Health buzz

Find the right fillers
Global warming is not just affecting the environment,but our skin too! To spread awareness about skin problems,at a seminar,doctors of National Skin Hospital talked about the new techniques that will dominate treatment of skin problems,which are expected to rise due to global warming. Besides dermato-laser surgery,the side affects of dermal fillers were explained. “Though dermal fillers with botulinum toxin are growing in demand,they must be used with extreme caution,” warned Dr Vikas Sharma,Chief Consultant Dermatologist and Dermato-Laser Surgeon,who feels that people lack awareness about botulinum toxin.
Dermal fillers are used to replace and augment skin tissue. Our skin is made up of collagen bundles and a hydrating material which create shape and fullness that we see. But skin tissue can be lost because of heredity,sun exposure,muscle action,pressure,sleep positions,smoking,weight loss and age. As this tissue is lost and there is less natural filler underneath,skin becomes less taut. This can leave wrinkles,folds,depressions,grooves and sagging skin. Refilling these areas restores normal contours and rejuvenates the area and face. Several kinds of dermal fillers have been developed to replace this tissue. Temporary and permanent dermal fillers have been approved for plumping up soft tissue,filling in facial wrinkles and smoothing the skin. These are made from natural substances like highly purified human or bovine cow collagen or synthetic ones such as Juvéderm,Restylane,Perlane,Artefill and Radiesse. Many patients require more than one injection to achieve the desired effect,with results typically lasting only six months or so,as fillers are gradually absorbed by the body. But these fillers may have affects like infection,temporary bleeding,lumps and in some cases permanent disfigurement.
“Consult your dermatologist about the amount of correction you expect and maintain realistic expectations about it,’’ summed up Dr Vikas.

Hope floats
IN its continued efforts to increase awareness on cancer prevention and as a run-up to World Cancer Day on February 4,Fortis Hospital held a rally,an educational puppet show and a talk on ‘early diagnosis of cancer and its prevention’ by Dr Rajeev Bedi,Senior Oncologist at Fortis. The puppet show highlighted abuse of tobacco and how this can be controlled. Through a clever mix of latest songs and interesting dialogues,the puppets dressed as doctors talked about how tobacco companies were targeting developing nations such as India to sell their products,cashing on the illiteracy and ignorance regarding tobacco. “Certain cancers like cancers of the mouth,breast and cervix can be detected early and cured,if treated promptly. So,it’s important to be aware of early warning signals and consult a health professional at the earliest,” said Dr Bedi. Talking about the other initiatives of Fortis for cancer patients,Dr Bedi said,“Saarthak was started in May 2005 to extend support to cancer patients from the entire region. This voluntary support group organizes monthly meetings,where senior oncologists interact informally with patients and members share their experiences with each other. Often,yoga and Art of Living instructors are called to help patients relax and de-stress.”
Dr Atul Sharma Joshi,a Consultant,General Surgery at Fortis,spoke on the recent advances in technology that have made cancer treatable and curable.