Health Wikipedia

The New Year has just started. It is the perfect time for a fresh start. Many people are planning to make resolutions in health for the New Year to improve their life such as losing weight, exercising more, getting more organised or quitting smoking. But none of these will be effective without a proper health checklist, something that prioritises the important things you need to do this year, this decade and for the rest of your life. All you require is a roadmap to hit the highway to better health. The following things can help you to make 2009 your year of good health.

Control your weight
Measure your height and weight to figure out your body mass index (BMI). Or just measure your waist. Abdominal fat is a major health hazard for men. Risk mounts with waist sizes above 37.5 inches, and measurements of 40 inches and above are truly dangerous. Eat fewer calories and burn up more in exercise.

Eat right
Cut down on saturated fat and cholesterol by limiting red meat, whole-fat dairy products and egg yolk. Avoid fats in stick margarine, fried foods and many snack and junk foods. Eat lots of fishes. Load up on whole-grain products instead of refined grains and simple sugars. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Cut down on sodium (salt). And if you need to shed excess pounds, reduce your portion size, avoid calorie-dense foods, and cut your overall caloric intake.

Avoid tobacco
If you are a smoker, quitting is your first priority. Counselling and support groups can help in this regard. With physician’s advice you can use nicotine-replacement therapy or prescription medications, such as bupropion and varenicline (drugs used for cessation of smoking). Even if you do not smoke, you should resolve to help a buddy or relative who needs to kick the habit. And remember to protect yourself and your family by steering clear of secondhand smoke.

Exercise regularly
You do not have to hit the gym or train for a marathon to benefit from exercise. Build physical activity into your daily schedule. Take the stairs, do household chores, play active games with your kids. Above all, walk whenever and wherever you can. Aim for at least 30 minutes of walking a day, either all at once or in smaller chunks. If you have diseases like asthma that do not allow more exercise or need special precaution then consult with your physician.

Reduce stress
Figure out what makes you tense and then try to change the things you can control. Talk over your problems and worries. Get enough sleep. Do things that are fun, especially with people you like. Avoid TV broadcasts and tabloids. Exercise to burn off stress. Avoid caffeine if it makes you jittery. Do not try to medicate yourself with alcohol or drugs. Learn to appreciate and enjoy life’s many little pleasures. Try relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing. Talk to your doctor if you need more help.

Protect yourself from infection
Be sure your immunisations are up to date. If you are ill, protect others by avoiding crowds and coughing into a tissue. Wash your hands often, and use an alcohol-based hand rub. Protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases.

Prevent accidents and injuries
Many result from careless behavior. Wear seatbelts and drive defensively. Check your house for clutter and cords that might trip you up. Hold the handrail when walking stairs.

Avoid environmental hazards
These include air pollution, pesticides and toxins, contaminated food and radiation. Remember that excessive sunlight is toxic to your skin. These include air pollution, pesticides and toxins, contaminated food and radiation. Remember that excessive sunlight is toxic to your skin.

Get good medical care
See your doctor regularly. Know your numbers cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and weight. Take your medication as directed. Keep a record of your major illnesses and tests, your medications, and your allergies. Listen to your body and let your doctor know if you do not feel well.

If it seems like a lot, it is. But there are 12 months in 2009 and only 10 resolutions. Pick the ones you need most, change slowly, and get your family and friends to sign on to your resolutions for health. Above all, do not give up if you slip from time to time. Your goal is not perfection, but health. Take the long view and keep plugging away. Any progress you make in 2009 will give you a leg up for 2010 and beyond. If you make 2009 your health year, it will be a happy new year.

Second SAARC conference on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases was organized by SAARC Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Centre (STAC) on 15-18th December, 2008 in Kathmandu.

STAC started functioning in Kathmandu, Nepal since 1992 as one of the regional centres for SAARC with the objective to work for prevention and control of tuberculosis and HIV related tuberculosis in the region by coordinating the efforts of the National Tuberculosis Control Programmes of the member countries. Later on STAC has been mandated to work for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in the region (during birth it was named SAARC Tuberculosis Centre. HIV/AIDS was added in the name in 2006).

While carrying out activities, STAC realised that it is also necessary to exchange knowledge based on research activities to have clear picture of the region and insight of newer ways. Keeping these in mind, STAC organised maiden conference in 2004 followed by the second one in 2008.

The theme of this conference was HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and respiratory diseases. As HIV destroys one’s immune system, infected person becomes prone to opportunistic infections like tuberculosis and other respiratory tract infections. In such situation patients have to fight against multiple pathology. That is why, efforts needed to be made to disseminate knowledge not only on HIV but also infections like tuberculosis that takes the chance of immune suppression caused by HIV. That is exactly what STAC attempted in second SAARC conference on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and respiratory diseases.

Delegates from SAARC countries presented paper elaborating HIV situation of their countries. In India, an estimated number of PLHA is 2.47 million. An estimated 85,000 and 70,256 people are living with HIV/AIDS in Pakistan and Nepal respectively. Though it is a matter of great relief that the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among adults is less than 1% in Bangladesh with an estimated number of infected 7500 we must not be complacent about the current data. HIV infection in Bangladesh is still believed to be confined among the vulnerable groups such as sex workers, injecting drug users because of their risk behavior.

One presentation informed that 77.2% of male IDUs in Dhaka have reported borrowing or lending used syringes. Once the virus is leaked and spread in general population, we will have to face the HIV epidemic.

We, as a nation have to be aware to prevent HIV infection. But what about those people who already are living with the virus? Do we have positive attitude towards them? Now time has come to stop scaring people in the name of HIV/AIDS. We have to understand that people can live with HIV infection.

All we need to have a positive approach towards PLHA. Acquiring HIV is unfortunate, not crime. If Mr. Co-chairperson of that specific session, living with the virus can roam around the world (he has to attend a lot of conferences) raising his voice for the rights of PLHA, why not others can live.

People with AIDS have to be within comprehensive coverage of ART. It is revealed from the conference that there is about ten times more DOTs center than ART centers in Nepal. ART needs to be made available at low cost to HIV positive people. They need to be given total support against all health hazards they could possibly suffer. If cushioned properly, people living with HIV/AIDS can also live a productive life.

Dr Enamul Hasib……