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‘23% of heart failure patients die within a year of diagnosis’

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In India, 23 per cent of heart failure patients die within one year of diagnosis, a study revealed on Tuesday, adding that the country is next to Africa where the rate stands at 34 per cent.
Of the total deaths, 46 per cent were due to cardiac issues, while non-cardiac causes led to 16 per cent deaths in patients, at one year, according to the first comprehensive study on heart failures conducted across six geographies globally.

The International Congestive Heart Failure (INTER-CHF) study said that death rate of patients due to heart failures in Southeast Asia is 15 per cent, seven per cent in China, nine per cent both in South America and West Asia, significantly lower than in Indian patients.

“In India, heart-related diseases occur a decade early than the people of west. Lack of awareness, out of pocket expenditure and lack of infrastructure are corroborating to the heart-related diseases,” said Sundeep Mishra, Professor of Cardiology at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
Stating that with increasing life expectancy of the population, incidence of heart failure is increasing in an epidemic proportion, the cardiology expert said that the marked variation in mortality in low-income countries like India can be attributed also to the quality and access to primary healthcare facilities.
The study was aimed at measuring mortality at one year in patients, due to heart failure in India, Africa, China, the Middle East, South East Asia and South America.
During the study, 5,823 patients across 108 centres in six geographies were enrolled. Patients were followed up at six months and one year from enrolment. The mean age of patients was 59 years, with a male to female ratio of 60:40.The primary outcome of the study was to record all cause mortality within one year.

A previous study by AIIMS, published in the journal of Practice of Cardiovascular Sciences, highlighted that late diagnosis results in one third of patients dying during hospital admission and one-fourth dying within three months of diagnosis.
Calling for a community based approach to resolve the issue, Mishra said a lot of Indians also do not understand the difference between heart failure and heart attack because of which they do not consult doctors.

“Heart failure refers to the condition where the blood pumping capacity of the heart is reduced. Whereas heart attack is secondary to blocked coronary circulation, where the blood supply to muscles of heart is cut or drastically reduced. Heart failure is a serious health hazard and can be life threatening if ignored,” Mishra told IANS, while speaking about the rising heart failure cases.
According to the World Health Organisation, heart failure impacts more than 60 million people worldwide.

The risk of death of heart failure patients is comparable to that of patients with advanced cancer. It currently costs the world economy $108 billion every year.
Although, heart failure may strike at any age, it is more common in people over the age of 65. It includes high blood pressure, prior heart attack, enlarged heart and diabetes.
Mishra said the major reason for low awareness of heart failure among people is the fact that patients mistake it for signs of getting older.
“Although there is no cure for heart failure, patients who are diagnosed early need to follow their treatment and make lifestyle changes to live longer, feel better and be more active. It is, therefore, vital that patients and care givers are aware of the symptoms of heart failure, leading to better recognition and earlier diagnosis,” said Mishra.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/23-of-heart-failure-patients-die-within-a-year-of-diagnosis/articleshow/59769273.cms

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Tongue Cancer: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

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This is one of several kinds of oral (mouth) cancers. Like other cancers, it happens when cells divide out of control and form a growth, or tumor. There are two types. One is called oral tongue cancer because it affects the part you can stick out. The other happens at the base of your tongue, where it connects to your throat. This type is often diagnosed after it has spread to the lymph nodes in your neck. Tongue cancer is less common than many other types. Most people who get it are older adults. It’s rare in children.

Symptoms
One of the first signs of tongue cancer is a lump or sore on the side of your tongue that doesn’t go away. It may be pinkish-red in color. Sometimes the sore will bleed if you touch or bite it.

You may also have:
Pain in or near your tongue
Changes in your voice, like sounding hoarse
Trouble swallowing
If you have a sore on your tongue or in your mouth that doesn’t get better in a couple of weeks, see your doctor.
If the problem is at the base of your tongue, you may not notice any symptoms. Your dentist may find signs of tongue cancer during a checkup, or your doctor might notice something during a regular exam.

Causes
The human papillomavirus (HPV) can cause cancers on the base of the tongue. HPV also can infect your genital area and cause cervical cancer, penile cancer, and anal cancer. It’s the most common sexually transmitted infection. There are many types of HPV. The ones that raise your odds of getting cancer are called high-risk HPV.

Other things that may raise your chances of getting tongue cancer include:

Tobacco use
Alcohol use
Jagged teeth
Not taking care of your teeth and gums

Your genes also may play a role in whether you’re likely to get tongue cancer.

Diagnosis
Your doctor will examine your mouth and ask questions about your symptoms. He may recommend an X-ray or CT (computerized tomography) scan — several X-rays are taken from different angles and put together to show a more detailed picture.

He also may take a sample of tissue from your mouth to test (a biopsy).
Treatment
Your treatment will depend on where your tumor is and how big it is.

Surgery is often the best way to remove a tumor from the part of your tongue you can see. Your doctor will probably take out some healthy tissue and nearby lymph nodes as well, to make sure all the cancer is gone.

If the cancer is on the back of your tongue, you may have radiation therapy (X-rays and other radiation). Sometimes the best treatment is a combination of chemotherapy, or cancer-fighting drugs, and radiation.

You might need therapy afterward to help you chew, move your tongue, swallow, and speak better.

You’ll need regular checkups to make sure the cancer hasn’t come back.

Prevention
We know that many cases of base-of-the-tongue cancer are caused by HPV. Some things that may make you less likely to get this type of cancer are:

Don’t use tobacco in any form.
Avoid heavy or frequent alcohol use.
Take good care of your teeth and gums.

(Image: Representation only)

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Health Ministry to set up ‘model lab’ in each district to fast-track diagnosis

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The move follows a health ministry review of diagnostic facilities in four states– Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.
The Union health ministry has decided to upgrade and modernise at least one diagnostic laboratory in each district across India to fast-track diagnosis, especially during an epidemic.

These “model labs” can then be replicated across health centres and hospitals across states, which will help reduce overcrowding of tertiary care hospitals due to referrals.

“The lab of one district hospital will be upgraded with a focus on strengthening microbiology, pathology and biochemistry. States can select and choose the one they want to upgrade first and can later replicate the model in other district hospitals,” said Dr Jagdish Prasad, director general of health services (DGHS).

The move follows a health ministry review of diagnostic facilities in four states– Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.

“The assessment report found some labs didn’t have equipment while the others did not have adequately trained staff to handle those sophisticated machines. Maintenance is also a big problem, as a result many expensive equipment lie unused and people are referred to far-off places for tests,” said Prasad.

On October 25, the DGHS reviewed technical advisory group meeting for integrated laboratories at the district level, and asked for response from the states.

The project is expected to take about six months to complete, and will be spearheaded by director National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and his team.

“Health is a state subject, so the project can’t materialise without taking the states on board. We have asked the states to choose districts as per their requirement. We will show them it is possible to create facilities with a limited budget and produce high-class test reports,” he says.

As part of the greater plan, the health ministry will also mentor a medical college in each state and train doctors, nurses, paramedical and technical staff, who can further train their peers in other hospitals.

“We want to standardise medical colleges and hospitals attached to them. This will be a good way to ensure all of them follow a standard protocol. All these hospitals and labs will gradually be integrated to benefit patients in the long run,” said Prasad

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/health/centre-to-set-up-model-lab-in-each-district-to-fast-track-diagnosis/story-maXDErnYXxq1dfqc6JjU6L.html

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