Health Page - Issue 51

51 - Dec 18th thru Dec 24th 2000, Vol X

Behavior Modification in Ramadan

Mahfouth A Bamashmus
FRCSEd, FRCOphth
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
1. Daily practices and health during fasting
A study was carried out to explore the effect of fasting on daily practices (life events, diet and smoking), health and performance of university students. Almost all were single, living with their families. Analysis showed that more people involved in stress reducing and spiritual activities. They drank less caffeine-containing beverages and smoked less. The intake of food from meat and vegetable group increased significantly and decreased from cereal group. Even though cereal consumption was less during Ramadan, it was still in the adequate range. Change in weight was variable. Weight loss was significantly more among the sick. Reduced activity, study desire and concentration ability were reported by 50% of the students.

2. Smoking cessation
A recent research carried out in Britain amongst four black and minority ethnic groups provides information which can be used for support smoking cessation programs targeted at these groups. Motivation to quit appears to be high. For example, knowledge of the health risks of smoking is high, as to desire to quit. However there are fewer attempts to quit and therefore a lower than average smoking cessation rate.
A nationally organized event which has been a success, albeit very hard work, is the Ramadan project. Health strategy group saw that Ramadan was an ideal time to urge Muslim men to give up smoking for good. Over 70% of Bengali men smoke, yet most refrain from smoking during the daylight hours of Ramadan. Posters with the fasting timetables and messages asking smokers and other cultural centers for seven years. Local activities have included cessation groups in the mosques, press and TV coverage of the campaign launches and other high profile events.

3. Parasuicide during Ramadan
The impact of national and religious events on the rate of parasuicide was studied. A comparison was made between the number of reported parasuicides during the month of Ramadan and the month before and after Ramadan in Jordan. Significantly fewer parasuicides were reported during Ramadan than the month preceding it and the month that follows Ramadan. The findings confirm that national events reduce the rate of parasuicide, but protective effect does not persist into the month that follows Ramadan.

Reference: International Journal of Ramadan Fasting Research

Contact Lenses

Abdulragee Nalijee
Contact lenses, today, are the most widely spread fashion of eye-wear. They are used either for cosmetic reason (i.e., changing of the eye colour) or as an optical correction (i.e., to get rid of spectacles, and for curing high astigmatism).
The optical system of the eye on using contact lenses provides special advantages, while contact lens plays an important role in given protective, diagnostic, cosmetic and optical aids in numerous eye conditions.
There are many ways in which a contact lens may be optically superior to spectacles. For example, it moves very largely with the eye and vision, which means that it is much less liable to peripheral distortion which happens due to eccentric viewing through a powerful spectacle lens. In European countries many people working in industries wear spectacles to prevent their eyes from flying objects and certain irritative gases. These people have shifted from spectacles to contact lenses, since it prevents the cornea in the eye from a possible damage due to these gases; something which the spectacles cannot do.
In sports too (especially swimming), spectacles make a person handicapped. Contact lenses for the players of such sports provide a perfect optical correction.
Before buying a contact lens it is always good to refer to an optician or an opthom, so as to be sure that the eye is free of any corneal disease. On the basis of other clinical findings a decision to fit a contact lens is made. This is especially important in the case of children. At present, with the help of advanced fitting techniques and various designs available, contact lenses can be prescribed to anyone having a great desire to wear them. But contact lenses are delicate things which require a lot of care from their user, that is, keeping them in a good condition by cleaning and rinsing them regularly. This will not only keep them hygienic, but will also increase the period of their usage.
The manufacturing of contact lenses today has become so advanced that their manufacturers have taken out a new type of lens, which is specially designed for people over the age of forty-five years, as they are usually short-sighted and have problems in reading. These lenses are bifocal lenses which can be fitted with ease, causing no visual difficulties.
The most widely used contact lenses in Britain nowadays is of the brand HYDRON “ Zero 6 (26)”, which is an ultra-thin, 38.6% water content lens. It’s been named Zero 6 because its made to prevent particles upto 0.006 microns form entering the eye, that is , it protects the eye from particles like bacteria and other such harmful substances.
There are many other companies which manufacture cosmetic contact lenses beside optical lenses. These cosmetic lenses are made in a variety of designs and in a wide range of colors. Cosmetic lenses are mostly used in the film industry according to an actor’s costume and character, but today they are used by every person in their every day life as a cosmetic make up.
Any person wanting to buy a good quality of contact lens should go for a European brand as they are the best.

OPHTHALMIC EDUCATION (20)
Aging Changes of the Eye

Mahfouth A Bamashmus
FRCSEd, FRCOphth
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Ibn-Al-Haitham Clinic
University of Science & Technology, Sana’a
As we get older there are changes happening in every part of our body including our eyes. Many eye diseases are related to age and fortunately with advanced technology many eye diseases can be treated easily and safely. Routine eye exam is very important especially after the age of 40 years. Many eye diseases can be treated or even prevented if they are diagnosed early.

Here are some eye diseases related to aging:
1. Reading Problems: the lens in our eye has the ability to change its shape to let us see the distance and the near. As we get older the lens looses its elasticity and ability to change its shape and this leads to difficulty in reading and people tend to push the book or newspaper further away to be able to read. This is normal aging changes and it is treated with simple reading glasses. Visit your eye doctor and get a new pair of reading glasses and keep enjoying the habit of reading.

2. Floaters (Flying Spots): some people who are above the age of 40 years complain of some spots in front of their vision. The shapes range from fly-like or spider-like spots that move with every eye movement to different directions. These are benign things and are due to aging changes in the vitreous of the eye which is the jelly like material that fills the eye. If you develop these spots it is better to see your eye doctor and to be sure that everything is okay.

3.Cataract (Lens Opacities): cataract develops when the lens inside the eye gets opaque. It is usually related to aging and causes progressive loss of vision. In its early stages the patients need only to change their glasses but as it advances surgery is the best treatment. The right treatment is removing the cataract and an intraocular lens implantation and it is a very successful operation especially with recent technology including the phacoemulsification technique, which is removing the cataract using ultrasonography and putting a lens through a small incision.

4. Glaucoma (Increased intraocular pressure): glaucoma affects two percent of all those above the age of 40 years. Unfortunately glaucoma is a blinding disease and the earlier it is diagnosed the better it can be controlled. Treatment is very simple in its early stages and becomes more complicated as the disease progresses. The disease has no symptoms and it is only diagnosed by routine eye test. You need to visit your eye doctor regularly if you have a member of your family with this disease.

5. Diabetic Changes of the Eye: diabetes mellitus (sugar in the blood) is a disease that can cause many eye problems. The most serious one is changes in the retina which is the film of the eye. Unfortunately diabetic changes in the eye are one of the main causes of blindness in Yemen. Routine eye test for every diabetic patient is mandatory to diagnose the changes inside the eye. The earlier the changes are discovered the easier it is treated especially with the new technology of LASER.

Routine eye exam by an eye specialist is very important.
It is your sight and your eyes need every care they deserve.

Reference: PAACO educational leaflets, Cairo