Curbing alcohol abuse needs to be made a priority

Dear readers,
We find it immensely satisfying every month to present to you a wide range of interesting, in-depth and analytical stories pertaining to the latest trends and advancements in the world of healthcare. We hope you would derive the same value and substance after reading the current April 2018 issue of Double Helical.
These times we highlight many informative stories. This time we bring you as our cover story a comprehensive package – enriched with analysis and expert viewpoints – on the growing incidence of alcohol consumption in the Indian society has wide-ranging negative effects manifesting not only in health-related aspects but adverse social and economic conditions too. Curbing alcohol abuse needs to be made a priority in public health policy in India
Alcohol consumption is a global phenomenon but it is now getting worldwide attention due to its harmful outcomes. Alcohol is classified as psychoactive substance which produces dependence. It has not only important implications on health but has social and economic aspects as well. There are a number of factors which determine alcohol consumption in a society.
Social factors like cultural practices, level of development, alcohol production, distribution and marketing strategies are important factors. In India, alcohol consumption on certain religious occasions and social gathering is an accepted norm. Similarly, consumption of alcoholic beverages is prevalent in many tribal and village societies around the world. Individual factors also play a role in the pattern of alcohol consumption. Age group, gender, socio-economic factors, education, certain occupation, familial tendency, peer pressure etc are individual determinants of alcohol intake. Early age of initiation of alcohol intake leads to higher rates of diseases due to abuse, accidents and injuries.
Apart from this as a special package we headlight recently held the doctors’ Mahapanchayat which out rightly rejects the proposed National Medical Commission Bill 2017 in one voice. The Mahapanchayat also rejects the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare thereon in their entirety as the said Bill along with the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee are out and out anti-poor, anti-people, pro-rich, undemocratic, sponsors crosspathy through the Bridge Course, undermines the sanctity of University examinations through the licentiate examination patronizes, privatization, promotes corruption through discretionary provisions, harbors anti-federalism vide marginalization of the state and the State Medical Councils.
According to Mahapanchayat, in order to provide for effective meaningful, equitable, accessible, handy and affordable healthcare to rural populace, Govt. of India shall ensure that the appropriation for health spending to the extent of 6% of the Gross Domestic Produce (GDP), additional rural hospital are created, care and cure facilities at the existing rural hospitals are up-dated and augmented, much desired governance is rationalized and heavily needed motivating robust policy of incentives is put into place
The government must propose a strong Central Act prohibiting violence against doctors in all forms, hues, shades, matching with the enabling existing provisions in the Indian Penal Code, so as to evoke uniformity across the States in respect of its implementation and thereby extend much needed and desired immunity to the doctors while on duty from all forms of violence from any and all sources as they be and declare clinical establishments as safe zones in a real sense.
As a special story Side Effects of Stress on Oral Health highlights how serious about your oral cere. If you’re feeling stressed, don’t forget about your dental health. Take the time to focus on your oral hygiene regimen, and don’t use smoking or alcohol to relieve stress. These habits are highly addictive, and they have damaging effects on your oral cavity. Instead, take proper measures to reduce stress in your life, such as eating well, exercising and getting plenty of sleep.
If you suffer from extreme anxiety or depression, seek professional help. Stress and control are risk factors for periodontal disease and cardiovascular diseases. When an individual feels stressed, adrenaline and stress hormones (e.g., cortisol) are released to prepare the body for the “fight-or-flight” response. While stress is a normal part of life, excessive stress can lead to health problems and lifestyle behavioural changes (e.g., taking up or increasing smoking, increasing alcohol intake, changing dietary habits, becoming physically inactive, neglecting oral and personal hygiene) which further increase health risks.
Chronic stress speeds up the process of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries and that the stress hormone cortisol plays a role in increased periodontal destruction. Cortisol also acts to suppress the immune system, allowing bacteria to flourish in the mouth.Exercise and stress management techniques provide individuals with tools to cope with the anxieties in their lives. The most effective way to deal with stress is by correcting or modifying its underlying causes.
We hope you will enjoy reading such topical stories and encouraging us with your feedback to enable us to further improve your favourite magazine

Amresh K Tiwary,
Editor-in-Chief