Journal of Integrated Health Sciences

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Introduction: Hypertension, diabetes, and heart diseases are very common and silent noncommunicable diseases. If ignored, these will be life-threatening. As per recent yoga researches on hypertension, some of the yoga practices such as pranayama, meditation, and Kriya yoga have found to be very effective in managing hypertension and thereby controlling its adverse effects. Hence, the present study is undertaken to understand the effect of simple Bhramari pranayama on both hypertensive and normotensive individuals so as to help standardize this Pranayama and advise it as a preventive measure in the management of hypertension. Methods: The present study is a single-arm clinical trial. Ninety-seven participants, both male and females of age ranging from 30 to 60 years, were approached as the study participants. Of the 78 complying participants, 44 participants were hypertensive and 34 normotensives. A yoga expert taught Bhramari Pranayama one to one to all the participants. They were called on the following day for recording their blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate (PR) before and immediately after the thirty rounds of the practice. Results: Simple Bhramari Pranayama significantly lowered the systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (P < 0.001*), and PR (P < 0.001*) of the hypertensive individuals (P < 0.001*). In the normotensives group also, a significant decrease in SBP (P < 0.001*), DBP (P < 0.05) and PR (P < 0.001*) was evident. However, the changes evident in normotensives were well within the normal range of BP and PR. Conclusion: The present study concludes that simple Bhramari Pranayama has significantly reduced the BP and PR in the hypertensive as well as in the normotensive participants immediately after its practice.

Modern science and medicine established scientific details of leukemia only during the second half of 19^th c. J. H. Bennett a pathologist established leukemia by publishing study on 35 cases and he is credited with the innovation of leukemia; in Ayurveda no systematic study seems to have been attempted to understand or identify the leukemia let alone the treatment. This was also due to the lack of opportunities in oncology institutes or organized research by government bodies. Extensive research on all aspects is underway in modern medicine and claims are being made by many traditional healers, but no system of medicine has been able to achieve success so far; experts in Ayurvedic system say the strategies do hold promising positive results but needs proper studies. Here an attempt has been made to understand and identify leukemia by clinically studying well diagnosed cases for 11 years in collaboration with oncology experts in a premier Onco-institute of India. Study involved 800 patients who were clinically studied from an Ayurvedic perspective during their entire course of disease with or without treatment; detailed descriptions and analysis of various possibilities in the Ayurvedic system were discussed (and documented) and finally concluded based on authoritative sources.

Sushruta Samhita is an ancient Ayurvedic treatise predominantly focused on surgery. Maharshi Sushruta is considered as the father of Indian surgery. Arishtha Vijnana (concepts related to prognosis) has been documented in the chapters 28–33 of Sutra Sthana (section that deals with basic principles of Ayurveda). Swabhava Vipratipatti Adhyaya (SVA) is the 32^nd chapter of Sushruta Sutra Sthana (SSS). Various pathological signs and symptoms, which denote fatal consequences, have been documented within seven verses in this chapter. Works are scarce on Arishtha Vijnana mentioned in SSS, and further, exploration is required. The aim of the present study is to explore the prognostic potential of the contents of SVA with the help of contemporary prognostic literature. Various pathological features having poor prognoses such as hypo- and hyper-pigmentation, hypo- and hypertonia, hypo- and hyperthermia, atrophy, hypertrophy, dystrophy, discoloration, sclerosis, ankylosis, dislocations, prolapse, abnormal involuntary movements, “-malacia,” “-megaly,” “micro- and macro-,” anhidrosis and hyperhidrosis, exophthalmos and enophthalmos, ptosis, neuromuscular disorders, lower motor neuron syndromes, autoimmune disorders with systemic manifestations, immunodeficiency syndromes, anorexia, cachexia, sarcopenia, carcinomas, dysfunctional tear syndrome, marasmic kwashiorkor, lymphedema, voice disorders (aphonia, hypophonia, dysphonia, etc.), dacrystic seizures, gastric outlet obstruction, epileptic drop attacks, priapism with cervical cord lesions, Tourette syndrome-plus, trichotillomania, and terminal lucidity can be seen in SVA chapter. The contents of SVA chapter of SSS seem to have prognostic importance, and the present study paves the way for the development of new hypotheses for future testing.

Context: Obesity is a major global public health issue which could result from sedentary lifestyle and poor dieting, and consequently hormonal imbalance. Aim: To evaluate fertility hormones in male obese subjects, and the subsequent effect of moderate intensity aerobic exercise on these parameters after 12 weeks of intervention. Subjects and Methods: 90 obese (48 class I and 42 class II) and 50 normal weight (control) subjects were recruited. Subsequently, 18 male obese subjects were randomly selected and subjected to a 12-week aerobic training program using a total cross bar machine, three sessions weekly, which consisted of a 10–15 min warm-up and 35–50 min total cross bar machine exercise. Blood samples were collected at baseline, 6 weeks and after 12 weeks of intervention for luteinizing hormone, follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, testosterone, and estradiol using enzyme-linked immunoassay. Statistical Analysis: Statistics was done using SPSS version 23. Results: The mean level of testosterone and FSH was significantly lower while estradiol was significantly higher in class I and II when compared with the control (P < 0.05). On subjecting them to 12 weeks exercise, there were significant increases in FSH and testosterone and decrease in estradiol when compared with the baseline values (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Weight loss through moderate intensity exercise may improve the reproductive hormone profile of male obese individuals, thereby reducing rate of infertility.

Background: Chronic pain not only has an impact on the daily functioning but also affects the society, family, professional, and social environment, thus disrupting the quality of life. Pain-related characteristics vary between the genders and have an influence on the physical and mental well-being of patients having chronic musculoskeletal pain. Aim and Objective of the Study: The aim of study was to assess the gender differences in kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, acceptance behaviors, and quality of life in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 219 (males = 103 and females = 116) chronic musculoskeletal pain patients. The following parameters were measured: Kinesiophobia using Tampa scale of kinesiophobia; pain catastrophizing using the pain catastrophizing scale; pain acceptance using chronic pain acceptance questionnaire; and quality of life using 36-Item Short Form Health Survey questionnaire. Results: No significant differences were observed between genders in kinesiophobia (P = 0.495), pain acceptance (P = 0.539); and pain catastrophizing (P = 0.422). However, a significant difference between genders was observed in quality of life, both physical (P = 0.000) and mental component summary (P = 0.01). Conclusions: Kinesiophobia, pain acceptance, and pain catastrophizing showed no difference between the genders in chronic musculoskeletal pain patients. However, women reported lower quality of life as compared to men. Pain-related characteristics and quality of life are important aspects to be evaluated and targeted rehabilitation programs addressing them in chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Online since 02^nd August 2018.