Health Watch

Be conscious of your mentality

Nadira Gunatilleke

Recently the Health Ministry announced that it will launch an awareness programme soon to educate mentally healthy population (which is 91 percent of the total population) on preventing crimes. Only nine percent of the total population of Sri Lanka suffer from mental diseases but the persons who get involved in crimes belong to the mentally healthy population.

According to ministry sources, the majority of people who get involved in various crimes belong to the mentally healthy population and they are in good mental health and do not suffer from any mental disease. Therefore Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena ordered health authorities to launch an awareness raising programme to educate the public in order to prevent crimes.

The same sources pointed out that over 1000 rape cases were reported last year and there is a visible increase in isolated crimes which occur due to mental imbalance of people. Murders, rape, abuses, harassments and similar incidents are among them. But it is discovered that those criminals are not suffering from any mental sickness.

Health Ministry will take steps to rehabilitate the nine per cent of the total population that suffer from some sort of mental disease while educating the rest of the population on maintaining a balanced mind which would help prevent crimes. Raising awareness and educating the public is the only way out. Being aware of something is the best way to protect oneself.

The link between mental health and crimes are very important. It has become important today than ever due to the brutality and the number of crimes taking place in the country. It is obvious that a person needs a healthy and clear mind to plan a crime.

He or she needs a sharp mind, intelligence and creativity to execute a crime. But if victims have sharper minds and better creativity, they can escape from crimes without any problem.

According to the statistics only nine per cent of the total population suffer from mental disorders and the rest (91 per cent) are in good mental health. But this section of the society execute crimes. Why do people with healthy minds execute crimes? They are mentally imbalanced.

That is the reason behind this situation. On the other hand the victims should be clever enough to escape from crimes but it seems their minds do not work properly to think about instant tricks etc. Like the

body mind should have `workouts’ to operate properly. If the mind fails to come up with instant tricks, you are more likely to become a victim.

Many crimes take place due to attitudinal problems. For example a recent crime took place because the `boyfriend’ did not want his girlfriend to attend College of Education. The so called `boyfriend’ was a law enforcement officer. Here it seems that he did not have the right attitude towards life. Childhood upbringing contributes a lot to develop correct attitude.

Here comes the importance of having a sharp mind which can identify this mental disorder quickly. It is up to girls with healthy minds to identify `boyfriends’ with this mental disorder and escape from them in the very beginning of love affairs !

If healthy minds are exposed to current affairs and experiences, they successfully identify future dangers and the ways of escaping such dangers. But minds that are not exposed to the world and do not get exercises, do not identify dangers on time and do not act swiftly to escape from such dangers. A girl with a healthy and active mind can identify an abnormally selfish and possessive `boyfriend’. It is up to parents to bring their children up and arm them with experiences and social exposure.

Only then girls can identify boys with personality disorders and other abnormalities. Otherwise girls will not be able to identify mentally fit but barbarian persons!

Better to be aware of your own mentality and the mentality of your loved ones. No crime would take place without a background. Mental imbalance does not occur instantly. Therefore preventing crimes is not that hard. The only thing we need is to be vigilant and be aware of everything. This is not something difficult at all.

Cancer

S R Balachandran

At present in Sri Lanka silent killer diseases are heart attack (main killer), hypertension, diabetes and cancer which are not unique like others. There are several types of cancer - brain, lungs, bone, kidney etc. Normally Sri Lankans are not affected by skin cancer due to our blessed colour.

Food canal - (esophagus) - Cancer is possible when you become old. Both males and females are affected. However males are more affected than females. (2:1 ratio) due to the following main reasons.

a. Consumption of liquor - especially hard liquor

b. Over consumption of food, bad eating habits etc.

When liquor is consumed nearly 2 to 8 percent is expelled by way of urine and perspiration. (Those who live in cold climate, do not exercise regularly with poor intake of water should note this). The balance which is not digested results in formation of acid which is the main cause of this cancer.

You should observe the following:

a. Over 40 years old

b. Obesity

c. Bad eating habits - consuming spicy animal fatty fast foods in plenty, heavy dinner immediately before going to bed, intake of food between 11.00pm to 3.00 am. Drinking water whilst taking meals

d. Consumption of liquor, smoking etc.

e. No appetite for food

f. Poor intake of vegetables, water, selected fruit juice, butter milk etc.

g. * Frequent indigestion, vomiting of semi digested food with acid (intake of soda and aerated waters make the matter worse)

h. * Frequent gastric trouble (it may result in ulcer)

i. * Blockage in the food canal (Esophagus)

j. * Difficulty in swallowing food

are alarming signals.

Normally it is not possible to have lumps in the food canals and therefore 90 percent of difficulty if swallowing food etc. blockage is possibly due to cancer.

It is better for you to consult your family doctor and arrange for specialized treatment.

Cancer could be detected by endoscopy method and laparoscopy treatments are available.

At present Sri Lanka is one of the most medically advanced countries in South East Asia and therefore standard treatment is available.

The use of DNA evidence in criminal investigation

Senior Scientist and the Head of Molecular Forensics, Genetech, Dr. Ruwan J.Illeperuma presented his Sinhala book titled “The Use of DNA Evidence in Criminal Investigation” to Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem at the Ministry recently. This book contains detailed information on identification, handling and preservation of DNA evidence for crime scene investigation.

It tabulates information for more than thirty biological samples to be used for DNA analysis. It is the first book on this topic published in Sinhala to be used as a field guide for the Scene of Crime Police officers. The author is an accomplished scientist in Sri Lanka on DNA based forensic investigation methods and has experience of more than nine years in the field of DNA based human identification.

He was awarded doctorate by the University of Colombo in 2010 for his research work done in the fields of Molecular Forensics and Molecular anthropology on Sri Lankan human populations at the University of Washington, USA. Dr. Ruwan Illeperuma was also awarded as the most outstanding young person in the field of scientific development in Sri Lanka.

He is a widely published author and active as a lecturer for the Police on handling DNA evidence in criminal investigation for more than five years.

The focus of his scientific research is on genetic genealogy and molecular anthropology of the Sri Lankan populations including the Veddas of Sri Lanka. His research findings on genetic relationships among Sri Lankan ethnic groups and the Veddas were widely published and addressed issues which promote efforts to strengthen ethnic harmony among Sri Lankans, the biggest challenge after the military victory of war in Sri Lanka.

DNA typing has been performed in Sri Lanka for almost ten years. Beginning with a team of scientists headed by late Dr. Maya Gunasekara in the University of Colombo, DNA typing was first performed for a civil Court case in 1998 for the establishment of the paternity of a child. The first use of this technology in criminal casework in Sri Lanka was in 1999 to resolve a case involving multiple murder in Hokandara.

In 2002 Genetech Molecular Diagnostics was founded as a private company with the purpose of performing DNA tests. At present, Genetech accredited and hold the international Standard ISO 15189 and is the major provider of DNA typing services for the Government of Sri Lanka.

Since the establishment of Genetech in 2002, DNA based human identification technology has successfully been applied in more than 1800 criminal cases for the purpose of identifying the criminals and to exonerate the innocent in criminal cases of homicide, Sexual assault, rape and burglary.

Apart from performing DNA analysis, Dr Ruwan Illeperuma involved in research in molecular Forensics generating forensically important allelic and haplotype data bases for Sri Lankans and published in prestigious international scientific journals. As a consequence of continuous research and development efforts at Genetech, Sri Lanka has now have the capability of applying advanced DNA analyzing technologies such as male specific Y-chromosomal analysis and mitochondrial DNA analysis to enhance the level of sensitivity of DNA testing and to increase the level of confidence of DNA matches derived upon conventional DNA testing. Genetech scientists have lectured on DNA evidence to more than 7000 Police officers from 2003 to 2011. These lecturers have not only helped to introduce the subject to the Police, but it has also helped to significantly improve the methods that are used to investigate crimes.

Strokes

S R Balachandran

We are aware that heart attack is the main killer with diabetes to follow. However according to world statistics stroke is considered as a second killer. Since it affects more elderly people it could be avoided by disciplined life. In our body, brain only gives instructions to all other parts. When there is a blockage in the veins which takes blood to the brain, the Oxygen will not reach the brain on time. Therefore the instruction from brain stops which results in paralysis.

There are three types of strokes:

a. Brain does not receive adequate blood and Oxygen on time - It is called isamic stroke.

b. Veins connected to brain are damaged (eg. accidents) and excess blood will pass. This is called hermitage.

c. When you are exposed to cool airwaves from an air conditioner, stroke is possible. In a closed room if you are closer to an air conditioner the continuous cool air waves cause this stroke. This is not that dangerous and could be cured with proper medical attention.

Precautions:

a. Proper eating habits - Only healthy food helps take blood and oxygen to the brain on time. Therefore please avoid high cholesterol food (LDL). The animal fatty fried foods, high calorie food etc. should be avoided.

b. Exercises - It is always better to have regular proper exercises with body and mental rest. Breathing exercises, meditation etc are good. This will help you avoid tension as well.

c. Control - Control of diabetes and high blood pressure is very important. Regular medical check up is preferred.

d. Avoid narcotics drugs, smoking and liquor.

e. Fibre rich fruits vegetables, keerai, etc., is important.

f. Intake of fish (omega 3) is good.

Natural trans fat may not boost ‘bad’ cholesterol

Naturally occurring trans fats, like those in dairy products, won’t effect HDL and LDL cholesterol levels like the “industrial” trans fats that are so often found in processed foods.

NEW YORK - The artificial trans fats that once abounded in processed foods have become notorious for their undesirable effects on cholesterol levels. But a small clinical trial suggests that natural trans fats may not do the same damage.

When 61 healthy women followed a diet with a hefty dose of natural trans fats for four weeks, researchers found there were no changes in the women’s LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and only small changes in HDL, or “good,” cholesterol, in some women.

So-called industrial trans fat was once widely used in crackers, chips and other baked or fried processed foods, but the other kind of trans fat occurs naturally in meat and dairy products.

It’s known that industrial trans fats tend to raise people’s levels of LDL cholesterol, while also lowering HDL cholesterol — a double whammy against heart health.

But much less research has gone into the possible effects of natural trans fat. And since food manufacturers have been removing the artificial kind from their products, the natural variety is becoming our main source of dietary trans fat, said Benoit Lamarche, a professor of food sciences and nutrition at Laval University in Quebec, Canada.

“The question is, ‘is this a problem?’” said Lamarche, the senior researcher on the new paper. “This study suggests it’s not.” Among overweight women in the study, however, HDL cholesterol declined — by an average of five percent, though the average HDL level remained in the desirable range.

Since HDL cholesterol is heart-healthy, that’s a potential concern, Lamarche told Reuters Health.

But on balance, he said, “we don’t see what we see with industrial trans fats.” “The effects seem to be different, particularly with LDL,” Lamarche said.

So does that mean a healthy, normal-weight woman can eat all the meat and butter she wants? No, according to Lamarche, whose study was funded by Dairy Farmers of Canada, Dairy Australia, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Dairy Commission. Reuters Health