ABSTRACT
Sunflower plant (Helianthus annuus) is a miraculous oil seed crop which is cultivated globally for its seeds. Sunflower seeds, a nutrient dense food has been found to have a potential role in chronic inflammatory conditions, bacterial and fungal infections, cardiovascular diseases, skin diseases and even cancers. These benefits of sunflower seeds are attributed to the presence of phytosterols, unsaturated fatty acids, proteins, variety of vitamins and minerals. Various studies have demonstrated the therapeutic usefulness of sunflower seeds in multiple clinical conditions. This article is to give an overview about wide array of uses of sunflower seeds and to enlighten the therapeutic potential of cheap , accessible and easily available oil seed crop – ‘Sunflower’ in human beings.
ABSTRACT
Background: As herbal therapies are increasingly being used around the world because they are perceived to be free of side effects, it is important that prescribers should be made aware of their possible harm or herb-drug interactions. In this context present study was undertaken among dental students to assess their knowledge and attitude towards the use of herbal products as medicines. Methods: A detailed questionnaire having both open and close-ended questions to assess students’ perception, awareness and usage of herbal medication was given to 90 second year students in a teaching dental hospital. Data was expressed as counts and percentages. Results: A total response rate of 93.3% was observed. 60.77% of respondents had used herbal medication for various ailments. Highest frequency of the use was recorded for ginger (37.5%) followed by neem (16.66%), turmeric (15%) and tulsi (13.33%). Elders at home (86%) was cited the most common source of herbal product information. Students were familiar with the use of clove, aloe vera, turmeric and neem but St. John's wort and Gingko biloba are ones that were generally not known to them. 67.64% indicated unawareness about safety concerns and herb-drug interactions. Most (68.65%) agreed that they did not tell their physician about taking herbal products. 58.73% preferred herbal products over allopathic medicine. Conclusions: There is a need to impart knowledge to the students about the usage of herbal products as these are frequently used to treat various health problems. Students should be sensitized about their safety concerns and potential drug interactions.
ABSTRACT
Background: Chronic headache is as much as a problem in India as elsewhere in the world with a rising trend in young adults which negatively affects the quality of life of the affected person. In current scenario of increasing prevalence of headache in students, most of them have been found to practice self medication leading to inappropriate management and sometimes analgesic overuse causing treatment refractoriness. Methods: A questionnaire based survey was done on undergraduate dental students at a tertiary care dental teaching hospital in Northern India. Severity of headache was assessed by Numeric Rating Scale. Data collected was analyzed to assess the prevalence, pattern & triggering factors of headache along with awareness of dental students regarding treatment. Prevalence and characteristics of migraine were also assessed along with the therapeutic strategies opted by students. Results: Our study (n=186) demonstrated headache prevalence of 63.9% which was higher in females (74.3%) as compared to males (32.6%). Headache experienced by majority of student population was bilateral (36.13%), sharp stabbing (38.65%) and of moderate intensity (57.98%). Common associated symptoms were nausea/ vomiting (24.36%) and scalp tenderness (22.68%). Stress (82.3%) &irregular sleep (81.5%) were the most common triggering factors. Prevalence of migraine was 13.44% with female preponderance (87.5%). Practice of self medication was reported by 88.2% of students. Most commonly used drugs were paracetamol (36.76%), aspirin (26.47%) and combination of ibuprofen and paracetamol (25%). Specific medication use in migraineurs was found to be low (25%) showing inadequate management of migraine headache in our study population. Conclusions: The results in this study demonstrate high headache prevalence in dental students with self medication being practiced by the majority.