Hospital sources said the novel hospital based therapy is scheduled to begin on a trial basis within a month with the inception of a laughter club, which would meet once a month.

Thomas Mathew of the hospital's community medicine department said the city based Narmakairali, which has been propagating the idea of looking at the lighter side of life, would think up jokes, satirical plays and parodies that would cheer patients in the hospital. Mathew himself is an activist of the humour forum.

Sources at the Anantapuri Laughing Club at Kudappanakkunnu said laughter generated positive energy that would drive out that feeling of having a heavy head.

``Laughter is not only fun, but also a medicine. It is a biological gift to combat stress and pain. In the absence of laughter, many more would have died of depression. Laughter therapy encourages people to use their natural physiological process of cheering up to release the painful emotions of anger, fear and boredom,'' said Gopi Kudappanakunnu, a political activist-turned-yoga exponent.
-- IANS

Glucomap brings relief to diabetics
Glucomap, along with a brisk walk, promises to change the way diabetics live. From the stable of Maharishi Ayurveda, this anti-diabetic formulation has been produced after detailed research by the company's team of highly skilled scientists. Glucomap has been proved to be highly effective by almost all the patients who have tried it.

Glucomap stimulates the pancreatic cells to produce more insulin to utilise the glucose in the body. Besides this, Glucomap protects the heart and nerve tissues from degenerative changes. The anti-diabetic drug also helps protect the liver and strengthen its function.

Glucomap contains herbal ingredients, which stop abnormal metabolic functions and reduce infections. Glucomap provides overall protection against all degenerative activities in the patient's body. Doses of Glucomap, accompanied by regular morning brisk walks, will help diabetics feel better and completely rejuvenated after some time.

During the clinical trials of Glucomap at King George Medical College, Lucknow, and at another multi-centre trial, patients of diabetes showed great improvement in their general condition. The medicine did not show any adverse side-effects even when given in high doses, as high as 16 tablets per day.

However, pregnant patients and those suffering from advanced diabetes should not take Glucomap therapy as they require a much more careful and close medical monitoring. While undergoing the Glucomap therapy, the usual dietary habits and moderate exercise are to be observed.

Glucomap is available in the form of tablets of 500 mg in a blister strip of 10 tablets each, priced at Rs 10.65; a box of 10 strips is priced at Rs 107.50.

Asia's first endoscope cancer detection machine
Using the latest Doppler technology, coupled with a sonography probe mounted at the end of an endoscope, taking targeted biopsies from cancerous growths has now become an easy task.

A new endoscope ultrasonography machine, called the EUS machine, which incorporates the latest Doppler technology, was installed recently at the Madhuri Vasa Cancer Detection Center of the Digestive Diseases Center, a part of the Bhatia General Hospital.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Amit Maydeo, director of the centre and chief endoscopist, said that this machine, which was the first installation in Asia, would be a great boon to the community as using it, not only can cancer be accurately localised in the early stages, but even targeted biopsies can be taken with safety and ease.