Educated but irresponsible

Around 60% of the 17.3 million eligible voters cast their vote in the first phase of the Karnataka assembly elections held on 10th May. And among the 11 southern districts that went to polls, it was the district holding perhaps the highest number of [ highly ? ] educated people, Bangalore [ BBMP to be precise ] that had the lowest turnout of people casting their right to vote. The number was a paltry 40%.

I find it very irresponsible on the part of these 60% of people who did not cast their votes this time. Everyone is ready to find faults with the government and the system that does not seem to be doing anything good to the people by and large. One of the reasons being lack of dedicated politicians. When we have more than half of the educated people hiding behind their doors, instead of going out to vote [ which happens usually around once in 5 years ], I see it as no surprise that we have such people governing this state. Everyone must have definately thought, what difference can my "one vote" make ? Well, from the above statistics its very evident what a great difference each and every single vote makes.

I wish we had some statistics on the education qualification of the people voting. That would clearly give us the true picture on the kind of people who are bringing the government to power. I have a feeling that, almost half of the people who actually voted, would not have completed their school education successfully. They would definately be voting for people who promise them lots of things. These poor people would not be able to even judge if these promises are viable to be fulfilled. 

When it comes to blaming, we are the first ones to shout. When it comes to owning our responsibility and doing our bit to the society, we always find hundreds of reasons to shun ourselves from these responsibilities. I wonder, what right do these 60% of the people have to talk bad about the government. But then, this is a democracy. Everyone has the right to voice his opinions. And thats the only thing we have been doing. Just shout and cry at all the bad things happening around us. But, not a single soul is ready to do his little bit to the society. We are the first to pass the ball of responsibility to others instead of growing up to take charge of things.

Thinking about all these things, i am really not surprised that India is in the state it is now in.

When Heart Attack Strikes

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor to certify all the things that i write here in this post. This is a collection of things i have heard from people i met in the past few months. Wanted to write this post since long, hoping that some soul out there might read it and be knowledgeable when he/she encounters some person with these symptoms. If you are a doctor and are reading this, and find these things to be right or wrong, please leave a comment.

Many a times people do not realize that they are experiencing an Heart attack. Here is a list of symptoms you can observe in a person who is experiencing heart attack. One of the biggest reasons for this lack of awareness is that these symptoms look very similar to other possible disorders. So, going by that, the list below is not a comprehensive list and it also does not mean that a person experiencing these symptoms is definitely undergoing a heart attack. What it certainly means, is that he needs immediate medical attention.

When you see a patient suffering from an heart attack and find that it is gonna take more time to reach the doctor, then give him a tablet "sorbitrate" [ this is available in India, not sure what its equivalent in other countries is ]. This tablet should be kept under the tongue and not swallowed. It gives the patient atleast an hour's time of survival. I have heard that even given a Disprin in this same manner would help, though i am not very sure about it. 

I have also heard of patients who were quite young in age [ in their 30s ], where they did not display any of these symptoms, but had an attack all of a sudden. It was later found out to be due to blockage in the arteries. Basically, it means that you aren't always lucky to witness these symptoms in the patient. None the less, majority of the patients display these symptoms. If you find anyone with these symptoms, then its high time you get them undergo the necessary tests to diagnose a developing heart attack.

1. One of the most common symptoms a patient experiences while having an attack is burning sensation in the chest. Other possible reasons for chest pain, or chest burning sensations are indigestion or having eaten very spicy food. So don't confuse yourself on this symptom. Better get an ECG done immediately to confirm the real reason.

2. The patient experiences numbness in his left arm. Other reasons for this could also be lack of blood flow to your arm, because the hand was under some weight, something like, you slept with the hand under your body, restricting the blood flow.

3. The patient experiences severe pain on his back, usually right behind his heart. Other reasons for this could be, bad sleeping posture in the night, or a bad mattress.

4. The pain behind his back, now moves to the backside of his neck, usually on the right side. Other reasons for this could be, a very hard pillow you use while sleeping.

5. Heavy breathing, sometimes accompanied by louder than usual sound. Other reasons for this could be, asthma.

6. Sometimes, the patient might wake up suddenly from sleep and start coughing. Most probably a wet cough.

There are certainly many more symptoms, that i am not aware of, and not written above. If you know of any authentic symptoms, please let them as a comment to this post.

Usually, the first 24 hours after getting an heart attack are considered to be very crucial and this critical period can extend upto 5 days. The patient is given some very costly injections, usually in 3 or 5 doses, based on the severity of the attack. [ Not sure about the name of his injection or its purpose .. I suppose, its for giving immediate relief by decreasing the congestion in the blood vessels ]. Once these injections are given and the patient survives the heart attack, you need get an agiogram done to detect the blockages and follow it with angioplasty or surgery, as advised by the doctor.

Heart Attack Symptoms

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor to certify all the things that i write here in this post. This is a collection of things i have heard from people i met in the past few months. Wanted to write this post since long, hoping that some soul out there might read it and be knowledgable when he/she encounters some person with these symptoms. If you are a doctor and are reading this, and find these things to be right or wrong, please leave a comment.

Heart attacks do not announce their arrival.

In no particular order, here are some symptoms you can see in a person who is suffering from a possible heart attack. As you read below, you will realise that these are quite common things. Seeing these symptoms in a person does not necessarily mean that he has an heart attack. You can only be confirmed about a heart attack only after taking an ECG from a reputed doctor. If you see these symptoms more frequently, then it just means that the person needs to meet a doctor for an ECG

1. Not able to walk briskly for long distances and complaining of lack of breathe while doing so. They might usually stop walking to take a breather more often.

2. Cannot lift heavy objects, again because breathing becomes a problem.

3. Cannot climb stairs easily, or climb over an obstacle like walls, etc., again because breathing becomes a problem.

4. Limbs becoming weak. This might happen in spurts. Not continuously. 

5. Pain in knees and/or heels. [ Usually the bone above the heel, not sure what its called ]

6. Frequent tiredness followed with sweating.