The Express Tribune hi five - January 4

Ms JANUARY 4, 2015

ISSUE NO. 133

Arthritis — a debilitating condition

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Homemade handicrafts

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inside En vogue — Urban apparel

Domestic goddess —

Nut and date balls

Section In-Charge: Sarah Munir Sub-Editors: Amna Hashmi Nisma Chauhan Feedback: women@tribune.com.pk

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The melodious Fariha Pervez

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The buzz

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JANUARY 4, 2015

AR THRITIS

— A Debilitating Condition MsT sheds light on arthritis — the most disabling of diseases

By Ans Khurram Design by Essa Malik According to Dr Irfan Masud, a senior consultant and orthopaedic surgeon at Maroof International Hospital Islamabad, “Almost every person suffers from one form of arthritis or another, during their lives.” In the United States, arthritic conditions limit the lives of more than seven million patients, second to heart disease as a cause of occupational disability. Dr Masud reports that in Pakistan alone, close to 14 million people have been diagnosed with what is considered to be one of the most disabling conditions known to mankind.

What is arthritis?

Few of us understand arthritis and the muscular degeneration it entails , let alone know how to prevent it. The word arthritis — derived from the Greek words ‘Artho’ and ‘Itis’ which mean joints and inflammation respectively — is an umbrella term for nearly a 100 medical conditions which affect the human muscular and skeletal system adversely.

Therefore, in a nutshell, arthritis can be defined as inflammation of joints which results in pain, weakness, instability and bone deformities which interfere with our daily lives. Joint tissues cover the ends of bones and allow them to move against one another.

When the tissues are inflamed or damaged, movement becomes problematic and painful. “Constant joint pain is the main complaint of patients suffering from arthritis,” says Dr Masud. “It is often constant and arises due to inflammation of or damage around the joints as well daily wear and tear. Muscle strain caused by forceful movements against stiff joints can also cause arthritic pain.”

The different forms of arthritis While there are numerous forms of arthritis, the three most significant ones include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout which — according to the National Rheumatology Society — account for more than 95% of arthritis cases worldwide; osteoarthritis is the most common form. The disorder normally occurs in people above 40 and is categorised as an ‘old age disease,’ occurring as a result of mechanical joint damage from previous injuries. General wear and tear, joint infections and patient age can also be contributing factors, depending on how advanced both are. “I was

Myths regarding arthritis • It is widely believed that arthritis is a natural part of growing old — a consequence of age and its impending effects. However, many forms of arthritis can affect youngsters and even children. In fact, most people who are diagnosed with arthritis are still of working age upon diagnosis.

• Some doctors claim arthritis to be a metabolic disorder caused by stress, poor living conditions, faulty nutrition, emotional trauma, depression and a sedentary lifestyle, all of which break down basic bone function.

• Contrary to what we might have hoped, arthritis is as yet incurable. While the condition can be managed, it impacts each patient’s life differently and there is no all-in-one solution to it yet.

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THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JANUARY 4, 2015

diagnosed with osteoarthritis back in 2009,” shares 36-year-old businessman Hasnat Sipra. “I was almost paralysed and bedridden. I couldn’t work, pray or do anything by myself!”

Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, does not result from overuse or injuries. “Rather, it is a disease,” explains Dr Masud. “In this disorder, the fluid which lubricates our joints and allows flexibility becomes inflamed. The inflamed cells release enzymes which build up over time and digest the bone and cartilage.” Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis usually affects the entire body of a patient and includes fatigue and fever, as well as joint pain.

According to a report published by Dr Parvez Rais Khan, an orthopaedic surgeon and chairman of the Bone Care Trauma Centre in Hyderabad, is common in people between 25 and 50 years of age and even children. In fact, now 36-year-old homemaker, Tahira Shamsi was diagnosed at just 21 years of age. “I experienced pains all over my body, right from the start,” she shares. “The doctors couldn’t believe my age when my scans showed almost no gap between my bones, due to the absence of fluids.” Although surgery seemed inevitable, Shamsi was not operated upon because she was too young.

Symptoms of arthritis The National Rheumatology Society of Paksitan has issued a list of symptoms common to undiagnosed arthritis patients. These include: • Morning stiffness • Malaise and tiredness • Weight loss • Poor sleeping patterns • Muscle and join aches • Tenderness • Muscle weakness • Loss of flexibility • Decreased aerobic fitness • Inability to move hands or walk properly • Difficulty in moving joints Treatment options for arthritis patients Since arthritis is a chronic condition, there is no absolute cure except prevention and care.

Logically speaking, the only treatment is anything that can prevent the joints from swelling or promotes muscle movement. Physical therapy, for example, has been proven to improve bone function, decrease pain and delay the need for surgical intervention significantly. Regular exercises prescribed by doctors are particularly effective in counteracting osteoarthritis of the knees — even more so than medication. According to Dr Khan’s report, maintaining a normal weight can also reduce joint stress and delay the onset of osteoarthritis.

In general, medicinal treatment depends on the type of arthritis at hand and how advanced it might be. “For those who suffer from osteoarthritis, early treatment is key,” advises Dr Masud. “Painkillers can be administered to curtail the pain. Combinations of glucosamine chondrotin sulphate vitamins are also recommended.” Regardless, medicines can only reduce joint pain and do not help everyone. “Medicines didn’t help me much,” admits Shamsi.

“I underwent many different medical experiments and even visited hakims but to no avail.

Sometimes, the pain became so bad that I was bedridden for days.”

As in Shamsi’s case, rheumatoid arthritis is autoimmune which means that a patient’s immune system attacks and destroys healthy tissue along with unhealthy ones. “This is a disease and requires a specific treatment,” explains Dr Masud. “Ultimately, it leads to a joint replacement surgery.” Disease-modifying, anti-rheumatic drugs are administered, along with regular medication, as they work on the immune system and slow down the progression of the disease. Sadly, even these special drugs failed to help Shamsi, even though she was selected as part of a clinical trial by German and American doctors. “The other patients in the trial responded to the medicines immediately,” says Shamsi of her experience. “But my pain returned after a few days. Eventually, I found peace with allopathic medication and can now manage my life on my own.”

Laser therapy is another option arthritis patients can consider. Studies have proved it to be effective, resulting in zero joint pain and improved mobility. Orthopaedic bracing can also provide support to aching joints.

According to a research conducted by Dr Muhammad Ashraf Chaudhary, professor and head of the community medicine department at CMH Lahore Medical College, anti-inflammatory foods and a healthy lifestyle can be very beneficial for arthritic conditions. The report suggests that in order to curtail inflammation, patients ought to avoid consuming inflammatory food items. This includes foods high in saturated fats, such as red meats, butter, whole milk, cheese and rich desserts. Any type of food can aggravate rheumatoid arthritis so it is advisable for patients to eliminate all allergenic food items from their diet.

The type of treatment given is respective to each patient, depending on the type and scale of arthritis they suffer from. Shamsi may have had little luck with medical intervention but Sipra is good as new, post a hip surgery. “I no longer need any medication and can do my work on my own,” he says. Speaking about Sipra’s experience, Dr Masud explains that, “In the case of joint-eroding arthritis, joint-replacement surgeries like hip resurfacing and total hip and knee replacement are performed. This is done once all other options have failed.”

Preventing arthritis Of course, prevention is always better than cure. While it is impossible to escape the effects of age, one can delay the onset of arthritis by undertaking some easy measures prescribed by doctors. One of the main ways is by exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight. Exercising not only keeps the muscles strong and active, it also boosts metabolism and relieves pain. It is also advisable to protect one’s joints during exercise as accidents, injuries or overuse may increase the risk of arthritis, especially after the age of 40. A variety of ankle, knee and other types of braces are available in the markets — these provide support to the bones and guard them. Foods rich in elements that strengthen bone marrow, such as calcium and iron, are essential for healthy bones and muscular function. One must also seek medical help immediately if any arthritis symptoms occur as the longer they wait, the worse the situation can get. Therefore, early diagnosis and timely treatment is key to coping with arthritis and its impending effects. *Name has been changed to protect privacy.

“I underwent many different medical experiments and even visited hakims but to no avail. Sometimes, the pain became so bad that I was bedridden for days.”

Homemaker Tahira Shamsi

Ms

En vogue

Urban Apparel

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Pink Chiffon’s latest collection iss a combination of folkk culture and bold colours Coordination: Umer Mushtaq Hair & Makeup: Saba Ansari at Sab’s Salon Label: Pink Chiffon Photography: Rohail Khaled Model: Abeer Adeel

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JANUARY 4, 2015

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JANUARY 4, 2015

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Lifestyle

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JANUARY 4, 2015

Homemade handicrafts MsT shares two creative ideas for homemade gifts and how you can wrap them like a pro — all from the comfort of your home!

it with one of the ribbons. Once this is done, take the second ribbon and tie it into a bigger bow and stick the multicoloured, small ribbon pieces under this bow horizontally, so that they stick out from the sides.

Once the second bow is done, stick it on top of the smaller bow on the gift, diagonally. If you wish, you can twirl the loose ends of the ribbons by stretching them out against a scissor blade. Add glitter, diamantes or buttons for the final touches.

Crepe flowers

By Sana Aamir Design by Essa Malik

A celebration is incomplete without the exchange of gifts as tokens of your love and affection. Nothing conveys happiness better than a thoughtful and beautifullywrapped gift, regardless of whether we are celebrating a birthday, marriage or graduation. And the more thought and efforts you put into the gift, the sweeter the effect!

Unfortunately, life has become so busy these days that people prefer to buy gifts and outsource the wrapping. Little or no thought is put into what is gifted, so long as one doesn’t have to arrive at the occasion empty-handed. Crafting in Pakistan has therefore developed into a full-fledged industry, with a number of crafters providing creative ways to decorate gift boxes as well as colourful birth announcements, event invitations, wedding merchandise etc. Nonetheless, nothing can express your sentiments better than your own efforts. Read on for two great DIY gifts for any occasion.

Homemade candles

Homemade charms, accessories and paper weights There are a variety of useful gifts you can create right at home by investing in a pack of ceramic dough, available from any local art supplier. Prepare the dough by following the instructions listed on its packaging and once it is ready, rub some petroleum jelly on it, place it in a plastic bag and set it aside to dry. As the dough is white in colour, you can also add dyes to the mixture for fun. Once dried, mould the dough into whatever you wish, according to the occasion you have to attend. The picture below features some ceramic milk bottles and pacifiers made for a newborn baby girl.

You can also create toys, hair pins and various other items.

These are yet another great option if you are looking for a cheap and easy outlet for creativity. Candles — homemade or not — are evergreen as gifts and can be given to people of all ages. And the best part is that you can utilise old and used candles to make new ones, instead of throwing them out. All you need is to melt some leftover candles in the microwave until they become liquid wax. Once this is done, retrieve the wax and allow it to cool for about 3 minutes before pouring it into a mould of your choice.

Once the wax is in the mould, cut some thread and fold it in such a manner that you have 3-cm-long thread to serve as the candle’s wick. Dip the thread in leftover melted wax and then lay it out on a flat, smooth surface instantly for it to cool. By this time, the wax in the mould will have started to harden so poke the wick into it carefully, until the wax grips it completely. Wait for the

candle to harden all over and then decorate it with glitter or sprinkles, as you wish. Allow the decorations to sit for 30 minutes before wrapping, lest they fall off.

Once you have successfully prepared your homemade gifts, it is time to wrap them up to complete the look. Attractive and elegant wrapping will require a little more than just wrapping paper and ribbons: you can also add bows, flowers and glitter to make it prettier! Here are two great ideas you can try the next time you have to present something.

Ribbons with a twist

Invest in a pair of matching or contrasting ribbons and a wrapping sheet which compliments them, along with a glue stick. Wrap the gift on all four sides, as per normal and tie a simple, small bow around

These gorgeous, eye-catching flowers are ideal for gifts of a bigger size as they stand out more. All that is needed are three to four sheets of crepe paper, a pair of scissors and something to secure the flower with, such as a rubber band or stapler.

To make the flowers, simply fold the crepe paper in a zigzag manner — somewhat like a Chinese hand fan. Tie the centre of the sheet together and cut the edges into small curves.

Once this is done, spread out the combined sheets and fluff them out into the shape of a flower. Stick the flower onto your gift and voila!

No Wrapping Paper? No Problem!

If you ever find yourself in a wrapping paper emergency, worry not! Instead, create your own paper using clean newspapers and your own imagination! Draw on the newspaper using colourful markers, crayons or paint and allow it to dry. You can draw anything you wish, as long as the colours you use stand out against the black ink of the newspaper. Once it has dried, wrap the gift in your customised, homemade wrapping sheet. We guarantee your friends will love it!

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THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, JANUARY 4, 2015

By Huba Akbar

Nut and Date Balls

Warm up this winter with this deliciously sweet snack

Ingredients • Dates (seedless) 1 cup • Raw walnuts, cashew nuts and almonds (cut into small pieces) according to taste • Marie biscuits/ Britannia digestive biscuits 3

Nut-rition 101 In today’s, fast-paced world, it is hardly surprising that most of us are completely exhausted by the time we hit the sack at night. So much of our time is spent running from one errand to the next that we often forget to eat healthy and replenish our energy levels.

On days like this — when you are sleep-deprived, tired and struggling to get through — what do you do to keep yourself going? Does a cup of coffee or an energy drink work for you? Or do you prefer the sugar spike of a chocolate bar?

These foods might provide you with a burst of energy but unfortunately, the effect barely lasts over an hour, leaving you more tired than before. Next time you need to boost your stamina, why not treat yourself to the healthier option of nuts? Not only will they give you long-lasting energy but also provide essential nutrients that processed snacks and drinks will not.

Nuts as energy boosters — What makes them so nutritious?

One of the best things about nuts is that they are compact and easy to store, especially in the workplace. These tiny gifts from nature are loaded with proteins which are a longer-lasting source of energy than carbohydrates. This means that proteins aren’t just a quick energy fix — they can keep you going for the long haul!

Nuts are also rich in other substances such as coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10 for short) which spurs energy production in the human cell and also works as an antioxidant to protect the cells from stress-related damage. As we grow older, the amount of CoQ10 produced by our bodies declines but consuming nuts can help keep it up.

Omega 3 fatty acids — unsaturated fats which provide energy to the muscles and organs — are also found in nuts. These store energy and help regulate cholesterol in mature patients.

• Castor sugar / granulated (fine) sugar 1 tbsp • Butter 2 tbsp • Powder milk 2 tbsp

Method • Grind the seedless dates in a food processor and then place them in a bowl.

• Add the nuts to the bowl, along with butter, powder milk and sugar and mix them into the date mash.

• Pick up medium-sized pieces of the mash and form them into balls, using your hands.

• Coat each ball with crushed biscuits and set aside for them to settle. Your dish is now ready!

Which nuts are best for you?

Indeed, nuts are the ideal snack when you need to re-start your day. Just a handful can give you a surprisingly high amount of nutrients and a tasty, effective and super healthy alternative to caffeine and chocolate whenever you need one.

While all nuts are great sources of energy, especially during winters, some of them have added benefits. The most beneficial nuts include: • Cashew nuts: These are great in taste and fortunately, lower in fats than most other nuts. Cashew nuts are rich in amino acids and minerals like copper which are essential to energy production.

• Almonds: Did you know almonds are known as ‘super foods’ because they contain a similar amount of protien as meat? They also provide iron and potassium for energy.

• Pecans: At least 19 different types of vitamins, minerals, proteins and unsaturated fats can be found in pecan nuts, making them ideal for a quick, energising snack.

• Walnuts: Just one serving of walnuts gives as much as 90% of the daily, recommended value of Omega 3 fatty acids. They are also high in L-Arginine, an amino acid that can be converted into glucose.

Diaries e world A glimpse into th rhouses we po i of Pakistan

What sparked your interest in the music industry?

I always had an interest in music since the very beginning. My family, especially my father, was very supportive. My father wanted to become a singer himself but his family opposed it so in a way, he fulfilled his wish through me.

What is the most important thing you keep in mind before recording a song?

When I am recording a song, I just concentrate on my vocals and fulfill the requirements of the melody. That’s all there is to it. Having anything else on my mind will make it difficult to sing. I just leave the outside world outside when I entre the studio.

How has the Pakistani music industry changed over the past years?

It has changed a lot and most of the changes are actually very good. Experiments with new types of sound have turned out to be very successful.

Coke Studio and Nescafe Basement are very good examples of that. Also, we now have many more channels on both TV and radio to play our music.

However, there are some negative changes as well that need to be taken care of for the betterment of the industry.

If awards were for sale, how much would you pay for them?

I wouldn’t pay a dime! Every artist strives for the true appreciation which comes from the heart of the fans, admirers and listeners. At the end of the day, that is what matters and no trophy can take its place.

You had a steady acting career before music. What prompted you to shift careers?

Music and singing was and still is my passion from day one. I started with acting because of being related to the famous Rehana and Talat Siddiqui.

They are my aunts and Arifa and Naheed Siddiqui

are my cousins. I guess directors and producers thought that I would also be a good actress like them but I found acting to be quite difficult. My concentration is more on singing rather than acting.

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You also sang songs for the film industry of Pakistan. In which way are film songs different from personal albums?

Singing for films was a memorable experience.

It’s different in the sense that we have to sing according to the situation on the scene and put more emotions in it. Singing for films has a bit of acting in it as well.

What do you think about the new talent coming in these days?

I think they have a lot of potential! I have seen some of them perform live and I was quite impressed. Their talent should be utilised properly because each and every one of them have skills in different genres. What they need is a proper platform and some sort of a talent manager who knows where to use them.

What is the hardest part about working in the industry?

There are a lot of issues and I am sure every other musician will agree on these points. One of the major issues is piracy. Albums sales are close to zero and so, there haven’t been that many album releases in the past. Record companies are disappearing. I myself have been releasing my music online, as singles. We have a lot more channels now but only a selected few for music and most of them play non-Pakistani music. It’s quite disheartening to see younger talent trying to get exposure but failing.

With Ayesha Sana and Farida Khanum.

Do you think that today’s fans and critics expects too much from an artist?

That depends on the situation at hand. Sometimes the public and critics have liked your work so much that they want something better from you every time. But criticism for the sake of criticism never does anyone any good.

Any advice to young women aspiring to become singers?

There is no shortcut to success. It’s all about sheer hard work, following your passion and never giving up in the end. You should also be true to yourselves and satisfied of the things you do in life.

Maintaining peace in your heart and mind will bring more feelings into your music.

With Zeba.

Singer and actor With friends.

A Life without Trash Possible or Not?

By Eisha Baqai Design by Talha Khan Just a few months ago, a restaurant in Chicago made international headlines by going completely trash-free, having produced absolutely no garbage in over two years! Everyone loved the idea and commended the restaurant for its success but never thought it would be something they could do themselves. At least, that was until young New Yorker Lauren Singer came along. Inspired by the Environment Studies course she undertook at New York University (NYU), Singer hasn’t produced any trash in over two years and her story isn’t what one would expect.

It began one day during her course, when Singer opened her refrigerator and realised that everything in it was contained in some form of disposable packaging. The realisation made Singer — who referred to herself as a ‘Green Girl’ — feel like a hypocrite as she was leading a lifestyle which harmed her surroundings and the environment in general. It was then that she knew she had to mend her ways. Gradually, she eliminated all possible sources of waste from her entire life, one baby step at a time.

The first step was removing all plastic and packages products from her residence and replacing them with handmade cloth bags that could hold her shopping. She even started buying clothes from second-hand stores and formulating her

What if you could live without making any trash? Would you do it? Or more importantly, could you do it?

The Green Girl, Lauren Singer

Quick tips to reduce trash • Use cotton mesh bags instead of plastic ones when shopping.

• Invest in re-usable glass jars and containers to store food items.

• Buy groceries in bulk instead of going to the supermarket every day.

• Minimize the waste produced by setting up a compost system in your backyard. This waste can also be used as a fertilizer for grass.

• Prepare everyday food items like yogurt, bread and cereals from scratch instead of buying them. This will help you avoid packaging and the harmful chemicals packaged food often contains.

• Remove disposable materials like paper towels, napkins, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, etc. from your life.

own personal care products instead of buying them.

A major part of Singer’s quest was economising: she sold off all old, unnecessary items and refused everyday items like straws, plastic bags, plates and cutlery completely. In fact, she even said that she refused to accept paper receipts from the retailers she visited!

Singer also saves a considerable amount of money by sticking to a simple grocery list, buying food in bulk and staying away from unnecessary or expensive items. She subsists on a diet of unpackaged vegetables, fruits and whole grains from local farmers. One weakly trip to the supermarket is enough for Singer and she is rid of having to clear up boxes and trash as well.

Of course, implementing such a radical change was not an easy feat but fortunately, Singer has emerged successful, healthier and happier than ever before. She admits that she never anticipated that her life would improve so much. Finally living a life in line with what she believes in, Singer hopes to inspire others to follow in her footsteps via her interactive blog, ‘Trash is for Tossers.’

Singer has also established her own, zero-waste company entitled ‘The Simple Co’ which sells handmade, organic products she makes herself.

Through her efforts, Singer has successfully proved that a life without waste is very much possible. Perhaps we ought to take a page from her book and try to curtail the trash we produce in our own homes as well.