Blood thinner reduces the risk of stroke.
Generally, in elderly patients with complaint of hypertension, the doctor prescribes a blood thinner like aspirin, warfarin etc. to reduce the chances of stroke. Our brain vessels are one of the most delicate ones and gets easily ruptured by the pressure of blood having high viscosity in hypertensive patients. Once ruptured, this may result into brain hemorrhage or stroke. Any damage to brain is irreparable. Hence it is of utmost importance to keep a check upon the viscosity of blood so that such damaging effects could be avoided.
Now, I would narrate two short stories involving two characters – one my mother and second my uncle.
My mother has 15 years old history of hypertension and was on aspirin for the above reasons since her very diagnosis. Monsoon 2011- Dengue mania breaks out in Delhi as usual. We go to Medanta hospital for routine checkup of my mother. Dr. Balbir Singh, Senior interventional cardiologist there stops the blood thinner in view of my mother’s marginally low platelet count. Four years since then, we don’t bother to consult any cardiologist to restart the blood thinner. Diwali 2015- My mother diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and when the cardiologist came to know that she is not on blood thinner since last four years, he really panics. Atrial fibrillation patients have relatively high degree of risk of stroke. After immediate control of fibrillation, Dr Upendra Kaul, senior cardiologist at Fortis hospital, for whom we really carry high degree of regard, prescribes the blood thinner Pradaxa [dabigatran etexilate mesylate]. After brainstorming at google for hours, I concluded this to be among the most proffered blood thinners worldwide in contemporary times. My mother’s heart gave her another miss (of course, not a long one) when she came to know that one tablet of Pradaxa costs Rs.70. When we went to Dr Kaul for review, she knowingly asks him- Do I need to take this medicine twice daily? (although she knew the answer). Dr Kaul replied affirmative with a short glance towards her (as if he knew the real intent behind the question). Now as both the participants understood the theme of the dialogue, my mother unhesitatingly said in a dim voice “It’s too costly’’. I still remember Dr Kaul’s equally dim but meaningful words echoing ‘’ what’s costlier than a life!!’ She was convinced. Still I tried to find a generic more economical alternative for pradaxa, but in vane. Just I got more convinced when I went to my native place, a remote district in Bihar. There my family physician asked me’’ Are you taking Pradaxa’’ . I replied affirmative. I could see the mixed feeling in his eyes. He said ‘’ Even I wish to prescribe this medicine to my patients here, but if I start with such medications , my clinic would soon get shut down with the allegation of my patients regarding my liaison with pharma companies’’.
Another story involves my uncle, again a patient of hypertension since last 10 years. He now resides at the countryside village enjoying mother nature in true sense. He got so embossed with the untarnished environment there that he started having the confidence that he doesn’t need any medications now. What happens next? No medication for hypertension, no blood thinner, no mediation with doctor, direct transmission to The Almighty!! He is lying in the ICU of Sir Gangaram Hospital with severe brain hemorrhage.
Oh My God !! Bless us !!
Health or illness lies in our mind
The simplest definition of ill health is that it is opposite of health i.e. it refers to any deviation from normal functioning or the state of complete mental, physical and social well being.
Disease, ill-health, illness, and sickness need to be differentiated as they don’t imply the same meaning.
- Ill Health: The term ill health refers to a diseased condition that prevents an individual’s optimal physical, mental and social well being.
- Disease: The term disease primarily refers to physiological dysfunctioning. Though, these days, the term expanded to include within its purview, psychological dysfunctioning as well.
- Illness: It is a subjective state of a person who feels aware of not being well. Therefore, it alludes to the nearness of a particular sickness as well as to person’s recognition and conduct in light of the malady. It also the effect of the ailment on the psycho-social condition.
- Sickness: A state of social dysfunctioning. It is a role that a person assumes when ill. It is therefore quite possible to be a victim of disease without feeling ill and to be ill without having any physical impairment.
This feeling of illness depends upon a number of personality variables like pessimistic outlook, jealousy, hostility, insecurity, lack of self-control, etc.
In recent years, the term lifestyle diseases have been coined to refer to the disorders that are caused by many health damaging personal habits. Psychologists have identified a number of behavioral risk factors that increase the chance of illness. These include overeating, lack of exercise, unsafe sexual practices, drug and alcohol abuse, violence etc. Cognitive variables like attitude, beliefs and value system too play an important role in determining sickness. Interpersonal relationships, neighborhood and person’s socio-economic status are also the major determinants of this psychological state. Negative dispositions and sentiments of defenselessness and misery can make interminable pressure. Which irritates the body’s hormone adjust, exhausts the cerebrum chemicals required for joy, and harms the resistant framework. Unending pressure can really diminish our life expectancy.
See More: Mental Health
