Ahara as Pathya and Apathya in Amlapitta - A Review

The core principles in Ayurveda give prime importance to Agni, Prakriti, Ahara (food) and Vihara (lifestyle) in maintaining health. Present era people are scheduled to one or the other works due to which they are following unrightful food and habits which lead the manifestation of one of the common disorder which troubles person a lot - Amlapitta. By excess “Hurry, Worry and Curry” GIT disorders are the most common, not only affecting physical health but also psychological and social health. Amlapitta is one of that and it is a burning problem of the whole World. Amalpitta is composed of word Amla and Pitta. Amlapitta is a very common disease caused by Vidagdha Pitta with features like Amlodgara, Tiktodgara, Hrit, Kantha Daha etc. Pathya recommended in Amlapitta are Yava, Godhuma, Purana Shali, Mudga Yusha, Lajasaktu etc. Apathya recommended in Amlapitta are Navanna, Avidugdha, Masha, Kulattha, Dadhi and etc. So this present review article throws light on Pathya (conducive) and Apathya (non conducive) in Amlapitta

In Search of the Fragments of Recollection: Cultural Memory and Identity in Select Travel Narratives of Tahir Shah

Culture, memory, and identity are intricately connected terms. Memory is not just an individual experience but plays a prominent role in the establishment of both individual and cultural identity. Jan Assmann, in his essay “Collective Memory and Cultural Identity”, has defined cultural memory as “the characteristic store of repeatedly used texts, images, and rituals in the cultivation of which each society and epoch stabilizes and imports its self-image; a collectively shared knowledge of preferably (yet not exclusively) the past, on which a group bases its awareness of unity and character” (15). Storytelling is a universal act of preserving the cultural aspects of a community. The works selected for the present study are The Caliph’s House and In Arabian Nights written by the travel-writer Tahir Shah. This paper intends to analyze the connection between cultural memory and cultural identity as presented in the selected works from two levels. Firstly, it studies how the author reaffirms the cultural identity of Morocco by exploring the cultural elements and the art of storytelling, and secondly, how he ascertains his personal identity through his explorations and experiences as a traveller

Assessment of safety and efficacy of oral nifedipine and intravenous labetalol in management of increased blood pressure in severe preeclampsia

Background: Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a disorder of pregnancy characterized by the onset of high blood pressure and often a significant amount of protein in the urine. Pre-eclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The objective of the present study was to assess and compare the safety and efficacy of oral nifedipine and intravenous labetalol in the management of severe pre-eclampsia.Methods: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Andhra Pradesh, on pregnant women presenting with a systolic blood pressure of 160 mm Hg or more or diastolic blood pressure of 110 mm Hg or more. The pregnant women were randomized to receive Oral nifedipine (10 mg tablet orally up to five doses) and intravenous labetalol injection in escalating doses until the target blood pressure of 150 mm Hg systolic and 100 mm Hg diastolic, or lower, was achieved. The primary endpoint of the study was the time taken by each agent to achieve target blood pressure. Secondary endpoints were number of doses required, adverse maternal and neonatal effects, side effect profile, and perinatal outcome.Results: The study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Andhra Pradesh from July 2016 to October 2017, on 100 pregnant women presenting with preeclampsia. The median time taken to achieve target blood pressure was 44 minutes (range: 20-60 minutes) for Oral Nifedipine and 68 minutes (range: 40-85 minutes) for Intravenous labetalol (P=0.008).  No serious adverse maternal or perinatal side effects were encountered in both the groups.Conclusions: Both oral nifedipine and intravenous labetalol are effective in the management of acute hypertensive emergencies of pregnancy; however, oral nifedipine effectively decreased the blood pressure rapidly compared to intravenous labetalol

Efficacy of internal iliac artery ligation for control of post-partum haemorrhage

Background: Pelvic hemorrhage is associated with a great degree of morbidity and mortality and has to be controlled immediately. Ligation of the internal iliac arteries is a method to achieve the goal. We conducted this study to assess the outcome, effectiveness and complications of internal iliac artery ligation (IIAL) in controlling postpartum haemorrhage.Methods: This study was a retrospective study conducted in a rural tertiary referral centre from April 2015 to March 2018. IIAL was performed in women with PPH either at caesarean section or at laparotomy performed at a variable time after vaginal or caesarean delivery.Results: Over the study period of 3 years, 29 cases of IIAL were performed. The most common indication for IIAL was atonic PPH. Uterine salvagability was 62% in this study.Conclusions: All obstetric surgeons should be fully aware of the indications, timing and technical aspects of IIAL. Bilateral internal iliac artery ligation remains a safe, fast, effective and life saving salvage procedure which should be encouraged and used routinely by obstetricians when faced with cases of severe obstetric hemorrhage, especially in young women of low parity

Maternal and fetal outcome of dengue fever during pregnancy

Background: With increasing rate of adult dengue fever victims, the number of infected pregnant women has also increased. Dengue, during pregnancy may be associated with various complications, including maternal mortality, preterm delivery, fetal death, low birth weight, neonatal admissions, fetal anomalies, and miscarriage. Timely intervention can improve the maternal as well as fetal outcome. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical profile, maternal and fetal outcome of dengue fever during pregnancy.Methods: A prospective study was carried out, among the antenatal patients who were diagnosed with serologically confirmed dengue fever during a period of 18 months; at a Tertiary care Hospital in Government sector in Kerala, South India. Patients were included irrespective of period of gestation of contracting the disease and were followed up till delivery and all babies were followed up to six weeks post-partum.Results: Thrombocytopenia(<1.5L/mm3) was found in 86.3% patients, of which 2.7% patients had Platelet count below 20,000 cells/mm3 and 4.1% patients required platelet transfusion. Other complications observed were spontaneous abortions (5.5%); preterm birth (9.5%), oligohydramnios (8.2%) and antepartum hemorrhage (4.1%). Fetal distress and meconium stained amniotic fluid were observed in 7.6% and 16.7% patients respectively. Adverse fetal outcome observed were low birth weight (27.3%), prematurity (23%) and 28.7% of the babies required NICU admission.Conclusions: The gestational age at presentation of dengue fever appeared to be significant. Early onset or late onset in pregnancy appeared to have a bad prognosis. A high index of clinical suspicion is essential in any pregnant female with fever during epidemics especially in endemic areas like Kerala. Conservative medical and obstetrical management is the treatment of choice

Concept of Hyperlipidemia

In this modern era, due to varying factors of faulty dietary habits, work pressure, competitive lifestyles, longevity, all contribute to disease Hyperlipidemia, it is a high level of fats in the blood. These fats include cholesterol and triglycerides. This increases fatty deposits in arteries and the risk of blockages and it can be prevented and treated through the appropriate maintenance of healthy lifestyle. The present paper highlights the causes, diagnosis, management of the Hyperlipidemia through diet and lifestyle

Non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia presenting as primary amenorrhoea with virilization

Primary amenorrhea presents a diagnostic challenge even to the most experienced clinicians. The number, variety and the complexity of disorder that must be considered can seem daunting and in many instances include unfamiliar organ system. One such disorder is congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Here, we present a case of Non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia in a 16 year old female who presented to us with primary amenorrhea with virilization. This is an interesting case because of its unusual presentation, difficulty in diagnosis and complexity involved in treatment

A study on the status of Kostha in Sravana and Bhadrapada Masa in different Prakruti

The Prakriti is the innate constitution of an individual based on the predominance of Dosha determined at the time of conception which cannot be changed from birth till death. Qualities of Dosha are expressed on body due to its predominance and it is called Deha Prakriti. Koshta refers to the state of the Abdomen or Alimentary tract, and usually is determined by the behavior of the bowel habits. Koshta also varies according to different Prakruti. Koshta concepts helps to understand find out types of Vyadhi and its help for treatments because drug selection depends on Koshta. Sravana &amp; Bhadrapada Masa constitutes Varsha Rutu. So this study is an attempt to understand the relation between Koshta and Prakruti in different Kala with special reference to Sravana &amp; Bhadrapada Masa

Yoga in the management of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder in which the body is unable to make proper utilisation of glucose, resulting in the condition of hyperglycaemia. Excess glucose in the blood ultimately results in high levels of glucose being present in the urine (glycosuria). This increase the urine output, which leads to dehydration and increase thirst. India has the largest diabetic population in the world. Changes in eating habits, increasing weight and decreased physical activity are major factors leading to increased incidence of Diabetes. Lifestyle plays an important role in the development of Diabetes. Yoga offers natural and effective remedies without toxic side-effects, and with benefits that extend far beyond the physical. This system of Yoga is a simple, natural programme involving five main principles: proper exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet and positive thinking and meditation. It is a cost effective lifestyle intervention technique