For all those who makes fun of Hindu Mythology

Human head transplant: Reality?

Its not very usual when we get to know about the things which we often laugh at when we were kid. All those western influenced people who laughs at mythology especially Indian mythology when a God called Shiva transplant head of elephant on a human body(first Xeno transplant), has seriously need to introspect. Recent claim by Italy scientists that they may come up with technique of head transplant in coming years. It can create fresh debate over the topic 'Mythology based on science' or 'science based on mythology'! I don't know which claim is true, but i know mythology holds some truth as nothing can be written in air.  A story or folklore itself has basis and study of this story makes it MYTHOLOGY. I remember my biology teacher in school used to say lord Shiva was super physician and surgeon. For all the indians who are obsessed with western knowledge, i want to say-Stop criticising the culture we represent. We as an Indian have to look within. There is no intelligence in making fun of our history and tradition and demeaning our practices and believing false notions. If we try to figure out how it happened in past and what was the theory behind it, then surely we might explain our rich heritage which is purely scientific and logical.

So next time you read mythology don't laugh on it. Instead expand your thinking and try to find out high level science and technology behind it.

ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE AWARENESS WEEK (13TH Nov 2017 - 19TH Nov 2017) PART-5

HOW TO TACKLE ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE?

In my previous post, i mentioned about how antibiotic resistance is threatening our lives. We know antibiotic resistance is bigger challenge now. Over dependency on medicines and alteration in genetic make-up of microbes, both have bought the monstrous problem of antibiotic resistance. As of now communicable diseases were some how managed well. If we see trends in latest research, it is non communicable diseases that are taking lead in claiming live. But with new findings, antibiotic resistance can allow entry of communicable diseases from back door. Overuse of antimicrobials has pulled us back to the point where it all started. Yes, indeed we returned to the situation when we had no treatment for curing infections. This time situation is more grim as the standard drugs are failing. Superbug is reality now. So what we should do now? To tackle Antibiotic resistance, should we make Super Antibiotic or Super Drug? What we do after 50 years from now when these drugs fails too? Instead of making Super Drug, can't we concentrate on building immunity? Look at the bacterias. They shielded themselves from the effect of antibiotics. They are doing best for their survival. Can't we do same? Rather relying on suppressor drugs which suppress the activity of microbes, we should focus on immunity boosters. Anything that builds immunity must be promoted. If our immunity is strong then no bacteria can harm us. Even to the patients of Tuberculosis, Hepatitis, Dengue and many other diseases, good diet is key to get back to the normal. Many vaccines can be introduced which can prevent any such infections thereby building immunity against the diseases. 

Some Preventive measures to control antibiotic resistance

• Never take medicines by your own
• Always follow prescription suggested by doctor
• Wash Hand whenever it is necessary
• Always eat well which is hygienic
• WHO Five Keys to Safer Food (keep clean, separate raw and cooked, cook thoroughly, keep food at safe temperatures, use safe water and raw materials)
• Keep your environment clean
• As a health practitioner never prescribe medicines to the patients which are not needed
• Safer sex
• Vaccinate animals 

Antibiotic resistance week (13th November 2017- 19th November 2017) Part 4

In a recent case of antibiotic resistance, a 70 year old woman from Nevada, USA succumbed to the infection as she was suffering from Klibsiella Pneumonia. The lady was resistant to 26 different antibiotics and finally died due to multiple organ failure. During her visit to India, she was hospitalised to different hospitals in India before she returned to her native place. In Nevada USA she was hospitalised and given private room and she remained isolated from other patients. It is still a matter of research why and how she developed Antibiotic resistance. This is not the only case where patient becoming resistant to drugs. There are several other cases particularly seen and heard commonly in Tuberculosis patient. The worsen form of tuberculosis infection is called MDR-TB meaning Multi Drug Resistant TB. There are many incidence reported where patient already affected with tuberculosis shows no improvement and become resistant to most important ist line drug of tuberculosis. Those drugs are Isoniazid & Rifampicin. In another form of MDR-TB, which is its severe type, patient becomes resistant to one more drug i.e, Fluoroquinolone and at least one of the three second line drug (Kanamycin, Capreomycin & Amikacin). This form of MDR-TB is hence called XDR-TB, meaning Xtreme Drug Resistant TB.

Short note on Superbug

The term Superbug refers for the strain of bacteria that are resistant to Several types of antibiotics. Mutations in bacterial genome can result can create strain of bacteria which shows no effect of antibiotics on them. Superbug is the result of over prescription and Overuse of the medicines.

ANTIBIOTIC AWARENESS WEEK (13TH NOV 2017 - 19TH NOV 2017) PART 3

How do bacteria become resistant to antibiotics?

What will be your reaction if someone tries to kill you? You will try various methods to protect yourself from the Assassin, right! You may wear iron shield, so that no gun or sharp object can harm you. Now think in broader sense, How human have able to survive in extreme weather conditions. Over the years human and other living beings develops such ability, ability of surviving, Adaptation. With the overuse of antibiotics, bacteria too have developed such power to cope up with antibiotics. They too have shown the ability to survive, by changing their genetic make up, so that they can resist the effect of antibiotics which is lethal for them. This is like competition, to be one among those successful living species is like continuous "tug of war", where one has to win or other has to lose. Human follies cannot be matched. They are blind folded till the time they find themselves on the verge of cataclysm. At that time they may not mind harming other beings. Antibiotic resistance resulted as we believed in medicine more than our inbuilt immunity. Of course they are life saving drugs but misuse and overuse of antibiotics/antimicrobials has put the mankind on the edge.

Now coming back to the question what are the ways by which bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics. Some Bacteria can neutralise the effect of Antibiotics and make them harmless. Some bacteria pump an antibiotic out of the cells before they destroy it. Some bacteria change their outer structure into a shield so that no antibiotic can injure them. Most of the times surviving bacteria becomes resistant to the antibiotic. 

Next: Few Cases of Antibiotic Resistance in recent times

ANTIBIOTIC AWARENESS WEEK (13TH NOV 2017 - 19TH NOV 2017) PART 2

In my last post i have mentioned about how a coincident discovery became so commercialised that it has now become part of our daily living. Antibiotics are overused or misused for the cause that needs no antibiotical treatment. Today we will discuss about the microbes that are present everywhere and popular among masses for their notorious activities i.e, spreading infection.

Comparison between bacteria and virus. 

Bacteria and virus both have potency of spreading infection. Bacteria are single-celled organisms found inside and outside of our bodies. However, many bacteria are actually helpful for e.g, bacteria lives in our gut. Disease causing bacteria are contagious and harmful. Examples of such are streptococcus, mycobacterium, clostridium etc. Virus on contrary, are microbes that are smaller than bacteria and cannot survive outside the host cell. 

Antibiotic or Antimicrobial?

Antibiotic is the term which is used for the drug that kills bacterial growth specifically. It has no effect on disease caused by virus. Term Antimicrobial is an umbrella term for all the microbes including virus, bacteria, fungi and parasites. It is wise to use Antimicrobial resistance for addressing Public Health emergency caused by various microbes, not bacteria in particular. 

Why are Antibiotic becoming resistant to antibiotics.

1. Overuse or misuse of antibiotics
2. Using antibiotics even for viral diseases like common flu
3. Development of antibiotic resistant bacteria which nullifies the effect of antibiotic
4. Change in genetic make up of disease causing bacteria 
5. Resistant bacteria outnumbering the sensitive bacteria

Every time a person takes antibiotic, the sensitive bacteria are killed but there is a population of resistant bacteria that are left to grow and proliferate. The repeated use of Antibiotic make these resistant bacteria more immune to the drug and hence they increase in number.

Next post on : How do bacteria become resistant to antibiotics?

ANTIBIOTIC AWARENESS WEEK (13TH NOV 2017 - 19TH NOV 2017) PART 1

This article is the first article in the series of 5 post that i going to publish in coming week on the most discussed topic of Today i.e, "Antibiotic Resistance". In today's post i will mention about how antibiotics have became integral part of our lives. 

Introduction

It was Alexander Flaming's "mold juice" that had announced the era of the antibiotic age. While returning from holiday in early September of 1928, Fleming noticed his petri dish where a blob of mold was growing. This mold was capable of killing a wide range of harmful bacteria like Streptococus, Diptheria Bacillus, Meningococus, etc. Later this wonder strain was called "Penicillium Notatum".

With the discovery of Penicillin, many other pathologists, chemists and scientists started with their own discoveries and hence created new derivatives and forms of antibiotics. Antibiotic which means "opposing life", commercialised widely in large scale. It has revolutionised the field of medicine in 20th century. Many bacterial infections are treated with the use of antibiotics. It can be given as prophylactic measures (as seen in patient with weakened immune system). Along with vaccination, antibiotics have led to the near eradication of many diseases such as Tuberculosis in developed country. But due to overuse and its nature as it acts as suppressor  of bacterial growth, has led to the major problem what we called today as Antibiotic resistance. World Health Organisation has already regarded it as a potential threat in coming future and it is happening in every part of the world. It has the potency of affecting people around the globe regardless age & country.

Next article: (part-2) comparison between bacteria and viruses. Why antibiotic should not be given in viral infections?

BIOMEDICAL WASTE: A CHALLENGE TO THE COMMUNITY AND SOCIETY

INTRODUCTION

The first rule in medicine is 'Primum Non Nocere' - Do No Harm. Under Biomedical Waste Management rules by the Government of India, it is responsibility of every hospital, clinic, laboratory and similar setups to ensure the wellbeing of not only of the staff working in their respective establishments, but also of the public at the large.
Biomedical waste means any waste which is produced during healthcare, diagnostic tests, research or related procedures on human beings or animals conducted in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and clinics etc. It is far more hazardous than any other waste as it may harm, infect or injure patients, visitors and public. The most vulnerable being the ragpickers or those who are involved in manual scavenging. Biomedical waste is a danger if it is not treated or managed carefully. It is a potential pollutant which may contaminate soil, air and water.

The Government of India has promulgated the Medical Waste (Management and handling) Rules, 1998 under which the person who is responsible of medical and other establishments where such wastes are generated are held legally answerable for maintaining the conditions mentioned in rules, which have come into effect from January 1, 2003. 

Types of Biomedical waste

Biomedical waste can be divided according to its potency of spreading infection.
Harmless waste- As the name suggests, the waste which is nontoxic. For example, paper, cardboard, flowers, kitchen waste, ordinary office etc.
Infectious waste- Any waste which is likely to transmit infection through pathogenic microbe it carries. This may include used syringes, used blades and needles, swabs, dressings, laboratory samples etc.

Non-Infectious hazardous waste: It can be chemical, radioactive and pharmacological waste.

Management
The aim and objective of biomedical waste management is to prevent harm or injury resulting from waste, to minimize its amount by reducing its volume and to ensure safe its disposal. Here are the few points regarding the waste management

• The hospital and its premises should be kept clean.
  
• Ensure the safety of public at large.
  
• Reduce the amount of waste.
  
• Segregation: Separate the waste and put them into different colored container according
  to the type of waste. Waste sorting is a method which makes the procedure of waste
  management less complicated. The waste is sorted under following categories
  

1. Dry or Wet waste
   
2. Biodegradable or Non-biodegradable waste 

Waste Treatment

Chemical disinfection: It is an important preliminary procedure before final treatment with some material. for example, contaminated sputum or pus are disinfected before being buried and autoclaved.
Deep Burial: The large uninhabited land is chosen for this process. This is a safe method for disposal of sharp objects also.
Incineration: It is the method by which solid infections, like anatomical waste, amputated limbs, and the like are exposed to very high heat until it turns into ash, which would be only about a tenth of original volume.
Autoclaving: Widely used in laboratories and clinics for treating infectious waste before disposal. Microwave: Useful method of sterilization of small volume of waste.
Liquid wastes are disinfected and neutralized before flushing into the sewer.

Conclusion

Medical wastes must be categorised according to the type. Sorting and segregation of waste is a key step which can be done by reducing, reusing and recycling thereby ensuring safe disposal of waste. Loose implementation of rules and lack of civic concern imposing direct threat on society. The challenge is to protect environment and health of community from the hazardous effect of biomedical wastes.