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It can be really handy to have some common over-the-counter (OTC) medicines around especially when you are on holiday abroad. There is no one-size-fits-all list for a travel medicines kit, however, here are some pointers to help you organize a medicines kit for your next travel.   How is your personal health? Current medications: Are you on any long-term prescription medications (such as for high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, heart…

  Q: When do babies start teething? What are the symptoms? A: On average, children begin teething around 4 to 7 months. The common symptoms include mild irritability, fever, drooling, and an urge to chew. Q: What is the FDA warning about? A: FDA warns the use of teething gel contains Benzocaine. Benzocaine is a local anesthetic which may cause a life threatening condition called methemoglobinemia (reduce of oxygen carried…

The recent viral photo of Malaysia’s new prime minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir having a meal with his wife Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah, has sparked a local craze over Berocca™, causing it to be sold out in most major retail pharmacies. Netizens spotted and identified the supplement lying on the dining table in this photo to be Berocca (circled in red).   This sparked huge interest in Berocca probably because of…

Life was a lot less complicated back then when apple and blackberry were fruits. Life was also much simpler back in the days, when drinking milk meant…..drinking cow’s milk. Instead of having only cow’s milk, we now have so many different types of milk that I personally find it difficult to decide which one to drink! So I set myself the task to demystify one of the “most pressing” issues…

It was about half a year ago when dad underwent a minor surgery. He was 68 years of age and his eyesight was not all good anymore. Fortunately, the problem was not a big one. Like most elderly, cataract plagued his eyes. Cataract occurs when the lens within the eye becomes cloudy thereby obstructing vision and cause the appearance of flares under bright light. Cataracts develop because of aging, and…

Some of us love a challenge to scale high terrains while others just simply enjoy the view of the calm majesty of nature’s finest creations; the mountains! However, confronting high altitude is not easy. Not only does one need to have the strength and stamina to mount the steep slopes, one may also have to deal with altitude sickness.   What is altitude sickness? Travelling to places of high altitudes…

A runny and/or blocked nose can be very irritating. Even more so when it is a chronic (long term) problem. Many of us may suffer from occasional cold or nasal allergies from time to time. Some people suffer from seasonal or chronic allergies. So, what do we usually treat these problems with? A topical nasal decongestant.    Topical? As the name implies, this group of medicines clears up congestion within…

What is pancreatic cancer? Pancreatic cancers are cancers of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ that is located behind the stomach and in front our spine. It is responsible for producing hormones (such as insulin and glucagon) which control sugar levels in our blood. When certain pancreatic cells turn into cancerous cells, it affects the function of the pancreas in regulating our hormone and blood sugar. Thus, some of…

Myth 1: Pineapples will cause miscarriages and induce labour! Fact: Pineapples DO NOT induce miscarriages, labour or even uterine contractions. Although pineapple extracts (extracts mean only the active components are present) do cause contractions when directly exposed to uterine cells in a test tube, the effect on the female reproductive system is insignificant even if you eat or drink loads of pineapple juice. The myths about oxytocin content in pineapples…

  Finding your sleep disturbed at night because you have to wake up several times to pee? Turns out, you’re not alone. Well, not least if your spouse’s sleep is also affected by your nightly bathroom visits. Kudos to all the ever so tolerant partners who quietly put up with the squeaking from the other side of the bed and worst still, a toilet flush! Night urination (or medically known…