Why you should donate blood? March 3, 2011

Trypanophobia – is the extreme fear of medical procedures involving injections or hypodermic needles. And it is one of the main reason why many people, though willing to take part in blood donation drives, don’t gather enough courage to do so. Blood Donation is essentially a voluntary act where one allows one’s blood to be taken out from his/her body for any medical purpose. When I asked many of my friends and relatives about their views on blood donation, I came across many misconceptions and myths that are prevalent in the society about the procedure and it’s benefits. So here I am writing this post to help you understand that there are many benefits of donating blood as compared to an almost blank list of disadvantages of doing so.

Are you really depressed? February 21, 2011

Most of us feel sad in our daily life. It’s not unusual for someone to feel the ‘blues’ now and then. But then what exactly falls in the criteria of being ‘depressed’? Let me put up a few points for you to help you identify the signs and symptoms of Depression. Do NOT stop reading further! Even if you feel you are strong enough mentally to not ‘encounter depression at any point ever’, I insist you to go through this once, as it might help you help your dear ones or friends in their low times. I would specifically write focusing on the younger teenagers who I feel are the most vulnerable lot during this exam season.

Being sad is not unusual but being sad most of the time is. The phrase ‘most of the time’ medically suggests a period of at least 2 weeks of sustained sadness of mood. If this sadness is often giving you problems with your studies or your performance in schools/colleges, your behavior at home or with friends or getting addictions like alcohol, smoking or problems during sex, then most probably you are going through DEPRESSION. To put it in a simpler way to help you identify I am putting down a check list below with criteria for depression. Remember that the following symptoms should not be secondary to any other medical condition.

What exactly is Cord Blood Banking? February 20, 2011

Stem cell research is a relatively new technology and it primarily deals with working with the most primitive human cells (stem cells) and developing them into any of the 220 variants of cells in the human body. Where do we find these stem cells? When a baby is born, the cord blood is a rich source for these stem cells. The cord blood is nothing but the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and the placenta once the baby is born.

These stem cells are a very rich source of the blood cells in the human body. Till now bone marrow was seen as a good source of stem cells and bone marrow transplant was ‘the’ treatment in many blood disorders in the younger population. But due to the recent advances in clinical research revolving around cord blood stem cell research it is proved that cord blood is the most important source for blood stem cells as far as the quality and the therapeutic approach is considered. This blood can be easily retrieved from the umbilical cord without causing any harm to the child. Later it can be stored in approved bank centres and can be used at any point of time to replenish the stem cells in various medical disorders.

Devil’s Workshop, is it? October 28, 2009

I know what you will be thinking by the time you reach mid way of this post – “Why am I reading this? I’ve got no problems! I am perfectly Normal”. Yes even I know that you are ‘normal’. But there are others whom you may be directly or indirectly related who are affected with mental illness, for whom you care… so read on…

We live in a country where our fear of mental illness is so deep rooted that we tend to become irrational when we think of those mentally affected. Our society has been stained with so many misconceptions and wrong theories about mental illness. I want to ask all of you who consider yourself to be a part of this ‘NEXT” generation, how many time have you giggled at a roadside beggar wearing some filthy clothes, muttering and laughing to himself. I am sure most of you have. Honestly, even I was no exception to this…

But have you ever wondered why did you laugh at that guy? You would say, because he is Mad! So? Would you have reacted similarly at a person with high fever or say having Diabetes or any other damn illness? I am sure you would not!

Today we still hear news that Women are branded as “witches” (chudail) and then burned or stoned to death in many pockets of our country. Elders still see mental illness as some ‘Devil‘s possession’! And what is the solution they teach us? Beat such ‘deserving’ victims with broomsticks and lathis and ‘drive away’ the spirit out of their bodies! It was not long ago in our soceity that patients with psychosis were taken to an asylum, usually very far away from the ‘normal’ civilization and chained so that others could live safely. But in between these hard truths there’s also something to smile about. Atleast certain portion of our society has come a long way in giving the mentally ill, a treatment that is far more humane…

Man, this ‘butt’ sure wont make you Hard! October 26, 2009

Hmmm… those college days… you liked that pretty girl… but how do you impress her? How do you show her how manly you are? Yes, pop comes the cigarette out of your pocket, you imagine yourself as SRK, lean against your bike and then just as she passes in front of you, you let that smoke ring fly out of your lips and give her a flirty smile! Well fortunately or unfortunately, the girl gets impressed by you. Days follow and you quite get a grip on her just as that filthy 3″ butt strengthens its firm grip between your fingers. Well you two become so close, whisper sweet nothings in each other’s ears and one day the romance builds up leaving both of you in bed! Okay now the time comes when the man in you is put to test. You try and try but the bloody thing doesnt go up! Your girl looks at you with surprised eyes and before you can do anything… BANG!!! The door slams behind you! Your dream of becoming a macho Dude  just turned into a dud!

Okay let me come to the point. Impotence or Erectile dysfunction is the inability to maintain an erection while having intercourse. The other ill-effects of smoking are very well known by those who smoke, but recent medical research shows that smoking is one of the leading cause of impotence in men. Well you will ask me how???

ARE YOU MENTAL? October 25, 2009

“A civilization which leaves so large a number of its participants unsatisfied and drives them into revolt neither has nor deserves the prospect of a lasting existence.” - Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)

India has made it’s mark on this globe… no doubt on that. It is the largest democracy of the world, second populous country (soon to conquer the first position), one of the most fastest growing economy and the third largest military force in the world. India is now not referred as the land of sadhus and snake charmers any more. The world looks at India as one of the emerging superpower in near future, a country whose spacecraft made the most dramatic discovery in space history, a country whose film industry is gearing up to rub shoulders with Hollywood!

Toss the coin… and you will have statistics that will shame you, those numbers which are often scribelled with and manipulated by our caretakers sitting on those responsilble seats in the government to glorify their achievements after their 5 years of ruling us! India’s 74% population still stays in rural areas, still fantasizing the distant city life, the literacy rate still stagnates at 64% sixty years after independence. Okay Yes, India is the twelfth largest economy in the world, but what about the 22% population still living under the poverty line? When the basic amenities are not taken care of, its not at all surprising for me that India’s health sector is something which none of us will ever boast of!

THE LIGHT OF A NEW BEGINNING October 24, 2009

Its the 24th October 2009… and the clocks ticking in front of me… both the minute and the hour hand come together and embrace each other with the number 12 watching them from behind… it seemed as if they whispered sweet nothings in each other’s ears and planned a wonderful journey again for the next 12 hours to meet at their same romantic spot…

I am just sitting in my room with my new lappie, just surfing through few of my medical sites as a pop up catches my attention… <click>… and Its Aritra, my twitter buddy… i read his tweet… “@aritrasen : @kirtitandel Blog has been launched with some new posts”

I click on the link that he provided me…