Features

Cystic Fibrosis !

SIDS Risk !

'Broken Heart' Syndrome !

Fight Gum Disease !

Higher Autism Risk !

Low Vitamin D !

New Products of SQUARE Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

EDITORIAL TEAM

OMAR AKRAMUR RAB

MBBS, FCGP, FIAGP,

P G Dip. Business Management

A. S. M. Shawkat Ali

MBBS, M Phil

MAHFUZUR RAHMAN SIKDER

MBBS, MBA

EDITORIAL

Dear Doctor,

Welcome to this edition of 'e-SQUARE'. Hope you are enjoying this online healthcare bulletin.

Our current issue focused on some interesting features like -

"Cystic Fibrosis !", "SIDS Risk !", "'Broken Heart' Syndrome !",       "Fight Gum Disease !",  "Higher Autism Risk !", "Low Vitamin D !".

In our regular feature, we have some new products information of SQUARE Pharmaceuticals Ltd. as well.

We will appreciate your feedback !

Click on to reply mode.

Yours sincerely,

Editorial Team

Reply Mode      : e-square@squaregroup.com

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of its editor or SQUARE Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Women More Prone to 'Broken Heart' Syndrome

Broken heart syndrome, a temporary heart condition brought on by extreme physical or emotional stress, occurs overwhelmingly in women compared to men, a new study suggests. Whether preceded by the sudden death of a loved one, a frightening medical diagnosis, a car accident or even a surprise party. The phenomenon is 7.5 times more common in females and women older than 55 are 2.9 times more likely to develop broken heart syndrome than younger women, the researchers found. Exact causes are unknown, but it's with people who present symptoms of a heart attack that often occurs with a very stressful situation. Known clinically as takotsubo cardiomyopathy, broken heart syndrome causes a temporary enlargement of part of the heart, while the rest of the organ functions normally or with more forceful contractions. Symptoms mimic a heart attack and trigger chest pain, shortness of breath, an irregular heartbeat and generalized weakness. The condition is treatable and typically resolves within a week, though it is fatal in rare cases. The study analyzed records from a nationwide database in 2007 and found that of about 6,230 cases of broken heart syndrome, more than 89 percent were in women. About one-third of patients were between the ages of 50 and 65, while 58 percent were older than 65. In those aged 55 and older, the odds of developing broken heart syndrome were 9.5 times higher in females than males, the investigators found. Experts are still trying to discern why women suffer so much more from broken heart syndrome. Hormonal differences between the sexes and variations in coronary arteries may be factors, but more research is needed.

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Low-Birth Weight Babies at Much Higher Autism Risk

Low-birth weight babies are five times more likely to develop autism than normal-weight babies, a new study says. It included 862 premature, low-birth weight infants born in New Jersey between October 1984 and July 1989 and followed until they were 21 years old. Their birth weights ranged from 500 grams (1.1 pound) to 2,000 grams (4.4 pounds). Five percent of the children in the study developed autism, compared with 1 percent of those in the general population, researchers found. Previous research has identified links between low birth weight and a number of problems with motor and cognitive skills, but this study is the first to show that low-birth weight children are also at increased risk for autism, according to the researchers. Cognitive problems in these children may mask underlying autism, lead author noted. If there is suspicion of autism or a positive screening test for ASD (autism spectrum disorders), parents should seek an evaluation for an ASD. Early intervention improves long-term outcome and can help these children both at school and at home. Future research will examine possible links between brain hemorrhage (a common complication of premature birth) and autism. This will be done by examining brain ultrasounds of the children taken when they were newborns.

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Low Vitamin D May Increase Stroke, Heart Attack Risk in Women

Low levels of vitamin D may put women at greater risk for heart attack and stroke, according to new study on the important nutrient. After analyzing 16 years of data on more than 2,000 healthy, postmenopausal white women aged 45 to 58, researchers found that 788 women with a vitamin D deficiency had more risk factors for heart disease than 1,225 women with normal levels of the vitamin. Women with low vitamin D levels had higher levels of triglycerides; higher fasting glucose; a higher body mass index and lower HDL "good" cholesterol. The researchers noted 47 percent of the women who were deficient in vitamin D were smokers compared to 38 percent of the women with normal vitamin D levels. About 15 percent of the women deficient in vitamin D either died or suffered heart failure, a heart attack or stroke during the study period compared to 10.2 percent of the women who did not have this deficiency. Three other studies also looked at vitamin D's possible protective effects on the heart. One study found that people who took 4,000 units of vitamin D daily for five days following a severe heart event had less inflammation afterward than patients who didn't take the supplement. A third study found that chest pain patients with low Vitamin D levels were more likely to die during the next two years than those with adequate levels of the nutrient. Finally, a fourth study found that higher levels of vitamin D were associated with lower death rates from cardiovascular disease. Researchers noted that vitamin D has anti-inflammatory effects on the arteries.

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750 mcg

Prasugrel