take a breather 8 things
TRANSCRIPT
A PUBLICATION BY
Pandemic AlertUnderstanding the differences
between pandemic viruses Pg 9
The Unknown Truths Behind URTI
Clear up your misconceptions about URTI
Pg 16
Food Therapy for Your Respiratory Health
A TCM perspective on foods that can boost
your lung function Pg 22
REGISTRATION No. 198901967K MICA (P) 124/10/2013 COMPLIMENTARY COPY ISSUE 04 / 2013
Breathing OptimisationMaximising your breathing ability begins here Pg 33
Take a Breather 8 Things
You Thought You KnewCommon ENT
misconceptions that might alarm you
Pg 25
Scan here to see our videos for the latest healthcare tips!
For more enquiries or to book an appointment:Raffles ENT Centre585 North Bridge Road | Raffles Hospital, Level 2 | Singapore 188770Tel: (65) 6311 1222 | Email: [email protected]
Opening Hours: Monday - Friday: 8.30am - 6.00pm Saturday: 8.30 am - 1.00 pm
and
Raffles ENT Centre specialises in the treatment of disorders related to the ear, nose and throat, as well as structures of the head and neck.
At Raffles ENT centre, we are committed to high quality and personalised care for our patients. Some ENT conditions and its available treatments are:
RhinologyMedical and surgical treatment options for sinus and nasal diseases include minimally invasive endoscopic sinus surgery, balloon sinuplasty and image-guided surgery.
AllergyAllergy diagnosis can be done through skin prick tests and allergen specificblood tests. Management of inhalant and food allergies and sublingual immunotherapy are also available.
Paediatric OtolaryngologyMedical and surgical treatment for diseases related to the ears, nose and throat in children. Surgical treatment for common ailments include conditions associated with the adenoids and tonsils.
Laryngology Management of throat, voice, swallowing and airway disorders. EMG-guided botulinum toxin injection, surgery for vocal paralysis, laryngeal framework surgery, microsurgery and laser surgery.
Snoring and obstructive sleep apnoeaPortable and laboratory-based sleep studies to diagnose Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). Medical and surgical treatment of OSA includes Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and surgical options.
Otology/Neurotology Medical and surgical treatment of external, middle and inner ear diseases as well as the nerve pathways affecting hearing and balance. Hearing tests and hearing restoration in adults and children.
Head and Neck Area Screening and diagnosis for head and neck cancers. Available options of using Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) light system to enhance early endoscopic detection of nose, throat and voice cancer. Interdisciplinary medical and surgical management of cancerous and non-cancerous tumours in the head and neck. Surgery of the thyroid, parathyroid and salivary glands.
LIVEWELL EATSMART GETGORGEOUS SHAPEUP
9 Pandemic Alert Understand the different influenza types and new respiratory viruses that have claimed lives worldwide. Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from these pandemic respiratory illnesses.
11 Breathe Well. Live Well Learn about five common chronic respiratory conditions and methods to treat and have them under control.
14 Allergies, Be Gone! What causes one to be allergic to something? Find out how to recognise the symptoms of common allergies and learn ways to prevent and manage them.
22 Food Therapy for Your Respiratory Health Get the TCM perspective on how our lungs are interlinked with our digestive system and what are some recommended foods to keep our lungs strong and healthy.
24 Healthy Dessert Rooted in Fragrance Try this tasty and easy-to-prepare recipe that can help to strengthen your respiratory system.
25 8 Things You Thought You Knew We give you a run-down on eight common things that you thought you were doing right. Check them out to see how you fare.
28 Why Have I Lost My Voice? Do you know what causes you to lose your voice? We share with you ways to protect it and simple dos and don’ts to keep your voice healthy.
30 Snoring – A Health Threat in Disguise? Snoring is such a common habit that many people do not consider it a health risk. Is it simply a nuisance or could there be a greater underlying health issue?
33 Breathing Optimisation All of us breathe to live but not everyone is optimising this ability. We share with you the health benefits breathing brings and a fun routine workout that can boost your lung capacity.
5 Editor’s Note6 NewsroomNew Doc on the Block | Health Seminar: Living with Allergies | CHAS | New Clinics and Relocation | HealthNews Survey | Winner of ‘Berita Harian Achiever of the Year’ Award
20 UpClose As a General Practitioner for more than 10 years, Dr Melvyn Wong shares what keeps him enthusiastic about his job and serving his patients.
37 Made Me Smile38 Ask The Experts39 Social Media
Contents
20
8
33
31
25
16 The Unknown Truths Behind URTI Clarify common misconceptions about URTIs and learn useful tips to minimise the risk of contracting them.
18 Demystifying Pneumonia Are you at risk of pneumonia? Be advised on the steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones from this common cause of death in Singapore.
31 Take My (Bad) Breath Away Bad breath can be a huge turn-off. Find out what causes it and how it can be treated to save the embarrassment.
4 HealthNews
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Dr Abdul RazakjrDr Abel SohDr Chris FooDr Joshua KuaDr Kelvin ThiaMr Lim Hun TeckDr Lim Kok BinDr Lynette NgoDr Manish TanejaDr N V RamaniDr Ong Keh OonDr Stephen LeeDr Tony TanDr Wendy SinnathambyDr Wong Kutt Sing
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Editor's Note
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CONNECT WITH US AT:
Eating these foods help to
boost our lungs and respiratory health
– page 22
Inhale. Exhale. Am I breathing
correctly? How does taking deep breath
optimise my health? – page 33
Can ear candling really help to remove
ear wax and treat sinus infections?
– page 25
http://www.youtube.com/RafflesHospital
Dr Sarah Jane PackerGuest Editor
ConsultantRaffles Executive Medical Centre
Respiratory conditions are consistently one of the top 10 most frequent reasons for people to visit their doctor. From upper respiratory infections to asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease, they affect everyone at some point of time in their lives.
Your respiratory health influences how much oxygen the body can inhale and how quickly it can get rid of unwanted carbon dioxide, for example, when you are exercising. Breathing in and out is a natural process which most people do not think much about – it is only when a problem arises that we realise how important our lungs are. In this issue, we will focus on the common respiratory problems and share tips to prevent and alleviate them.
The emergence of the new strain of bird-flu H7N9 and the SARS-like coronavirus (MERS-CoV) created a scenario that has not been seen for at least a decade. This comes just 10 years after a global SARS scare that put the entire world on high alert. In 2003, the virus evolved in Asia, spread to Hong-Kong, eventually killing about 800 people worldwide. SARS was spread from animal hosts to human hosts and eventually became increasingly transmissible between people. In our cover story, we find out more about what exactly these viral respiratory illnesses exactly are and how we can protect ourselves when pandemics arise (Page 9).
Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) are very common and can affect both the respiratory system and other systems (e.g. central nervous system, heart, kidneys and etc). They are caused by bacteria or viruses. However, many have misconceptions about what an URTI is and how it should be treated. Read on to find out more as we debunk myths and find out the truths behind this group of problems (Page 14).
As we all know, smoking is a big risk factor for lung cancer, but did you also know that it causes Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), chronic sinusitis, exacerbates asthma and makes you more likely to suffer from respiratory infection? Find out how it damages the body and explore ways to better manage common chronic respiratory conditions (Page 16).
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all readers a Happy Deepavali! Remember the health philosophy: “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.” So stay healthy, eat well and exercise!
ReadersHello !
6 HealthNews
Newsroom
Living with Allergies, a Raffles Hospital and Channel NewsAsia seminar saw a turnout of more than 550 participants. The six specialists: Dr Chong Yong Yeow, Dr Raymond Kwah, Dr Wendy Sinnathamby, Dr David Chan, Dr David Lau and Dr Steve Yang shared how to manage skin, nose, drug, food, eye and paediatrics allergies and asthma in this health seminar. Questions like: “How do you prepare for allergy and asthma triggers?”, “what are the signs and symptoms?” and “how can we identify the causes in time and treat them effectively?” were addressed in this seminar.
One of the participants, Mr Jerry said: “Usually we read a lot of things on books and the Internet, coming here to listen to what the doctors have shared is really enriching for us.”
“It was a very well-organised and informative seminar,” Miss Shiti Gautam, another participant at the seminar shared, “the doctors dispelled some common myths of allergies.”
Children from lower and middle-income households are now eligible for subsidised outpatient medical treatments with the removal of the age floor in the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS). All Singaporeans whose per capita household monthly income
under S$1,500 will qualify for CHAS and receive a Health Assist card. They can access subsidised care at private General Practitioner and dental clinics near their homes. All Raffles Medical and Raffles Dental clinics are CHAS accredited.
Living with Allergies
Dr Mohammed Tauqeer AhmadSpecialist in Neurology & Consultant
Raffles Neuroscience Centre
Dr Ahmad’s special interests are in general neurology, stroke and neuroimmunology. Prior to joining Raffles Hospital, Dr Ahmad was a consultant in the Department of
Neurology at the National Neuroscience Institute (SGH campus).
NewDocs on the Block
For those who have missed this seminar, you can go onto our Facebook page to watch video snippets of the seminar. Other information of our upcoming seminars can be found on our Facebook (RafflesMedGrp) and Twitter (@RafflesMedGrp).
Seminar Speakers
From left to right: Dr David Chan, Dr David Lau, Dr Steve Yang, Dr Wendy Sinnathamby, Dr Chong Yong Yeow, Dr Raymond Kwah and Ms Genevieve Woo (Host)
CHAS
7HealthNews
Newsroom
From 23 September 2013, our Raffles Japanese Clinic at Orchard was relocated to Wheelock Place, #04-5/5A.
Operating hours are: Monday to Friday 9.15am to 1pm 2.45pm to 6pm
Saturday 9.15pm to 12.30pm
Raffles Japanese Clinic Relocates to Wheelock Place
A HealthNews survey was conducted in our previous issue to gather what aspects you like about HealthNews and what we can improve. The editorial team would like to thank you, readers, for your valuable feedback and continuous support! We know that you are getting more health conscious and thus we are committed to provide more health advice and insights for you in a timely manner. Rest assured that each issue of HealthNews will only bring you better and more interesting tips on eating smart and living well to maintain your optimal health.
Thank youfor your support!
HealthNews Survey
HealthNews Advisory Panel
From left to right (first row): Dr Lim Kok Bin, Dr Peter Chen, Dr Prem Kumar Nair, Dr Lynette Ngo, Dr Kelvin Thia, Dr Stephen Lee
From left to right (second row): Dr Ong Keh Oon, Dr Joshua Kua, Dr Abel Soh, Dr Manish Taneja, Dr Chris Foo
We are pleased to announce the opening of the new Raffles Medical clinics at White Sands, Jurong Point and Westgate. Serving you at your convenience, our doctors, nurses and clinic staff are committed to give their best to meet your healthcare needs. These new clinics also provide dental services. Our panel of GP clinics is integrated with Raffles Hospital.
Jurong Point1 Jurong West Central 2 #B1A-19D, Jurong Point Shopping Centre, Singapore 648886
West GateGateway Drive #04-30C, Westgate, Singapore 608532
New ClinicsOperating hours are:White Sands1 Pasir Ris Central Street 3 #04-19, White Sands, Singapore 518457
GP Opening Hours
Monday to Friday: 8.30am to 1.00pm 2.00pm to 5.30pmSaturday: 8.30am to 1.00pm
Dental Opening Hours
Mon, Tue, Thu to Sun: 8.30am to 1.00pm 2.00pm to 5.30pmWednesday: 8.30am to 1.00pm 2.00pm to 5.30pm 6.30pm to 9.30pm
Coming Soon!
8 HealthNews
Newsroom
Winner of ‘Berita Harian Achiever of the Year’ Award
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Raffles Medical Group, we congratulate our Specialist in Cardiology & Consultant, Dr Abdul Razakjr Omar of Raffles Heart Centre on being awarded The Berita Harian Achiever Of The Year 2013.
Dr Razakjr became Singapore’s first Malay heart specialist at the age of 35. His life story was one of grit and determination and a source of hope and inspiration to all families facing challenging odds.
Dr Razakjr volunteers and serves the community by offering his medical expertise and chairing various committees that organise health seminars. As best as he can, he will still continue to serve the community and demonstrate compassion through volunteering.
The annual award is organised by Singapore Press Holdings’ Malay daily, Berita Harian. It honours Malay/Muslim individuals for their achievements in their chosen fields, be it education, business, arts and culture, sports, the professions or social work. The panel looked for qualities like perseverance, determination and integrity, the ability to overcome odds.
Photos by Berita Harian
Dr Razakjr is grateful for his wife and children who are understanding and supportive of his career and his involvement in the community.
Dr Razakjr is appreciative of the sacrifices his parents made, enabling him to become what he is today. They always encouraged him to pursue his aspiration to join the medical profession.
Pandemic AlertAmong the many causes of deaths in the 20th century, one flu pandemic
alone claimed the lives of 50 to 100 million globally. The Spanish influenza (1918-1920) was the most famous and lethal flu outbreak, also described as “the greatest medical holocaust in history”. Thankfully for
humankind, later flu pandemics have not been as devastating.
And who can forget SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, 2002-2003) which claimed the lives of 774 worldwide, or its
sister virus, the MERS-Coronavirus that started circulating in the Arabian Peninsula and neighbouring countries since April 2012.
Closer to Singapore, in early October 2013, the Health Ministry was notified of more than six cases of pre-schoolers in Pasir Ris
who have been reportedly infected with the H1N1 flu virus.
Read on to understand more about these pandemic respiratory illnesses that have claimed lives and how we can protect
ourselves when such pandemics arise.
9HealthNews
CoverStory
10 HealthNews
CoverStory
and worldwide scare. Yet today, it is now a part of seasonal influenza and its aggression is similar to any other strains.
CoronavirusesWhat do SARS, MERS-CoV and the common cold have in common? They are caused by coronaviruses. The common cold is caused by over 200 types of viruses, with coronaviruses believed to cause a significant percentage of all common colds in human adults.
“SARS is the third known human coronavirus, while MERS-CoV is the sixth.” Dr Chng adds: “Each is distinct and different.”
Unlike the common cold coronaviruses, SARS and MERS-CoV cause severe acute respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The currently trending MERS-CoV kills half of those it infects.
Flu BugsThe growth of human respiratory viruses has sparked questions about when the next pandemic virus will occur. There are three types of influenza, A, B and C. Influenza C is rare compared to Influenza A and B. All flu pandemics that have occurred so far have been caused by Influenza A. However both influenza A and B can result in local influenza epidemics. Some of the influenza serotypes that have caused flu pandemics include:
• H1N1, which caused the Spanish Flu in 1918, and Swine Flu in 2009,
• H2N2, which caused Asian Flu in 1957,
• H3N2, which caused Hong Kong Flu in 1968,
• H5N1, which caused Bird Flu in 2004,
• H7N9 which caused the Avian Influenza in 2013
So what do the H’s and N’s mean? Dr Chng Shih Kiat, Deputy Medical Director, Raffles Medical explains: “H is short for Hemagglutinin while N stands for Neuraminidase. These are little protein spikes on the flu’s surface to help it invade cells. There are 17 types of Hemagglutinin and 9 types of
Neuraminidase. Each flu subtype can be determined by its unique H and N protein spikes. As such, you can get 144 different subtypes of influenza.”
And we are only talking about type A influenza!
Influenza A can infects and resides in wild aquatic birds. Unfortunately, it can evolve, occasionally, to infect other animals. The adaptable influenza A virus subtypes are also able to swap genes, something scientists call reassortment. For example, a bird can be down with two flu strains, a bird strain and a human strain. When the viruses infect the same cell, the genes from the bird strain mix with genes from the human strain to yield a new strain. When that happens, it usually spells trouble as the new strain now has the ability to infect more species, including humans.
As the flu virus continues to mutate and evolve, new and novel influenza viruses will be discovered. These new strains challenge our immune systems to fight against the flu virus.
However as we understand the viruses, we would know how to manage them better. H1N1, for example, used to be feared during the initial outbreak
Stop the BugWithout sounding like the proverbial naysayer, is there anything we can do to prevent the next pandemic? There are many commonsensical steps you can and should take to protect the health of your family, friends and the community at large. Dr Tan Joo Peng, Deputy Physician Leader, Raffles Medical, shares eight tips everyone should follow.
Avoid crowded places with poor ventilation if you are feeling unwell.
4. If you have symptoms of respiratory infection, wear a mask and consult a doctor promptly.
5. Eat meat that is fully cooked, and hard boiled eggs. Influenza viruses get killed at high temperatures, i.e. 56 degrees Celsius for three hours, 60 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes or 100 degrees Celsius for one minute. Do not eat or drink dishes that contain animal blood or food from street vendors.
1. Maintain good personal hygiene. Keep hands clean and wash them properly. Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing. Dispose sputum or secretions wrapped in tissue paper into rubbish bins with lids. Wash hands with liquid soap and water afterwards.
2. Build up good body resistance and have a healthy lifestyle. This can be achieved through a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate rest, reducing stress and no smoking.
3. Maintain good environmental hygiene and good indoor ventilation.
6. Avoid meats of unknown origins. Do not touch animals whether they are alive or dead.
7. Be alert to symptoms of influenza at all times.
8. Get yourself vaccinated with the influenza vaccine to protect against the common strains of influenza.
As a good scout would say, be prepared, and we can overcome the next pandemic come what may. HN
11HealthNews
LiveWell
Breathe Well. Live Well
What is Allergic Rhinitis? Allergic rhinitis is an allergic inflammation of the nasal airways. It occurs when an allergen is inhaled by an individual with a sensitised immune system.
Symptoms Treatment• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Congestion
• Irritated eyes
• Itchy mouth, throat, ears and face
• Sore throat
• Dry cough
• Sinus pressure
Medications: • Antihistamines to control sneezing, itching and runny nose
• Steroid nasal sprays for nasal blockage
• Decongestants to manage nasal congestion and severe blockages
Immunotherapy: • Desensitise body to specific allergens
Avoidance:• Use mattress casings, high efficiency particulate air filters and
anti-dust mite sprays.
• Simply avoid allergens
Find out more about common chronic respiratory conditions and how to manage them.
Facts and information by Dr Stephen Lee, Specialist in Ear, Nose & Throat Surgery & Consultant, Raffles ENT Centre
ALLERGIC RHINITIS
12 HealthNews
LiveWell
CHRONIC SINUSITISWhat is Chronic Sinusitis? The inflammation of the lining of one or more sinuses (large air cavities inside the face bones). This interferes with drainage and causes mucus to build up.
What is Sleep Apnoea? Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder whereby one experiences pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses can last between 10 seconds to minutes, and occur five to 30 times or more in an hour. About 15 per cent of Singaporeans have sleep apnoea.
Symptoms
Symptoms
Treatment
Treatment Risks of Sleep Apnoea
• Difficulty breathing through nose
• Fever
• Throbbing pain near the sinus
• Heaviness and fullness in the head and face
• Thick yellowish or greenish nasal discharge
• Loud, frequent snoring
• Stops breathing during sleep and gasps for breath
• Lethargic despite sleep, morning headache, dry mouth
Medication: • Antibiotics and decongestants to bring
down the infection and inflammation
• Weight loss
• Breathing-assistance devices
• Dental appliances and surgery
• Linked to increased chances of heart disease, stroke, and irregular heart rhythms
• Lack of refreshing sleep can lead to depression, irritability, lack of energy, a high risk of motor vehicular accidents, workplace accidents and many other problems.
Surgery: • Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) may be
necessary to reverse the disease process
• Balloon Sinuplasty is another technique that helps to overcome blockage of the sinuses
SLEEP APNOEA
13HealthNews
LiveWell
ASTHMA
What is COPD? COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a progressive and life-threatening disease by which airflow is limited in the lungs, leading to mild or severe shortness of breath.
For smokers, quitting is the single most important step you can take. Damage to your airways cannot be reversed but quitting will slow down your disease progression. HN
What is Asthma? Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. In Singapore, one in 20 adults, and one in five children have asthma.
SymptomsWhat causesCOPD?
Symptoms
Steps to controlling asthma:
Treatment
Common allergens
• Chronic cough
• Phlegm
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Fatigue
• Smoking
• Pollution
• Occupational dust or gases
• Genetics
• Tightness / pain in the chest
• Wheezing or noisy breathing
• Recurrent cough
• Understand asthma
• Set long-term control goals
• Recognise and manage symptoms
• Know and use your medications correctly
• Use the correct inhaler techniques
• Recognise and avoid trigger factors
• Know what to do during an asthma attack
• Go for regular follow-up checks
• Bronchodilators (relaxants)
• Corticosteroids (steroids)
• Antibiotics
• Oxygen therapy
• Surgery (to remove useless section of lung or lung transplantation)
• Animal dander
• Dust
• Pollen
• Tobacco smoke
• Medication
• Food
• Stress
COPD
LiveWell
14 HealthNews
An allergy is a specific reaction of the body’s immune system in response to exposure to certain foreign substances to which we have been “sensitised”. These substances are usually harmless and do not bother most people. However, for allergic individuals, their bodies react to the substance in a different way.
What are allergens and why do certain people become allergic?Allergens (or allergy-producing substances) are the main culprits for causing allergic reactions. According to Dr Stephen Lee, Specialist in Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery & Consultant, Raffles ENT Centre, common allergens include pollens, house dust mites, molds, food, pets, bugs and medications. Dr Lee explained that one’s tendency to develope an allergic condition is higher if their family member has a history of allergy. “In addition, exposure to
allergens during times when the immune system is weak, such as after a viral infection or during pregnancy, may also contribute to developing allergies,” shared Dr Lee.
What is an allergic reaction and what are some of the symptoms?In the case of an allergic reaction, the immune system reacts to a harmless substance and treats it as an invader. It gets ready to attack by generating a type of antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). Dr Lee said: “These molecules are the only type of antibody that attaches to the tissue cells and blood cells. When the allergen encounters its specific IgE, it attaches to the antibody causing the cell to release chemicals like histamine which cause inflammation.” These chemicals act on our body tissues and cause allergy symptoms which may include sneezing and nasal congestion.
Imagine this. You are in the mood to spring clean for the new year. Armed with a duster, you begin to whisk off the dust that has accumulated over the top of a book shelf. But before you know it, you start to sneeze. Your ears, eyes, nose and throat begin to itch. This may be a sign of an allergy.
The word “allergy” is derived from the Greek words “allos”, meaning changed or altered state, and “ergos” meaning action or work. Therefore, the
term “allergy” simply refers to an “altered reaction”.
Be Gone!Allergies,
LiveWell
15HealthNews
Coping with Allergies• Keep a record of your triggers
It is best to keep a diary so as to track when and where an allergy strikes you. This can help one to determine if the trigger is due to outdoor or indoor allergens.
• Limit exposure to allergens
If you are one who reacts to outdoor allergens like pollen, then try to keep the windows shut and stay indoors when pollen counts are high. On the other hand, if you are allergic to indoor allergens, use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to reduce the humidity.
• Use the right medication
Always consult your doctor before using medicines like antihistamines. Remember, each individual has a unique genetic makeup and may respond to antihistamines differently.
• Take steroid nasal sprays when prescribed
According to Dr Yang, steroid nasal sprays such as fluticasone and mometasone can be effective in treating allergic rhinitis. However, one should stop using them if they cause irritation or nosebleeds. HN
Allergic ConjunctivitisAllergic conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an allergic inflammation of the transparent membrane (conjunctiva) that lines the inner surface of the eyelid and covers the white surface of the eyeball (sclera). As a result of the inflammation, the blood vessels in the conjunctiva become enlarged. Hence, the whites of the eyes will appear reddish or pink.
Symptoms of Allergic Conjunctivitis:
• Redness and/or itchiness in one or both eyes
• A discharge in one or both eyes that forms a crust during the night which may prevent the eye(s) from opening in the morning
• Swelling of the conjunctiva
• Watery eyes
Having a pink eye is often associated with discomfort from itchiness and foreign body sensations. Early treatment is recommended as vision sometimes can be affected in severe cases. Dr David Chan, Specialist in Ophthalmology & Consultant, Raffles Eye Centre said: “Besides artificial tears, medications that help control allergic reactions such as antihistamines, mast cell stabilisers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS) and steroids, are some of the treatment options for allergic conjunctivitis.”
Common allergic conditions, symptoms and treatment
Allergic Rhinitis(Hay Fever)One of the most common allergic diseases has to be allergic rhinitis or hayfever which causes cold-like symptoms.
Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis:
• Runny nose and nasal congestion
• Watery eyes
• Itchy eyes, nose and throat
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Sinus pressure and facial pain
One may confuse hayfever with a cold. Well, the difference is that hay fever is not caused by a virus, but is an allergic response to outdoor or indoor allergens.
According to Dr Lee, treatment for hay fever includes medications such as nasal corticosteroids, which are sprays that help to treat the nasal inflammation, itching and runny nose. Other medications include antihistamines and decongestants in the form of liquids, tablets and nasal sprays.
“If these medications do not relieve the symptoms or have too many side effects, sublingual immunotherapy may be the other option. This needleless procedure involves applying an allergen under the tongue of the patient daily for a period of two to three years. The purpose is to increase the person’s
tolerance to the allergen and reduce the allergy symptoms,” shared Dr Lee.
AsthmaAsthma is a respiratory condition that results from inflammation and hyper-activity of the airways which can lead to recurrent but reversible constriction of the airways. This condition may also coexist with allergic rhinitis. Besides allergens, other triggers of asthma include respiratory viral infections as well as cold and tobacco smoke. Dr Steve Yang, Specialist in Respiratory Medicine & Consultant, Raffles Internal Medicine Centre, said: “Unfortunately, asthma is not curable but it can be managed with appropriate use of medications and by leading a healthy lifestyle.”
Symptoms of Asthma:
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Chest tightness or pain
Preventive, long-term control medications such as inhaled corticosteroids and leukotriene receptor antagonists help to reduce the inflammation in the airways. Dr Yang shared that for more immediate relief, medications such as hand-held inhalers (bronchodilators) and ipratropium effectively open swollen airways that limit breathing.
LiveWell
16 HealthNews
The Unknown Truths BehindURTI
Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI), also known as the common cold, is a regular
diagnosis in the doctor’s room. In fact, about 30 per cent of patients at a doctor’s clinic are there due to URTI, according to Dr Michael Lee, Senior Physician, Raffles
Medical. An average person will catch URTI two to four times in a year, with children
catching it five to 10 times annually. Despite that, many do not fully understand what an URTI is and how it should be treated.
Read on to find out the truths behind this common infection.
LiveWell
Misconception 5: URTI is preventable.Unfortunately, URTI is seldom preventable. Many viruses can lead to an URTI. And these viruses are often in the air or our environment which you cannot avoid. However, you can minimise the risk of catching an URTI or passing it on by doing the following:
• Avoid close contact with others if you have an URTI.
• Wear a mask if you have an URTI.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water to avoid viruses that are transmitted by touch.
• Avoid sharing towels and other personal items.
• Discourage the sharing of toys with sick children. Wash toys with hot soapy water if your child has an URTI.
“Good personal hygiene is crucial in the prevention of URTI,” said Dr Wong. Young children may be more susceptible as they haven’t had the chance to build up their immunity against the many URTI viruses. This will improve as they get older. Parents should not be overly worried. Prevention is better than cure. Speak to your family physician and have your annual flu vaccinations up-to-date. HN
Misconception 4: URTIandinfluenzaarethe same.Often mistaken as one and the same due to similarities in symptoms, influenza and URTI are different. The effects of the influenza virus are systemic (affecting the whole body), while those of viruses causing URTI are more localised (limited to the upper respiratory tract).
“Therefore, symptoms of influenza are usually more severe compared to those of an URTI. They include high fever, muscle and joint aches and pains, and tiredness and lethargy,” said Dr Wong.
Misconception 1: URTI is a single type of sickness.URTI are illnesses caused by an acute infection involving the upper respiratory tract, i.e. the nose, sinuses, pharynx or larynx. The common cold is caused by more than 200 types of viruses, with the main ones being rhinovirus, adenovirus, and coronavirus. They get into our bodies by inhalation or touching contaminated surfaces such as door knobs, money and handrails.
Occasionally, bacteria can cause an URTI. For example, if your bout of URTI involves a sore and red throat, it could be the bacteria streptococcus.
Due to the different types of viruses involved, symptoms of an URTI can vary from person to person. “The symptoms of an URTI vary depending where the infection takes hold. They include blocked or runny nose, sore throat, swollen glands in the neck or throat, loss of voice and cough. Fever, headache, tiredness and irritability are also common symptoms,” added Dr Lee.
Misconception 2: Antibiotics will help me recover from an URTI.If you are normally in good health, antibiotics are not recommended as your immune system can usually clear the infection. Some people may develop side-effects such as diarrhoea and rashes from antibiotics.
Explains Dr Lee: “Antibiotics do not kill viruses. Even if a bacterium is the cause, antibiotics do little to accelerate recovery from an URTI. In addition, decreased antibiotic usage will prevent the rise of drug resistant bacteria, which is a growing problem.”
However, if you start to feel worse, antibiotics may be prescribed. They are prescribed if you develop a complication such as pneumonia.
Misconception 3: I can die from URTI.Thankfully, URTI seldom causes complications. Symptoms of URTI usually include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath in people with asthma or other lung diseases. However, you may develop a secondary bacterial infection should the infection spread to the lungs, sinuses or ears. These can be severe so you should follow up with your family doctor if symptoms do not ease off within three to five days.
Dr Wong Wei Mon, Senior Physician, Raffles Medical shared symptoms which could signal that complications may be developing:
• Worsening of fever, wheezing or headaches
• Breathing problems including shortness of breath, fast breathing, or chest pains
• Coughing up blood or blood-tinged sputum or phlegm
• Drowsiness or confusion
• Persistent cough beyond three weeks
• Recurring bouts of URTI
HealthNews 17
18 HealthNews
LiveWell
Demystifying PneumoniaPneumonia is the most common
cause of death by infectious disease in Singapore. In 2011, 16 per cent of deaths in Singapore were caused by pneumonia. We speak to Dr Melvyn
Wong, Senior Physician at Raffles Medical who shares regarding risk factors, symptoms and steps you can take to protect you and your
loved ones against pneumonia.
19HealthNews
LiveWell
What is pneumonia?Pneumonia is the medical term we use for lung infection. The lungs are organs of the lower respiratory tract. You may have seen medical certificates with the diagnosis of “Upper Respiratory Tract Infections” (URTI) before; this diagnosis is used if you are suffering from the common cold or influenza. Pneumonia is an infection lower down in the respiratory system and involves the tissues of the lungs. An infection in the lungs will cause inflammation of the lung tissues and can affect the way your lungs exchange important gases for breathing, like oxygen and carbon dioxide. It is caused mainly by microorganisms like viruses and bacteria. It is serious and can make you very sick if left untreated.
Am I at risk?You are at risk of pneumonia if your immune system is weak. That is why the age groups most at risk are children under the age of two and the elderly above 65 years old. Other conditions that can weaken your immune system are chronic diseases like diabetes, heart and lung diseases (e.g asthma, bronchitis and emphysema), and people with suppressed immune systems caused by HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy, organ transplantation and certain drugs like steroids.
Apart from having a weak immune system, another factor would be conditions that affect the normal function of the lungs. Smoking is therefore a risk factor. Working or long term exposure in environments with poor air quality is also a risk factor. Another situation where the function of your lungs can be affected is if you are bed bound for a prolonged period of time. Hospital acquired pneumonia is a real risk for patients and a constant source of worry for the medical team.
03. Who can help me?The wise thing to do next would be to consult your GP or family physician. He/she will ask you specific questions about your symptoms as well as your medical history during the consultation. An important part of the examination, apart from measuring your blood pressure, breathing rate and temperature, is to listen to your chest. With pneumonia, your doctor may hear abnormal breathing sounds called crepitations in the affected areas of the lungs. If he/she is concerned that you may indeed have a lung infection, you will be sent to do a chest X-ray immediately. Pneumonia can be formally diagnosed by a chest X-ray. Areas of your lungs which are infected will show up as white. This is called consolidation. Some areas of consolidation may not be obvious on an X-ray and may need to be analysed by a radiologist for confirmation.
Doctor, I think I may have pneumonia.
So what are the symptoms you should look out for? The symptoms
of pneumonia are having fever (>38 °C) and cough with purulent sputum. Purulent sputum means mucus coughing up that contains pus. It is usually yellow or green in
colour and may contain blood. You may also feel chest discomfort
and breathlessness.
04. What’s next then?What happens next depends on your doctor’s assessment of your condition as a whole. He/she will assess your risk. Low risk patients can be treated at home with medications which include antibiotics or antivirals. High risk patients are those who are clearly unwell and with risk factors that we mentioned earlier in the article (chronic heart disease, lung disease, the very young and the elderly). These high risk patients are advised to be hospitalised for observation and treatment. They may require oxygen therapy and antibiotics intravenously (direct to the veins). Hospitalisation also gives them the opportunity to be constantly monitored by the medical staff round the clock until they have fully recovered.
Can I prevent pneumonia?Prevention is still better than cure when it comes to pneumonia. You cannot change your age but you can definitely reduce your risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Be mindful of your diet and exercise. Do not smoke. If you happen to have chronic diabetes, lung and heart disease, be sure that you work closely and consistently with your GP or specialist to keep these conditions under control. There are vaccines available that can help prevent you from getting certain forms of pneumonia and also influenza. Ask your doctor about these vaccines and whether they are suitable for you. HN
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20 HealthNews
UpClose
UpClose with Dr Melvyn Wong
Senior Physician Leader | Raffles Medical
Dr Melvyn Wong, 41, is in his 14th year of being a General Practitioner with Raffles Medical. Reflecting now on how far he has come, he said that it is nothing like he had expected it to be when he began his medical career. Find out what keeps his enthusiasm going and what his work in the clinic is like.
PHOTO BY EDD CHUA
UpClose
21HealthNews
Hi Dr Wong! Just a quick question about yourself. When did you join the Raffles family and why? I joined Raffles way back in 2000. I came from Brunei and did not go through the conventional route of rotations when I first came to Singapore in 1998. After spending two years in NUH, I decided to give family medicine a try. I have been here ever since and loving every minute of it.
2. There are so many specialties in the medical field. Why did you choose to become a general practitioner (GP)?Being a GP or a family physician gives you the opportunity to really treat a patient as a complete person with an illness as opposed to the other way around. It is a job where you do not know who, with what condition will walk through your door every single day. You are constantly learning.
If you were to give an analogy about what you do, what would it be?A swiss army knife. You have to be versatile as a family physician; you need to adapt to every type of patient you see. Patients will come from all walks of life and it is important that you respect that and try to see things from their point of view. The swiss army knife analogy is also appropriate because I am also a Physician Leader for my cluster at Raffles Place. I am in charge of planning the doctors’ roster, supervising some of the newer doctors, answering patients’ queries and complaints. I also have to look at my cluster of clinics from a business perspective and help our team of excellent managers decide on how we can grow our business in the Central Business District area.
Dr Wong with his wife and son, Ben.
What is a typical day for you like?My typical day starts with me checking my phone for messages. If one of my doctors is unable to work, I have to rearrange doctors within the cluster to stand in for that clinic. I run clinic sessions every day. In between patients, I will handle administrative matters. I will also head down to Raffles Hospital to attend meetings on some afternoons.
Patients who you love or who get you upset are….?I think the issue is not so much about which kind of patients I love or get upset with. My philosophy is to make sure I establish good rapport with my patients from the start, be it only for a visit or for many, and sustain that throughout the working relationship with them. To put it succinctly, it is not how I feel about my patients, but more about what they feel about me when I deliver care through treating their conditions and giving them my professional opinion.
What are some of the things that can put a smile on your face?It is my little son Ben, who is 18 months old and currently terrorising the house (laughs). He definitely puts a smile on my face. Having a strong and secure family life puts you in the right frame of mind to head out to work every day. Working for an organisation with its heart in the right place, (i.e. putting patients’ needs above profit) gives me the confidence that I am working for the right reasons. Everything else thereafter comes naturally.
As a doctor, work would usually be busy for you. How do you keep yourself fit and healthy?Well, as you can see from my profile picture, I am rather round at the moment. You may not believe it but I do enjoy running when I have the time. It used to be on a more regular basis and I have completed a full marathon as well as four half marathons in the past.
Can you share one little known fact about the lives of a general practitioner?Not sure whether this is a little known fact but when you become a doctor it is not just a job title: it becomes part of who you are. Therefore, my job never ends when I close the clinic at 5.30pm every evening. I still get queries from patients and relatives either via phone, email or messages!
Finally, we are discussing respiratory health for this issue of HealthNews. As a doctor, do you have any tips on how can one maintain good respiratory health?Keep your lungs and heart in shape by exercising regularly. If you smoke, quit. If you don’t, don’t start. HN
22 HealthNews
EatSmart
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the lungs comprise not only the anatomical lungs but also the entire respiratory system, which include the vocal cords and nasal passages. The lungs are regarded the uppermost organs of the body, and constitute both a barrier and connection between the external environment and in depth aspects of one’s body. Therefore, our lungs play a vital role in the immune response to outsideinfluences.
You have heard the common saying “we are what we eat”. Before we plan our grocery list fortheweek,let’sfindoutwhatare some of the foods that TCM physicians would recommend to boost our lungs and respiratory health.
According to Ms Poh Yu Min, TCM Physician, Raffles Chinese Medicine, the lungs interlink with our body’s digestive system. A TCM diagnosis of lung ‘qi’ deficiency means that your body’s ability to generate and distribute ‘qi’ is compromised.
Food for the Lungs “To prevent ‘qi’ deficiency, it is best to consume fresh foods that are slightly cooked. Food that is lightly prepared helps to ensure that nutrients are preserved and are more readily digested and absorbed. General dietary recommendations to prevent ‘qi’ deficiency include eating frequent small meals, and sitting down relaxed to enjoy meals and chewing thoroughly to savour flavours,” shared Ms Poh.
One should also include small amounts of naturally sweet flavours like molasses, dates and rice syrup, and more pungent tasting foods like onions, garlic, turnip, ginger, fennel in their food preparation. These natural flavourings, if taken often, help to improve our respiratory health. Cinnamon and nutmeg are beneficial in strengthening ‘qi’. Also, white and
火Fire
水Water
木Wood
Food TherapyFor
Your Respiratory Health
‘Metal’ Food:
Apricot (杏子) Persimmon (柿子) Strawberry (草莓) Pear (梨) Chinese Yam (山药) Radish (白萝卜) Honey (蜂蜜) Walnut Kernel (核桃仁)
Flavour: Sweet Sweet Sweet and sour Sweet Sweet Sweet Sweet Sweet
Vitamin(s): A and C C C B1, B2, B6 and C A and C B6 and C B2, B6 and C B1, B2, B3, B6, C and E
Benefits: • Moistens the lungs
• Treats coughs
• Relieves asthma and constipation
• Nourishes the lungs to stop coughs
• Clears away heat
• Promotes salivation
• Dissolves phlegm
• Moistens the lungs
• Promotes production of body fluid
• Strengthens spleen
• Invigorates ‘qi’
• Promotes production of body fluid
• Moistens dryness
• Clears away heat
• Arrests coughs
• Eliminates phlegm
• Enriches ‘yin’ and blood
• Lowers blood pressure
• Removes alcohol toxins
• Strengthens functions of the spleen, lungs and kidney
• Increases amount of ‘qi’ and ‘yin’
• Treats loose stools or diarrhoea due to deficiency of spleen ‘qi’ and coughing due to deficiency of the lungs
• Removes food stagnation
• Clears away phlegm-heat and toxic materials.
• Eliminates the accumulation of phlegm and heatiness in the lungs
• Strengthens spleen and stomach
• Moistens dryness
• Relieves spasm and clears away toxic materials
• Commonly used to treat cough due to lung dryness
• Warms the lungs to relieve asthma
• Moisturises intestines to ‘relax’ the bowels
• Treats symptoms due to deficiency of kidney ‘yang’, asthma, coughs, backache and frequent urination
Essential foods that one should consume to have better lungs and a good respiratory system:
23HealthNews
EatSmart
light-coloured foods resonate with our lungs, so foods such as radish, white meats and white mushrooms tend to have the essential benefits that build up our respiratory health.
Lungs: Organs of ‘Metal’ ElementEssentially, there are five elements, which have an inter-relationship that must be kept in balance. The five elements are: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood. “The lungs are the organs of the ‘Metal’ element closely related to the skin and the large intestine, their paired organ. Their role is thus not limited to respiration but also to providing immunity and aiding the elimination of waste products and toxins through the respiratory system, the skin, and the bowels,” said Ms Poh. Therefore, the five element theory would suggest that we should eat foods which strengthen the ‘Metal’ (lungs), when we are looking at maintaining and improving our respiratory health.
All in all...Different kinds of foods can be used as treatments for various ailments that
are related to your lungs and respiratory health. Before suggesting a therapeutic diet, there are many factors to consider - a person’s body constitution, the nature of his/her illness and types of syndromes, as well as external factors such as the season and climate. A proper diet for an individual is based on the above mentioned factors, not just the diagnosis, but also for maintaining a person’s good health. HN
Did you know?• TCM believes that one should
limit eating hot and spicy foods
at times. Instead, by adding
some sour tasting foods into
the diet can help preserve body
fluids that will nourish and
moisten the lungs (e.g. citrus
fruits, berries, apples).
• Back in the ancient times,
physicians also believed that pine
nut congee is an ideal dish that
would moisters the lungs, soothes
dry cough, calms the heart for
better sleep and most importantly,
promotes general well-being and
longevity.
火Fire
土Earth
金Metal
Food TherapyFor
Your Respiratory Health
‘Metal’ Food:
Apricot (杏子) Persimmon (柿子) Strawberry (草莓) Pear (梨) Chinese Yam (山药) Radish (白萝卜) Honey (蜂蜜) Walnut Kernel (核桃仁)
Flavour: Sweet Sweet Sweet and sour Sweet Sweet Sweet Sweet Sweet
Vitamin(s): A and C C C B1, B2, B6 and C A and C B6 and C B2, B6 and C B1, B2, B3, B6, C and E
Benefits: • Moistens the lungs
• Treats coughs
• Relieves asthma and constipation
• Nourishes the lungs to stop coughs
• Clears away heat
• Promotes salivation
• Dissolves phlegm
• Moistens the lungs
• Promotes production of body fluid
• Strengthens spleen
• Invigorates ‘qi’
• Promotes production of body fluid
• Moistens dryness
• Clears away heat
• Arrests coughs
• Eliminates phlegm
• Enriches ‘yin’ and blood
• Lowers blood pressure
• Removes alcohol toxins
• Strengthens functions of the spleen, lungs and kidney
• Increases amount of ‘qi’ and ‘yin’
• Treats loose stools or diarrhoea due to deficiency of spleen ‘qi’ and coughing due to deficiency of the lungs
• Removes food stagnation
• Clears away phlegm-heat and toxic materials.
• Eliminates the accumulation of phlegm and heatiness in the lungs
• Strengthens spleen and stomach
• Moistens dryness
• Relieves spasm and clears away toxic materials
• Commonly used to treat cough due to lung dryness
• Warms the lungs to relieve asthma
• Moisturises intestines to ‘relax’ the bowels
• Treats symptoms due to deficiency of kidney ‘yang’, asthma, coughs, backache and frequent urination
Essential foods that one should consume to have better lungs and a good respiratory system:
Source: Ms Poh Yu Min, TCM Physician, Raffles Chinese Medicine
Ease of preparation:
Nutritional level:
24 HealthNews
EatSmart
1-2 Servings
What is that one critical organ when it comes to our respiratory system? Yes, it is our LUNGS! From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, a lack of balance in the lungs can be reflected in a lack of vitality, low immunity and tendency to catch colds as well as other respiratory-related symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, tiredness, dryness in the skin or anywhere in the respiratory system, sneezing, itching and skin rashes. So, try this recipe today to improve your lung functions!
BenefitsofGlehniaRoot（沙参）- nourishes lungs and stomach, stops coughs, dispels heatiness, moistens dry mouth or throat due to ‘yin‘ deficiency.
BenefitsofFreshLilyBulb（新鲜百合）- useful for people with chronic cough, insomnia, inability to concentrate, restlessness, irritability, chronic febrile diseases with ‘yin’ deficiency as well as palpitations due to ‘qi’ and ‘yin’ deficiencies.
BenefitsofRedDates（红枣）- its sweet and warming properties are useful in strengthening the stomach and spleen.
Ingredients• Glehnia Root（沙参）– 20 grams• Fresh Lily Bulb（新鲜百合）– 1 bulb• Red Dates（红枣）– 5 pieces• Crystal Sugar（冰糖）– 5 to 10 grams
Caution: One should not consume this recipe when having a cough due to a cold or in cases of splenic deficiency, loose stool or yeast infection.
Preparation1. Soak the pitted red dates in water for about an hour
before use.
2. Peel the petals of the lily. Wash the petals, red dates and Glehnia Roots.
3. Add 3 bowls of water, followed by adding the Glehnia Roots and red dates into the pot. Let it boil for about 20 minutes.
4. When the red dates splits and the soup thickens, add in the peeled lily petals and cook for another 5 minutes before turning off the stove.
5. Add in sugar for flavouring before serving.
This recipe is beneficial for those having an imbalance of the lungs or a deficiency of ‘yin’ energy in our lungs with symptoms such as long-term cough, dryness in throat and mouth, tiredness and insomnia. The lungs play a critical role in TCM. Not only do they govern the ‘qi’ and respiration, they also controls the way we exhale and inhale air through our nose. The best way to amplify our lung’s ‘qi’ is to breathe in plenty of fresh air. One can do so through exercises such as swimming or relaxed breathing (i.e. breathe using the diaphragm) to help develop the physical capacity of the lungs.
Another way to nourish our lungs is through the foods we eat. Besides the above recipe, one can try incorporating more fresh organic vegetables into the diet. Light-coloured foods such as radish, white meat and white mushrooms are beneficial for the lungs as well. It is advisable to avoid dairy products such as milk and cheese as they can cause congestion and the build-up of phlegm. Substitute with products made from goat or sheep instead.
– Ms Jin Jinhua, Consultant TCM Acupuncturist, Raffles Chinese Medicine
Healthy Dessert Rooted in FragranceFragrant Lily Red Dates Soup
Nutritional informationCalories: 80calTotal Fats: 0gTotal Carbohydrates: 17.5gDietary Fibre: 2gProtein: 2g
Tip:Use less red dates if one’s digestive system is bad.
Note: The nutritional information does not include Glehnia Root and Fresh Lily Bulb as there is no known calorie breakdown for these.
25HealthNews
GetGorgeous
hearing loss is permanent but hearing loss due to loud noise may be temporary at first. However, recurrent temporary insults will lead to permanent hearing loss. Hence, the best treatment is prevention. Ear protection should be worn, especially when you are in an environment where noisy power tools are used, when riding motorcycles, or when exposed to loud music at concerts.
Myth: Tilt your head back if your nose is bleeding.Fact: Pinch your nose over the soft part and breathe through your mouth with your head tilted forward.
The instinctive thing to do when one gets a nose bleed is to tilt
Myth: I am still young, loud music or noises will not hurt my ears.Fact: Loud noises can cause damage to hearing, regardless of your age.
Ear damage can occur from exposure to loud sounds like those of industrial, lawn and construction equipment, and loud music from your headphones. If you experience ringing, stuffiness, or hearing loss after noise exposure or damage the sensitive cells of the cochlea, in your inner ear, you are likely to experience hearing loss. Most
8 ThingsYou Thought You Knew…
the head back, in the hope of stopping the bleeding. However, this will only cause the blood to trickle to the back of the throat and subsequently get swallowed. This can irritate the stomach and cause vomiting and further distress to the person. The ingested blood will be digested and may appear as black stools.
Nose bleeds can be quite frightening when they occur. They are uncommon among children and are due to the rupture of the fragile blood vessels in the lining of the nasal passage. The capillaries here can be easily broken and bleed if inflamed and swollen, as in children who have sensitive noses. Even minor trauma, as with nose picking, can cause a nose bleed in these children. See a doctor if the bleeding lasts longer than a few minutes, is heavy or becomes frequent.
26 HealthNews
GetGorgeous
Myth: Ear candling helps remove ear wax and is a treatment for sinus infections.
Fact: This is a myth.
Ear candling is a technique that involves placing a lit, hollow, cone-shaped candle into the ear canal. The concept of ear candling (or ear coning) is that the heat from the flame will act as a vacuum to create suction that draws the ear wax into the hollow cone. However, ear candling can lead to the deposits of candle wax in the ear canal, burns to the ear canal, eardrum and middle ear and can perforate the eardrum. If you develop an ear wax blockage, avoid ear candling as research has shown that ear candling is not only ineffective in removing ear wax, but it also pushes the ear wax deeper into the ear canal. The candle wax exacerbates the problem of ear wax as it accumulates in the ear canal and can be difficult for our body is natural ear cleaning process to remove. Consult a doctor about the simple steps you can take to safely and effectively remove the wax.
Myth: Ringing in the ears is common and I should just live with it.
Fact: There are many treatments available to help tinnitus sufferers.
Known as tinnitus, it most commonly occurs due to the degeneration of the microscopic hair cells in the inner ear, which is often associated with hearing loss due to ageing. But it can also occur transiently from exposure to loud noise or even for no apparent reason. Tinnitus can be due to infection or wax in the ear, and can
even result from nasal conditions if we blow our nose excessively. Transient or intermittent tinnitus is usually not a cause for concern, unless there is a persistent occurrence in only one ear or it is affecting your well-being or sleep.
Myth: Air purifiers can clean the room of every indoor pollutant.
Fact: Installation of an air purifier does not mean that you are saved from all pollutants.
One should not expect zero adverse health effects from indoor pollutants with the installation of an air purifier. The evidence is weak that air-cleaning devices are effective in reducing asthma symptoms associated with small airborne particles. These methods can be considered as preventive, as they help to reduce the effects of indoor air pollutants which can cause symptoms. The efficiency of the device will also diminish if it is not maintained by changing the filter or cleaning the electrostatic collection plates.
To reduce indoor air pollution, ensure a flow of fresh air. Eliminate the sources of contamination such as not smoking or using water-based paints, cleaning and drying damp areas where bacteria or fungi grow, and use a de-humidifier if needed. It also helps to wash your sheets and blankets regularly in hot water to kill dust mites, keep pets out of the bedroom and off fabric furniture, and to control pests
such as cockroaches by closing up cracks, sealing leaks and not leaving food out in the open.
Myth: Popping my ears is dangerous.
Fact: Popping your ears is rarely dangerous.
Pinch your nostrils closed and blow hard against them. If you cannot “pop” your ears, your Eustachian tubes are probably blocked by swelling of the lining. However, if you suddenly feel the pressure you have probably just opened the Eustachian tube and your middle ear pressure is equalised with ambient air pressure. This manoeuvre can be performed several times during the day to relieve the blocked Eustachian tubes. There is no danger of harming your ears with this technique, but if you are dizzy, you should see an ENT specialist. Flying in an airplane, scuba diving, or diving should be avoided if there is Eustachian tube blockage, as landing may result in severe pain in the ears. If you must fly, take nasal spray (two sprays in each nostril) and decongestant pill one hour before landing to relieve the pressure in your ears.
Myth: I need to clean my ears regularly, only cotton swabs, hair clips and little pinkies work.
Fact: There is an old saying that you shouldn’t place anything smaller than your elbow in your ear.
Many people think that ears must be cleaned like our bodies to keep them healthy. But do you know that they can actually clean themselves? The ear wax (cerumen) moves outwards and acts as a protector of the delicate eardrum. Many times, prodding, poking, or picking your ear pushes the wax deeper, causing blockage and potential temporary
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27HealthNews
GetGorgeous
hearing loss or even accidental puncture of the eardrum. In serious cases, if itchy ears are often incorrectly relieved using cotton swabs, it will injure the hearing bones. This damage to the hearing bones can result in the need for emergency surgery. Repeated scratching can also cause damange and thickening of the delicate skin of your ear canals, similarly to the calluses on your skin. Cotton swabs can push the wax deeper back into the ear canal resulting in an accumulation of ear wax and this may even cause temporary hearing loss. Do not take matters into your own hands! Visit an ENT specialist to safely remove excessive wax build-up.
What does the colour of my mucus mean?
a. Orange/Red/Reddish BrownIt is usually a sign of blood. The presence of blood is not necessarily a cause for alarm. It can be caused when the sinuses become inflamed and begin to bleed. It can also occur because of a sore in the nose.
b. YellowThis can mean that you have a viral or a sinus infection. Light or bright yellow mucus typically means that your body is fighting off something, most likely a cold. Dark yellow phlegm could mean bronchitis or another type of infection in the chest. The best cure is your body’s own defence mechanisms or natural immunity, visiting a doctor at this point may not be necessary.
c. WhiteIt typically comes from eating and drinking dairy products. Fat in dairy products can make the mucus thicker and stickier. If you have a cold or sinus infection, refraining from dairy products can help to ease congestion and difficult breathing if your body is producing thick or white mucus. Otherwise, the presence of white mucus alone is no cause for alarm and is considered normal.
d. GreenThis signifies a bacterial or fungal infection. The green colour is produced by a type of white blood cell that responds to infections and inflammations. When the white blood cells die, they burst and release a green pigment. When your sinuses become inflamed, they
swell. This causes mucus to become trapped in your nasal passages. Over time bacteria and fungi can begin to grow in the mucus. This is when you might need antibiotics.
e. BrownIt is typically associated with smokers. The mucus is mixed with particles from the cigarettes. Smoking can also irritate nasal passages leading to slight bleeding. The blood and cigarette bits mixed with mucus gives it a brown colour. Coughing up brown or red phlegm can also be caused by smoking. Smoking less can ease the production of brown mucus and phlegm. Inhaling dust and dirt can also give mucus a brown tinge.
f. Black/grey Dark coloured mucus generally happens from inhaling pollutants in the air. The job of the mucus is to trap dirt or other particles and prevent them from getting further into the body. If there is ash, dirt, dust, smoke, or similar substances in the air, the mucus in your body traps it. Black or grey mucus happens often in the city because of air pollution.
g. Clear (Ideal Mucus Colour)Normal mucus is a clear colour and thick, viscous liquid similar to the texture of glue. You probably don’t have any infection or virus if your snot is still clear. As long as your body is not producing too much or too little mucus, and as long your mucus is the right texture, you should be in good health snot-wise. HN
Myth: I need to swallow rice and/or drink vinegar to dislodge the fish bone that is stuck in my throat. If it is still there, I should use my fingers to induce vomiting to remove the bone.
Fact: Keep swallowing saliva.
The discomfort of a bone stuck in the throat is actually caused by
the contraction of the throat muscles around the foreign body of the bone. Swallowing rice will scratch the surface of the throat and may cause bleeding. The person will feel throat irritation and may even feel like vomiting. Avoid coughing or straining your throat as it might push the bone further into the tissues. Moreover, do not induce vomiting as this may cause more damage to the digestive tract. Do not try to push or massage the throat externally with your hands as this too might cause more harm than good.
If swallowing saliva does not help to relieve the pain, it is necessary to seek professional help.
x
Source: Dr Stephen Lee, Specialist in Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery & Consultant, Raffles ENT CentreDr Steve Yang, Specialist in Respiratory Medicine & Consultant, Raffles Internal Medicine Centre
28 HealthNews
GetGorgeous
What is it?Have you ever lost the use of your voice, probably after a long period of coughing, a bad sore throat or after a party where you spoke for hours over loud noises and music? Fret not, you are not alone. Generally for most, our voice will be restored to normal within the next few days. However for some people, the problem may continue to persist which affects their ability to speak at ease.
The person may experience using more effort and strain in projecting and producing the voice, feel out of breath when talking or tightness and hoarseness in the throat. These symptoms may stay temporarily, such as during a cold or flu, or may persist over a longer period of time.
Losing one’s voice can be quite troubling since we need to communicate every day. Let’s see what Dr Aw Chong Yin, Specialist in Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery & Consultant, Raffles ENT Centre has to share about the most common factors that explain the phenomenon.
Why Have I Lost My Voice?Understanding The Causes of Voice Problems
DID YOU
KNOW?
On average, the vocal folds of
an adult male vibrate 120 times
per second, but this doubles in an
adult female. Imagine the vocal
vibration cycles it represents
when you talk for hours
in a stretch!
29HealthNews
GetGorgeous
DOs:• Drink frequent sips of water to
keep vocal tract hydrated.• Pay attention to how your voice
is feeling for the day. Rest your voice if possible when your throat feels sore, dry or tired.
• Avoid foods and drinks that may increase mucus secretion in the throat or promote acid reflux. Common problem-causing foods and drinks include spicy, oily or fried foods, chocolates and caffeinated or carbonated drinks.
DON’Ts:• Whisper - ‘Under-using’
your voice may cause muscle and strain tension in your voice box.
• Expose your voice to dry, dusty or polluted environment, which includes staying away from smoky places or smokers.
Emotions and stress• Our tone of voice expresses our emotions. When faced with extreme stress, negative emotions are
sometimes vented through shouting and other behaviours that may cause injury to the vocal folds.• Some people may react to stress by “holding back” and not expressing their emotions. This
indirectly causes a gradual increase of tension around the larynx. Thus, voice production can be impaired even in the absence of excessive voice use.
Lifestyle and vocal demand• People from certain professions place a heavier strain on
their vocal fold muscles. Intensive, long and loud singing or speaking will all take their toll.
• Insufficient hydration may cause less efficient vibration of the vocal folds and increase irritation in the throat.
• Smoking and polluted or noisy environment can also lead to excessive vocal irritation and strain of our vocal fold tissue.
Medical Reasons• Stomach acid reflux to the larynx
can cause irritation and swelling to the vocal fold tissue, thus affecting or changing the voice quality.
• Other medical disorders that affect the larynx or respiratory system may also cause voice problems.
Occupation Hazards• Professionals or workers (e.g. teachers, lawyers, presenters
etc) have the tendency of using excessive muscular effort to project their voice (e.g. speaking or singing).
• Leads to excessive tension in areas such as: the voice box (larynx), where the vocal folds are located.
• Improper or habitual breathing during speech may also reduce air supply needed to empower the voice.
• Inadequate vocal technique that causes vocal strain and fatigue.#1#3
#4#2
You should consult an ENT specialist if you experience a change in the voice or persistent hoarseness for more than two weeks. Immediate attention to voice changes can help facilitate early diagnosis and treatment to resolve voice problems. HN
What are some factors or causes of voice problems?
(according to research)493 in 2010
increasedfrom 180 in 2006 to
Number ofpatients with voice problems
Medical conditions that result in voice problems
• Reflux disease - flow of acid from the stomach into the oesophagus and even to throat
• Causes throat irritation• May result in intermittent or chronic
hoarseness • An infection which causes the swelling of
vocal folds• Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is the
most common cause of vocal cord infection• Vocal folds vibrate and move differently
when swollen which leads to the voice sounding hoarse
• Affects the voice and requires immediate medical attention
• Voice quality can deteriorate (e.g. raspy or hoarse) due to cancer and damange to the nerve supplying the vocal cords.
DID YOU
KNOW?
On average, the vocal folds of
an adult male vibrate 120 times
per second, but this doubles in an
adult female. Imagine the vocal
vibration cycles it represents
when you talk for hours
in a stretch!
Tips for Healthy Voice
30 HealthNews
GetGorgeous
SnoringA Health Threat in Disguise?
What Causes One to Snore?According to Dr Stephen Lee, Specialist in Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery & Consultant, Raffles ENT Centre, multiple factors actually cause it, including the narrowing or obstruction of the airway due to the swelling of the wall tissues as well as other nasal and soft palate problems.
Snoring and its Risks At times, snorers may face social problems but that is not the only issue. In serious cases, snoring can also pose a problem to our health. Research shows that snoring may increase one’s risk of cardiovascular disease such as Carotid Artery Disease (CAD), which is the narrowing or blocking of the carotid arteries which increases the risk of stroke. Dr Lee also expressed that habitual snorers can also be at risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), a clinical disorder marked by frequent pauses in breathing during sleep.
Can Snoring be Cured? There are two treatment options available for snorers: medical or surgical. Dr Lee said: “Oral medications such as ‘Clarinase’ and ‘Telfast D’ can help to reduce the obstruction of the nasal. In the case of prolonged apnoea (pauses in the breathing), a treatment called Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) may be used to help to deliver pressurised air via a nasal mask so as to prevent the airways collapsing during breathing out.”
As for surgical treatment of snoring, this may include nasal, palatal, jaw, tongue and neck surgery. The doctor will first locate the tissues contributing to the snoring before deciding on the right surgical procedure. Dr Lee said: “For instance, if the snoring is caused by extra tissue in the throat, a surgical procedure called Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) may be used to remove the excess tissue.” HN
Tips to Diminish the Risk of Snoring
• Reduce weight through exercise and diet if you are obese.
• Keep your alcohol and food consumption in check. Avoid eating heavy meals at night as the food will restrict the airway by pushing up on your diaphragm. Consuming alcohol before bedtime can also cause over relaxation of muscles and swelling of the airway tissues.
• Quit smoking as it can cause irritation and inflammation to the tissues of your upper airway which results in snoring.
• Avoid taking sleeping pills as some pills will cause the upper airway to relax, leading to snoring.
Snoring is a problem that affects many people around the world. It occurs when the tissues in the upper airway vibrate as you breathe during your sleep.
31HealthNews
GetGorgeous
Take My(Bad) Breath Away
Ever caught up in an awkward situation where you tried to strike up a conversation but was greeted by a foul breath odour? Well, that doesn’t sound pleasant, does it?
Meeting someone with bad breath or being plagued with bad breath can be a huge turnoff for most of us. Although it is not infectious, it does affect one’s self-esteem and confidence level.
However, one should not take it too hard as bad breath, which is also medically termed as halitosis, is known
to affect one in two people at some point of time in their lives. Defined as an unpleasant odour of the breath, halitosis is usually caused by an accumulation of bacteria in our mouths. We speak to Dr Shaun Quek San Oon, General Dental Surgeon, Raffles Dental, as he sheds light on the cause, diagnosis, prevention and treatments for bad breath.
32 HealthNews
GetGorgeous
Causes of Bad Breath
1Poor Dental HygieneWell, this is probably the main culprit for people with bad breath.
In fact, experts reckon that 90 per cent of bad breath cases are caused by bacteria accumulated from food particles that remain in the mouth.
“When bacteria in the mouth breaks down food, an odourous gas containing hydrogen sulfide and ammonia is released, resulting in bad breath,” said Dr Quek.
Bad breath often occurs in people with periodontal (gum) disease, when there is an unhealthy accumulation of plaque and calculus on the surfaces of teeth. Plaque is a sticky, whitish film of bacteria that can build up over teeth that are not cleaned regularly or properly. Calculus is a hard, rough calcified deposit of bacteria that forms over dental plaque that has not been removed for a considerable period of time: (two to three months). Both plaque and calculus have the tendency to cause many dental problems such as gingivitis (bleeding gums), loose teeth, and even tooth decay. Believe it or not, estimates have shown that about 80 per cent of Singaporeans actually suffer from gum disease!
TIP: “It’s not advisable to brush your teeth immediately after a meal, as the surface of the teeth is the weakest after food and drink intake. Brushing the teeth then would result in the wearing away of the enamel! Time is required (about 30 minutes) to allow the saliva to bring the acidity of the mouth back to normal,” shared Dr Quek.
2Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)Saliva plays an important role in keeping the acidity of the mouth
balanced. Not only does it moisten our mouth, it also has a cleansing effect in reducing the odour by washing away food particles and bacteria. Factors such as the use of certain medications, salivary gland problems or smoking can cause dry mouth. This in turn leads to dead cell build up in the mouth. When these cells start to rot, they release an unpleasant smell. And if you are wondering,whether our saliva has a role to play behind those morning breath - yes, you got that right, it does! The slowing down of saliva production when we sleep is the reason for that.
TIP: Try chewing on some sugar-free mints (xylitol-containing sweets are recommended) to increase salivation.
3Foods and DrinksIf you are a lover of onions and garlic, beware! These foods
contain high amounts of sulphur compounds. According to Dr Quek, when these are absorbed into the blood stream and carried to the lungs, the exhaled sulphur compounds will cause our breath to smell.
When it comes to the breakdown of proteinaceous food substances such as meat or fish, the bacteria in our mouth tend to emit a higher volume of smelly gases. Besides foods, drinks such as alcohol and coffee may cause bad breath as well.
TIP: Avoid foods such as onions, garlic and durians as they may cause your breath to smell. Using a mouth rinse after eating them may help in reducing the resulting stench.
4Medical ConditionsExisting medical conditions or illness make up about one-tenth
of all cases of halitosis. Infections or chronic inflammation in the nose, sinuses or throat can contribute to bad breath. Medications that cause a dry mouth or nose are also more likely to give you bad breath indirectly.
TIP: Consult your doctor about this. They may be able to provide alternative medications or products to reduce your bad breath.
5SmokingBesides the unpleasant smell of smoke, smoking also increases
the risk of smokers suffering from gum disease which is ultimately another source of bad breath.
TIP: Quit smoking, it’ll definitely help you to save money and the embarrassment from bad breath.
Diagnosis and treatment:If you suspect that you are suffering from bad breath, go to your dentist as the first point of help. In preparation for your appointment, one should refrain from eating, drinking and smoking for at least three hours.
Your dentist will first determine if your mouth is healthy through smelling your breath or by using a halimeter. It’s a device to measure the concentration of sulfur compounds in one’s mouth to diagnose halitosis. In order to identify where the odour comes from, an X-ray may be done together with throat swabs. Antiseptic mouth-rinse products may be prescribed by your dentist should you be diagnosed with bad breath. These products are effective in killing the germs that cause bad breath.However, if the results show that the odour is not of oral origin, you will be referred to a doctor for further examinations. HN
Diaphragm pulls downward,
helping lungs expand with
oxygen
Diaphragm returns upward, forcing lungs to expel carbon
dioxide
Oxygen intake
Carbon dioxide
Diaphragm
LungsINHALATION EXHALATION
ShapeUp
33HealthNews
OptimisationBreathing
Inhale. Exhale. Breathing is such a natural thing that we do throughout our every living moment that we do not consciously think about it. But when we do, we may realise that we are actually not maximising our lung capacity.
Breathing correctly benefits your health and allows you to tap on one of your body’s strongest self-healing mechanisms. We share with you what causes us to breathe wrongly and eight reasons why you should start taking deep breaths.
Why Does it Seem Unnatural?A common reason that deep breathing is unnatural to us could be due to the expectation of the society and culture that we are in, when we constantly feel the need to suppress strong emotions. What happens when you try to keep pain at bay or hold back your tears? You are unconsciously holding your breath or breathing irregularly.
Maintaining a certain attractive body image could prove a stumbling block to us too. Trying to hold your breath most of the time for the appearance of a washboard looking abs cause you to constrict your breathing muscles, gradually making shallow breathing feel normal.
Why Deep Breathing?Proper breathing, also known as abdominal or diaphragmatic breathing, is the act of breathing deeply with the air coming through your nose to fully fill
it and pressing against the abdominal organs to make room for your lungs to expand as they fill with air. As you breathe out, the diaphragm presses back upwards against your lungs, and this helps to expel carbon dioxide.
Shallow breathing hobbles the diaphragm’s range of motion. The lowest portion of the lungs, where many small blood vessels instrumental in carrying oxygen to cells reside, never gets a full share of oxygenated air. This can make you feel shortness of breath and anxiety.
your lungs, and you will notice that your lower belly rises. The ability to breathe deeply and powerfully is not just for the fortunate few. We are born with this skill but it often lies dormant.
According to Dr Steve Yang, Specialist in Respiratory Medicine & Consultant, Raffles Internal Medicine Centre, when you do deep breathing, you are engaging the diaphragm which is a strong sheet of muscle that divides the chest from the abdomen. As you breathe in, the diaphragm drops downwards, pulling your lungs with
ShapeUp
34 HealthNews
Below are top eight reasons why you should engage your diaphram when you breathe.
5Strengthens the Immune System
Oxygen travels through your bloodstream by attaching to the haemoglobin in your red blood cells. This in turn enriches your body to metabolise nutrients and vitamins.
6Tones Your Abs Muscles
During deep breathing, the movements of the diaphragm massage the stomach, small intestine, liver and pancreas. The upper movement of the diaphragm also massages the heart. This action of massaging improves circulation in the vital organs. Such controlled breathing also strengthens and tones your abdominal muscles.
7Relaxes the Mind and Body
When the brain is well oxygenated, it helps to reduce excessive anxiety, releases tension and brings about concentration.
8Relieves Pain You may not realise how breathing
is connected to how you think and feel. For example, when you anticipate pain you probably hold your breath. Yet studies show that controlled breathing can help to ease pain.
1Encourages Full Oxygen Exchange
Deep abdominal breathing promotes the beneficial exchange of incoming oxygen for outgoing carbon dioxide.
2Strengthens the Lungs
As we age, our lungs tend to lose their elasticity, along with changes to our tissue, muscles and bones. All these can cause us to breathe less deeply. Practising deep breathing is a good insurance against respiratory problems such as pneumonia and other lung infections.
3Makes the Heart Stronger
Your breathing rate is directly related to your heart rate. You can modulate your heart rate by controlling your breathing. Deep breathing slows the heartbeat, which means your heart does not need to work so hard, and can lower or stabilise blood pressure.
4DetoxifiesandReleases Toxins
Carbon dioxide is a natural waste product of our body’s metabolism. Our body is designed to release 70 per cent of its toxins through breathing. Therefore, if you are not breathing effectively, you are likely not properly ridding your body of its toxins. This causes other organs in your body to work overtime which could eventually lead to illness.
Now, are you a chest or belly breather? Take this simple experiment tofindout.Step 1Situp right in a comfortable chair.
Step 2Place your right hand on your abdomen, just below your belly button, and your left on your chest.
Step 3Breathe normally through your nostril and observe which hand rises higher. If it’s your right hand, it means that you are using your abdomen to breathe and vice versa.
Let’s Practise Deep BreathingStep 1 Find a quiet place that you feel comfortable to sit or lie down. Begin by observing your breath.
Step 2Take a normal breath. Now put one hand on your abdomen, just below your belly button, try taking a slow, deep breath. The air coming in through your nose should move downwards into your lower belly. Let your abdomen expand fully.
Step 3Slowly breathe out through your mouth (or your nose, if that feels more natural). Alternate normal and deep breaths several times. Pay attention to how you feel when you inhale and exhale normally and when you breathe deeply.
Try practising diaphragmatic or deep breathing for several minutes. You can do this whether you are at home or at work. Feel your hand rise about an inch each time you inhale and fall about an inch each time you exhale. Your chest will rise slightly, too, in concert with your abdomen. Remember to relax your belly so that each inhalation expands it fully.
ShapeUp
35HealthNews
Therefore, when you engage in aerobic exercises such as cycling, swimming or running on a treadmill, proper breathing creates an awareness of the links between your mind and body, allowing you to gauge the effort of the exercise. Deep and proper breathing helps to provide a constant flow of oxygen supply to your body for the required action. By taking deep, diaphragmatic breaths and exhaling fully, the ability of your lungs to fully oxygenate the muscles and clear the body of carbon dioxide is increased.
Incorporate the proper breathing technique into the following aerobic exercise routine that uses an exercise ball. During the exercise, try paying more attention to your breathing. Synchronising breathing and movement allows you to better control your body and relax your mind.
When exerting yourself with activities that require lifting, pushing or pulling, always exhale on exertion. The correct breathing technique could help boost your respiratory health and at the same time add fun to your workout session. If you have a respiratory condition, do consult your doctor on whether you are fit to do these exercises before attempting the workout.
Get On Your F e e t
Seated Bouncesa) Start seated on the ball and place your feet hip width
apart. Keep your arms relaxed by your sides.
b) Begin with a bouncing motion. Then swing your arms to shoulder height and back in time with your bounces.
Increase difficulty:Start off your bouncing motion as before, this time swing the arms higher and add a clap as they come up to head height.
* Complete two sets of 15 repetitions.
According to Ms Nur Faradyna Putri Kamarudin, Physiotherapist, Raffles Physiotherapy Centre, exercises that consist of repetitive motion with a consistent rhythm demand a constant supply of oxygen to optimise performance.
a)
b)
c)
ShapeUp
36 HealthNews
Lunges with Arms
Alternate Side Steps
Jump Squats
a) Start with your feet together, knees slightly bent and the ball held in front of your abdomen.
b) Step your left foot back, keeping the front knee bent and at the same time punching the ball up overhead.
c) Step the left foot back in at the same time as you bring the ball back to the starting position.
d) Repeat on the right side and then continue alternating sides in a steady rhythmn.
* Complete two sets of 15 repetitions.
a) Start standing with your feet together and the ball held up above your head.
b) Step your right foot out to the side at the same time as circling your arms down to the left.
c) Step your left foot in so the feet are together again and complete the circle with the arms bringing them back up above your head.
Repeat steps b) and c) this time stepping your left foot out and circling the arms down to the right and up the left side. Step your right foot in so the feet are together again.
* Alternate from side to side for two sets of 12 repetitions.
a) Start standing with your feet together facing outwards and the ball held in front of you at chest height.
b) Jump your feet out wide and sit down into a squat, at the same time push the arms up so that the ball is overhead as you jump to a squat, holding for three counts.
On the fourth count, jump your feet back to your starting position and bring the ball back in to your chest.
Repeat, jumping out on the first count and in on the fourth.
* Complete two sets of 15 repetitions. HN
a)b)
a)b)
c)
a)
b)
37HealthNews
Made Me Smile
Ms Yee Earn HwaAssistantPharmacyManager,RafflesHospital
She is the walking encyclopedia when it comes to medications.
#MadeMeSmile is a Twitter tag that is used to sharing on what made you beam. It could be your experience with us and/or someone who made you smile during your visit. Share with us something that ‘made you smile today’. Simply follow us @RafflesMedGrp and share with us what #MadeMeSmile.
Tell me about your daily routine. A typical work day for me is usually busy, especially on Mondays as we need to clear any outstanding work. I will prepare medicines for the inpatient wards according to the inpatient medical record as ordered by our doctors. Besides that, I will also review the inpatient medical record for appropriate use of drugs and provide intervention advice when required. In addition, I counsel patients on how to take medicines before they get discharged and approve drug purchase for Raffles Hospital and Raffles Medical clinics.
1. Ensuring that the medications are of the right dosages.
2. Supervising her co-workers at work.
3. In the midst of packing the medications and bringing it over to the ward.
4.Giving advice to the patient on how to use the medications.
What do you love about your job?Many may think that we are part of the “back-end” of a hospital. However, what I love about my job is that I still have direct contact with patients when necessary to educate them on drug prescription and usage. I also enjoy interacting with healthcare providers, training and educating student interns and participating in various committees to ensure patient safety processes.
What motivates you to serve with a smile?Having the privilege to interact with patients and educate them to take medicines correctly so that they will recover from their illnesses quickly are reasons that motivate me in this job. By serving with a smile, I hope to bring some happiness to the patients and their family. Even though a smile may not reduce their pain or improve their conditions physically, it helps to comfort them mentally. For me, an appreciative smile from a patient is what it takes to keep me going. Hence, I hope my smile can work its magic on my patients as well.
Delivering Happy Pills
38 HealthNews
Ask The Experts
Dr Aw Chong YinSpecialist in Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery & ConsultantRaffles ENT Centre
Dr Stephen LeeSpecialist in Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery & ConsultantRaffles ENT Centre
Q1
Q2
My daughter, who is in her late teens, groans at night when she sleeps. It sounds like a pig grunting and will last for about a minute or two each time. It does not look like she is gasping for air or in any discomfort. She does not recall it and it does not seem to affect her daily routine. This has been recurring almost every night. We are concerned.
I am a 63-year-old male and I have been troubled by a lot of hard and dry mucus forming in my nose since young. Are there any specific causes for this condition and how can I treat it?
This problem is possibly due to the airway being partially obstructed during these episodes. The grunting suggests narrowing of the upper airways consisting of the nasal passages, the palate and the space behind the tongue.
If this is the case and the airway is indeed obstructed, then there will be inadequate intake of air and hence oxygen into the blood stream. Although there may not be any obvious effects of the lowered levels of oxygen in the short term, the continuation of this situation will eventually lead to tiredness, poor concentration and other long-term problems.
It is best to consult an ENT specialist to check the airways and if needed, arrange for sleep tests to exclude or confirm this sleep disorder. If this is confirmed, the exact treatment will depend on the location of the blockage and severity of the condition.
You probably have sinusitis in view of the long-standing nasal discharge. Sinusitis is the result of inflammation or swelling of the lining of the sinuses, caused by a viral or bacterial infection. These sinuses are small, air-filled cavities behind our facial bones which connect to the nasal passages through small openings. The lining of these sinuses produces mucus to cleanse the nasal passages. Humans are prone to sinusitis as their drainage is poor and the nasal passages are frequently exposed to environmental challenges like virus, bacteria, allergens and dust.
A visit to an ENT doctor is recommended if you think you are suffering from sinusitis. The doctor will assess the condition through an endoscopy or possibly a CT sinus scan. The subsequent treatment of sinusitis may involve medicine like oral antibiotics, anti-histamines and nasal sprays. If conservative measures fail or if the patient has significant structural obstruction blocking the sinuses, then surgery becomes the treatment of choice for a more permanent solution.
39HealthNews
Social Media
An initiative by Raffles to bring our social media fans closer to us, #AskRMG is a monthly online chat session between our Facebook and Twitter followers and our Specialist of the month. Every last Wednesday of the month, you can log on to Facebook or Twitter to pose questions you have to our specialist for a unique LIVE consultation with our specialist. The best question gets to win shopping vouchers.
October: Dr Lim Yeow Wai, Specialist in Orthopaedic and Consultant, Raffles Orthopaedic Centre November: Dr Fong Yan Kit, Specialist in Urology and Consultant, Raffles Urology CentreDecember: Dr Sarah Sinaram, Senior Dietitian, Raffles Diabetes & Endocrine Centre
Connect with us for the latest health tips. Here’s what you have missed…
Accidents do happen in every home, from minor cuts and grazes, major falls and burns. Can you soothe a burn with toothpaste? Is rubbing a hard-boiled egg over a bruise a good home remedy? Should you place your fingers in the throat to induce vomiting. What should we do in these emergencies? And do we have a well-stocked first aid kit such that we will be able to respond quickly and treat these minor injuries?
Exams can be a stressful time for both parents and their children. As the exam season draws near, we share with you useful tips to help combat exam stress. Do you find your kids throwing tantrums or behaving differently from their usual self when exams are just around the corner? Do pig brain soup, chocolates and coffee help to boost the brain function and alertness? What relaxation exercises can be taught to help a child relieve stress?
Beat sleepless nights and get quality shuteye tonight with these 10 tips.
Keep calm and walk on. Have you walked today?#exercise #fitness #livewell
Find out the benefits of these popular herbal teas or “liang teh”. Share the wonders of these refreshing drinks!
Subscribe to us at www.youtube.com/raffleshospital
Watch to find out what should be in your first aid kit and learn useful first aid tips.
Watch to better prepare yourself and your children for the next exam.
With the increasing knowledge and innovation-based economy in Singapore, your employees are the most valuable resource to achieve your business potential. At Raffles Health Insurance, a fully owned
subsidiary of Raffles Medical Group, we are able to provide fully integrated, seamless healthcare services and insurance protection tailored to suit your employees’ needs.
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Email [email protected] or call us at 6298 2266 to begin the journey of safeguarding your employees’ health and be assured with peace of mind.
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