age

Bruxism, characterized by involuntary, repetitive jaw-muscle activity including clenching and grinding of teeth, can lead to significant dental and muscular complications. Conventional treatments—such as occlusal splints and behavioral therapy-may not fully address muscular hyperactivity. Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A), a neurotoxin that inhibits acetylcholine release at neuromuscular junctions, has emerged as a promising therapeutic option. This article reviews clinical studies regarding the efficacy of BoNT-A injections into masticatory muscles for bruxism management, with a focus on clinical outcomes, safety, and practical considerations.

This study explores the effectiveness of Homeopathy in managing infectious diseases, focusing on its integration with nanoscience. The key objectives include assessing the role of homoeopathic treatments in reducing morbidity and mortality from various infections, such as respiratory, gastrointestinal, and mosquito-borne diseases, and examining the scientific mechanisms behind its therapeutic effects.Key findings from the study include evidence of nanoparticles in highly diluted homoeopathic solutions, suggesting that these remedies may retain measurable amounts of the original substances. This nanoparticulate perspective bridges traditional homoeopathic practices with modern nanomedicine. Historical evidence, such as Hahnemann’s work on scarlet fever and recent studies during the 2006 Chikungunya epidemic, supports the effectiveness of homoeopathic treatments, demonstrating improved recovery rates and reduced complications with integrated homoeopathic and allopathic approaches.The main conclusion of the study is that Homeopathy, particularly when combined with nanoscience, holds significant promise as a complementary approach in the management of infectious diseases. The presence of nanoparticles in homoeopathic remedies may explain their therapeutic effects, positioning Homeopathy as a valuable component of holistic healthcare strategies, especially in developing countries.

This study explores the dynamics of social exclusion in healthcare settings within the rural Ganderbal district of Kashmir, focusing on the availability of health facilities and the health-seeking behaviors of socially disadvantaged populations. Through a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from interviews and qualitative insights from observation, the research reveals significant disparities in healthcare access between rural and urban areas. Key findings indicate that rural residents face exclusion due to a scarcity of hospitals, unavailability of 24-hour medical staff, inadequate infrastructure, staffing shortages, and systemic biases, compounded by environmental and occupational challenges. Communicable diseases predominate, with majority of respondents affected, and traditional healers and medical shops serve as primary care sources over formal institutions like government hospitals. Socio-economic factors, including low literacy, reliance on agriculture, and poverty, exacerbate these issues. The study highlights higher infant mortality and malnutrition rates in rural areas compared to urban centers, underscoring the need for attitudinal shifts among healthcare providers and systemic improvements in infrastructure and policy to enhance health equity. By addressing an underexplored gap in rural health research in India, this work aims to inform strategies for inclusive healthcare delivery, potentially yielding broader societal benefits through improved well-being and demographic dividends.

Aim: To compare the vision related quality of life before and after prescription of refractive glasses in school-aged children. Design: A prospective, comparative, and hospital-based interventional study was conducted at the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, PGIMS, Rohtak between May 2021-May 2022. It involved assessment of vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) in 200 school-going children of the 5-16 age group, then comparing outcomes in children with URE versus those corrected with eyeglasses. Those with significantly low visual acuity (≤ 6/9) on Snellen’s were enrolled in the study after obtaining written informed consent from parents. The Modified SREEQ was used to assess VRQoL. Various parameters of comparison included age, gender, demography, education, and improvement in VRQoL within individual study groups over time. Comparison was done before and after using prescription refractive eyeglasses with a follow-up period of 3 months. Results: The correction amongst hypermetropes, 40 out of total 200 students (20%), correction among myopes (153 of 200 students), correction amongst students with astigmatism (7 out of 200 students) resulted in changing categories from mild/moderate/severe visual impairment to normal category of visual acuity i.e., 6/6 on immediate correction with refractive glasses prescribed to them post refraction. Students with astigmatism showed an improvement in symptoms like distorted images post-refractive correction at 3 months. Thus, proving a positive role of refractive eyeglasses in reducing the burden of refractive errors in our study population and improving the visual outcome. Conclusion: VRQoL was better in students after they got their refractive errors corrected with prescription eyeglasses at 3 months as compared to their QoL evaluated at their first visit to our centre with URE. This study focused on having a holistic approach towards improvement in QoL by taking into consideration the academic, psychological, cost-effectiveness aspects of VRQoL among students in the age group 5-16 years old.