Diabetic Abcess

At the age of 43 years, Shailu, a young, dynamic, active and a busy Civil Engineer was suffering from Diabetic abscess for about 2 years. He took Allopathy treatment in the beginning to balance blood sugar and took antibiotics to treat the abscess, when first time he got two. He recovered after 3 weeks of medication and just after three days, he got a new one…

Now he was in a lot of pain and really frustrated with antibiotics, as those medications used to disturb his digestion severely. Now he approached an Ayurvedic Physician. However, the Physician could not provide medications, which can help him recover fast. This affected his profession and due to stress, his blood sugar level got affected again. It went on like this for almost two summers and one winter.

He approached me for a second opinion on Ayurvedic medications that he was taking. I advised him to continue the same, but add one ghee early morning empty stomach and some application such as neem and turmeric on the wound / abscess. Indeed, some changes to his diet, daily routine and Pranayam was added by me.

This time, it took only 18 days instead of 3 months to recover. Now after complete medication of 30 days, he is not getting any recurrence of abscess. He is able to pay attention to his profession and his blood sugar level is also balanced with the continuing Diabetic herbal preparations. In his wife’s words – “….He is as active and busy, as he was before and his moods are fine too…”

For your concerns on Diabetes, please feel free to read our blog and write to us at doctor@ayurvedagroup.com.

Diabetic Abcess

Summer Diet – Ayurveda

Indeed it is hot in India and it is time to get special remedies to cool oneself down. Every constitution is different and different constitution need to adopt different dietary charts. But there are few standard seasonal suggestions, which keep a person cool, energetic and healthy.

Those who are busy can adopt simple ones as follows:

- Take your lunch before 11 am. Increase vegetables, salads and yogurt in lunch. Decrease carbs.

- If able to digest, add milk protein drinks such as thin buttermilk, fruit yogurt and custards for afternoon snacks and breaks instead of tea.

- Increase intake of juices such as Mango, Watermelon, grapes and berry juices.

- Take your dinner between 6 and 7 pm. Include custard, milk preparations in the dinner.

- Walk in only early morning or late night hours.

- Apply cooling talcs, sandalwood and turmeric creams on body and face as prevention of Sun UV rays.

- Wash your hands and feet at least 5-6 times in a day. Body extremities kept cool makes a person feel cool within.

- Pour water on head every day or even twice a day to prevent nasal bleeding, if suffering from it.

- Apply cool hair oils such as henna, coconut, jasmine and camphor oils. This will prevent you from burning eyes, nasal bleeding, etc.

Try the  above and let us know how great the summer comes out to you!! Or write to us with your suggestions or questions at doctor@ayurvedagroup.com.

Summer Diet – Ayurveda

Video – Accessible Healthcare In India

It is heartening to note that affordable health-care continues to attract the attention of healthcare leaders around the world. The need for affordable healthcare is all the more acute in countries like India.

At Ayurveda Group, we continue to explore ways and partnerships that can lead to enhancing the outreach of Ayurveda. Ayurveda’s core strength is the importance given to prevention of ill-health. And staying healthy is obviously a whole lot more accessible and affordable than curing sickness.

A vast majority of cardiac by-pass surgeries costing lakhs for each patient, can be very well prevented by adopting an Ayurveda guided diet and life-stlye. The same can be said for many of the chronic disorders that drain economies out of valuable financial and human resources.

Further most medications of Ayurveda being plant based, are very affordable.

Yoga exercises are the other call of the day. With no costs of joining health clubs or buying expensive gear, the benefits are there for the asking – by everyone who can spare the few minutes daily.

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About the video below –

Technopak, in partnership with Philips, organised a one day ‘Technopak Leadership Forum 2010′, bringing together leaders in the healthcare and other relevant sectors to share thoughtful insights and learnings and deliberate on ‘Accessible Healthcare – Joining the dots now’.

Video – Accessible Healthcare In India

On Ayurveda And The Utah Statesman

Came across this neat column on The Utah Statesman site, extolling the virtues of taking care of one’s health, rather than treating the sickness after it comes on.

A small excerpt, followed by the link below

[quote]

Another example of the limitations of western medicine, from one of my family members, was a bladder infection that turned into a chronic prostate infection. This family member was on antibiotics for six months to keep the infection under control and whenever he went off antibiotics, the infection would immediately return.

Rather than resign himself to taking antibiotics, which take a huge toll on your immune system, for the rest of his life, he asked sought the help of an Ayurvedic doctor. He was prescribed a very strict diet of rice, lentils, and certain vegetables. He was not allowed meat, dairy, wheat, fruit, sweets, coffee, or many other “essential” western foods.

[end quote]

Link to the article -

http://www.usustatesman.com/column-live-long-and-prosper-1.2485998

Wellness Tourism Workshop Held In Delhi

India is a leading wellness destination that wants to fully tap the potential of wellness systems, developed through centuries of wisdom. This is being done by positioning India as a centre of ayurveda, yoga, siddha, naturopathy and spiritual philosophy that has been integral to the Indian way of life.

To gather feedback from practitioners, the Ministry conducted a workshop in Delhi, where over 150 participants attended.   The objective of the workshop was to

-  evolve a road map for formulating strategies for the development and promotion of wellness tourism to position India as the leading destination for wellness tourism;

- incorporating the country’s natural attributes including yoga, ayurveda, siddha, and spas;

- to increase the number of health tourists, lengthen the average stay and increase total expenditure by wellness visitors; and to increase professionalism and excellence amongst those delivering wellness experiences.

Ayurveda Group looks forward to a thriving Health and Wellness Industry in India.

Ayurveda Conference At Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

The Rasa Shastra department at Banaras Hindu University (Varanasi, India) held a 3 day international
conference on the topic of “Recent advances in safety and efficacy of ayurvedic formulations”.

The conference was held in Varanasi from 24th to 27th Feb.

Among the prominent attendees were
> C.K. Katiyar, VP and Head, Dabur Research and Development Centre, Ghaziabad.
> S.S. Savrikar, former Vice-Chancellor, Gujarat Ayurveda University, Jamnagar

Various thoughts were also shared on ways of strengthening the global acceptance of Ayurveda.

Ayurveda Conference At Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

European Union And India In Talks On Ayurveda Products

A European Union policy change is expected to limit the availability of Ayurvedic health solutions for its citizens.

The European Union’s Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive (THMPD), asks that companies making herbal products will be required to provide clinical data to demonstrate its safety through use of those products – within the EU for a minimum of 15 years ; and 30 years if outside the EU.

The decision will result in a ban on the sale of over-the-counter ayurvedic and herbal drugs from May the 1st, 2011. The directive in question came into effect in 2004, but was given a transition period till April 30, 2011. An Indian delegation from the department of Ayush held meetings with the EU in January to relax its decision by another 10 years.

The directive does exempt herbal medicines that are made up for a patient following a consultation with a herbalist.

Earlier in 2007, a EU commission team conducted a tour of R&D and manufacturing facilities of Ayurveda in various cities of Inida. The report submitted by this commission acknowledged that the Ayurveda infrastructure in India was well regulated in terms of qualified practitioners, hospitals, dispensaries and manufacturing facilities.

Remains to be seen now if the EU will extend the implementation date further, or will this directive deprive Europeans of taking advantage of Ayurvedic medicines. The demographic challenge in Europe (and in US) requires that the health care sector focus more and more on prevention of disease. Ayurveda and its practices truly focus on “health care” and not “sick care”.

We certainly hope that good sense will prevail !

More than 72 million Americans are obese.

This is the finding of a new report from Centers for Disease Control.  Obesity was rising, was not a secret ; but what is alarming is the size of the epidemic now.  72 million in a population of 300 million (approx.) gives us a 1 in 4 ratio.  Any epidemic that has effected such a large swath of population, is unlikely to go away  easily.

This will take more than 1 post to cover.  So lets first start with what the CDC report has stated.  The data, the impact, etc.

• More than 72 million U.S. adults are obese.
• $ Persons who are obese have medical costs that are $1,429 higher than those of normal weight.
• Obesity is common, serious, and costly. In 2009, about 2.4 million more adults were obese than in 2007. This epidemic has affected every part
  of the United States. In every state, more than 15% of adults are obese, and in nine states, over 30% of adults are obese.
• The medical care costs of obesity in the United States are staggering.
  Recent estimates of the annual medical costs are as high as $147 billion

Who is classified as obese ?

Obesity is defined by body mass index, or BMI, which is calculated from your height and weight.  BMI greater than or equal to 30 means you ?
are obese.

Who is more effected ?

Non-Hispanic black women and Hispanics have the highest rates of obesity (41.9% and 30.7%).

What other disorders are caused by obesity ?

Obesity is a contributing cause of many other health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some types of cancer. These are some of the leading causes of death in the U.S. Obesity can cause sleep apnea and breathing problems and make activity more difficult. Obesity can also cause problems
during pregnancy or make it more difficult for a woman to become pregnant.

What impact do those effected by obesity have on the health care system ?

Obese persons require more costly medical care.

What is causing this epidemic ?

Diet and Lifestyle

What has changed about American diets ?

Weight gain occurs when people eat too much food and get too little physical activity. Societal and community changes have accompanied the rise in obesity.  People may be eating differently due to the following reasons:-

• Some Americans have less access to stores and markets that provide
  healthy, affordable food such as fruits and vegetables, especially in rural,minority and lower-income neighborhoods.
• Restaurants, snack shops, and vending machines provide food that is often higher in calories and fat than food made at home.
• There is too much sugar in our diet. Six out of 10 adults drink at least 1 sugary drink per day.
• It is often easier and cheaper to get less healthy foods and beverages.
• Foods high in sugar, fat, and salt are frequently advertised and marketed.

What are the lifestyle changes that are causing this epidemic ?

1. Many communities are built in ways that make it difficult or unsafe to be physically active
2. Access to parks and recreation centers  may be difficult or lacking and public
3. transportation may not available.
4. Safe routes for walking or biking to school, work, or play may not exist.
5. Too few students get quality, daily physical education in school.

What are some of the other medical complications of obesity ?

The following disorders have been attributed to obesity by the CDC report.

1. Sleep apnea
2. Lung diseaseS – Asthma, Pulmonary blood clots
3. Liver disease – Fatty liver,  Cirrhosis
4. Gallstones
5. Womens Arthritis
6. Gout
7. Stroke
8. Pancreatitis
9. Inflamed veins,often with blood clots
10. Heart disease – Abnormal lipid profile, High blood pressure
11. Cancer – Breast, Uterus, Colon, Esophagus, Pancreas, Kidney,Prostate
12. Women – Abnormal periods, Infertility
13. Diabetes

Within the United States, what is the state wise breakdown of diseases

The number of people who are obese varies from state to state. For example, 18.6% of Colorado residents are obese, compared with 34.4% of Mississippi residents. In 2009, 9 states had obesity rates of 30% or more compared with no states in 2000.

What are the changes that can be made to have a meanigful impact on obesity ?

CDC’s report clearly identifies the need for different stakeholders to play relevant roles.

The United States government can – Promote change.
First Lady Michelle Obama recently launched the Let’s Move! program which seeks to eliminate childhood obesity within a generation.  The campaign’s main points of action are:
Empowering parents and caregivers.
Providing healthy food in schools.
Improving access to healthy, affordable foods.
Increasing physical activity.
See http://www.letsmove.gov/

States can:-

1. Provide supermarkets and farmers’ markets with incentives to establish their businesses inlow-income areas and to offer healthy foods.
2. Expand programs that bring local fruits and vegetables to schools, businesses, and communities.
3. Support hospital programs that encourage breastfeeding.
4. Adopt policies that promote bicycling and public transportation.

Communities can

1. Create and maintain safe neighborhoods for physical activity and improve access to parks and playgrounds.
2. Advocate for quality physical education in schools and childcare facilities.
3. Encourage breastfeeding through peer-to- peer support programs.
4. Support programs that bring local fruits and vegetables to schools, businesses, and communities.

All people can

1. Eat more fruits and vegetables and fewer foods high in fat and sugar.
2. See http://www.mypyramid.gov/
3. Drink more water instead of sugary drinks.
4. Limit TV watching in kids to less than 2 hours a day and don’t put one in their room at all.
5. Support breastfeeding.
6. Promote policies and programs at school, at work, and in the community that make the healthy choice the easy choice.
7. Try going for a 10-minute brisk walk, 3 times a day, 5 days a week.
   See http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/adults.html.

A great report from CDC indeed.  Some clear stat points, further threats identified, and solutions provided too !

In the coming posts, Ayurveda Group will talk about the role Ayurveda can play in the fight against obesity.

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Some tips to keep yourself a little lighter, active and pleasant all the time.

1. Take lighter lunch and nap for at least 10-15 min after that.
2. Make sure to take a long leisure walk after early dinner in the evening.
3. Stay awake for at least 2 hours after dinner and then sleep.
4. Mediate or read at bed time.
5. If you have a family, tell some stories from books or about yourself to the kids.
6. A glass of milk before bed, is a healthy habit.

There are some basic rules in Ayurveda that keep a person in perfect health throughout life. We wish you the same, dear readers!