General Health

Sleep is an important component of good health. Obtaining sufficient good quality sleep every night is critical for proper mental and physical functions as well as general well-being. The lack of sleep can even cause weight gain! In infants, children and teens, sleep also plays a pivotal role in supporting growth and development. The recommendation by the National Sleep Foundation pertaining to the sleep duration for various age groups is…

Recently, many bullying cases have surfaced locally. It is a common knowledge that bullying can have lasting psychological impacts on children, even when they grow into adults. However, a recent study further revealed more insidious negative effects caused by bullying     Risk of Substance Abuse  The study was conducted on students who were in fifth grade (equivalent to Standard 5 where students are about 11 years of age) and followed…

There are thousands of surgeries and procedures going on daily all over the world. From minor to major surgeries, they all carry potential risks and benefits. It is of utmost importance that patients understand what they are about to go through before deciding to take the risk. Even though patients may have many burning questions they would like to ask their doctor or surgeon about the surgery, they might not…

We all know that sleep plays an extremely important role in ensuring our physical and mental health, allowing us to achieve maximum productivity. Unfortunately, insomnia is a problem that affects all of us at some point or other in our lives. It is by far the most common sleep complaint, with an estimate of 34% of adults having difficulty sleeping. Insomnia can be classified as transient (lasting only a few…

According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) in 2011, about one third of Malaysians older than 18 years of age have high blood pressure. This is a staggering figure! Even more confusing is that we often hear advices from various sources claiming to help reduce blood pressure. But what are the scientifically proven lifestyle changes that lower  blood pressure?   Lifestyle and blood pressure. The missing link? Many…

Recently, a student’s lament on not being able to secure a place in the pharmacy course in a public university went viral overnight. While we sincerely sympathize with his frustration, we also hope to dispel the misunderstandings some may have towards the Pharmacy course and also the Pharmacy profession. Contrary to common belief, the course itself is not easy. We would not like to make any comparisons to other courses…

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition where the stomach acid flows back up to the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat to stomach) due to an incompetent esophageal sphincter and/or increased gastric acid production. This will result in: a burning sensation in your chest (commonly known as heart burn) an unpleasant sour taste of acid in your mouth bloating injury to the esophagus leading to pain and difficulty…

Sunburn is no stranger to people living in South-East Asia. It happens when skin gets burned by ultraviolet (UV) light which is invisible to the human eye. The sun is the main source of UV light and by being under the sun for too long, it burns the skin. Sunburn can also occur on a cloudy day. That is because UV light penetrates clouds, unlike visible light.    Complications associated…

It is with little doubt that stress is one of those things we dread having but often follows us around like a faithful dog. If you feel stressed now or at some point in your life, remember this: You’re not alone! According to a global survey carried out by the corporate consultancy Regus Group, stress levels are rising among the major global economies, with 6 out of 10 workers in…

Beta-thalassemia is a genetic disease of the red blood cells. Patients with this disease are unable to produce fully functioning red blood cells and hence have severe anemia that require regular blood transfusions. Beta-thalassemia is endemic (common in a certain area) in Malaysia and is the most common inherited blood disorder. It is estimated that 120-350 babies are born with thalassemia major every year and the total number of patients…