SMOG !!!!! BREATH IN – BREATH OUT" IS LIFE.@ QUEST....

Smog and your health:

Smog can cause damage to your heart and lungs - even when you can't see or smell it in the air around you.
When we hear the word smog, many of us picture the chemical "soup" that often appears as a brownish-yellow haze over cities. But smog isn't always visible. It's a mixture of air pollutants, including gases and particles that are too small to see. Smog often begins in big cities, but smog levels can be just as high or higher in rural and suburban areas.
We all need to protect our health against potential damage from smog.

Potential health effects:

Since smog is a mixture of air pollutants, including particulate matter and ozone, its impact on your health will depend on a number of things, including:

• The levels and types of pollutants in the air
• Your age and general state of health
• The influence of weather
• How long you are exposed
• Where you live

Smog can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. Or it can worsen existing heart and lung problems or perhaps cause lung cancer with regular long-term exposure. It also results in early death. Studies on ozone show that once it gets into your lungs, it can continue to cause damage even when you feel fine.

The people most at risk are those who suffer from heart and lung problems. Many of these problems are more common in seniors, making them more likely to experience the negative effects of air pollution. Children can be more sensitive to the effects of air pollution because their respiratory systems are still developing and they tend to have an active lifestyle. Even healthy young adults breathe less well on days when the air is heavily polluted.

Many of us experience some kind of air pollution-related symptoms such as watery eyes, coughing, or wheezing. Even for healthy people, polluted air can cause respiratory irritation or breathing difficulties during exercise or outdoor activities. Your actual risk depends on your current health status, the pollutant type and concentration, and the length of your exposure to the polluted air.

People most susceptible to severe health problems from air pollution are:

·         Individuals with heart disease – such as coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure

·         Individuals with lung disease – such as asthma, emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

·         Pregnant women

·         Outdoor workers

·         Children under age 14, whose lungs are still developing

·         Athletes who exercise vigorously outdoors

High air pollution levels can cause immediate health problems:

·         Aggravated cardiovascular and respiratory illness

·         Added stress to heart and lungs, which must work harder to supply the body with oxygen

·         Damaged cells in the respiratory system

Long-term exposure to polluted air can have permanent health effects:

·         Accelerated aging of the lungs

·         Loss of lung capacity

·         Decreased lung function

·         Development of diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and possibly cancer

·         Shortened life span

“Something In The Fresh Air Made Me Feel Like Flying"

@ QUEST AIM TO PREVENT    Respiratory Diseases WITH DOXHALE( ACEBROPHYLLINE 100 MG) & MONQST-FX( MONTELUKAST 10 MG & FEXOFENADINE120 MG)

 

 “BREATH IN  – BREATH OUT"  
                    IS  LIFE.

 I WILL BREATHE & WILL HAVE PLEASURE OF BREATHING.”

Our Motto is  to keep World Healthy and we are well determined to it.

Our products and services have held two points of benign significance:-

Firstly, they contribute to improving the quality of life for patients & customers.

Secondly, they consistently fulfil high quality standards.

"TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY IT'S THE ONLY PLACE YOU HAVE TO LIVE IN"

HAPPY READING.....

DEMONETIZATION -- Slowdown effect on HEALTHCARE / PHARMA INDUSTRY

Demonetization is defined as the act of stripping a currency unit of its status as legal tender. Since the announcement of Demonetization, Indian economy has been fluctuating in terms of increase in Inflation, increased GDP rate and increase in the rate of imports and exports. It has impacted individuals, businesses and industries drastically.

• Pharma sector also experienced negative impact with the impact of demonetization, but the impact is temporary and expected to be same.
• Healthcare businesses and organizations are contending with extraordinarily new financial, demographic, and regulatory pressures.
• A challenging global economy continues to strain the bottom lines of providers, payers, and pharmaceutical companies - not to mention the businesses and taxpayers who ultimately foot the bill.
• Tighter finances and thinning margins have made cost cutting and operational efficiency a top priority across the healthcare supply chain. It has also fuelled innovation, without compromising the end goal: patient care
• The National Sample Survey reveals that over 80% of Indian population is not covered by health insurance.
• Private Doctors are a one-man army, taking up the majority cases in both rural and urban areas.
• A Forbes report stated that the per capita healthcare expenditure in India is about $60, which is significantly less amongst the BRIC nations and trivial compared to the developed countries, considering that USA spends over $8600.

The country is witnessing a revolution where the healthcare system would go cashless. The industry is witnessing innovations in value chain thereby making it more fragmented. Growth spurt in the adoption of digital payments, entry of non-traditional players, technological innovations and proliferation of immediate payments are largely driving the healthcare technology industry while attempting to create a 360-degree healthcare ecosystem.

More e-commerce players like wallet providers; web aggregators and online retail portals are coming into the field of distributing health products and services.

• In India, 47% of rural citizens and 37% of urban ones borrow money or sell assets to pay medical bills.
• Medical cost is one of the most common reasons for rural bankruptcy.
• One of the reasons for saving surplus currency in certain households was to cater to unforeseen medical emergencies.
• The under-penetrated health insurance sector already growing at a CAGR of 23% would receive a major push due to demonetization. The better the penetration, the more economical the cost of insurance for the end consumer, thus driving further growth of the sector.
• In India, the percentage of GDP expenditure on healthcare is 4%, it is lesser than certain underdeveloped countries.
• With more financial reserves at government’s disposal due to digitization of payments and less hoarding of paper money, while the percentage expenditure on healthcare may not be altered, the overall quantum of the money spent would certainly increase. This would eventually lead to better quality Government healthcare services.
• Overall, demonetization should not be considered in isolation. Now that the economy is cashless and people are learning and adapting the digital modes of payment, with Internet reaching every nook and corner of the country, India would witness a phenomenal movement in overall healthcare ecosystem, touching every citizen positively over time.

Initial Hiccups

Health care was one of the industries that faced trouble in the initial stages of demonetization as patients were not able to get the right treatment and even relatives of patients, who were hospitalized during the time of announcing demonetization faced a lot of difficulties as they were not able to get the foods they required.

Delay in Treatment for many Patients:

Due to demonetization nearly 70-80% of door-step services in health care industry like home care and diagnostics were affected. As the patients were not able to pay the exact change for these services, they just cancelled their appointments with respect to diagnostics.

The Effect Of Demonetization On Pharma Industry & Future Job Perspective

The ban of highest domination currency Rs 500 & Rs 1000 left the whole country mourn as the country went cashless when it came to transactions. The biggest witnesses were the lines for depositing old currency to the bank to the difficulty in receiving new ones. The pharma industry consists of various elements which are as follows:

• Pharma Company
• Distributor
• Stockiest
• C&F (Carrying & Forwarding Agent)
• Retailer/Chemist/Pharmacies
• Consumer
• Doctor

The cash transaction is a widely accepted mode of transfer everywhere. The individuals who have initiated the business or were going to start one went to face a lot of issues. From prescription to every commission made as a bribe & black money, demonetization affected the pharma journey a lot. If you have illegal money then business will be difficult whereas legal money will win the race.

The Pharma Jobs like medical representatives, pharmacists etc. were also affected. As per 2017 is expected to be a bright year of those seeking for jobs in the pharma industry. The Pharma Vision 2020 is expected to rise to about 12% by next three years. The first half may seem a surge but is expected to smooth out sooner.

After Effects Witnessed By The Pharma Industry Due To Demonetization

The decision of demonetization was a success or failure is still a debate. The Indian Pharmaceuticals is still determined to grow and reach the vision of 2020. What was the effect of the decision of the industry are as follows:

• A good downfall of medicine was witnessed. This will result in legal invoicing & billing habits.
• Prescribe for cash was replaced with ethical codes. This accounted more than 80% of doctors who write prescription against cash.
• Better control of drug administration on sale and purchase above Rs 20, 000 cash against the invoice.
• Blanking has better control over high transactions.
• Rules & regulation against illegal drug & medicines were closely watched by the Government.

The online market rather experienced a huge jump in sales, as the market moved towards cashless transactions. Demonetization has in fact opened an electronic gateway to conduct cashless transactions, thereby, maintaining transparency and accountability in the trade dealings.

Post demonetization, the online pharma space has had a positive impact considering that they offer not only one stop services at-home but also because the consumer has access to cashless payments. Given the fact that consumers can also avail heavy discounts on our portal and mobile apps, it has increased traffic to e-pharmacy businesses."

Factors like affordable and accessible medical facilities, increased proliferation in terms of discounts and offers and off course the recent digitization of transactions, have driven phenomenal demand growth in the country. The online healthcare platforms not only allow for a hassle-free experience for patients and doctors, but also save patients' time as their consultation slots are pre-booked at the time of making the payment.

Demonetization has affected the credit cycles on Pharma value chain --stockists have extended credit period to the retailers to settle payment and to protect the revenue . This is a temprorary step and would get normalised . On supply chain and Inventory levels there was not much impact.

Overall the demonetization lever ,while triggering short term revenue dip has kick started some welcome practices in cashless ecosystem.

Our Motto is  to keep World Healthy and we are well determined to it.

HAPPY READING..

P.A.I.D, (Patient Awareness Initiative Department) Quest Biotech India Pvt. Ltd.

Japanese Encephalitis in Gorakhpur: A deadly disease explained

What is Japanese Encephalitis?

Japanese Encephalitis (JE) is a mosquito-borne viral infection of the brain. There is, however, a debate about the origin of the disease and whether it is enteroviruses — caused by virus found in pigs and birds. There is no cure for JE.

Why only Gorakhpur?

While Gorakhpur has a considerable burden of disease, it is incorrect to assume that JE cases are clustered in Gorakhpur district alone. JE epidemics are reported from many parts of India however, it is highly endemic in Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Gorakhpur is a nodal point not because there are more cases in the district but because the only tertiary care centre with 100 beds dedicated to JE is in Gorakhpur. So, cases from nearby districts like Kushinagar and Deoria districts are referred to there for treatment.

Japanese Encephalitis

 

Why does vaccination not work?

It is a misconception that the JE vaccine will eradicate the disease in a short span of time. While vaccination is critical, at the heart of U.P.’s crisis is lack of infrastructure, unclear data on disease burden and lack of access to clean water and toilets. In March, the State government launched a JE vaccination drive in 38 districts in U.P. but it was not supplemented with access to clean water and sanitation.

The efficacy of the JE vaccine is between 85-90%. The lessons learnt from polio vaccination drives is that people left out of each round of vaccination are the most disenfranchised, most likely to take ill and least likely to seek medical care in time.

The Gorakhpur mystery...

Over the years, there have been cases in the area which are clinically different from one another. JE is one kind of encephalitis which falls under a spectrum of diseases called Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES). Doctors in endemic regions in U.P. have found cases with similar symptoms but without the virus, leading to some debate over the cause of the disease. While public health experts have found a difference in case definitions across Eastern districts of U.P., this is something Indian scientific community is still trying to understand.

However, specific research on this has not been supported by the government so far, despite decades of annual outbreaks. Due to lack of research, U.P. government gets their burden of disease data from hospitals, essentially leaving out cases that do not come into public health facilities. This results in wrong forecasts as the government budget for next year’s JE intervention. Because of the lack of reliable data & research, UP’s policy intervention to curb JE cases has failed for decades.

Were all those who died in BRD Hospital suffering from JE?

No. The State government is yet to release data of exactly how many of them were admitted for JE treatment.

Trust this blog enhances your knowledge and increase trust in our Products. We will keep update you new information, new articles about Health Awareness. 

Our Motto is  to keep World Healthy and we are well determined to it.

HAPPY READING..

P.A.I.D, (Patient Awareness Initiative Department) Quest Biotech India Pvt. Ltd.

Colostrum – 6 Important Ways It Helps Your Baby(Celebrating Breastfeeding Week - 2017)

Many expectant women are unaware that their breasts begin to make milk from around week 16 of pregnancy. Some women may realise this later in pregnancy if their breasts start to leak. The first milk that your breasts make is called colostrum, which is usually a thick, yellow coloured substance (although the colour can vary between women). After the birth, it takes a few days or so for your milk to come in. Until then, your baby receives colostrum. The Importance Of Colostrum Colostrum is important for your baby for many reasons. Here are 5 important ways it helps your baby.

No. 1: Colostrum Matches A Newborn’s Tummy Size In the early days of life, a newborn’s tummy is tiny – about the size of a marble. Colostrum is made in small amounts to match a newborn’s tummy size. For example, in the first 24 hours a newborn consumes between 2-10mL of colostrum at a feed. For most babies, colostrum is all that they need until their mother’s milk comes in.

No. 2: It Provides Immune Protection A newborn’s immune system is far from being fully developed. Hence, they are vulnerable to illness and require protection from external sources.  This is where colostrum (and later, breastmilk) is important. In order to be able to match the size of a baby’s tummy while providing babies with all they need, colostrum is a concentrated source of immune protective factors. These immune protective factors include antibodies, white blood cells, prebiotics and probiotics – all of which are not contained in formula. All of these factors help protect newborns from sickness. No wonder colostrum is often referred to as nature's vaccine for newborn babies! Colostrum’s role in a newborn’s gut is especially important. This is because a newborn’s gut is leaky, meaning that potentially harmful substances can more easily sensitise or damage it. Colostrum helps to provide a barrier in a newborn’s gut, helping protect it from these potentially harmful substances entering.

No. 3: Laxative Effect Colostrum has a mild laxative effect, helping a baby pass his early stools. This aids in the excretion of excess bilirubin and can help protect against jaundice.

No. 4: Removal In First Hour Helps Kick Start Your Supply Research has shown that when colostrum is removed within the first hour after birth (even as compared to between hours 2-6), the more milk a mother will produce. There are many other steps you can take to get breastfeeding off to the best start possible and help kick start your supply. Find out what you need to know before the first breastfeed.

No. 5: Help Establish A Healthy Gut Microbiome The bacteria in our gut is referred to as our gut microbiome. Evidence continues to emerge about how a resilient gut microbiome is important for our health. A resilient gut microbiome is one that is more diverse and less likely to shift towards unhealthy bacteria. Exclusive breastfeeding (including newborns only consuming colostrum in the early days of life) leads to the normal healthy colonisation pattern of a newborn’s gut. There are significant differences in the bacteria that are in the guts of breastfed babies compared to formula fed babies. Even small amounts of formula can result in changes to a baby’s gut microbiome which may increase the risk of various poorer health outcomes.

No. 6: Taking B-Gut: A Wholesum Supply of Colostrum

B-Gut: Natural Source of Colostrum:

• NATURAL IMMUNE SYSTEM ENHANCER AND REGULATOR DESIGNED BY NATURE.
• Colostrum contains large numbers of antibodies called "secretory  immunoglobulin"  (IgA)
• IgA help protect the mucous membranes in the throat, lungs, and intestines.
• Colostrum also contains high concentrations of leukocytes, protective white cells which can destroy disease-causing bacteria and viruses.

HUMORAL IMMUNITY/ACTIVE IMMUNITY:

The Plasma Cell Secretes Antibodies The Antibodies Are Immunoglobulins.

Divided Into 5 Main Classes ; IgG; IgM; IgA; IgD; And IgE.

These Antibodies Circulate In The Body And Act Directly By Neutralising The Microbe, Or Neutralising The Toxin, 

Is the transfer of active humoral immunity in the form of readymade antibodies, from one individual to another. Like COLOSTRUM/ VACCINE

• In natural P.I, ( Passive Immunity )antibodies are passed from a mother to a child. Antibodies can be transferred through the placenta, or transmitted through the colostrum.
• The antibodies transmitted through the colostrum and placenta generally only last for several weeks, which is long enough to allow the baby to start to build up its own immune system and to make its own antibodies

Colostrum does not contain Casein –protein.

• High amount of immunoglobulin
• High % of IgG as compared to normal milk.

Trust this blog enhances your knowledge and increase trust in our Products. We will keep update you new information, new articles about Health Awareness. 

Our Motto is  to keep World Healthy and we are well determined to it.

HAPPY READING..

P.A.I.D, (Patient Awareness Initiative Department) Quest Biotech India Pvt. Ltd.

What is colostrum? How does it benefit my baby? Celebrating Breastfeeding Week - 2017

Your breasts produce colostrum beginning during pregnancy and continuing through the early days of breastfeeding. This special milk is yellow to orange in color and thick and sticky. It is low in fat, and high in carbohydrates, protein, and antibodies to help keep your baby healthy. 

Colostrum is extremely easy to digest, and is therefore the perfect first food for your baby. It is low in volume (measurable in teaspoons rather than ounces), but high in concentrated nutrition for the newborn. Colostrum has a laxative effect on the baby, helping him pass his early stools, which aids in the excretion of excess bilirubin and helps prevent jaundice.

When your baby is breastfed early and often, your breasts will begin producing mature milk around the third or fourth day after birth. Your milk will then increase in volume and will generally begin to appear thinner and whiter (more opaque) in color.

In those first few days it is extremely important to breastfeed your newborn at least 8-12 times each 24 hours, and more often is even better. This allows your baby to get all the benefits of the colostrum and also stimulates production of a plentiful supply of mature milk. Frequent breastfeeding also helps prevent engorgement.

Your colostrum provides not only perfect nutrition tailored to the needs of your newborn, but also large amounts of living cells which will defend your baby against many harmful agents. The concentration of immune factors is much higher in colostrum than in mature milk.

Colostrum actually works as a natural and 100% safe vaccine. It contains large quantities of an antibody called secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) which is a new substance to the newborn.

Before your baby was born, he received the benefit of another antibody, called IgG, through your placenta. IgG worked through the baby's circulatory system, but IgA protects the baby in the places most likely to come under attack from germs, namely the mucous membranes in the throat, lungs, and intestines.

Colostrum has an especially important role to play in the baby's gastrointestinal tract. A newborn's intestines are very permeable. Colostrum seals the holes by "painting" the gastrointestinal tract with a barrier which mostly prevents foreign substances from penetrating and possibly sensitizing a baby to foods the mother has eaten.

Colostrum also contains high concentrations of leukocytes, protective white cells which can destroy disease-causing bacteria and viruses.

The colostrum gradually changes to mature milk during the first two weeks after birth. During this transition, the concentrations of the antibodies in your milk decrease, but your milk volume greatly increases. The disease-fighting properties of human milk do not disappear with the colostrum. In fact, as long as your baby receives your milk, he will receive immunological protection against many different viruses and bacteria.

How does colostrum help my baby?

When you feed your baby colostrum, it's as though you're giving him his first vaccination because it contains a lot of your antibodies.

Colostrum provides a host of benefits to your baby: 

1. Colostrum is the perfect food for your baby's very first feeds, as his stomach can easily digest it.
2. Colostrum prepares your baby's digestive system for the mature milk that he will receive in the next few days.
3. Colostrum is high in leukocytes (protective white blood cells) that can help to protect your baby against several bacterial and viral infections. The antibodies in colostrum protect your baby against respiratory infections such as pneumonia, fluand bronchitis, as well as stomach and ear infections. Gradually, your baby will start producing his own antibodies.
4. Colostrum helps in expelling bilirubin from your baby's body and reduces chances of him getting jaundice.
5. Colostrum is rich in nutrients such as zinc, calcium and vitamins like A, B6", B12", K. Your baby needs these for his overall growth and development.
6. Colostrum is high in cholesterol, which is essential for the growth of your baby's nervous system at this stage.
7. Sugars in colostrum provide the energy required by your baby's growing body.
8. Some studies suggest the protein content in colostrum provides a full feeling to your baby, enabling him to sleep longer.

B-Gut: Natural Source of Colostrum:

• NATURAL IMMUNE SYSTEM ENHANCER AND REGULATOR DESIGNED BY NATURE.
• Colostrum contains large numbers of antibodies called "secretory  immunoglobulin"  (IgA)
• IgA help protect the mucous membranes in the throat, lungs, and intestines.
• Colostrum also contains high concentrations of leukocytes, protective white cells which can destroy disease-causing bacteria and viruses.

HUMORAL IMMUNITY/ACTIVE IMMUNITY:

The Plasma Cell Secretes Antibodies The Antibodies Are Immunoglobulins.

Divided Into 5 Main Classes ; IgG; IgM; IgA; IgD; And IgE.

These Antibodies Circulate In The Body And Act Directly By Neutralising The Microbe, Or Neutralising The Toxin, 

Is the transfer of active humoral immunity in the form of readymade antibodies, from one individual to another. Like COLOSTRUM/ VACCINE

• In natural P.I, ( Passive Immunity )antibodies are passed from a mother to a child. Antibodies can be transferred through the placenta, or transmitted through the colostrum.
• The antibodies transmitted through the colostrum and placenta generally only last for several weeks, which is long enough to allow the baby to start to build up its own immune system and to make its own antibodies

Colostrum does not contain Casein –protein.

• High amount of immunoglobulin
• High % of IgG as compared to normal milk.

Trust this blog enhances your knowledge and increase trust in our Products. We will keep update you new information, new articles about Health Awareness. 

Our Motto is  to keep World Healthy and we are well determined to it.

HAPPY READING..

P.A.I.D, (Patient Awareness Initiative Department) Quest Biotech India Pvt. Ltd.