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How
Fit Is He?
Ageing
Vajpayee's health is suddenly a matter of speculation. What does this
mean for the party and ruling coalition?
Plus the PM's
US Trip
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BUSINESS
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Dressed
To Kill
Shutdowns,
idle looms, stagnant markets and cheap imports - the textile industry
is fighting battles on several fronts with its hands tied.
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Home |
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THE
HEALTH BULLETIN
 EYES:
Underwent a cataract operation on his left eye in 1999 and on his right
earlier this year.
HEART:
His heart is in excellent condition, allows him to eat without any
dietary restrictions.
ULCERS:
Vajpayee was operated for peptic ulcers in 1972 in one of his earliest
serious ailments.
KIDNEY:
Had his right kidney removed after suspected cancer in 1986 but has
since managed fine.
BACK:
Problems in his lumbar region saw him being operated for a slipped
disc in 1976.
FINE
FETTLE
With
a pulse rate of 72, an average blood pressure of 80/130 and
no heart trouble whatsoever, Vajpayee would give a man 20 years
his junior a complex. He is on no major medication, and on a
regular day has a 0.5 mg dose of Disprin, swallows a Vitamin
B complex and Vitamin E tablet. Occasionally, he requires an
analgesic.
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KNEE
DEEP
It
began as a nagging ache in his knees a couple of years back. The
doctors made light of it. At his age, they said this was normal.
Most likely a touch of osteoarthritis-an irreversible degeneration
of critical joints. In it the shiny white cartilage that envelopes
bone-ends to allow friction free movement begins to wear down.
Early this year the pain increased in his knees, coming in spiked
formation-sharp increases and then a lull. Dr Pradeep Dave, director,
AIIMS, who examined him, put him on a course of mild exercises,
heat treatment and ultra-sound to improve circulation. Whenever
the pain occurs, Vajpayee is to take a non-steroid anti-inflammatory
drug thrice a day. Dave characterises the prime minister's aching
knees as a "moderate degree of osteoarthritis common at his age".
He says his condition is not debilitating and does not require
surgery to replace the joints. Losing weight and exercises would
ease the pain.
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