Food with ‘trans fat’ in abundance in the market, heart and brain are paying the penalty

 Food with ‘trans fat’ in abundance in the market, heart and brain are paying the penalty

Doctors say that the trans fat (very bad fat) hidden in bakery products, noodles, puffs and French fries, which are abundant in the market, is causing serious damage to the heart and nervous system at a young age.

Food with ‘trans fat’ in abundance in the market, heart and brain are paying the penalty

February 15, Kathmandu. ‘What is the worst fat found in?’ This is a question that senior cardiologist Dr. Ommurthy Anil often asks his patients who come to him for check-ups.

Most of those who come to check answer, ‘Red meat, ghee, milk, butter.’

Some add, ‘The fat in oil can be bad.’

He explains, ‘The worst fat in the world is found in foods containing trans fats.’

According to Dr. Anil, eating foods containing trans fats for a long time is fatal to the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and brain. But we do not find it unusual to eat biscuits with tea in the morning, puffed noodles in the afternoon, and french fries with friends in the evening.

But hidden within this easy and tasty option is ‘trans fat’, i.e. very bad fat (unhealthy fat).

According to the doctor, foods containing trans fats are causing chronic diseases in the body. This is not a ‘normal fat’, but a silent poison that opens the door to chronic diseases.

A monitoring conducted by the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control last November showed this alarming situation. During the monitoring, the ‘croissant’ of Nanglo Bakery and the puff produced by Khajuri Nepal Pvt. Ltd. were found to be harmful to health. After ‘trans fat’ was found to be more than the limit set by the government, the Food Department completely banned the sale and distribution and destroyed them.

Trans fat is considered one of the most harmful fats from a health perspective. According to experts, the reason for the increase in trans fat is unhealthy diet and urban lifestyle. Due to trans fat, heart attacks are increasing at a young age.

‘The trend of heart attacks that we are seeing in patients is directly related to diet,’ says senior cardiologist Dr. Prakash Raj Regmi, ‘Trans fat is an important reason for that.’

What is trans fat?

Trans fat is found from two sources, natural and artificial. It is found in the fat in red meat of animals such as cows, buffaloes, goats, and in dishes made from milk and yogurt. According to doctors, trans fats obtained from natural sources when consumed in small amounts do not have much negative impact on health. However, consuming excessive amounts can have negative impacts.

Industrial trans fats produced in the food industry are extremely harmful to health. They are obtained from artificial sources.

Industrial trans fats are mainly produced by converting vegetable oils into ghee through hydrogenation. In this process, it is produced by heating vegetable oils at high temperatures and adding hydrogen molecules. In this process, the liquid oil is converted into a solid state, i.e. vegetable ghee.

The vegetable ghee produced from this process is used to make various processed foods including bakery products, biscuits, cookies, ready-made noodles, bhujiya, dal moth, potato chips, etc.

Trans fats, which are produced by heating cheap oils in the industry and adding hydrogen, increase the amount of fat. In addition, foods cooked in such very bad fats become tasty and can be stored for many days.

Foods cooked in such oil are mostly used for packaged foods. Foods that look attractive from the outside are very harmful to health. Even if vegetable oil is heated many times, the amount of trans fat increases. Pakodas, samosas, potatoes, and chicken cooked in such oil are delicious to eat.

Another senior cardiologist, Dr. Premraj Vaidya, says, “It is considered good to eat one teaspoon of ghee a day. However, trans fat-rich foods are very dangerous.”

Senior cardiologist, Dr. Ommurthy Anil, says that heart attacks are increasing in people in their 30s and 40s. The main reason for this is a bad lifestyle and eating trans fat-rich foods. He says, “Trans fat-rich foods cause blockage in the blood vessels of a healthy person and lead to heart attacks. It affects everyone from children to senior citizens, pregnant women.

Transfats that poison the blood vessels

Ultra-bad fats (transfats) increase the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood and reduce the amount of good cholesterol. Similarly, they negatively affect the inner part of the arteries and increase the narrowing of the arteries.

'Not only does it narrow the blood vessels, it also causes inflammation (a condition like a swollen wound) in the inner part,' says Dr. Regmi, 'When cholesterol accumulates, blood blockage occurs. Which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.' Not only this, transfats increase the risk of type-2 diabetes.

Due to processed foods prepared for commercial purposes, fat accumulation around the stomach, weight gain and metabolic syndrome are increasing. There is an increasing addiction to junk food among children these days. Obesity, high blood pressure and pre-diabetes are starting to appear at school age, says Dr. Vaidya.

Experts say that excessive trans fat intake by pregnant women can affect fetal development. “There is a possibility that the effects of trans fat can reach the newborn through breastfeeding,” says Dr. Vaidya, “and the risk can last for a generation.” It is not limited. It has a bad effect on the health of the unborn child.

The fried and packaged foods in the market are rich in trans fats. Doctors say that excessive consumption of which leads to fatal diseases at an early age and many people die.

Dr. Regmi claimed that a young woman died after eating Bhujia after watching an advertisement. Recalling an incident a few years ago, he said, "Amitabh Bachchan had promoted Bikaji Bhujia in a very attractive way on Sony TV. A young woman is an Amitabh fan. After consuming Bhujia for a long time, she had reached a state of heart failure."

According to Dr. Regmi, continuous consumption of Bhujia weakened the heart muscle, increased blood pressure and cholesterol. Due to which the heart could not pump properly.

Heart disease is becoming the leading cause of death in the world. The main risk factors are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco and alcohol consumption. A study by the World Health Organization has shown that high intake of trans fats increases the risk of death by 34 percent.

Effects of diet on the brain

Experts say that brain diseases have started increasing among Nepali youth due to changing diets along with modern lifestyle. According to neurologist Dr. Sushil Mohan Bhattarai, serious neurological diseases including stroke, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other diseases have started appearing even in young people in their 30s due to trans fat-rich foods and unhealthy lifestyle.

Dr. Bhattarai, who works at a civil hospital, says, 'Earlier, paralysis and brain stroke were considered diseases that occurred after reaching the age of 70. But now it is seen in young people in their 30s.'

According to Dr. Bhattarai, after trans fats enter the body, they go directly to the cell membrane. Cell membranes are very important for maintaining the structure of the body and for communicating from one cell to another.

In order for the brain to implement what the hand thinks, there must be continuous communication between the nerves. But when trans fats start to mix with cell membranes, communication is disrupted and brain functions gradually deteriorate.

According to Dr. Bhattarai, trans fats reduce the amount of serotonin, the ‘happy chemical’ produced in the brain. Due to this, people in the modern era have started to tend to be more sad, negative and depressed. Not only that, but the ability to learn new things and memory decline.

‘Many college-going students come to the clinic with problems with concentration,’ says Dr. Bhattarai.

Similarly, according to Dr. Rajiv Jha, senior neurosurgeon at Bir Hospital, when the amount of fat in the body increases, the blood vessels that carry blood begin to clot. When fat accumulates in the veins, the blood flow is blocked, due to which the amount of oxygen that should reach the brain decreases.

According to Dr. Jha, if blood circulation is blocked in any part of the brain, the risk of stroke is high. ‘When too much fat accumulates, the vessels become narrow or stiff. That leads to brain hemorrhage or stroke,’ says Dr. Jha says.

According to Dr. Bhattarai, smoking is the number one risk factor for stroke in young people. In second place is unhealthy diet and foods high in trans fats.

‘Brain-related diseases are more common in urban youth and they smoke and eat foods high in trans fats from a young age,’ said Dr. Bhattarai.

Regarding the direct link between trans fat intake and stroke, Dr. Jha says, ‘Obesity and high blood pressure are the main problems in many patients who come to the hospital. Patients who have strokes at a young age often have an unhealthy lifestyle, excessive consumption of junk food, and lack of physical activity.’

Trans fat-rich foods in abundance in the market

Data from the Food Department shows that some of the foods produced in the market are very harmful to health. The department had monitored 67 prepared food items and the raw materials used in them in the last one year.

Of these, 16 percent, or 11, were found to contain trans fats exceeding the standard. In which the total fat content of the food item was more than two percent.

Manita Vaidya, Director General of the department, says, ‘During the monitoring, up to 15.5 percent trans fat was found. Which is very harmful to health.’

Eight puffs were tested during the monitoring. Four puffs had trans fat levels exceeding the standard. Four of the six vegetable ghees tested had high trans fat levels. Vaidya claimed that the products found to have trans fat levels exceeding the standard were returned to the market.

Dr. Anil says, ‘Finding 15.5 percent trans fat in food in the market is a poison for health. Eating such foods directly blocks the blood vessels of the heart and causes heart attacks.’

In the race to increase profits, hotels, restaurants and roadside shops are repeatedly using oil to make fast food such as pakodas, samosas, puris, chicken fries, sausages, etc., which produces trans fat. Deep frying destroys all the nutrients in the food and adds harmful fats to it.

“Most of the sweet shops in the market are using vegetable ghee and oil containing trans fats to make sweets. These dishes, which look smooth, shiny and durable, are actually poisonous to the heart and blood vessels,” said Dr. Vaidya.

Dr. Regmi adds, “Repeatedly heating oil is harmful. It is used Not only is it linked to disease, but it is also linked to the risk of cancer. It is advisable to avoid using vegetable ghee as much as possible.

Main causes of death Heart and stroke

The mortality rate from non-communicable diseases is increasing in Nepal. According to statistics, a large part of the total deaths are due to respiratory diseases, heart diseases, and strokes.

According to experts, unhealthy diet and increased consumption of processed foods are one of the main reasons for this.

According to the 2023 data of 'Nepal Burden of Disease', respiratory diseases are the number one cause of death in Nepal, heart disease is the second, and stroke is the third.

Our diet, behavior, and lifestyle have emerged as the main root causes of the spread of non-communicable diseases. Experts say that non-communicable diseases are increasing as a 'dormant' epidemic in developing countries in recent times. The mortality rate is also increasing in proportion to that. According to the latest statistics, 71 percent of deaths in Nepal are due to non-communicable diseases.

Public health expert Dr. Rita Thapa says that the increase in the incidence of non-communicable diseases has become a matter of concern in recent years. According to Thapa, non-communicable diseases are increasing due to luxurious lifestyle and carelessness in eating, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

According to Dr. Thapa, the reasons are in our hands. There are things related to our lifestyle. Our behavior, junk food, lifestyle, use of tobacco products at a young age, and lack of exercise are the result.

‘Children at a young age consume tobacco products, junk food, and alcohol. Parents also give junk food to young children for lunch,’ Dr. Thapa clarified, saying, ‘The burden of non-communicable diseases is increasing due to lack of physical exertion and excessive stress.’

Is it right to call food ‘junk’? – Online Khabar

State silence, consumer health at risk

With the beginning of the 2000s, health agencies in various countries of the world began to implement regulations to control trans fats used in food. Denmark introduced stricter standards in 2003, while Switzerland banned trans fats in 2008.

Within the United States, New York banned trans fats in 2006 and California in 2008. Canada followed suit in 2008. These decisions led to very low trans fat levels in many foods and complete bans on many products.

Then, it was announced that heart attacks, high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes in young people had decreased. Denmark announced that it had reduced the incidence of diseases in young people by 50 percent. But at the time, many countries found it difficult to believe what Denmark had announced.

The World Health Organization investigated the issue and declared Denmark a “trans fat-free” country.

In the United States and Canada, the amount of trans fat must be stated on the label of packaged foods sold.

The World Health Organization had launched a campaign with the goal of eliminating industrial trans fats from all countries of the world by 2023.

On 24 Magh 2078, the government passed the Multi-Sectoral Action Plan (2021-2025) for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases. Under this plan, there is a policy to keep trans fats below 2 percent of the total fat content of food.

The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control has implemented the standards since 25 Shrawan 2081 after the standards were approved by the Food Standards Committee. However, it has not been adequately monitored.

Consumer rights activists say that the state machinery is still not serious about trans fat-containing foods being sold openly in the market. Consumer rights activist Madhav Timalsina says that the problem will worsen unless the state comes up with a clear and strict policy. According to him, the problem extends from production to regulation.

‘First of all, there should be stricter restrictions on the import of raw materials. Trans fat testing should be made mandatory at customs and quarantine checkpoints. But it does not seem to be happening effectively,' said Timalsina.

Stating that merely setting standards is not enough, he says that strictness is needed in implementation.

'The policy is limited to paper. There is no will to implement it. The terror of trans fats in the market will not stop until a comprehensive awareness campaign is launched among the government, industrialists, importers and consumers,' said Timalsina.

Department spokesperson Bal Kumari Sharma claims that food products have been monitored regularly lately.

'Last November, we recalled the puff produced by Khajuri from the market after it was found to be substandard,' says Sharma. 'We found that it was safe to eat in subsequent monitoring.'

Lax regulation

The Food Hygiene and Quality Act, 2081, clearly provides for mandatory labeling of food and beverages. It is the responsibility of producers and sellers to provide consumers with accurate and clear information about the nature, quality, quantity, expiration date and potential risks of the product.

Similarly, the Consumer Protection Act, 2075 BS, has ensured the right of consumers to be informed about price, quality, results and purity, and has provided a legal basis to protect them from the sale and distribution of products that are harmful to human health.

But the law seems to be limited to paper. Unlabeled food products are found being sold openly in the market. Some products do not even mention the details of ingredients, production and expiry date. Due to this, consumers are directly at risk due to weak state monitoring.

The Advertisement (Regulation) Act, 2076 BS and the Consumer Protection Act, 2075 BS clearly prohibit misleading and false advertisements related to health and nutrition. Who is it? These legal provisions could have been enough to stop the aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods, sugary drinks, and industrial trans-fat products targeting children. But implementation is weak. The Food Technology and Quality Control Department and provincial-level laboratories have cited a lack of manpower as the reason for their inability to conduct effective monitoring.

The argument of limited technical capacity and weak laboratory infrastructure at the food department, provincial laboratories, and local levels has been repeated. The growing market for highly processed foods, the tendency to not follow labeling, and a weak monitoring system have made the situation more complicated. The regulatory mechanism is in disarray, increasing the health risks to consumers.

Health experts say that mandatory mention of trans-fat content on food labels, clear visual warnings, and targeted implementation strategies are necessary to control industrial trans-fat. They suggest that inspection and laboratory capacity should be strengthened by implementing tax policies and strict labeling at the provincial level.

Consumer rights activists in Timalsina say that there should be no delay in making market monitoring effective and banning the sale and promotion of high-trans-fat products in schools and communities.

Preparations to bring a multi-sectoral action plan

The government has said that preparations are underway to bring a new multi-sectoral action plan for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. According to Health Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bikas Devkota, the action plan implemented from 2021 to 2025 has expired. Now, the process of formulating a new strategy for 2026 to 2030 has been initiated.

Stating that the main causes of non-communicable diseases lie outside the health sector, Dr. Devkota says that multi-sectoral cooperation is indispensable.

‘About 80 percent of the causes of non-communicable diseases are related to factors outside the health sector,’ says Dr. Devkota. ‘They are linked to other ministries and agencies on issues such as environmental pollution, chemical substances, waste management, and pesticides.’

According to him, although the previous action plan tried to include a multi-sectoral concept, sufficient success was not achieved in practical implementation.

‘The health sector alone cannot be held responsible; other sectors should also reduce the causes that negatively affect health through their policies, investments, and practices,’ he emphasized. He also said that a strategy will be prepared so that various ministries and stakeholders can clearly contribute through policies, resources and programs.

‘A plan is being prepared to incorporate the lessons learned from the previous period into a new strategy and address the weaknesses and challenges seen in implementation,’ says Dr. Devkota, adding, ‘A more effective and clear multi-sectoral approach is now needed to control non-communicable diseases.’

Low libido on the rise, is there a way to increase it?

 Low libido on the rise, is there a way to increase it?

Alan Reeves used to perform on stage in the 90s and also appeared in the movie Spice World.

Prescriptions for testosterone replacement therapy in the UK increased by 135 percent from 2021 to 2024.

Testosterone therapy has restored libido in some men, but there are also concerns about its side effects and profiteering.

In the 90s, Alan Reeves regularly performed on stage. As a member of the group ‘The Dreamboys’, he would take off his clothes in front of thousands of people. Due to his increasing demand, he and his friends later appeared in the Spice Girls movie ‘Spice World.’

Reeves, who was 24 at the time, said, ‘I was the poster boy for pin-up fame.’ As Reeves turned 30, he found himself in a different situation. His moods were bad and his sex drive had almost disappeared.

He said, “Nothing felt right to me.”

“My lack of sexual desire had a negative impact on my long-term relationships,” says Reeves, now 52. Reeves, who works as a fitness and lifestyle coach in London, started testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and it has helped restore his libido.

“I’ve gone from a grumbling old man to a young man again,” he says. “It’s an amazing feeling.”

Sexual desire is steadily declining

Women are also turning to testosterone. Blogger Rachel Mason, 37, says the hormone has been “amazing” for her energy levels, concentration and libido. She recounts her experience after menopause.

There has been a huge increase in testosterone prescriptions. The Care Quality Commission has compiled figures from the NHS Business Authority, which show a 135 per cent increase in its prescriptions between 2021 and 2024.

The increase comes at a time when ‘sex drive’ is seen to be declining across the UK. The National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (NatSAL) asks more than 10,000 people about this every decade.

In 1990, people aged 16 to 44 said they had sex an average of five times a month. By 2000 this had fallen to four times and by 2010 to three times.

The next set of results is due later this year, and researchers say the downward trend is continuing. However, they do not point to any one reason for the decline.

Against this backdrop, a debate is growing rapidly. Can testosterone really improve libido, or is it just a profit-making hype? The frequency of sex in the UK is falling. The National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles asks about 10,000 people about this every decade.

Low libido

According to study author Alan Reeves, the experience of low libido is one example of a trend that is becoming more common. “We’ve seen a decline in all age groups in the last few years,” says study director Soezig Clifton. “There are fewer couples living together now than in the 1990s, which could help explain the decline in sexual desire. But when we look specifically at that group (cohabiting couples), there’s also a decline,” she says.

In fact, the fastest decline in sexual frequency has been among older couples or couples who live together.

“It’s hard to say exactly why libido is declining,” says Clifton. “We don’t have any data yet that can tell us with any certainty that libido is not as high as it used to be,” she says. “There have been a number of studies that have tried to understand why. These studies point to the digital world as a big factor, making it harder to turn off screens, and there are so many other options to spend time with.”

General practitioner and sex therapist Dr Ben Davies says our stress levels are generally much higher than they were 30 years ago. This is also a reason, he says. “There’s a lot going on in people’s lives. Obviously there’s technology, but there’s also an increase in stress, depression and loneliness. All of these things contribute to a decrease in libido,” says Dr Ben Davies.

Professor Geoffrey Hackett, a consultant urologist and member of the British Society for Sexual Medicine (BSSM), says that testosterone levels in men are definitely falling.

According to him, the rise in obesity, type 2 diabetes and an increasingly inactive lifestyle all contribute to low testosterone levels. And declining testosterone levels may be one reason for our lack of libido.

Over the past 20 years, studies have measured hormone levels in men, which have shown that testosterone levels have decreased. But Hackett emphasizes that this graph is very subtle.

Low testosterone increases the likelihood of low libido, but that does not mean that every man with low testosterone has a low libido. Despite this complexity, subway stations, bus stops and social media feeds are now filled with ads like, “Low libido? Tired? Time to get a testosterone test!”

So, can testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) really be a cure for low libido?

Testosterone ‘gave me my life back’

Melissa Green has been taking testosterone for about a year. In his words, it gave him "the zest for life." ’ Not only did it bring her back, but it also saved her marriage. Melissa, 43, had been suffering from a low libido that had taken a toll on her relationship.

Her doctor had already prescribed her hormone replacement therapy, which consisted of estrogen and progesterone, due to early menopause symptoms, but Green says, “the doctor was not prepared to test her testosterone levels. They said she didn’t need the extra hormones.”

Women’s bodies produce low levels of this hormone, and according to NHS guidelines, women can only be given testosterone if they have ‘hypoactive sexual desire disorder’. That is, their sex drive is very low or almost non-existent. It can affect women of any age, but it peaks during menopause.

Eventually, Green went to a private clinic, had a blood test, and was told her levels were low. After taking the test report to her doctor, she was given some testosterone from the NHS.

‘It’s given me my life back. I feel like I’m in my 20s again,’ she says.

While some people are enthusiastic about the effects of testosterone on sex drive, others say it has some unpleasant side effects.

Cheryl O’Malley took testosterone for a year, she says, and while it may have helped restore some of the energy lost during the menopause, it also increased her libido and made her feel very angry.

‘I was feeling very horny. I wanted to have sex with my husband, but there were times when you felt like it wasn’t right, it wasn’t me. I felt like everything was out of my control.

Rachel Mason says, “When she posts about TRT, she sees, ‘Many women are very scared to start testosterone, they worry that they’ll look like a man, they’ll grow facial hair, or they’ll lose their identity.’

Mason has also developed hair growth on her arms. But that’s nothing compared to the benefits she gets from the hormone. In addition to body hair growth, TRT can have many other side effects.

In women, excessive hair growth, dandruff, and weight gain can occur. These can be resolved when the dose is reduced or stopped.

In men, side effects can include weight gain, prolonged erections, male-pattern hair loss, and mood swings. It can also reduce sperm production, which can affect fertility. There are treatments available that can help, but medical advice is recommended.

Money-making pot

Some NHS GPs and specialists say private clinics are making a profit by selling testosterone replacement therapy as a quick fix for a complex problem.

NHS consultant in sexual and reproductive health Dr Paula Briggs says it is a way of making money and people are paying huge sums for something they don’t need. “It’s getting out of hand,” she says.

What do you mean, private clinics?

They say they are improving people’s lives by providing a service that the NHS is failing to provide. Jeff Foster, medical director of the multi-million pound clinic Boy, which specialises in men’s health, and an NHS GP, says the private sector is filling a gap that the NHS is failing to provide.

Michael Cox has been providing TRT through his company Balance My Hormones since 2016. He says he has seen a “tremendous” increase in demand for it in recent years.

Some of his patients had been tested on the NHS, but were turned away because their levels were not low. They then went into the private sector. “Even if they are slightly above the NHS limit, TRT can help,” says Cox.

The proportion of people who benefit is small

What constitutes a healthy testosterone level in men depends on which organisation you ask and which studies you read. According to the BSSM guidelines, men with levels below 12 nmol/L should consider TRT, especially if they have symptoms of ‘hypogonadism’, a condition in which the testicles are not producing enough hormones.

NHS guidance can vary by region. But levels below 6 to 8 nmol/L can be considered low testosterone.

In women, testosterone levels start to fall between the ages of 20 and 40 and stabilise at menopause. Low levels are normal, but the question is how much this affects sex drive and overall health.

Tests are available for women but it is difficult to get an accurate reading because the doses needed are so low. There is no licensed treatment for women on the NHS. Dr Briggs is wary of the hype and hype surrounding TRT. . She says ‘Many patients come in complaining of a lack of sexual desire. They say they have done a study, which usually means they have seen someone posting about life-changing effects on social media. ‘Even if it works for a celebrity, it doesn’t work for everyone.’

She has a flood of patients asking for testosterone tests in her area. Some take a prescription and then return after a few months because the effects have diminished. The clinical evidence suggests that TRT is only effective in women who have gone through menopause and have a low libido.

‘The advertising from private clinics has exaggerated everything,’ says Briggs. 

This therapy is not a miracle cure

Cheryl O’Malley has stopped taking testosterone. The intense anger and hypersexuality that came with the treatment have now subsided, and her libido has returned to a comfortable level.

“It’s been a huge relief for me to get off it,” she says. There are many factors that can cause low libido, and testosterone is not the only solution. But Alan Reeves has been on TRT for seven years and his life has improved dramatically.

“My libido has returned, and at first I wanted to have sex for 10 nights straight,” he says. “Now I’m calm and in a better mental and physical state.”

According to her, it’s not a miracle drug, and TRT is meaningless without lifestyle changes. “It’s like putting a Ferrari engine in a junk car,” she says.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can cause hand crippling. Learn about this disease.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can cause hand crippling. Learn about this disease.

Health problems: Pain and tingling in the hand can often be a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome, which requires timely care.

Due to today's busy lifestyle, very few people have time to take care of their health. Everyone has so much work that they spend all day sitting in front of a computer, making exercise and other healthy habits a distant dream. In fact, a lack of exercise and stretching can lead to body aches, joint pain, and many other problems. However, due to lack of time, people simply take painkillers to cope. However, sometimes the condition becomes serious and can cause permanent damage to the body. Carpal tunnel syndrome is one such problem, which causes a person's hand to become numb and painful. If you often experience pain in your hand or numbness in a part of your hand, then this article is for you and you should definitely know about it.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

It is an anatomy-related problem in which a nerve in the wrist becomes compressed, resulting in tingling and pain in the hand. However, with timely care and proper treatment and home remedies, this problem can be cured.

This problem can be caused by excessive use of the wrists.

People who overuse their wrists can also develop this problem. For example, if you work on a computer keyboard for hours or play games that require wrist use, your risk of developing this syndrome increases.

It can cause permanent disability.

Carpal tunnel syndrome involves compression of a nerve in the wrist, causing tingling and even complete numbness in the area of ​​the hand connected to the nerve. This is usually caused by overuse of the wrist joint, resulting in compression of the nerve during a procedure.

People with these conditions are at greater risk.

Although anyone can develop carpal tunnel syndrome, those with arthritis, diabetes, or thyroid-related conditions are at higher risk. Previous wrist injuries are also at higher risk.

Contact a doctor as soon as you experience symptoms.

If you notice temporary numbness or pain in any part of your hand, you should consult a doctor immediately. If carpal tunnel syndrome is treated early, it can be treated before it becomes serious.

A good lifestyle is essential.

People who exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet are less likely to experience such problems. However, those who lead a sedentary lifestyle are at greater risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Therefore, adopting good lifestyle habits is crucial to prevent this condition.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

More About Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome, or CTS, is a condition in which a nerve in your wrist becomes compressed, causing severe pain and stiffness in your hand and entire arm. This occurs when the median nerve in your wrist becomes compressed. The carpal, which is called carpus in English, means wrist in Hindi. The word carpus is derived from the Greek word. Medically, the carpus is a group of eight small bones surrounding the wrist. These bones are located on both sides of the wrist, connecting the hand to the elbow. Nine to ten tendons and one nerve (the median nerve, which lies between the elbow and wrist) pass through the tunnel. All of these nerves pass through the carpal bone and are supported by a strong ligament called the flexor retinaculum. CTS can often manifest as more than one symptom, which is why it's called a syndrome.

Stages of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The severity of carpal tunnel syndrome is assessed in five stages, including abnormal tingling in the hand, loss of sensation, and weakness of the thumb muscles. Let's explore these stages.

Stage 1: Nocturnal paraesthesia can be felt in any part of the hand, especially where the median nerve passes.

Stage 2: This condition can occur at any time of the day and causes frequent stiffness in the hand.

Stage 3: Sensation is lost in the area where the median nerve passes.

Stage 4: Weakness and failure of the muscles below the thumb.

Stage 5: Widespread paralysis or loss of muscle mass of the muscles below the thumb, causing the thumb to no longer function properly.

Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Anyone suffering from CTS will experience pain, numbness, or pins and needles (like a pins and needles) where the median nerve passes. The median nerve runs through the outer half of the hand, including the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. As the disease progresses, the affected hand and fingers become increasingly difficult to grasp, and the muscles on the outer side of the hand also become damaged. Sometimes, severe pain may occur in the front of the elbow and wrist.

Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Nerve compression is not something that is impossible to diagnose. In such cases, CTS is called idiopathic. This syndrome often results from a wrist injury or medical conditions that compress the median nerve in the wrist, such as arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, obesity, and sometimes even pregnancy. CTS is also seen in patients who take period-advancing pills or take medication to treat epilepsy. Lipomas and lumps in the wrist can also put pressure on the nerve, leading to carpal tunnel syndrome.

It is observed that CTS symptoms usually appear in the middle of the night. These symptoms can sometimes appear on one or both wrists. Nowadays, this condition is commonly associated with computer use and is the most familiar form of computer-related injury, called CRI. This injury is caused by excessive wrist use. It most often occurs in people who type on a computer or chat on the phone all day. This results from overuse and stress on the tendons in the wrist, thumb, or shoulder. This type of injury is called repetitive strain injury (RSI).

Risk Factors for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

There are some risk factors associated with this condition that you need to know about.

Heredity: It runs in some families, causing some people to have changes in the structure of the carpal tunnel or the size or location of the nerve.

Age: This condition is more common in people after the age of 50.

Gender: This condition is more common in women than in men.

Hormonal Changes: Certain hormonal changes during pregnancy may increase the risk of CTS in women.

Weight: Overweight people are at higher risk for CTS.

Habits: Smoking and alcohol.

Occupations: People with certain occupations are at higher risk for CTS, such as computer users, transcriptionists, factory workers, butchers, barbers, janitors, musicians, drivers, and cashiers.

How to Prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

In this condition, patients need to make lifestyle changes to reduce symptoms and ensure treatment is effective. Since this condition is caused by overuse of the wrist, patients should take frequent breaks during work and rest the painful area, especially when experiencing discomfort. If symptoms persist, consult a doctor.

Using a gadget to keep your wrist straight can help prevent excessive pressure on the wrist. Wearing a splint at night can help keep your wrist in the correct position. Avoid undue stress on the thumb. To do this, use your entire hand and fingers to grasp an object.

To relieve CTS-related symptoms and pain, rest whenever you're at home, and don't forget to exercise if the pain is mild. Exercise can help build muscle strength and reduce symptoms.

Finally, timely treatment of CTS is essential. Ignoring symptoms will only lead to further damage.

Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The symptoms of CTS are very distinctive, so they're not difficult to diagnose. A doctor can assess the patient's past medical history or use the Durkan test or Tinel's sign (a pins-and-needles sensation). Symptoms can also be evaluated using the Phalen test, a physical examination that confirms CTS. An X-ray may be recommended to rule out injury or arthritis. Doctors may also recommend a nerve conduction velocity test (NCV) to diagnose this condition. An electromyogram (EMG) can measure electrical activity in the muscles to show muscle damage. An ultrasound can also be performed to check for compression of the median nerve.

The difference between wrist and hand pain is diagnosed as follows:

De Quervain's tendonitis: Pain experienced when making a fist or shaking hands.

Trigger finger: Pain and stiffness experienced when bending the thumb and other fingers.

Arthritis: Pain experienced due to swollen or stiff joints.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment

When a person is diagnosed with this condition, there is no need to panic, as there are several treatment options. These can be divided into non-surgical and surgical options. With lifestyle changes, this condition is quite easy to treat. Non-surgical options are suitable for cases where the patient has a less severe form of CTS. These non-surgical options include:

Splints: Braces and splints are recommended to support the wrist, especially at night.

Physiotherapy and exercise: Once diagnosed, patients are typically prescribed CTS-specific exercises to tone the muscles in their upper limbs to reduce the severity of symptoms. The purpose of these exercises is to widen the carpal tunnel to create space for the affected nerve.

Steroid injections: These injections help reduce inflammation and temporarily alleviate symptoms. However, they are not considered a permanent or long-term treatment.

If non-surgical methods do not alleviate symptoms, surgery may be recommended. Surgical options for CTS include:

Surgical carpal tunnel release: This surgery, also known as open surgery or endoscopic, involves dividing the retinaculum to create more space for the nerve. This surgery is performed for patients who have not responded to other treatment options. To date, it is the only permanent solution to the problem.

The results of this operation are generally good, and the likelihood of symptoms returning is very low. Your grip should begin to improve within 2-3 months of surgery. However, a serious complication of the operation is stiffness in your thumb.

Avoid Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by Improving Your Lifestyle

This condition is a factor in many of our daily activities, so to prevent future recurrences, we should take effective measures, such as changes in our workplace. We should focus on maintaining proper body posture. Special attention should be paid to maintaining the position of the hand and wrist. You should take frequent breaks from work, as excessive strain on the wrist can lead to this condition. Proper positioning while sleeping. Furthermore, evaluating and properly using equipment at work can help reduce the risk of CTS.

Surgery-related key points and complications

Recovery from surgery is relatively short. Stitches are removed a few days after surgery. Symptoms should be relieved approximately 14 days after the removal of the stitches. Most people recover well and can resume normal activities after approximately 6 weeks. Regular rest, stretching exercises, and correct wrist posture can all help.

Complications

If you leave this condition untreated, you may develop a lifelong problem that may be irreversible, causing unbearable pain, stiffness, and muscle weakness.

Alternative Treatments for Surgery

Yoga has proven to provide relief for some people with this condition. Yoga has proven to be a form of alternative treatment that has proven beneficial in reducing pain and improving strength.

‘A person smiling on the outside may be in pain on the inside’

 ‘A person smiling on the outside may be in pain on the inside’

A hectic lifestyle, economic insecurity, rising unemployment, social expectations and fear of the future, as well as the influence of excessive social media, are further increasing mental pressure.

‘A person smiling on the outside may be in pain on the inside’

The \'Let's talk about our hearts\' campaign launched by the Nepal government is a national initiative to make mental health a social priority and break the silence.

The campaign aims to encourage adolescents, youth and the general public to seek awareness, empathy and support about mental health.

We live in a society bound by collective thinking and culture. It is our habit to talk to each other, gather, and exchange experiences. Whether at home, in a tea shop, in the office or on social media - there is no shortage of words. But one important thing is often lost in all this dialogue - the heart.

From the outside, many people look normal and happy. They have a smile on their face, and their behavior is easy. But that smile is not always genuine. Some people put on a show of their pain so that no one can see it. On the inside, they may be tired, scared, confused, and depressed. These mental struggles that are not visible on the outside are not easily understood, and are often ignored.

The Importance of the ‘Let’s Talk About It’ Campaign

The ‘Let’s Talk About It’ campaign launched by the Government of Nepal is not just an information program, it is a national initiative to make mental health a social priority, break the silence, give courage to speak up, and encourage people to seek help.

The campaign focuses on promoting awareness, empathy, compassion, and dialogue about mental health, especially among adolescents, youth, and the general public. It aims to remove discrimination and misconceptions, develop stress management and various skills, and encourage people to seek professional help when needed. In addition, the campaign also covers social safety and support services such as digital wellness, family and community support, and the 1166 helpline.

The Pain Behind the Smile

In daily life, many people are fulfilling their responsibilities with a smile, but on the inside, they are suffering. They want to express their feelings, but they are afraid - 'If I tell my pain, will society think I am weak, will they criticize me, will they blame me?' Worries like these prevent them from speaking up.

Because of these thoughts and fears, the pain of the mind remains hidden inside. Over time, these problems become deeper and begin to affect the person's performance, relationships, and enthusiasm for life. Eventually, it may become difficult to even do normal tasks.

How do mental problems look?

Many in our society still associate mental problems with 'madness'. Most people easily assume that 'he is depressed' or 'he is crazy' when they see symptoms such as sadness, anxiety, fatigue, or inability to concentrate. But the reality is different from such simple perceptions.

Mental problems come in many forms and can manifest differently in each person. While some may suffer from constant sadness, lack of confidence, or insomnia, others may experience excessive anger, anxiety, social distancing, or changes in behavior.

Some people may experience difficulty expressing their feelings, losing focus at work or school, or having difficulty fulfilling daily responsibilities. Similarly, there may be a more severe mental health problem that can have a long-term impact.

Importantly, not all mental health problems are always obvious from the outside. Some people hide their suffering and act as if they are normal, which can mislead society. Therefore, a sensitive approach is needed to understand each person’s experiences, circumstances, and inner feelings, rather than judging mental health problems solely based on external behavior.

Why is a mental health campaign necessary now?

Mental health problems are not new in Nepal. But the environment for talking about them openly was not created for a long time. Many still associate mental health with ‘weakness’ or ‘madness’. These are challenging times – a hectic lifestyle, economic insecurity, rising unemployment, social expectations and fear of the future, as well as the influence of excessive social media, are increasing mental pressure.

These are the reasons why people are stressed inside. In such situations, the ‘Speak Your Mind’ campaign works to break the silence, encourage people to speak up, and create an environment that inspires them to seek help.

Listening: Our Shared Responsibility

Many people ask – what can we do if we are not the treating doctors?’ The answer is simple – we can listen. This means listening attentively, not interrupting, and not imposing immediate solutions. Without denying feelings, sometimes a simple statement like ‘I understand you’ can be a great support.

When is it necessary to seek help from a specialist?

Not all problems can be solved by yourself or with the help of a friend. If the problem persists for a long time, begins to affect work, studies, or relationships, persistent negative thinking increases, or thoughts of self-harm/suicide begin to arise, it is essential to seek help immediately.

In this case, consulting a doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional can be a life-saving step. Seeking help in a timely manner can help Health problems are easier to manage and have a positive impact on a person's life, performance and overall health.

Only when we speak our minds, understand others and show empathy, can we build a healthy, cooperative society. The 'Speak Your Mind' campaign gives us this message - speaking up is not weakness, it is courage. Sometimes, a little listening and a little support can save a life.