Rajen's Easytips: August 2019

CHEMOTHERAPY FOR CANCER

Chemotherapy is among the most effective treatments for cancer.
It involves the use of a combination of drugs that collectively attack cancer cells.
It is used widely across the world, and has its own set of benefits and side-effects.

BENEFITS

Certain types of cancers like acute leukemia, malignant lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and choriocarcinoma are completely curable when treated with the right type of chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy also helps remove the residual cancer cells from the primary site, after the tumour is removed.
This particular cancer treatment not only helps patients live longer, but also consistently increases the chances for survival throughout the various stages of treatment.
Often, when surgery is expected to be mutilating or not initially possible due to a tricky position of the tumour, chemotherapy is used to first shrink the size of the tumour, so that surgery is eventually possible.
In case of advanced head, neck and cervical cancers, chemotherapy is given along with radiation for a synergistic effect.
Today, however, the treatment is more targeted and the result more effective with almost no side-effects – this is known as targeted therapy.
This type of therapy includes the use of monoclonal antibiotics and anti-anglogenic drugs along with oral pills and injections.

SIDE-EFFECTS

Chemotherapy inherently attacks all cells that divide rapidly.
As the drugs cannot differentiate between cancer and normal cells, side-effects occur once the normal cells start getting destroyed as well.
The most commonly hit ‘normal’ cells are those of the blood, cells in the mouth, stomach, bowels and hair follicles.
These may lead to low blood counts, mouth sores, nausea, diarrhea and/or hair loss.
The side-effects depend on the types of drug combination used during chemotherapy.
These effects usually do not cause any long-term harm and gradually disappear once the treatment is completed.
Eventually, the normal cells grow back and the side-effects subside.
However, some more persistent side-effects like intense vomiting, diarrhea, neutropenia with fever and low platelet counts with/without bleeding must be immediately treated.
In some cases, there are no side-effects post-chemotherapy, and that does not mean that the treatment is not effective.
Every human body has its own way of responding to chemotherapy.

HUMAN RELATIONS PRIMER

MOST IMPORTANT WORDS

Least important word:
I

1 most important word:
WE

2 most important words:
THANK YOU

3 most important words:
ALL IS FORGIVEN

4 most important words:
WHAT IS YOUR OPINION?

5 most important words:
YOU DID A GREAT JOB

6 most important words:
I ADMIT I MADE A MISTAKE

7 most important words:
I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND YOU BETTER

8 most important words:
I HAVE NO HESITATION IN SAYING THESE WORDS

9 most important words:
I DON'T KNOW BUT WILL TRY TO LEARN IT

10 most important words:
I WOULD LOVE TO GET YOUR FEEDBACK ON MY THOUGHTS

1. If you are starting the race for the first time, try a long walk for a few days.

2. Then run slowly, and increase the running speed over time.

3. The shoes you take for running should be comfortable, and have strong grip.

4. Sandy and steep routes can be risky, so run on flat and grassy roads.

5. Warm up for five minutes before running, for example, walking some distance fast, marching in one place, and lifting knees.

6. Do not stress the arms and shoulders while running, keep the elbows bent, and keep the heel to toes in a straight line.

7. The right time to run is considered to be morning and evening, because during this time the heat of the sun is normal, and you will be able to run without getting tired.

CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY (CVI)

CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is no longer considered as an ordinary disease only affecting the elderly population.
CVI is now recognized as a serious and evolving pathology affecting a substantial proportion of the population.
CVI is a progressive disease and starts at a relatively young age, including a considerable percentage of the professionally active population.
Although generally affecting women, CVI also concerns the male population.
CVI has a disabling impact on the individual’s quality of life as it may impair the individual’s ability to work and even dominate his or her way of life.
Malfunctioning valves of the veins lead to venous reflux and ultimately varicose veins and venous leg ulcers.

1. Risk factors for developing CVI

Chair-sitting and tight undergarments
Pregnancy and oral contraceptives
Low-fibre diet
Obesity
Age
Lack of exercise and venous thrombosis
Smoking
Genetic predisposition

2. Symptoms of CVI

Class 0 – pain, sensation of swelling, heavy legs, itching, cramps, no visible signs
Class 1 – telangiectasia or reticular veins (<1 mm diameter)
Class 2 – varicose veins (1-4 mm diameter)
Class 3 – edema
Class 4 – skin changes ascribed to venous disease, e.g. pigmentation, venus eczema, and lipodermatosclerosis
Class 5 – skin changes as defined in Class 4, with healed ulceration
Class 6 – skin changes as defined in Class 4, with active ulceration

3. Investigations in CVI

Duplex scan

It is an apparatus combining a hemodynamic study (Doppler).
This investigation enables complete anatomical and hemodynamic study without limitation of the venous system of the lower limbs.
It is indicated in the investigation of varicose veins, and deep and superficial venous diseases, such as asthrombophlebitis and in postphlebitic disease.

Dopler ultrasound

In medicine, a Doppler apparatus uses a beam of ultrasound enabling measurement of blood velocity in vessels, and above all its direction: to the heart for normal venous flow and the feet for pathological venous reflux.

4. Treatment of CVI

Sclerotherapy – for C0 and C1 classes

Veins are injected with a substance (sclerosing liquid) which damages the inner layer of the vein, leading to an inflammatory reaction and finally destruction of the vein.

Medication – for C0 to C6 classes

Oral phlebotropic drugs act on the veins covering all the three systems involved in CVI
Their absorption takes place in the small intestine through micronization
They increase the contractility of the veins thereby improving the circulation of venous blood
They improve the flow of lymphatics which means less swollen legs (edema)
They protect the smallest veins from being damaged, which means less edema and local inflammation and healing of the venous leg ulcers.

Vein surgery – for C2 to C4 classes and C6 class

Phlebectomy is a surgical extraction of a part of a vein through a small incision of 1-2 cm.
Stripping by invagination is one of the several surgical techniques to remove large varicose veins.
Under local anaesthesia, a wire is inserted in the vein which enables it ot to be withdrawn by turning it inside out like the finger in a glove.
It can be done as an ambulatory procedure with the patient allowed to return home the same day.

Lifestyle changes for C0 to C6 conditions

Exercise regularly (walking, cycling, swimming)
Wear shoes with about 3-4 cm heels
Avoid tight clothing which could interfere with normal venous circulation
Visit a doctor regularly and follow his/her instructions

Physical exercises – in lying position and standing position
Lying position exercise

Move both legs in energetic cycling movements 15-20 times
Move your toes with your legs slightly raised and extended
Alternately bend and unbend your toes up to 2 times
Cross and uncross your legs in a scissors movement 10-15 times
Move each leg in a small circle up to 10 times

Standing position exercise

Stand on tiptoe
Walk on your heels
Rock from your toes to your heels

Compression therapy – for C2 to C6 classes
Topical treatment – for C0 to C2 classes and C6 class

HOW TO START A SALON BUSINESS IN INDIA

Hair & Beauty Industry in India

1. The overall Indian Hair & Beauty is one of the fastest growing in the world, and the size of salon industry is expected to cross $ 5 billion mark by the end of this financial year.

2. This is all because of rising incomes, rapid urbanization, increasing working population and technological advancements, and more Indians wanting to look good.

How To Start A Salon Business In India

1. Decide the concept of your salon

2. Get investment to fund your salon business

3. Evaluate setup costs involved

4. Decide the location of your salon

5. Get all the trade licenses required to start the salon business

6. Get the workforce for your salon business

7. Design a stellar menu for your salon

8. Connect with vendors and suppliers for your salon

9. Install the right technology at your salon

1. Decide The Concept Of Your Salon

1. The Average Price per Customer (APC) gives you a fair idea about the average amount of money a customer would spend in your salon.

2. Once you have decided on the concept, you must consider into the theme and menu services of your salon.

3. The interiors must be in sync with your salon theme, following which you should prepare a business plan for your salon as it would help you in planning the future development of your salon business and you can present it to any potential investor.

2. Get Investment To Fund Your Salon Business

1. Most aspiring salon dreams never see the light due to lack of funds, and this is one of the most important things to consider when you think of opening a salon business.

2. Firstly, depending on the concept of your salon you must finalize on how much capital is required to start a salon in India.

3. When you have the numbers, then you can go about with these three ways through which you can raise money for your dream salon:

a) Self-funding –

If you have enough money in the bank, then you have crossed the first hurdle of opening a salon.

It is also a good idea to open a salon in partnerships, as it reduces the risks of investment and also divides the responsibilities.

b) Loan-

You can take a loan to fulfill your salon dream.

However, securing a loan from a bank may include hassles as they look for collateral or someone who can underwrite the loan.

c) VC/Angel funding-

Getting investors on board can be difficult, especially if yours is a first-time venture.

Investors usually look for your hair and beauty venture’s growth potential, quality, and the scalability of your business model.

The performance of your first few centers is taken into consideration before one agrees to invest in your business.

3. Evaluate All Salon Costs Involved

Salon costs are a significant part of running a salon and need to be evaluated and planned carefully. Below are the significant costs involved in starting a salon business:

1. Service Costs-

Service cost is the cost of all the raw materials used in performing a service.

Ideally, the product cost should be around 20-30% of your menu price.

2. Overhead Costs–

Overhead costs are the other expenses that are not related to product or labor. These include:

a) Rent-

The rent covers a significant part of your salon costs, and is profoundly affected by the location of the salon.

However, the rent should never exceed 10% of your total revenues.

b) Interiors–

You can decide on the interiors based on your salon concept and theme, and your budget.

c) Salon essential equipment-

Purchasing right quality equipment may seem heavy on the pockets, but they always recover their costs in the long run.

d) Licenses-

Licenses are an essential part of your salon, and cannot be ignored.

Based on your region or state, the license fee varies.

e) POS-

The new age, modern technology POS can smoothen your salon operations like never before.

The price of POS depends on its features and functionalities, that should be chosen considering your salon needs.

f) Marketing-

You should ideally spend 5% of your revenues on marketing your salon.

There should be a perfect balance between offline and online marketing.

Word of mouth or referral marketing, along with digital marketing can do wonders for your salon.

4. Decide The Location For Your Salon

1. The location is an essential factor to consider while discussing how to start a salon business, as it can determine the success of your salon.

2. While choosing your salon’s location, it is a good idea to identify your competitor in that area and gauge their progress and understand their business model.

3. The competition needs to be assessed not just in terms of services they provide, but also the type of guest experience they are offering to their clientele.

4. Evaluating the competition would help you understand the client base that hovers in that area, their pocket size, frequency of visit and their preferences.

5. Visibility and accessibility-

The salon should be located in a place which is easily visible as well as accessible.

Upper floor locations are generally not considered suitable as their visibility is low, and customers also find them difficult to locate.

A salon right in front of the road and on the ground, floor has higher footfalls.

6. NOC-

Before you open your salon, you would also need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from at least three of your neighbors.

5. Get All Licenses Required To Start A Salon Business

1. You need to acquire licenses from the local government body to run a salon business in India.

2. The cost of obtaining these licenses varies from place to place.

3. It is advisable to apply for the permits early to avoid any hassle later after the opening of your salon business operations.

Here is the list of significant licenses required to open a salon business in India:

a) Trade license from the municipal corporation-

Depending on the size of the salon, the cost varies.

The licenses are issued for a financial year and need to be renewed in March every year.

b) GST Registration-

Salon are required to register under GST and get their GSTIN Number.

GST registration is state specific, so if your salon has centers in different states, then you need to have a separate registration for each state.

c) Professional Tax license-

You need a professional tax license for employing salaried staff.

This is payable on a monthly basis for all salon staff earning above Rs 10,000.

d) Business Registration-

You need to register your business as a proprietor, partnership firm or a Pvt Ltd company.

You’ll need to file annual returns, audit your finances etc.

Hire an accounting professional or CA to help you with the economics of your business.

e) There are a few other licenses required as well such as fire safety, certificate, music license etc.

6. Get Manpower For Your Salon Business

1. Hiring the right talent and retaining them is one of the biggest challenges while running a salon business in India.

2. Hiring through referral is very well accepted, with existing employees referring their friends.

3. As a first-time saloneur, you can hire through the traditional way: connect with any local academy providing staff, put up ‘We’re hiring’ posters, or hire through agencies.

4. There are also many active groups on Facebook, from where you can source talent.

5. There are three types of staff required in a salon:

a) Housekeeping staff-

Your housekeeping staff, comprises the cleaner, assistant staff etc.

They will mostly be unskilled labor.

b) Service staff-

The hairstylist, beautician, makeup artist, therapist staff etc. are your service staff.

Since they have to interact with clients, they need to be good at communication and must be trained appropriately on your standards of service delivery.

c) Management staff-

Your salon manager, receptionist, floor manager, store manager etc. comprise the management staff, and they need to be educated as well as experienced.

6. Hiring the right hairstylist or beautician is extremely important for your salon as your service is what’s going to attract your clients.

7. Apart from servicing, your senior hairstylist or beautician can also help in your menu, keeping in mind the products that are readily available, and train and lead the staff to deliver the services and consult of the professional products.

8. Therefore, an experienced hairstylist or a beautician is a must for your salon.

9. Before you start a salon business, you must also remember to train your staff not only regarding their job but also on how they should serve their clients to deliver stellar customer service as per the standard of your salon business.

7. Design A Stellar Menu

1. A smartly designed menu can make a significant impact on your salon service costs.

2. The menu should comprise of services that can be delivered as per the need and convenience of your clients.

3. It is advisable to offer services that use similar products, which will help you to reduce your overall product consumption cost and scope of waste generation.

4. The menu also needs to be designed in a way that lures customers to spend more.

8. Arrange Suppliers & Vendors For Your Salon

1. A healthy relationship with your supplier and vendor is essential for the smooth functioning of your salon.

2. You must have at least two-three vendors in each category.

3. This would help compare prices, and will also serve as a backup in case some problem comes up with one.

4. You must always have four to five days’ worth of stock in your inventory in case of emergency situations.

5. The items must always be delivered in the morning and checked every day.

6. Quantity check must be done at the closing time of your salon.

7. It is always preferable to have long duration contracts with the vendor as it helps in maintaining the consistency of your consumable materials or retailing products.

8. You also need to check the Trade Identification Number (TIN) of the vendor before you give him your salon’s supply contract.

9. Install Right Technology At Your Salon

1. Salon technology is often the most ignored part of running and managing a salon, though perhaps the most important.

2. With new age modern technology, the robust POS has come up with a number of integrated features that has streamlined the salon operations to a great extent.

3. Niche salon technology solutions are available for different types of salons.

INTEGRITY IS BASED ON CHARACTER, NOT CREDENTIALS

INTEGRITY IS BASED ON CHARACTER, NOT CREDENTIALS

Credentials are transient,

Character is permanent.

Credentials turn the focus to rights,

Character keeps the focus on responsibilities.

Credentials add value to only one person,

Character adds value to many people.

Credentials look to past accomplishments,

Character builds a legacy for the future.

Credentials often evoke jealousy in others,

Character generates respect and integrity.

Credentials can only get you inside the door,

Character keeps you there.

FIVE USES OF PETROLEUM JELLY

1. As a moisturiser:

Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly, like Vaseline, on your skin and leave it overnight to make it soft.

2. For makeup removal:

If you have eye makeup left over from the night before, use petroleum jelly to easily remove crumbly mascara and sticky eyeliner, leaving you with clean eyes.

3. For streak prevention:

For a perfect, even summer glow, rub petroleum jelly on areas like your knees, ankles and back of knees, to prevent streaks and patches.

4. For your eyes:

If your concealer or powder sinks into the fine lines around your eyes, dab a bit of Vaseline on the area to moisturise it.

5. As eyelash volumiser:

Petroleum jelly can be dabbed to the tips of eyelashes to lengthen and thicken them without the use of mascara.

BE WARY OF GALL BLADDER STONES (GALLSTONES)

GALL BLADDER STONES (GALLSTONES)

· The gall bladder is a small organ just below the liver in the right upper abdomen.

· It stores bile juice formed by the liver which helps in digestion of food.

· Stones in the gall bladder (gallstones) can create health problems and it is best to remove them surgically.

1. Types of gallstones

· Cholesterol gallstones develop when bile contains excess cholesterol and not enough bile salts.

· The risk factors include obesity, diabetics, those losing weight rapidly, besides women on estrogen medication.

· A healthy lifestyle minimizes development of cholesterol gallstones.

· Pigmented gallstones are made up of bilirubin salts.

· The risk factors include hemolytic anemia such as sickle cell disease and hereditary spherocytosis, cirrhosis or liver failure, and biliary tract infections.

· Mixed gallstones are the most common and are composed of both cholesterol and bilirubin salts.

2. Symptoms

· Gallstones may remain asymptomatic or may lead to ‘gallstone attack’.

· The attack is an intense pain in the upper-right side of the abdomen, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting, that steadily increases.

· Attacks may often occur after a fat-leaden meal.

· Other symptoms include abdominal bloating, intolerance of fatty foods, belching, gas, and indigestion.

3. Complications

· The gallstone can block flow of bile and interfere with flow of pancreatic juices leading to complications like pus in the gall bladder, jaundice, cholangitis, bile duct infection, pancreatitis or inflammation of pancreas.

· These are potentially life-threatening complications.

· Prolonged inflammation of the gall bladder from stones can also lead to gall bladder cancer.

4. Diagnosis

· An ultrasound can identify gallstones.

· High-risk asymptomatic patients include diabetics, patients on chemotherapy or those who are HIV positive.

· Symptomatic patients should consult a medical expert for surgery.

5. Treatment

· Laproscopic, key hole, and gall bladder surgery are the accepted treatments.

· Stone-dissolving therapy is ineffective for pigmented and mixed gallstones and shows inconsistent results for cholesterol gallstones.

6. Prevention

· There is no sure way to prevent gallstones, but risk can be reduced with lifestyle modifications.

· Losing weight with regular exercise is important.

· Also, avoid foods with excess fat, and take a high-fibre diet.