VITAL FIRST AID TIPS THAT ALL SHOULD KNOW

 

First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred. It often consists of a one-time, short-term treatment and requires little technology or training to administer, but one must be aware of it. How often have you seen people crowding around a Road Traffic Accident victim, taking photographs, making reels but not helping the victim? Do they even know that a little timely help from them can save the precious life which otherwise is doomed to extinguish?

Thankfully most accidents occur in the home, including cuts, suffocation, bruises, and concussions. It is crucial to know what to do when these things happen, as you never know how long of a time you can allow yourself to wait for the ambulance to arrive. Actions taken immediately after an accident have many a time saved lives or at least decreased the damage of the injury. The things you do right after the accident are extremely important.  And so, keep these sets of advice close by, and share it with your loved ones:

 

Burns  

First-degree burns can cause redness of the skin. 2nd-degree burns may cause blisters, and 3rd-degree burns may cause blackened skin and damaged deep tissues.  

What to IMMEDIATELY do: When it is a 1st or 2nd-degree burn, put it under flowing cool water or put wet towels on the area.  

Common house-hold treatments to reduce pain:

·        Pour water on burn. Copious amount, more so if it is a chemical burn, in order to dilute the acid or alkali. However, on the face, protect the eues before irrigating a chemical burn area. The chemical should not reach the eye.

·        A soaked tea bag will bring about immediate relief, owing to the healing qualities of Tannins, which are known to shrink tissues.  Soak a bag of tea in cold water, and then put on the skin. These are also a great solution for sunburns.  

·        Uncooked potato: Take off the peel of an uncooked potato, cut it into slices and put on the burned area, so the liquid coming out of the potato will calm down the burn.  

What NOT to do: Don't put ice on big burns. Ice may damage the skin or make the injury worse. You cannot use antibiotics or butter or toothpaste either.  

When to seek medical aid: As soon as possible, particularly if  these are 3rd-degree burns or electrical or chemical burns.    

 

Open Wounds  

Open wounds in the skin need to be quickly treated to prevent infection.  

What to IMMEDIATELY do: Place a strip of gauze on the wound and apply direct pressure to stop the bleeding. If these are minor cuts and scrapes, wash with water and soap and smear a thin layer of antiseptic or antibiotic cream, and cover with a band-aid or bandage. If you feel it is a minor cut and does not warrant medical attention then get a tetanus toxoid shot.

What NOT to do: Do not wash nor put a regular cream on a large, deep or very bloody injury. Instead, go seek medic aid.  

When to seek medical aid: If the wound is deep and becomes infected, accompanied by heat, redness, swelling or red stripes around, or if it has a foreign object in it (such as a nail) - go seek medical aid immediately.    

 

A fracture  

The fracture on any bone is a serious injury and requires urgent medical attention. Whether sustained at home or at roadside you need to go or be taken to a hospital.  If the skin over the fracture is intact the problem is less complicated  than if the fracture is accompanied with an overlying wound.

What to IMMEDIATELY do: Fractures in the limbs should be splinted immediately so that the underlying muscles, tendons, nerves and vessels are destroyed no further by the broken bone ends. Fractures of large bones like in the thigh can be associated with a lot of blood loss around the fracture even when the patient is not seen actively bleeding outside.  A bleeding limb wound requires a tourniquet to be tied above the site of bleeding and the time of tying the tourniquet should be noted.   

What NOT to do: Don't waste time. Rush to a hospital. .   

When to seek medical aid: Immediately.  Only fractures of small bones of the hand and facial fractures give us time but weight bearing bones and large bones need urgent attention.

 

A blow to the head  

The skull provides our brain with very good protection, and so only rarely does it get hurt, but if it is a strong blow, the neck, back, and soft tissues can get seriously damaged.  

What to IMMEDIATELY do: If the person is unconscious, call an ambulance. If the area looks like it is bleeding, treat it like a cut but make sure to follow up with a doctor who will check for internal injuries. You can put a bag of ice on the area to decrease the swelling.  

What NOT to do: Don't leave the injured person alone, especially when they are asleep. Wake them every 3-4 hours and ask simple questions (‘what time is it?' 'What day/date?' 'What is your name?') to make sure there is no brain injury or concussion.   

When to seek medical aid: If the person harmed is convulsing, feeling dizzy or nauseous, vomits or displays obvious changes to behavior or has severe headache.  

 

Suffocation  

Suffocation is a rare occurrence and when it happens it can be deadly. When a person is chocking they cannot cough strongly enough to breath or talk, and his face will begin to get blue or red.  

What to IMMEDIATELY do: Remove the obstruction if possible.   Ensure an open airway to allow the air to reach the lungs. Place the individual on his back. Support the nape of the neck on your palm and press the head backwards. Then press the angle of the jaw forward from behind. This will extend the head on the neck and lift the tongue clear off the airway. If the airway is opened by this method the individual gasps and starts to breathe. Give three to four inflations of the lungs to facilitate breathing by mouth-to-mouth method. If the heart is beating, carotid pulse can be felt at the base of the neck. (Pulse at wrist may not be felt). Continue to ventilate the lungs until breathing becomes normal.   In order to prevent damage to the brain and other vital organs (which will occur due to the lack of oxygen) apply artificial respiration to ensure prompt ventilation of the lungs, and if necessary, do external cardiac compression.   Continue creating an "artificial respiration" until natural breathing is resumed. It may be necessary to continue for a while afterwards unless a doctor advises to stop.   

What NOT to do: Do not drink water if there is a strong cough.  

When to see Medical Aid: As soon as possible.    

 

Poisoning  

Possible risks at home include cleaning materials, Carbon dioxide, and pesticides. Even stings can be poisonous for some people.  

What to IMMEDIATELY do: If a person is unconscious or is having trouble breathing, you must take them immediately to seek medical aid. Be prepared to give out the next details quickly: What is the substance involved, how much was taken, when, what is the weight and age of the person?  

What NOT to do: Don't wait for the symptoms to start to call for help. Don't try to vomit and don't drink anything, unless a medical professional has told you so.   

When to see Medical Aid: As soon as possible.    

 

An object enters the eye

Anything that enters the eye, whether it is a grain of sand or a chemical mixture, can cause pain and may harm the cornea.  

What to IMMEDIATELY do: Try to blink the foreign object away. If it doesn't come out, wash the eye by holding the lid open under a faucet.   

What NOT to do: Do NOT rub your eyes. Even a small amount of dirt may scratch your cornea and cause infection and irreparable damage. Never try to dislodge a large object yourselves or an object buried deep in the eye. Leave that for professionals.  

When to seek medical aid: If a chemical material like bleach enters, or it is a large object or one that is lodged deep in the eye - go to the emergency room immediately. If it is a small object but it causes swelling or disrupts your vision - call a doctor.  

 

Nose Bleeds  

Nose bleeds occur when the gentle blood vessels inside the nose break. This could happen easily due to weather conditions, a strong blow or a chronic leaky nose. It can also follow head injury.  

What to IMMEDIATELY do: Sit on a chair and lean your body forward. Pinch your nose closed right below its bridge, where the bone meets cartilage. Maintain the pressure for 5-15 minutes. You can also use an ice pack to keep pressure.   If you have a digital blood pressure instrument  then document the blood pressure and if it is high then take a dose of your prescribed blood pressure medicine..  

What NOT to do: Do not tilt your head back, as you may swallow the blood, or it may trickle into your windpipe and lungs.  

When to seek medical aid: Contact a doctor if you aren't able to stop the bleeding after 20 minutes, or if there is no good reason for it, or if it is accompanied by headaches, dizziness, ringing in the ears or visual impairments.      

 

Sprain  

Sprains may occur when the ligaments around the joints are overstretched. Bruising and swelling often accompany sprains.   

What to IMMEDIATELY do: On the first day, put ice on the injured area and change it every 20 minutes. Bandage the injured area with an elastocrape bandage to keep the area from moving, elevate the limb and don't move it for 24 hours. Afterwards apply heat to the area to get the blood flowing again. Take a muscle relaxant and an analgesic orally after meals. 

What NOT to do: Do not try to 'work through the pain', it will only get worse and you may end up doing further damage.  Ligaments thet were partially torn can get further damaged.

When to seek medical aid: If the problem doesn't get better within a few days, go to a doctor.

First aid is a combination of simple procedures and common sense. It is an emergency measure, generally consisting of simple, often life-saving techniques that most people can train to perform with minimal equipment and no previous medical experience. The term usually refers to administering care to a human, although it can also be performed on animals. It is not classed as medical treatment and does not replace interventions from a trained medical professional. The aims of first aid are to preserve life, prevent harm, and promote recovery.

 

I leave you today with a video of St. John’s Ambulance on First Aid:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQNNOh8c8ks

 

 

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT OBESITY

 

The number of people suffering from obesity has risen dramatically over the past decades. In 2022, 2.5 billion adults aged 18 years and older were overweight, including over 890 million adults who were living with obesity. This corresponds to 43% of adults aged 18 years and over (43% of men and 44% of women) who were overweight.  Obesity is in turn causing a rise in Type II Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, fatty liver disease, kidney disease, gall stones, asthma, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, back pain, gout, and mobility disorders and depression. Heightened risk of Alzheimer’s Disease, depression, Polycystic ovarian disease and infertility, and certain cancers like esophageal, pancreatic, colorectal, breast, uterine and ovarian are also encountered in obese individuals. I have, in one of my previous blogs dwelt at length about the causes of obesity:

https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2018/06/why-are-you-getting-fat_4.html

and in yet another blog discussed Childhood Obesity:

https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2023/04/childhood-obesity-alarm-bells-should.html

 

Obesity can be

·        Class 1 (low-risk) obesity, if BMI is 30.0 to 34.9. 

·        Class 2 (moderate-risk) obesity, if BMI is 35.0 to 39.9. 

·        Class 3 (high-risk) obesity, if BMI is equal to or greater than 40.0.

And a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is overweight, just short of obese. Health professionals often refer to class III obesity as “morbid” because it was most likely to come with related health problems. However, they retired the term because of its negative connotations.

Sadly, our understanding of this health issue is often lacking and it only magnifies the stigma and increases the risk of the so-called obesity epidemic spreading even further. As a matter of fact, there are a number of pervasive myths surrounding obesity that are just not true and have been debunked by science a long time ago. For example, the fact that obesity runs in the family doesn’t mean that you’re bound to get it is a complete myth, as is the belief that the number of pounds you lose is the best measure of success.

1. Eating less and exercising is enough to combat obesity

While it is certainly true that many people develop obesity as a result of eating too many calories and not moving around enough, there are also many other factors that could make a person develop obesity. For example, things like insufficient sleep, chronic pain, hormone issues, some medications, and even stress can make you gain excess weight. In most cases, obesity is a combination of several different factors that can interact and multiply each other. For example, chronic stress and psychological problems can make people more prone to overeating, which can exacerbate the issue. An effort should be made to distinguish between hunger and boredom, and eat only when hungry and not when there is nothing else to do. Therefore, while managing one’s caloric intake and increasing activity levels is certainly part of treating obesity, it is often not enough on its own.  

 

2. The number of pounds you lost is the best evidence of success

In many people’s minds, combating obesity boils down to weight loss and the number of pounds or kilograms you lose. However, this type of excessive focus on weight loss and your progress on the scale is not only psychologically unhealthy but is also not particularly helpful. On one hand, focusing on the number of kilograms you lose can make you obsessed with the scale, which has been shown scientifically to increase one’s risk of stress and eating disorders. On the other hand, weight loss is not a good measure of health. Therefore, the best strategy for people suffering from obesity with long-term success in mind is to focus on healthy nutrition, exercise, and other recommendations given to you by doctors and nutrition experts. Over time, your doctor should observe improvements in your blood biochemistry and blood pressure, and you will most likely feel changes in your mental health, sleep quality, and physical activity. Even weight loss of 5–10% of your total body weight is likely to produce health benefits, such as improvements in blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugars. These positive health effects are the best possible sign that you’re on the right path.

 

3. Obesity doesn’t cause ill-health

It is certainly true that obesity on its own doesn’t cause diabetes and cardiovascular issues, but this doesn’t mean that obesity doesn’t influence your health either. For example, it is a known and well-researched fact that obesity multiplies one’s risk of developing such serious conditions, as hypertension and cardiovascular disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, diabetes, arthritis, mental health issues, and sleep apnea. Obesity has a direct correlation with increased mortality rates. Therefore, treating obesity is extremely important for maintaining your long-term health and addressing already-existing health issues.

 

4. Obesity is strictly genetic

Many people think that they’re bound to develop obesity at one point in their life if their family members have it. But obesity isn’t the same as body type and it’s more closely related to the amount of excess body fat, particularly visceral body fat than it is to body shape. That said, there is a genetic component to obesity, and researchers have tried to count the number of genes that influence one’s risk of obesity.

Studies have managed to identify over 50 genes linked to obesity, but most of these genes have a very minor effect. The specific gene variant most prominently associated with obesity is the FTO variant, which has been proven to increase the odds of developing the disease by 1.23-fold.The research involved 218 thousand adults, and one of the most interesting findings was that the people who had this gene variant but were physically active had a 27% decreased chance to suffer from obesity. Twin studies comparing twins brought up separately to those raised together likewise confirm that genetic similarities have little or no influence compared to the environment.

 

5. Making fruits and vegetables more affordable will solve global obesity

It has been long observed that obesity is becoming increasingly widespread in areas where fresh produce like fruit and vegetables are scarce. As a result, some people started to think that making fresh plant-based foods available is enough to stop obesity in these areas. Unfortunately, though, attempts of making these foods available and cheaper in so-called "food deserts" have shown that these attempts are not so effective on their own, after all. Instead, research confirms that making fruits and vegetables available together with promoting healthy eating habits in families and widespread education about healthy nutrition is the only way to reduce the spread of obesity consistently and effectively.

 

6. You lose fat by converting it into energy or muscle

This is simply not true. Fat is converted to carbon dioxide and water. You exhale the carbon dioxide and the water mixes into your circulation until it’s lost in urine or sweat. If you lose 10 kg (22 lbs) of fat, precisely 8.4 kg (18.5 lbs) comes out through your lungs and the remaining 1.6 kg (3.5 lbs) turns into water. In other words, nearly all the weight we lose is exhaled. While this might surprise people, almost everything that we eat comes back out via the lungs. For example, all the carbohydrates you digest and nearly all the fats are converted to water and carbon dioxide.  The same goes for protein and alcohol, apart from a small amount of the former that is turned into urea and other solids, and excreted as urine. Only food that makes it to your colon undigested is dietary fiber, such as sweet corn. The rest is absorbed into the bloodstream and organs.

In any case, we should definitely stop thinking of obesity as an issue of lazy or poor people, as it seems to be a systemic and complex issue that goes beyond personal choices. Yes, obesity is mainly caused by imbalanced energy intake and expenditure due to a sedentary lifestyle coupled with over-nutrition, but the story is much more complex and goes well beyond this simple explanation.

STUDENT PROTEST - FROM SCHOOL TO STREET TO HISTORY

 

 

In many societies, young people, particularly students are viewed as powerless, entitled, or even lazy. They’re expected to obey authority without question. However, students have led many of history’s greatest protests. They recognize oppression and injustice and organize in mass, often putting their lives and futures at risk. Many students’ protests resulted in seismic changes in the politics of their own countries, which in the changed the world. They may or may not have succeeded in a regime change but they have undoubtedly forced major policy course corrections. Their profound impact on world view and lasting impression of their country’s image have, from time to time, showed how important it is to keep them satisfied not just for votes but for country’s wellbeing.  I will start with the most recent one that is ongoing in Bangladesh and then trace back the history.

 

#1. The Bangladesh Student Protest 2024

Students from government and private universities across Bangladesh are demanding reform in the conventional job quota system, under which more than half (56%)of much sought-after government jobs are reserved. The protesters said they are not aligned with any political group and they want a merit-based system that is fair to all. In the name of Freedom Fighters quota, the Awami League government was reserving jobs for its own cadre, and that was the bone of contention.  Students of Dhaka and Chittagong University got mobilized by social media and initiated the peaceful protest, but anti-Awami League political parties, BNP and Jamaite Islami joined in and the protest turned violent resulting in more than 400 deaths, killing and torching of properties and businesses of Hindu and Christian minorities and finally resignation of Sheikh Hasina and destruction of all memorabilia related to their Father of the Nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman. As the world waits with baited breath an effort is being made to form an interim government under the stewardship of a Nobel Laureate, Mohd. Yunus, again as demanded by the student protesters.

 

#2. The Aragalaya Protests in Sri Lanka 2022

After Covid pandemic, facing severe shortage of basic necessities—including food, fuel, and medicine—ordinary citizens of Sri Lanka were infuriated by the continued extravagances of politicians and their families. Frustrations against the President Gotabaya Rajapakse government peaked in March, as pockets of people across the island took to the streets to voice dissent. On April 9, these scattered protests coalesced at the precinct of the Presidential Secretariat at Galle Face Green, swelling and transforming into the largest unified protest movement in Sri Lanka, now known as the Aragalaya—the Struggle of the People. Many protesters pitched tents, defiantly camping at the site day and night until their demands were met. The site quickly became the primary hub of the Aragalaya and was named GotaGoGama, which translates to “Gota Go Village,” expressing the protesters’ chief demand, the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Eventually he had to submit his resignation on July 14 and escape from Sri Lanka. His palace was vandalized and his opulent lifestyle was recorded for the first time by television crew. Later Ranil Wickremesinghe became the President and stabilized the economy.

#3. Youth protests in Thailand 2020

Every student protest does not succeed and this, though ling drawn, just fizzled out.  In 2019 Thailand moved from a military dictatorship to a semi-elected government, though it remains dominated by the military. Authoritarian tactics remain, leading to mass demonstrations in 2020. Students began organizing protests and rallies, drawing thousands of participants. They adopted a three-fingered salute that originates from The Hunger Games franchise. The movement didn’t have a clear leader, so many groups used social media to organize and call for democracy. Protests became violent as police escalated with tear gas and rubber bullets.

 

#4. The Umbrella Movement 2019

The protests started in reaction to a decision made by China that it would allow elections in Hong Kong in 2017, but only from a list of candidates pre-approved by the Chinese government. Tens of thousands of people, of whom many were students, camped in the streets and demanded the right to fully free leadership elections. It was called "the Umbrella Movement" because protesters used umbrellas to protect themselves from the tear gas used by police. In 2019 a series of protests broke outover a proposed extradition bill that would cover extradition to mainland China. Students ultimately forced the Hong Kong administration to suspend the bill thus preventing the Chinese Communist Party to gradually erode the sovereignty of Hong Kong.  

 

#5. The Global Climate Strikes 2018

In 2018, Greta Thunberg began protesting outside the Swedish parliament with a sign reading, “School strike for climate.” Her protest earned international attention and by 2019, global strikes were being organized. Known as the Global Climate Strikes, events were scheduled in over 163 countries on seven continents. It’s hard to pin down exact numbers, but millions participated in what was at the time the largest climate change protest. Youth-led climate protests continue to proliferate across the world.

 

#6. March for Our Lives 2018

On Valentine’s Day in 2018, a gunman killed 17 students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Students from the school founded Never Again MSD and began organizing a rally called “March For Our Lives.” The march occurred on March 24 with hundreds of rallies across the US. Between 1-2 million people participated, making it one of the largest student-led protests since the Vietnam War.

Students called for increased gun regulations, including universal background checks, a ban on high-capacity and bump stock sales, and raising the federal age of gun ownership/possession to 21 years old. Students across the world organized rallies in solidarity. As America continues to reel from frequent mass shootings, students will remain a powerful force in the fight for change

 

#7. The Sunflower Movement  2014

The Sunflower Student Movement was associated with a protest movement driven by a coalition of students and civic groups that came to a head between March 18 and April 10, 2014, in the Legislative Yuan and later, the Executive Yuan of Taiwan. The activists protested the passage of the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement (CSSTA) by the then-ruling Kuomintang (KMT) at the legislature without a clause-by-clause review. The protesters perceived the trade pact with the People's Republic of China would hurt Taiwan's economy and leave it vulnerable to political pressure from Beijing, while advocates of the treaty argued that increased Chinese investment would provide a "necessary boost" to Taiwan's economy.  The student protesters occupied Taiwanese legislative Yuan till the trade pact was shelved. This also laid the foundation of a change in government in 2016 elections.

 

#8. The Euromaidan 2013

Euromaidan was the largest democratic mass movement in Europe since 1989 and led to the 2014 Revolution of Dignity. During the uprising, Independence Square (Maidan) in Kyiv was a huge protest camp occupied by thousands of protesters and protected by makeshift barricades. They protested against their President Viktor Yanukovych who decided not to sign the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, opting for closer ties with Russia instead. Students were the core of the protesters and this protest led to the ouster of the pro-Russian Victor Yanukovych and ushering in of a new political dispensation.

 

#9. The Jasmine Revolution or Arab Spring 2010

This wave of pro-democracy protests and uprisings that took place in the Middle East and North Africa beginning in 2010 and 2011, challenging some of the region’s entrenched authoritarian regimes. It all started in Tunisia, where it was called the Jasmine Revolution and it led to the ouster of strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Student protests broke out after the self immolation of Md. Bouazizi. Similar wave of protests were  seen in Egypt, where again it toppled the existing regime, inspiring similar attempts in other Arab countries. Not every country saw success in the protest movement, however, and demonstrators expressing their political and economic grievances were often met with violent crackdowns by their countries’ security forces.

 

#10. Tiananmen Square 1989

In spring 1989, Chinese students were growing eager for political and economic reform. Despite relative prosperity, high inflation and corruption sullied the government’s reputation. Students began protesting for more individual freedoms and human rights. When one official supportive of democratic reform – who had been forced to resign – died, huge numbers of student protesters gathered. In Tiananmen Square, a demonstration grew to one million.

To disperse the crowds, the People’s Liberation Army arrived with tanks and tear gas. It’s unknown how many were killed or wounded, but thousands were arrested and some executed. The protesters were eventually cleared, though not before a photographer snapped a picture of a lone man squaring up to a row of tanks. The photo quickly became legendary and was censored within China. The man has never been identified, but his image lives on as a symbol of resistance.

 

#11. The Velvet Revolution

Since the end of World War II, the Czechoslovak government had been controlled by a Communist party that suppressed criticism. In 1989, nine days after the Berlin Wall fell, students gathered in Prague to recognize the 50th anniversary of a protestor’s death during a demonstration against Nazi occupation. The protest transformed into an anti-government event with students chanting anti-Communist slogans. The police responded with violence, but protests grew and spread to other cities. On November 20, 500,000 protesters gathered in Wenceslas Square.

Eight days later, the Communist Party leadership resigned, making way for a new anti-communist government. Václav Havel, a poet, playwright, and major leader of the democratic movement, was elected president. The Czech and Slovak regions separated, and in 1993, Havel was elected as the first president of the Czech Republic. Because the students peacefully overthrew the government, those critical weeks of protests became known as the Velvet Revolution.

 

#12. The Soweto Uprising

Bottom of Form

In South Africa, the apartheid system fueled violence and discrimination against Black South Africans from 1948-1991. Unequal education was a major part of apartheid. In 1953, the Bantu Education Act brought Black South African education under the national government’s control. The schools were not maintained well, and in 1961, only 10% of Black teachers had graduated high school. In June of 1976, between about 10,000 students marched in protest against the unequal educational policy of black and white students. Armed police attacked the march, killing between 176-700 people and injuring about 1,000. Students continued to organize and anti-apartheid protests spread across the country, drawing international attention and condemnation of the apartheid regime. Groups around the world began pushing universities to drop their investments in corporations supportive of the South African government, setting the stage for the end of apartheid.

#13. The Vietnam War Protests

Bottom of Form

In the U.S, throughout the 60s and early 70s anti war sentiments were especially profound among students. American campuses saw teach-ins, sit ins, and shut downs to protest against the U.S involvement in the ongoing Vietnam war. Both Johnson and Nixon administration were targeted by the students as were companies like Dow Chemicals which had a lot to do with the war. These student actions gradually changed the American public opinion against war and finally troops had to be withdrawn in 1973.

 

The only problem with student protests is that they are often gullible and their just movement is hijacked by cunning and illegal elements with vested interests, disgruntled political parties, religious zealots or even the international Deep State. The students perhaps never plan to harm their motherland, but the vicious and untrustworthy political support group and the invisible foreign hands do, but students are often not mature enough to understand this. The events in Bangladesh, as they are playing out now, with destruction of infrastructure and targeted killings of minorities and political opponents are ample evidence of this agenda of the vested interest groups. The students are now helpless. Despite this shortcoming students have, from time to time, forced policy changes and ensured regime changes and acted responsibly beyond their age.

 

REMEMBERING DR. ANOOP WAHAL AND HIS CLASS ON INGROWING TOE NAIL AND PARONYCHIA

 

Dr. Anoop Wahal was a lecturer in the Department of Surgery when we were introduced to the subject of General Surgery during our 4^th Semester. He was one of the first teachers of Surgery and his afternoon lectures were held in the majestic Anatomy lecture theatre. He was young and stylish, recently back from his Commonwealth Fellowship in the U.K, and still had that English accent left in him. Needless to say, we were mighty impressed! He was also an avid sports enthusiast and would play Cricket and Tennis with us in the evening, and that only increased his popularity amongst us.

 

During my surgical residency he was a lecturer in Prof. P.C. Dubey’s unit. He had recently returned from the U.K after completing his training in Minimal Invasive G.I. Surgery and we, the younger generation, were naturally attracted towards him. For the first time in our life we were watching laparoscopic cholecystectomy and appendicectomy and we were mesmerized! He took time to demonstrate how the intra-abdominal structures looked through the laparocope and as this would take time he was often hustled by almost everyone from anaesthetiests to theatre sisters to the waiting surgeons. This however never bothered him and our education continued uninterrupted. I can't tell you how many amongst us took up Minimal Invasive Surgery to be cool like him!

 

Besides being a great teacher, much later in life he became a friend and confidant to many of his juniors. He was a very meticulous thesis guide to the lucky ones who managed to have him as their guide. As there were no dearth of patient details and photographs writing a thesis or a paper was not difficult with him.

 

Sir was very fond of Cricket and would regularly play with us. I remember the evening I met the great Don Bradman in Bowral, NSW in 1991 just before Christmas, I rang up Sir to share my excitement. I had heard so many stories of watching Cricket at Lords and Tennis in Wimbledon that these two were high in my ‘to do list’ and I can assure you his descriptions were no exaggeration.

 

Prof. Wahal led a very active life, which I remember was once interrupted by a cardiac event but he soon recovered and started working with his usual enthusiasm, zeal and zest, because there was no other way he could function. His wife, Prof. Rita Wahal is an anaesthetiest and would regularly assist him in private. His father Prof. K.M. Wahal was our teacher in Pathology and an illustrious researcher.

While going through my old lecture notes of Surgery a very interesting lecture delivered by him, on a very common problem of ‘Ingrowing toe nail and Paronychia’ came in front of me, and suddenly I started recollecting that winter afternoon in Anatomy lecture theatre most vividly. After finishing with our attendance and cracking a joke or two he started: 

If you ever experienced the pain of an ingrown toenail, you know that what begins as a nuisance, can quickly become a painful infection that can require medical treatment. More than 5% of the population suffers from ingrown toenails, yet people hold many misconceived notions about treating the condition.

What is an ingrown toenail?

An ingrown toenail is a condition where the edges of the toenail are bent and grow into the skin of the toe. The result is pressure, itching, swelling and pain. In many cases, the nail breaks the skin, which usually leads to an infection called Paronechoea, and in extreme cases it may require surgical intervention.  

The main causes of ingrown toenails are:

·        Heredity: Ingrown toenails have been shown to be a trait that is passed down.

·        Improper trimming: Cutting your toenail too short may cause the skin to grow over it.

·        Improperly sized footwear: Tight shoes can push the toenail down and into the skin.

·        Trauma to the toe: Suffering a trauma to the toe can cause the nail to start growing into the skin.

·        The condition of the toenail: Fungal infections can lead to ingrown toenails.

 

Myths & Facts:

Myth: Getting a pedicure every 2-4 weeks will effectively treat an ingrown toenail.

Fact: Only a doctor is licensed to treat the pathology of an ingrown toenail.

 

Myth: Cutting your nails short enough will stop toenails from ingrowing.

Fact: Cutting toenails too short can lead to ingrowing. It’s better to cut them straight across.

 

Myth: “Bathroom Surgery” is an effective way to stop ingrown toenails.

Fact: Many cases of infected toenails are a result of “Bathroom Surgery”. They may also lead to Paronechoea

 

Myth: Getting a doctor to treat the ingrown is painful.

Fact: Doctors use a local anesthesia and the procedures are painless.  

 

Non Surgical / Conservative treatment:

1. Soak your foot in warm water for 15 minutes, twice a day. Be sure to dry your foot completely after the soak.

2. Only wear shoes that don’t put pressure on your toes. The pressure will push the nail into the toe, exacerbating the situation.

3. If your toes are swollen and painful, try pulling the skin gently away from the toe. This may release some pus – if so, wash the area, apply disinfectant and use a cotton swab to apply antibiotic cream.

4. In a case of an infected toenail, see a doctor as soon as possible.

Paronychia

Paronychia (pahr-uh-NIK-ee-uh) is an infection of the skin around a fingernail or toenail. It usually results from bacteria. Bacteria get into the skin through cuts in the cuticle and the nail fold (the skin around the nail). Most nail infections get better with antibiotics. Paronychia doesn’t usually cause serious health problems. In some cases, the infection lasts a long time or comes back after treatment. The infected area can become swollen, red, and painful, and a pus-filled blister (abscess) may form. Most of the time, paronychia is not serious and can be treated at home by:

·        Oral antibiotics

·        Betadine – luke warm water lavage

·        Anti-inflammatory drugs

The infection will probably heal in a few days. If paronychia doesn't get better after a week or so, call your doctor. You'll want to call a doctor right away if you have an abscess (a pus-filled area in the skin or under the nail) or if it looks like the infection has spread beyond the area of the nail. An abscess will require proper drainage and perhaps excision of the ingrowing part of the nail.

If you have diabetes, there's a risk that paronychia could spread to deeper tissues and bones, or into the bloodstream and other parts of the body. In extreme cases of deep infection, paronychia can result in the loss of fingers, toes, or limbs. So for a diabetic with paronychia there is no scope of home treatment and amateur adventure.

Prof. Anoop Wahal retired as the Head of the Department of G.I. Surgery from King George's Medical College, Lucknow and started practicing in private, but his journey was cruelly cut short by cancer. A gem from the batch of 1966, Prof. Wahal was a true blue blood Georgian, a great teacher, a daring surgeon and a wonderful human being. We all miss him so much!