, irrespective of race, gender, or age. We consider it our corporate responsibility to share the knowledge related to therapeutic research and development, and keep you updated with the recent medical advancements in the healthcare industry.“Being aware of a disease and its deleterious consequences”is the first-step towards its prevention. So stay healthy and stay long.

Ramadan: Healthy Foods for a Healthy Fasting

Health & Fitness

It’s again Ramadan time. Millions of Muslims fast during this period and abstain from eating and drinking. However, two main meals are taken during Ramadan: ‘Suhur’ which is served before dawn and ‘Iftar’ which is taken after sunset. It is very important that Suhur comprises of a healthy meal to provide you energy for the whole day, and Iftar is a light meal to avoid weight gain.One should take foods that are rich in complex carbohydrates and protein, fruits or vegetables, and plenty of water to maintain a healthy fasting. Here are the few tips:

  • Incorporate brown rice, wholemeal bread or wholegrain noodles in diet which take longer more time to digest, and help in sustaining energy levels longer
  • When preparing rice, noodles and other grains, season with herbs, spices and broths
  • Include high-calcium low-fat dairy products in your diet to maintain strong bones
  • Lactose intolerant persons can choose lactose-free milk or calcium-fortified soybean milk
  • Eat fish as it contains the healthy fat- omega-3fatty acid
  • Prefer white meat over red meat and choose from low fat meat options (like veal, chicken and fish)
  • Add herbs, sliced lemon or lemon juice to white meats and fishinstead of spices and salt
  • Add favorite fruits, dates, and honey to the desserts to include more fiber and make the food vitamin-rich
  • Replace sweets with stuffed dates, which are rich in fibre and are healthy
  • Use home-made cream for the qatayef stuffing, which cuts down almost three-quarters of the calories

When deciding what to eat during Ramadan, one must remember that consuming the right food is very important. Turacoz Healthcare Solutions is passionate to spread the awareness on such social or healthcare related issues as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity. We consider it our responsibility to share the healthy way of fasting.

Surya Namaskar: A Complete Health Guide for Recent Times from Ancient India

Health & Fitness

Surya Namaskar or sun salutation is a way of saluting sun, the ultimate source of energy and life on earth. Our solar plexus or second brain which is located in the central part of the body, i.e. behind navel, is assumed to be connected to the sun. This rationale must be behind the gurus and rishis of ancient and current times who recommend Surya Namaskar regular practise to increase one’s creativity and intuitive abilities.

The 12 postures of Surya Namaskar are in sync with the sun’s cycles which run at twelve-and-a-quarter years. In addition to having the known health benefits, performing Surya Namaskar also makes your body ready to vibrate and breathe with the natural solar cycle.

According to Sathguru, young women are already in sync with the smallest natural cycle i.e. lunar cycle. Now if women do Surya Namaskar also every day, they will be synced to both solar and lunar cycles, and that gives a lot of energy.Probably that is why God gave the privilege to propagate the race to the women.

The 12 steps of Surya Namaskar are:

  1. Pranamasana or Prayer pose
  2. Hastauttanasana or Raised arms pose
  3. Hasta Padasana or Hand to foot pose
  4. Ashwasanchalanasana or Equestrian pose
  5. Dandasana or Stick pose
  6. Ashtanganamarkara or Salute with eight parts/points
  7. Bhujangasana or Cobra pose
  8. Parvatasana or Mountain pose
  9. Ashwasanchalanasana or Equestrian pose
  10. Hasta padasana or Hand to foot pose
  11. Hastauttanasana or Raised arms pose
  12. Tadasana

Some quick facts:

  • Twelve sets of Surya Namaskar is equivalent to 288 poses and can be done in only 12 minutes.
  • One round of Surya Namaskar can burn upto 14 calories for an average weighing person.
  • The sets can be increased up to 108 in a day.

Surya Namaskar is a complete exercise of body and soul. Including it in our daily routine can help us enjoy better life and be more productive.

One of the pillar of Turacoz Healthcare Solutions is our people and we always try to inculcate healthy habits and life style modifications to attain a comprehensive health, enjoy the life, and God’s creations. On this #InternationalYogaDay, Turacoz team pledges to inculcate healthy habits in their lifestyle and spread the awareness as a part of their corporate social responsibility.

Ramadan Fasting and Diabetes Management

Health & Fitness, ,

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims in which consumption of food and drinks, medications, and smoking is forbidden between dawn and dusk. During Ramadan, millions of Muslims fast during the daylight hours. People generally consume only two meals per day during this month, one after sunset (Iftar) and the other before dawn (Suhur). However, this can lead to metabolic changes in the body and can give rise to various health complications, especially in diabetic patients. Although any person who is ill or has some medical condition like diabetes can choose not to fast, it becomes a personal decision. In casediabetic patients choose to fast, they should consult their doctors before starting fasting during Ramadan.

Diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar levels in the body due to insulin deficiency or inability of the body to use insulin properly. Long fasting and fluid restriction during the day can lead to dehydration and fluctuations in sugar levels. These patients can experience any one of the following:

  • Hypoglycemia (lowering of blood sugar levels) due to long fasting hours leading to seizures and loss of consciousness
  • Hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar levels) due to increased food/sugar intake during Iftar and abstaining the use of antidiabetic medications
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis (a life-threatening situation) in patients having high blood glucose levels and taking reduced dosage of insulin during Ramadan
  • Dehydration leading to volume and electrolyte depletion and causing syncope, falls, and injuries

 

Managing Diabetes During Diabetes:

It is very important that patients with diabetes make a personal choice of fasting during Ramadan only after considering their health condition and proper consultation with their physicians. They should be aware of the associated risks and adhere to the doctors’ recommendations in order to have a safe fasting. Diabetic patients should monitor blood glucose levels regularly during Ramadan. If the blood glucose falls below 70 mg/dL, the fast needs to be ended. Checking blood glucose is very important and does not mean breaking the fast. Secondly, dosage of antidiabetic medications need to be modified during Ramadan. That doesn’t mean that a person has to stop taking his medications. Only the doses will be altered based on his sugar levels and current condition.

During Suhur, a diabetic patient should go for healthy breakfast including starchy carbohydrates and some proteins to slow down the digestion and maintaining the feeling of fullness. Breakfast can include: whole grain cereals, some lentils, and low-fat milk. During Iftar, one should drink plenty of fluids, but avoid caffeine and sugar containing beverages. One should not overeat during Iftar and have small meals. Fried food, sweets, and excessive sugar containing foodsshould be avoided.

With proper management plan and regular glucose monitoring, diabetic patients can experience a healthy living and maintain their religious beliefs during the month of Ramadan.

 

HAVE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY RAMADAN!

Turacoz aims to spread the awareness on various healthcare related issues as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity. Our medical writing team is well-versed with recent advances in various therapeutic areas. We provide support in publication writing, clinical research and regulatory writing, medical advisory board meetings and medical marketing services.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness

Health & Fitness,

February 12 is declared as Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Day annually. This day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about sexual and reproductive health issues and educate to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs are one of the major public health concerns. Hence,

Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness Day is therefore an annual health promotion event which focuses on the importance of sexual health issues. Also these health awareness events create publicity for health issues and aims to improve the condition and help save lives, sometimes these events encourage preventative action against conditions becoming more serious.

Sexual health is a broad area that encompasses many inter-related challenges and problems. Key issues and concerns are human rights related to sexual health, sexual pleasure, eroticism and sexual satisfaction, diseases (HIV/AIDS, STIs, RTIs [reproductive tract infections]), violence, female genital mutilation, sexual dysfunction and mental health related to sexual health.

The objectives of this awareness include:

  • Improving the acceptability of safer sex behavior;
  • Decreasing the prevalence of STIs within the community;
  • Providing sexual health information, education and resources ; and
  • Improving health seeking behaviour to increase testing and treatment for STIs.

The goal of having an awareness week is to encourage people to consider the importance of maintaining reproductive health and talking about healthy decision-making with the people they care about.

 

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Screening tests may help find diseases or conditions early when they are easier to treat. It is also important that each of us is aware of our own bodies so if changes occur that don’t seem normal they can be checked by a health-care provider.

 

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The National Population Stabilisation Fund (Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh) has started a helpline to provide confidential counseling services and immediate answers to queries on sexual and reproductive health problems. For authentic telephonic information on Reproductive Health, Family Planning and Infant Health, Call 1800-11-6555. This helpline operates daily from 9am to 11pm. A team of health executives and doctors answer questions about sexual health concerns, sexually transmitted infections, contraception, pregnancy, infertility, abortions, menopause and puberty and can explain the functioning of the reproductive systems of males and females.

The helpline will also work towards removing popular misconceptions about sex, important in a country such as India where the subject is still socially taboo. When experimented with in schools, confidential information services have been shown to be in high demand. They can help in providing objective advice from a respected source rather than peers, the Internet and word of mouth, increase public knowledge of their rights and trust in public facilities, and can reduce the bridge between users and services.

Education can provide the social vaccine needed, offering a real chance at a productive life. Not only is education essential for preventing HIV, preventing HIV is essential for education.

 

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The role of air purifier to combat air pollution

Health & Fitness, , , ,

Air pollution is the introduction of chemicals, particulate matters or biological materials in air, for a sufficient time that causes harm or discomfort to humans or other living organisms or damages the natural environment. Clean air is considered as a basic requirement of human because it determines the health of the lungs as well as other organs. In order to extract 420 litres of oxygen that is crucial for human survival and function, a total of 10,000 litres of air enters the lungs every day. However, air pollution is continuously rising and responsible for significant threat to health worldwide. According to the World Health organization (WHO) report, around 7 million people died in 2012 as a result of air pollution exposure confirming that air pollution is now the world’s largest single environmental health risk.

There are different types of air pollutants, which affect the living organism as well as climate in different ways, depending on their specific properties and ultimately effect the living organisms. Air pollutants mainly consists of gas and particle contaminants that are present in the atmosphere. Gaseous pollutants includeSO2, NOx, ozone, carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), certain toxic air pollutants, and some gaseous forms of metals whereas particle pollution (PM2.5 and PM10) includes a mixture of compounds.

Various scientific studies have associated with air pollution to a number of health problems, which include: (1) diminished lung function; (2) precipitation of respiratory symptoms such as difficulty breathing and coughing; (3) worsening of respiratory and cardiovascular disease; (4) increased susceptibility to respiratory infections; (5) adverse effect on nervous system, including the brain, such as Intelligence quotient (IQ) loss and impacts on learning, memory, and behaviour; (6) cancer; and (7) premature death.

While air quality regulations can reduce air pollution at a societal level, but individuals can also play important role to improve the air quality especially in their house. With a better understanding of indoor pollutants (e.g., dust mites, household pets, cockroaches, mould, environmental tobacco smoke, wood smoke, volatile organic compounds), a new and effective measures i.e. air filters have evolved. Indoor air filtration can also be provided by whole house filtration via the home’s heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system, by portable room air cleaners.

Currently available air purifiers usually have a multilayer filter system composed of a pre‑filter, a carbon filter, an antibacterial filter, and a HEPA (High-efficiency particulate arrestance) filter. The HEPA filters, which were traditionally used in hospitals, has indeed been a significant inclusion to home air purifiers. A HEPA filter uses mechanical filtration to remove airborne particles. A HEPA filter is standardized at a minimum 99.97% efficiency rating for removing particles greater than or equal to 0.3μm (1/83,000 of an inch) in diameter. This means that for every 10,000 particles that are 0.3μm in diameter, 3 will pass through the filter, and the rest will be trapped by the filter.

Although air pollution remains a worldwide epidemic and need multi-tiered prevention strategy, use of air filter which efficiently remove particulate matter, may result in significant health benefits to patients of asthma and cardiovascular disease. Besides, children, the elderly, and women will also be benefited, if indoor air quality is good because they spend more time in the home environment.

#AIDS:IndianStatistics

Health & Fitness, , , , , ,

It is believed that around 1920, a deadly virus crossed species from chimpanzees to humans in Kinshasa (Africa), and led to the beginning of an era full of illness, fear, and discrimination. The deadly virus was called human immune-deficiency virus or HIV. Over decades, the virus slowly spread to other parts of the world, and a large number of people became infected. Depressed immunity, huge number of infections, and high mortality rates were observed. In 1982, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) used the term acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) for the first time. AIDS was defined as “a disease at least moderately predictive of a defect in cell mediated immunity, occurring in a person with no known case for diminished resistance to that disease.” Soon, the disease became an epidemic and engulfed the whole world.

As per UNAIDS, the number of people living with HIV increased from 9 million in 1990 to 36.9 million in 2014. AIDS-related deaths also increased drastically from 320,000 in 1990 to 2 million in 2004-05. However, this led to emergence of global actions for management of AIDS and with more people receiving treatment, improvements could be seen. As a result, the number of deaths has been estimated to decrease to 1.2 million in 2014.

WHERE DOES INDIA STAND?

Globally, 15 countries account for nearly 75% of the people living with HIV, with the top 3 countries being South Africa (18%), Nigeria (9%), and India (6%). Being a densely populated country with a large number of people under poverty line, living in unhygienic conditions, or lacking awareness, AIDS is a major health concern in India. By 2013, 2.1 million people were estimated to be living with HIV in India. Out of this, there were approximately 140,000 children aged 0 to 14; 750,000 women aged 15 and above; and 1.9 million adults aged 15 years and above. The prevalence rate in adults was noted to be 0.3.

Let’s look at the regional variations: The distribution of HIV is heterogeneous throughout the country. As per National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), the highest prevalence has been noted in Nagaland (0.88%), followed by Mizoram (0.68%), Manipur (0.64%), Andhra Pradesh (0.59%), Karnataka (0.53%). Chhattisgarh (0.51%), Gujarat (0.50%), Maharashtra (0.40%), Delhi (0.40%), Punjab (0.37%), Bihar (0.33%), Rajasthan (0.32%), and Odisha (0.31%).

Who all are affected?

In India, female sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender, and people who inject drugs have been identified as the core high-risk groups. They are at high risk of HIV infection and play a significant role in the HIV transmission to general population through sexual networks. Besides them, truck drivers and migrant workers can transmit infection as they have mobile working jobs and are more likely to come in contact with the high-risk groups like female sex workers.

Population National prevalence in 2011
Female sex workers 2.8%
Men who have sex with men 4.43%
Transgender 8.82%
People who inject drugs 7.14%
Migrant workers 0.99%
Truck drivers 2.59%
Source: NACO Annual Report, 2014

The sad part: Unfortunately, 64% of these people living with HIV were found to have no access to the treatment in 2013. This led to approximately 130,000 AIDS-related deaths in India, which accounts for 8% of the AIDS-related deaths in the world and 51% in Asia.

Looking at the brighter side: Even though AIDS is a major concern in India, the number of people living with AIDS has decreased from 2.4 million in 2005 to 2.1 million in 2013. Also, the estimated number of new infections has decreased from 160,000 in 2009 to 130,000 in 2013 (19% decline). A 38% decline has been noted in AIDS-related deaths between 2005 (210,000 deaths) and 2013 (130,000 deaths). Overall, the epidemic is slowing down in India.

And the credit goes to: Various prevention and treatment interventions launched by Government of India under the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) have played an important role in fighting with AIDS. Its main objective has been to reduce new infections and provide care, support, and treatment to people with HIV or those who are in need. The number of centers providing antiretroviral (ART) treatment has increased from 25 in 2005 to 425 in 2014, and the number of patients receiving first-line ART has increased from 6,845 in 2005 to 768,000 in 2014. HIV counseling and testing services have also scaled-up in India: from 4,567 Integrated Counseling and Testing Centres in 2007-08 to 15,606 in 2013-14. Resources allocation through states has also increased from Rs. 733.04 crores in 2008-09 to Rs. 931.00 crores in 2013-14.

The road ahead: Although improvements have been seen, it is a long way ahead to attain an AIDS-free country. Fast-track targets have been established to secure ZERO new infections, ZERO discrimination, and ZERO AIDS-related deaths in the future. The global consensus is to aim for 90-90-90 by 2020, i.e. 90% of people living with HIV know their HIV status, 90% of people who know their status receive treatment, and 90% of people on HIV treatment have a suppressed viral load so that their immune system remains strong and they are no longer infectious.

By 2020 90-90-90 treatment, ZERO discrimination
By 2030 95-95-95 treatment, ZERO discrimination

Let’s just hope that the occurrence of AIDS keeps on dipping, and we attain ZERO infections!

Sources: NACO and UNAIDS

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions as a socially responsible company spreads the word and awareness and looks forward to collaboration or associations with other agencies/companies with similar goals and aspirations. We have a skilled and competent team of medical writers, clinicians, researchers and biostatisticians. Our clients include major pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and healthcare professionals. Our experience has been in supporting publications, creating regulatory documents, conducting observational studies, designing and creating for print and digital marketing as well as customizing sessions on medical writing. 

# VaccineHesitancy

Health & Fitness, , , , ,

As described by the WHO, immunization is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the body’s own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease. In simpler terms, vaccination is your best shot for health. Therefore, for a healthier life it is recommended that everyone should be vaccinated according to schedule advised by their family doctors.

Despite knowing the importance of immunization and easy accessibility of vaccines, people often refuse or deny to vaccinate themselves or their children. “Vaccine hesitancy” is, therefore, the biggest challenge faced by the healthcare system in achieving optimal immunization among masses. It is evident that vaccine hesitancy negatively impacts on vaccine uptake rates and the performance of national immunization programs of the country. The UN health agency reported that globally, one in five children still do not receive routine life-saving immunizations, and an estimated 1.5 million children die each year of diseases that could be prevented by vaccines.

 As per the WHO, denying or refusing vaccination against any disease not only increases the vulnerability of an individual for that particular disease, but it also widens the immunization gap in the population. Vaccine hesitancy is a complex issue that is influenced by multiple factors such as misinformation, complacency, convenience, confidence, and fear of needles. Myths associated with vaccines such as vaccination of women leading to infertility is also a major reason for denying vaccinations, particularly among the rural population.

To overcome these issues, WHO, in the recently published editorial recommended the healthcare organizations to focus on increasing the understanding of vaccine hesitancy, its determinants, and challenges among the lay population. The recommendations also focused on usage of evidence-based practices that are required in dealing with the structures and organizational capacity to decrease hesitancy and increase acceptance of vaccines at the global, national and local levels. Sharing of lessons learned and effective practices from various countries and settings as well as the development, validation and implementation of new tools to address hesitancy were also recommended.

This World immunization day, it is suggestive that pro-active measures should be taken by various health care organizations for increasing acceptance of vaccines, such as:

  • Using effective communication to dispel fears among people
  • One‑on‑one or group interaction between health‑workers and people to resolve their doubts, and myths related to vaccination
  • Organizing number of immunization session for generating awareness about health benefits of vaccination
  • Bringing together interactive activities that engage groups of members and society members to give the guidelines related to immunization
  • Spreading awareness among people about new vaccine availability, its benefits
  • Encouraging people to bring their children for detailed check-up and give vaccine
  • Involving staff members and nurses of health care institutions, primary centers, family‑clinics to maintain the immunization record of the patients and provide them when needed

Immunization is one of the most important preventive health measures, responsible for saving millions of lives. Hence, addressing the concerns of vaccine-hesitancy must be a priority for all the stakeholders of the healthcare industry. So, this world immunization day, each one of us should take it as our moral responsibility to spread awareness among people about the vaccine and to debunk fear/myths associated with vaccination.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions as a socially responsible company spreads the word and awareness and looks forward to collaboration or associations with other agencies/companies with similar goals and aspirations. We have a skilled and competent team of medical writers, clinicians, researchers and biostatisticians. Our clients include major pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and healthcare professionals. Our experience has been in supporting publications, creating regulatory documents, conducting observational studies, designing and creating for print and digital marketing as well as customizing sessions on medical writing. 

Diabetes Tech Advancemnents

Health & Fitness, , , , , , ,

Over the years there are many technological advancements that came into light in the treatment of diabetes. These technological advancements in diabetes care helped from the discovery, production of insulin till the development of less painful ways to deliver it to the patients.

Technological developments will continue and probably even increase, as the epidemic of diabetes continues to grow rapidly. Advances in medical technology can help control diabetes with ease, a more convenient, and a more accurate tool for everyone.

Echo Therapeutics

These are non-invasive, wireless, transdermal continuous glucose monitoring (tCGM) systems for diabetic patients. These provide reliable data continuously, conveniently and in a cost-effective way. Also reduce the dependence on periodic finger stick testing.

Omnipod

These are wireless systems that help in delivering insulin. OmniPod is discreet and durable. Wireless and waterproof, the Pod holds and delivers insulin without tubes or shots. This also programs the personalized insulin delivery, calculates suggested doses, and has a convenient style.

Mobile Devices and Social Media Tools

These help in connecting with others and the healthcare physician. Social media also helps in the maintenance and monitoring of diabetes and helps the diabetic patients connect each other. These websites of diabetes can not only clarify the doubts but also support the patients’ problems. Also mobile devices help in tracking the data and send test results directly to the doctor.

Artificial Pancreas

This is helpful and provides relief for type 1 diabetics. An automated system used to disperse insulin based on changes in blood sugar levels. This is a wearable device acting as an artificial pancreas, the system will enable people living with type 1 diabetes to better maintain blood sugar levels within a target range with minimal effort.

High-Tech Tattoo Sensor

This is again a substitute for the finger-sticking method. This includes a sensor that changes color with rising blood sugar levels. This high-tech tattoo contains a special kind of ink that reacts with glucose and is injected into the outermost layer of skin.

Technology continues to develop and help patients with diabetes with much convenient and easier methods.

Turacoz Healthcare Solutions as a socially responsible company spreads the word and awareness and looks forward to collaboration or associations with other agencies/companies with similar goals and aspirations. We have a skilled and competent team of medical writers, clinicians, researchers and biostatisticians. Our clients include major pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and healthcare professionals. Our experience has been in supporting publications, creating regulatory documents, conducting observational studies, designing and creating for print and digital marketing as well as customizing sessions on medical writing.