Latest news with #AIIMSBhubaneswar
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
Focus on small tasks may help alleviate stress: Experts
A couple of years ago, the former First Lady of the US, Michelle Obama, had spoken about taking up knitting as a hobby and how it helped manage her stress levels and stay calm, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Calling the activity 'a release', Michelle once said in a social media post that during the peak of the pandemic, when everything felt so bleak, the act of stitching, purling, casting on and off is how she kept anxiety at bay. "It's the idea that narrowing your focus into a small and seemingly insignificant task can remind us of our own agency. It shows us our own ability to build, create and succeed. I truly believe that when you know you are capable of small tasks, it makes the bigger ones feel easier. In this case, every small stitch builds into a bigger purpose," she added. If one were to look at it from a mental health perspective, how much can small and insignificant tasks help to manage anxiety? Prachi Rathi, a therapist with nearly eight years of experience, said a person first needs to identify the activity they connect to the most. "I first need to identify what helps me stay calm, which is that one task that requires me to focus on one thing only. If you search online for measures to stay calm, meditation will be one of the top suggestions. While that definitely helps, not everyone may be able to meditate in a quiet room every day," she said. In such cases, activities that encourage mindfulness by requiring focused attention on the present can help. Knitting and gardening, for instance, fall in that category. "These tasks can be meditative," Rathi said, adding, "The idea is to connect with oneself. Thanks to smartphones, we are constantly connected to the outside world and social media is continuously feeding us with the latest trends in fashion, food and whatnot. But given how social media works, what is trendy today, may not be so a few months later. Clients have often told me that keeping up with such trends just to fit in with their peer group is stressful. That's why it is important to disconnect from the outside world from time to time and connect with oneself by taking up meaningful hobbies/activities that require consistency and bring you joy." While daily habits can impact one's mental health, experts also pointed out that a therapeutic activity is helpful for those feeling anxious. "Those diagnosed with an anxiety disorder require medication and other forms of treatment. Such patients experience physiological symptoms like an increased heart rate, for instance. But there is also another form of anxiety, which is psychological, when a person has negative thoughts, especially about the future, and that constant worrying is making him/her stressed and anxious. In such cases, daily activities play a big role in managing our emotions," Dr S K Padhy, a psychiatrist at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, said. "What we need to keep in mind is that not everyone who is feeling anxious has an anxiety disorder. Nowadays we often use the word 'anxiety' very loosely. I have had clients coming to me complaining of suffering from anxiety because they are worried about their child's future. They are actually feeling anxious and in such cases, meditative activities can help them feel more at ease," Rathi added.
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
AI to play key role in early diagnosis of thyroid disorders: AIIMS Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar: AIIMS Bhubaneswar executive director Ashutosh Biswas on Wednesday said Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to transform early diagnosis and management of thyroid disorders in the country. He highlighted the growing role of AI in personalised medicine, especially for hypothyroidism, which affects about 1 in 10 adults in the country. "AI diagnosis, which is set to be introduced in AIIMS Bhubaneswar, will help in early diagnosis, track the progression of disease, and support outcome-based medication, especially benefiting patients in rural and underserved areas," Biswas said. Asserting that hypothyroidism is three times more common in women than men, and about 33 per cent of patients remain undiagnosed, he said untreated hypothyroidism can adversely impact major organs including the heart, brain, kidneys, liver, intestines, and the reproductive system. Among children and infants, it can lead to stunted growth, obesity, developmental delays, and poor academic performance, he added.
India Gazette
10-05-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
AIIMS Bhubaneswar announces cancellation of all leaves amid India-Pakistan tensions
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], May 10 (ANI): AIIMS Bhubaneswar has announced the cancellation of all kinds of leaves, including vacation and station leave in view of the circumstances arising in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. This comes after the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday cancelled the leave of all health ministry officials. In an official order, AIIMS Bhubaneswar said, 'In pursuance to the Office Order of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India dated May 9, 2025 (copy attached) and in the view of impending situation, no leave of any kind including vacation and station leave is to be granted to any officer except on Medical Grounds, till further orders.' 'Further, the already sanctioned leave, if any, stands cancelled, and the officers who are on leave are directed to resume their duties immediately. Therefore, all faculty members, Residents and all other staff members and Officers who are on leave as on date are hereby informed to report to duty immediately. This will come into force with immediate effect,' the letter further stated. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday cancelled the leave of all health ministry officials till further notice. 'In view of the impending situation, no leave of any kind, including station leave, is to be granted to any officer except on medical grounds, till further orders. Further, the already sanctioned leave, if any, stands cancelled and the officers who are on leave are directed to resume their duties immediately,' the Health Ministry stated. On Friday, Union Health Minister JP Nadda chaired a high-level meeting with senior health ministry officers to review emergency health systems preparedness. The current status of medical preparedness for handling emergency cases was presented to the Union Minister. He was apprised of the actions taken regarding deployment of ambulances, ensuring adequate availability of medical supplies, including equipment, medicines, and blood vials and consumables, hospital readiness in terms of beds, ICU, and HDU, deployment of BHISHM Cubes, advanced mobile trauma care units, etc. Hospitals and medical institutions have been advised to ensure the availability of essential drugs, an adequate supply of blood, oxygen, trauma care kits, etc. AIIMS New Delhi and other Central government hospitals have mobilised doctors and nurses with supplies for ready deployment. They have been advised to coordinate with state and district administration, armed forces and regional associations of doctors, nurses, paramedics, private sector hospitals, charitable institutions, etc., to strengthen the emergency response networks in a collaborative manner. Additionally, nationwide mock drills for disaster preparedness have been conducted at AIIMS, PGIMER, JIPMER and other premier hospitals. The Union Health Ministry is closely monitoring the situation in its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services and emergency response across all regions. The Indian Army, during the intervening night of May 8 and May 9, successfully repelled and responded to multiple drone attacks by Pakistan along the western border and the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI)
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Students applying for admission on SAMS can now seek help for mental health issues
1 2 Bhubaneswar: The state govt has introduced a helpline on the Student Academic Management System (SAMS) website for students suffering from mental health issues. As per the new feature, students can call a toll-free number to consult with mental health experts. As most students log in to this website to apply for admission or to appear for an entrance test, the govt has selected SAMS during the admission session to address mental health issues amid a spurt in student suicides. SAMS conducts the online admission process for different courses offered by educational institutions under the jurisdiction of the school and mass education department, higher education department, skill development and technical education department, sports and youth services department and the Odia language and literature department. If a user clicks on the SAMS website's windows dedicated to admission into courses, including degree, PG, ITI and diploma (polytechnic), a pop-up window appears with a message: 'Important mental health support announcement'. "The principal/head of the institution is requested to actively promote awareness among students, faculty and other stakeholders about the availability of mental health support services through platforms such as Tele-MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States). The Tele-MANAS helpline numbers - 14416 and 1800-891-4416 - offer free, 24/7 tele-counselling services, ensuring that students have access to professional mental health support whenever they need it," read the govt message. Biswa Ranjan Mishra, professor and head of psychiatry department at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, said, "This is a good step to sensitise students in this manner. Many students do not know about the helpline numbers and the whole process of seeking help from an expert. Such an initiative by Tele-MANAS will make students aware of the support system." He added, "Early signs of depression include social withdrawal, absenteeism from class, a steep decline in academic performance, substance abuse and irritability in students. If students are experiencing such symptoms, they should call the 24/7 helpline number and talk to an expert and seek counselling. If needed, the tele-consultation service will refer the students to a nearby facility for further assistance." Amrit Pattojoshi, a city-based psychiatrist, said peer group support can help a student overcome anxiety and depression. "Anyone suffering from a mental health illness can feel hopeless, helpless, worthless and useless. They cannot feel connected in a social gathering. During this time, they should seek help and consult a psychiatrist," he added.
India Today
01-05-2025
- India Today
Nepali student found dead in Bhubaneswar university hostel, 2nd case in 3 months
A female student from Nepal was found dead in her hostel room at the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) on Thursday evening, marking the second such incident involving a Nepali student on the campus within three said the student was found hanging in her room around 7 pm in one of the girls' hostels. 'Scientific and police team reached at the spot, and doing inquiry by asking other girls of the hostel. An UD (unnatural death) case been filed on this incident,' said Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner S Dev Datta have informed both her parents and the Nepal embassy. The body has been sent to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for post-mortem, and the investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of death. So far, the university administration has not issued any official incident comes close on the heels of another case in February, when 21-year-old Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year BTech student, was found dead in her hostel room. Her death sparked protests by over 500 Nepali students, and tensions escalated after college authorities reportedly tried to evict some students, prompting diplomatic Lamsal's case, her friends had alleged that she died by suicide due to harassment by her ex-boyfriend, Advik Watch
