Health & Living
Episodes
Doctor in the House: Why We Need Continuous Genomic Surveillance of COVID-19 Variants
18 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Medical experts have been talking about COVID-19 variants and the importance of genomic surveillance, but what exactly does that involve? With variant...
Ask A Doctor: About Your Poo
17 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We are back for our monthly open clinic segment, where we get our doctors to address your health concerns. Consultant gastroenterologist and hep...
Healthy Ageing: Assistive Technology for the Elderly
16 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Many of us are familiar with the story of trying to convince older family members to familiarise themselves with devices like smartphones or smart wat...
Why You’ve Been Feeling ‘Blah’ Throughout the Pandemic
15 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Have you been going through the motions of work, friendships and family life in recent months, while feeling “blah”? According to a sociol...
As Malaysia Ages, How Do We Protect Older Adults?
14 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Malaysia is an ageing nation, which means that by 2030, 15 per cent of our population will be above the age of 65. Will they be healthy and fit, or bu...
Doctor in the House: A Better Understanding of Psoriasis
11 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Psoriasis is often seen as just a “cosmetic” problem, although there is a lot more going on beneath the surface of the skin. What’s ...
Brain Waves: The Human Genome Project - 20 Years Later
10 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
2021 marks twenty years since the first sequencing of the human genome was published back in February 2001. In the past two decades, the Human Genome ...
Public Health: MCO 3.0 – What Next?
09 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Malaysia has entered a full lockdown under MCO 3.0, amid record numbers of COVID-19 cases, deaths and ICU admissions. What is the exit strategy to ens...
How To Spot Mental Health Issues In Senior Citizens
08 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re over 60, or if you’re caring for an elderly family member, you’re no stranger to health issues like diabetes or hear...
Doctor in the House: Anti Tobacco Efforts Up in Smoke During the Pandemic?
04 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Has the smoking ban in eateries been sufficiently enforced during the pandemic? Should we take the pandemic as an opportunity to ban smoking in all pu...
Which COVID-19 Vaccine is Safe For Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women?
03 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Last week, the Special Committee for Ensuring Access to COVID-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV) confirmed which COVID-19 vaccines are suitable for pregnancy a...
H&L Webinar 2021 #2: Raising Digital Natives
02 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Are your kids on their devices 24/7? Are you aware of TikTok, Snapchat, and all the apps they’re on? With kids spending more time on their gadge...
Living with Endometriosis: Tackling Taboos About Menstrual Health
01 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For many women, dealing with menstrual cramps and the pain that comes with it is all too familiar, and they might even be used to it happening every m...
Could My Child Have Hypertension?
31 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Many of us would associate hypertension with adults, but it is a condition that can also affect children, and that could be worrying for parents. But ...
Doctor in the House: It’s Okay To Get Treated For Depression
28 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today, there is better acceptance and understanding of depression as a mental health condition. But people with depression still face a challenging jo...
COVID-19 Variants Detected in Malaysia: What Does It Mean?
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
There has been a lot of talk about variants of concern when it comes to COVID-19, especially with the surge of cases in India being linked to the B.1....
COVID-19 Variants Detected in Malaysia: What Does It Mean?
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
There has been a lot of talk about variants of concern when it comes to COVID-19, especially with the surge of cases in India being linked to the B.1....
What Are Children Reading In Books? (And How To Talk To Them About It)
27 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In March, it was reported that six Dr Seuss books will cease publication because of racist themes in them. What should parents do when children come a...
Dangers of Severe Hypertension
25 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
One-third of Malaysians have hypertension – that means one in three of us is walking around at risk of a heart attack, stroke or kidney dis...
Ethics in Health & Medicine: Why It Matters
24 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Is it alright for a doctor to have a romantic relationship with a patient? What if your doctor or hospital insists on giving you a treatment that you ...
Doctor in the House: Inflammatory Bowel Disease – Not Just Any Digestive Disease
21 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When you experience frequent bloatedness, wind, constipation or diarrhoea, you’ll probably shrug them off. But these are the same symptoms often...
Ask A Doctor: Childhood Fevers
20 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We are back for our monthly open clinic segment, where we get our doctors to address your health concerns. Consultant paediatrician Dr Sanjay Woodhull...
Can Artificial Intelligence Improve Diagnosis of Diseases?
19 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine a computer being able to diagnose cancer better than a team of doctors. That was the promise of artificial intelligence – that it would ...
Mind Matters: What Happens When Children Are Threatened and Bullied?
18 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After 17-year-old Ain Husniza Saiful Nizam started the #MakeSchoolASaferPlace movement, she received rape threats, lewd comments and harsh criticisms....
The Link Between Weight and Musculoskeletal Problems
17 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Your musculoskeletal system bears the weight of your body. So if you’re carrying excess body weight, there are effects on your bones, joints, an...
The Link Between Weight and Musculoskeletal Problems
17 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Your musculoskeletal system bears the weight of your body. So if you’re carrying excess body weight, there are effects on your bones, joints, an...
Public Health: Is Personalised Cancer Treatment A Reality?
12 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The idea that you can provide personalised medicine – i.e. tailoring treatment approaches to patients’ individual risks and needs – ...
Spending Too Much Time On Your Phone? It Could Cause Text Neck
11 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The numbers vary, but it is estimated that we spend anywhere between two and four hours a day hunched over our phones. If you feel your head tipping f...
Spending Too Much Time On Your Phone? It Could Cause Text Neck
11 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The numbers vary, but it is estimated that we spend anywhere between two and four hours a day hunched over our phones. If you feel your head tipping f...
Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Among Seniors
10 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you are above 60, or have an elderly parent, you’re probably familiar with going for annual health checkups. But when was the last annual vac...
Doctor in the House: The Ongoing Battle To Build Trust in COVID-19 Vaccines
07 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With certain COVID-19 vaccine candidates hitting hurdles before they’re even introduced into Malaysia’s National COVID-19 Immunisation Pro...
Ask A Psychologist #14: Mental Health Clinic (Fear)
06 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We return with our monthly mental health clinic with consultant clinical psychologist Paul Jambunathan. In this segment, we address your concerns rega...
World Hand Hygiene Day: The Man Who Championed Hand Hygiene
05 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Once, hospitals were among the most dangerous places to be in. Patients lost their lives due to infections acquired in hospitals. Then an infectious d...
H&L Webinar 2021 #1: Tired Of Being Vigilant? Getting Over COVID Fatigue
05 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began last year, we have changed many of our behaviours to help prevent transmission of the virus. But in the second year ...
How Your Spine Ages
04 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The spine is a marvel of human anatomy. It ensures both flexibility, as well as stability, to a person’s body. But it’s not immune to the ...
Yes, It’s Okay To Talk To Teens About Sex
03 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Family doctors get a unique glimpse into the lives of families in our community. This means that they get to observe the hidden challenges and needs o...
Doctor in the House: Can Data Help Fight the Next Pandemic?
30 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the biggest advantage we have in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic? The obvious answer may be vaccines, but in fact, data is the be...
Be Fit Malaysians: Should I See A Chiropractor or an Orthopaedic Surgeon?
28 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re someone who’s generally active and involved in sports, who would you see if you have back or neck issues: a chiropractor or an o...
Preventing Cardiac Catastrophe
27 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Heart attack is the most common cause of death in Malaysia. How do we recognise when a heart attack happens, and how do we prevent a catastrophic even...
Vaccines and Infectious Diseases: Learning From History
26 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The world is in the grip of a pandemic that’s been described as “unprecedented”. But infectious diseases are not new in the history ...
Doctor in the House: Is Cancer Care Too Fragmented in Malaysia?
23 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Fragmented cancer care - where patients have to go to different institutions for different aspects of cancer care - can significantly impact pat...
Will My Child with Autism Be Accepted in Preschools?
22 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
For children with autism, inclusive learning starts in the formative years, so that they are given equal opportunities to learn, play and develop thei...
Healthy Ageing: Helping Dementia Patients Through Music
21 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Music has the ability to evoke memories and emotions, especially if we’ve associated a significant memory to a song. So how can we use that conn...
Mind Matters: Mothers Struggling With Depression
20 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Just like any major upheaval in life, having a baby comes with enormous challenges and can lead to a great deal of stress. Mental health problems are ...
What Should I Eat For A Healthy Gut?
19 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
From taking probiotics to consuming more fermented foods, or going on the latest trending diets, we are seeing more people interested in improving the...
Doctor in the House: International Pompe Day
16 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Pompe disease is a rare, inherited disorder that causes permanent muscle damage in children and adults. It occurs in about one in every 40,000 people,...
Ask A Doctor: Allergies (Part 3)
15 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We are back for our monthly open clinic segment, where we get our doctors to address your health concerns. Following his highly popular appearance las...
Public Health: Should Malaysia Use Sin Taxes for Health Funding?
14 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
RM30.6 billion – that’s the amount that the Malaysian government collected from excise taxes on cigarettes, tobacco products and alcohol, ...
Brain Waves: Genes Under Stress
13 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Stress seems like an inevitable part of everyday life, especially as an adult. But what if experiencing early life stress, including childhood trauma,...
Are Vaccine Passports A Good Idea?
12 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As the COVID-19 vaccines start getting into the arms of the general population, there is a lot of anticipation about the possibility of international ...
Doctor in the House: Tracking COVID-19 Variants In Malaysia
09 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Ministry of Health has reported several local COVID-19 cases involving a more contagious variant that was first detected in South Africa. Not only...
101 on COVID-19 Immunity
08 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How long does COVID-19 immunity from vaccines last? Will we need booster shots? Why do some people contract COVID-19 twice? Infectious diseases physic...
World Health Day 2021: Surviving the Pandemic
07 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Healthcare workers have been battling at the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic for more than a year, donning restrictive PPEs, and worrying about th...
(Pain in Your) Hips Don’t Lie
06 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A twinge in your groin or hip when you stand up, some stiffness down your thighs or buttocks, or pain as you settle your weight on one hip – the...
Ask A Psychologist #13: Mental Health Clinic (Sadness)
05 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We return with our monthly mental health clinic with consultant clinical psychologist Paul Jambunathan. In this segment, we address your concerns rega...
Doctor in the House: World Autism Awareness Day 2021 - Inclusion in the Workplace
02 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The COVID-19 pandemic has not been easy for people living with autism and their families. This World Autism Awareness Day, we speak to Hafiz Izzuddin ...
AI and Digital Technologies in Healthcare
01 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Artificial intelligence and digital technologies are attractive buzzwords in healthcare today. The current hype is preceded by decades of work in usin...
The Pressure to Prevent Glaucoma
31 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The ophthalmologists say that increasing awareness about glaucoma is a lifelong battle for them. It’s no wonder, considering that glaucoma is th...
Entering Phase 2 of COVID-19 Vaccination: Who’s Eligible?
30 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
April marks the 2nd phase of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme. While it has been reported that this phase covers the elderly and those wit...
Entering Phase 2 of COVID-19 Vaccination: Who’s Eligible?
30 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
April marks the 2nd phase of the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme. While it has been reported that this phase covers the elderly and those wit...
Are Mothers At A Breaking Point Because of COVID-19?
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Work-life balance has not come easy for many parents, as they had to learn how to juggle family and work responsibilities from home. But in a househol...
Doctor in the House: Prostate Cancer in a (Wal)Nut Shell
26 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr George Lee returns to discuss the latest medical news. Expect deep insights delivered with generous humour. There is a belief that if you are diagn...
Raising Children Who Give Back to Society
25 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Children today live in a materially-driven world. How do we raise them to embrace volunteerism or charity, and nurture the spirit of giving back to so...
Be Fit Malaysians: Tired of Being Fatigued
24 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s normal to feel sore and tired after a good workout, but at what point is it not normal to continuously feel tired? If not properly addresse...
The COVID-19 Infodemic - Are We Doing Enough to Tackle Misinformation?
23 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Technology, social media and messaging apps have played an incredibly crucial role in keeping all of us connected and updated throughout the COVID-19 ...
Don’t Neglect Women in Perimenopause
22 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We pay a lot of attention to the changes that happen to a woman after menopause (rightly so), but the experience of perimenopause is often neglected. ...
Doctor in the House: Managing Multiple Myeloma
19 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr George Lee returns to discuss the latest medical news. Expect deep insights delivered with generous humour. Our bone marrow plays an important role...
Ask A Doctor: Allergies (Part 2)
18 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We are back for our monthly open clinic segment, where we get our doctors to address your health concerns. On today’s show, consultant allergist...
Healthy Ageing: Let’s Get Our Seniors Registered For The COVID-19 Vaccine
17 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve talked about why it’s important for our elderly to get the COVID-19 vaccine - which is to prevent them from getting the disease, esp...
Mind Matters: Suicide Among Young People
16 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Suicide is the leading cause of death among young people in Malaysia, at great social and economic cost to the country. What drives youths to attempt ...
Pregnant & Breastfeeding - Should I Get The COVID-19 Vaccine?
15 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you’re probably wondering if it’s safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine. We speak to two consultant ...
Doctor in the House: What If Private Hospitals Bought Their Own COVID Vaccines?
12 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Three weeks into the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme, private hospitals are now calling for the government to allow them to procure their own...
World Kidney Day 2021: Living Well with Kidney Disease
11 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Living with kidney disease is extremely challenging. The treatment and lifestyle changes that are required for the management of kidney disease can be...
Public Health: Female Circumcision Has No Place in Healthcare
10 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
On this Public Health episode, we explore female circumcision – more accurately referred to as female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) &nda...
We Need to Talk About Ventilation and COVID-19
09 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve been doing a lot of sanitising and disinfecting throughout the pandemic, be it common areas, high-touch surfaces, or even our groceries. B...
What to Expect During A High-Risk Pregnancy
08 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re expecting a baby, pregnancy is an exciting and wonderful journey. But it is also normal to experience some uncertainty and anxie...
Doctor in the House: It’s Time To Talk About Kidney Transplants
05 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr George Lee returns to discuss the latest medical news. Expect deep insights delivered with generous humour. According to the Ministry of Health, it...
Brain Waves: Angelman Syndrome
04 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In conjunction with World Rare Disease Day, which fell on 28th February, we will be spotlighting Angelman Syndrome, which is a rare genetic disorder. ...
Ask A Psychologist #12: Mental Health Clinic (Happiness)
03 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We return with our monthly mental health clinic with consultant clinical psychologist Paul Jambunathan. In this segment, we address your concerns rega...
Being A More Efficient Runner
02 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Running is one of the most energy-intensive forms of exercise that can burn through your calories. Most runners train constantly with the aim of impro...
Being A More Efficient Runner
02 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Running is one of the most energy-intensive forms of exercise that can burn through your calories. Most runners train constantly with the aim of impro...
The Missing Uterus
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser or MRKH syndrome is a rare disorder that affects women. It affects their reproductive system and results in a miss...
Doctor in the House: 101 on COVID-19 Vaccines
26 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr George Lee returns to discuss the latest medical news. Expect deep insights delivered with generous humour. Almost every day, the media has been re...
How Do I Get My Kids To Sleep?
25 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With schools closed, and daily routines disrupted, children’s bedtimes have gone out the window. Part of the problem may also be the increased u...
How Can We Safely Reopen Schools?
24 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Schools are set to reopen in stages beginning 1st March with preschoolers, Standard 1, and Standard 2 students, while SPM students continue taking the...
Public Health Series: One Year On, How Perikatan Nasional Has Been Handling COVID-19
23 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A year ago, the infamous Langkah Sheraton took place, which eventually led to the Perikatan Nasional government taking over. Arguably, the biggest cha...
Supporting Cancer Patients
22 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Last year, the National Cancer Council Malaysia (MAKNA) was one of the recipients of the Merdeka Award under the Education & Community category. W...
How Will Malaysia Roll Out its COVID-19 Vaccination?
19 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
All eyes are on the arrival of the first batch of the COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech next week. What happens when the vaccines arrive, and wha...
Ask A Doctor: COVID-19 Vaccination
18 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With the first batch of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccines arriving by end February, you may be wondering if they're safe for you and your family members. Dat...
Healthy Ageing: Road Safety for Senior Drivers
17 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In Malaysia, having a car and being able to drive is a symbol of independence, regardless of age. But for the older population, ageing could result in...
Mind Matters: COVID-19 Is Crushing Students and Teachers
16 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s children and young people will be the “lost generation” of this COVID-19 pandemic. Not only have they lost at least a year o...
Mind Matters: COVID-19 Is Crushing Students and Teachers
16 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s children and young people will be the “lost generation” of this COVID-19 pandemic. Not only have they lost at least a year o...
This Pandemic Will End But Are We Prepared for the Next One?
15 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve been warned that pandemics like COVID-19 will become more common, and each one possibly worse than before. But what might the next pandemi...
Urinary Incontinence: Why Are You Leaking?
10 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when you’re unable to control your urine? Such a basic and necessary function can lead to many complications in your daily lives. A...
Why Love Matters
10 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As we celebrate the love that is all around this month, consultant clinical psychologist Paul Jambunathan joins us to discuss the role that love plays...
Vaccine Nationalism - No One Is Safe Until All Of Us Are Safe
09 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Last month, the Selangor government announced that it intends to purchase 5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for people living in the state. Sign...
Do People Trust the COVID-19 Vaccines?
08 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Throughout the pandemic in 2020, the promise of a COVID-19 vaccine gave hope to people that there would be an end in sight to this crisis. Now that se...
Doctor in the House: Why Does Road Rage Happen?
05 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr George Lee returns to discuss the latest medical news. Expect deep insights delivered with generous humour. Research in Malaysia has found that not...
The Cost of Infertility
04 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Fertility treatments offer a lifeline to couples who aren’t able to or are struggling to conceive naturally, but they come at a cost. Procedures...
Do You Have A Trapped Nerve?
03 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Working from home has resulted in a range of aches and pains. When are these problems related to nerve entrapment, and how do we treat it? Consultant ...