Oct 2005 Newsletter
New at COiN:
As part of our aims, we are providing free medical and health checks to geriatrics registered with Arogya Sandhan. The services include blood pressure, ECGs, blood sugar and other routine investigations, and prescribing appropriate treatments and referrals. Currently, the clinic is held once a month and the attendance varies from 40-50. We are happy to say that we are noticing a steady increase in the attendance and are planning to increase the clinic to twice a month.
We are also conducting a free clinic once a week, which is open to households with a monthly income of less than Rs 2000/-. At this time, the attendance varies from 20 to 30, the majority of patients being women. If you know someone who can take advantage of our services, please refer them to our clinics. For further information on the clinics, please write to us at info@coin-india.org.
UTI Garia, a bank in our community, is distributing our publication on hypertension to its customers. The publication can also be found on our website.
COiN is continuing to sponsor one resident at the old age home in Kolkata run by the Little Sisters for the Poor. Currently, there are about 150 residents in the home. It takes only Rs 45/- a day to support a resident in this home. Please consider donating, however small the amount, so we can increase the number of old people we can support.
According to health authorities, at least 127,000 people have been infected by dengue , a mosquito borne disease, so far this year along an arc that stretches from eastern India through the Indonesian archipelago, with at least 990 deaths. At least 19 people have died and about 1,900 are suffering from dengue across West Bengal; the worst outbreak is reported from the capital Kolkata with nearly 600 reported cases. COiN has recently brought out a publication in Bangla to educate people to combat the spread of the disease.
Celebrating October 1 International Day of Older Persons
In several cities in India, free clinics, walkathons, picnics, and sightseeing tours for elderly were arranged by various organizations - Nightingale Medical Trust (Bangalore), Senior Citizens Club (Bangalore), Help Age India (Delhi), Heritage Hospital (Hyderabad), Hamsadhwani Foundation (Chennai), Dignity Foundation (Mumbai) - in honor of world elders day this year.
On this International Day of Older Persons, UN secretary general called upon Governments and all concerned actors to promote a society for people of all ages, to redouble efforts to implement the provisions of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Aging, and to work towards changing attitudes, policies and practices so that, in the twenty-first century, the enormous potential of older persons may be fulfilled.
Health sector news in India
Post-monsoon outbreak of Japanese encephalitis in Uttar Pradesh has claimed the lives of more than 950 people, according to official figures. The virus is transmitted by mosquitoes from infected animals, usually pigs and birds, to humans. The disease causes high fever and eventually victims fall into coma. Nearly a third die. The disease can be prevented by administration of vaccines. But India's only laboratory, in the Himalayan town of Kasauli, produces just half a million doses a year. Now India is trying to import more effective vaccines in larger quantities.
Nearly 1,600 children under the age of six have died in India's Maharashtra state, many from malnutrition, in the past four months, officials say.
Addressing joint pains through supplements
Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are substances found naturally in the body. Glucosamine is a form of amino sugar that is believed to play a role in cartilage formation and repair. Chondroitin sulfate is part of a large protein molecule (proteoglycan) that gives elasticity to cartilage. Chondroitin taken along with glucosamine is believed to support the body’s natural ability to regenerate cartilage.
Past studies show that some people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis (OA) taking either glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate reported pain relief at a level similar to that of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Some research indicates that the supplements might also slow cartilage damage in people with OA. Definitive results about the effects of these supplements are expected from an in-depth clinical study currently being conducted by the National Institutes of Health, USA.
The amount used in studies of glucosamine was 1500 mg per day and in studies of chondroitin sulfate, 1200 mg per day was used. Children and pregnant women should not take these supplements. They have not been studied long enough to determine their effects on a child or on a developing fetus. Diabetics should check their blood sugar levels more frequently when taking this supplement. Chondroitin sulfate is similar in structure to the blood-thinning drug heparin and the combination of chondroitin and heparin may cause bleeding in some people.
Choosing quality supplements: Because dietary supplements are unregulated, the quality and content may vary widely. If you decide to take these supplements: a) Choose products sold by large, well-established companies; b) Read the product labels carefully to make sure the ingredient lists make sense to you. If you have trouble, ask your doctor/pharmacists for help; c) Be sure to consult your doctor before deciding to try these supplements.
Drug alert
Three anti-inflammatory drugs (COX-2 inhibitors), rofecoxib, celecoxib, and valdecoxib, typically used for painful conditions such as arthritis, have been withdrawn worldwide. Compared to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen, these three cox-2 inhibitors cause fewer gastrointestinal problems but are twice as likely to lead to serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke. If you or someone you know is still taking these drugs (yes, they are still available in Indian market), please consult your doctor for a replacement therapy. If you are not sure about the contents of your pain medication, please consult your doctor.
Footnote
If you or anyone you know would like to receive our newsletter on a regular basis, please email us at info@coin-india.org. The printable version is also available.
