THE BIGGEST ART OF GIVING

Valentine’s Day? Oh, it’s on 14^th February! Nobody really forgets. Friendship day? Obviously it’s celebrated on the first Sunday of every August. Who does not know that? Well, everyone does! And when is the World Organ Donation Day observed? No answer? Many of us are not even aware that something of this kind is celebrated. It’s observed on the sixth day of every August. Merely remembering the day won’t do any good. The purpose of this noteworthy day being celebrated should also be served.

As the name suggests, this is day is observed to spread awareness and encourage people to donate their organs, after death, to people who are in need of the same. Nearly half a decade ago, patients used to buy blood because of shortage of voluntary donors. Today the scenario has changed; all the blood used is received as replacement blood from relatives and as altruistic donations. So if the attitude can change to this extent for blood donation, that day is not very far when deceased organ donation for transplant also can save millions of lives. In fact more than half a million Indians are estimated to be in need of a organ transplant of kidney, liver, heart, pancreas, etc. but even after being the second most populous country, India has a very low deceased donation rate. 

Poor awareness is one of the biggest hurdles. Most of the people had the notion that only kidneys and eyes can be transplanted. Few knew that organs could be received from donors after death. Even among doctors, awareness is very poor. Many of them are not formally trained in counselling and not fully equipped to talk to patients about organ donation. Therefore, it becomes difficult for transplantation to take place. The donation is considered only after the person has been declared brain dead; when the brain is damaged irreversibly, mainly resulting from serious road accidents. Often doctors are not interested in declaring the brain dead and instead they keep them on ventilators. Many families believe that a person is alive if the heart is beating and reluctant to agree for the organ donation. Even if they agree to donate it is mainly for the family members and not for any stranger. How, by just being a stranger, one becomes inelligible for getting a donation! It’s time that the mindset of the people should encounter a change. 

The problem does not end here. There are taboos in the Indian society that mark the resistance. Religious beliefs are considered one of the biggest hurdles preventing people from donating organs. But the truth is, most religions are open and straight forward on the issue. Organ donation is the act of value worthy of reward. Some religions even say an artificial transplant is no substitute for a natural organ transplant.

A lot of people have willingness to donate their organs after death. But they are unable to convert their desire into action as there is virtually no mechanism to simply ask a potential donor to pledge his organs. So, let’s take a pledge to join hands to give hope to thousands waiting for a fresh lease of life. 

We all are born with the ability to change someone’s life. Let’s put that into use. There is a saying, “the measure of life is not its duration, but its donation.” Let’s pledge to give others the precious gift of life.

Let’s conclude this with a quote, “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” 

Be a hero. Be an organ donor.

CHOCOLATY TREAT

‘Kuch meetha ho jaaye’, goes the tagline of a famous chocolate brand. I religiously follow it, no matter what. Today, like any other day, I open my fridge after lunch, and take out a big bar of chocolate. It’s our family custom to have chocolates after lunch! As you know, you should always abide by customs, especially when it’s about having chocolates. So after some time, unable to resist my craving for more chocolates, I open my fridge again. While I am busy searching for it, my mom oversees this. She scolds, “Eating so many chocolates in a day will harm your teeth.” Thus, end of a love story between me and those wonderful chocolates.

So, here I am, writing this article in memory of those extra chocolates which every child is deprived of at some point of time. It’s an effort to spread awareness, that consuming lots of chocolate may be bad for teeth but there are many benefits stored for us too.

Did you know dark chocolate, loaded with nutrients, can affect our health in a positive way? Made from the seeds of cocoa tree, it is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet. Antioxidants free one’s body of free radicals, which cause oxidative damage to cells. Free radicals are implicated in the aging process and may be a cause of cancer. So eating dark chocolates, which are rich in antioxidants, can protect you from many types of cancer and slow the signs of aging. Believe it or not, eating dark chocolates can make you look younger for years. Mommies, are you listening?

Dark chocolate contains a number of vitamins and minerals that can support one’s health. The copper and potassium present in it, help prevent against stroke and cardiovascular ailments. The iron in chocolate protects against iron deficiency anemia, and the magnesium in chocolate helps prevent type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Flavonoids present in chocolates help control insulin sensitivity. That’s quite a bit of information. Isn’t it?
Here’s more to the list. You must be wondering about the weight you are putting on, in order to bring dark chocolates to your diet plan. But the good news is that theses chocolate lessens cravings for sweet, salty and fatty foods. So indulging in a bit of healthy dark chocolate makes it easier for maintaining optimal diet.

It was also found that women who ate chocolates daily during their pregnancy could handle stress much better than those who abstained themselves from chocolates. Their kids were found to be much happier.

Need relief from diarrhea? Chocolate comes to rescue even here. Researchers found that cocoa flavonoids bind to a protein that regulates fluid secretion in the small intestine, potentially stopping the trots in their tracks.
Chocolate even contains theobromine which quieted coughs and this chemical is responsible for the feel good effect in chocolates.

Chocolates are great brain power booster. So next time when you are under work pressure, don’t hesitate to grab a bar of chocolate.

Be happy! Have a chocolaty day!

WHAT AGONISED MASTER BLASTER?

“ Tendulkar! Tendulkar!” cheered the spectators in enthusiasm. It was for the first time, that the batting legend Sachin Tendulkar was back on the field post his tennis elbow surgery. The thought of giving up the sport for the good had crossed Tendulkar’s mind as he tried to get back on the field after the surgery. It took him four and a half month to recover and even the doctors were skeptical that he could play at competitive cricket at all. Thinking of the bad phase the Master Blaster said, “I could not even lift my son Arjun’s plastic bat. Kids aged 10-12 years had come to the ground for fielding the day I went to bat for the first time against a leather ball.” “I hit the balls hard but the kids were able to stop them within 10-15 yards. I thought I cannot play anymore,” he further added. But fate had something else stored for him. He was back. The cricketer who was referred to as the God of Cricket was back on field.

What was reason behind the agony of the God of cricket? It was tennis elbow. Yes you heard that right! You might be wondering what tennis elbow is doing in cricket. But let me tell you that tennis elbow is not caused by playing tennis alone. It may also result from squash, fencing, weight lifting, carpentry, knitting or painting. It is actually caused by non-inflammatory, chronic degenerative changes in the tendon that attaches the forearm muscle to the elbow. Also known as lateral epicondylitis, it is a condition in which the outer part of the elbow becomes sore and tender. It is primarily caused by overexertion.

Tennis elbow develops over time. Repetitive motions can strain the muscles and put too much stress on the tendons, which can further cause microscopic tears in the tissue. Studies in the past suggest that trauma such as a sudden forceful pull, or forceful extension cause more than half of the injuries. Tennis elbow is a nagging ailment that causes quite a bit of distracting pain and causes a loss in gripping power. It can also be resulted from the repeated use of the wrist in a snappy arc like movement.

However, the best cures are anti-inflammatory drugs, icing, physiotherapy and most important of all, rest. Wearing a tight forearm brace also relieves pressure on the tendons; it’s like shifting the pressure point a few inches away from the elbow to the forearm.
It is always said that prevention is better than cure. And preventing tennis elbow is also not impossible. A person can ease into any repetitive motion activity around the house or at work and take rest at the first signs of pain and soreness. One can also continue exercises for strength and flexibility even after the pain has gone away before engaging in tennis or other activities. These are the few measures that should be taken to avoid tennis elbow.

Stay fit, believe in yourself!