16 May 2024
7 mins
Combating Counterfeit Medicines with Digital Serialization: The New FrontierCounterfeit medicines are a global menace, causing severe health risks and
eroding trust in healthcare systems. According to the World Health Organization
(WHO), 1 in 10 medical products
[https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/substandard-and-falsified-medical-products]
in low- and middle-income countries are substandard or falsified. As
counterfeiters become more sophisticated, the pharmaceutical industry must adopt
innovative solutions to protect consumers. Digital serialization emerges as a
revolutionary approach, transforming the fight against counterfeit medicines by
ensuring the authenticity and traceability of pharmaceutical products.
WHAT ARE COUNTERFEIT MEDICINES?
Counterfeit medicines
[https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/health-care/spot-fake-medicine] are
deceptive by design. They often contain incorrect or no active ingredients,
wrong dosages, or harmful substances. These fraudulent drugs infiltrate markets
globally, jeopardizing patient safety, eroding public trust in healthcare, and
causing significant economic losses. From developing nations to developed ones,
no region is immune to this menace.
TOP 5 BENEFITS OF DIGITAL SERIALIZATION
Digital serialization is a game-changer. It involves assigning a unique
identifier to each product unit, enabling its tracking and verification
throughout the supply chain. This identifier—often a barcode, QR code, or RFID
tag—encodes critical information about the product’s origin, manufacturing, and
distribution history.
1. Enhanced Traceability: Every step of the product’s journey, from production
to the consumer, is documented and traceable. This comprehensive visibility
is crucial for identifying and intercepting counterfeit products.
2. Consumer Safety: Consumers can verify the authenticity of their medicines by
scanning the unique identifier. This simple act provides reassurance and
enhances safety.
3. Regulatory Compliance: Serialization helps pharmaceutical companies meet
various international regulations aimed at combating counterfeit drugs,
thereby avoiding hefty fines and legal issues.
4. Market Surveillance: Data from serialization enables real-time monitoring of
market activities, allowing for the swift detection and removal of
counterfeit products.
5. Supply Chain Efficiency: Serialization improves inventory management,
reduces operational inefficiencies, and minimizes the risk of product
recalls.
WAYS TO IMPLEMENT DIGITAL SERIALIZATION IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN
The journey to implement technology in identifying fake medicines
[https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/health-care/technology-against-counterfeit-medicines]
is multifaceted:
1. System Integration: Integration with existing manufacturing and supply chain
processes is essential. This step requires collaboration with technology
providers and adherence to industry standards.
2. Data Management: Managing vast amounts of data is a cornerstone of
serialization. Cloud-based solutions offer scalability and security,
ensuring data is processed and analyzed efficiently.
3. Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaboration among all
stakeholders—manufacturers, distributors, regulators, and healthcare
providers—is vital. Standardized protocols and platforms facilitate seamless
communication and data exchange.
4. Training and Education: Continuous training ensures that employees across
the supply chain are knowledgeable about serialization processes and
technologies. Staying updated with industry developments is critical for
maintaining best practices.
POSSIBLE CHALLENGES OF USING DIGITAL SERIALIZATION
Implementing digital serialization is not without challenges, but solutions
exist:
Cost and Complexity
* Challenge: The initial investment in serialization technology and packaging
changes
[https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/health-care/innovations-packaging-fight-counterfeit]
can be significant, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.
* Solution: Long-term benefits, such as reduced counterfeit risk and improved
operational efficiency, often justify the expenditure. Additionally, phased
implementation and seeking financial assistance or subsidies can help manage
costs.
Data Privacy
* Challenge: Protecting sensitive data associated with serialization is
paramount. Data breaches and unauthorized access pose significant risks.
* Solution: Implementing robust cybersecurity measures, including encryption,
access controls, and regular security audits, can safeguard serialization
data.
Regulatory Variability
* Challenge: Different countries have varying serialization regulations, making
global compliance challenging.
* Solution: Staying informed about regional requirements, and developing
flexible serialization systems that can adapt to different regulatory
landscapes, can help ensure compliance.
System Integration
* Challenge: Integrating serialization systems with existing manufacturing and
supply chain processes can be complex.
* Solution: Collaborating with experienced technology providers and adhering to
industry standards can facilitate smooth integration.
Stakeholder Collaboration
* Challenge: Ensuring collaboration among manufacturers, distributors,
regulators, and healthcare providers is essential but can be difficult to
achieve.
* Solution: Establishing standardized protocols and platforms for seamless
communication and data sharing can foster effective collaboration.
Data Management
* Challenge: Managing and analyzing vast amounts of serialization data is
critical but can be overwhelming.
* Solution: Utilizing cloud-based solutions for scalability and security, along
with advanced data analytics tools, can streamline data management.
Training and Education
* Challenge: Ensuring that all employees are knowledgeable about serialization
processes and technologies requires ongoing training.
* Solution: Implementing continuous training programs and keeping abreast of
industry developments ensures adherence to best practices.
PARTING WORDS
Digital serialization is a powerful tool in the fight against counterfeit
medicines. By providing comprehensive traceability, enhancing consumer safety,
ensuring regulatory compliance, and improving supply chain efficiency,
serialization is transforming the pharmaceutical industry. Despite the
challenges, the benefits of digital serialization are substantial. As technology
advances and global collaboration intensifies, the vision of a counterfeit-free
pharmaceutical market becomes increasingly achievable.
15 May 2024
10 mins
10 Mental Health Tips for Working Professionals
May is designated as Mental Health Awareness Month to educate people about
mental health and create an environment that reduces the stigma associated with
it. This awareness program helps to find new strategies to deal with
deteriorating mental conditions and celebrate recovery from illness. Over the
last decade, rapid economic progress and technological integration have
compelled the corporate sector to adhere to strict deadline-oriented targets to
produce excellent profits. Though this has provided excellent socioeconomic
progress, it has also raised stress and anxiety in working professionals. Thus,
it is essential to become aware of how to deal with mental health-associated
problems in the office. This blog will guide you through some critical tips that
will play a crucial role in managing stress and anxiety in the workplace. Here
are some tips that may help you manage stress and improve mental health
conditions caused by the workplace.
1. START YOUR DAY WITH A HEALTHY ACTIVITY
We all know how a good start to the day sets the tone for the whole working hour
at the office. Waking up earlier, around 4:00 to 6:00 am, was found to be
effective for the developmental and healing activity of the body. Routine
exercise and yoga
[https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/osteoporosis/five-yoga-poses-for-better-bone-health]
are two major physical activities that bring down stress. Similarly, your night
sleep also plays a pivotal role in mental health. Generally, adults need 7 to 9
hours of sleep; failing to achieve that may induce insomnia and clinical
depression. Therefore, taking note of your sleep cycle is a wonderful habit that
can manage stress and anxiety.
2. ORGANIZED AND CLEAN WORKPLACE
Working daily in a dirty and unorganized workplace is also one of the prime
reasons for health issues, mental stress
[https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/mental-wellness/mental-stress-symptoms-effects],
and lower productivity. As we spend most of the time at our office, it is very
important to set up a place which is comfortable and calming. An organized
office desk or place can bring your work-related stress down. The definition of
an organized workplace may vary with individual and personal choices. For some
individuals, an organized workplace may mean a clean desk and whiteboard with
colorful sticky notes. For others, it may involve keeping photographs of family
and friends.
3. ACTIVE BREAKS
It was observed that taking small breaks every hour keeps your focus and
productivity high. Further, it also assists in managing elevated stress levels
to achieve daily professional goals. You can walk for a few steps, do some
stretching exercises, have toilet breaks, and have small chats with colleagues,
which are found to be effective in managing stress.
4. SETTING UP BOUNDARIES
In a world driven by technology, it is quite difficult for individuals to detach
communication with the workplace beyond official hours. However, setting up
boundaries is crucial to manage your mental health related issues. Practicing
some small exercises might help in managing your stress. For example, turning
off notifications of office phones beyond working hours may relieve your stress.
Similarly, you can avoid spending extra time in the office frequently.
5. ADOPTING A HEALTHY WORK ENVIRONMENT
It is important to build trust among your employees so that they can share their
mental health-related issues with top management or colleagues. This strategy
can sensitize the people around you where they can help you to overcome mental
health related issues. There are other steps that employers can take to help
people suffering from mental health conditions. For example, arranging seminars
related to mental health issues, bringing mental health experts to the office,
providing compulsory holidays to the employees who have not taken leaves for a
longer duration of time, and establishing a mental wellness committee might help
to address this challenging condition.
6. BREATHING EXERCISES
Scientific reports [https://mhanational.org/]have shown controlling your breath
is an excellent approach to managing stress and stress-related clinical
conditions. Stress affects our breathing patterns and disrupts the normal gas
flow patterns of our body. A person in a stress condition takes small breaths
and feels anxiety. Therefore, in stress conditions, try to practice slow, even,
and long breath patterns that reduce blood pressure and heart rate. It also
reduces the concentration of stress hormones in blood circulation and calms you
down.
7. HELP OTHERS
According to studies conducted by Mental Health America, people who help others
feel higher levels of self-satisfaction and happiness, which brings down their
stress levels
[https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/mental-wellness/relieve-mental-stress].
Therefore, if you are facing some stress, try to make some efforts to help
others. It is surely going to improve your health conditions.
8. TRAVEL WITH YOUR LOVED ONES
Spending time with people you care for definitely has a healing outcome, and
when you go on holiday to a new place, it has a multiplication effect. When you
visit a new place, you learn new things like culture, language, and food.
Traveling also connects you with nature and reduces the stress level.
9. LEARN NEW THINGS
This activity helps your mind to nourish. Several studies have reported that
learning painting, singing, or musical instruments assists in managing anxiety,
depression, and stress. writing
10. SOCIALIZE
Research shows when you meet with new people and have a pleasant conversation,
your body releases endorphins, a hormone that makes you happy. Therefore, if you
are feeling stressed, you may try to spend some time with your friends or
relatives whose company you enjoy most.
Mental health plays a crucial role in determining the productivity of a working
person. Therefore, it is essential to check your mental health to manage your
stress and anxiety. One thing we need to understand is that it takes some time
to overcome mental health-related issues. We believe the aforementioned tips for
working professionals to manage mental health may help you manage your
work-related stress.
15 May 2024
7 mins
Top 10 Pros & Cons of Fluoridated Drinking WaterDrinking water fluoridation is a controversial issue yet again, and it has been
debated for decades. Admitted by dental health care providers as useful and
blamed by some public health personnel for its risks, the putting of fluoride in
drinking water provokes many emotions. The purpose of this article is to cover
the ten greatest pros and cons regarding water fluoridation, thus providing a
broad picture that will enable you to comprehend this complex issue better.
WHAT IS MEANT BY FLUORIDATION?
Fluoridation of drinking water is regarded as a major public health achievement
because it is mainly responsible for reducing dental caries in all sectors (age
groups) of society. However, this also happens to be the problem with every
health intervention, which raises numerous controversies. Evaluating the point
of view on both sides of the fluoridation story is an action that requires
understanding the health of the whole community.
PROS OF FLUORIDATED DRINKING WATER
Here are the five important benefits:
1. Prevents Tooth Decay: Studies showed that fluoride is known to be an
anticavity agent because it helps to re-mineralize and strengthen the tooth
enamel and prevent demineralization. In fact, that is the major advantage of
mobile dentistry and it is specifically beneficial to the communities where
the access to dental care is limited.
2. Cost-Effective Public Health Measure: One can say that fluoride in water is
among the most economical measures for dental health prevention that can
drastically cut the community-level outlay for dental treatment.
3. Reduces Health Disparities: Fluorides in drinking water are key to achieving
health equity among different social classes who are at different risk
levels. For children from low-income families whose visits to the dentist
are hard to be frequent and preventive methods are expensive, fluoridated
water becomes a silent but meaningful guardian against dental decay. This
would mean that children from all economic strata will be able to access the
prevention benefits and, therefore, ultimately attain better oral and kidney
health
[https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/nephrology/drinking-water-health-kidneys]
across the community.
4. Natural Element: Fluoride is abundantly available in many of the natural
water sources found in the world, so the adjustment of the fluoride levels
in such water to the optimal level is ingrained in the public health
improvements.
5. Wide-Ranging Public Health Benefits: The improved public health of
fluoridated water can benefit social and policymakers who are well aware of
this tool and its ability to offer dental health benefits for all
populations.
CONS OF FLUORIDATED DRINKING WATER
Things to keep in mind before you opt for fluoridated water:
1. Risk of Dental Fluorosis: Dental fluorosis, as a result of overexposure to
fluoride or treatments that have been personalized by your health expert
[https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/health-care/personalized-medicine-india],
causes changes in the structure of tooth enamel and is commonly observed in
children. The other most frequent symptom of fluoride toxicity.
2. Potential Health Risks: Long-term high fluoride levels may cause multiple
health problems like bone abnormalities and more concerns related to the
functioning of the thyroid gland.
3. Ethical Concerns: Mandatory fluoridation provokes ethical concerns
concerning the caste and mass medication without allowing the individual to
make his choice of health treatment of his own free will.
4. Environmental Impact: Such effects on water distribution systems may result
from the fluoride production adding to natural waterways, which may create
harmful industrial byproducts.
5. Uncertainty Over Long-Term Effects: Some people are saying that the effects
of having fluoride in water after a long-term being consumed over an unknown
time has not studied further enough, based on that they are asking for more
extensive research.
SOME FAQS YOU MUST KNOW OF
Here are some facts and stats that you should keep in mind:
How does fluoride influence drinking water in terms of short-term and long-term
health consequences?
Over time, fluoride in water can lead to many forms of health problems,
including skeletal fluorosis. This can mostly happen if the water contains a
higher-than-usual level of fluoride. The levels of exposure proper to the
morality of oral health are at the minimum, but health disorders are rarely seen
in that case.
In what way can fluoride prevent teeth damage?
Human teeth consist of enamel, which in turn consists of calcium and phosphate
ions. Bacteria in the mouth produce an acidic attack on these ions adversely
affecting the teeth; fluoride helps to remineralize, damaging the calcium and
phosphate ions thereby additionally strengthening the teeth.
Is there a risk of fluoride deficiency?
Fluoride deficiencies are not known to be a health condition as fluoride isn't
an essential compound required for the development of the human body. On the
other hand, insufficient fluoride intake is a factor that can affect the teeth
more and can give rise to many cavities.
What areas of exposure are contributors to fluoride intake?
Common sources, specifically dental products like toothpaste and mouthwash, and
foods made using the water.
PARTING WORDS
It is complex to make up your mind on whether to fluoridate drinking water for
the whole population or not because the balance between the obvious dental
health benefits and negative effects has to be considered. Fluoride is a fact
without any doubt that it has been effective in the prevention of dental
diseases.
Nonetheless, its safety and ethics are still a matter of debate eve For the
future, as research develops and understanding, how to use fluoride in public
health will improve. Probably there will be more safety than risk for the
benefit.
7 May 2024
9 mins
World Asthma Day: Cutting-Edge Treatments And Management StrategiesBreath Easily; Live Freely!
While almost everyone is familiar with the appearance and sound of an asthma
inhaler, only some are aware of the actual nature and cause of the condition and
the fact that there are various types of asthma. World Asthma Day is an annual
global healthcare event held on the first Tuesday of May to raise awareness of
asthma globally. The 7th of May (Tuesday) in 2024 is designated as World Asthma
Day. Today, many worldwide and local organizations join together to tackle the
world's leading non-communicable disease in children and adults. GINA (Global
Initiative For Asthma) created World Asthma Day in partnership with the World
Health Organisation.
WORLD ASTHMA DAY 2024 THEME
This year's World Asthma Day 2024 theme is “Asthma Education Empowers” which
emphasises the need to spread the knowledge about the appropriate management of
disease and recognize the right time to seek the doctors help.
Today, GINA seeks to expand and deepen its relationship with local and national
policymakers. GINA also pledges to make specific recommendations for
environmental sustainability by discussing concerns about global health with a
focus on patient safety. GINA works to enhance the lives of people with asthma
around the world, and multifaceted collaboration for improvement in all elements
of asthma care for patients and the environment is essential.
IMPORTANCE OF WORLD ASTHMA DAY
Asthma is the most common chronic disease in both children and adults worldwide.
Asthma was identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other
regulatory bodies as both a cause and an effect of poverty in low- and
middle-income nations. According to the WHO, 26.2 crore people have asthma,
[https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma] with a mortality count
(deaths) of 4.55 lakh globally in 2019. According to the Global Burden of
Disease Report (GBDR) 2019, India has the world's highest and growing burden of
asthma in terms of deaths and disability-adjusted life years, with over 3.4
crore people suffering from the disease, despite accounting for only 13% of the
world's asthma population and 42% of global asthma death rates.
HISTORY OF WORLD ASTHMA DAY
The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) established World Asthma Day in 1998.
The day was designed to raise awareness of asthma as a growing problem. It
affects at least 14% of children worldwide
[https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/asthma-day/] and appears to be rising.
Asthma was recognized as a serious public health concern by the World Health
Organisation (WHO) in 2016. This day aims to enhance asthma care worldwide by
educating people about the disease and advocating for better management and
preventative techniques.
WHAT IS ASTHMA?
A Fight For Breathable Air!
Most of you must have heard that asthma is an infectious lung disease that can
be transmitted from person to person. While the fact is that asthma is a
non-communicable inflammatory condition that affects the lungs. Asthma is a
chronic lung condition that occurs due to inflammation of the airway that leads
to constriction in bronchial tubes or airways. Besides the inflammation, there
is also excessive mucus production and muscle stiffening around the bronchial
tubes, leading to narrowing airways.
TEN TYPES OF ASTHMA
* Exercise-induced asthma: Not all types of physical activity aggravate asthma
symptoms.
[https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/respiratory-disorder/all-you-need-to-know-about-asthma]
For those prone to asthma attacks, strenuous exercises can worsen the
condition leading to severe wheezing.
* Occupational asthma: For certain people subjected to chemicals (dyes &
rubber) in textile, agricultural, metal, and manufacturing industries, the
fumes can irritate their airways and cause asthma attacks.
* Nocturnal asthma: A type of asthma that occurs primarily at night and causes
sleep disturbances.
* Allergic asthma occurs when asthmatics consume allergic foods or expose
themselves to external triggers such as dust, mites, molds, etc.
* Nonallergic asthma happens when asthmatics are confronted with strong
emotions such as stress, exposure to strong odors, etc. Such emotions can
flare up asthma attacks.
* Intermittent asthma: This type of asthma attack occurs in those people who
experience on-and-off asthma symptoms.
* Persistent asthma: For some people, asthma symptoms may endure for a chronic
period. This type of asthma can be presented with mild or moderate to severe
symptoms.
* Adult-onset asthma: Asthma symptoms that occur in the late teens.
* Childhood asthma: It has been named childhood asthma based on the onset that
occurs in infants or toddlers.
* Asthma- COPD overlap syndrome: This occurs if an asthma attack occurs along
with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that flares up the shortness of
breath that worsens the wheezing.
WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT CAUSE ASTHMA?
* Hereditary: A family history of asthma is likely to contribute as a risk
factor, and it is related to having a high risk of causing asthma.
* Obesity: In obese people, an excess amount of fat accumulated in the chest
and abdomen region leads to difficulty in breathing due to strong
constriction of the airways.
* External factors include passive smoking or exposure to pollution or chemical
fumes that tend to irritate your bronchial pathways and elevate the risk of
asthma. In addition, those of you with a history of RSV virus or respiratory
syncytial viral infection are more likely to develop asthma.
BREATHING SOLUTIONS: ASTHMA TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
Asthma can be treated by the following methods which are given below:
* Quick-relief medicine: They can help you to give immediate relief, prevent or
ease the symptoms of asthma. Some of the common relievers which are used in
asthma are short-acting beta2-agonists (SABAs), Oral corticosteroids,
Short-acting anticholinergics.
* Long term medication: Your doctor or healthcare provider may prescribe you
controller medicines to prevent and control the asthma attacks and its
symptoms. Medicines like corticosteroids, biological medicines, leukotrienes
modifiers, long-acting bronchodilators, mast cell stabilizers and allergy
shots like subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) are helpful in preventing and
controlling the asthma.
5 WAYS TO MANAGE ASTHMA
According to the WHO experts, here are the five tips to manage asthma in a
better way:
1. Be aware of your symptoms: Speak with a doctor, if you have symptoms like
coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing.
2. Identify and avoid your triggers: It is recommended to identify your asthma
triggers (smoke, fumes, viral infections, pollen and animal fur) that worsen
the symptoms of asthma and try to avoid it or keep your inhalers with you
before you are exposing it.
3. Know your inhalers: Use an appropriate inhaler which your doctor recommends
you for the asthma symptoms. Some might be recommended to use reliever
inhalers whereas others are prescribed steroid inhalers.
4. Use a spacer: A spacer is a plastic chamber which connects the inhaler to
your mouth through a plastic pipeline. It helps the medicines to be breathed
in for more time and improve the effectiveness of the inhaled medicines.
5. Take back control: It is recommended to clarify your doubts with your doctor
regarding how to use an inhaler in an emergency situation and it is also
necessary that your friends and family members are also aware of the steps
that they need to take during the emergency situation.
Watch your breathing breath; every breath matters!
Asthma can affect anyone, irrespective of age and gender. Consider having a skin
prick test to avoid the triggers. Maintaining a healthy weight and following an
active lifestyle is important to prevent asthma attacks. It is recommended that
you discuss with your doctor about the type of asthma you have and know which
treatment plan works best for you. On this world asthma day 2024, let's vow to
end air pollution and provide our support to asthmatics by creating a healthy
environment to breathe clean air.
6 May 2024
10 mins
What is terminal cancer, its life expectancy, and treatment options?In the hushed corridors of hospitals and the intimate spaces of homes, there’s a
profound struggle playing out. It’s not a battle of armies, but a battle fought
quietly, courageously, against cancer. Imagine facing each day with the
uncertainty of how many you have left. For those confronting terminal cancer,
every breath is a testament to strength, every moment a precious gift. They
endure pain, fear, and doubt, yet amid this darkness, there's a flicker of
hope—a collective effort to ease their burden, to bring comfort and relief.
Today, we journey into their world, to understand their struggles, and to
discover the many ways we can make their journey a little less daunting, a
little more bearable.
WHAT IS TERMINAL CANCER?
Terminal cancer is otherwise known as end-stage cancer, which cannot be
controlled or treated with any other treatment options. It is different from
advanced-stage cancer, where there exists an option to control the effect of
cancer or to cure it completely. Patients who are affected by advanced cancer
have a rapid spread of cancer cells to nearby tissues or other parts of the
body. Terminal cancer
[https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/advanced-cancer#:~:text=Those%20that%20cannot%20be%20controlled,or%20elsewhere%20in%20the%20body]
can occur for any type of cancer patient who is in the stage 4 or final stage of
the cancer.
WHAT ARE THE END-STAGE CANCER SYMPTOMS?
Terminal cancer patients can experience the symptoms which are given below:
1. Fatigue: Individuals may experience exhaustion or feeling tired without
doing any stressful activities.
2. Vomiting: Patients may experience vomiting or forceful throwing up of food
from the stomach.
3. Loss of appetite: Individuals may experience a loss of appetite or lose an
interest in eating the foods.
4. Weight loss: Patients can experience sudden weight loss due to the eating
disorder.
5. Feeling unwell: Individuals may experience uncomfortable feelings or
discomfort.
6. Delirium: Patients may experience a serious change in mental ability, which
can lead to confused thinking and a lack of awareness of their
surroundings.
7. Shortness of breath: Individuals may experience difficulty breathing or
discomfort during breathing.
8. Coughing: Individuals may have a continuous cough, which can lead to
discomfort.
9. Constipation: Patients may have trouble passing the stool.
10. Trouble swallowing: Individuals may experience trouble in swallowing the
foods and liquids which can lead to loss of appetite and weight loss.
11. Myoclonic jerks: Patients may have a sudden muscle jerk that they cannot
control.
12. Fever: Individuals may have a rise in body temperature or an abnormal
increase in body temperature.
WHAT IS THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF TERMINAL CANCER PATIENTS?
The Life expectancy of a terminal cancer patient is usually shorter when
compared to others who are in different stages of cancer. The life expectancy of
an individual is based on various factors,
* Cancer type
* The overall health of the individual
* Health issues other than cancer.
Some of the methods like Karnofsky performance scale, Palliative prognostic
score are helpful in estimating the life expectancy of an individual. However,
these estimations are just predictions which help people and doctors to make
decisions according to the timelines.
ARE THERE ANY TREATMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR TERMINAL CANCER?
The fact is that terminal cancer is incurable and does not respond to any type
of cancer treatment. But, there are some options in which a person can make
[https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/advanced-cancer/care-choices] the rest of
the lifetime valuable through non-medicine approaches. Some of the options are
given below:
1. Palliative care:
Palliative care is a holistic approach to elevate the quality of patients '
lives and their families who are facing struggles with life-threatening
illnesses. It starts when the disease is diagnosed and continues even with the
treatment. Palliative cancer is essential for patients who choose to stop the
cancer treatment due to its lack of improvement and worsening side effects.
Palliative can usually include the following processes, which are given below:
* It helps to treat or prevent the cancer symptoms and its treatment side
effects.
* It provides emotional and spiritual support to the patients.
* It helps to address both the patients and the family's concerns.
2. Hospice care:
Hospice care is a specialised approach in which medical, psychological and
spiritual support are given to patients and their families in situations where
there is no option in treating the cancer. Hospice can help to provide comforts
and care to the patients and the families members.
Here are the 8 major things you need to know about hospice care:
1. Hospice care is not similar to palliative care: You might be confused that
both hospice and palliative care are similar due to the comfort and support
they provide to the patient. However, this is not the case; palliative care
can be started from the diagnosis of cancer till the treatment or after the
end of the treatment, whereas hospice care is focused only on relieving the
symptoms and providing support at the end stage of a patient.
2. Hospice care is about caring and not meant to cure: The hospice care is
mainly focusing on providing relief from pain and symptoms of cancer. It is
not meat to cure any disease in the individuals.
3. Going for hospice care doesn't mean that you have given up hope: Hopsire
care can help you provide hope for a good quality of life for the remaining
period where you're going to live.
4. Hospice care can be given in any place: Hospice care can be given in the
patient's home. But, it can also be given in hospitals and nursing homes,
which generally consist of medical and nursing services, medical supplies
and equipment, medicines for managing cancer-related symptoms and pain,
inpatient care (short term), volunteers for substituting the caregiver
[https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/cancer-care/self-care-for-cancer-caregivers],
counseling and spiritual care, social work services, grief counseling and
support team.
5. Hospice is full of trained people: Hospice consist of trained professionals
and volunteers like doctors, nurses, home health aides, social workers,
clergy or other counsellors, speech, physical and occupational therapists.
6. Hospice can give support for months: If you want to start hospice care, you
can't wait for the last day or week of life. Hospice can provide support
even before one month of your last life expectancy.
7. You need to get a certificate: You can receive hospice care if you are
registered with insurance (such as Medicare), which requires a statement
from your healthcare provider and the hospice medical director indicating
that you have a life expectancy of a month or less. This statement initiates
hospice care, which can be continued even after six months if your doctor
provides recertification for it.
8. You can stop hospice care if you want: Hospice care can be terminated at any
time if a patient feels that he/she doesn't want to continue it or is
switching over to cancer treatment again.
3. Clinical trial:
Another option people can choose during their end-stage cancer is clinical
trials. Clinical trials are procedures that are conducted to find the
appropriate dose and to ensure the safety of a medicine before it is approved or
entering into the market. Terminal cancer patients who are eligible for clinical
trials are joined due to the hope that the new medicine can aid in treating
them, or they want to participate to benefit the patient in the end stage of
their life.
FINAL NOTES!
Patients who are in the stage of terminal cancer need appropriate guidance that
will help them lead a comfortable and fulfilled life in the last period of their
lifetime. Let's give care and hope to those super souls who are counting their
days.
29 Apr 2024
10 mins
Elevating Healthy Work Culture: World Day for Safety and Health at WorkEvery year, on April 28th, the International Labour Organization (ILO) organizes
World Day for Safety and Health at Work. This day highlights the importance of
creating safe workplaces and spreading awareness about the real impact of
work-related accidents and diseases. It was organized in 2003 to urge us to
consider how occupational safety and health can be prioritized in global and
local policy-making. It is a call to action to bolster our national systems and
align them with top international standards for labor safety.
A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT
A safe and healthy workplace is the fifth Fundamental Principle and Right at
Work.
On April 28, 2023, some special implements were made during the World Day for
Safety and Health at Work, which every worker must be aware of. The
International Labour Organization (ILO) celebrated a big decision during the
110th International Labour Conference. They decided that having a safe and
healthy workplace is super important—it is actually a basic right for all
workers around the world!
Not just that, but two specific rules about keeping workers safe—Conventions
Nos. 155 and 187
[https://webapps.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_protect/---protrav/---safework/documents/publication/wcms_874743.pdf]—got
a special status—they are now called Fundamental Conventions, making them extra
important. It means that wherever you work, you should feel safe and healthy
while you are there. It has now become a fundamental right at work.
WHY DOES WORKPLACE SAFETY MATTER?
Why is it essential to consider workplace safety as a fundamental right? Well,
get ready to uncover some eye-opening facts and figures that emphasize just how
critical this matter truly is.
Nearly 60% of people worldwide spend a big chunk of their time working. So, it
is pretty huge that everyone deserves a safe and healthy workplace, right? Think
about it—since we spend so much time at work, it is like a second home. And just
like we want our homes to be safe, we should expect the same from our
workplaces.
This is not just about physical safety, though. It is also about our mental and
social well-being. We want to go to work feeling good, both physically and
mentally. But sometimes, workplaces can have hazards—things that can make us
sick or hurt us. These risk factors can lead to serious health problems, making
it hard for us to keep working.
STUNNING STATS
According to a report by the WHO and ILO, most of the deaths related to work
were respiratory and cardiovascular diseases
[https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/heart-care/diagnosis-of-cardiovascular-disease].
* The biggest reasons for these deaths were lung problems like chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease
[https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/respiratory-disorder/all-about-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease]
(which caused around 450,000 deaths), strokes
[https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/heart-care/stroke-causes-types-symptoms-treatment]
(which caused about 400,000 deaths), and heart issues like ischaemic heart
disease (which caused around 350,000 deaths).
* Also, some deaths happened because of injuries at work, which made up about
19% of all work-related deaths. In total, around 360,000 people died because
of these injuries.
* In 2016 alone, nearly 2 million people worldwide died because of work-related
diseases
[https://www.who.int/news/item/17-09-2021-who-ilo-almost-2-million-people-die-from-work-related-causes-each-year]
and injuries! That is a huge number. These risks at work are also a big
environmental concern.
* Recent 2023 stats estimated an annual 36,700 fatalities, 1,83,00,000
injuries, and 18,50,000 diseases
[https://oem.bmj.com/content/75/Suppl_2/A144.1] related to occupational
hazards in India.
It is seriously shocking to see so many people literally being killed by their
jobs. This is a wake-up call to all countries to protect the health and safety
of their workers.
WHAT ARE THE PRIMARY OCCUPATIONAL RISKS IN WORKPLACES?
Workers are exposed to some occupational risks as part of their professional
activities. These risk factors are a major public health issue and are
responsible for work-related deaths. A recent European observational study
estimated the following occupational risk factors from 20,000 workers
[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9967294/#app1-ijerph-20-03632] at
their workplaces.
Occupational Risk Factors Physical factors
1. Noise
2. Working in bad weather
3. Vibrating machines and tools
4. Ultrasound
5. Extreme Temperatures (hot or cold)
6. Non-ionizing radiation
7. Ionizing radiation
Ergonomic risk factors
1. Inappropriate working postures
2. Poor handling of loads
Biological factors
1. Work in contact with products of human origin
2. Waste disposal and management works
3. Food industry
4. Work in contact with animals or animal products
Chemical agents exposure
[https://www.mrmed.in/health-library/cancer-care/cancer-causing-chemicals]
1. Handling chemicals or cosmetics
2. Exposure to fumes, gases, and/or dust
3. Fiber (asbestos, refractory ceramic, insulation wool, etc.)
Atypical working hours
1. Weekend work
2. Working irregular hours
3. Work in alternating shifts
4. Night shifts
Psychosocial factors
1. Emotional demands of the job
2. Work requirements
3. Autonomy of organization
4. Socioeconomic fears
5. Support at work (colleagues, employer, supervisor)
6. Recognition at work (colleagues, employer, supervisor)
7. Conflict at work
* Climate
The impact of climate change on occupational health has also recently emerged as
a concern. Climate-related hazards, particularly extreme weather events, limit
work output and duration and pose risks to workers’ health and safety.
* Informal Jobs
Now, here is another concern: some people work in what we call "informal" jobs.
That means they don't have all the protections and benefits that other workers
might have. For them, staying safe at work can be even tougher. They might not
have the right equipment or training, and they are more likely to get hurt or
sick because of it.
* Mental Health
Health and safety also go beyond physical concerns. The COVID-19 pandemic has
alarmed us to address mental health issues in the workplace. A safe and healthy
working place supports mental health, and good mental health, of course, enables
people to work productively. Issues such as depression and anxiety are pervasive
in workplaces, impacting productivity and performance. When left untreated, the
economic cost is estimated at US$1 trillion annually.
Fact Box
Occupational Risk FactorsDeaths Linked to Each Factor: WHO report (2000-16)Long
Working HoursApproximately 750,000 deathsExposure to air pollutants (particulate
matter, gases, and fumes)Approximately 450,000 deaths.
WHAT CAN BE DONE? A CALL-TO-ACTION
The above risk factors are clearly becoming major health concerns worldwide. So,
what can be done? Here are six proactive steps that every workplace in every
country can take to promote workers' well-being and safety.
1. Clear Rules and Procedures: It is super important for your workplace to have
clear rules in place to keep you safe and healthy. Make sure you know what
they are and follow them!
2. Regular Health Check-ups: Regular check-ups and follow-ups with your doctor
are a great way to catch any health issues early on. Your employer should
help out by providing some basic health screenings for everyone once a year.
3. Working Together: We are all working on this together! Governments,
employers, and workers need to team up to ensure a safe and healthy work
environment for everyone. Let us encourage collaboration between health and
labor ministries to tackle workplace health issues head-on.
4. Support for Everyone: No one should be left out. Everyone deserves access to
support systems, especially if they work in informal jobs. Let us push for
policies that ensure everyone gets fair treatment and support if they get
sick or injured at work.
5. Making Health a Priority: Taking care of our health at work is not just good
for us; it is good for society, too! Governments and organizations should
invest in workers' well-being. That way, we can all grow and be resilient,
even in the face of challenges like climate change.
6. Positive Workplaces: Let us create workplaces where everyone feels happy and
healthy. When we cultivate well-being, it not only benefits us individually
but also enhances the effectiveness and success of our workplaces.
THE BOTTOM LINE
It is super important to ensure that every worker, no matter where they work or
what they do, has a safe and healthy workplace. It is not just about keeping us
safe—it is about looking out for each other and making sure everyone can work
without worrying about occupational hazards.