X Rays

If you believe that applying sunscreen will protect your skin from the harsh rays of the sun this summer, think again. Your eyes, too, require attention. UV rays are not only harmful to the skin, but they can also harm the eyes. "UV exposure has been linked to the development of macular degeneration, cataracts, and other vision-loss problems," says Dr Danish Iqbal, Senior Consultant, Sharp Sight Eye Hospitals. If you have an existing eye condition, such as macular degeneration or cataracts, he recommends that you protect your eyes from the sun as much as possible during the summer. Dr. Danish shares some simple tips that will protect your eyes in summer. Wear Sunglasses Use 100 per cent Ultraviolet (UV) protection sunglasses. The harsh UV rays can damage your eye lens, cornea and even retina. So whenever you head out, make sure you put on your shades. Splash Clean Water In The Eyes Your eyes are stressed throughout the day due to severe heat and exposure to the sun. Rinse your eye by splashing cold water on them periodically and drinking a lot of water. This will keep your eyes from becoming dry or puffy. Do Eye Exercises Eye exercises help us to reduce tiredness and improve the eye muscles. Exercising your eyes daily also improves your eyesight and reduces the risk of contracting diseases and infections. Use Cucumber Slices If you are suffering from red eyes in summer, apply slices of cucumber on your eyelids for 10 minutes before you sleep. Cucumber also helps remove tan from under the eyes and absorbs extra moisture. Nourish It With Eye Drops It's always better to use some kind of eye drops to minimize pain or manage other eye problems. However, you should also consult a qualified ophthalmologist before choosing your eye drops. Increase Intake of Green Leafy Vegetables In the summer season, increase the intake of green leafy vegetables as they are rich in both lutein and zeaxanthin and are also a good source of eye-friendly vitamin C. Well-known leafy greens include spinach, kale, collards etc. Sleep Well Your eyes heal themselves as you sleep. Insufficient sleep can lead to dry, itchy, or bloodshot eyes. Lack of proper sleep at night leads to fewer tears in the eye and it may open the door to eye infections. Read More► 5 Rules for Healthy Body and Mind

अगर आपको लगता है कि इस गर्मी में सनस्क्रीन लगाने से सूरज की तेज किरणों से आपकी त्वचा की रक्षा होगी, तो आपको फिर से सोचने की जरुरत है। इसके साथ ही आपको अपनी आंखों पर ध्यान देने की जरुरत है, अल्ट्रा वायलेट (यूवी) किरणें न केवल त्वचा के लिए हानिकारक हैं, बल्कि आंखों को भी नुकसान पहुंचा सकती हैं। शार्प साइट आई हॉस्पिटल्स के सीनियर कंसल्टेंट डॉ. दानिश इकबाल ने कहा, "यूवी एक्सपोजर को मैकुलर डिजनरेशन, मोतियाबिंद और अन्य ²ष्टि-हानि समस्याओं के साथ जोड़ा गया है।" यदि आपकी आंख की मौजूदा स्थिति ठीक नहीं है जैसे आपकी आंखें लाल हो जाती हैं या फिर आपकी आंखों में मोतियाबिंद है, तो जितना हो सके गर्मियों के दौरान अपनी आखों का खास ध्यान रखें और आंखों को जितना हो सके धूप से बचाएं। डॉ. दानिश ने इसको लेकर कुछ आसान टिप्स दिए जो गर्मियों में आपकी आंखों की सुरक्षा करेंगे। धूप का चश्मा पहनें: 100 प्रतिशत पैराबैंगनी सुरक्षा धूप के चश्मे का प्रयोग करें। कठोर यूवी किरणें आपकी आंखों के लेंस, कॉर्निया और यहां तक कि रेटिना को भी नुकसान पहुंचा सकती हैं। इसलिए जब भी बाहर जाएं तो अपने शेड्स जरूर लगाएं। आंखों को साफ पानी से धोएं: तेज गर्मी और धूप के संपर्क में आने से आपकी आंखें दिन भर तनाव में रहती हैं। समय-समय पर उन पर ठंडे पानी के छींटे मारे और अपनी आंखों को धोएं। यह आपकी आंखों को शुष्क या फूली हुई होने से बचाए रखेगा। आंखों के व्यायाम करें: आंखों के व्यायाम से हमें थकान कम करने और आंखों की मांसपेशियों में सुधार करने में मदद मिलती है। रोजाना अपनी आंखों का व्यायाम करने से आपकी आंखों की रोशनी में भी सुधार होता है और बीमारियों और संक्रमणों के होने का खतरा कम होता है। खीरे के स्लाइस का इस्तेमाल करें: अगर आपको गर्मियों में लाल आंखों से एलर्जी है, तो सोने से पहले 10 मिनट के लिए खीरे के स्लाइस को अपनी पलकों पर लगाएं। खीरा आंखों के नीचे से टैन हटाने में भी मदद करता है और अतिरिक्त नमी को अवशोषित करता है। आंखों के लिए आई ड्रॉप का इस्तेमाल करें: दर्द को कम करने या आंखों की अन्य समस्याओं को प्रबंधित करने के लिए किसी प्रकार की आंखों की बूंदों का उपयोग करना हमेशा बेहतर होता है। हालांकि, आपको अपनी आई ड्रॉप चुनने से पहले किसी योग्य नेत्र रोग विशेषज्ञ से भी सलाह लेनी चाहिए। हरी पत्तेदार सब्जियों का सेवन बढ़ाएं: गर्मी के मौसम में हरी पत्तेदार सब्जियों का सेवन बढ़ाएं क्योंकि वे ल्यूटिन और जेक्सैन्थिन दोनों से भरपूर होती हैं और आंखों के अनुकूल विटामिन सी का भी एक अच्छा स्रोत है। पत्तेदार सागों का इस्तेमाल करें। अच्छी नींद लें: सोते समय आपकी आंखें अपने आप ठीक हो जाती हैं। अपर्याप्त नींद के कारण सूखी, खुजलीदार या पानी बहने वाली आंखें हो सकती हैं। रात में ठीक से नींद न लेने से आंखों में आंसू कम हो जाते हैं और इससे आंखों में संक्रमण का द्वार खुल सकता है। (एजेंसी) यह भी पढ़े► लंबे स्वस्थ जीवन के लिए टीकाकरण जरूरी : विशेषज्ञ

New York - In a fight against the novel coronavirus, researchers have developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) platform that detects Covid-19 by analysing X-ray images of the lungs. Called DeepCOVID-XR, the machine-learning algorithm outperformed a team of specialized thoracic radiologists -- spotting Covid-19 in X-rays about 10 times faster and more accurate. According to the study, published in the journal Radiology, the research team believe physicians could use the AI system to rapidly screen patients who are admitted to hospitals for reasons other than Covid-19. Faster, earlier detection of the highly contagious virus could potentially protect health care workers and other patients by triggering the positive patient to isolate sooner. The study's authors also believe the algorithm could potentially flag patients for isolation and testing who are not otherwise under investigation for Covid-19. "We are not aiming to replace actual testing. X-rays are routine, safe and inexpensive. It would take seconds for our system to screen a patient and determine if that patient needs to be isolated," said study author Aggelos Katsaggelos from Northwestern University in the US. To develop, train and test the new algorithm, the researchers used 17,002 chest X-ray images -- the largest published clinical dataset of chest X-rays from the Covid-19 era used to train an AI system. Of those images, 5,445 came from Covid-19-positive patients from sites across the Northwestern Memorial Healthcare System. The team then tested DeepCOVID-XR against five experienced cardiothoracic fellowship-trained radiologists on 300 random test images from Lake Forest Hospital. Each radiologist took approximately two-and-a-half to three-and-a-half hours to examine this set of images, whereas the AI system took about 18 minutes. The radiologists' accuracy ranged from 76-81 per cent. DeepCOVID-XR performed slightly better at 82 per cent accuracy. "Radiologists are expensive and not always available," Katsaggelos said. "X-rays are inexpensive and already a common element of routine care. This could potentially save money and time -- especially because timing is so critical when working with Covid-19," the author noted. (IANS)

New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre to issue necessary directions for banning disinfectant tunnels, use of fumigation spray, as well as use of ultraviolet rays on humans in view of their hazardous health effects.A bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan asked the Centre to do the needful within a month, and not to wait till the last hour. The verdict has come on a plea seeking directions to the Centre to immediately ban installation, production and advertisement of disinfection tunnels involving spraying or fumigation of chemical disinfectants on humans, as a step to manage the spread of Covid-19.On September 7, the Centre had informed the Supreme Court that spraying of disinfectants on humans is not recommended under any circumstances, as spraying any chemical disinfectant is physically and psychologically harmful.In an affidavit the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has informed the Supreme Court that the Directorate General of Health Services in June, held an expert committee meeting on the use of disinfectant tunnels, use of various chemicals and spraying of disinfectant along with the efficacy of such use of spraying/fogging.Another expert committee in April had recommended that chemicals are harmful to human skin and the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, if inhaled. "External spraying of any chemical disinfectant does not kill the virus that has already the body of a person, who has earlier been exposed to the virus", said the committee.The committee agreed with suggestions made by another committee in April that "spraying of the individuals with disinfectants (tunnels, chambers, cabinets etc.) is not recommended" in both healthcare and non-healthcare settings. "It is also observed that in indoor spaces, routine application of disinfectants to environmental surfaces by spraying fogging is not recommended for Covid-19 as the disinfectants may not be removing organic material and may miss surfaces shielded by objects, folded fabrics or surfaces with intricate designs," said the affidavit.The committee also observed that spraying of outdoor spaces, such as streets or marketplaces, is also not recommended to kill Covid-19 virus or other pathogens because disinfectant is inactivated by dirt and debris and it is not feasible to manually clean and remove all organic matter from such spaces. "It is submitted in particular that Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has not written any letter or issued any advisory on the use of ultra violet lights for disinfection of humans for Covid-19 management," said the affidavit.--IANSss/in