Faulty Habits Research Articles

Knowledge, attitude and practices among college going girls in reference to their breakfast consumption pattern

Objective: Breakfast skipping is being considered as a major public health concern among young adults, especially the girls. Nutrition knowledge has been reported to be one of predictors of this dietary behaviour. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the association between of nutrition related knowledge, attitude and practices with breakfast consumption habits of college going girls aged 18-23 years. Design: Data regarding nutrition knowledge, attitude and practices in relation to breakfast consumption was obtained by using a validated, pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. The subjects were classified into three groups according to total score obtained based on their knowledge, attitude and practices with breakfast consumption as Low, Moderate and High. In addition, correlation among knowledge, attitude and practices were also analysed to get better insight of the barriers that were responsible for the faulty habits of breakfast skipping. Setting: Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Participants: College going girls aged 18-23 years (n=850). Results: Mean age of the participants was 18.95±1.40 years. Out of the total sample (n=850), 63% of the girls (n=536) were breakfast skippers. The findings related to knowledge, attitude and practices revealed that majority of them fall in the category of moderate. Significant correlation was found between knowledge attitude and practices of college going girls. Conclusions: The present study suggests that nutrition knowledge level is related to breakfast skipping among college going girls.

Differential diagnosis of Grahani Dosha in Ayurvedic Classics

In Annavaha Srotasa, Grahani Dosha is one of the leading disorders. The Ahitashanajanya Vikara consists of faulty habits such as Adhyashana, Samashana, and Ratri Jagarana, Vega Vidharana, etc. The organ Grahani and Agni have Adhara Adheya type of relationship. The sole site of Agni and the site of occurrence of the disease Grahani Dosha is the organ Grahani. This disease entity engenders from impairment of Agni (Mainly Mandagni) i.e. Agni Dushti. Thus, Agni Dosha (malfunctioning of enzymes responsible for digestion) is main culprit in causation of Grahani Dosha and Grahani Dosha is a precursor or forerunner of Grahani Roga.

COVID-19, a manmade disaster, its treatment & pharmacodynamics of indicated remedies

Repeatedly history has been a proof that each time human have tried to manipulate nature, it has made humankind repent for each deed. The nature of epidemic and pandemic from the plague of Athens to the outbreak of COVID-19, all are the rewards of the greed, manipulation and hyper-individualistic mentality of the humans. All this faulty habits and ignorance of human being has made ACE-2 and TMPRSS-2 the major gateways for further infection and damage in our body. However, it interesting to noted that the main cause of COVID-19 that was been hiding behind ever since its prevalence was non-other than the oxidative stress followed by Natural Disasters and Genetic Causes. Despite of much advancement and enhancement in the field of science, technology and medicine, the hyper-individualistic complexes of the human beings makes them deny the fact. The modern civilised section of the society feels that there a pill for every ill while making them more and more drug depended. This has contributed the pharmaceuticals lords in introducing more and more manipulation. According to these pharmaceuticals lords the creation Vaccine, Antidote, Antiviral and Antibiotics is the major shield for saving the humankind, but is it so? If it is true than who should be answerable for all this increasing death rates around the world, aren’t this Vaccine supposed to stop the prevalence of COVID-19 and other diseases. The Fact is the world today has become an open laboratory with millions of guinea pigs harbouring like a headless chickens.

RELEVANCE OF AAHAR VIDHI VIDHAN ACCORDING TO CHARAKA SAMHITA IN MODERN ERA

Diseases are caused by various reasons. Faulty habits of taking food is one among them but it has great importance because it directly affects normal body mechanisms. So everyone must have to learn how to eat? When to eat? How much quantity? Where to eat? and many more things. Answer to these questions varies according to individuals. Everyone should try to find out it by knowing the basic principles for intake of Aahara. These principles are described in Ayurveda which is applicable in every kaala. So here tried to elaborate such principle of Ayurveda known as Aahar Vidhi Vidhan.

Ayurvedic Protocol on Effectiveness of Pippalyadi and Suranadi Ointment in Management of Arsha (Haemorrhoids)

Background- Ano-rectal disorders are progressively increasing in the society. Out of many of the causes, someimportant are sedentary lifestyle, irregular and inappropriate diet, prolonged sitting or standing and certainpsychological disturbances too. Arsha is one among the ano rectal diseases which occurs in Gudapradesha,which is a sadhyopranaharaMarma[1]. In Arsha bleeding per anum is the principal symptoms .Arsha is agift of modern diets and busy lifestyles and many people are suffering from some sort of Anorectal disorder,it may be simple constipation to complex carcinoma, in which prominent disorder is Arsha. It is manifesteddue to multifold factors viz. disturbed lifestyle or daily routines, improper or irregular diet intake, prolongedstanding or sitting, faulty habits of defecation etc. which results in derangement of Jatharagni leading tovitiation of Tridosha, mainly VataDosha.

Conceptual study of Vishnukranti Kalka in the management of Parinama shula

Parinama shula is a disease of Annavaha Srotas characterized by pain during digestion of food, predominantly disturbing the daily life. This arise because of the faulty diet and habits. Parinama shula is a Tridoshaja vyadhi and out of tridosha, Vata dosha is most powerful and omnipotent and mobiliser of other dosha. Aggravated Vata either gets Avarana by Kapha, Pitta or combines with Kapha pitta to produce Shula in the abdominal region. Pain in Parinama shula is relieved by vomiting, immediately after intake of food and after complete digestion of food. Seven types of Parinama shula are mentioned in Ayurveda texts according to vitiated dosha. Vishnukranti kalka is mentioned in Sharanghadhara Samhita as a treatment for Parinama shula and it contains dry powder of the whole plant of Evolvulus alsinoides L. with cow ghee, bee honey and common sugar (1:2:2:I w/w). Vishnukranti kalka can comment as a strong and safe medicine with scientific evidences of ulcer healing property by in experimental and clinical studies for Parinama shula.

A New Dimension To The Classification of Ayurvedokta Hridya Dravyas And Their Possible Mode Of Action

The death due to ischemic heart disease is increasing in Indian population at an alarming rate and accounts for around 15-20% of all deaths in India. Similarly obesity, atherosclerosis and hypertension is also on the alarming rise. The faulty dietary habit with high intake of oily, fatty, carbohydrate rich food is one of the major reason for hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension and coronary artery disease. Ayurveda have well established doctrine of dietary ethics and regimen. Ayurveda had described the various heart pleasant and heart beneficial (Hridya) food items such as vegetables, fruits, flowers and drugs. But, Ayurvedokta “Hridya” dravyas are not classified into specific categories in classical texts depending upon their mode of action. Hence, needs to be classified and their mode of action with respect to their beneficial effect on heart also needs to be established. As per Ayurveda, heart is also a seat of mind and acts as independent brain to carry out certain immediate responses. In the result it is found that Ayurvedokta “Hridya” dravyas can be broadly classified into Kapha-har Hridya dravyas and Kapha-kar Hridya dravyas. These Hridya dravyas exert their heart pleasing action by various ways. For e.g. Hridya flower exert action by its pleasing fragrance and mood elevation. Hridya fruits exert their action by taste and vagal stimulation. It is concluded that Kapha-har Hridya dravyas are having beneficial effect on heart and are useful in controlling obesity, atherosclerosis and hypertension and thereby preventing coronary artery disease. The Kapha-kar Hridya dravyas are rich in carbohydrates and beneficial in improving the nutritional status of the body.

Study of Causative Factors and Clinical Patterns of Periorbital Pigmentation.

Introduction:Periorbital hyperpigmentation (POH) is one of the common conditions seen in outpatient department. Despite of its huge prevalence, clinical data regarding its etiology and associations are still insufficient.Materials and Methods:We conducted a clinico-investigational study in 50 patients of periorbital pigmentation. A detailed clinical history was recorded, clinical examination and laboratory investigation including complete blood count, vitamin B12 level, and thyroid profile are done.Results:The mean age of the patients presenting with periorbital hyperpigmentation was 29.5 years, out of 50 patients 42 (84%) were females and 8 (16%) were males. About 14% patients give positive family history of POH, history of atopy was positive in 30% of patients. History of various other habits like lack of adequate sleep, prolonged exposure to computers, rubbing eyes, and application of various cosmetics were also found to be positive in these patients. The other associated clinical findings were freckles (12%), telengectesia (2%), erythema (2%), and melasma (2%). In maximum (90%) number of patients, both upper and lower eyelids were involved and pigmentation involving >1 cm of eyelid margin was seen in 62% of patients. Laboratory investigations showed anemia in 10% of patients and low serum vitamin B12 in 12%; however, none of the patients has deranged thyroid profile.Conclusion:POH has a multifactorial etiology and role of correcting various faulty habits is important factor in its management. Presence of anemia and low serum vitamin B12 levels also points toward need of detailed laboratory evaluation in these patients.

A study of correlation between body mass index and lipid profile in postmenopausal women

Background: Menopause is a physiological event in every woman’s life which is characterized by cessation of menses due to hormonal changes. Menopause occurs between the late 40s and early 50s. Postmenopausal women are particularly at risk of cardiovascular complications due to loss of protective effect of estrogen on cardiovascular system. During menopause, there is fall in estrogen and progesterone levels. After menopause, there is increase in fat storage with simultaneous lipid deposition in central part of body. The body mass index (BMI) has a major influence on blood pressure and lipid profile and as such is a good predictor of hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Menopause predisposes the woman to the risk of ischemic heart disease. Aims and Objectives: This study was carried out to correlate between BMI and blood triglyceride level and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in postmenopausal women. These parameters were studied in 100 postmenopausal apparently healthy women. Materials and Methods: Our study was approved by the institutional ethics committee. The subjects were divided into two groups according to the duration of their menopause period 5 years. Parameters studied were BMI and triglycerides and LDL. Results: In our study in both groups, BMI values were raised but statistically not significant (P = 0.920), and in lipid profile, triglycerides (P = 0.059) and LDL cholesterol were raised and were statistically significant (P = 0.307). Conclusion: Since postmenopausal women lack cardioprotective action of estrogen, they are prone to cardiovascular diseases faulty habits of diet and lifestyle further increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Awareness among perimenopausal women about menopause and cardiovascular health should be created and women are encouraged to adapt healthy life.

A clinico-epidemiological study of periorbital melanosis

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Besides the common alterations related to the intrinsic and extrinsic aging processes, there is one that affects individuals of any age, both sexes, and all races the so called dark circles, periorbital darkening or periorbital melanosis. There is scarcity of data regarding the incidence and prevalence of periorbital melanosis due to its transitory nature and lack of reasonable etiological explanation. Aim: To assess the prevalence of periorbital melanosis and to study the epidemiological factors responsible for the occurrence of periorbital melanosis.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A single centred, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in patients attending the skin OPD of our teaching hospital from Jan 2016 – Dec 2016. A total of 250 patients were included in our study. Patients with hyperpigmentation around the orbital area of all ages and both genders were included in the study. A careful physical examination to detect involvement of upper or lower or both eyelids and extension beyond the periorbital region, colour of hyperpigmented areas (light brown/dark brown/red/blue), presence of any dermatological disease or scar in periorbital region were assessed. A detailed history was taken including duration of the condition, family history, history of atopy or drug intake, associated faulty habit or lifestyle.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Based on the type of POM, vascular POM (44%) was found to be the most common type among our patients followed by constitutional (33.2%), post-inflammatory (13.6%) and shadow type (9.2%). Among the various factors for POM watching TV for more than 8 hours/day, usage of spectacles, sleeping habit of less than 6 hours/day, habit of regularly rubbing the eye, family history of POM, associated systemic disease like anaemia and irregular menstruation and associated skin lesion like atopic dermatitis had shown a strong association (odds ratio >0.8) in the development of POM.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> It is very much essential to classify and grade the peri-orbital melanosis and to determine the causative factors which would help us to intervene earlier and that would result in a better prognosis.</p>

Periorbital hyperpigmentation: A study of its prevalence, common causative factors and its association with personal habits and other disorders

Background:Periorbital hyperpigmentation (POH) is one of the most commonly encountered conditions in routine dermatology practice. There are only few published studies about its prevalence, classification, and pathogenesis but none showing its association with habits, and other medical conditions in Indian patients.Aims:To determine prevalence and type of POH, common causative factors, and its association with personal habits and other disorders within various age and sex groups.Materials and Methods:Two hundred patients attending the dermatology OPD were included in study and were subjected to detailed history, careful clinical and Wood's lamp examination, eyelid stretch test and laboratory investigations. Clinical photographs of all patients were taken.Results:POH was most prevalent in 16-25 years age group (47.50%) and in females (81%) of which majority were housewives (45.50%). Commonest form of POH was constitutional (51.50%) followed by post inflammatory (22.50%). Lower eyelids were involved in 72.50%. Grade 2 POH was seen in 58%. Wood's lamp examination showed POH to be dermal in 60.50%. Faulty habits were observed viz. lack of adequate sleep (40%), frequent cosmetic use (36.50%), frequent eye rubbing (32.50%), and lack of correction for errors of refraction like myopia in 12% patients. Strong association of POH with stress (71%), atopy (33%) and family history (63%) was noted.Conclusions:Periorbital hyperpigmentation is a multi-factorial entity. It is absolutely essential to classify the type of POH and determine underlying causative factors in order to direct appropriate measures for better and successful outcome in future.

Prevalence of Soil-Transmitted Helminthes Infections in School Going Children in North India

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections represent a major public health problem in poor and developing countries including India. Burden of STH does not only depend on regional ecological condition but also on local standard of social and economic development of the people. The wide spread use of anthelminths has shown remarkable reduction in the burden of STH in India. However, there is a risk of developing drug resistance as a result of frequent treatment with anthelminths. Although periodic treatment with anthelminths for the control of intestinal parasitic infection is highly effective and inexpensive, careful study of epidemiology of soil- transmitted helminthes is needed before making large scale periodic treatment schedules. The present study is designed to study the prevalence and distribution of STH infections in school going children. Objectives: To study the Prevalence, distribution and Risk factors associated with of STH infection in school going children in north India. Material and Method: This cross sectional study was conducted in school going children of Fathehgarh, Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh - India. A total of 580 school going children aged 6 - 14 years from two randomly selected primary schools studied. ResultsChygienic conditions, malnutrition, illiteracy and faulty personal habits of children. It is recommended that periodic deworming of school going children should be continued.

An experimental study to evaluate the preventive effect of Zingiber officinale (ginger) on hypertension and hyperlipidaemia and its comparison with Allium sativum (garlic) in rats

Hypertension and hyperlipidemia are the two most important risk factors associated with high incidence of adverse coronary events and the incidence is increasing very rapidly specially in developing countries due to adoption of faulty eating habits and physical inactivity. In this study, we have focused mainly on two objectives. The first one is to provide safer, natural and effective alternative remedy against these risk factors because no drug in the modern medicine is devoid of the side effects and the second objective is to prevent the generation of risk factors rather than the treatment of the same because prevention is always better than cure. In this study, we have explored the preventive effect of ginger on blood pressure and lipid profile in rats fed on high fat diet (HFD) and comparison was done with the preventive effect of another natural herb garlic, which is a more studied and established herb against these risk factors. Total 18 rats were taken and divided equally into three (control, ginger and garlic) groups by random selection. Ginger and garlic (500 mg/kg orally) were given to two separate groups of rats fed on high fat diet for a period of 7 weeks. Blood pressure and lipid profile were measured on day 0 and after 7 weeks. Blood pressure was measured with the help of NIBP machine and the measurement of lipid profile blood sampling was done by intracardiac route. In this study, ginger have shown significant (p 0.05) increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL) level in comparison with control. Comparative study with garlic have shown that ginger has better although not significant preventive effect on systolic blood pressure and garlic has better preventive effect on lipid levels. On the basis of the aforementioned results, we can conclude that ginger like that of garlic may act as a better natural and safer alternative in the prevention of adverse coronary events and their risk factors like hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Key words: Ischemic heart disease, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, ginger, garlic, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein.

A clinical study of Devadarvyadi-Vati on grahanidosha in children

Childhood period is considered as the period of rapid growth and development, as it is the crucial stage of establishing future. Gastro-intestinal disorders show high prevalence in pediatric practice. These conditions generally produce chronic illness. Grahanidosha is a disease related with Agnidushti. This condition is seen more in childhood period due to faulty dietary habit and changing lifestyle. The present paper deals with study on etiopathogenesis of Grahanidosha and evaluates the efficacy of Deavadarvyadi-Vati. The etiological factors and symptoms were observed carefully to make clear etiopathogenesis. Total 32 patients (3-12 years) were registered and randomly divided into two groups. In Group A Devadarvyadi-Vati (treated group) and in Group B Bhunimbadi-Vati (control group) given for 4 weeks with Koshna Jala. In Group A (Devadarvyadi-Vati), marked improvement was observed in 21.43% of the patients, moderate improvement was observed in 57.14% of patients and mild improvement was observed in 21.43% of patients.

Comparative clinical evaluation of Kshara Sutra ligation and hemorrhoidectomy in Arsha (hemorrhoids)

Arsha (hemorrhoids) is engorgement of the hemorrhoidal venous plexus, characterized by bleeding per rectum, constipation, pain, prolapse and discharge. It is manifested due to improper diet, prolonged standing and faulty habits of defecation causing derangement of tridosha, mainly vata dosha. Vitiated dosha localizes in guda vali, pradhana dhamani and mansdhara kala and vitiates twak, mansa, meda and rakta, resulting in the annavaha sroto dushti. Modern management of arsha needs, mainly, a surgical approach, i.e. hemorrhoidectomy, wherein the result was found to be less satisfactory. In this regard, to determine a solution for satisfactory cure, the kshara sutra ligation method in arsha was studied in comparison with hemarrhoidectomy. Kshara sutra ligation in arsha was employed in 35 patients, and 26 patients were dealt with hemorrhoidectomy. The study revealed a better result of the kshara sutra ligation-treated group in comparison with hemorrhoidectomy. The observations revealed that maximum advantages like minimum hospital stay, no bleeding during or after operation, no post-operative anal stenosis, a low cost-effective and more acceptable to different categories of people, etc. were recorded in the kshara sutra-treated group. Statistically, kshara sutra ligation for arsha was found to be highly significant and effective management. No adverse effects were noted during the follow-up period.

The principles and art of retention

As the practice of orthodontia has developed in the last decade, it has been increasingly evident that the eventual and practical success of these operations greatly depends upon the success of the retention, and that the retention of the varied malocclusions met with in practice is not by any means as simple as it at first seemed to be. The forces operating in the retention of teeth are mechanical and functional. By mechanical, we mean various fixtures cemented to the teeth or worn in the mouth to prevent return to their original positions. By functional, we mean those forces having to do with the causes of malocclusion and their restoration to a normal condition. Before we can be assured of successful retention, there must be a restoration to normal in the habits of mastication, in the strength and normal exercise of the muscles of the face and internal structures involved. Faulty habits must be corrected, and the bony and soft tissues must be restored to a normal condition before final retention can be assured. The normal exercise of these functions is a most important factor in final retention. During the restoration of these various conditions to normal it has always been known that some form of mechanical retention is required. But it must be clearly evident that the length of time necessary for the restoration of these functions is unknown in the various cases and from their nature cannot be accurately estimated. Even the nature and manner of working and pathology involved of many of them is unknown and must vary greatly in different cases, so it is evident that it is impossible to fix even an accurate approximation of the time necessary for mechanical retention. Herein lies the cause for many of the failures in retention. As this truth …

Study of eating attitudes and behaviours in junior college students in Mumbai, India

Background: Eating disorders have been described as possible 'culture-bound syndromes', with roots in Western cultural values and conflicts. They may, in fact, be more prevalent within various non-Western cultural groups than previously recognised, as Western values become more widely accepted. Cross-cultural experiences suggest that cultural change itself may be associated with increased vulnerability to eating disorders, especially when Western values about physical aesthetics are involved. Objective: to assess the eating attitudes and behaviours among adolescents in the urban ethnic city, Mumbai, a survey was conducted amongst 451 college students. Method: the study, based in four junior colleges, comprised 451 subjects who completed a semi-structured questionnaire, a 26-item Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and the Personal Assessment Inventory (IPAT). Results: the results revealed faulty eating habits in 13.3% of the subjects. A statistically significant proportion perceived them-selves to have problems with eating, substance use, dieting and exercise practices, resorting to extreme measures to achieve weight loss. A high rate of faulty eating habits was observed in males. Higher scores on depression and suicidal ideation were reported in the population with faulty eating habits. Conclusion: a significant percentage of college-going populations in urban settings probably have faulty eating habits.

Beta-blockers and diabetes: the bad guys come good.

Type 2 diabetes is becoming very common and is closely linked to physical inactivity and obesity. It is associated with clustering of coronary risk factors and 60-80% of cases have hypertension. The first therapeutic action is appropriate adjustment of life style. Anti-hypertensive therapies such as diuretics, ACE inhibitors and calcium antagonists have been effective in reducing cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes, though calcium antagonists may be less effective than older therapies and ACE-inhibitors in reducing the risk of heart attacks and heart failure (but possibly more effective in stroke reduction). Beta-blockers (BBs) have a poor image as a potential therapy due to apparent adverse effects on surrogate end-points such as insulin-resistance. However large, controlled trials have shown BBs to be highly effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events and death in post myocardial infarction patients with diabetes. The UKPDS study in type 2 diabetics with hypertension showed first-line beta-blockade to be at least as effective as ACE-inhibition in preventing all primary macrovascular and microvascular end-points. The active ingredient appears to be beta-1 blockade, acting not only to lower blood pressure but also to prevent sudden death and cardiovascular damage stemming from chronic beta-1 stimulation associated with raised noradrenaline activity. By contrast, in the LIFE study atenolol was less effective than the angiotensin receptor antagonist losartan in reducing cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in mainly elderly hypertensives with diabetes. Thus the best beta-blocker results in reducing hard cardiovascular end-points occur in hypertension studies (including the UKPDS study) involving younger/middle aged (say less than 60-65 years) patients, with relatively high sympathetic activity, relatively compliant/elastic arteries (narrow pulse-pressure) and normally functioning beta-1 receptors. In elderly hypertensive patients beta-blockers may be given as second-line therapy on the back of a low-dose diuretic (but possibly as first line agent in elderly hypertensives with prior myocardial infarction). Thus inappropriate attention to surrogate end-points can lead to faulty prescribing habits. Beta-blockers, currently severely underprescribed, should be considered as a first line therapeutic option for all diabetics with ischaemic heart disease or younger/middle aged diabetics with hypertension (but co-prescribed with low dose diuretic therapy in the elderly). The active ingredient for cardiovascular protection appears to be beta-1 blockade; optimal efficacy in lowering blood pressure and safety e.g. reducing risk of bronchoconstriction, is achieved by choosing an agent with high beta-1 selectivity.

EVALUATION OF DAYTIME SLEEPINESS

In summary, the evaluation of the tired patient requires an awareness of the various meanings of tiredness. Furthermore, it is important to differentiate normal sleepiness that is a product of circadian rhythm variation in vigilance from pathologic sleepiness. Sleepiness that results from faulty habits, e.g., altered sleep scheduling, drugs, or sleep restriction, can be readily discerned with the aid of a sleep-wake diary. Because subjective sleepiness is often unappreciated, especially in patients with sleep apnea, methods that rely on self-ratings of the severity of sleepiness, e.g., visual analogue scale, 10-cm line, or SSS may not coincide with performance tasks, observer assessments, or such physiologic methods as the MSLT. Less commonly employed neurophysiologic methods include pupillometry and averaged evoked potentials. On the other hand, the MSLT is commonly used for the detection of physiologic sleepiness. Moreover, it is helpful in evaluating response to treatment. A variation of the MSLT, the MWT, which instructs the individual to remain awake, does not discriminate between sleep onset times for wakefulness and the MSLT for sleepiness in normal subjects. The MWT may be useful for the assessment of treatment responses for excessive daytime sleepiness, e.g., narcolepsy, and for determining the frequency of daytime sleep episodes. The differences that have been observed between behavioral measures and physiologic measures of sleepiness suggest that these techniques assess different aspects of sleepiness. HLA typing (DR2, DQw1) has been shown to be a useful method for corroborating narcolepsy-cataplexy, but the antigens are neither specific for the disorder nor for sleepiness alone.

Postnatal palatoplasty, implications for normal speech articulation--a preliminary report.

During the last ten years patients born with cleft palates had their palates closed between three and eight months of age. The primary objective has been to have the clefts closed soon to minimize faulty habits of speech articulation and intraoral, oropharyngeal and laryngeal compensatory movements for speech. Over one hundred ninety patients with a variety of cleft types were treated. Of these patients, twenty-two were randomly selected for complete and comprehensive evaluation one to eight years after the corrective procedure. Oro-nasal balance of articulatory resonance was noted. There was not any need for secondary palatal procedures in any of the patients, and no deleterious effects on facial growth were found. Normal articulation development was observed in all the patients treated by this methodology as measured by a standardized test and developmental norms.