Oshwal Association of the U.K - Oshwal Centre

Oshwal Association of the U.K
www.oshwal.org
Registered Charity No: 267037
Sunday 13 th November 2011
Oshwal Centre Coopers Lane Road, Northaw, Hertfordshire EN6 4DG
When it comes to eating right and exercising,
there is no “‘I’ll start tomorrow”
‘for tomorrow is disease’
Terri Guillemets

Contents
Editor’s Note
lifestyle.
Jai Jinendra
This Souvenir issue of
Oshwal Health Awareness
Day (OHAD) contains health
related articles, information
and recipes for a healthy
Your health is important to you and your family
because a healthy family makes a happier society.
We hope you will find the information contained
useful and a reference point in future.
All information, articles and recipes have been
contributed by health organisations and health
professionals that supported the Health Awareness
Day.
We would like to thank all sponsors, contributors
and advertisers for their generous support to make
this Souvenir issue possible.
My thanks to Oshwal Media & Communications
Team for their help & guidance and also to OHAD
team for the articles.
OHAD Publication Team
Dinendra Zaverchand Haria
Please note, submitting an article does not guarantee
publication and published articles are subject to editing and the
editor’s decision is final.
Presidents Message ......................................................... 2
OHAD Committee Message ............................................. 3
Oshwal History .................................................................. 4
Oshwal Health Awareness Day ........................................ 5
Asthma .............................................................................. 6
Diabetes ............................................................................ 9
Heart Disease & Diabetes .............................................. 12
Looking after your Heart ................................................. 13
Shisha Smoking Dangers ............................................... 14
Friends of Prostate ......................................................... 16
Kidney Disease ............................................................... 18
Mouth Cancer ................................................................. 22
Mental Health .................................................................. 24
Mind ................................................................................ 25
Heart Disease ................................................................. 28
Screening for Health Issues............................................ 32
Make Best use of Pharmacist ......................................... 34
The In Body Analyser ..................................................... 35
Sangat ............................................................................. 36
Embracing Life after Cancer ........................................... 38
Food Allergies ................................................................. 40
Organ Donation .............................................................. 42
Recipes ........................................................................... 44
Healthy Sweet Dish ........................................................ 46
Mother Nature Remedies ................................................ 48
Acupuncture .................................................................... 50
Ayurvedic Medicine ......................................................... 51
Body Toning & Exercise ................................................. 52
NLP ................................................................................. 53
Homeopathy ................................................................... 54
Complementary Therapies ............................................. 56
Osteopathy ..................................................................... 58
Carer Support ................................................................. 59
Appreciations .................................................................. 61
Disclaimer Notice: This magazine contains general information relating to health. Such information is provided for informational purposes only and is not
intended to replace discussions with a doctor or other qualified healthcare professionals. Additionally, the information contained herein should not be used
for diagnosing a health condition or fitness problem. All treatment and management of any conditions must be made with a healthcare professional,
considering the personal medical history and circumstances of the individual.
OHAD Publication team and Oshwal Association of the U.K. is not in any way responsible for the information, goods or services rendered by the
contributors and advertisers. Oshwal Association of the U.K. accepts all articles and advertisements in good faith and it is entirely up to readers to verify
the contents and advertisers products and services. The Souvenir issue has been published by the Oshwal Association of The U.K. ©: Oshwal
Association of the U.K. | Reg. Office: Coopers Lane Road, Northaw, Herts EN6 4DG | Registered in accordance with the Charities Act 1960. | Charity
Registration Number 267037.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 1 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Presidents Message
Jai Jinendra,
Good health is the foundation for building a happy and successful life for our families. Most
people today understand what makes a healthy lifestyle: not smoking or drinking alcohol,
exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet that is low in fat and high in fibre with plenty of
fresh fruit and vegetables.
Oshwal community is more susceptible to health issues such as Coronary Heart Disease,
Diabetes, Kidney disease and many others. Sometimes there is little we can do to prevent
certain diseases, but there is a lot we can do to prevent many illnesses. Having access to
information about these illnesses at an early stage can help to prevent and manage the
conditions better.
Stresses of modern life often mean that this health awareness is ignored until it is too late. Thus it is even more important
to ensure that our community is aware of healthy living and we all proactively follow a healthier lifestyle.
It gives me great pleasure to congratulate the Oshwal Health Awareness Day Committee for planning, organising and
delivering this very successful event, which will raise awareness of health matters within our community, for both young
and old.
The success of this Day has only been possible with the support of many volunteers giving up much of their valuable time. I
would like to take this opportunity to thank all volunteers and health organisations for teaming up with Oshwal Association
of the UK to make this event possible and to all the attendees for making this day a huge success. Wishing you all good
health, and hopefully you will all take away some extra knowledge for the future health of you and your families.
Tushar Jayantilal Shah
President
Oshwal Association of the UK
The Oshwal Centre has Europe’s first traditional Shikharbandhi Derasar.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 2 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

OHAD Committee Message
Chairperson’s Message
It has been a great honour to lead this event and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tusharbhai and the Executive
Committee for the encouragement and support towards the project. My special thanks to Sandip Haria and Dilip Maroo in taking the
lead to co-ordinate the event - this day has only been possible with their selfless hard work in bringing the various organisations to
work together as a team. My special thanks also to Dinendra Haria for compiling this wonderful magazine, Mayuri as Secretary,
Harsha as Treasurer, Ketan as the logistic co-ordinator, The Oshwal Pharmacists and all the members of the OHAD team for their
enthusiasm and hard work in bringing the day together. My sincere thanks to Ashish Patani and the Oshwal Centre Admin team for
all their help with the project and Tejal for introducing various speakers and medical contacts.
My heartfelt thanks to all the sponsors of the event - I very much value your support.
It has been a great pleasure working with everyone and I hope that you and your families will have a pleasant, enjoyable and fruitful
day.
Daksha
OHAD Chairperson
No Wealth without Health
On behalf of the Executive Committee of Oshwal Association of the U.K, we have pleasure in launching the Oshwal Health
Awareness Day. The foremost purpose of this project is to bring awareness to Oshwal Members and other South Asian population
of the increased risk in certain health conditions that are predominant within our community. In addition to being an educational and
interactive event, it is also designed to provide basic health screening and health information relating to Diabetes, Heart Disease,
Cancer, Mental Health and many more.
There will be various workshops, talks and therapies to promote healthier living which would be beneficial to all. Promoting good
health awareness and encouraging participants to assume responsibility for their own health will help improve overall health and
reduce the risk of developing certain diseases in the long term. The OHAD Committee believes that this event will be of immense
benefit to the Asian community.
Oshwal Health Awareness Day is supported by major organisations such as Ashiana, Asthma UK, BAPS Charities, British Heart
Foundation, Diabetes UK, Friends of Prostate Suffers, Graham Fulford Charitable Trust, Kidney Research UK, Macmillan, MIND,
Royal Free Hospital, Silver Star, St Luke’s Hospice, The Stroke Association and many more.
The OHAD committee would like to thank all those who have generously supported this project to make it successful.
A Big Thank You to all the volunteers for their fantastic support. No event is possible without our courageous Volunteers!!
THANK YOU
OHAD Committee
Hina Gudka, Harsha Shah (Treasurer), Surekha Shah, Mayuri Shah (Secretary), Usha Shah, Divya Shah, Preeti Shah,
Mila Haria, Rajula Dodhia, Punita Shah,
Pradeep Shah, Ketan Shah (Logistics Co-ordinator), Daksha Maroo (EC Lead), Dinendra Haria (Publications & Volunteers Co-ordinator), Dilip Maroo
& Sandip Haria (Co-ordinators), Dhiraj Shah, Ashvin Shah, Hitesh Dodhia, Mukesh Shah, Tushar G Shah, Mradula Shah.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 3 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Journey of Oshwal
We are proud to say that a vast number of
Oshwals are qualified professionals
amongst which there are a huge number of
medical professionals.
The Oshwal community was founded 70 years after Lord
Mahavir's nirvana in Osiya, a city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan
INDIA. It is from this village that the name "Oshwal"
originates.
Around 10th century due to religious and political
persecution, a group of Oshwal left for Sindh, now West
Pakistan, while some moved to Kutch and Punjab. In the
16th and 17th century due to hostile conditions a mass
migration continued southwards to Kutch, now a part of
the state of Gujarat
After 25 years in Kutch some Oshwals moved to
Kathiawad / Saurastra and settled in 52 villages located
between the two cities of Jamnagar and Khambhalia. To
this day, the Oshwal settlements still exists in the 52
villages between these two cities. By profession, Oshwals
were mostly farmers and traders, some were
moneylenders and a few were even hired hands.
Oshwals were not successful in getting jobs in India,
because they were not educated and started to go
overseas to earn a living. Oshwals were totally unaware
about Africa – a land which was thousands of miles away
from India. In order to earn a living all kinds of difficulties
were faced by the Oshwals who set out on the sea
voyage across the Indian Ocean in dhows with the
journey taking up to 6 months in many cases. Thus began
the settlement of the Oshwal in Africa, in an unknown
land and amongst people who followed unknown
customs.
At that time much of Kenyan was unknown. Mombasa
was a well established trading port and the building of the
railway line from Mombasa into the interior had begun.
The British brought in a large labour force, from India, to
work on the construction of this railway line. The early
Oshwals began to be associated with setting up business
to provide meals to the railway workers while others
undertook work as builders and some even worked on the
actual construction of the railway line.
As the news of Africa spread amongst the Oshwals, more
came to Nairobi, which was initially just a small trading
post, via Mombasa. The Oshwal worked extremely hard
and gradually called over their families and slowly
established themselves in trading centres like Thika,
Kisumu, Eldoret, Kitale, Nyeri, Nanyuki, Meru, Makuyu,
Ruiru, Maragua, Saba Saba, Fort Hall (Muranga),
Karatina, Kisii and Nakuru neighbouring East African
countries of Uganda and Tanzania as years went by.
As Oshwals had knowledge of business and were known
as being trustworthy, they became stronger – laying a
firm foundation for Oshwal settlement in East Africa.
During the early 1940's, Oshwal institutions were
established for social, religious, cultural and educational
purposes. Most Oshwals did not have much education
but took the opportunities presented in Kenya to educate
their children.
Policy changes in East Africa and the post independence
uncertainty led many Oshwal families to migrate to the
United Kingdom in late 1960's. Oshwals settled in UK and
worked hard and establish businesses and many studied
and gained qualification in Law, Medicine and other
professional sectors.
The pioneers of the U.K Oshwal settlement foresaw the
need to organise their growing numbers into a community
and the Oshwal Association of the U.K came into being in
1969. It was formally transformed into a registered
charitable organisation in 1972. The main objective of the
Association is the Advancement of Jainism by the
provision of a place of worship. It was with this objective
in mind that the elders of the community purchased the
site in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside known as
the "Hook House". This site, later renamed the Oshwal
Centre, consists of almost 80 acres of green fields with a
listed building and a few run-down stable buildings and
barns, has been transformed into the headquarters of the
Association and its Administrative nerve centre. The
mansion houses the Administration block. This building is
now called the Oshwal House. The old stables and barns
have been replaced by two large assembly halls fronted
by a large, well landscape, car park. The Assembly Halls
were officially opened in 1989.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 4 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Oshwal Health Awareness Day
Oshwal Association of the UK hosted a Health
Awareness Day on Sunday 13 th November 2011 at
Oshwal Centre, Coopers Lane Road, Northaw,
Hertfordshire EN6 4DG. This was a whole day event
running from 10am-6pm.
BACKGROUND
People from South Asian communities living in the
UK are more susceptible to certain health conditions
than people from other communities. South Asians
are up to six times more likely to have diabetes than
the general population. Also the death rate from
coronary heart disease is higher amongst South
Asian populations.
The Oshwal Health Awareness Day has been
designed to be an educational and interactive event,
designed to provide basic health screening and
Health information and ways to lead a healthy
lifestyle. The event will raise awareness of various
health issues like Heart Disease, Diabetes, Mental
illness, Alzheimer’s, and Cancer and have
workshops, talks and therapies to promote better
living that would be beneficial to all. Promoting
health awareness and encouraging participants to
assume responsibility for their own health will help
improve overall health and reduce the risk of
developing many diseases in the long term.
Oshwal Association believes that this event will be
of immense benefit and service to the Asian
community.
The event is supported by Ashiana, Asthma UK,
BAPS Charities, British Heart Foundation, Diabetes
UK, Friends of Prostate Suffers, Graham Fulford
Charitable Trust, Kidney Research UK, Macmillan,
MIND, Royal Free Hospital, Silver Star, St Luke’s
Hospice, The Stroke Association and many other
organisations.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
‣ To promote health awareness within the Oshwal
Community and other South Asian populations
‣ To raise awareness of the common diseases
affecting the South Asian population
‣ To promote healthy lifestyles through diet,
exercise and encouraging positive behaviour
changes
‣ To increase understanding of healthcare and
health welfare resources available in the
community
‣ To introduce the concepts of holistic,
alternative, complimentary treatments/therapies
and exercises as part of personal overall
physical and emotional well-being
‣ To provide a platform for discussion of “taboo”
health issues
‣ To identify specific health issues to be covered
at future events
PROGRAMME
During the event the following will be available:
‣ Basic health screening - Cholesterol testing,
Blood Pressure checks, Diabetic screening,
Blood Glucose
‣ Talks and information on specific health
topics
‣ Introduction to healthy exercises
‣ Introduction to healthy diets
‣ Introduction to alternative and
complementary treatment/therapies
There will be a variety of stands which will provide
information relating to many health programs,
services and providers that are available. In addition
there will be therapy and exercise workshops and
healthy food demonstrations and health food stalls.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 5 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Asthma
Life for 5.4 million people in the UK is not so simple because they have Asthma
Asthma: Breathing is something that the
majority of people take for granted. Most people can
go from day-to-day, making no conscious effort to
take air into their lungs. But for 5.4 million people in
the UK, life is not so simple because they have
asthma.
Asthma is a complex condition that can start at any
time of life and affects the airways – the small tubes
that carry air in and out of the lungs. It is difficult to
say what causes asthma, but like related allergic
conditions (eczema and hay fever); it often runs in
families and you're more likely to develop asthma if
you have a family history of asthma, eczema or
allergies. There are a number of other
environmental factors that can contribute to
someone developing asthma, including many
aspects of modern life, such as housing and diet.
Environmental pollution can also make asthma
symptoms worse and may play a part in causing
some asthma.
Treatment
There are some excellent treatments available to
help people with asthma get full control of their
condition. There are two main kinds of asthma
medicines – relievers and preventers which work in
different ways.
• Relievers help to relieve breathing difficulties
when they happen. A reliever inhaler (usually
blue) should be carried or close to hand at all
times
• Preventers (these are usually brown, red or
orange in colour) help protect the airways and
reduce the chance of getting asthma symptoms.
To work properly, preventers need to be taken
every day, usually morning and evening, even if
someone is feeling well.
Interestingly, people from South Asian communities
are three times more likely than white people to
have an emergency hospital admission for their
asthma, despite the fact that the incidence of
asthma in South Asian communities is actually lower
than in the white population.
Triggers
When a person with asthma comes into contact with
something that irritates their airways (an asthma
trigger), the muscles around the walls of the airways
tighten so that the airways become narrower and the
lining of the airways becomes inflamed and starts to
swell. Sometimes sticky mucus or phlegm builds up
which can further narrow the airways. All these
reactions cause the airways to become narrower
and irritated - making it difficult to breath and leading
to asthma symptoms such as wheezing, shortness
of breath or coughing.
Common triggers include colds or ‘flu’, cigarette
smoke, exercise, pets or house-dust mites.
Everyone’s asthma is different and people may have
several triggers, but the important thing is for them
to try and identify exactly what triggers their asthma,
so they can avoid them in order to reduce symptoms
and achieve better control of their asthma.
Sometimes the link is obvious, for example when
their symptoms start within minutes of coming into
contact with a cat or dog. But some people can have
a delayed reaction to an asthma trigger, so some
extra detective work may be needed.
Too many people with asthma spend time in hospital when they shouldn't have to:
75% of hospital admissions could be avoided. If someone’s asthma is under control,
they are more likely to have a better quality of life and be more able to do the things
they want to.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 6 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

~Asthma UK~
Apart from avoiding triggers, it’s also very important
to know what to do if symptoms get worse and what
to do in asthma attack.
Asthma attack – What to do
Sometimes, no matter how careful people are about
taking their asthma medicines and avoiding triggers,
they may find they are having an asthma attack.
Asthma UK is the charity dedicated
to changing this. We fund research
and offer support because 90% of
asthma deaths are preventable.
Typical indicators include symptoms like wheezing,
coughing and breathlessness getting progressively
worse, their reliever inhaler not helping symptoms
and being too breathless to speak, eat or sleep.
If you see someone having an attack you should:
• Get them to take one to two puffs of their reliever
inhaler (usually blue), immediately.
• Sit them down and ask them to take slow, steady
breaths.
• If they do not start to feel better, they should
take two puffs of their reliever inhaler (one puff at
a time) every two minutes. They can take up to
ten puffs.
• If they do not feel better after taking their inhaler
as above, or if they are worried at any time, call
999.
• If an ambulance does not arrive within 10
minutes and if they are still feeling unwell, they
should repeat step 3.
If their symptoms improve and they do not need to
call 999, they still need to see a doctor or asthma
nurse within 24 hours. They will also need another
review within one or two weeks after their asthma
attack to make sure their symptoms are better
controlled.
Services
Asthma UK is committed to improving the health and
well-being of people with asthma within the South
Asian community. We are looking for people to join
Asthma UK’s Black and Minority Ethnic Forum to
advise us on how we can ensure that communities
can access the best possible healthcare and
information for people with asthma.
If you are interested please contact our Supporter
Care Team on 0800 121 62 55 or email
info@asthma.org.uk and we will send you a pack
with more information.
Information & Advice
Our website www.asthma.org.uk is an
excellent source of information and advice
about asthma and offers the opportunity for
visitors to take part in discussion groups, order
free materials and publications and view
interactive demonstrations such as how to use
an inhaler.
We also have translated FAQs about asthma
to help people whose first language is not
English. These can be found at
www.asthma.org.uk/faqs
In addition, people with asthma can now
discuss their asthma concerns in 150
languages by speaking to an asthma nurse
specialist via an interpreter.
To do this call the Asthma UK Adviceline on
0800 121 62 44; identify which language you
need and we will immediately connect the call
with the National Interpreting Service so that
callers can continue their conversation in the
language of their choice. Calls to the
Adviceline are free from a BT landline.
Article from Asthma UK.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 7 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

World Diabetes Day is on
Monday 14th November 2011
Diabetes
Diabetes
2.8 million people are diagnosed with diabetes, and
the condition is one of the biggest health challenges
facing the UK today.
The prevalence of Type 2 diabetes in UK minority ethnic
communities is significantly higher than in the white
population. South Asian communities are six times more
at risk of developing the condition, while Black African
Caribbean communities are three times more at risk.
What is diabetes?
TYPE 1
Type 1 diabetes is not preventable. It accounts for around
one in ten of all cases of diabetes and develops if the
body is unable to produce any insulin. In Type 1 diabetes,
the symptoms are usually very obvious and develop very
quickly, typically over a few weeks. Symptoms are quickly
relieved once the diabetes is treated and under control.
TYPE 2
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body doesn’t produce
enough insulin or the insulin that is produced doesn’t
work properly. There are 2.5 million people in the UK
diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. In Type 2 diabetes, the
symptoms may not be as obvious as the condition
develops slowly over a period of years and may only be
picked up in a routine medical check up. Type 2 diabetes
can go undetected for up to ten years meaning 50 per
cent of people already show signs of complications by the
time they are diagnosed. Some of the serious long-term
complications of diabetes include heart disease, stroke,
kidney failure, blindness and amputation if not managed
in the correct way.
Symptoms and risk factors
The symptoms of diabetes include urinating more often
(especially at night), increased thirst, extreme tiredness,
unexplained weight loss, genital itching or regular
episodes of thrush, slow healing of cuts and wounds and
blurred vision. These symptoms are quickly relieved once
diabetes is treated and under control.
Type 2 diabetes risk factors include being overweight or
having a large waist. At-risk waist measurements are 37
inches or more for men, except those of South Asian
origin when it is 35 inches or more, and 31.5 inches or
more for all women. Other risk factors include being aged
over 25 in Black and South Asian people (aged 40 or over
in white people) and having a close relative with diabetes.
It is estimated that 850,000 people in the UK have Type 2
diabetes but don’t know it. To find out if you might be at
risk, take the Diabetes UK risk assessment at
www.diabetes.org.uk/riskscore
Diabetes UK
Diabetes UK is the leading charity for over 3.5 million
people in the UK with diagnosed and undiagnosed
diabetes, funding research, campaigning and helping
people living with the condition. Our mission is to improve
the lives of people with diabetes and work towards a
future without diabetes. In 2011, Diabetes UK aims to
spend over £6 million on diabetes research to investigate
the causes and prevention of diabetes, to improve care
and treatment of diabetes and ultimately to work towards
a cure.
All of this and more is only made possible through
donations and by people supporting Diabetes UK. For
more information visit www.diabetes.org.uk
Leading the way in the community
Diabetes UK organises a series of Healthy Lifestyle Road
shows all over the UK, where people can benefit from a
free risk assessment. Last year, the road show team
carried out nearly 10,000 risk assessments and more
than half of those people were referred to their local GP.
Diabetes UK has developed a Community Champions
project to try and improve awareness and understanding
of diabetes in minority ethnic communities. The scheme
involves training healthcare workers, religious and
community leaders about diabetes risk factors,
symptoms, advice on physical activity, healthy eating and
information about culturally specific myths and
misconceptions about diabetes in some communities.
The Community Champions give talks, presentations and
diabetes risk assessments. Last year, 97 Community
Champions were trained, and they organised or took part
in almost 100 community events.
Culturally specific information
Diabetes UK has launched 'Diabetes Lifestyle', a
newsletter providing invaluable information and advice
specifically for black and minority ethnic communities. It
contains news and features on diabetes management
and care, community events, campaigning and
volunteering. To receive a copy, please email
diabeteslifestyle@diabetes.org.uk or telephone 020 7424
1000.
Diabetes UK has also produced written leaflets in more
than 20 different languages, including Gujarati, Hindi,
Punjabi and Urdu. These leaflets can be downloaded free
from the Diabetes UK website at
www.diabetes.org.uk/other_languages
What to do next?
To find out more about diabetes, call the Diabetes UK
Careline on 0845 120 2960.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 9 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

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BxOEÛ@ …Z—.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 10 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

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(fiA⁄fi@˜) #√”@
fiÛw˜E—
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• _A⁄ E∑Y
• #wEB} ZÛxO
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#Û w_∆} #√”@ _A⁄ fiÛw˜E— fiÛŸ@O Efi…@ xOpOÛ{ #fiÛ∑Û #±} Diabetes UK
Y√YÛA…Û@fiÛ√ ∑Y f¤B@:
fiÛfo— fwLxOÛ,
¤Û}ÛwµŸO—Y…@ YfiQÂ_Û@
#Z_Û #fiÛ∑— _@µYÛ$ŸO…— fi⁄ËÛxOÛE Ë$…@ 2 wfiw…ŸO…Û@ #Ûø…ËÛ$… Ÿ@OÕŸO ËÛ@.
#fiÛ∑Û√ Y√YÛA…Û@…— …xOË x@O_— ∑—E@ fi@¥__— E@ w_B@ #…@ #fiÛ∑— _@µYÛ$ŸO w_B@
…—{@ w_”EÛ@ Q⁄Â#Û@.
¤Û}ÛwµŸO—Y Y√µ√wAE w_w_A w_∆}Û@…@ #Û_∑— Ë@E— fiÛw˜E— fiÛŸ@O 20 IÛ∆#Û@fiÛ√ E≠}Û∑ xO∑@Ë—, #fiÛ∑— _@µYÛ$ŸO www.diabetes.org.uk/languages f∑Z—
¤Û&…ËÛ@¤ xO∑—…@ &fËÏA, #fiÛ∑— fiÛw˜E— fwLxOÛ#Û@…— Y√f\o C@o— Q⁄Â#Û@.
Diabetes UK x@OŸOËÛ@” f⁄ÕExOÛ@ #…@ fwLxOÛ@#Û@…— #fiÛ∑— Y√f\o C@o— _o_@ ©@. #fiÛ∑Û x@OŸOËÛ@” #…@ #Û fiÛw˜E— fwLxOÛfiÛ√ &ºË@w«E xOÛ@$fo fwLxOÛ#Û@…— …xOË
fiÛŸ@O Diabetes UK Distribution …@ xOÛøË xO∑Û@: 0800 585 088.
¤Û}ÛwµŸO—Y #√”@ Y˜Û} #…@ fiÛw˜E— fiÛŸ@O xÈfÛ xO∑— Diabetes UK Careline …@ xOÛøË xO∑Û@: 0845 120 2960 (ÕZÛw…xO pO∑@ {ÛQ Ë@_Û} ©@). IÛ∆Û√E∑ Y@_Û
&fËÏA ©@. YÛ@fi_Û∑Z— B⁄∏O_Û∑ Y_Û∑…Û 9 _Ûa}ÛZ— YÛ√QÂ…Û 5 _Ûa}Û Y⁄A— «⁄ºË—.
_@µYÛ$ŸO: www.diabetes.org.uk
$˚aË@±¤ #…@ _@ºY (…√. 215199) E@fiQ ÕxOÛøŸOË@±¤fiÛ√ (…√. SC039136) ∑wQÂÕŸO¤O
{øw∑ŸO—.
¤Û}ÛwµŸO—YZ— f—¤ÛEÛ ËÛ@xOÛ@ fiÛŸ@O…— {øw∑ŸO—
Gujarati © Diabetes UK 2009 9852/0309/a

Heart Disease & Diabetes
Dr Sabby Kant
Here is a sobering fact. Compared to Caucasians, South
Asians have almost doubled the risk of heart disease and
six times the risk of getting diabetes. So why are Asians
at such high risk? Here is a story illustrating the latest
idea on this question.
SHAKTI’S STORY
Shakti’s mum lives in a remote Indian village where life
has not changed. The daily routine involves an early rise
for prayers, followed by multiple chores before toiling all
day in the fields. Altogether during her hectic day, she
burns over 2200 calories of energy- yet her average daily
calorie intake remains well under 2000 calories. She
remains chronically undernourished as she bears Shakti
in her womb.
Smart Baby
However, not been born does not stop Shakti from being
smart. She knows that every bit of the vital energy from
her loving mother has to be used up properly to ensure
her own survival. So smart Shakti diverts this vital energy
to her growing brain at the expense of muscle and organ
growth and stores any excess fat in her tummy as she is
anticipating being born in a starving world. She does this
by adapting her intricate physiology so that insulin, the
hormone produced by her pancreas, finds it difficult to do
its normal job of pushing energy (glucose) into muscles
and organs.
The Thin-Fat Pune babies.
Professor Ranjan Yajnik, knew he was onto something
when in 2002, he published his paper on the ‘Thin-fat
Indian baby’. He compared babies born in Pune with
Caucasian babies born in Southampton and found that
Indian babies had much reduced weight, length and
muscle bulk- but increased tummy fat, levels of blood
glucose and insulin. So what would happen if this
adapted thin-fat physiology passes through generations
born in times of excess energy and inactivity? The result
is rising obesity, diabetes and heart disease as is being
seen in South Asians and others undergoing rapid
urbanization across the world.
Fighting the mismatch
It is crucial that we act now in order to avoid, delay or
control diabetes and heart disease. A logical start is to
adopt the mantra - ‘I will awaken my muscles and rid any
unnecessary fat!’ So for starters, you need to awaken
your muscles by gradually increasing your exercise
levels. Even repeated bouts of short exercises of, say 10
minutes, accrue a benefit. Strengthening your muscles
will make them great hoovers of blood glucose. The key
message regarding your diet is simply to eat less.
Whenever you top-up your body with food (fuel), doesn't it
make sense to physically burn it by activity before topping
up again? Apply this simple but powerful concept every
time you eat anything. Avoid unhealthy glucose surges
into your blood, by avoiding refined sugar products such
as condiments, juice drinks and dare I say, too many
Indian sweets!
Instead focus on foods that release sugar slowly into your
blood (low Glycaemic-Index foods).Completely cut out
sugary fizzy drinks. A can of cola has nearly ten
teaspoons of sugar! Remember that ounce for ounce, fat
has twice as much energy as carbohydrates. Stop eating
the terribly unhealthy trans-fats (hydrogenated fats)
present in most processed foods, including our much
beloved biscuits.
Remember when you next dunk your biscuit, it is the
melting fats that soften it! Fast foods and restaurant foods
too are loaded with saturated fats, sugar and salt. You
also need to drastically reduce salt as it is the main driver
for high blood pressure. Huge amounts are hidden in
processed foods such as cereals and soups.
Learn to cook using minimal or no oil by experimenting
with steaming, roasting, grilling and baking. Almost half
the calories in our fried savouries are from the residual
oil. Stop eating high calorie snacks and instead, when
you fancy a nibble try fruits or vegetable or even better,
drink water to fool your hunger pangs. Instead of the ‘5-
fruits-and-veg-a-day’ mantra, I propose that you try
the ‘7-veg-and-fruits-a-day’. You will notice I have put
vegetable before fruits. That’s because with our
mismatched physiology we need more fibre in our diet (as
it helps lower cholesterol, improve bowel regularity,
lowers bowel cancer risk, reduce hunger and acts as a
low GI medium) and less of the very ripe fruits as they
can to be too sugary. It is not uncommon for diabetes
control to worsen during the mango season!
Rather than get fixated on your weight and BMI, why not
make it your objective to reduce your stored fat, whether
it is hidden or not? Start off by aiming to rid your love
handles and aim to attain a flat tummy! Getting rid of
hidden fat is critical for those who are TOFIs (thin on the
outside, fat inside) where weight and BMI measurements
will grossly underestimate the amount of body fat.
Tobacco whether it is in cigarettes, shisha, chewy resins
or snuff must be completely eliminated - not only because
of the cancer risk but crucially because our diabetesprone
physiology greatly magnifies the risk of heart
disease.
Conclusion
There has never been a more critical time to urgently
inculcate a health philosophy in our children, family and
community. Every family member should take
responsibility for improving not just their health but also
that of their family, friends and community. The cost of
Shakti’s survival tactic is that, for many of us, our bodies
are not suited to a world full of calories and inactivity. So
get smart and start adjusting your lifestyle to suit your
bodies.
Dr Sabby Kant MBBS MRCGP, DRCOG, DGM, FPCert,
Dip Card, Cert Med Ed
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 12 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Looking after your Heart
British Heart Foundation
Healthy eating
A healthy diet can help to reduce your risk of
developing coronary heart disease.
Eating healthily can stop you gaining weight, which
means reducing the risk of diabetes and high blood
pressure. It can also help lower your cholesterol
levels and reduce your risk of some cancers.
Even if you've already got a heart condition, having a
healthy diet can benefit your heart.
A balanced diet
Everyone should aim for a well balanced diet. Faddy
crash diets may not provide the balance of nutrients you
need.
The best way to understand it is to think of foods in food
groups.
Try to eat:
• plenty of fruit and vegetables
• plenty of starchy foods such as bread, rice, potatoes
and pasta. Choose wholegrain varieties wherever
possible
• some milk and dairy products
• some beans and other non-dairy sources of protein
• only a small amount of foods and drinks high in fats
and/or sugar.
Choose options that are lower in fat, salt and sugar
whenever you can.
Fruit and vegetables
A well-balanced diet should include at least 5 portions of
fruit and veg a day. Try to vary the types of fruit and veg
you eat. They can be fresh, frozen, dried or tinned. Pure
unsweetened fruit juice, pulses and beans count as a
portion, but they only make up a maximum of one of your
five a day, however much you eat in one day.
A portion is about a handful (80g or 3oz), for example:
• 4 broccoli florets
• 1 pear
• 3 heaped tablespoons of carrots
• 7-8 strawberries
Fats
To help look after your heart health it is important to keep
an eye on how much fat you are eating as well as making
sure you choose the right type of fats.
So to help keep your heart healthy:
• Cut right down on saturated fats
• Replace saturated fats with small amounts
of mono and polyunsaturated fats
• Reduce the overall amount of fat you eat
• Cut down on foods containing trans fats.
It's also important to remember that all fats and oils are
high in calories, so even the unsaturated fats should only
be used in small amounts.
Saturated fat
Too much saturated fat can increase the amount of
cholesterol in the blood, which can increase the risk of
developing coronary heart disease.
Unsaturated fats
Unsaturated fats, which can be monounsaturated fats (for
example olive oil, rapeseed oil, almonds,
unsalted cashews and avocado) or polyunsaturated fats
(including sunflower oil and vegetable oil, walnuts
and sunflower seeds), are a healthier choice.
Trans fats
Another type of fat, known as trans fat, can also raise the
amount of cholesterol in the blood.
Salt
Eating too much salt can increase the risk of developing
high blood pressure. Having high blood pressure
increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease.
Alcohol
If you drink alcohol, it's important to keep within the
recommended guidelines - whether you drink every day,
once or twice a week or just occasionally.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 13 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Waterpipes (Shisha)
www.ash.org.uk
WaterPipes - Definition and usage
Waterpipes, also known as hookahs, narghiles, shisha
hubble or hubble-bubble pipes have long been used for
smoking tobacco in the Middle East and parts of Africa
and Asia
Waterpipe smoking is often a social activity and two or
more people may share the same pipe. In some cultures,
children may smoke with their parents. Although their
usage appeared to be declining by the mid 1980’s, more
recently there has been an upturn in their popularity in the
eastern Mediterranean region and hookah cafes and bars
are also beginning to appear in North America, Brazil and
Europe. A study of Parisian schoolchildren found that
more than half of 16 year olds had tried shisha once and
25% reported smoking it occasionally. 1 Waterpipe
smoking appears to be particularly popular among
students and young children who enjoy the novelty and
conviviality of sharing the waterpipe, although in some
countries many young people appear to be even unaware
that it contains tobacco. 2 Young women, in particular, are
being targeted in some Middle Eastern countries with
custom-made flavoured tobacco for use with waterpipes. 3
4
What are Waterpipes?
Waterpipes generally consist of a head, body, water bowl
and hose. Tobacco, which may be flavoured with fruits
and sugar syrup, is placed in the head and often covered
with perforated aluminium foil. Burning charcoal is placed
on top of the foil. Water is placed in the bowl, submerging
a tube through which smoke leaves. Sucking on the hose
causes a vacuum in the air space above the water,
causing smoke to pass through the water producing
bubbles (hence the common name “hubble-bubble”).
Disposable mouthpiece may be attached to the end of the
hose to reduce the risk of infection. The size of the water
pipe, number of hoses and other features may vary.
Health impact
Because the smoke passes through the water before the
smoker inhales it, there is a common misconception that
the water “filters out” the harmful substances in tobacco
smoke. Also the use of herbs or fruits as flavourings
masks the harshness of the tobacco, leading some users
to believe that they are smoking a herbal product that
appears less hazardous than conventionally smoked
tobacco products. However, waterpipe tobacco smoking
delivers nicotine, and, as is common with other tobacco
products frequent use is associated with users reporting
that they are addicted. Furthermore, even after it has
been passed through water, the smoke from a waterpipe
contains high levels of toxic compounds including carbon
monoxide, heavy metals, and cancer-causing chemicals.
Although waterpipe smoking has not been as extensively
researched as cigarette smoking, preliminary research
suggests that it is associated with many of the same risks
as cigarette smoking and may incur some unique health
risks. Nicotine dependence may also result from
repeated inhalation of smoke from a waterpipe since
users receive comparable or higher doses of nicotine
compared to cigarette smokers. 5
A laboratory based study compared exposure to
waterpipe toxicants with cigarette smoking among
31participants aged between 18 and 50. Each person
completed two 45-minute sessions, one in which they
smoked tobacco using a waterpipe and the other in which
they smoked a single cigarette. The level of nicotine and
carbon monoxide was measured in the participants’
blood, as was heart rate, puff number and puff volume.
The researchers found that on average, expired air
carbon monoxide levels increased by 23.9 ppm for
waterpipe use and 2.7ppm for cigarette smoking. Peak
nicotine levels did not differ significantly between use of
waterpipes or cigarettes but carboxyhemaglobin levels
were three times greater after use of the waterpipe than
that observed after smoking a cigarette. 6
Short term health effects
After 45 minutes of waterpipe use, expired air carbon
monoxide, plasma nicotine and heart rate are
substantially increased. Thus waterpipe usage is likely to
exert a similar cardiovascular response to that of cigarette
smoking. 5
Whilst the health impacts of waterpipe usage appear to
be at least as comparable to those of cigarette smoking,
research is complicated by the fact that many users are
also cigarette smokers. However, evidence suggests that
water pipe usage is likely to increase the risk of cancers
of the lung, mouth and bladder. It is also associated with
markers for cardiovascular disease and respiratory
disorders. 5
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 14 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

~Waterpipes~
Longer term Health effects
Waterpipe users appear to be at increased risk of mouth
and gum disease. A study in Saudi Arabia found that the
relative risk for periodontal disease increased by 5-fold
and 3.8-fold in waterpipe and cigarette smokers
respectively, compared to non-smokers. 7 Sharing a
waterpipe mouthpiece also poses a serious risk of
transmission of communicable diseases, including
tuberculosis and hepatitis.
Second hand smoke from waterpipes
The smoke from waterpipes is a mixture of tobacco
smoke exhaled by the smoker plus smoke from the fuel
used to heat the pipe, thus posing a serious risk to the
health of non-smokers. Children are particularly
vulnerable to the effects of passive smoking. Because
they spend a considerable amount of time at home, they
may be at risk for waterpipe smoke exposure in homes
where such devices are used. A survey in Syria found
that almost half (48.4%) of heavy users (those who
smoked at least once a day) did so mainly in the home. 8
New research has shown that a single waterpipe use
session emits in the sidestream smoke approximately
four times the carcinogenic PAH, four times the volatile
aldehydes and 30 times the CO of a single cigarette. The
authors conclude that, given a habitual smoker smoking
rate of 2 cigarettes an hour, during a one-hour waterpipe
use session a waterpipe smoker is likely to generate
ambient carcinogens and toxicants equivalent to 2-10
cigarette smokers.
Public policy implications
Although research into the health impacts of prolonged
waterpipe usage is still in its infancy, there is now enough
evidence of its harm to include waterpipe smoking in
public smoking bans. In countries where there is a
tradition of using waterpipes, work to change cultural
norms and attitudes will be required alongside any
proscriptive laws and regulations. However in countries
where waterpipe usage is still a novelty, public helth
advocates should seize the opportunity to limit its spread
through a combination of education and legal measures.
Laws to ban or restrict smoking in public places should be
drafted to ensure that waterpipes are covered by the
relevant legislation. Waterpipe use in enclosed public
places in the United Kingdom has been prohibited since
July 2007.
7 Natto, S, Balijoon M and Bergstrom J. Tobacco smoking and
periodontal health in a Saudi Arabian population.
J Periodontology 2005; 76 (11): 1919-1926
(doi:10.1902/jop.2005.76.11.1919)
8 Maziak W, Eissenberg TE, Ward KD. Factors related to level
of narghile use: the first insightson tobacco dependence in
narghile users. Drug and Alcohol Depend 2004:76:101-106
Action on Smoking and Health
First Floor
144-145 Shoreditch High Street
London E1 6JE
(click on the picture on the right to go to Google maps)
T: 0207 739 5902
F: 0207 729 4732
E: enquiries@ash.org.uk
References
1 Dautzenberg, B. Presentation to Smokefree London
conference, Oct. 2009
2 Pakistani youngsters becoming ‘Sheesha addicts!
Newkerala.com 10 Feb. 2006
3 Soweid, R A. Lebanon: water pipe line to youth. Tobacco
Control 2005; 14: 363-4 View article and picture.
4 Arab women getting increasingly addicted to shisha. Khaleej
Times (Saudi Arabia) 2 March
2006 www.khaleejtimes.com
5 Maziak, W et al. Tobacco smoking using a waterpipe: a reemerging
strain in a global epidemic. Tobacco ontrol 2004; 13:
327-333
6 Eissenberg T and Shihadeh A. Waterpipe tobacco and
cigarette smoking. Direct comparison of toxicant exposure. Am
J Prev Med 2006; 37(6): 518-523
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 15 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

SCREENING FOR THE
HEALTH OF YOUR PROSTATE
The Friends of Prostate Suffers (FOPS) in partnership with Graham Fulford
Charitable Trust will be offering the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Test.
There will be presentations from consultant Urologists who will also be
there on the day to talk to members of the public on what help is available
for Prostate sufferers.
The Friends of Prostate Sufferers (FOPS) is a
Prostate Cancer Suport Group, started by a group
of men from the Chorleywood area who had been
diagnosed as having Prostate Cancer and mainly
completed treatment. They wanted to do something
to help both others and themselves.
Their AIMS are to:
1. Raise awareness of the way they can
help sufferers deal with the effects of
Prostate Cancer
2. Raise awareness of manifestations
of the Prostate and its malfunctions.
3. Encourage development of accurate
Prostate Cancer Testing Procedures
4. Raise awareness of the pros and cons
of annual PSA testing for men over 50
Finding you have Prostate Cancer can be very
traumatic and lead to periods of depression and
loneliness and talking to those close to you can be
difficult. The happy and positive bunch of Members
of FOPS found that sharing experiences with others
who are coping with or have Prostate Cancer
was very therapeutic. They support their aims by
organising social and fund raising events, such
as awareness Presentations with Songs, Dinner
Dances with entertainment and collecting funds
during National Prostate Cancer week.
The FOPS council, which meets monthly, consists
of eminent urologists, a cancer nurse, a local GP
and enthusiastic men and women who support
the cause. In June FOPS held a very successful
PSA testing evening in Chorleywood. While
Phlebotomists, nurses and a GP were taking blood
samples to carry out the PSA test, 3 consultant
Urologists were giving a presentation. They
described the prostate, its mannerisms and talked
about signs to look out for if there is a problem
with the prostate. The presentation was followed
by a very useful Question and Answer Session.
Booklets and information were given out on the day
explaining about the PSA test and what the results
mean. Members from the Graham Fulford trust were
there to take the blood samples for processing.
David Baxter-Smith, a consultant Urologist wrote to
every single man tested on the day explaining his
result. David Baxter-Smith gave his contact number
for anyone needing further clarification.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 16 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

The Oshwal Association is privileged
to offer the PSA test at the Health
Awareness Day.
The aim of the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust
is to promote PSA screening. They feel that there
should be a Nationwide Screening Programme for
all men. Till this is the case they are carrying out
PSA tests all over United Kingdom and also
promoting that men from the age of 45 (40 with
a family history of prostate or breast cancer) to
ask their doctors for a PSA test.
The Charity was started after they lost a dear
friend at the age of 58 and a brother-in-law due
to Prostate cancer. They felt that if they had had
early detection from a PSA test , they may still be
alive today. They have tested over 12,500
men so far and identified 260 known cancers
detected to date. They have also donated 3
bladder scanners around the country.
PSA Blood Testing is not an infallible test, but it is
good for basic screening purposes. The test can
give out false positives or negatives but as a
screening tool it can be used to give indications
if further testing is necessary. Early detection can
make prostate cancer one of the easier cancers
to treat, giving a high survival rate. It can be slow
growing or be very aggressive and a delay cause
it to spread and may then it’s too late. Keeping a
record of yearly PSA test scores can help, as an
upward trend in PSA values may mean further testing
is necessary.
The guidance (left) from
the Prostate Cancer
Support Federation
should answer most of
the questions you may
have about PSA testing.
gfchartibaletrust@tiscali.co.uk
www.grahamfulford.org.uk
3 Mill Street, Warwick CV34 4HB
Mobile 07831 156071
www.thefops.org.uk
Tel: 01923 282199
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 17 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Kidney Disease
• 47,000 people in the UK require treatment for
kidney failure every year. Kidney disease can
affect anyone regardless of age or previous
good health.
• Transplants do not cure kidney disease and
only last 10-15 years on average.
• There is currently no cure for kidney disease
The kidneys – what do they do?
• Their main job is to cleanse the blood of toxins and
transform the waste into urine
• When the kidneys are not working properly, harmful
toxins and excess fluids build up in the body, which
may cause the symptoms of kidney failure. These
symptoms can include high blood pressure, extreme
tiredness or lethargy, persistent headaches, swelling
in the face and ankles, fluid retention and / or lower
back pain. Please note that these symptoms are
general and only appear in advanced stages so you
should not wait for any such symptoms. It is better to
have check up’s and treatment and to be monitored
closely if you are at risk of kidney disease.
Did you know you’re at risk of Kidney Disease?
Here’s how you can reduce it
Diabetes and Kidney Disease –an Asian person with
diabetes is 10x more likely to develop kidney failure
compared to White person with diabetes!
Diabetes is the most common cause of established renal
failure (ERF) requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant in
the UK
• about 20% of those starting dialysis in the UK have
diabetes
• the condition is becoming more common and it is
estimated that numbers will double in the UK over
the next few years
• this is mainly due to the type of food eaten and
lifestyle – diabetes is more common in the
overweight
• 30-40% of diabetics may eventually develop
kidney complications, known as diabetic
nephropathy
Who is at Risk
Certain groups of people are more likely to develop
diabetic kidney complications:
• Some families may be genetically prone to it,
especially if family members already have other
kidney diseases or high blood pressure.
• Certain ethnic groups seem more susceptible to
diabetes and its complications, including African-
Caribbean people and those of South Asian
descent.
• Males
• Smokers.
Treatments
• Give up smoking – to benefit the kidneys, as well
as the cardiovascular system and general health.
• Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy
weight; good healthy diet, control of cholesterol,
also reducing salt in the diet will help reduce
blood pressure. This helps prevent kidney
damage or a worsening of the condition.
• Keeping alcohol intake down
• Blood pressure tablets to keep the blood
pressure level down – discuss your target levels
with your GP.
• Control of glucose levels is important – discuss
your target levels with your GP
• If a protein leak has developed, treatment with
medication called ACE inhibitors or ARB’s can
protect the kidneys. They may reduce or ‘cure’
the protein leak, and prevent further kidney
damage. They will need to be continued longterm.
Blood pressure and kidney disease – what is the
link?
As well as removing waste products from the blood, the
kidneys play a key role in controlling blood pressure. So
high blood pressure is particularly common in patients
with kidney disease. High blood pressure harms
damaged kidneys. In many patients with kidney problems
controlling high blood pressure is the most important step
towards reducing the risk of further kidney damage. It
also reduces the risk of cardiovascular problems such as
heart attacks and strokes that can occur in anyone with
high blood pressure. Hypertension is both an important
cause and consequence of kidney disease. In some
patients it can be difficult to determine which came first.
What are the symptoms?
One of the biggest problems is that you cannot usually
“feel” high blood pressure; it is a silent disease. The only
reliable way of finding out your blood pressure is to have
it measured.
Only rarely does very high blood pressure cause
symptoms such as headaches, shortness of breath,
nosebleeds, and blurred vision.
How important is it to treat high blood pressure?
If high blood pressure goes unnoticed and treatment is
not given, patients with kidney disease are more likely to
develop progressive kidney failure. If left untreated, high
blood pressure can increase the risk of a heart disease
and stroke.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 18 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

~ Kidney Disease~
WHAT CAN I DO?
• Excess salt in the body may also increase blood
pressure, so it is sensible to minimize the amount
of salt taken in.
• Reduce weight if overweight (being overweight
increases blood pressure).
• Exercise regularly.
• Quit smoking – raises blood pressure and adds to
damage to arteries.
• Lower Cholesterol – high cholesterol also
damages arteries.
For further information about our awareness projects and
how to support us, in particular, targeting the Asian
community, please contact Project Manager,
Neerja Jain, RGN, BSc (Hons), MSc
Email: neerjajain@kidneyresearchuk.org;
Mobile: 07810 555 844
HOW CAN IT BE TREATED?
• A number of different drugs which lower blood
pressure are available:
• This includes drugs known as “ACE inhibitors”
and “angiotensin receptor antagonists” prevent
the action of hormones which are regulated by
the kidney and increase blood pressure.
• These medicines not only lower blood pressure,
they also seem to be able to give extra protection
to the diseased kidneys against further damage.
This extra value is particularly seen in patients who have
protein in their urine (Proteinurea). Proteinurea that
doesn’t go away is usually a bad sign in kidney disease,
but ACE Inhibitors and ARBs can reduce or prevent the
extra risk. They also have protective effects on the heart
and on blood vessels too.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 19 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Formation:
Ashiana was formed in 2000 to address the gap in the community with regards to the needs of children and young people with
learning disabilities. The ethos and philosophy under which it was formed has continued and allowed Ashiana to progress and
grow. Ashiana gained its charity status in November 2008 under the name of Ashiana Trust Limited. Ashiana currently has a total
of 90 service users, 180 carers and 45 volunteers and growing.
Aims:
Ashiana Charitable Trust‟s mission is to support and empower children and young adults with learning disabilities- to improve
their life skills & independence, building self esteem & confidence, improving quality of lifestyle, choice and well-being through
participation, social awareness and integration within the community. Ashiana aims to educate and inspire social change within the
community at large. That said, Ashiana service users have become independent learners and have essential life skills, such as being
able to travel unaccompanied and understand how to behave in publice spaces.
We offer an enviroment for our service users to be able to express themselves, become independent, learn life skills and make
friends. We also offer repsite services for the carers, where they maybe able to enjoy some leisure time, whilest their loved ones are
being looked after by our professional staff and tutors. Ashiana also offers advocacy services along with advice on how to apply
and use personalised budgets. Ashiana provides a platform from where the service users are able to participate and perform in
activities, thereby, exposing hidden talents which allows the service users and carers to feel proud of being part of the community.
Ashiana is multi-cultural in that it celebrates all occasions and we endeavour to educate all our services users on different cultures
and religions, thus, Ashiana is open to all communities and ethnic backgrounds. From making and selling Diwali cards to having
our annual Christmas party, Ashiana reaches out to all manner of peoples.
Health & Well-Being Centre:
In 2008, Ashiana started the health and well-being centre every Saturday morning in Harrow. The aim of the centre is to encourage
the service users to have and maintain a balance and healthy life style through participation in sporting activities and maintaining a
healthy diet. The activities provided include: yoga, bollywood dancing, snooker, badminton, swimming, IT skills and arts & crafts.
The charity also runs special projects which encourages the service users to develop their skills, this includes “grow your own”
whereby service users were given the opportunity to grow their own fruit & vegetables.
Along side this, Ashiana has activities on the forth Friday of every month, activities range from quizz nights, cinema nights and
marshall arts workshops. While all these tend to focus on sporting and health sessions, Ashiana also has ad hoc events, such as
picnics in the summer months, theatre trips to the West End, boat trips, theme parks and ten pin bowling nights. Ashiana service
users are regularly invited by other organisations to perform dance shows, this includes the Harrow Council, where Ashiana users
are able to show off their talents, but more importantly, it gives them the opportunity to break the stigma attached to a disabled
person. Our service users are proving that having a disability does not mean that you are unable to participate in 'ordinary'
activities. It is Ashiana service users who are challenging the social 'norms' of today's society with everything they do, achieve and
everywhere they perform.
An Award winning Charity:
On Monday 23 rd May 2011 Ashiana Charitable Trust was awarded its first ever award recognising all the hard work and positive
efforts of social integration, reducing stigma and tackling prejudice within the local communities at the 2011 Kidscount Inspiration
Awards ceremony, the event took place at the prestigious House of Commons.
Ashiana was nominated by Mr Bob Blackman MP, and was awarded the “highly commended Members of Parliaments special
award” for contribution by a community group. Ashiana is very honoured and feels very privileged to have been given this award
Registered Address:
34 Queensbury Station Parade, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 5NN
T: 020 8952 9591 F: 020 8951 0963E: info@ashianacharitytrust.org.uk W
www.ashianacharitytrust.org.uk
Ashiana Trust Ltd t/a Ashiana Charity Trust a Registered Charity No: 1126708 & Company
Limited by Guarantee No: 6635467

and would like to sincerely thank Bob Blackman for nominating us and for all of his continuing support and help he offers to
Ashiana.
Ashiana‟s positive contribution within the Asian community was recognised by several prominent MPs who also attended the event
along with other equally as motivating charities, educational establishments and social groups from up and down the country. The
evening focused on recognising the efforts of individuals and organisations who inspire others within their communities and
address the issues that affect their lives, Ashiana was acknowledged for its initiatives which challenge pre-existing misconceptions
regarding those who have learning difficulties in a practical and realistic way where a positive difference can be seen from the
word „go‟.
Volunteers:
Volunteers are an integral part of Ashiana and we have large pool of committed and dedicated volunteers. One of Ashiana‟s
objectives is to increase volunteering opportunities for able bodied young people to support the delivery of services and to gain
valuable knowledge and experience of work and the Social Care / Special Needs sector. If you are interested in volunteering and
have never done so in the past, please visit the Ashiana website for more details.
Membership:
The membership is open to all communities. As a majority of our service users and carers are from the South Asian community
who have not been able to access the appropriate services, our activities mainly relate to Asian Arts & Culture but there are also
activities which relate to all communities. If you know of anyone within your family or community who would benefit from the
services Ashiana offers, please be in touch with the charity, help and support is always at hand.
For further information please visit our website: www.ashianacharitytrust.org.uk

Mouth Cancer
Saman Warnakulasuriya & Richard Horner
Cancer can occur in any part of the head and neck area
and mouth cancer that affects lips, tongue, inner cheeks,
gums, floor and roof of mouth is common in the Asian
community.Mouth cancer is a serious and growing
problem. In fact, mouth cancer is the sixth most common
cancer in the world and may even be the leading type of
cancer in certain high incidence countries.
In the UK over 6000 people will be diagnosed with mouth
cancer this year. In the UK as a whole the incidence of
mouth cancer has increased by 46 per cent in the past
ten years and there is a marked geographic variation in
its incidence within regions of the UK. Scotland has the
highest rates. Mouth cancer kills one person in the UK
every five hours: a higher proportion of deaths per
number of recorded cases than breast cancer, cervical
cancer or skin melanoma.
Only half of the patients diagnosed with mouth cancer
currently survive for five or more years. This is largely
because majority of those people suspected of the
disease turn up for treatment at very late stages. It is
vitally important that the lay public understand and can
recognise the signs and symptoms of mouth cancer so
that they could seek early treatment.
Symptoms of mouth cancer include:
• Mouth ulcers that do not heal in 3 weeks
• Unusual new lumps or swellings in your mouth
• Red or red and white patches in your mouth,
particularly if they are sore
• Unusual mobility of a tooth in the absence of gum
disease
Some of these above symptoms can occur due to other
conditions not connected with cancer and your doctor or
dentist can advice you if a symptom is indicator of cancer
that an urgent needs a referral to a hospital consultant.
The public can make use of the opportunity for screening
examinations in general dental practice by their own
dentist to get the mouth checked for any asymptomatic
disease.
The public also should understand the known risk factors
that cause mouth cancer so they can properly address
lifestyle changes to reduce their risk.
In Table 1 we see the major risk factors listed as
modifiable and non-modifiable factors plus those others
which have often been suggested in the mass media but
for which there is inconsistent, limited or no scientific
evidence linking them with risk.
Table 1
Not modifiable
Age
Ethnicity
Socio-economic status
Modifiable
Smoking
Excess alcohol consumption
Diet
Lifestyle / betel quid
HPV infection
Inconsistent / limited / or no evidence for causing
mouth cancer
Hereditary and familial risk
Cannabis use
Khat (Qat) chewing
Nicotine replacement therapy (chewing / lozenges)
HIV infection
Passive smoking
Alcohol in mouthwashes
Established risks
Tobacco
There is no safe form of tobacco use: cigarettes, pipes,
waterpipes and cigars and smokeless tobacco such as
chewing tobacco and moist snuff all contain carcinogens.
Overall, nearly one third of all incident cancers in humans
are attributable to smoking. Given that tobacco contains
over 60 known carcinogenic chemicals (9 of which are
proved as human carcinogens) perhaps this fact is not
surprising. And it is not just lung cancers – around a third
of smoking related cancers are among other target
organs, including the mouth.
In South Asia, where chewing tobacco is consumed with
areca nut, and in regions of India particularly where
reverse smoking is practised (this involves placing the lit
end in the mouth), there is a strikingly high incidence of
mouth cancer. In Southern Asia, mouth cancer accounts
for as many as a third of all cancers, suggesting that
indigenous populations, including immigrants from South
Asia to the UK, are at risk because of distinct life-style
habits.
Tobacco therefore represents the largest single
preventable cause of death and disease. Yet more than
110,000 people in the UK die each year prematurely due
to smoking related diseases. According to research, it
cost the NHS £2.7 billion in 2005–6, or 5.5 per cent of the
entire NHS budget to treat diseases caused by smoking.
Betel quid (pan)
The habit of betel quid (pan) chewing was recognised as
a cause of mouth cancer in early 1930s. This habit is
prevalent in South Asia and migrants from South Asian
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 22 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

~Mouth Cancer~
countries to the UK have established the sale and use of
pan as a part of their culture. Recent scientific studies
have established Areca nut (supari) an ingredient in pan
as a cancer producing substance. Whether tobacco is
added or not, pan is now considered a major risk factor
for mouth cancer as well as for conditions that develop in
the mouth prior to the development of mouth cancer. One
such condition is called submucous fibrosis that limits the
mouth opening.
Alcohol
Alcohol misuse is causally linked to several cancers –
notably of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus and
breast. Risk for oral and pharyngeal cancers will double
with each additional regular daily intake of two alcohol
units per day and triple for five daily alcohol units. There
is no clear evidence that specific alcoholic drinks (spirits,
beer or wine) have different grades of risk for mouth
cancer – the risk depends entirely on the daily or weekly
quantity that is consumed, a person’s own ability to
metabolise alcohol (ethanol) and the popularity of certain
drinks within the nation or community. Binge drinking –
consuming the weekly recommended safe limit in a single
evening – is also linked to increased risk, though clear
evidence has not been published so far.
Alcohol is second only to smoking as a risk factor for
mouth and head and neck cancer. But alcohol and
smoking is an even more deadly combination – together
they contribute to approximately 75 per cent of upper
digestive tract cancers. Yet public awareness of the risks
of alcohol mis-use remains low.
Though alcohol drinking is attributed as a cause of mouth
cancer, recent critical review of published data revealed
that a link between mouthwash use, specifically alcoholcontaining
mouthwash, and mouth cancers is not
supported by scientific studies
Viruses
Some infections also may increase the risk of mouth
cancer. Human papillomaviruses (HPV), a virus that
causes cervical cancer, has been implicated as a risk
factor for mouth cancer affecting young people, in
particular among those who had not been exposed to
tobacco or alcohol.
Diet
People who do not consume fresh vegetables and fruits
may have an increased risk. Consuming 5 portions of red,
yellow or green plant products provides protection against
mouth as well as many other cancers.
Getting your mouth screened for cancer
Perhaps the most impact on saving a life from mouth
cancer is to seek opportunistic screening of the mouth by
a dentist, at regular intervals especially if you are Asian
and in the high risk group. Professional organizations
advice dentists that the most important step in the early
diagnosis and case detection is for them to perform a
systematic head, neck and oral mucosal examination that
is routinely conducted properly and consistently on every
patient they see in practice. When you attend a dental
practice do inquire about mucosal examinations and
cancer checks so that you are made aware of any
immediate or future risks.
Helping to prevent mouth cancers
Quitting tobacco and betel quid (pan) use and to
moderate alcohol use should be your aim if you indulge in
any of these risky life styles. Evidence exists that fresh
plant products- rich in antioxidants- have a cancerprotective
effect. This is one of the reasons why at least
five daily portions of fruit and vegetables are
recommended.
What you can do now
There is an alarming lack of public awareness about
mouth cancer. It is in your own interest to understand
what causes mouth cancer and do avoid known risk
factors. Your doctor, nurses in your surgery, dentists,
hygienists and therapists in dental practices are in a
unique and strong position to advise you on high risk
lifestyles and about mouth cancer and really make a
difference to reduce cancer risk; possibly save a life! Do
seek advice from these health professionals. Regularly
attending your dental practice as advised by your dentist
and obtaining a routinely carrying out a head, neck and
soft tissue examination, will reduce any diagnostic delay
in mouth cancer detection.
At a community level you can also contribute to improving
public awareness and to spread the word about early
detection of mouth cancer and improve rates of early
detection and increase participation in preventive
activities to reduce future incidence of this disease. We
are offering a day of free mouth cancer examinations for
your local community.
Mouth Cancer Action Month in November
each year promotes opportunities for interaction through
mass media and local programmes to raise awareness.
(www.mouthcancer.org ). This year we are pleased to
hear that OHAD is offering a day of free mouth cancer
examinations for your local community.
Above all – remember – it takes just a visit to your dentist
to have your mouth checked for cancer. So take a close
look at the practical suggestions in the leaflets distributed
or posters displayed during the month of November in
your local area and join the fight against oral cancer.
Article by
Saman Warnakulasuriya,
Professor of Oral Medicine, King’s College, London.
Richard Horner,
Chairman of the Steering Group for the Mouth Cancer
Action Month Campaign, UK
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 23 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Mental Health and the Gujarati Community
Dr Amar Shah
Mental illness – Is it a big problem in
the Gujarati community?
The available evidence suggests that the Gujarati
community has a lower rate of mental illness than the rest
of the population. This could either be because:
1. Gujarati people have very good mental health, or
2. That there are factors holding back mentally ill
Gujarati people from seeking help, or
3. That Gujarati people express mental illness through
behaviours which aren’t always likely to come to the
attention of healthcare professionals, or
4. The Gujarati community has a different tolerance of
“abnormal behaviour” – for example the presence of
Goddess Durga in ‘blessed individuals’ within Hindu
cultures might be viewed as spirit possession or even
insanity in other cultures.
All of these explanations are likely to be partially true, so
we can’t be complacent. One real problem is the
understanding of mental illness within the Gujarati
community. The only study that has looked at
understanding of mental illness by Gujarati youngsters
and parents found a lot of confusion in understanding
what mental illness is, and whether it is different from
learning disability. So we need to make sure our
community is educated about mental illness, common
conditions, how to recognise these and how to seek help.
WHY SHOULD WE PAY ATTENTION?
Mental illness needs to be seen as a treatable long-term
condition, like high blood pressure or diabetes. There are
treatments available (such as talking therapies,
medication) which can help someone to lead a full and
active life free of symptoms. By ignoring the signs of
illness or trying to keep things within a close family
environment, we are depriving the sufferer of evidencebased
treatments that can enhance quality of life,
employment prospects, reduce criminality and ultimately
lengthen life expectancy. Mental illness is so common
within society, across all cultures and socioeconomic
classes, that there is nothing to hide and nothing to be
shameful about.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR?
Be aware of the behaviour of friends and family,
particularly at times of increased stress. If you think
someone is depressed, overly anxious, drinking too
much, using illicit drugs, try to offer your help by listening
and encouraging them to seek professional help. If you
think someone is experiencing psychotic symptoms
(paranoia, hearing voices, bizarre behaviour) or thinking
about harming themselves or someone else, get urgent
help.
WHERE CAN I GET HELP?
Every GP has access to a local community mental health
team. There are specialist services for children and
teenagers, older people and pregnant women, again
accessible through every GP.
In an emergency, every A&E will have access to
specialist mental health workers. Services these days are
much more aware and responsive to culture. You can
take a family member to the appointment with you, or ask
for a Gujarati interpreter. Every effort is made to avoid
admitting someone to a mental health hospital, with
teams available to come and visit you daily or twice daily
at home in order to avoid admission. If you or someone
you know needs help, come forward and utilise the
services available.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has leaflets on
common conditions in Gujarati and Hindi available at the
following web address:
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinfoforall/trans
lations.aspx
Article by
Dr Amar Shah MA (Oxon) MBBS MRCPsych PGCMedEd
LLM.
Specialist Registrar in Forensic Psychiatry
REFERENCES
DID YOU KNOW?
• 1 in 4 people will experience some kind
of mental health problem each year
• About 10% of children have a mental
health problem at any one time
• Depression affects 1 in 5 older people
Patel, K. & Shaw, I. (2009) Mental health and the Gujarati
community: accounting for the low incidence rates of
mental illness. Mental Health Review Journal, 14(4), 12-
24
Dogra, N., Vostanis, P., Abuateya, H. & Jewson, N.
(2005) Understanding of mental health and mental illness
by Gujarati young people and parents. Diversity in health
and social care, 2(2), 91-98
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 24 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

MIND for better mental health
Chandrakant Shah
MENTAL ILLNESS: Does this exist in
our community? Of course it does!
& it’s time to talk
Mental health problems are common. One in four of
us will be affected in any year. Anyone can be
affected regardless of profession, background or age
but people can and do recover, often with the love
and care of family and friends. Here is a story of
Chandulal, who, with his wife Kanta, acts as carer to
his son Deepan who has OCD and talks about his
experience of mental health in the family and why he
thinks it’s Time to Change.
Chandulal: “In 1989 my son Deepan was diagnosed with
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – he was 22 years-old, a
very bright student and on his way to becoming a
chartered accountant, but during university he began to
have problems. A friend who is a medical professional
noticed something was wrong with Deepan’s behaviour
and suggested we get help. Deepan achieved a Bsc
(Hon) in Finance and is still a very smart person, but he is
deeply affected by his mental illness - and I know he is
not alone.
“Mental health problems are common and although it has
become more accepted over the past 20 years, mental
illness is still hidden and people continue to suffer in
silence. We are afraid to open up because of what others
will think and this means people may not be receiving the
help they need; also, many parents and family members
don’t know what to do to help their loved one. Times have
changed and we need more understanding, more
awareness and more compassion. My son has an
illness, but he is still my son and the wonderful,
intelligent person he has always been.”
Chandrakant works for Mind in Harrow and they have
helped 1000 people every year, 30% are from Harrow’s
South Asian community including the Oshwal Community.
The fact is that you probably know someone with a
mental health problem and you could help:
• Think about the words you use. Words like stupid,
abnormal, pagal and ganda are damaging and
hurtful.
• Talking about mental health problem is one of the
best ways to end the taboo; so don’t just brush it
under the carpet.
• Keeping in touch with friends, family and the
community can be great in aiding recovery. A
telephone call, inviting a friend out or paying them a
visit can make a big difference.
• Remember that a mental health problem is only one
part of the person. People don’t want to be defined
by their mental health problem.
• People will want support at different times in different
ways so don’t be afraid to ask how you can be of
most help.
Mind’s services include a crisis helpline, counselling,
befriending and employment support. There are three
things to remember
1) Mental Health is everybody’s business
2) There is no health without mental
health
3) Do not suffer in silence. We can help
you.
If you would like to find out more about Time to
Change or mental health support visit
www.time-to-change.org.uk to find a centre near
you.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 25 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Care
Caring for loved ones with learning disabilities and mental
health problems is particularly hard for our community
because we take it so seriously. Many of us sacrifice our
own needs night and day to provide the love and care
required. We struggle find services that we can trust to
look after them as well as we can. But failing to seek
support can often put strains on our families and can
prevent our loved ones from getting better.
The number of people requiring care for learning
disabilities and mental health is rising. This is because of
increasing stress in the modern world and better
healthcare means those with learning disabilities are
living longer. Research shows that the incidence of
learning disability and mental health problems in the
Asian community is higher than in the average
population. Despite the increasing need, many of us find
it hard to accept external support, and some even hope
that recovery will come by itself.
We have also been slow to develop care services for our
own community. The Jewish community, established in
Britain for longer than ours, have worked hard to
develop specialist care which provides for diet,
religion, cultural events, and where necessary mothertongue
languages. They recognise that these
elements are essential for recovery.
Two Rivers has managed to move a number of residential
care clients into homes of their own. Their families speak
emotionally of the changes they have noticed – more than
one with tears in their eyes: “I never thought she would
offer me a cup of tea and be able to make it” says one
sister. Another sister says: “We can’t believe the
changes in her – she looks beautiful, has lost weight and
above all has not had a hospital admission in two years”.
It can be very difficult for our families to let go of loved
ones, but perhaps services like Two Rivers can help us to
do overcome our fears and put the needs of our loved
ones first.
For more information, contact:
Mrs Gyan Dass
Two Rivers
100 Long Lane, Finchley N3 2HX
Tel: 0208 346 4236
Mob: 07828005322
tworivers@suncarerecovery.co.uk
http://suncare2rivers.co.uk
A few care providers now understand this and are
working with councils to create the right kinds of
service for our community. One such place is Two
Rivers Care Home in Finchley, which provides
specialist care services for Asian Women. Its
manager, Gyan Dass, has 18 years experience in the
social work sector in mental health and learning
disabilities and she is passionate about care: “As an
Indian, I can’t help but treat the residents like my own
daughters, sisters and mothers. We are like a big
family and I think this environment is what helps them
get better”. From the Gujarati-speaking staff, the
Indian vegetarian food, the Hindu shrines, Zee TV,
activities for the girls - craft, painting, Indian dance
and music, Henna, needlework, women only
swimming and their own treadmill – her attention to
detail is focused on making the residents feel at home
to help them on the path to recovery.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 26 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

ENABLING NETWORK is a new OSHWAL group formed:
• to change perspectives, raise awareness, and instil an understanding about
disabilities (such as physical disability, learning difficulties, visual difficulties etc);
• to create a community of openness, tolerance and social inclusion at all levels
(such as religious functions, social events, sports activities, etc).
If disability (such as physical disability, learning difficulties, visual difficulties, etc) affects
you or someone in your family then speak to a member of the EN team and let’s see
how together we as a community can make things better!
E-mail: en@oshwal.org | Mobile No: 07981 130 471 | Website: www.oshwal.org
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 27 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Heart Disease
Aa Aok gaMBaIr hkIkta Co.kaokoizyananaI sarKaamaNaImaaM dixaNa
AoiSayanaao paasao )dya raoganauM JaoKama bamaNauM Anao DayaabaITIsa maLavaanauM JaoKama
C gaNauM haoya Co. AoiSayanaao koma AaTlaa baQaa Baaro JaoKama ]par Co? Aa
pa``ena ]par Aok navaI J vaata Aa tarJaoDna samaJavao Co.
Sai>tanaI vaata:
Sai>tanaaM maataa BaartanaaM Aovaa dUrnaaM gaamamaaM rho Co jyaaM
PvanamaaM kao[ badlaava J naqaI. savaaro pa``aqa-naa krvaa vaholaa ]ZvauM, tyaarbaad
AsaMKya laaokao saaqao samaUhmaaM gaItaao gaavaa Anao KaotarmaaM AaKaao idvasa saKata
mahonata krvaI AoJ taonaI idnacayaa-. AaKaa vyasta Anao taaNaBayaa- idvasamaaM baQau
maLaInao 2200qaI vaQaaro kolaorI vapara[ JtaI. Jyaaro taonao idvasa drmyaana
maLataI kolaorI 2000naI naIcao rhotaI. Jo caao>ksa ApaaOiYTk htaI komako taonaI
kUKamaaM Sai>ta htaI.
caalaak baaLakI:
Sai>ta caalaak JnmaI na htaI. CtaaM paNa taonao caalaak banataa kao[
raokI naa Sa>yauM.tao JaNataI htaI ko taonaI pa``omaaLa maataa tarfqaI maLataI mahtvanaI
]Ja-naaM drok ANaunaao paaotaanaaM inaBaava maaTo sarKaao ]payaaoga krvaao paDSao
JaNao ko paaotao Aa BaUKamaranaI duinayaanaao saamanaao krvaa J JnamaSao taoma maanaI
caalaak Sai>taAo vaQaaranaI carbaI paaotaanaa paoTmaaM Jmaa krInao, paaotaanaa
snaayauAao Anao AMgaaonaaM ivakasanaaM Baaogao paNa paaotaanaI mahtvanaI ]Ja-nao
paaotaanaaM magaJnao ivaksaavavaamaaM vaaLaI. taoNao paaotaanaaM SarIrnaaM AaMTIGaUMTI
vaaLaa baMQaarNamaaM forfar kyaao- ko JoqaI svaaduipaMDmaaM ]tpanna qataao [nsyaulaIna
AMta:s~aava JonauM saamaanya kaya- AMgaao Anao snaayauAaomaaM ]Ja-naao pa``vaah krvaanaao
Co taomaa mauSkolaI qaaya taovauM taoNao kyau-.
paUnaanaI paataLaI JaDI baaLakIAao:
pa``aofosar rMJna yaai&ako jyaaro 2002maaM paataLaa JaDa BaartaIya
baaLak par pa~a pa``kaiSata kyaao- tyaaro tao JaNataaM htaaM ko taoAao kyaaM ivaYaya ]par
Co. taomaNao paUnaamaaM Jnmaolaa baaLakao saaqao saa]qampaTnamaaM Jnmaola kaokoizyana
baaLakaonaI sarKaamaNaI krI. taao taoAao vaJna, Anao laMbaa[maaM GaNaa AaoCa Anao
snaayauAao vaQaaro htaaM CtaaM paoTmaa carbaI, glaukaosa Anao [nsyaulaInanaaM star
vaQaolaa htaa. JoAao vaQaaranaI ]Ja- Anao sauYaupta AvasqaanaaM samayamaaM Jnma lao
Co. Jao Aa JaDa paataLaanaa forfarnauM SaarIirk iva&aana Aok vaQaaro ]Ja- Anao
sauYauptaanaa samayamaaM Jnmaolaa navaI pao@IAaomaaMqaI pasaar krvaamaaM Aavao taao SauM
qaSao? AanauM pairNaama vaQataI sqaULataa, DayaabaITIsa Anao )dyaraoga Co,Jo
dixaNa AoiSayanaao Anao baIJaAao Jo vaOievak SahorIkrNamaaM rhotaa laaokaomaaM
Jaovaa maLaSao.
Asamaanataanaao saamanaao:
maQaupa``maoh Anao )dyaraoga nao AvagaNavaao, dUr Zolavaao ko taonaa par
saava kabau raKavaao tao kama kTaokTIBayau-M Co. taaik-k rItao Aok maM~a svaIkarI laao
ko,“huM maara snaayauAaonao JgaaDISa Anao baInaJ#rI carbaInaao inakala
krISa.”taao Sa# krnaaraAao, tamaaro tamaara snaayauAaonaI ksarta maaTo JagaRta
qavauM paDSao. ]paraMta, 10 maInaITnaI paNa vaarMvaarnaI ksarta taonaa laaBamaaM
vaQaarao kro Co. tamaara snaayauAaonao maJbaUta banaavaInao laaohImaaMqaI glaukaoz
KaMocaSao. Kaaorak maaTo mauKya saMdoSaao Ao Co ko AaoCuM Kaava. tamaara SarIrmaaM
Kaaorak Aokvaar paQaravaao paCI Aonaao matalaba Aovaao naqaI ko frIqaI Kaaorak
KaaQaa paholaa kama krInao baQaI Sai>ta vaaparI naaKavaI Jao[Ao? jyaaro paNa tamao
kM[ Kaava tyaaro Aa saamaanya inayama AmalamaaM maUkao. tamaara laaohImaaM
AinacCnaIya glaukaoznaa maaoJaAao nao TaLavaa tamaaro ihMmata krI Sauw KaaMDnaI
vastauAao JovaI ko masaalaaAao, rsa, paINaaAao Anao GaNaI baQaI BaartaIya
maIZa[Aaonaao ]payaaoga TaLavaanaao rhoSao.
Aonaa krtaa Aovaa Kaaorak par Qyaana koin$ta krao ko Jo tamaara laaohImaaM
QaImao QaImao KaaMD maUkoo. AaoCI saakrnaI maa~aavaaLaao Kaaorak Anao KaaMDqaI Barolaa
paINaanaI tamaara AaharmaaqaI saMpaUNa-paNao baadbaakI krao. Aok kaolaanaaM
TInamaaM lagaBaga 10 TI.spaUna JoTlaI KaaMD haoya Co. yaad raKaao ko kabaaoha[D/oT\sanaaM
drok AMSamaaM JoTlaI ]Ja- Co taonaaqaI carbaImaaM bamaNaI haoya Co.
BayaMkr AinacCnaIya KaavaanauM baMQa krao. pa``aosaosD KaaorakmaaM ha[D/aoJnaoT
carbaInaI haJrI haoya Co JomaaM AapaNaaM saaOqaI ipa``ya ibaskITnaao samaavaoSa qaaya
Co.
hvao paCI jyaaro tamao ibaskITnauM baTku Barao tyaaro yaad krJao ko tao
paIgaLaolaI carbaIqaI paaocauM qayaola Co? taLaolaa KaaV padaqaao- Anao haoTlanaaM KaaV
padaqaao- paNa carbaI, KaaMD Anao naImakqaI BarpaUr tarbaaoLa haoya Co. tamaaro
naImaknaao ]payaaoga GaTaDvaanaI J#r Co karNa ko tao “ha[ blaD pa`oSar”
maaTonaao mauKya tatva Co, Jonaao maaoTao Jqqaao pa`aosaosD fUD Jovaa ko saIrIyalsa Anao
saUpamaaM Cupaayaao Co.
taolaivanaanaI ko AaoCa taolavaaLaI rsaao[ Joma ko baafInao, SaokInao, ga``Ila
krInao Anao baok krInao vagaoronaaM AKatara krtaaM SaIKaao. AapaNaa naastaamaaM
vaQaaranauM taola rhI Jaya Co JomaaM lagaBaga ADQaao ADQa kolarIz haoya Co. ]McaI
kolaorIvaaLaa naastaaAao KaavaanauM baMQa krao. taonaa krtaaM fLaao SaakBaaP ko vaQaaro
paaNaI laao tao saaruM, Jo tamaarI BaUKa paIDanao SaaMta krI Sako. 5 fLaao Anao SaaknaaM
maM~anaI JgyaaAo 7 SaakBaaP Anao fLanaao maM~a Apanaavaao. tamao JaoSaao ko mao
SaakBaaPnao fLaaonaI AagaLa maU>yaa Co. karNa ko Ao AapaNaa SaarIirk
baMQaarNanaI AsaMgatataa maaTo vaQaaro rosaaAao AapaNaa KaaorakmaaM J#rI Co. Jo
AaapaNaa kaolaosT/aola nao naIcauM raKavaamaaM madd#pa Co nao raoJoraoJ AaMtarDamaaM
sauQaarao kro Co. AaMtarDanaaM konsarnauM JaoKama AaoCuM kro, BaUKa AaoCI kro Anao
Jo glaukaoznaaM naIcaa maaQyama tarIko kama kroo Co. Anao baQaa paakolaa fLaaomaaM
saakr vaQaaro haoya Co. saamaanya rItao korInaI %tau drmyaana maQaupa`maoh parnaaoo
AMkuSa bagaDI Jaya Co.
tamao tamaara vaJna Anao baI.Aoma.Aa[ ]par Qyaana koin$ta krvaanao badlao
tamaarI Jmaa qayaolaI carbaI GaTaDvaanaao Qyaoya koma naa banaavaao? tamaarI paoTnaI
AaMTIAaoqaI maui>ta maoLavaao Anao sapaaT paoT maoLavavaa laagaI paDao. JoAao
baharqaI paataLaa Anao AMdrqaI carbaIvaaLaa Co taoAao nao CupaayaolaI carbaIqaI
CuTkarao maoLavavaao J#rI Co ko jyaaM vaJna Anao baI Aoma Aa{ maapa par
SarIrnaI AaMtairk carbaInaaM JqqaanaI gaNatarInaao AMdaJ lagaavavaao BaUlaBarola
Co. saIgaroTmaaM, hukamaaM, KaavaanaI raD, ko saUMGavaanaI vastauAao ko JomaaM tamaaku Co
taonaao saMpaUNa-paNao tyaaga krvaao. konsarnaaM JaoKama maaTo J nahIM parMtau
DayaabaITIsa QaravataaM AapaNaa SaarIirk baMQaarNamaaM )dya raoga qavaamaaM
maaoTamaaM maaoTuM JaoKama banaI rho Co.
baaLakao, kuTuMbaao Anao samaaJmaaM AaraogyanauM tatva&aana vaavavaanaao samaya
paakI gayaao Co. pairvaarnaa drok saByaaoAo taomanauM paaotaanauM J naih, parMtau
paaotaanaa pairvaar, ima~aao Anao samaaJnaa saByaaonauM Aaraogya sauQaro taonaI
JvaabadarI laovaanaI rhoSao. Sai>tanaI Pvana saMGaYa- yaui>tanaI ikMmata Ao Co ko
AapaNaamaaMqaI baQaanaaM SarIr kolaorIqaI Barolaa Co Anao sauYaupta ivaeva maaTo
pa`itakULa Co. taoqaI cataur banaao Anao tamaara SarIrnao maafk Aavao taovaI
PvanaSaOlaImaaM badlaava laavavaanaI Sa#Aata krao.
laoKak
Dao. saobaI kaMT
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 28 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Ask Your Pharmacist
Your local pharmacy is not simply a
place to pick up prescriptions.
How well do you know your pharmacist?
If you are taking two or more prescribed medicines for
diabetes, the NHS Medicines Use Review is another
free NHS service that can help you get maximum benefit
from your medicines. Ask at your local pharmacy for
more information or alternatively, your GP can refer you
to your pharmacist. Either way, you will receive the same
professional, free and convenient support.
In high streets, neighbourhoods and some supermarkets,
community pharmacies have undergone a quiet
revolution. Today, they provide a package of care, not
just a packet of pills.
Find out more www.askyourpharmacist.co.uk
National Pharmacy Association
Latest information shows that every day some 1.8 million
people in England visit a pharmacy. 99% of the
population can get to their local pharmacy within 20
minutes by car and 96% by walking or using public
transport. This is true in deprived areas as well as more
affluent areas.
Pharmacies are now established as an integrated part of
the NHS at the heart of the community, generally open for
longer hours than other health care professionals. The
range of services include repeat prescription dispensing
services; disposal of unwanted medicine; help to stop
smoking; signposting to services from other healthcare
professionals; and support for self care for all the family.
To help people get the greatest possible benefit from
their medicines, a free NHS service will launch in
pharmacies in October targeted at people who have
been newly prescribed a medicine to treat Type 2
Diabetes, Hypertension, Asthma and Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder or to thin the blood.
The New Medicine Service is an open conversation
between the patient and the pharmacist to discuss any
medicine concerns – for example, side effects of a
medicine or what to do if you miss a dose of your
medication. It can take place over the phone or in a
consultation room at the pharmacy, with the first
consultation taking approximately 15 minutes.
The pharmacist will call a couple of weeks later (or meet
at the pharmacy) to resolve any outstanding issues or will
at that point refer the patient back to their GP if more help
is needed.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 29 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Screening for Health Issues
Dr Mayank R Shah
DO YOU WANT TO SAVE YOUR LIFE?
Britain is one of the few countries in the world with
an established screening programme for the major
cancers and cardiovascular conditions. Many of
these screening programmes are available free under
the National Health Service.
Although you would expect that people would be rushing
to take advantage of this free provision, the reality is
different.
The table below indicates the uptake of the cancer
screening programmes offered under the NHS and the
uptake of each.
Type of cancer
Percentage uptake
Cervical screening 78.9%
Breast screening 73.9%
Bowel cancer screening 63.7
For all types of screening programmes, the uptake is
lower in the ethnic communities due to a combination of
factors.
Whilst it is recognised that all screening tests do cause
some physical discomfort, emotional anxiety and have
their intrinsic limitations, in the vast majority, the
advantages of the tests outweigh the small
disadvantages.
NHS Screening Services- available free to those eligible
1. Cervical screening programme
In 2008, there were 2,828 new cases of cervical cancer
diagnosed, and 957 deaths from this condition. The peak
rate remains highest in women aged 30 to 39 and in the
over 70 age group.
The cervical screening test is offered to all women
between the ages of 25 and 64 (in England) and these
women are invited every three to five years to have the
test depending on their age. This test involves taking a
sample of the tissue from the cervix (neck of the womb)
and sending it to a laboratory for an analysis.
2. Breast cancer screening
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in the
UK and in 2008 there were over 48,000 new cases
diagnosed (99% in women, less than 1% in men) and,
sadly, there were over 12,000 deaths related to breast
cancer.
The NHS offers a free breast cancer screening
programme involving an investigation called the
mammogram, which is essentially an x-ray of the breast.
This is offered to all women over the age of 50 and is
currently being extended to include women between the
ages of 47 and 73. The test is offered every three years.
3. Bowel cancer (colorectal cancer)
There are approximately 110 new cases of bowel cancer
diagnosed every day in the UK alone. It is the third most
common cancer after breast and lung cancer. In 2008,
there were approximately 40,000 new cases diagnosed,
of which two- thirds affected the colon and one-third the
rectum. The incidence of developing cancer increases
with age and is greater in males than in females. It is
estimated that the lifetime risk of developing bowel cancer
in men is one in fourteen and in women one in nineteen.
In England, men and women between the ages of 60 and
69 years are invited for bowel cancer screen every two
years. The test involves sending a small sample of
faeces (stool) for a biochemical test. Those who are
tested positive are then invited for a further investigation
called colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is essentially a
procedure which allows direct inspection of the inside of
the bowel.
4. Cardiovascular Screening
Each year in the UK alone, 124,000 people suffer a heart
attack and 152,000 people suffer a stroke.
Cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke) remains
one of the main causes of death in people under the age
of 75 in the UK.
The NHS vascular screening programme was launched in
2008 and the availability of this formal programme varies
from area to area. However, patients attending the GP
will be offered a basic screening programme which will
include checking the height and weight to determine the
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 32 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

~ Screening for Health Issues ~
body mass index (BMI), checking the blood pressure and
referring for tests such as blood glucose and cholesterol
levels. In addition, and equally important, is the advise
offered on lifestyle which includes dietary changes,
weight loss, exercise and smoking cessation.
Screening services in the private sector (non NHS sector)
The NHS screening services are offered to those who are
deemed to be at a higher risk and at prescribed
frequencies. However, many individuals who do not
necessary fall into these categories may still be genuinely
concerned about their individual health and the risks of
developing these conditions.
In my particular practice, I have increasingly been
consulted by younger people who may not be in a
statistically higher risk group but are concerned due to a
strong family history of a particular condition, or where
their modern lifestyle places them at a higher risk.
There is a wider range of screening services available in
the private sector. These screening programmes range
from the basic well-person checks, similar to the NHS
checks, to the comprehensive cardiac and cancer
screening programmes. Some screening programmes
also incorporate genetic screening tests to identify
individuals at a higher risk of developing certain inherited
conditions.
1. Cardiovascular screening
Recommended screening tests for cardiovascular
conditions include:
• Exercise ECG (stress test). The exercise ECG helps
to identify areas of impaired circulation to the heart,
thus helping to screen for silent heart disease.
• Carotid Doppler scan. This is an ultrasound scan of
the carotid arteries in the neck. This is a completely
non-invasive test which helps to determine the state
of the vessels supplying the brain. It is recognised
that any changes in the arteries in this area will
reflect changes in the major arteries elsewhere in the
body.
• Coronary artery CT scan. This is a useful test to
measure the presence of calcium deposits in the
vessels supplying the heart. It is recognised that a
high calcium score is associated with an increased
risk of plaque deposition within the arteries, ie
narrowing of the arteries.
• CT coronary angiogram. This is a useful test which
allows non-invasive imaging of the coronary vessels
and helps to identify areas of narrowing of vessels
supplying the heart.
2. Cancer Screening
All the cancer screening services described above under
NHS services are also available in the private sector, but
the services are offered to a much wider age group and
additionally include:
• Ultrasound scan or mammogram for detecting
lumps in the breast.
• Cervical screening test.
• Pelvic ultrasound scan, especially to determine
pathology in the ovary i.e. cancer of the ovaries.
There are limitations to screening for ovarian
cancer and more refined tests are still being
developed.
This review of screening services has focussed on
services available in the mainstream health sector.
Increasingly, community organisations and places of
worship are also engaged in promoting health education
and screening services, bringing the service closer to the
individual and in an environment where he or she feel
more comfortable.
With such a large choice of screening services available,
can you really afford to take a chance?
After all, a simple test may save your life!
Dr Mayank R Shah
E mail: mshah@lotushealthcare.co.uk
www.lotushealthcare.co.uk
Useful links:
Evaluation of the UK Colorectal Cancer screening pilot:
www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/bowel/finalreport.pdf
Cancer Research UK: www.cancerresearchuk.org
The British Heart Foundation: www.bhf.org.uk.
The Stroke Association www.stroke.org.uk.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 33 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

MAKING THE BEST USE of COMMUNITY PHARMACIST
Usha Shah & Rajula Dodhia
Pharmacists are the recognised experts in
medicines and play an important role in maintaining the
health of the nation. Pharmacy is a four years Masters
Degree which is followed by 52 weeks ‘on the job’ training
supervised by an experienced pharmacist. Pharmacists
are required to carry out Continuous Professional
Development to keep up with advances in the medical
field. All pharmacy staff that deal with medicines also
have to undergo accredited training.
There are around 13000 community pharmacies in
Great Britain and 1.8million people visit them daily for
health related reasons. Community Pharmacy is a very
accessible part of the NHS and is one of the few
healthcare providers that engage with people when they
are both well and unwell. Pharmacists are often seen as a
first port of call by the members of the public for advice,
both for their immediate and long term health needs.
They therefore play a key role in the long-term
management of patients with chronic diseases like
asthma, diabetes and heart disease. The government is
actively working towards making better use of the skills of
pharmacists and their staff. The range of services
provided through pharmacies include dispensing of
prescriptions, disposal of unwanted medicines, help to
stop smoking, signposting to services from other
healthcare professionals, self treatment of minor
conditions and support for self care for the whole family.
Dispensing of prescription is one of the main services
they provide; a lot goes on at this stage. The pharmacist
checks for the appropriateness of the medicine, the
accuracy of the dose, interactions with any other
medication you are taking and any major adverse effects.
The pharmacist can provide large print labels if you have
eye sight problems and give easy to open screw top
bottles if you suffer from arthritis.
issues. This service saves you from having to go to your
doctor every time you need a repeat prescription apart
from when you need a medication review.
Medicine Use Reviews (MURs) are now offered to
pharmacy clients on long term medications. This is a very
useful discussion with your pharmacist which takes place
in a private consultation area. Issues of both prescriptions
and regular over the counter medication can be reviewed.
From October this year pharmacists are participating in
New Medicines Service (NMS). This service is
designed to lead to improved health outcomes for
patients, make better use of community pharmacy
expertise and provide value for money for the NHS. Both
the MURs and NMS are designed to ensure that the
patient knows how, why and when medicines should be
taken. Lifestyle issues are also discussed.
Pharmacists offer numerous public health and
welfare services. Many of them are stop smoking
advisors and can offer support and products to help you
quit smoking. They all participate in health promotion.
Some pharmacists participate in Weight Management
Programmes, Minor Ailments Scheme, supply of
Emergency Hormonal Contraception, providing
immunisations and running travel clinics. An increasing
number of pharmacies now stock a very good range of
disability aids and incontinence products.
ASK YOUR PHARMACIST - YOU
WILL BE TAKING GOOD ADVICE
Article by:
Usha Shah, BPharm,MRPharmS
Rajula Dodhia, BPharm,MRPharmS
If you have any special needs, inform your
pharmacist and they will assist you.
Community Pharmacies keep a record of all the
medicines dispensed. This is essential to improve care
and identify any potential problems during the dispensing
process. The pharmacist and all their staff undergo
training in Information Governance and are required
to keep your data secure.
Repeat Dispensing is one of the newer services that
pharmacies offer. If you suffer from a long term condition
and need regular medication, you may be entitled to
engage in it. You collect your medicines from your
pharmacy and the pharmacist will monitor your
requirements and contact your doctor if there are any
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 34 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Body Composition Analysis
the Inbody Analyser
G
ary Ousby - Professional Health & Fitness
Consultant and Qualified Graduate from the John
Spencer Ellis Institute, California used an ‘In
Body Analyser’ to obtain individual client internal scan
results at the Oshwal Health Awareness Day. The In body
Analyser precisely records vital areas including your
Weight, Body Fat Mass, BMI, Percent Body Fat, Waist-
Hip Ratio (WHR), and Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR),
Muscle Mass.
The In Body Analyser looks further than just the number
on a scale. The analysis of body composition helps to
identify the condition of your body. A slimmer person with
more muscle can weigh more than a person with more
fat. Measuring muscle mass in different parts of the body
is also helpful. If mineral and muscle mass in the lower
body is insufficient, this may overwork the joints and risk
of arthritis will increase. Higher content of fat stored as
intestinal fat increases the risk of heart and blood related
diseases. Measuring balance of liquid inside and outside
cells will help to show imbalance and increase risk of
oedema. With high incidence of type 2 Diabetes in the
South Asian population, obesity is a modifiable change
that helps prevention of it.
Gary Ousby and Physical Wellbeing
A Lifestyle Fitness Consultant is....more
than a life coach.
I focus on your total well being, which specifically takes a
holistic approach, integrating health issues, fitness,
nutrition, motivation and coaching you towards special
events. I help you to take personal responsibility and
ownership of your entire coaching process.
Defining Realistic goals to understand
where you may have been going wrong.
Physical Wellbeing helps you to set out realistic goals. I
will coach you every step of the way to make a personal
breakthrough and achieve your long held ambitions for
success. This could be from climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
to losing weight and staying slim, or simply just to show
you how to enjoy a healthier, happier life style.
Time Sensitive to busy working lives.
Often, work schedules mean you may have only precious
short time at long intervals to keep a regular exercise
coaching appointment. My personalised Physical
Wellbeing exercise and training programs are created to
fit in with your aims, objectives and time schedules.
Relationships can also be kept alive by regular phone
calls.
Palliative Massage and Rehabilitation weekly
or every fortnight.
I regularly treat my clients to a high quality stretching
programme called PNF or Post Neuro Muscular
Facilitation. Using a massage table, I perform a deep
form of stretching used by Physiotherapists, to enhance
elasticity and reduce susceptibility to injury.
My extensive experience of rehabilitation work has
addressed many specific issues including spinal injury,
quadruple heart by pass and diabetic high blood
pressure, etc. Individuals with body shape imbalance can
be greatly assisted to regain equilibrium.
By using a dedicated clinical ‘In body Analyser’ to obtain
individual client, internal scan results, I can develop a
personalised work programme.
Flexible Travel
...means I can come to you or you drop in on me.
Our exclusive, private London Studios are based at
Portobello Road and at Chorleywood Herts, off J18 M25,
where you are always assured of a confidential exercise
and lifestyle coaching session.
More Information
You can find out more about Gary Ousby at
www.physcicalwellbeing.co.uk
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 35 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Sangat Advice Centre
Many Members of Harrow’s richly –
diverse communities rely on help
and advice provided by voluntary
groups. The Sangat Advice Centre in
Harrow has a long and impressive
track record.
In 1960 the Asian community in Harrow comprised just 42
people. Today it boasts some 72,000. The borough now
has one of the largest non-white populations in the
country.
Immigration from the Indian sub-continent began to
gather pace from the late 1960s’ and in 1972 numbers
were boosted when thousands of Ugandans were
expelled by ldi Amin and came to settle in Britain.
A number of concerned Asians set up Harrow’s first Asian
voluntary organisation, the Anglo-Indian Circle, after
seeing elderly Asians meeting up on public benches in
the cold because there was nowhere else for them to go.
Some 38 years later this has now become the Sangat
Centre.
The Centre was a focus for cultural and religious
activities, but also took up welfare issues from the start.
“There was a great need for somebody to provide legal
advice, particularly for members of the Asian community
where there was a language barrier,” said the founder,
Kanti Nagda. “People had nowhere to go –and they were
being turned down when they were seeking services
simply because they were not able to fill in the form
properly. The situation was the same as it is now. In
Harrow there’s the Citizen Advice Bureau and us.”
In 1981 the circle was able to buy a dilapidated council
owned hut, dating from the Second World War and used
as a shelter for the Territorial Army. It wasn’t without
difficulty: a petition signed by 60 residents around the
centre said that there was “already a citizens’ advice
bureau for the benefit of all members in the community”.
Despite this and other opposition, the plan was approved.
In 1997 the advice service was consolidated as the
Sangat Advice Centre-the word means friendship in
Gujarati - giving advice across the board , from welfare
benefits, housing, and debt counselling to discrimination
and immigration casework, and constantly expanding its
range and expertise.
For many years Sangat’s work has been supported
almost by donations’ contributions and fund-raising by the
voluntary management committee. This culminated in
2000 when members of the community raised £270,000
to match a grant from the Millennium Commission
towards the new £600,000 Sangat Centre, on the same
site, which was opened in 2002 by the Earl and Countess
of Wessex.
The centre now hosts training schemes, community and
social events; the organisation works on community
development and has also IT training particularly for
Silver surfers.
But the advice centre remains at its heart, and now
handles some 2,500 cases a year. The Centre offers a
full assessment appointment within a few days to all
clients, and refers those it cannot help to other
appropriate agencies.
It was the first voluntary organisation in Harrow to achieve
the Quality Mark from the Legal Services Commission,
and is also accredited with the Office of the Immigration
Services Commissioner, which under the Immigration and
Asylum Act 1999 regulates agencies giving immigration
advice. Sangat is the only voluntary organisation in
Harrow that will represent clients at immigration Appeals
Tribunals.
For one recent client, the work of the centre meant a
successful claim for £18,000 in back payments of
disability living allowance. And for one elderly couple, the
centre successfully challenged housing benefit
unreasonably withheld, which would have seen them left
with £12,000 rent arrears and facing homelessness.
Its hard work, says Kanti: “But for us it’s the utmost
pleasure to see the client going away very happy. The
Centre continues assisting and helping over 2500 clients
by organising more fund raising activities and asking the
communities in Harrow to assist in making donation to
keep it going.
SANGAT ADVICE Centre
Sancroft Road,
Harrow
HA3 7NS
Telephone - 020 8427 0659.
www.sangatcentre.org
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 36 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Embracing Life after Cancer
Bunshri Chandaria ARPS
Sometimes in our lives we
reach rock bottom. We
experience what we call
hell. For each of us it is
dressed up differently, but
for all of us it is dark,
tough and devastating.
This hell can be our
awakening.
Some people call it a breakdown but for me, it is a
breakthrough: My drive is to raise awareness about
cancer and to make a difference. I want to say to
everyone, “Don’t let this beat you.” This is how I feel
now – hence my booklet ‘Embracing Life after
Cancer.’ This publication is a tool for people to see
that despite any circumstances you can embrace life
and also to break the stigma so often attached to
cancer.
May I indulge you into my cancer journey and how
this booklet came about? I am told that one in three
of us will be affected by cancer at some point in our
lives. I happened to be one of the three sisters to be
diagnosed of breast cancer in 2006. It was a shock!
I thought that the consultant had made a mistake.
Cancer happened to other
people not to me.....
It was the first time that I saw my husband cry. My
worst fear was to break the news to my mum. Bless
her, she came to stay with me for three weeks and
nurtured me like a child. The first thing we did as a
family was to e mail all our family and friends. This
was my way of accepting cancer and most
importantly to allow people’s love and support to
help me recover. One of my aunt’s, a member of
Asian Women’s Breast Cancer Support Group
invited me to join them but I declined, “Why would I
want to be around those people with cancer?
I yearned to be normal again.
bouts of guilt for dragging down my family and
friends through this difficult time.
When searching for meditation courses, I
accidentally stumbled upon Breast Cancer Haven -
which turned out to be a godsend for me! They offer
free complementary therapies and the minute I
walked into that pastel coloured church, I smiled. I
felt calm and heard. There I met others who
recommended reading books on enlightenment,
hoping to help me think positively. I also
experienced ten days of silence at a Vipassana
meditation retreat where I learned to do things
mindfully. However, I still felt consumed by cancer.
When out walking, I would wonder how many of the
strangers I bumped into did have cancer. My mind
was constantly filled with thoughts of whether
indulging in champagne, wine and sweet foods
maybe feeding on to my cancer. Not wanting to feel
this way, I called up my doctor for advice. With a
belief that creativity is known to heal, she asked me
to resume my photography. The last thing I wanted
to do was to pick up my heavy camera let alone
shoot, however I was determined to heal so when I
looked through the camera lens, I was drawn to
semi-abstract images, wanting to embrace every
motion, movement and colour around me.
These visions signified life to me and with each
image I captured, I felt a surge of energy rise within
me. From feeling powerless and like a victim for two
whole years, photography and the creativity it
inspired brought me back to life.
Now, I thought anything is possible.
After my lumpectomy and radiotherapy, the
consultant discharged saying, “Now you can lead a
normal life.” “How could I?” Physically he had fixed
me but emotionally I was a mess. It was draining to
always appear fine, hiding behind feeling like a
broken china cup and at the same time experiencing
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 38 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

~Embracing Life after Cancer~
I endeavoured a tandem sky dive in spite of a
terrible fear of heights and to my amazement, felt
totally liberated during the 12,000 feet drop.
Together we can make a difference.....
www.bunshri.com
I wanted to shout to the world, that you can heal if
you follow your passions and dreams, so I
approached Macmillan Cancer Support wanting to
be trained as a cancer voice. They were inspired by
the images that helped me heal and together we
came up with the idea of collating a booklet of
diverse Asian women who have been through their
cancer journeys and are now living their lives to the
full.
‘I was extremely touched by the support I received
from various charities while undergoing my
treatment after the operation. This prompted me to
overcome my fear of heights and encouraged me to
attempt a sponsored sky dive so I could help others
like myself.’ – Bunshri
By talking to these inspiring women I came across
all these centres:
• Asian Women’s Breast Cancer Group (AWBCG )
www.awbcg.co.uk
• Breast Cancer Haven in Fulham, London
www.breastcancerhaven.org.uk
• Cherry Lodge Cancer Care in Barnet, London
www.cherrylodgecancercare.org.uk
• Maggies Centre in Hammersmith, London
www.maggiescentres.org.uk
• Cancer You Are Not Alone (CYANA) – Newham
Support group
• Laughter Therapy in Harrow, London
www.artofeating.co.uk
• Cancer Kin, Royal Free Hospital, London
• Lynda Jackson Centre, Mount Vernon Hospital,
London
No one has to go through their journey alone! I
am living differently now by:
• Following my dreams and listening to my body
clock – resting when tired
• Learning Bollywood dancing even at the ripe old
age of 54
• Learning golf
• Furthering the development of my Photography
through a part time undergraduate degree
course.
• Facilitating HOPE Course (How to overcome
problems effectively)
• Working voluntarily for various cancer charities -
raising funds and awareness.
• I am also on the committee for AWBCG (Asian
Women’s Breast Cancer Group)
Copies of the booklet are available free of charge
from the Oshwal Office or by down loading a PDF
from the Oshwal Website.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 39 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Food Allergies in Babies and Children
Dr Adam T Fox
Almost 1 in 12 young children in the UK
suffer from a food allergy and they seem to
be getting more and more common – but
what are food allergies, would you be able to
recognise if your child had one and what
could you do about it?
What is a food allergy?
The last 40 years has seen a dramatic rise in allergic
diseases such as asthma, eczema and hay fever,
particularly in the Western world. Along with this ‘allergy
epidemic’ has come an increase in food allergies. Once a
medical curiosity, almost every class room in the US, UK
and Australia now has a child who has to avoid milk, egg
or nuts.
Food allergies occur when your immune system becomes
confused – instead of ignoring harmless food proteins, it
triggers a reaction which leads to the release of a
chemical called histamine. It is this histamine which
causes the classic allergy symptoms of hives or swelling.
If the reaction becomes severe then it is called
anaphylaxis and this type of reaction may be life
threatening. Scientists are still puzzled as to why there
has been such a rapid increase in allergies. The most
popular explanation is the ‘Hygiene Hypothesis’ which
suggests that the increasing cleanliness of the modern
world is leaving our immune systems under stimulated.
With too few bacteria and viruses to fight our body’s
defences start to direct inappropriate responses against
harmless things such as pollen or foods. Indeed, as parts
of the developing world are becoming more westernised,
an increase in allergies is being noticed by doctors.
Most serious food allergies start in infancy and early
childhood. They are caused by a relatively small number
of different foods. Milk and egg allergy are the most
common and tend to disappear during childhood. The
other common food ‘allergens’ vary depending on where
you live and the diet of those around you. Whilst peanut
and tree nut allergies are common in the US, UK and
Australia, fish and seafood allergies are more common in
South East Asia and Southern Europe.
In India, whilst food allergy remains relatively uncommon
(but seems to be growing), chickpea is one of the more
common allergens. In British Asian children, rates of
allergy problems are similar to those of other British
children. In one recent study, it was shown that British
Asian children with food allergy on average had more
foods they could not eat than children of European
descent.
Many British Asian children have allergies to foods
including chickpea, lentil and pulses. Wheat, soy, sesame
and kiwi are other common problem foods.
Food allergies in different parts of the world
• Worldwide – Milk, egg
• USA, UK, Australia – Peanut and treenuts
• France – mustard seed
• Italy, Spain – peach, apple, shellfish
• India - chickpea
• Spain, Japan - fish
• Japan – Buckwheat
• Singapore - birds nest, shellfish
How will I know if my baby has a food allergy?
Food allergies are much more common amongst children
who come from families where other members suffer from
allergy. Babies who suffer from eczema are particularly at
risk of having food allergies. The more severe the
eczema and the earlier in life that it began, the more likely
there is to be a food allergy. A baby with severe eczema
before 3 months of age is very likely to suffer from food
allergies.
Some food allergies are quite easy to spot – as soon as
the food is eaten (often for the first or second time) an
itchy rash develops, usually around the mouth. There
may also be swelling of the face, runny nose and
itchiness as well as vomiting. In severe reactions, there
may be difficulty breathing and if this occurs an
ambulance should be called immediately. Fortunately,
severe reactions are very rare in young children and tend
to be more of a problem amongst teenagers.
Symptoms of an immediate food allergy
Mild to moderate symptoms typically affect the skin, the
respiratory system and the gut.
• A flushed face, hives, a red and itchy rash around
the mouth, tongue or eyes. This can spread across
the entire body.
• Mild swelling, particularly of the lips, eyes and face.
• A runny or blocked nose, sneezing and watering
eyes.
• Nausea and vomiting, tummy cramps and diarrhoea.
• A scratchy or itchy mouth and throat.
Severe symptoms (Anaphylaxis)
These require urgent medical attention.
• Wheezing or chest tightness, similar to a severe
asthma attack.
• Swelling of the tongue and throat, restricting the
airways. This can cause noisy breathing (especially
on breathing in), a cough or a change in voice.
• A sudden drop in blood pressure (called
hypotension) leading to shock.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 40 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Food Allergies in Babies and Children
• Dizziness, confusion, collapse, loss of
consciousness and sometimes coma.
Sometimes, food allergies can be more subtle and difficult
to detect especially if they are delayed allergies. These
allergies tend to be more of a problem in infancy. In the
past, these allergies were sometimes called food
intolerance, but this isn’t the correct term because, strictly
speaking, intolerance doesn’t involve the immune system.
Delayed allergic reactions do involve the immune system,
but unlike the histamine release characteristic of an
immediate reaction, delayed allergies involve parts of the
immune system that take much longer to respond.
The end result means it’s difficult to pinpoint a particular
allergy as the problem and sufferers may continue to eat
and drink it. Delayed allergies in infants may cause
chronic symptoms such as eczema, reflux, colic, poor
growth, diarrhoea or even constipation. The symptoms
only get better when the food is removed from the diet,
with milk, soy, egg and wheat being the most common
culprits. However, all of these symptoms commonly occur
during childhood and an allergy is only one possible
explanation, not the only one. Trying to work out if the
underlying problem is due to a food allergy can be very
difficult and requires the help of an experienced doctor.
Symptoms of delayed food allergy
Immediate allergies to food are usually quite easy to spot
because of how quickly they happen after the food. If you
think that your child has had an immediate reaction, it is
best to avoid the food until you have seen a doctor. If you
suspect that something in your child’s diet is causing a
more delayed symptoms such as eczema or reflux then it
can be helpful to keep a food diary to see if the
relationship between having the food in the diet (or your
diet if you are breast feeding) and the symptoms are
consistent. If they are, then the diary will be helpful to the
doctor who you take your child to see.
What can my doctor do for me?
Diagnosing food allergies relies on a careful medical
history, examination and special allergy tests. Your doctor
will ask you about the symptoms of the reaction, whether
they have happened every time the food has been eaten
and how long they took to appear. With immediate type
allergies, testing can be done by a blood test or by a ‘skin
prick’ test, where food extracts are placed on the skin of
the arm and gently pricked. The results of either test can
be very helpful in confirming if the allergy is present.
Unfortunately, with delayed allergies, things are less
straightforward as there are not any reliable
straightforward tests. However, careful exclusion diets,
where the suspected food is completely taken out of the
diet may be recommended with the assistance of an
experienced dietician. If the food is the cause of the
symptoms then they should improve when the food is
withdrawn. This exclusion period should be followed by
reintroduction of the food to ensure than any
improvement really was due to the food being removed. If
the symptoms are relieved on exclusion and return on
reintroduction then a diagnosis can be reached.
Looking after a child with a food allergy
The best treatment for a food allergy is to completely
avoid the problem food. Being diagnosed with a food
allergy has a massive impact on the whole family. Eating
is such a central part of day to day life that having to be
absolutely sure that a child has no contact with a
particular food effects mealtimes, going to school,
holidays and social occasions. A simple supermarket trip
has been shown to be almost 40% longer when shopping
for a food allergic child. Parents also need to be able to
recognise reactions and know exactly how to deal with
them when they occur. This usually involves carrying
antihistamines everywhere the child goes and also, for
those children at risk of anaphylaxis, adrenaline
injections.
Children with food allergies are also at risk of missing out
of the essential nutrients that they would otherwise get
from the food they are avoiding especially in the case of
infants with milk allergy. Fortunately, there are now many
specially designed milk substitutes suitable for these
children and with the help of a dietician, a nutritious diet
can be achieved even in children with multiple food
allergies.
Many food allergies, such as egg and milk, are outgrown
during childhood whilst allergies to peanuts, nuts, fish and
shellfish tend not to go away. Children with food allergies
also have a high chance of having other allergic problems
such as asthma, eczema and hayfever.
It is essential that children with food allergies continue to
be seen by their doctors as they grow up. Repeating
allergy tests can help predict if the allergy has been
outgrown so that the food can be carefully reintroduced
into the diet. It is also essential that the child is carefully
examined for any signs that they are missing out on any
essential nutrients due to their restricted diet, or if they
are developing signs of other allergic problems.
Unfortunately, there are no cures for food allergy in the
immediate future although exciting research does
promise real progress over the next 5-10 years, not only
in our understanding of how to prevent allergies occurring
in the first place but also for helping those who already
have them.
In early 2011, NICE (National Institute of Healthcare &
Clinical Excellence) produced guidelines for family
doctors on how to recognise and investigate possible
food allergies. This was accompanied by a useful guide
for parents called ‘Testing for food allergy in children and
young people’ which can be downloaded from
http://guidance.nice.org.ukCG116/PublicInfo/pdf/English
Dr Adam T Fox MA (Hons), MSc, MBBS, DCH,
FRCPCH, FHEA, Dip.
Allergy Consultant & Honorary Senior Lecturer
in Paediatric Allergy
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 41 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Organ Donation
Giving someone a
SECOND
chance at Life
There are almost 8000 people on the active organ
transplant waiting list in the UK. This can vary from
people waiting for corneal transplants to restore sight, to
heart transplants to save a failing heart. Currently only
26% of the UK population are on the organ donation
register. UK Asians are 3 to 4 time more likely to require
organ transplantation than the average population. This is
due to the higher incidence of diabetes and hypertension
amongst the Asian population. However, donation rates
are relatively low within this population. Where organ
matching needs to be exact (e.g. kidney transplantation)
this leads to a very bleak situation for most Asian patients
awaiting transplantation.
As a lung specialist, I am currently working within cardiac
and lung transplantation. Patients are often young and
know that transplantation is a last resort to save their life.
Lung transplant recipients have an average 8-10 year
survival, so this is not a perfect cure, but it represents the
best hope for the patient to be able to live a normal life for
a number of years. It is a weekly occurrence, for patients
to simply ‘run out of time’ on the transplant waiting list and
succumb to their illness. It is heart-breaking hearing
results of surveys showing that 90% of the population
would consider organ donation, but yet only 26% have
actually joined the organ donation list. Seeing patients on
a weekly basis who have months to live and are praying
for an organ makes this all the more pertinent.
I think the best way of seeing the impact of organ
donation is to hear from those patients who have
benefitted and how it has changed their life. I have asked
one of my patients, Vinisha Mahnivasaghan to describe
her experience having received a bilateral lung transplant
six months ago. Vinisha is in her late-twenties and was
studying Medicine at university when she was diagnosed
with primary pulmonary hypertension. Despite aggressive
medical therapy her condition deteriorated and she was
placed on the transplant waiting list. Below, she describes
her thoughts and experiences of that time.
Vinisha Story
‘The wait for a transplant is a stressful time. Although I
didn’t have to wait as long as some people for my new
lungs (1 year and 3 months), it felt like an eternity for me
and my family. Every time the phone rang, or ‘unknown’
came up on my mobile, I would freeze for a second,
thinking ‘is this the call that will change my life?’ I
received 2 calls from Harefield Hospital before the 3 rd and
successful call led me to my double lung transplant. I was
not well when I received the first call and though we
managed to get to the hospital the second time I was
called, the donor lungs were infected and so we returned
home disappointed. However, I’m glad I had that ‘false
alarm’ because it prepared me for the real thing. I had
primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) for nearly 10
Second Chance at Life
Dr Anand Shah
years so I was quite eager to have the transplant because
I knew it would definitely make me feel better so that I
could be ‘normal’. Before the transplant, I became very
breathless just walking up one flight of stairs in my
house. I was always tired, didn’t have much energy and
doing simple tasks like having a shower was becoming
more and more difficult because I would become
breathless washing my hair and drying myself etc. If I
was out and about, I felt vulnerable because I would get
breathless after walking for less than 5 minutes, and have
even fainted.
Even sleeping was becoming a problem because lying on
my side made me breathless as well and I couldn’t get
comfortable. I knew my condition was getting worse and
so a lung transplant was my best option if I wanted to
live. Now, almost 6 months after my operation, I can go
for long walks with my boyfriend, join in outdoor activities
with my family, feel confident going out by myself and
also, look forward to the possibility of having children in
the future as it was very risky to become pregnant before
with the PPH.
I feel like this is the start of a whole new life for me and
I’m really excited about it. Before my operation, I tried to
stay positive even though I wasn’t feeling so well on the
inside and that was very hard. But now, I feel really good
about everything, like I’ve been given a second chance.
I am eternally grateful to my generous donor who gave
me a chance to live my life; if it wasn’t for him registering
onto the donor list, then I would either still be suffering
with my PPH or critically ill in hospital. I am aware that my
donor had to die and leave behind his loved ones in order
for me to live, which is why I respect him even more; at
least his last wish, while he was alive, was granted. I
don’t know much about my donor but I do know that he
must have been a very selfless man – he was even
concerned about how he could continue to help others
after he was gone; I’m sure it has helped his family to
know that some good has come from their loss.’
Many people have strong beliefs regarding organ
donation, but I would urge the reader to consider the
following question. If your life depended on receiving a
donor organ would you accept one? If the answer to that
question is yes, then I would strongly urge you to join the
organ donor list now. Please find much more information
regarding how to do this, the procedures involved and
more personal accounts within the websites below.
http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ukt/
http://kirstie-2ndchanceatlife.blogspot.com/
http://www.lltgl.org.uk/
Dr Anand Shah MRCP MBBS BSc
Specialist Registrar Respiratory Medicine
Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust, London
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 42 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

British Heart Foundation
Food Recipes
Tofu mutter paneer
Ingredients
2 tbsp rapeseed oil
½ tsp mustard seeds
½ tsp cumin seeds
1 small onion, chopped
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 tsp tomato purée
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander
½ tsp red chilli powder
½ tsp ground turmeric
300g/10½oz firm tofu, chopped into 2cm/¾in cubes
100ml/3½fl oz water
450g/1lb frozen peas
Rice or chapattis, to serve
Preparation method
1. Cut the tofu into 2cm/¾in cubes and set aside.
2. Heat the oil in a frying pan, and the mustard seeds and
cumin seeds. When the seeds begin to pop, add the
onion and cook for 4-5 minutes, or until softened. (Take
care to avoid the seeds popping into your eyes and face).
3. Add the tomatoes, tomato purée and all the spices.
Simmer for five minutes.
4. Add the tofu pieces and the water. Bring to the boil and
then add the peas. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10
minutes.
5. Serve with rice or chapattis.
Top recipe tip
Tofu is a good alternative to full-fat paneer which is high
in saturated fat.
Less than 30 mins preparation time
10 to 30 mins cooking time
Serves 4-6
Vegetable biryani
Ingredients
1 small carrot, peeled, cut into small cubes
1 medium potato, peeled, cut into small cube
¼ green pepper, diced
¼ red pepper, diced
25g/1oz French beans, finely chopped
50g/2oz frozen peas
1 tsp tomato purée
½ tsp finely chopped green chillies
1 tsp garam masala
¼ tsp ground turmeric
225g/8oz cooked basmati
rice
1 small onion, finely chopped
4 roasted cashew nuts,
chopped
½ tsp cumin seeds, toasted
½ tsp red chilli powder
Yoghurt, to serve
Preparation method
1. Preheat the oven to 170C/235F/Gas 3.
2. Cook the carrot, potato, peppers, French beans and
peas in a pan of boiling water for 3-4 minutes, or until
tender. Drain and return to the pan.
3. Add the tomato purée, green chillies, garam masala
and turmeric to the vegetables and mix until well
combined.
4. Place half of the rice at the bottom of an ovenproof
dish, spread the vegetable mixture on top, and then place
the rest of the rice on top, spreading it evenly.
5. Sprinkle the top layer of rice with the chopped onions,
cashew nuts, cumin seeds and red chilli powder. Cover
with aluminium foil and bake for 15 minutes.
6. Serve with yoghurt.
Layered spicy vegetables, basmati rice and cashew nuts
are just the ticket in this traditional vegetarian Indian dish.
Less than 30 mins preparation time
10 to 30 mins cooking time
Serves 4-6
By British Heart Foundation
From Sonia Deol
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 44 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Good Food Salad Recipe
Kumud Shah
Good Food Salad Serves 6
1 bunch flat leaf parsley,
½ bunch mint,
½ bunch coriander
1 bunch watercress
3 handfuls of alfalfa sprouts (if available)
4 full tablespoons quinoa (or cracked wheat or couscous)
2 small cucumbers
1 big avocado
1 packet cherry tomatoes -approx 15 approx
100g walnut pieces or other nuts
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
1 fresh lime
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
"LET YOUR FOOD BE YOUR MEDICINE
LET YOUR MEDICINE BE YOUR FOOD"
Kumud has been teaching vegetarian cuisine in North
London for over 15 years.
Kumud's passion for good food and her enthusiasm for
spreading the word on healthy eating encouraged her to
write “Feel Good With Food“ vegetarian cookbook.
This book shows how to take a positive and responsible
step towards cooking and eating good food to stay in
optimum health.
Wash all the leafy green ingredients well and cut into
bite size pieces.
Wash the quinoa and soak it for 20 minutes, then
cook the quinoa in 600ml of water until the grains
open (approx 10-12 minutes). Strain it and let it cool.
Chop the cucumber, avocado, tomatoes and walnuts
into bite size pieces.
Mix all the above ingredients in a salad bowl. Drizzle
the olive oil and lime Juice over the salad and
season to taste.
Mix and match the above ingredients to your
preference.
* You can make the Good Food Salad into a main meal,
full of essential goodness, by adding a few stir fried tofu
pieces and a slice of baked butternut squash.
Good Food Salad Ingredients
All the ingredients of this star food salad are full of
phytonutrients and eating it on a regular basis will
provide lots of energy and 'vitality. The salad looks
good, tastes good and will surely make you feel good.
Kumud Shah was born in Mumbai, India and was
brought up in Kenya from an early age. She moved to
London to study for her biological science degree and has
lived here ever since.
Kumud is a member of the Guild of Food Writers. She is
an author, cookery demonstrator, cookery teacher and
recipe writer. Her “Quick After Work” Indian vegetarian
cookbook was published by Piatkus in 1997.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 45 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Sweet Dish
Healthy Options
Carrot cake with pineapple
8 oz grated carrots
14 oz can of crushed pineapple
4 oz chopped walnuts
12oz self raising
2 tsp baking powder
1.5 soda bi carb
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
12 fl oz oil
Method
Mix dry ingredients, add wet ingredients
Cook at gas mark 6 for 25 to 30min
Optional- icing- 3oz butter, 6oz icing sugar,
.5 tsp vanilla ess, 3 oz cream cheese
Carrot cake with honey
10 oz honey
4 oz grated carrot
6 oz chopped dates
4 oz raisins
4 oz butter
8 oz water
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg powder
1 tsp ground cloves
Method
Mix all of the above ingredients and heat for 5 mins,
cool for 45 mins ,
then add the following: 8 oz whole wheat flour4 oz
walnuts2 tsp soda bi carb pinch of salt
Cook at gas mark 4 for 45mins to 1 hour.
Recipes by Mina Haria
Picture is indicative only and not actual representation of
the recipe.
Carob Balls
1 cup cashew nuts
1 cup almonds
half cup carob (put less if preferred)
add honey or agave syrup to taste.
Recipes by Mina Haria
Picture is indicative only and not actual
representation of the recipe.
Method
Grind all ingredients in a coffee or nut grinder.
Add sweetener i.e. honey or agave syrup
roll into balls
coat with coconut or toasted sesame seeds.
Recipe by Atul Shah
Picture is indicative only and not actual
representation of the recipe
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 46 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Mother Nature’s Remedies
Punita Shah
These remedies and recipes are based on ingredients readily
available in every kitchen. My Mother used these ingredients
not just for enhancing taste but also to treat minor health
problems. These will help without side effects and have been
used in Indian families for many generations.
Common kitchen ingredients
Salt
• Gargling every morning and evening with one tea spoon (‘tsp’) salt
in warm water is very good for sore throats and fresh breadth.
• To treat sprains, boil one tsp salt with one tsp turmeric in some
water till it becomes a thick paste. Apply warm and cover with
cotton wool and bandage and leave overnight to reduce swelling
and to give relief from pain.
• A safe antiseptic eyewash. Wash sticky eyes in mildly warm water
with a pinch of salt dissolved in it.
Turmeric
• A very good antiseptic. Apply on small cuts to stop bleeding.
• To give your skin a glow and a shine, mix one tsp of turmeric
powder, one tsp malai from milk and one tsp gram (chana) flour to
make a soft batter and massage on skin.
Jeera
• For women - swallow one tsp whole jeera with water 3 times a day
to help control excess bleeding during periods.
Methi
• Very good for joint pain. Soak one tsp at night and eat in the
morning.
Soda bicarbonate
• A drink of half a tsp of soda bicarbonate dissolved in a glass of
water works wonders for shirus (red itchy skin).
Tea leaves
• Apply dry tea leaves (chai ni bhuki) to a small cut to stop bleeding.
• Boil used tea bags again (or new ones) and use to rinse your hair
to give it a shine.
Ginger
• A tsp of fresh ginger juice mixed with a tsp of honey is the best
cough syrup.
• Take two tsp ginger powder, add a little water to make dough like
rotli, roll into a round ball and then flatten. Take one table spoon
ghee, heat ghee on medium heat on a heavy base pan and fry the
ginger dough like vada till golden brown. Remove from pan, crush
and add half tsp sugar powder, mix well and eat. Good for cough,
cold and upset stomach.
• Boil a tsp ginger powder and a cup of milk till half a cupful remains;
add a tsp of castor oil and drink warm at bedtime for a minimum of
one month. It will help with knee pain.
• Take a tsp sunth, add a bit of ghee and gor, mix and make into a
ball. Take in the mornings on an empty stomach. It will help with
coughs, colds, digestion and increase appetite.
Garlic
• Crush a whole garlic (do not peel) and mix together with a table
spoon of Ajma in a half litre of mustard oil. Heat all ingredients for
5 to 7 minutes and fill in a jar/container for later use. Use this oil to
massage your joints to give relief from joint pain, particularly knee
pain.
• Garlic lowers cholesterol. Take a small garlic clove, peel and fry in
ghee. Swallow one fried clove each morning. (small one clove
garlic is good for this if available)
Mint
• Boil 10 leaves of mint in a glassful of water for 5 minutes. Strain
and add a quarter tsp black salt and a pinch of hing, a pinch of
black pepper powder and a tsp of fresh lemon/lime juice. Stir and
drink for relief from stomach pain.
• Chew 2/3 leaves of mint - it makes a very good mouth freshener.
Lime or lemon
• Take a half lime/lemon and on the cut face place half a tsp of black
salt plus half a tsp of hing and quarter tsp of black pepper powder.
Press down into the body of the lime/lemon with a spoon and put
the lime/lemon on a naked flame for 5 minutes or till all the spices
have ‘melted’ and settled. Then remove from the heat source and
squeeze in half a glass of water, stir and drink. Gives instant relief
from stomach ache.
Almond
• Take 5 almonds and soak in water overnight. In the morning
remove the skin and chew slowly and deliberately. Very good for
memory. Can also help with acidity problems.
• Grind 5 almonds and add some milk to make a paste. Massage
onto face to remove dead skin and give a glow to your skin.
Cloves
• Chew a single piece of clove to relive toothache. It is also helps
with travel sickness and makes a good mouth freshener.
• For babies’ suffering from coughs and colds. Take 8 to 10 cloves.
Poke the cloves into a sheet of newspaper and burn the
newspaper. It should burn off in a minute or so. Collect the tops
from the roasted cloves. Grind in a mortar together with one strand
of saffron and a few drops of water. Apply a little bit gently to the
chest of babies and leave (do not rub in).
Elchi (cardamom)
• Chew as a mouth freshener.
• Chew with khadi sakar for relief from a sore throat and good quality
of sound.
Black pepper
• Take a nagarvel pan leaf and remove the dandi. Place seven
black peppers onto the leaf and fold into a pan and chew for relief
from gastric problems.
• Black pepper is good for coughs and colds.
• After a bout of vomiting, swallow three whole peppers to help the
stomach settle down.
HERBS
Trifala
Trifala is a blessing of nature. It is a combination of Harda, Behda and
Amla in equal proportions - either in a powder form or roughly coarsed.
There are many benefits of these herbs.
• Very good laxative.
• Soak a handful of rough coarse trifala in water overnight. The next
day strain it through muslin cloth and wash your eyes in the Trifala
water using an eye cup. Removes tiredness and improves vision.
• Boil a handful of trifala in water for 5 minutes, strain it and wash
your hair with this water to treat dandruff.
Hingastak
Take a tsp with butter milk at dinner time to digest food. Available in
grocery shops. It is a mixture of eight herbs - hing, dry ginger, piper,
black pepper. jeeru, shah jeeru, ajma and sindhav.
Vavding (mainly for babies and new mums)
Blood purifier, kills internal worms, removes cough and gives relief from
wind problems.
Vakumbha (mainly for babies and new mums)
Very good after baby birth. Clears and shrinks the uterus and gives
strength to the back. It is good for babies to treat colds, coughs, worms
and stomach discomfort.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 48 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

~Mother Nature’s Remedies~
Kadthi (lentil - horse gram)
• Take a handful and soak overnight. Strain in the morning and drink
the kadthi water to help with kidney stones.
• Regular use of Kadthi ‘soup’ reduces body fat and, particularly,
stomach fat.
Barley
Boil a handful of barley for 10 minutes, strain and drink the barley water
to help clear the urinary system.
Dadam ni chal (Pomegranate peel)
Dry the peel and grind into a powder. Take half tsp of the powder with
curd. It will help in cases of diarrhoea.
1) Lime and ginger drink
• 1 kg sugar
• 200 gms ginger
• 8 limes
• 1 tsp salt
• Half litre water
Drinks Recipes
Extract lime juice. Cut the ginger into small pieces, liquidise with a
glassful of water and strain. Make sugar syrup, add both juices and salt
and bring to boil. Allow to cool and fill containers. To make a drink,
dilute the concentrate with hot or cold water, as required. Add mint
leaves for extra flavour and smell.
2) Kerala tea (simple version)
Mix 1 cup dry methi, 1 cup suva and 2 tsp ajma. Mix well and store in a
jar.
• Take 2 tsp mixture with half litre water. Boil for 5 minutes and
leave.
To drink, dilute with warm water.
• This tastes very good, is light and is good for health.
3) Herbal tea for winter
• slices of fresh ginger
• 2 stems fresh mint
• 5 (1 inch) cinnamon pieces
Place everything in a pan. Boil a litre of water and pour into the pan,
cover and leave for a few hours. Drink diluted with warm water. An
easy-to-make flavoured drink.
4) Home made sugar cane juice
• One tbs gor (jaggery)
• Small piece of ginger
• Half tsp lime juice
• Half glass water
• Half glass crushed ice
Churn in a liquidiser and serve immediately. Tastes like the real thing!
5) Amla sharbat (a good source of vitamin C)
• Half kg fresh amla
• 1 kg sugar
• 1 tsp salt
Boil amla till tender. Remove the stones and liquidise the pulp in a
mixer. Prepare sugar syrup and when that starts to boil add the amla
pulp and salt. Stir for 5 minutes. Cool overnight. Store in containers
and keep in a fridge. To make a drink take a quarter glass concentrate
and top up with water and stir.
These traditional remedies should be safe for most people but if you have any concerns about their application or if you have a
medical condition please speak to your medical practitioner before making use of them.
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 49 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Acupuncture
Malti Shah
Restoring Inner Balance
Traditional acupuncture is a holistic approach to the
management of disease as well as the maintenance of
health. According to traditional Chinese philosophy, our
health is dependent on the body's motivating energy -
known as Qi - moving in a smooth and balanced way
through a series of channels (meridians) beneath the
skin. When Qi is unbalanced, illness occurs. Hence,
experiencing a persistent negative emotion will lead to a
physical illness in the same way that suffering physical
distress over a prolonged period will affect the emotions.
The flow of Qi can be disturbed by a number of factors.
These include emotional states such as anxiety, stress,
anger, fear or grief, poor nutrition, weather conditions,
hereditary factors, infections, poisons and trauma.
Although the body has a remarkable ability to heal itself, if
the stress is too great or if the body is already in a
weakened state it may take a long time to heal and
sometimes it may fail to heal altogether. By inserting fine
needles into specific points on the meridians, an
acupuncturist can stimulate the body's own healing
response and help restore its natural balance. The
needles do not heal the body, they stimulate the flow of
Qi to restore balance and remind the body of what it
needs to do to heal itself.
The skill of an acupuncturist lies in their ability to make a
traditional diagnosis from what is often a complex pattern
of disharmony. The exact pattern and degree of
disharmony is unique to each individual and, with
acupuncture, will be treated as such with a personalised
treatment plan.
49
‣ Dermatological disorders – Eczema, acne, herpes
and other skin diseases
‣ Uro-genital disorders – Cystitis, incontinence,
urinary retention
‣ Mental and emotional – Depression, anxiety,
nervousness, stress, insomnia, trauma.
How safe Acupuncture?
The World Health Organisation (WHO), the American
Medical Association (AMA), the National Institute for
Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and various
government reports have studied and commented on the
efficacy of acupuncture. There is general agreement that
acupuncture is safe when administered by well-trained
practitioners using sterile needles. Serious side effects
occur very rarely; less than one per ten thousand
treatments. All needles used are sterile and disposed of
once used and, hence there is no risk of infectious
diseases through the use of acupuncture needles.
How to find a good practitioner?
The British Acupuncture Council keeps a register of its
members and can give you details of members in your
area. Alternatively you can find one yourself on the
website www.acupuncture.org.uk. Always check your
practitioner’s qualifications.
The principal aim of acupuncture in treating the whole
person is to recover the equilibrium between the physical,
emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual.
What can acupuncture help you with:
‣ Aches and pains – Sciatica, backache, arthritis,
headaches and migraines, tennis elbow, golfers
elbow, frozen shoulder, sports injuries
‣ Digestive disorders – Abdominal pain, indigestion,
nausea, constipation, IBS diarrhoea, ulcers
‣ Respiratory disorders – Re-occurring colds and flu,
sinusitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, asthma, wheezing
and coughing
‣ Gynaecological disorders – Irregular menstruation,
PMT, menstrual cramps, endometriosis, infertility,
menopausal symptoms
Malti Shah holds a BSc (Hons) degree in acupuncture
from the London College of Traditional Acupuncture &
Oriental Medicine and practices in Northwood. She treats
a wide range of conditions with particular interest in the
areas of gynaecology, infertility, IVF assistance,
paediatrics, musculoskeletal, dermatology and cosmetic
acupuncture. For further information or to book a
consultation, please call 07900 890523 or visit
www.turtledoveacupuncture.com
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 50 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Ayurveda,
'the science of life & longevity’
Ayurvedic Medicine
Roopesh Sakaria
Like yoga and meditation, Ayurveda, 'the science of life &
longevity’, is also an invaluable gift of the ancient sages
of India to mankind. It is one of the oldest and most
comprehensive scientific medical systems in the world,
with a long record of clinical experience to validate it.
It’s Philosophy of Healthcare
The five basic elements, space, air, fire, water and earth
(called Panchamahabhutas) are the ultimate physical
constituents of the physical worlds as well as of the
human body. Hence man's oneness with the universe
and harmony with nature is the basis of his healthcare.
Originating from the five elements, the three bio-energies
corresponding to the active elements of Air (Vata), Fire
(Pitta) and Water (Kapha) are the ultimate all-pervasive
metabolic principles governing the psychosomatic
structure and processes of growth and decay of all
organisms. Keeping these biological humours in balance
is the key to health.
No two individuals have identical combination of the 3
bio-energies or identical constitution, therefore what is
wholesome in terms of diet, lifestyle and medication
would vary from individual to individual.
Life means the integrity or interactive combination of body
tissues, sense organs, mind and soul and their healthy
harmonious functioning is 'true health'. For true health
Ayurveda insists on holistic healthcare.
Key Principles of Ayurvedic System of Healthcare
Holistic healthcare involves a) maintaining good health by
observing the prescribed rules of healthy living, dietetics
and moral conduct and b) regular use of rejuvenate
therapy to promote health and to improve immunity
against disease.
The key principles of therapy are: avoiding the cause of
disorders like diabetes, asthma, CHD etc; making sure it
is contrary to aetiology; treating the whole person;
treating any disorder while it is still in its infancy; making
sure pacifying one disorder does not trigger another, and
ensuring against their recurrence by elimination rather
than suppression.
Generic concomitance is the cause of augmentation of all
beings/things; the variant factor of their diminution,
therefore any metabolic disorder could theoretically be
restored through rational and targeted use of natural
substances.
What is BAAAP?
The British Association of Accredited Ayurvedic
Practitioners (BAAAP) was established in 1999 as the
professional affiliate of the British Ayurvedic Medical
Council (BAMC) in order to promote Ayurveda in the
West and to ensure that Ayurvedic Medicine is only
practised by qualified and competent practitioners. It also
seeks to promote and facilitate its integration within
mainstream health care provision in the UK and
elsewhere in Europe.
Aims and Objectives
• To protect patients and members of the public by
ensuring that Ayurvedic Medicine is only practised by
qualified and competent practitioners
• To represent members and to promote the
professional development of Ayurvedic practitioners
• To encourage and support the conduct of high
quality research into Ayurvedic therapies and
treatment modalities
• To ensure that safe and good quality Ayurvedic
medicinal products are available to practitioners and
patients
It is a truly holistic and integral medical system which
surpasses most modern systems of healthcare in its
range of therapeutic modalities. Upon medical
assessment and constitutional analysis by a qualified
Ayurvedic practitioner, the patient is not only prescribed
appropriate herbal medicine and palliative or cleansing
therapies but is also educated about diet and lifestyle
which is suitable for his/her particular constitution
(prakriti) so as to minimise the pathogenesis, speed up
the process of recovery, prevent future recurrence and
maintain a healthy well balanced life. Such an approach
has significant long term benefits not only for the patient
but also for the financial burden of mainstream
healthcare.
To locate a practitioner near you or for further enquires,
you can also visit us at
http://www.britayurpractitioners.com/
To speak to an advisor
Please call the General Secretary & practitioner,
Roopesh Sakaria by calling 0208 427 3342 or 07405
023651
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 51 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Body Toning & Exercise
YOGA
In our increasingly fast-paced lives, yoga offers a holistic
solution to balance the body mind and soul. Its practice
both inner and outer realities, and opens a harmonious
way of life.
GETTING STARTED
Practise yoga in a clean, quiet, dust-free and wellventilated
room. There should not be too much hot or too
much breeze. Ensure there is no furniture that you may
hit against whilst practising. Place a mat on the floor. If
you are practising asana that put pressure on the neck,
head, spine or ankles, keep a blanket handy for padding
support.
TIME
Yoga may ideally be practised early in the morning.
However, any time is suitable as long as it is not after a
meal or after sunbathing. The stomach, bladder and
bowels should be empty.
CLOTHING
Light and loose attire that allows for free movement and
inverted postures is recommended. Avoid wearing metal
on the body.
PREPARATION
Start relaxing. When practising after returning from work,
first relax for a few moments. In Sarvangasana or freshen
up with shower. Calm your breath let it be easy and
rhythmical. Feel at peace, chant OM or your mantra a few
times. Allow the vibrations to soothe your mind.
POSTURE
Before starting asana, the spine and neck should be
totally erect and in line. Keep the body symmetrical and in
balance and the shoulder and neck free of tension. Be
aware of the body posture and alignment throughout your
practice.
tension and cramping dissipates energy. Yoga involves
counter balancing effort that is, tensing followed by
stretching with relaxing, loosening and shaking free.
AWARENESS
Yoga leads to heightened awareness. The more aware
you are, the more it is yoga. Feel your body, experience it
and explore it just as a scientist observes each effect and
reaction. Concentrate on each move and be totally aware.
While gymnastics mainly train the muscles, yoga unites
your consciousness with the body and by this the mind
and body start to work in tune with each other.
ATTITUDE
Be loving and gentle with your body. Feel at ease,
gradually strengthen the body and never hurt it. Shake
the limbs and loosen joints and muscles between
exercises. If you feel out of breath, relax and allow the
breath and heart rate to return to normal. Be aware of
how each movement affects your system. Learn to feel
what your body can do and what its limitations are. For
each one of us, the threshold of what trains and
strengthens the body to what stresses it to point of
damage is different. It also varies with the moods,
climate, age and general health condition besides
training. It is vital to discover and care for your body. It is
your closest life companion.
PRECAUTION
Not all the asana are suitable for all persons. Persons
suffering from neck, back, knee problems, blood
pressure, heart problems, hernia, ulcers, or any other
specific ailments or injuries are requested not to practice
without proper consultation.
Articles by Surekha Shah
RELAXATION
Yoga asana are about relaxation. It may require effort to
get into and master certain poses. The ultimate goal in
any pose is always relaxation. Loosen out all tensions
regularly in between asana. Rest in Sarvangasana or any
relaxing asana periodically during your asana practice.
MUSCLES
Keep the practice as effortless as possible. Use only
those muscles needed for the movement of the exercise.
Keep all other muscles loose and relaxed. Unnecessary
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 5 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

NLP – Technology for Change
Dr Sobhag Shah
Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP)
NLP is set to become a household word. It was, and is,
way ahead of its time, and even though it has been on the
world scene for about 40 years, it has been evolving
continuously. NLP was put together by two Americans,
Bandler and Grinder, after they studied three great
therapists of their time, namely Fritz Perls, an innovative
psychotherapist, Virginia Satir, a great family therapist
and Milton Ericson, a well-known hypnotherapist.
NLP is well-known for curing phobias more often than any
other therapies, sometimes in a single session. There is
no known cure for phobias in traditional medicine,
however, the reputation of NLP does not rest solely on
the laurels it has achieved in curing phobias: it has much
more to give to the world.
Although the initial focus of NLP was psychotherapy, it
has greatly enhanced business communication, sales,
public speaking, team building, sports, academic
excellence and more.
NLP has a highly effective methodology for modelling
excellence and creating a change. Some of the other
benefits are overcoming and dealing with:
anxiety, stress, panic, unwanted habits,
depression, lack of self-esteem and low
confidence, emotional issues and relationship
problems, cravings for chocolates, cakes and
more.
‘Reframing’ is one of many NLP techniques, which brings
behaviour change by shifting its context or meaning,
Bill Clinton and Tony Blair have been trained in NLP.
Tony Robbins, “the walking synonym for self-help
training”, the well-known name who has successfully sold
so many seminars and fire-walks has a background in
NLP. Serena Williams has used NLP to excel in tennis.
Often the benefits are achieved in a short time using the
simple but profound NLP models of change. Gone are
the days when patients would go to shrinks and lie down
on their couch, and talk and talk, week in, week out, for
years and years.
To be able to identify how people think, for example,
visually or auditory (representational systems), and to be
able to communicate in their modes of thinking can yield
great benefits for businesses.
NLP is a way to move forward in life.
Dr Sobhag Shah MBBS, CMH, CHyp, MPNLP
Home Care Service for
Gujarati speaking clients.
We are a non profit making registered charity specialist
in providing culturally and linguistically appropriate
services to all Asians living in North London. We have
highly qualified Gujarati speaking qualified care workers
with police checks. We welcome both private and public
funded clients.
Workers needed for training
We are recruiting local care workers in Barnet, Haringey,
Oakwood and Enfield. You do not need any
qualifications to become a qualified care worker. Once
trained, you can earn up to £7.50 per hour.
Local Agents Required
Agents required in Barnet to coordinate our activities as
a local contact. If you have the organising ability, we will
train you to be a local co coordinator earning a good sum
of money.
Please contact:
North London Asian Care Tel: 020 8888 0999
83-87 Bowes Road Fax: 020 8888 3999
Palmers Green N13 4RU.
Email: enfieldasian@btconnect.com
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 5 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Homeopathy
Mrs Ananti Shah
Homeopathy
What is Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a system of medicine which involves
treating the individual with highly diluted substances,
given mainly in tablet form, with the aim of triggering the
body’s natural system of healing. Based on their specific
symptoms, a homeopath will match the most appropriate
medicine to each patient. Homeopathy is based on the
principle that you can treat ‘like with like’, that is, a
substance which causes symptoms when taken in large
doses, can be used in small amounts to treat those same
symptoms.
Alternative Medicines
At the present time there is a greater awareness about
health and wellbeing. We have become more aware of
the stresses we live with and also what makes us ill and
thus want to take an active role in our own health. Many
people are drawn to alternative and complementary
methods of treatment because we want to improve the
quality of our health without using powerful drugs.
Homeopathy is a form of complementary medicine.
Today it is readily accepted, even in conventional medical
thinking, that there is a relationship between the physical
body and mental and emotional responses. An emotional
episode or mental stress can trigger physical illness, a
severe emotional stress, in certain individuals, can cause
a heart attack! Continued stressful periods can flare up
skin conditions such as eczema or trigger an asthma
attack. Although this is recognised in conventional
medicine, the treatment is purely based on treating the
physical symptom and alleviating the symptom.
Complementary medicines hold the concept of holism
linking the mind, body and emotions at the core of their
philosophy. Therefore, treatment involves alleviating the
physical symptom and treating the root cause. It takes
into account your inner nature, the cause of your illness,
the kind of stresses you as an individual experience.
Homeopathy acknowledges the patient as an individual,
as someone who cannot be divided into parts. Thus the
treatment is of wholeness: treating the whole being
(physical, mental and emotional) and it also recognises
that one individual is different from another.
Homeopathy was developed by the German doctor Dr
Samuel Hahnemann, in the late 1700’s. He describes the
body as being governed by the vital force and that ill
health and disease are the result of the vital force being
out of balance. Thus by restoring the vital force your
vitality and health are restored. This I find fascinating
because when you look at all ancient forms of medicine
and healing: Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine,
Tibetan medicine, you find they all have this concept of
vital force or “life force” in their philosophy. This is “prana”
in the Vedic tradition, “chi” in Chinese medicine and “Qi”
in Tibetan healing.
The practice of Yoga, Tai Chi and Qi gong all aim to
strengthen this life force or vital force to bring about a
greater sense of wellbeing. Dr Hahnemann was probably
the first in western medical practice to mention this “life
force”. Interestingly, how often do we find that a western
scientific discovery has already been written about in
various ancient texts of the East! Dr Hahnemann was a
genius and a radical thinker to have spoken of these
concepts. Of course, he was challenged by his peers but,
he was meticulous in recording all his work and therefore,
able to face the challenges.
Does it work?
Central to Homeopathy is also the idea that the body has
the inherent power to heal itself. The treatment is focused
around stimulating the body’s own healing potential. The
body has a natural response to come into balance
(homeostasis) and the homeopathic remedies encourage
this process. They work with the body to restore health.
So let’s take a simple example such as a fever or high
temperature. This is usually the body’s natural response
to a possible bacterial or viral infection. Like boiling dirty
water to make it clean, the body is equally responding to
clear the internal infection by raising the body
temperature which in turn dilates the blood vessels, bring
in more white blood cells to the site of infection to restore
balance. Treatment with homeopathy would aim to
stimulate and speed up this natural healing process.
The conventional treatment of a fever would be to take
some paracetamol, which works directly to reduce the
body temperature so you feel better but the body’s natural
response to restoring health is slowed down. This may
result in the infection not clearing and then possibly a
course of antibiotics! Using homeopathy at an early stage
of illness or “Dis-ease” can strengthen the body’s natural
healing response.
The word homeopathy comes from the Greek words
“Homoios pathie” meaning “similar suffering.”Homeopathy
is based on treating with similars; “Like treats Like” and
therefore, you give the substance that creates the same
symptom in a healthy person. So with the fever example
above, you would give a substance that causes fever in a
healthy person. This amplifies the signal for the body to
start its own healing process. Another simple example to
illustrate this is a remedy made from the red onion “Allium
Cepa”. We know onions produce runny nose and
streaming eyes. The homeopathic remedy made from the
red onion is used to treat symptoms of hay fever or colds
with streaming eyes and a runny nose!
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 5 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

~ Homeopathy~
Dr Hahnemann prepared thousands of remedies using
many substances including plants, minerals, salt and
elements. Hahnemann believed that healing should be
gentle and permanent and therefore he was trying to
make the remedies safe but also effective.
During his experimentations he found that by continually
diluting and then succussing (vigorous shaking against a
solid surface) the remedies, he could reduce any side
effects the substance produced but maintained the
desired effects of the remedies. Thus the process of
using an original substance, serially diluting it and
succussing it, makes a potentised homeopathic remedy.
Today these processes are carried out in a controlled
environment following pharmaceutical grade procedures
and approved guidelines. This theory has of course been
challenged and continues to be challenged by scientists
of our time because applying molecular chemistry, we
cannot find a mechanism of action of these remedies.
However, the explanation probably does not lie in
molecular chemistry but, rather in quantum physics!
There have been thousands of successfully recorded
cases following treatment with homeopathy. There have
been over 150 positive clinical trials in favour of
homeopathy, comparing homeopathy with placebo and
other conventional drugs.
Homeopathy provides a way of restoring health in a safe
and gentle way. I believe if it is used more, it can bring
about good health and strengthen our bodies thus
reducing the need for stronger drugs.
Homeopathy is practised in the UK and also available on
the NHS. It is readily practised and available both in
Germany and France and despite its origins in Germany it
is probably most popular and widely accepted in India.
Article by
Mrs Ananti Shah (Homeopath & Pharmacist)
Email: ananti@oneshakti.co.uk
Mobile: 07765171538
Website: www.oneshakti.co.uk
Oshwal Association of the U.K. Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Complementary Therapies
For well being of body and mind
Rakhee Shah
With life going the way it is today – a busy, hectic,
stressful life with no time to rest, relax, eat properly or get
enough sleep, it’s no wonder that more and more people
are falling ill unnecessarily and often having to turn to
conventional medicine to help get themselves back on to
their feet.
However if you’re like me and resort to taking medicine
only if it’s absolutely necessary then maybe you should
consider turning towards complementary therapies to
help relax your mind, body and spirit and self heal any
minor issues that you may be suffering. (Please always
consult your doctor before starting any new regime or
stopping any medications that you have been taking on a
long term basis for any recurrent/constant
illnesses/ailments!)
Stress is a major factor in today’s world. Having
experienced the busy corporate life, I have also seen how
stressful our lives are in today’s society and how we do
not seem to have time to look after ourselves. It’s so
easy to be stressed out nowadays with the way the
economic climate is going, having no time to exercise or
eat freshly cooked food or even a decent meal. We are
always in a rush to do things never stopping to work out
what it actually is that we are doing and how it’s good for
us/benefit us.
Many people are now turning to complementary health
therapies to help release the stress they are building up
or to help with an existing condition/illness they may be
suffering from. Wouldn’t it be good if you were able to
self heal certain ailments without the need for any form of
medication or to be able to cut down on the medication
you may be taking? There are many therapies available
in today’s world all doing wonderful things for you and
your body and all work well with each other.
Popular therapies sought by the public seem to be
massages (be it Swedish massage, Aromatherapy
Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Hot Stone massage),
Reflexology or Indian Head Massage. Complementary
therapies can help with many health issues and provide
great relief. Each different therapy provides great relief
and benefits which could be:
• Reducing stress and tension in the muscles
• Reducing high blood pressure
• Improving skin tone
• Improving bowel function
• Promoting freedom and flexibility in joints
• Relief from headaches and migraines
• Stimulation of hair growth
• Relief from anxiety and insomnia
• Alleviation of eye strain
• Helping with health issues such as Asthma,
Menstrual Problems, Hay fever, Sciatica, trying
to conceive, fertility problems etc.
If you’re expecting a baby, then there is no reason unless
you’re having any major issues such as Pre-Eclampsia,
risk of DVT or placenta previa, why you cannot have any
complementary therapies throughout the pregnancy. In
fact it is extremely beneficial for you and your unborn
child that you mum-to-be remains as calm and relaxed as
much as possible.
Benefits for mums to be to have a treatment are:
• Relief from morning sickness and nausea
• Relief from sciatic and back pain
• Reduction of swelling in ankles and general fluid
retention
• Helping with insomnia and lack of sleep
• Turning a breech baby
• Preparation for labour
Once the baby has arrived, a new mother should try and
continue with further treatments as they will allow her to
be relaxed and function better. Benefits of
complementary therapies for a new mum can be:
• Reducing the chances of post natal depression
arising
• Increase in energy levels
• Helping with lactation to allow for breast feeding
• Back problems
• Re-balancing the body to allow the menstrual
cycle to return to normal
• Helping the body get back into shape quickly by
toning the abdominal muscles
I hope that this article has given you enough information
to maybe try out a therapy and feel the benefits of it
yourself.
If you’d like any more information on any aspect of
complementary health, then please do not hesitate to
contact me further.
Always remember that complementary therapists are
there to help you manage any health issues you may be
experiencing but we are not Doctors that we can
diagnose an illness or prescribe medication to help with
the ailment. For this you must always consult your doctor
who knows what’s best for you.
Rakhee Shah MICHT IIHHT
Complementary Therapist
http://www.haveamassage.co.uk
Various Therapies & Healing
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 5 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

~Complementary Therapies~
Indian Head Massage: This ancient head and shoulder
massage provides instant release from physical and
emotional stress to relieve tense and knotted muscles.
Iridology: Analysis of the iris of the eye to indicate
constitutional strength. An observer can determine the
health or weakness of the various systems of the body. A
reading is recommended for anybody requiring an
assessment of their state of health.
Chair Massage: A seated massage, usually acupressure
based, done in a special chair in which the client sits
facing toward the cushions, exposing the scalp,
shoulders, neck, arms, back and hips. Clients remain
fully clothed and a session takes less time than full table
massage.
Aromatherapy: Massage using essential oils extracted
from plants and flowers to promote emotional and
physical wellbeing.
Thai Yoga Massage: Massage of pressure points highly
recommended maintaining health, youth and revitalising
the body. Will leave you refreshed, stimulated and
energised.
Back/Neck/Shoulder Massage: A relaxing massage to
relieve those stressed muscles or that pain in the neck
and feel refreshed.
Swedish Massage: Another massage to help increase
the oxygen in the blood and remove toxins from the
muscles.
Reflexology: Gentle yet powerful massage of the
pressure points on the feet (and hands) which correspond
to the different parts of the body providing deep
relaxation, restoring balance and promoting self healing.
Reiki: A form of energy induction and transference from
healing the body, mind and soul. It can clear blockages,
restore and balance energy, reduce stress and aid
spiritual awareness and growth.
Shiatsu (ZEN): Japanese healing art of balancing the
energies of the 12 meridians (vital pathways) through the
use of pressure points, together with assisted exercise
and stretching to increase mobility.
Homeopathy is based on treating with similars; “Like
treats Like” and therefore, you give the substance that
creates the same symptom in a healthy person so, with
the fever example, above, you would give a substance
that causes fever in a healthy person, this amplifies the
signal for the body to start its own healing process.
Oshwall Heallth Awareness Event Vollunteers
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 5 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Osteopathy
O
steopathy is complementary medicine
healthcare profession that focuses on a form
of manual therapy involving massage,
mobilisation and spinal manipulation for the
treatment of musculo-skeletal problems. Osteopaths may
help the treatment of aches and pains, arthritic pain,
backache, back pain, circulatory problems, cramp,
digestive problems, joint pains, lumbago, muscle spasms,
neuralgia, fibromyalgia, inability to relax, rheumatic pain,
minor sports injuries and tensions.
A detailed knowledge and understanding of the structure
and function of the human musculo-skeletal system helps
Osteopaths to identify faults which occur because of
injury or mechanical stress. The symptoms and the
underlying causes of the problem are treated, helping the
body to repair itself and thereby enhance performance.
The practice of osteopathy includes skilled and specific
soft tissue and joint manipulation and release techniques.
This provides the Osteopath with the ideal tools to help
the effective treatment of any musculo-skeletal
dysfunction and a system of diagnosis which combines
orthodox diagnostic procedures with a highly developed
sense of touch (or 'palpation').This is the basis on which
our Osteopaths are able to establish the signs and
patterns of poor function in an integrated and holistic
approach to the human body.
Conditions Osteopathy may be able to help with:
Osteopathy may help with problems related to muscle,
tendon, joint, disc, nerve and ligament damage. These
include:
• generalised aches and pains
• joint pains including hip and knee pain from
osteoarthritis - arthritic pain
• acute or chronic backache/back pain/lumbago (not
arising from injury or accident)
• uncomplicated mechanical pain
• headache arising from the neck problems
• migraine prevention
• frozen shoulder/shoulder and elbow pain/tennis elbow
(lateral epicondylitis) arising from associated
musculoskeletal condition of the back and neck
• circulatory problems – cramp - digestion problems
• sciatica
• muscle spasms
• neuralgia
• fibromyalgia
• inability to relax
• rheumatic pain
• minor sports injuries and tensions
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 5 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Carers – Support Services
Varsha Dodhia
WHO LOOKS AFTER CARERS?
Carers – members of the family and friends who care for
people with disability and long term conditions
"When dad took ill it was a complete shock to our family but we just had to
manage and get on with it," Jayshree says "I was a carer for maybe 7
years before I ever knew about support or services available for Carers”.
Carers take on a lot of responsibility and at times it is a lonely place.
Husband and wife often cannot go out at the same time as one of them
needs to be home. There are Young people aged 8 or 10 who take on
caring roles for their parents.
1 in 8 adults (around six million people) are carers.
• If we estimate that there are 30,000 Oshwals in the UK and we
have more than 4,000 people with disability and/or long term
condition then we must have over 5,000 people who can be called
Carers.
• A lot of our community Carers are not recognised on any official
lists within the Local Authority where they live hence when service
provision is being evaluated as to why we are not counted in.
Carers save the economy £119 billion per year, an average of
£18,473 per carer
• Over 3 million people juggle care with work, however the significant
demands of caring mean that 1 in 5 carers are forced to give up
work altogether.
• The main carer's benefit is £55.55 for a minimum of 35 hours,
equivalent to £1.58 per hour - far short of the national minimum
wage of £5.93 per hour (2011-2012 figures)
Carers UK - “The number of people providing round the clock care has
increased by 50% in recent years. The social care system is in crisis
and severely underfunded. This has devastating consequences for
older and disabled people and a knock-on effect for carers who have no
option but to fill the gap. Many families are outside the social care system
and get no help whatsoever and many face a constant battle for the most
meagre of services. Carers are paying the price with their health,
income and careers”.
In London, the Census data shows that the South Asian community is the
largest percentage of Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Carers, Indian
Carers being the highest percentage.
Do London Boroughs offer any specialist support in your area?
Barnet has a good Carers centre in Finchley. Brent has a centre in
Wembley, Harrow a centre in North Harrow and Hillingdon in Uxbridge.
All Carers should have some training regarding first aid, lifting and
handling, health and safety. Carers also need advice on managing their
own finances, understanding how best to help the person they care for;
sometimes may need advocacy service if they are facing difficulties in
getting what they need.
Do you know that as a Carer one should have their own Carers
Assessment?
Adult Carers who are providing in excess of 10 hours of care per week for
a person aged 18 or over have a right to a carer’s assessment. Young
people caring for an adult family member will receive an assessment even
if they are caring for less than 10 hours per week. A carer’s assessment
is a set of questions that will identify how caring impacts your life .It helps
to work out what support might be offered to you. A carer’s assessment
can be carried out even when the person you care for refuses help or an
assessment for themselves.
What are the barriers that Carers face?
Carers often feel they have a duty for caring and should not complain.
Sometimes they struggle on their own and their own health suffers and
sometimes they face isolation.
Carers who look after people with learning disability or mental health
condition or dementia sometimes find it hard to talk to others about their
caring role.
For older Carers, language is often a barrier and lack of knowledge about
who to approach and how they can ask for help.
Breaks from their caring role make a huge difference in helping carers to
continue – it is not a luxury – for a carer it is essential to their well-being
and ability to carry on. And, if they are unable to carry on caring, there will
potentially be enormous care costs.
If you're the main carer of the person you're looking after, one way you
can look after yourself by taking an occasional break from your caring
responsibilities, this is known as respite care. Carers can use respite care
to take a holiday or a break, or time off if they're ill themselves. This could
be a break for a week, one morning each week, or just occasionally.
Respite care can include:
• Day-respite services, where someone will come into your home
during the day to care for the person you look after, giving you a
chance to go shopping, meet friends or have time for yourself.
• Residential care in a home for s short period of time
• Offering companionship and conversation thereby stimulate mental
awareness – sitting service
• Help with travel arrangements for hospital appointments and/or
assessments
• Help with supported living
• Accompanying to lunch or dinner or activities
Officials often see all Asian communities as homogenous and yet they are
extremely diverse.
There are misconceptions about extended family support that may not
exist; bulk of the caring role is on one or two people in the family. “They
look after their own” is often echoed in discussions about providing
services.
A direct result of not coming forward and asking for help is that there are
few services developed that suit our cultural needs.
A way forward
We need to develop a stronger voice and help our community Carers with
support and advice. Recent changes in the way Social Services provide
care by making it more suited to the individual called “Personalisation or
Personal Budgets”. Local Authorities are now being encouraged to
provide individual budgets for people with care needs and for carers. This
means that you should be offered choice in the way that services are
provided, and may be able to use the funding to organise services
yourself. This means people who are disabled or suffering from long term
conditions can plan and have a much bigger say in the type of care they
receive.
We have a wealth of knowledge as well as community members
who have had to manage the system. If we can harness their
expertise for the benefit of all Carers we would be in a much
better position to influence other services that are available.
Useful Contacts
AGE UK - Age Concern provides advice and information for carers of
older people and respite breaks for carers.
CARERS UK - Website to support people providing unpaid care to family
friend or partner.
CARE QUALITY COMMISSION (CQC) - Free, independent reports on the
quality of your local homes and care services to help you make an
informed choice.
CROSSROADS - Carer Help and Support
MENCAP - Mencap provides information, support and advice to carers of
adults and children with a learning disability.
NHS DIRECT INCLUDING HELPLINE - information, advice and support for
carers.
PRINCESS ROYAL TRUST FOR CARERS - The largest provider of
comprehensive carers support services in the UK.
RETHINK - Rethink provides services, training, information and support for
carers of people who are affected by mental illness, includes information
on Rights of those caring for people with Mental Illness.
Article by Varsha Dodhia
Oshwal Association of the U.K. Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011

Appreciations
Oshwal Association of the U.K & Oshwal Health Awareness Day
Committee would like to thank the following charities and
organisations for their support and sponsorship
Aprirose Ltd
G D Cooper & Co. Ltd
Sigma Pharmaceuticals plc Spire Hospital
Two Rivers Care
Ashiana
Asthma UK
BAPS
British Heart Foundation
Diabetes UK
Enabling Network (OAUK)
Friends of Prostate Sufferers
Graham Fulford Charitable Trust
Indian Vegetarian Society
Kidney Research UK
Macmillan
MIND
Royal Free Hospital Silver Star St Luke’s Hospice
The Stroke Association
Oshwal Association of the U.K. 61 Oshwal Health Awareness Day Nov 2011