Sikkim
Elettaria
Ovulation Prediction
Alnus
Goiter, Endemic
Religious beliefs about causes and treatment of epilepsy. (1/13)
BACKGROUND: It has been acknowledged that religious and complementary therapies are commonly used among South Asian communities in the UK. However, little is known about their religious beliefs in relation to epilepsy and the type of South Asian therapies that they use to treat the condition. AIM: To explore the influences of spiritual and religious beliefs on explanation of the cause of epilepsy, and the choice of treatment in people of South Asian origin who have epilepsy. DESIGN OF STUDY: Qualitative study using interviews with patients, carers, health professionals, and focus groups of people from minority ethnic communities. SETTING: Bradford and Leeds. METHOD: Semi-structured individual interviews with 20 Muslims, six Sikhs, and four Hindus with epilepsy; 16 nominated carers (family members, friends); 10 health professionals (specialist GPs, neurologists, specialists nurses, social workers, community GPs); and two focus groups with a total of 16 South Asians without epilepsy. RESULTS: It was found that over half of responders attributed their illness to fate and the will of God, or as punishment for sins of a past life. Some patients had experienced prejudice from people who believed that their epilepsy was contagious. A strong network of traditional healers was found, providing a parallel system of health care in the UK and on the Indian subcontinent. People turned to religiospiritual treatments in desperation for a cure, often under the influence of their families after the perceived failure of Western medicine. Such treatments were viewed as complementary rather than as an alternative to Western medication. Younger people in particular expressed considerable scepticism about the effectiveness of these traditional South Asian treatments. CONCLUSIONS: In this study's South Asian sample, patients commonly turned to traditional healers in search of better health. Health professionals should be aware of the belief systems of these patients and understand the types of treatments in common use. Although these treatments might potentially compete with Western health care, they are used as an adjunct rather than a substitute. Patients have a 'healthy' scepticism about the effectiveness of such treatments, and adherence to medical therapy does not appear to be affected. (+info)Vulnerability and access to care for South Asian Sikh and Muslim patients with life limiting illness in Scotland: prospective longitudinal qualitative study. (2/13)
(+info)Clinico-etiologic correlates of onychomycosis in Sikkim. (3/13)
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The etiological spectrum of any superficial mycosis is largely dependent on the flora in the immediate environment of the individual. It is influenced by the geographic, climatic and occupational factors. The study is basically to formulate baseline data for the species prevalence of various dermatophytes in patients with onychomycosis attending the Central Referral Hospital, Gangtok, Sikkim. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-four clinically suspected cases of onychomycosis were subjected to mycological studies. RESULTS: Thirty-two (94.12%) cases were positive for fungal elements by direct microscopy and 28 (82.35%) by culture. Young adults in the age group of 21-30 years were mainly affected. The male:female ratio was 1.125:1. Dermatophytes were isolated in 18 cases (64.29%). Trichophyton tonsurans (44.44%) was the most common isolate followed by T. mentagrophytes (22.22%), T. rubrum (11.11%), T. verrucosum (11.11%) and Microsporum audouinii (11.11%). Apart from dermatophytes, Aspergillus niger (21.43%) and Penicillium marneffei (14.28%) were also isolated. CONCLUSION: Dermatophytes, mainly T. tonsurans, as well as moulds other than dermatophytes were isolated from onychomycosis patients in Gangtok, Sikkim. (+info)Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the Northeastern states of India. (4/13)
Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a rare disease in most parts of the world, except for Southeast Asia, some parts of North Africa and the Arctic. It is mostly seen in people of Chinese origin. In India, NPC is also rare, except for the Hill States of Northeast India, particularly Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. The striking feature of NPC in Northeast India is that the incidence ranges over the complete spectrum from the lowest (as 0.5/100 000 to 2.0/100 000 among Caucasoid) to the highest (as about 20/100 000 among Cantonese/Zhongshan dialect Chinese). The age-adjusted rate of NPC in Kohima district of Nagaland State is 19.4/100 000, which is among the highest recorded rates. By contrast, in Assam, one of the so-called Hill States but not itself a hilly state, NPC is much less common. The Northeastern region is distinguished by a preponderance of the Tibeto-Burman languages and by variable mongoloid features among peoples of the region. The nature of the migratory populations who are presumed to be bearers of the mongoloid risk is unknown, but these NPC occurrence features provide an outstanding opportunity for NPC risk investigation, such as that of the hypothesis of Wee et al. for westward displacement of Chinese aborigines following the last glacial maximum. (+info)A case series and review of sporotrichosis in Sikkim. (5/13)
Sporotrichosis caused by the fungus Sporothrix schenckii has been widely reported from the northern Himalayan belt and the north eastern region of India. Three autochthonous cases of lymphocutaneous sporotrichosis from east and south districts of Sikkim are reported. Fluid aspirate from the nodulo-ulcerative lesions were sent for cytology and fungal culture. S. schenckii was isolated on culture and cytological examination in all three cases showed granulomatous reaction. Thermal dimorphism was demonstrated and animal pathogenicity testing was performed. Saturated solution of potassium iodide was used for treatment and the last case was treated with itraconazole and potassium iodide. Awareness of this disease and an extensive environmental study is required to understand the actual burden of this disease. (+info)Elevational gradients in bird diversity in the Eastern Himalaya: an evaluation of distribution patterns and their underlying mechanisms. (6/13)
(+info)Population-based cancer incidence in Sikkim, India: report on ethnic variation. (7/13)
(+info)Pediatric Scrub typhus in South Sikkim. (8/13)
We present five cases of paediatric Scrub typhus from Community Health Centre, Namchi, South Sikkim emphasize timely diagnosis of scrub typhus for appropriate management. Response to doxycycline was good, with fever subsiding within 48-72 hrs of starting the treatment. Four out of five cases completely recovered once appropriate medication was given. (+info)I'm sorry for any confusion, but "Sikkim" is not a medical term. It is actually the name of a state in India, located in the northeastern part of the country. If you have any questions about medical terminology or concepts, I'd be happy to try and help answer those for you!
Elettaria is a genus of flowering plants in the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It is commonly known as cardamom and includes two main species, Elettaria cardamomum (green or true cardamom) and Elettaria ensal (black cardamom). These plants are native to India and Southeast Asia and have been used in traditional medicine and cooking for centuries.
Elettaria cardamomum is the more widely cultivated and commercially important of the two species, with its aromatic seeds and seed pods used as a spice and flavoring agent in both sweet and savory dishes around the world. The seeds are also used in traditional medicine to treat digestive issues, bad breath, and other conditions.
Elettaria ensal, on the other hand, is less commonly cultivated but has a stronger flavor and aroma than Elettaria cardamomum. It is often used as a substitute for black pepper in certain cuisines. The plant's roots and rhizomes are also used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, including coughs, colds, and digestive issues.
It's worth noting that while Elettaria has been used in traditional medicine, there is limited scientific evidence to support its effectiveness for most therapeutic uses. As with any medical treatment or supplement, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider before using Elettaria for medicinal purposes.
Ovulation prediction is the process of determining the most fertile period during a woman's menstrual cycle, specifically the time when ovulation is likely to occur. This is typically done through various methods and tests that detect the surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, which occurs 24-36 hours prior to ovulation. These methods may include urine test kits, saliva ferning tests, or electronic fertility monitors. Accurately predicting ovulation can help individuals or couples trying to conceive or avoid pregnancy through natural family planning methods.
"Alnus" is a genus of flowering plants in the family Betulaceae, commonly known as alders. They are deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with simple, alternate leaves and catkins. The term "Alnus" itself is the genus name and does not have a medical definition. However, various species of alders have been used in traditional medicine for their anti-inflammatory, astringent, and diuretic properties. For example, the bark of Alnus glutinosa (common alder) has been used to treat skin diseases, wounds, and diarrhea. It is important to note that the use of alders in modern medicine is limited and further research is needed to establish their safety and efficacy.
Endemic goiter refers to a condition of abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland that is prevalent in a particular geographic area due to deficiency of iodine in the diet or drinking water. The lack of iodine leads to decreased production of thyroid hormones, which in turn stimulates the thyroid gland to grow and attempt to increase hormone production. This results in the visible enlargement of the thyroid gland, known as a goiter. Endemic goiter is preventable through iodine supplementation in the diet or through iodized salt.
Iodized oil is a type of oil, often sesame or soybean oil, that has been artificially enriched with the essential micromineral iodine. It is typically used as a medical treatment for iodine deficiency disorders, such as goiter and cretinism, and for preventing their occurrence.
The iodization process involves binding iodine to the oil molecules, which allows the iodine to be slowly released and absorbed by the body over an extended period of time. This makes it an effective long-term supplement for maintaining adequate iodine levels in the body. Iodized oil is usually administered via intramuscular injection, and its effects can last for several months to a year.
It's important to note that while iodized oil is a valuable tool in addressing iodine deficiency on an individual level, global public health initiatives have focused on adding iodine to table salt (known as iodization of salt) as a more widespread and sustainable solution for eliminating iodine deficiency disorders.