Details

Denis Giles

04 November 2018

Hits: 1055

By Dr. Pradeep Mulley

Peripheral artery disease is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs. The legs don't receive enough blood flow to keep up with demand of day to day walking. This causes symptoms, most notably leg pain when walking called claudication which disappears after a few minutes of rest but again pain starts when person starts walking.

What causes PAD?

Atherosclerosis - a condition where fatty deposits (plaques) build up in the artery walls, thereby narrowing the lumen and reducing blood flow. Less commonly, the cause of peripheral artery disease may be blood vessel inflammation, injury to the limb, unusual anatomy of ligaments or muscles pressing on the artery, or radiation exposure. Other factor that raises the risk of PAD include -

· Smoking · Diabetes · Obesity (a body mass index over 30) · High blood pressure · High cholesterol · A family history of peripheral artery disease, heart disease or stroke · High levels of homocysteine, a protein component that helps build and maintain tissue.

People who smoke or have diabetes have the greatest risk of developing peripheral artery disease.

What are the associated complications?

·  Critical limb ischemia - This condition begin as open sores that don't heal, an injury, or an infection of the foot or leg that  progress and  cause tissue death (gangrene), sometimes requiring amputation of the affected limb.

· Stroke and heart attack - The atherosclerosis that causes the signs and symptoms of peripheral artery disease can also build up in arteries supplying blood to the heart and brain.

What are the symptoms?

· Claudication - Painful cramping in hip, thigh or calf muscles after certain activities, such as walking or climbing stairs.

· Leg numbness or weakness, Sores on toes, feet or legs that won't heal

· Coldness in  lower leg or foot, especially when compared with the other side

· A change in the color of  legs

· Hair loss or slower hair growth on feet and legs

· Slower growth of  toenails and Shiny skin on  legs

· No pulse or a weak pulse in  legs or feet

· Erectile dysfunction in men

If peripheral artery disease progresses, pain may occur even at rest or when lying down (ischemic rest pain). It may be intense enough to disrupt the sleep.

Early diagnosis is the key to treatment

Physical exam – the doctor examines for a weak or absent pulse below a narrowed area of your artery, whooshing sounds (bruits) over your arteries that can be heard with a stethoscope, evidence of poor wound healing in the area where your blood flow is restricted, and decreased blood pressure in your affected limb. The following tests may be done to intervene the condition -

· Ankle-brachial index (ABI) - It compares the blood pressure in your ankle with the blood pressure in your arm.

· Ultrasound - Doppler ultrasound evaluates the blood flow through the blood vessels and identifies blocked or narrowed arteries.

· Angiography -  By injecting a dye (contrast material) into the blood vessels, the doctor can view blood flow through the arteries as it happens, using imaging techniques, such as X-ray imaging or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or computerized tomography angiography (CTA).

Catheter angiography is a more invasive procedure that involves guiding a catheter through an artery in groin to the affected area and injecting the dye. Although minimally invasive, this type of angiography gives best visualization and allows for simultaneous diagnosis and treatment — finding the narrowed area of a blood vessel and then widening it with a dilating procedure or administering medication to improve blood flow.

How is it treated?

· Medication – medicines are provided to prevent blood clot and improve the blood flow. With the use of vasodilators, the aim is to reduce the blood pressure (under 130/80 mm Hg), lower cholesterol levels (<100 mg/dL) and control pain and other symptoms.

· Thrombolytic Therapy – In case the blood clot is blocking an artery the doctor may inject a clot dissolving drug into the affected artery to break it up.

· Angioplasty – this method is most commonly performed in cases of short segment block. In this procedure, a small (catheter) is threaded through a blood vessel to the affected artery where, a small balloon on the tip of the catheter is inflated to reopen the artery and flatten the blockage into the artery wall, while at the same time stretching the artery open to increase blood flow. Then a stent is inserted in the artery to help keep it open.

· Bypass surgery – This is done in case of long segment of blocked or narrowed artery. A graft bypass is created using a vessel from another part of the body or a blood vessel made of synthetic fabric. 

* Dr. Pradeep Mulley is the Head Interventional Radiologist at Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj

Details

Denis Giles

30 October 2018

Hits: 2585

 

1.   Marubeni Helping Families Affected by Flood in Kerala with this Scholarship

To support students studying in Kerala at the time of distress caused by natural disaster, Marubeni India is offering scholarships up to 100 talented, bright and needy students for their higher education post class 12.

Last date to submit the application form is November 15, 2018. In order to be eligible for this scholarship, candidates need to fulfil the mandated requirements:

Eligibility

The applying candidate must fulfil the below mentioned criteria:

·         Must have obtained more than 65% marks in class 12 from anywhere in India in the academic session of 2017-18.

·         Must be pursuing full-time higher education in any under-graduate, professional or technical program from state or UGC recognised Universities , Reputed Engineering, Management or other technical institutes in Kerala.

·         Family income of the applicant must not be more than INR 4 Lakh p.a.

·         Must not be availing any other scholarship more than INR 6,000 p.a.

Scholarship Reward

An amount of INR 40,000 will be given to each selected candidate in a single instalment.

How to Apply

Interested candidate can make an online application.

Other Important Details

 

Applying candidate(s) need to submit the scanned copies of below mentioned documents:

 

·         Passport size photo

·         One age proof document (Acceptable documents: Birth certificate, First and last pages of a valid Indian passport, Driver’s license, Class 10 mark sheet with Date of Birth mentioned)

·         One identity proof (Acceptable documents: PAN Card, Voter Identity Card, Driver’s License, Aadhar Card, Class 10 mark sheet with photo)

 

Family income certificate (anyone)

 

·         BPL card (if belonging to BPL category)

·         Income certificate (Government approved organization)

·         Recent monthly pay slip of the main wage-earner of the family

 

Qualification certificates

 

·         Class 10 mark sheet

·         Class 12 mark sheet

 

Admission confirmation

 

·         Admission letter

·         Latest college fee receipt

 

Click Here to Know More

https://www.buddy4study.com/scholarship/marubeni-india-meritorious-scholarship-2018-19

http://www.b4s.in/AC/MIM4

 

Courtesy: www.buddy4study.com / Call: 08448709545, 08527484563

 

2.5 Reasons you should take the SAT this year

SAT is a test used to judge a student’s readiness for college. The SAT is a fair and straightforward test that measures a student’s skills in reading, writing, and math skills that students develop in secondary schools. The test is accepted by all the colleges and universities in the U.S. and many throughout the world, including in India. Thousands of high school students in India take the SAT as part of the college admission process. But there are plenty of reasons for you to consider taking the test even if you do not intend to study abroad.

Here are 5 excellent reasons why as a high school student you should take the SAT this year:

1. Accepted Worldwide

SAT is one of the most widely accepted entrance exams for admission to colleges and universities worldwide. Universities around the world, and now even in India, use SAT scores to admit students.

With such wide acceptability, it makes sense for a student to take the test to boost their chances of admission to several universities. By testing themselves against a global benchmark, students also get a fair idea of where they stand.

2. Now Accepted in India

College Board, the non-profit organization that administers the SAT,  recently launched the India Global Higher Education Alliance (“India Global Alliance”) – a platform that gives innovative Indian universities an opportunity to engage with some of the world’s most prominent universities to drive access and excellence in undergraduate admission and enrollment. The ten Indian universities that are the founding members of the Alliance – Ahmedabad University, Ashoka University, Azim Premji University, Bennett University, BML Munjal University, FLAME University, Manav Rachna University, Manipal University, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, and SVKM's NMIMS – accept SAT scores for admission. Students who wish to take admission to any of the above universities can take the SAT and have their test scores sent directly to these Indian Alliance member universities for no cost.

 

3. Prepare for free

Khan Academy, the popular educational platform that provides online tools and resources for students, has partnered with College Board to offer free practice for the SAT on mobile devices and computers. The official SAT practice platform provides registered students with personalized practice plans, tailor-made for them, based on their diagnostics. By providing a free of cost world-class resource for SAT practice, anyone can practice and prepare for the SAT and achieve success in the exam. The platform has thousands of practice questions, interactive problems, video lessons, full-length practice tests, and a personalized study plan giving students enough preparatory content to get a complete feel of the SAT before taking it.

4. Take SAT for Free (in December 2018 and March 2019)

The cost of the SAT for Indian students is a little less than USD 100 – quite a substantial amount for many in the country. However, Indian students have a great opportunity to take the SAT in December 2018 and March 2019,  without spending a single dime! Eligible students (with annual household income less than INR 6,00,000) can receive a SAT fee reduction voucher, making the test absolutely free for them. Interested students need to register on Buddy4Study platform, fill a request form, and upload required documents to apply for the SAT fee reduction voucher. For any application-related assistance, you may reach out to: 08448709545.

5. Win a Scholarship through the College Board India Scholars Program

If the above reasons didn’t entice you enough, how about the fact that you can win a full scholarship on the basis of your performance in the SAT and financial need! Yes, College Board, in partnership with India Global Alliance members, is offering full tuition scholarships. To qualify for the scholarship, the annual household income of the applicant must be less than Rs 4,00,000, student must score 1350+ out of a total of 1600 on the SAT test, and must be admitted to and enrolled in one of the India Global Alliance member universities.

With so many reasons and incentives to take the SAT, Indian students should undoubtedly add the exam to the top of their priority list for college admissions.

Click Here to Know More

https://www.buddy4study.com/scholarship/college-board-india-scholars-program-2019

http://www.b4s.in/AC/CBI1  

Courtesy: www.buddy4study.com / Call: 08448709545, 08527484563

 

Details

Denis Giles

02 November 2018

Hits: 997

There was a tapping on my window. It was midnight, and cold in the New York apartment where I am living now. “Who’s that?” I asked petrified. You don’t get a tapping when you are so many floors up. I gently pushed the glass pane up, and saw a huge hand, “Liberty!” I exclaimed, “What are you doing outside my window?”

“You’re Indian aren’t you?” asked the gigantic figure of the Statue of Liberty, leaning outside and dwarfing my building.

“Yes!” I said.

“I heard you guys have built a Statue of Unity, bigger than me?”

“Yes!” I said, “We have!Our prime minister’s seen to that. Why, are you feeling jealous? Listen Liberty you can’t remain the tallest and most popular all your life, can you? The world is changing!”

“I don’t feel bad!” said Liberty, “Just came to tell you I’m happy!”

“Happy about a statue that’s taller than you?” I asked puzzled.

“Happy they made a statue, of a man much bigger than most on this earth,” said Liberty. “I wondered when you guys would finally get down to doing it! Our own Martin Luther King, followed him, and look at the equality he brought about! Imagine an African American elected president the last time, all through the teachings of your man!”

“You’ve heard of Sardar Patel?” I asked incredulously.

“Who?” asked the Statue of Liberty, impatiently drumming on my window pane, and making the whole building shake, “Who?”

“The statue we are talking about!”

“Is that Gandhiji’s other name?”

“Gandhiji?” I asked.

“Yes,” said the Statue of Liberty, his fingers drumming even more dangerously, “Aren’t we talking about the statue that’s bigger than me? Aren’t we talking of a colossus named Gandhi?”

I closed my eyes and shivered as I realized why Liberty had come to see me. Why Liberty was so happy for us Indians. “It ain’t Gandhi!” I whispered and I felt New York grow still.

“What?” asked the statue, and the building trembled.

“It’s someone else!” I whispered.

“But it’s called the Statue of Unity!” said Liberty, “Who else but that man could unite the Punjabis, the Madrasis, the..the..”

“The Bengalis, the Kannadigas, the Keralites, and all of India!” I whispered.

“Yes, who else could have brought such unity to different people and make themselves proud to be called Indians, even as they threw out the British?”

The tapping on the window increased, and I heard people whispering in fright, “Who else? Is known the world over, for what he gave the world: Non-Violence!” shouted Liberty, and suddenly the rattling stopped, the building stopped shaking as I saw Liberty walking away, her head bowed, and then she turned to me tears in her eyes and said, “Maybe dear Mohandas is so big in the eyes of the world, he doesn’t need a statue to tell people who he is..!” 

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   

Details

Denis Giles

26 October 2018

Hits: 1011

Armed with a hot cup of coffee and inherent curiosity I love spending time, looking out of my bedroom window in Manhattan.

It’s going to be an early winter, I reckon, as the cool air rushes in, and I see the temperature is 9 degrees C but this doesn’t stop the joggers from running, keeping fit despite the cold, and then I look with even more amazement as a mother runs pushing her stroller ahead of her. No cold or baby can stop these determined, keep fit folk, and I marvel at their determination! I watch New Yorks slim waist lines and realize to conquer this city, you need to conquer yourselves first!

I peer out a little more, and see the familiar dog walkers.

New York, despite small apartments seems to be a city of pet lovers, and I see dogs of all shapes and sizes being taken for their constitutional walks. The dog walkers are a patient lot, and allow their dogs to sniff each pole and fire hydrant, till they settle on what suits them best.

But something I seequite often is that it’s the small dogs who turn aggressive when they see a bigger fellow in their path. They bristle, and growl, and let out shrill, shrieks of anger, whereas the bigger fellow hardly turns to look at them.

But every now and then the small dog looks at his master or mistress for support and approval and I am certain that without those same walkers by their side, the little fellow would have been a quiet fellow. Reminds me a lot of same situation in my country, where small splinter groups are causing a lot of problems, and would have been quiet and silent if not for the assuring figures of their two big brothers who give them confidence they can get away with murder and get off scot free!

Yes, there’s a lot of pretty women down there, and thank god for them, but often when they walk with their children, and sometimes, its even on weekends, I wonder where dad is? It’s a rare sight to see a family going out together, and knowing how high the divorce rate is here I whisper, “Dad, maybe, a walk with your wife and kids will help you enjoy their growing up years!”

My daughter calls out to me and asks if I’d like to go down to the river, and as I stroll and look at the boats and feel a happiness inside, I look up suddenly conscious of windows on the street opposite looking down on me, and wonder what those people think, looking at a carefree me..! 

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.