Category Archives: Health

Managing Fear Author Offers Journalists Mental Health Advice

Carnegie, PA, May 22, 2024 — It is challenging to manage one’s mental health with all of the negative news that we hear about on a daily basis. Unfortunately, many journalists and reporters also struggle with their mental health as they report the news.

Reporters and journalists privately struggle with long hours, managing tight deadlines, job uncertainty, endless meetings, and the mental health toll of covering the news.

Stan Popovich has dealt with anxiety for 20+ years and wrote a managing fear book at www.managingfear.com. You can also Google Stan Popovich.

Stan noticed that many journalists struggle, as he worked with them in developing various mental health stories and interviews on Fox, ABC, CBS, and NBC news over the years.

Mr. Popovich suggests the following solutions to some of these common mental health stresses that journalists deal with. Please pass this along to others.

1. Long hours and the pressure to meet deadlines.
Prioritize and do the most important items first. Learn to plan ahead and take breaks. Communicate with others if you have too much on your plate. Getting burned out will only lead to decrease in performance and increased anxieties/depression.

2. Cover stories and topics that can take a mental toll.
Do not ignore any potential mental health symptoms such as increased anxiety and episodes of depression in your life. Join a local mental health support group and talk to a mental health counselor who can provide help with managing your mental health.

3. Job uncertainty and decrease in workplace morale.
Focus on doing the best job that you can and develop friendships with others. Keep your resume current and develop a network of friends in the media industry. Being proactive in your career will increase your chances of having options which will reduce your anxieties.

4. Everyone is demanding.
Communication is key. It’s important to get see things from the other person’s point of view and try to find solutions that work for everyone. Learn to delegate when possible. You can’t please everyone so just do your best and go from there.

5. Are you still struggling?
Get advice from others in your professional and personal network on what you can do. Talking to others can give you ideas and different approaches in dealing with your current job issues. Do not ignore your mental health for your job because it will catch up to you.

If you struggle with depression, stress, and anxiety, it is important that you talk to a mental health counselor right away. You do not have to privately suffer with your mental health struggles.

Focus Clinic Announces Opening of Comprehensive ADHD and Learning Disabilities Center

Wyoming, MI, May 21, 2024 — Focus Clinic, specializing in ADHD and learning disabilities, is pleased to announce its grand opening. Focus Clinic provides a unique, all-inclusive approach to diagnosing and treating ADHD, cognitive deficiencies, behavioral problems, and learning disabilities, combining advanced medical, developmental, and educational assessments under one roof. The clinic aims to revolutionize care by offering comprehensive evaluations, pharmacogenetics, microbiome assessments, and personalized treatment plans.

Focus Clinic is built on the belief that every child is made on purpose and for a purpose by a loving God. The clinic’s mission is to help children identify and celebrate their gifts, ensuring they do not feel broken or pressured to change through medication. Instead, Focus Clinic aims to make aspects of their lives easier through medical support while helping them understand who they are and build skills to be the best versions of themselves.

“At Focus Clinic, we are dedicated to understanding the full spectrum of factors influencing ADHD and learning disabilities,” said Dr. Randall J. Duthler, Founder and CEO of Entropy Health, PLLC. “Our integrative approach allows us to provide personalized care that addresses not just the symptoms, but the underlying causes, ensuring that each patient receives the most effective treatment.”

Focus Clinic’s services include a detailed history and physical exam, digital diagnostics for attention and cognition, learning disability assessments, and personality testing. The clinic also offers a variety of medical diagnostics, including screening for endocrine disorders, genetic testing, and home sleep studies. Additionally, Focus Clinic provides nutritional and microbiome assessments. Patients benefit from individualized care plans, shared decision-making, and interventions such as prescription medication, digital performance training, and nutritional support.

One of Focus Clinic’s standout features is its use of Quantitative Electroencephalography (qEEG) brain mapping, an FDA-approved tool that measures brainwave activity to identify regions with abnormal patterns. This advanced diagnostic tool helps healthcare professionals develop targeted interventions to rebalance brain activity and improve patient outcomes. The clinic also utilizes QBTech for sustained attention testing and Creyos tools for cognitive testing.

“By offering a wide range of services in one place, we can provide a more holistic and accurate diagnosis. This is particularly important when considering the potential cognitive impacts of COVID,” Dr. Duthler explained. “Our goal is to empower patients and their families with the knowledge and tools they need to achieve better health and educational outcomes.”

Focus Clinic also emphasizes collaboration with primary care providers and offers IEP advocacy to ensure educational plans include beneficial interventions tailored to each child’s unique needs. The clinic’s comprehensive approach includes progress tracking and AI learning programs, providing continuous support for patients’ long-term success.

iHridAI Launches AI-ML Diagnostic Tool HarmonyCVI for Cardiac MRIs

Bengaluru, 20th May 2024: iHridAI, an upcoming healthcare technology startup focused on developing globally benchmarked and viable technology solutions for healthcare diagnostics, has today launched its flagship product, HarmonyCVI, for detailed and accurate cardiovascular assessments. HarmonyCVI is a comprehensive AI/ML-based rapid diagnostics and insights tool that aids cardiologists and radiologists in enhanced analysis of cardiac MRI scans.

Grounded on robust research, cardiothoracic models and extensive real-world cardiac imaging data, HarmonyCVI leverages deep learning AI/ML capabilities. It inputs the patient’s MRI studies, learns respective metrics, and predicts various parameters, including dynamic contours and segmentation. The software uploads its comprehensive findings from processing and analysis into clinical data reports, which can be monitored and modified on a dashboard.

The technology solution empowers radiologists and cardiologists with accurate and clinically reliable information, facilitating rapid and informed decision-making, typically within a few minutes. HarmonyCVI helps clinicians quickly assess the key parameters for comprehensive diagnosis, thereby aiding in practical assessment and treatments. The integrated platform offers real-time interactive report generation with automated report data analysis in the desired format.

Commenting on the launch, Sai Sangineni, Founder, iHridAI said, “Resonating with the vision to create globally benchmarked AI-based healthcare solutions, we launched HarmonyCVI for the clinical community. The tool is fundamentally designed to enhance the accessibility, accuracy and affordability of real-world cardiac MRI diagnostics. Using these comprehensive and detailed insights, patients with critical cardiac MRIs can be triaged for advanced and accurate review and assessed treatments. The core of our innovation addresses the need for cost effective PAR for the growing cardiac MRI adoption. At iHridAI, we strive forward to align with the new realities of preventive patient care using AI and continue to develop value-based solutions for the larger medical fraternity.”

Dr. Vimal Raj, Clinical Advisor and Co-founder, iHridAi further adds, “The launch of HarmonyCVI reinforces our commitment towards curating an AI-based solution for analyzing cardiac MRI scans rapidly. While the PAR (processing, analyzing and reporting) for ECG, CT, PET and other MRIs is straightforward today, the complex cardiac MRIs need a vendor-agnostic, economically viable, easy-to-deploy solution to drive the adoption and further growth of cardiac MRI usage in advanced heart diagnostics. Harmony CVI is easy to learn, deploy and use. The user interface, speed, precision and diagnostic accuracy will help physicians with early diagnosis, thus improving better clinical outcomes of patients.”

iHridAI is fostering a collaborative approach, leveraging partners and providers for advanced and complementary domain expertise and solution engineering. This includes key radiologists, researchers, and medical imaging/AI experts. HarmonyCVI is the first product launched into this ecosystem, fully-tested and vetted with a critical mass of real-world datasets from various sources. iHridAI is simultaneously working towards developing a single integrated multi-model AI analytics platform which covers ECG, ECHO, CT and MRI.

WOW Skin Science Shields Bengaluru’s Traffic Warriors from Scorching Summer Sun

India, May 20, 2024: As temperatures soared in Bengaluru this summer, WOW Skin Science joined hands with the Bengaluru Police to address the challenges faced by our frontline heroes combating the scorching sun and dust. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Bengaluru experienced one of its hottest summers in recent years, intensifying the need for effective sun protection.

As part of its commitment to supporting frontline workers, WOW Skin Science presented 250 sun protection kits containing their new WOW Sunscreen Gels to Bengaluru’s traffic warriors. These kits provided much-needed protection against harmful UV rays and helped mitigate the risk of skin damage caused by extended sun exposure.

Mr. Manish Chowdhary, Co-Founder of WOW Skin Science, highlighted the significance of this collaboration, stating, “WOW Skin Science is committed to the well-being of those who protect our community. Our partnership with the Bengaluru Police aims to provide essential sun protection to our brave traffic warriors, who face prolonged exposure to harsh sunlight during their duties. We are honoured to contribute to the well-being of our traffic warriors.”

Recognizing the critical role of the Bengaluru Police in maintaining public safety, WOW Skin Science conducted extensive interviews and research to understand the unique challenges faced by the traffic police force during summer months. The findings revealed that prolonged exposure to the sun could lead to health risks and various skin problems, including infections, pigmentation, and dark spots.

Studies indicated that on average, a person could endure only about one hour of peak sunlight without risking sunburn. For officers exposed for longer periods, such as traffic police, effective sun protection was crucial.

With a profound sense of gratitude for our traffic warriors, WOW Skin Science remains committed to fostering lasting partnerships that uplift and empower those who serve our communities with grit and determination.

Bodycraft Clinic launches groundbreaking skin and hair rejuvenation treatment YouthX in India

India, 20 May 2024:Bodycraft Clinic, a leading name in advanced aesthetic treatments, recently announced the launch of YouthX, a groundbreaking skin and hair rejuvenation treatment. YouthX harnesses the potent capabilities of Bone Marrow cells to revolutionise skin and hair rejuvenation. Bodycraft Clinic is one of the first clinics in India to offer this innovative technology.

YouthX’s formulations trigger cell growth and repair by stimulating collagen synthesis thus fostering firmer, smoother skin while diminishing wrinkles. Moreover, YouthX accelerates tissue repair, minimising blemishes like acne scars and hyperpigmentation for a renewed complexion. For those seeking voluminous hair, YouthX offers a specialised solution targeting dormant follicles, fostering thicker, healthier growth for a fuller mane.

Commenting on the launch, Sahil Gupta, CEO of Bodycraft says, “Bodycraft Clinic is proud to introduce YouthX, a breakthrough solution at the intersection of science and nature. YouthX delivers a transformative client experience, driving superior results in skin and hair rejuvenation. Our commitment is to bring the advanced treatments that are available worldwide, right to our clients.”

YouthX is a clinically tested treatment that is proven to deliver effective results in promoting cellular health. This treatment utilizes tiny vesicles, acting like messengers between cells, that are packed with beneficial molecules. These microscopic packages, millions of times smaller than a human hair, are confirmed to contain a wealth of growth factors and proteins known to enhance cellular regeneration and reduce inflammation.

“In my practice, I always seek innovative, evidence-based approaches to improve patient outcomes. YouthX aligns with this philosophy perfectly. The core therapy utilizes a derivative of bone marrow stem cells, specifically excluding genetic material like DNA and RNA. This approach holds promise for regenerating and repairing skin tissue. Combined with natural rejuvenation techniques, YouthX offers a compelling path to achieving optimal aesthetic results and a renewed sense of well-being for my patients,” said Dr. Mikki Singh, founder and Medical Director of Bodycraft Clinic.

With YouthX, Bodycraft introduces a pioneering duo of treatments tailored to individual needs: YouthX Skin addresses hyperpigmentation, scars and marks, fine lines, and the appearance of pores, while YouthX Hair promotes natural, healthy hair growth – without surgery or hormonal side effects!

The field of aesthetics is constantly evolving, with new technologies emerging that offer minimally invasive and more personalised approaches to achieving desired results. Treatments like YouthX represent a promising area of development, and Bodycraft Clinic is proud to be at the forefront of offering this innovative technology to our clients.

Citizens Specialty Hospital Hosts India’s First CME on E-CPR in ED, Sets New Milestone in Emergency Medicine

Hyderabad, 20th May 2024: Citizens Specialty Hospital marked a significant milestone by hosting the country’s first Continuing Medical Education (CME) session on CODE E-CPR in the Emergency Department (ED) at its Hyderabad facility. The event witnessed the participation of 60 delegates and 20 faculties, comprising esteemed medical professionals and experts in the field.
CODE E-CPR, an abbreviation for Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, is a groundbreaking salvage procedure that involves the emergent initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on patients who have experienced cardiac arrest, particularly when conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CCPR) has proven ineffective.
Dr Imron Subhan, Executive Chairman of the Society for Emergency Medicine India (SEMI) board, honored the event with his distinguished presence as the Chief Guest. Dr Subhan remarked, “This CME marks a pivotal moment in the landscape of emergency medical care in India. It is the first of its kind dedicated to E-CPR, especially within an ED setup congratulate the citizens ED team lead by Dr Sridhar Maram. Citizens Specialty Hospital’s initiative reflects a commitment to advancing medical knowledge and improving patient outcomes.”
The ceremonial lamp lighting was conducted by esteemed Dr Mir Raza Ali Khan, Dr Sridhar Maram , Dr Sudhir Koganti, Dr Gopal, along with Dr Amarendra Singh, Dr Dr Santosh Kumar Paiaulla, Dr Lakshmi Sasidhar Puvvula, Dr Bharath Kumar Pamulapati signifying the illumination of knowledge and expertise in the field of emergency medicine.
Dr Imron Subhan emphasized the significance of such initiatives, stating, “Incorporating ECPR into emergency medical protocols has the potential to revolutionize resuscitation efforts and save countless lives. It’s encouraging to witness institutions like Citizens Specialty Hospital taking proactive steps in this direction.”
Dr Sridhar Maram ( HOD ER ), Organising Chairman for this CME on CODE E CPR IN ED stated that this is the first CME in India on ECMO CPR especially in ED setting with incorporation of selection criteria of patient and protocol approach in initiation of E CPR which will help all ER Physicians to initiate and resuscitate of a cardiac arrest patient.
Dr Mir Raza Ali Khan, (Director Medical operations and quality) Citizens Specialty Hospital, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “The introduction of ECPR represents a paradigm shift in our approach to cardiac arrest management. This CME serves as a platform for sharing best practices and fostering collaboration among healthcare professionals.”
Citizens Specialty Hospital remains committed to driving innovation and excellence in healthcare, with a focus on enhancing patient care and outcomes through continuous education and collaboration within the medical community.

MERIL’s Next-Gen Myval THV Series Marks India’s Triumph in Global Heart Valve Sector

Hyderabad, 18 May 2024: Exciting news from Meril Life Sciences! The LANDMARK trial’s 30 days primary outcomes were presented on 15th May at EuroPCR 2024, Paris, France. LANDMARK was recognized by EuroPCR as one of the top three late breaking trials poised to transform revolutionise current practices in the field of Interventional Cardiology.

The LANDMARK study showed that the performance of Myval THV series in terms of safety and effectiveness was non-inferior to the contemporary THV series (24.7% vs. 27.0%, occurrence of primary composite endpoint which is composite of deaths, stroke, major bleeding, acute kidney injury, major vascular complications, moderate or severe valve regurgitation, and the need for new permanent pacemaker implantation as per the third Valve Academic Research Consortium consensus) with no difference in the itemized components of the primary composite endpoints. The other secondary endpoints including technical success at exit from procedure room, device success at 30 days and early safety at 30 days were comparable in both the groups.

Professor Serruys, Chairman & study director of the LANDMARK trial, said “Myval THV series are novel next-gen THV devices; non-inferior to the Sapien and Evolut THV series. Myval THV series have a unique size matrix incorporating conventional, intermediate and extra-large diameters with increasing diameter steps of 1.5mm that match and fit precisely the multi slice CT scan-defined aortic annulus area of each individual patient, as a result, provides a superior effective orifice area on echocardiography, which may impact on durability and long-term clinical outcomes. Additionally, the Myval Octacor, with its 2 rows of octagonal cells and a minimal foreshortening of 19% during expansion, has unique features not paired by any other contemporary design.”

Myval THV series has a versatile range of sizes offering not only traditional sizes (20 mm, 23 mm, 26 mm, 29 mm) but also intermediate (21.5 mm, 24.5 mm, 27.5 mm) and extra-large sizes (30.5 mm and 32 mm). This tailored sizing matrix allows cardiologists to select the appropriate valve size, thus avoiding excessive over- or under-sizing. In the LANDMARK trial, 48.1% of the patients were implanted with the intermediate size of Myval THV series.

As per the Global Principal Investigator, Prof. Andreas Baumbach, “The Landmark trial showed that the Myval THV series performed as safe and effective as contemporary THV series. It is a valve made for everyday clinical practice and an all-comers population. The special feature of intermediate diameters allows for more accurate sizing, which has the potential to translate into improved long-term outcomes. Our patients will be followed up for 10 years and it will be interesting to see the long-term results in the three treatment arms.”

Mr. Sanjeev Bhatt, Sr. Vice President – Corporate Strategy at Meril said, ” In a successful development in structural heart interventions, the LANDMARK RCT has revealed compelling results for the novel Myval transcatheter heart valve (THV) series, confirming its non-inferiority to other contemporary THV devices. The results of LANDMARK trial are not just a win for us but for the entire medical community and, most importantly, for patients undergoing TAVI. This study not only reinforces the safety and efficacy of the Myval THV series but also highlights its adaptability to challenging anatomical structures,”.

AHF India Cares, Palladium India Partner for Nationwide HIV Testing Project

17-05-2024, India – As we celebrate World HIV Vaccination Day on May 18th every year, it’s imperative to acknowledge the stark reality: an estimated 38 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS, of which 2.3 million are in India alone. As HIV vaccine remains elusive, the significance of early diagnosis and linkage to care for People Living with HIV (PLHIV) cannot be overstated. Early detection allows for timely intervention and treatment, which can significantly improve health outcomes and quality of life for PLHIV. Moreover, proper linkage to care ensures that individuals receive comprehensive medical attention. It also facilitates ongoing monitoring of the virus’s progression, management of symptoms, and prevention of opportunistic infections.

The early diagnosis and linkage to care have significantly improved the lives of millions of individuals like Ranjita Devi (name changed) whose life took an unexpected turn in February 2023. At one of the screening camps in Samastipur, Bihar, organized by Palladium as part of the Community Based HIV Testing and Linkage (CBHTL) project by AHF India Cares, she tested positive for HIV.

As part of the National HIV Counseling and Testing protocol, Ranjita underwent a confirmatory test at the nearest Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre. The results were perplexing – while kit 1 showed a negative outcome, kit 2 displayed a positive result. Seeking clarity, Ranjita was referred to a hospital in Muzaffarpur for another confirmatory test. However, even after repeated tests, the outcome remained unchanged, plunging Ranjita deeper into despair.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Palladium team reached out to the ICTC Counselor at the District Hospital, initiating a chain of consultations for determining the correct diagnosis. With the intervention of Bihar SACS, an Eliza test was conducted at the blood bank in Samastipur. Finally, Ranjita underwent the confirmatory test in January 2024, which conclusively confirmed her diagnosis. Ranjita was immediately put on treatment.

The correct and early diagnosis and subsequent linkage to care were crucial in Ranjita’s journey. With the support of healthcare professionals and compassionate guidance from the ART Center doctors, she understood that HIV is not the end of the world. She gained a deeper understanding of the pervasive taboo surrounding HIV, recognizing the complex societal attitudes and misconceptions that contribute to discrimination and marginalization of those living with the virus. Today Ranjita is living a healthy life with dignity and creates awareness around her about HIV.

Mr. Amit Patjoshi, CEO, Palladium India, said, “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to AHF India Cares for this invaluable partnership.” He further added, “Recognizing the significance of last-mile support, AHF India Cares collaborated with Palladium India to bolster community-based rapid testing, counseling, and linkage services across 9 States and 22 districts of India. Palladium is working within the framework of the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NACP) to ensure that no individual is left behind in the fight against HIV/AIDS. In 2023, the project screened a total of 2,51,000 persons with and attained a 90% linkage to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). While this year, the program has already screened 66,187 people for HIV, of which 994 people are HIV positive with 84% linked to ART.

HIV care means embracing early diagnosis and treatment, empowering individuals to take control of their health, and fostering a community of support and compassion. Together, we can break barriers, save lives, and build a healthier, brighter future.

DMCH launches largest-ever outreach programme

Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMC&H) has launched the largest ever cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) outreach program, the India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) in private sector in Ludhiana. The initiative named “Ek (1) ne Bees (20)” has galvanized volunteers and trained them to identify high blood pressure patients. Under the program one volunteer screens 20 people every week.

DMC&H has developed training infrastructure to train medical students, nursing staff & senior secondary students to spread awareness and has so far screened more than 1 lakh people. The DMC&H now targets 2000 volunteers in both urban and rural areas so that more and more people can be screened. The hospital has also involved corporates, schools, NGOs, and others in this outreach program.

“The commitment of industry, corporates, business houses and educational institutions including schools to improve community health is commendable, and it was evident through their active involvement during the program,” said Sunil Kant Munjal, President, DMC&H Management Society on the eve of World Hypertension Day (17th May). This is a one-of-a-kind initiative across the country where students of class XI and XII under the supervision of doctors were trained to identify CVDs and treat the patients. Buoyed with success, DMC&H is now intending to train the guards, security personnel, and support staff of different localities.

“This wide coverage has been made possible by training commoners like school students. If we have to achieve the 25 by 25, we need more people to impart knowledge and awareness,” said Dr Gurpreet S Wander, Professor of Cardiology and Principal of DMC&H. The Government of India has launched IHCI to control CVDs. An estimated 20 crore people nationwide have high blood pressure but less than 2 crore have it under control which is around 10 percent. The government intends to raise it to 25 percent by 2025.

“We are excited to launch the India Hypertension Control Initiative in Ludhiana, which underscores our commitment to combating cardiovascular diseases at the grassroots level,” said Bipin Gupta, Secretary DMC&H Management Society. Cardiovascular diseases, which include heart attacks and stroke, are the most common cause of mortality and morbidity across the world and are responsible for one-third of total deaths in India.
While the deaths due to CVDs are decreasing in rich countries, they are increasing in low and middle-income countries. Hypertension contributes to an estimated 1.6 million deaths annually in India, due to ischemic heart disease and stroke.

The India Hypertension Control Initiative is a multi-partner, five-year initiative between the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), State Governments, WHO India, and the non-government organization Resolve to Save Lives.

MedRabbits Healthcare Announces Strategic Collaboration with AB Bank PLC, Dhaka

India, May 15, 2024 : MedRabbits Healthcare, a pioneering integrated healthcare service based in India, announces strategic partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aimed at extending exclusive benefits medical value travel and other benefits to AB Bank customers and employees. Under this agreement, AB Bank cardholders and customers will enjoy discounts of up to 50% on healthcare services provided by MedRabbits, enhancing accessibility to quality medical care.

The signing ceremony, held at AB Bank’s headquarters at Dhaka, was attended by senior officials from both organizations. Representing AB Bank PLC. was Mr. Md. Rezaul Shahriar, Executive Vice President and Head of Branches and Distribution and Mr. Md. Zakir Hossain, Vice President & Head of Cards – Retail banking division. MedRabbits was represented by its CEO Mr. Amol R Deshmukh.

Mr. Md. Rezaul Shahriar, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to collaborate with MedRabbits to offer our valued cardholders exclusive healthcare benefits. This strategic alliance reinforces our commitment to improving customer experience and well-being.”

In response, Mr. Amol R Deshmukh, Founder and CEO, MedRabbits Healthcare, emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, “This collaboration with AB Bank PLC. represents a significant step towards our goal of making quality healthcare services accessible to more individuals. We are excited about the opportunity to positively impact the health and well-being of AB Bank’s cardholders and employees.”

This partnership underscores the shared vision of both organizations to promote health and wellness within the community by facilitating affordable access to essential healthcare services. Additionally, MedRabbits collaborated with NRBC Bank PLC and Dhaka Bank Limited in October 2023, to host employee health camps.