Computer Vision Syndrome

COMPUTER VISION SYNDROME                           -DR KARISHMA MANE   It has been a long gap since the last post. The title of today's article is the reason that kept me away for so long. CVS (Computer Vision Syndrome) as it is popularly known is now a common ailment affecting all those who work for long hours on the computer. So what is this Syndrome? Computer Vision Syndrome is a temporary condition resulting from focusing eyes on a computer display for long uninterrupted periods of time. Symptoms include--- Headache, eye- strain, blurred vision, dry eyes, neck pain, fatigue and difficulty in refocusing the eyes Conditions of improper lighting, poor ergonomics etc aggravate the condition. Pathophysiology ---- Decreased natural blinking reflex, which in a normal human eye is 15-20 per minutes lead to dry eyes Prolonged near focusing puts a strain on the ciliary muscles of the eye   Preventive measures-----Involve two kinds of measures --- 1) Relaxation measures for the eyes Ø      Regular eye examination by an ophthalmologist once a year. Ø      Periodic rest to the eyes and its muscles, blinking the eyes at regular intervals to moisten the eyes with a tear film. Ø      A common therapy suggested is the 20-20-20 exercises. It advises- Every 20 minutes focus the eyes on an object 20 feet (6 meters) away for 20 seconds. Ø      Practice yogic exercises for the eyes like Trataka, Yoni mudra at the work place during breaks. These can be practiced in any location and do not need much space. Ø      Simple Palming exercise, involves rubbing both the palms together and placing them on closed eyes for 1 – 2 minutes is helpful. Ø      Anti-reflective coating for the eye- glasses or computer glasses if available. 2) Corrections at work- station--- Ø      Proper lighting- Avoid bright natural light from windows using curtains, blinds etc. Artificial interior lighting should be ambient. Ø      Position the computer monitor so that the light source is to the side of the monitor instead of back or front. Ø       Position the computer screen in front of you and not to one side of the work area Ø      The computer screen should be 20 –26 inches away from you Ø      The center of the screen should be at least 10-15 degree below your eyes for comfortable positioning of the head and neck. Ø      Adjust the display setting of the monitor to enhance contrast and minimize brightness Ø      Use an anti-glare screen if possible or an LCD screen with good resolution. Ø      Correct your posture and balance while working. The chair should be with arms such that your arms are parallel to the floor when you type and feet resting flat on the ground or on a foot- stool. Ø      Keep your back straight and shoulders back. Ø      Include Vitamin A and C in your diet.   These measures help both in treating and preventing the condition. For those who are unaware-- Yogic exercise Trataka is performed as below— 1 Sit cross-legged with the spine erect and abdomen drawn in (Can be performed while sitting in a chair with feet flat on the ground) 2 Stretch left hand with thumb projected vertically upwards 3 Look at the shine of the nail as long as comfortable 4 Move the left hand towards the tip of the right shoulder 5 Continue gazing at the nail of the thumb 6 Return left hand to normal position 7 Repeat the above steps with the right hand.   Yogic exercise Yoni mudra is performed as follows--- 1 Sit in a similar position as above 2 Place palms of the hands over the face of the respective sides while fingers fill the apertures 3 Thus the thumbs should cover the ears, index fingers should close the eyelids, middle fingers placed on the two sides of the nostrils, the ring fingers on the upper lip and little finger on the lower lip. 4 After a few minutes a state of conditioned internal equilibrium is felt irrespective of the external office environment. A sense of calmness and relaxed state of the body is achieved.

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ANOTHER REASON TO SMILE

ANOTHER REASON TO SMILE   WHY SHOULD WE SMILE????             SMILING   is healthy. HOW DOES IT HELP US???? v     Helps body's immune system, it keeps us healthier, cures depression, reduces stress and induces sleep v     Smiling reduces stress, releases the feel good hormones and calms the mind v     Smiling relaxes the tensed body and release the strain on the muscles v     Smiling is invigorating, rejuvenating v     Smiling has no unpleasant side-effects v     Smiling is all natural, organic, non-fattening and naturally sweet. v     It contains no preservatives, no artificial ingredients and is 100 percent wholesome goodness. v     Smiling is practically perfect. No batteries to wear out, no periodic check-ups, low energy consumption and high energy yield. v     Inflation proof, no monthly payments, no insurance requirements, non-taxable and theft-proof HOW DOES IT HELP THE ENVIRONMENT???? v     Smiling is environment – friendly. v     Since a smile is entirely returnable it is highly infectious, spreads fast and better of than all the communicable diseases. v     Smiles create a great positive environment that attracts people be it at work or home v     A smiling staff at a service center can do wonders to public relations and customer care. v     Smiles released in the environment are better than most gases that are released from car exhausts. WHAT CAN BRING A SMILE ON OUR FACE???? We feel that our life is so busy, stressful, occupied that we do not have the time to smile. Our minds are so preoccupied with work, daily activities and emotions that we hardly smile. In fact most of us would wonder at what possibly exists around us that can bring a smile on our faces. We often wonder we might look foolish or weird if people found us smiling for no apparent reasons. We just need to set aside our prejudices and look around. Let's take a normal working day in our lives------- Ø            Most of us wake up early to get ready for work say at 5.00 or 6.00 AM do we ever bother to listen to the early morning chirping of birds as they give their wake up calls on the trees around our buildings? This does not require us to interrupt our daily routine. Do we even bother to look up at the early morning sky changing its colors Ø         For that matter how many of us even wish our family with a smile a simple "GOOD MORNING " Try it and the smile on our loved ones faces will make our day. Ø            Now when we travel to work either by cars, trains or any public transport we get irritated at the crowd the traffic jams Instead once try to look at the greenery visible from the train windows or listen to       soft music, hum a song Ø            Ever tried helping a fellow passenger in a trivial manner the gratitude if shown or the simple feeling that you help someone will keep you smiling through the day. Ø            At work make it a point to greet people with a smile even those we do not particularly like. Most will find it difficult not to return our smile. Ø            Now if it's a busy day a deadline to meet work pressure and our boss both making us feel frustrated –Let us Close our  eyes for a moment      Think of the smallest thing that brought a smile on our face the other day            Or think of our last vacation with our family            It sure will bring back the smile, help clear confusion and it will also give our               boss the faith that  since we are smiling the situation is under control. Ø            We can buy flowers without an occasion decorate them in a vase on our desk or carry them home they will bring a smile on our face throughout the busy day. Ø            Spend time with our family and kids whenever possible may be as outings, picnics drives or even a simple family game of cards the smile and laughter will provide an instant source for recharging when in stress. Ø            If possible helping around in work at home or cultivating a hobby it can be anything but our something special that brings back the smile on our tired faces.   I guess these many simple, small, everyday inexpensive things can bring a smile on our faces. Try it and feel the difference Let us start right now-----------------------        TRY OUT THE SMILE EXPERIENCE And let us know whether its for real or not  ENJOY SMILING :-)               - DR KARISHMA MANE

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Diet in fever

DIET DURING FEVERS                     -         DR KARISHMA MANE      In previous articles, we talked of fever, care during fever and how we can help our doctor diagnose fever. Commonly another dilemma that patients and their families face is what to eat and drink during fever. Diet to be followed during fevers especially those of acute nature where the patient's desire to eat is poor, there is hardly any appetite for food is always a confusion.   Experts in the field of Dietetics talk of the metabolic changes that occur during fever--- q       An increase in metabolic rate amounting to almost 13 percent for every degree Celsius rise in body temperature (7 percent for every degree Fahrenheit rise) the increase is due to restlessness. Thus there is a greatly increased caloric need q       Decreased glycogen stores and adipose tissue stores q       Increased catabolism of protein places an additional burden upon the kidney q       Accelerated loss of body water owing to increased perspiration and excretion of body q       Increased excretion of Sodium and potassium   Thus the diet given during fever should pay attention on the following---- Ø      Energy---Patient can initially ingest only about 600 to 1200 kcal daily in fever but this should be increased as fever reduces and patient's condition improves. Ø      Protein---Adequate intake is advised. In case of prolonged fever, 100g or more of protein is advised. Ø      Carbohydrates--- Glycogen stores are replenished with liberal intake of carbohydrate Ø      Fats---Fried food and rich pastries to be avoided Ø      Minerals --- Sufficient intake of salt (NaCl) is accomplished by use of soups and salt in food. Ø      Vitamins---Fevers increase requirement for Vitamin A and C. Oral antibiotics and drugs interfere with synthesis of some B complex vitamins by intestinal bacteria So supplementation is indicated. Ø      Fluids--- Intake must be liberal to replace the loss from sweat and permit adequate volume of urine for excreting wastes. Daily intake of 2500-5000 ml of fluids in various forms is necessary. Ø      Ease of digestion--- Bland (without spices) readily digested food should be used to facilitate digestion and rapid absorption. Food should be soft easy to chew and well cooked. Fluid diets can also be used. Ø      Intervals of feeding and quantity of food--- Small quantities of food at intervals of 2 to 3 hrs will permit adequate nutrition without causing a burden. It should be remembered that fluid diet increases abdominal distension i.e. cause bloating of abdomen to the point of discomfort. For patients experiencing nausea, vomiting it is better to give solid dry food like biscuits, bread toast etc. In prolonged fever i.e. is fever lasting for more than a few days it becomes essential to feed the patient a high protein, high calorie diet to prevent weight loss.   Foods to be included in diet in fevers------ v     Whole fruits like apples, seasonal fruits available locally. To soften they can be steamed if necessary. v     Fruit juices freshly prepared at home v     Clear soups made out of vegetables without the cream v     Steamed vegetables can also be ground into a puree to make soft diet v     Cooked thin dals (pulses) (or excess water in cooked dals) (good source of proteins) v     Coconut water v     Bland cooked food as appetite improves v     Bread toasts without butter v     Water plain or with glucose added to it. v     Steamed Rice cooked in excess water to make a soft paste for easy ingestion. v     Skimmed milk can be consumed if comfortable. v     Adequate amount of salt should be added to the food   Avoid the following food during fever----- v     Spicy food v     Ghee, butter, vegetable oils v     Fried foods v     Rich cream pastries, cakes v     Beverages like tea coffee v     Outside food

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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FEVER! (PART 2)

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FEVER! (PART 2)                                -DR. KARISHMA MANE   In Part 1 of this article we talked of how to measure temperature in fever and care during fever. Now we shall look at how we can help our doctor diagnose the cause of our fever and thus treat it effectively.  If you have fever, the first thing to do is to measure body temperature as we discussed in our previous article.   Average Normal body temperature is 98.6°F. Fever is defined as increase of more than 1°or any rise above maximal normal temperature. Once temperature is recorded, the following terms can safely be used to describe fever.   Temp in °C Temp in °F Hypothermia 35 95 Subnormal 35.0-36.7 95-97 Normal 36.7-37.2 98-99 Mild fever 37.2-37.8 99-100 Moderate fever 37.8-39.4 100-103 High fever 39.4-40.5 103-105 Hyperpyrexia >40.5 >105   However the common mistake most people do is to touch the sick person's body either the forehead, hands etc and try to predict fever. Such predictions are wrong and can be harmful.   How to maintain a temperature record---- The most important measure in fever is to measure temperature correctly and if possible note down and maintain a record. For eg----A record can be maintained as below Date and day of fever Time when temperature was measured Temperature and body location where it was measured. Medication used to reduce fever First day(1/03/08) 10.00Am 99°F(oral temp) Tab A First day(1/03/08) 11.00Am 98°F(oral temp) - Second day(2/03/08) 1.00pm. 100°F (oral temp) Tab A   A recording should measure rise, peak and baseline temperature So an accurate record should have temperature recorded every one hourly. Such a record can help your doctor in the following ways--- q       Helps to know the grade of fever i.e. mild moderate high etc. q       Helps the doctor to know the peak, duration, frequency and number of days of fever. Thus enables distinguish between malaria, dengue, typhoid, which have different known patterns. q       Helps to know which and how quick does the anti-pyretic bring down the fever. q       Helps to note type of fever that is whether it is continuous, intermittent remittent etc.  Another effective way is to plot temperature on a graph like it is used in hospitals.   WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR------ There is an old saying   "if the mind does not perceive, the eyes do not see." q       ANY SYMPTOMS NOT EXISTING OCCURING SIMULTANEOUSLY OR FEW DAYS BEFORE THE ILLNESS. q       Chills or shivering intensity, duration of time it lasted amount of covering needed i.e. one covering was sufficient or you need two or three blankets. q       Amount of sweating when fever reduced. q       Headache/ body-ache / joint pains/ pain in abdomen/ neck pain stiffness etc. Site of pain local or all over the area. q       Nausea/ vomiting/ diarrhea / constipation their frequency, type color whether contained blood/food etc. q       Throat pain/ cough/ sputum type color of sputum etc. q       Skin for any rashes itching etc. q       Lack of appetite, weakness, loss of consciousness, irritability, confusion convulsions etc.    You can help the doctor diagnose the cause of fever and treat you or your sick family member in the following ways---------------- Ø      Provide a complete history of the fever as best as you can. Ø      Maintain a temperature record and show it to the doctor during consultation. Ø      Observe and inform the doctor about any symptoms you experience Ø      Inform the doctor about any causes that you think might have lead to the fever like—history of traveling, wading through dirty rain waters, eating outside food, recent illness that any family member has suffered etc. Ø      Inform the doctor about the self- medication used by you Ø      Inform about any drug allergy, past illness you suffered Ø      Talk to your doctor about anything that you think is relevant to your illness Ø      Ask the doctor all your queries and doubts. Ø      During treatment and follow-up visits continue to maintain a temperature record adding the medication and investigation reports alongside enables to judge the effectiveness of the treatment administered.   Finally it is ALWAYS important to remember that the aim of both the treating doctor, patient and the patient's family is CURE and restoring the HEALTH of the PATIENT.

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