Ludhiana, May 1
Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) is observing an asthma awareness week from today to May 7 to mark the “World Asthma Day,” which falls today. The main purpose of organising the week is to educate the patients about the disease and advise them on preventive measures and treatment modalities like use of inhaler techniques to combat asthma.

Addressing an interactive session to mark the commencement of series of educative programmes here today, Dr Jagdeep Whig, professor and head of chest diseases at the DMCH, remarked that asthma is one of the commonest respiratory problems, affecting people of all ages, sex, race and economic strata.

“It is highly prevalent in industrial cities like Ludhiana, where approximately 4 per cent of the population is suffering from this dreaded disease due to high levels of air pollution. Most common symptom of asthma is breathlessness, cough, with or without wheezing (noisy breathing). Symptoms are usually episodic, more during night time or in the early morning. Being an industrial hub of Punjab, persons working in hosieries and factories in this city get exposed themselves to occupational asthma. Certain individuals have genetic predisposition to develop asthma and the disease may run in their families.”

Dr Whig asserted that like any other disease, early diagnosis was important for effective treatment of asthma. However, every breathlessness should not be considered as a bronchial asthma. If any child or person had the symptoms, he or she should immediately consult a qualified doctor. Diagnosis of asthma could only be made in well-equipped pulmonary function laboratory at the hospitals and at the same time, investigations like chest X-ray and blood tests were also important in diagnosis.

Speaking at the occasion, DMCH principal and professor of paediatrics Dr Daljit Singh, said the risk factors for the development of asthma included exposure to tobacco, dust and environmental pollution, especially automobiles and auto-rickshaw exhausts, to which children were more easily exposed while going to their schools. Exposure to certain pollen grains during the change of weather or certain pungent smells in perfumes, soaps and food material could also lead to precipitation of asthma in the children.

Dr Updesh Sidhu, professor of chest at the DMCH, said now a days, the mainstay of the treatment of asthma was inhaler therapy, with or without spacers. “These devices reduce the doses required to control the disease and have lesser side effects. The patient ought to rinse his or her mouth with plain water after the use of inhaler, or rotacaps containing steroids to prevent throat congestion or fungal infection.”

He said there were two types of medicine for asthma - the reliever and controller medicines. Reliever medicines were mainly for emergency control of symptoms, whereas the controller medicines needed to be taken for a long time as these prevented the development of attacks.

According to Dr Sidhu, an asthma clinic was being run every Wednesday in the chest OPD of the hospital and a well-equipped pulmonary lab was also functional for all kinds of diagnostic facilities.

Ludhiana, May 1
'SEEK Day' was observed by Deep Hospital by organising a free screening camp for kidney diseases in association with the Shri Ram Sharnam, Sri Sathya Sai Sewa Samithi and Haward Medical School, USA, at Shri Ram Sharnam in Kitchlu Nagar, here, on Sunday.

Inaugurating the camp, Naresh Soni, local head of Shri Ram Sharnam, said SEEK Day aimed at screening and early evaluation of kidney diseases. The project had been launched globally to reduce the burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD), particularly in poor and developing countries.

Interacting with the patients at the camp, Dr Isaacs, nephrologist, stated that India was the biggest crucible for diabetes and hypertension. Those who had diabetes along with hypertension, or family history of both conditions, or those who smoked, were obese or more than 50 years of age, were at high risk of developing kidney diseases.

According to Dr Isaacs, CKD was said to be present when an individual started passing proteins in urine or the kidney function declined. "Worldwide, more than 500 million people suffer from this disease. It is estimated that one out of every 10 individual has some degree of CKD. This condition gradually progresses to advance kidney failure requiring dialysis and kidney transplantation. Usually, a kidney patient ends up paying Rs 1.5 lakh every year while a transplant costs Rs 3 lakh or more."

He added that more than 1.5 lakh new kidney patients were being identified every year in India. Out of these victims of CKD, only 10 per cent of the patients were able to get treatment, while others eventually died a painful death. Diabetes and hypertension were the most common cause of CKD as every fourth diabetic and tenth hypertensive person was likely to develop kidney malfunction. CKD was also a disease multiplier and led to early heart disease and stroke.

In a word of caution, Dr Isaacs termed it most unfortunate that no symptoms developed in the early stages of CKD. "The diagnosis is usually made only when more than 75 per cent of kidney function is lost. By this time the disease is irreversible. The ailment can, however, be detected in early stages by simple inexpensive tests like blood sugar test, urine test, and serum creatinine estimation. Early detection and treatment can prevent kidney failure. At the same time, strict control of diabetes and hypertension can also prevent kidney failure."

He concluded with the message that all diabetics and hypertensive patients were at a high risk of developing kidney failure but the 'good news' was that kidney failure could be prevented by a strict control of blood sugar and blood pressure. Also that, if detected early, it could be treated, hence regular medical check-ups were essential for high-risk persons.

More than 500 persons were screened for kidney disease. They were medically examined and blood and urine tests were performed for detection of kidney disease free of cost.

Ludhiana, May 1
Professor and head of gastroenterology at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Dr Rajoo Singh Chhina, attended the 42nd annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL-2007), held in Barcelona, Spain, recently.

Various liver related disorders, especially hepatitis-B, hepatitis-C, fatty liver and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases were discussed during the conference, which was attended by more than three thousand liver specialists from all over the world

During his visit, Dr Chhina observed various advancements in the science and treatment of chronic hepatitis-C virus (HCV) infection with several key data presentations.

The meet focused on prevalence of HCV, which is becoming a serious public health concern, affecting 170 million people worldwide.

According to Dr Chhina, HCV was mainly spread through direct contact with the blood of an infected person. Though many people with hepatitis-C might not experience symptoms, others may have symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal pain, fatigue and fever.

"Hepatitis-C significantly increases a person's risk of developing chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver cancer and early death."

It was also reported during the meet that HIV positive patients co-infected with HCV were at a higher risk of advanced liver disease and liver-related death.

The delegates at the conference further stressed that many of the common diseases, arising from excessive use of alcohol and fat deposits in the liver had serious consequences, which could progress to cirrhosis and also liver failure.

Newly introduced anti-viral drugs like adefovir, entecavir and teluvidine were available presently for the management of hepatitis-B. It was emphasised that treatment of the disease at an early stage was mandatory.

Dr Chhina, during his stay in Europe, visited liver and gastroenterology unit at St. Mary's Hospital, London, where he interacted with Professor Howard Thomas and Professor Paul Klenerman from Oxford University.

An offer for mutual research with the Department of Gastroenterology at DMCH on HCV genotyping and immunology was offered by the professors, informed Dr Chhina.

Ludhiana, May 1
In order to attract the youth towards sports, the Punjab government will shortly announce a new sports policy. This was announced by Hira Singh Gabria, minister for jails, tourism and cultural affairs, Punjab, at Jarkhar, near here, today.

Gabria was addressing at a function organised by the Mata Sahib Kaur Hockey Club to celebrate the first anniversary of the Jarkhar Hockey Academy. He said under the new policy astro-turf grounds would be prepared in all districts of the state, so that budding players could be groomed at the grassroots level.

Praising the efforts of the academy, the minister said the state government would help the organisers to achieve the desired goals. He assured the academy office-bearers that they would not face any financial problem in running the academy. He also announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh for the academy.

He interacted with young players and distributed track suits and hockey sticks to the trainees. 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, May 1
Enthusiastic sports lovers thronged the interior of Gurdwara Mehdiana, near here, where a life-size statue of the great Olympian Surjit Singh awaits to get shifted to Batala for installation at a stadium.

The Punjab Rural Sports Promotion Council and the Surjit Sports Association, Batala, reportedly got the statue prepared as a token of respect to the hockey star who had brought laurels to the state and the nation.

According to Iqbal Singh Gill, the artist who transformed clay and mortar into this lively statue, said the organisers intended to install the sculpture at a stadium in Batala.

“Though Surjit’s wife Chanchal has already okayed it, the organisers intend to shift the statue after they fix a suitable date for the installation ceremony. Probably, they have not decided who will unveil the statue as yet,” said Iqbal Singh.

He said was happy to see young sports lovers coming to appreciate the statue.

Born on October 10, 1951, Surjit Singh made his international debut in the second Hockey World Cup in Amsterdam in 1973. He was a member of the Indian team which, under the leadership of enigmatic Ajit Pal Singh, won the third Hockey World Cup held at Kuala Lumpur in 1975.

He also participated in the fifth Hockey World Cup, the Asian Games in 1974 and 1978 and the Montreal Olympic Games in 1976. He was probably one of the best full backs in the world. In 1973, he was included in the World Hockey XI.

He was also the top-scorer, both at the Esanda International Hockey Tournament at Perth in Australia and in the Asian Games in 1978. The legend served in the Indian Airlines for a few years and later joined the Punjab police. It was tragic that Surjit Singh, after his retirement from the game, died in a road accident near Kartarpur in the Jalandhar district. His fans still love him and up-and-coming players look up to him as a role model. 

Ludhiana, May 1
The Baba Lodhiana Basketball Academy (BLBA) and Ludhiana district (boys’ section) and Gurdaspur and Ludhiana district (girls’ section) recorded victories in the semi-finals league on the penultimate day of the 24th Punjab Youth Basketball Championship being held at Guru Nanak Stadium here today.

In the first semi-final league encounter (boys), the Baba Lodhiana Academy outnumbered Muktsar 84-60 and earned two points. Rajan Sharma with 40 points played the pivot role for the academy. Nikhil (14), Sandeep (10) and Harshbaba (10) were the other notable contributors.

For the losers, Parminder, who netted 24 points, was the top scorer, followed by Baljinder who scored 11 points.

The second match in the boys’ section was played between Ludhiana and Jalandhar in which the former came out triumphant 86-71. Akash Gill scored 31 points for Ludhiana. Prabhjot and Richard Joy chipped in with 18 and 16 points, respectively.

For Jalandhar, Kuldeep and Gurdeep spearheaded the battle and contributed 33 and 18 points, respectively, while Shashi Kumar too played well and added 10 points.

The first legaue match in the girls’ section was played between Gurdaspur and Amritsar. Gurdaspur eves prevailed over their spirited opponents (38-21) after surviving many anxious moments.

Pooja, Amadneep Kaur and Kulwinder Kaur of Gurdaspur scored 11, 7 and 6 points to enable their side to register a hard-fought win while Mamta with 14 points fought a lone battle for Amritsar.

In the second league fixture, Ludhiana eves made a fine comeback to outstage Ropar 69-42. Ropar girls enjoyed a lead of four points (16-12) at the end of the first quarter. However, local players went all out in the second quarter and did not allow their rivals to score even a single point and were leading 30-16 at half-time. Eventually, they went on to wrap up the issue quite comprehensively (69-42).

Deepali (21), Nagma (18), Paridhi (15), Jasdeep (9) and Chandeep (6) were the main scorers for the winners while for Ropar, Pooja Kumari (12), Simranjeet Kaur (12), Kamini (6) and Harpreet (6) played well.