Health & Living

Health & Living Jr 2018 Part 4 of 4: Gadgets and Relationships

28 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

A Health and Morbidity Survey conducted last year showed that 34.9 per cent of Malaysian children between the ages of 13 and 17 show a prevalence towa...

Health & Living Jr 2018 Part 3 of 4: To Vaccinate or Not

27 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

According to the Health Ministry, the MMR immunisation coverage dropped to 92 per cent in 2017. We need more than 95 per cent coverage to provide herd...

Health & Living Jr 2018 Part 2 of 4: Children’s eyesight

26 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Association of Optometrists of the UK recently revealed that children are developing permanent problems with their vision because they are not bei...

Health & Living Jr 2018 Part 1 of 4: Why is my child struggling in school?

24 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The education system in Malaysia can be quite demanding on the kids, even from as early as preschool, but does it cater to those with learning difficu...

How Government Hospitals Are Held Liable for Medical Negligence

21 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Several cases of medical negligence made the news this year, among them a case involving Hospital Kuala Lumpur. We look at patients’ rights with...

Extreme Health Part 4 of 4: Bad sleep, bad diet, bad heart

20 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Sleep deprivation can mean a lot more than a bad night’s sleep. A poor diet can lead to weight gain, which can cause sleep apnoea. We examine h...

Extreme Health Part 3 of 4: Cholesterol chaos

19 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

A high-cholesterol diet can wreak havoc on more than just your heart – it can also affect your legs, neck and kidneys, among others. We discuss ...

Extreme Health Part 2 of 4: Lung cancer in non-smokers

18 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Cigarette smoking remains a major risk factor for lung cancer, but increasingly, non-smokers are being diagnosed as well. We explore why. This is an e...

Extreme Health Part 1 of 4: When the fit die young

17 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Is there such a thing as too much exercise? What causes seemingly healthy and fit people to collapse in the middle of exercising? We talk about how mu...

Doctor in the House: Biosimilar Drugs – Making Cancer Treatment Affordable

14 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dr George Lee returns to discuss the latest medical news. Expect deep insights delivered with generous humour. Earlier this week, the Health Ministry ...

Brain Waves #20: Brain Atlas

13 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Resident neuroscientist and geneticist Dr Azlina Ahmad Annuar wraps up the year with the latest in brain science by introducing us to yet another newl...

Public Health #13: HIV – What Have We Learned From Harm Reduction?

12 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

HIV used to be concentrated among people who inject drugs. Today, sexual transmission of HIV is on the rise and we are looking for new ways to curb th...

Colorectal Cancer and Sirtuins

11 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer among Malaysians, and is diagnosed at a relatively late stage compared to other developed Asian cou...

Health News Digest: Pharmacists Want More Transparency

10 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We bring the latest in health news. Contract pharmacists have received letters to confirm their permanent posts, but have not been told where they wil...

Health News Digest: Corruption in Healthcare

10 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We bring the latest in health news. In conjunction with International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9th, we look at the complex issue of corruption ...

Doctor in the House: Spinal Muscular Atrophy

07 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dr George Lee returns to discuss the latest medical news. Expect deep insights delivered with generous humour. In conjunction with International Day o...

Flood Tips – Medicine Preparation

06 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The year-end monsoon is a regular occurrence in Malaysia, bringing with it not just flood but a host of problems such as water-borne diseases and prop...

Are You a Procrastinator or a Perfectionist?

05 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The year-end is a good time to reflect on some traits that may have held you back or presented challenges to you over the course of the year. Consulta...

Road Accidents: The Holiday Killers

04 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

As you prepare for the year-end holidays, you’ll probably be hitting the road for some outstation travel. Unfortunately, the holiday period is a...

And The Healthiest Workplace Is…

03 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

AIA Vitality released the results of its Healthiest Workplace Survey 2018, which looked at the well-being of employees in Malaysia and the efficacy of...

Doctor in the House: Compliance in HIV Treatment

30 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dr George Lee returns to discuss the latest medical news. Expect deep insights delivered with generous humour. On the eve of World AIDS Day he is join...

Monkey Malaria Menace

29 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Earlier this month, Science published a feature article titled "Malaysia is ground zero for the next malaria menace." This is the second time in recen...

Be Fit Malaysians #8: Ringside Medicine

28 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Combat sports such as boxing, karate and taekwondo are the only types of sports that require athletes to strike their opponents to win the match. With...

The State of Men’s Health

27 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Men’s health is largely under-recognised in mainstream healthcare. Yet we are finally starting to catch up to the idea that the male population ...

Health News Digest: Water Safety Curriculum

26 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We bring the latest in health news. Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik says any trivialisation of his suggestion over the use of hotel swimming pools...

Health News Digest: Is eSport a Sport?

26 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We bring the latest in health news. In the Budget 2019 announcement, RM10mil was allocated to Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to develop e...

Universal Children’s Day Special: Raising Children As Individuals

22 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Children are not mini-adults. They are individuals, and their rights and voices should be respected. In conjunction with Universal Children’s Da...

Rectal Bleeding: Is It Cancer?

21 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Blood during a bowel movement could be due to many reasons, ranging from haemorrhoids and polyps to colorectal cancer. Dr Law Chee Wei, Consultant Col...

Watch That Heartbeat

19 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

An abnormal heart rhythm means your heart is beating too fast, too slow, or with an irregular pattern. The most common abnormal rhythm is atrial fibri...

Doctor in the House: Diabetes and The Family

16 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dr George Lee returns to discuss the latest medical news. Expect deep insights delivered with generous humour. In conjunction with World Diabetes Day ...

Heart Health #4: The Clogged Heart

15 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In Part 4 of 4 of our Heart Health Series with Sunway Medical Centre, Dato’ Dr Yap Yee Guan delves into the management of coronary artery diseas...

Heart Health #3: Life After Treatment

14 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In Part 3 of 4 of our Heart Health Series with Sunway Medical Centre, Dato’ Dr Yap Yee Guan explains what life is like after coronary artery dis...

Heart Health #2: Angioplasty vs By-Pass Surgery

13 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In Part 2 of 4 of our Heart Health Series with Sunway Medical Centre, Dato’ Dr Yap Yee Guan explores the treatment options for coronary artery d...

Helping Families Cope With Suicide

13 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Suicide affects entire families and communities. How do families cope when they lose their loved ones to suicide? We talk to consultant psychiatrist D...

Heart Health #1: Coronary Artery Disease

12 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In Part 1 of 4 of our Heart Health Series with Sunway Medical Centre, Dato’ Dr Yap Yee Guan introduces us to coronary artery disease and why it ...

Health News Digest: Adverse Childhood Experiences

12 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We bring the latest in health news. The American Psychological Asociation published a report showing that if you have happy memories of your childhood...

Health News Digest: Mental Health Budget and Child Suicide in Japan

12 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We bring the latest in health news. Why isn’t there a specific allocation for mental health in the tabling of Budget 2019? Chairman of the Natio...

Doctor in the House: Detecting Oral Cancer – There’s An App For That

09 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dr George Lee returns to discuss the latest medical news. Expect deep insights delivered with generous humour. The early signs and symptoms of oral ca...

Brain Waves #19: What We Learn From Animals

08 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Studies with animals to look at learning and memory have led to Nobel Prizes. One of the more recent ones was the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Me...

Festivities and Families

07 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve just celebrated Deepavali and while family gatherings are great opportunities to catch up with loved ones, they can also be very stressful...

Health News Digest: What’s In Store for Healthcare?

05 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

After the weekend to ruminate over the Budget 2019 announcement, we take a look at the promises made by the Health Ministry. Join us as we find out wh...

Doctor in the House: Dispensing Rights–Pharmacists or Doctors?

02 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dr George Lee returns to discuss the latest medical news. Expect deep insights delivered with generous humour. Who should have the right to dispense m...

Budget 2019: What to expect for healthcare

01 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On the eve of the tabling of Budget 2019, we find out what the Health Ministry and the Malaysian Medical Association expect for next year’s heal...

For Every Baby, A Fighting Chance

01 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

A baby born below 37 weeks has a lot of hurdles to overcome. But with the right medical and nursing care, parental love and community support, we can ...

Be Fit Malaysians #7: Medical Implications of Wearable Tech

31 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Fitness trackers, smartwatches, and other wearable technology are the number one fitness trend for 2019, according to an annual survey of health and f...

Living With Epilepsy

30 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Most people with epilepsy are not getting the right treatment. As a result, they are not able to manage their seizures and their lives are severely di...

Common Concerns #8: How to Remove Rust in Water

29 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Deputy Health Minister recommends boiling tap water before drinking because our pipes are old and potentially rusty. But does boiling really make rust...

Health News Digest: Can You Drink Tap Water?

29 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We take a look at our tap water, which one minister says is safe to drink, but another recommends boiling.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...

Health News Digest: Microplastics in Human Poop

29 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In a first, scientists have found tiny plastic particles in human poop. We ask: what do these microplastics do to our body?See omnystudio.com/listener...

Health News Digest: Death by Laksa

29 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Find out why people die of food poisoning, such as in the case of the contaminated laksa noodles that killed two and made 83 others very ill in Kedah....

Training for Counsellors

25 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development had called for more training for para counsellors or lay counsellors to provide counselling se...

Exercise in Pregnancy and Postpartum Recovery

24 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Serena Williams won the Australian Open in 2017 while pregnant, but we’re no Serena Williams. Still, pregnant women are often misled to believe ...

Allergies and Asthma in Children

23 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In September, a UK court began an inquest into the death of 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse who collapsed and died two years ago after eating a ba...

Common Concerns #7: Medical Marijuana

22 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In our callers’ segment, we address some of your most pressing health concerns with some help from the experts. No case is too trivial. This wee...

Health News Digest: It’s All in The Family

22 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We bring the latest in health news. We explore how Zimbabwe tackles depression. Hint: It takes a bench and a team of grandmothers.See omnystudio.com/l...

Health News Digest: To C-Sec Or Not

22 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We bring the latest in health news. We take a look at the surging rates of C-section births worldwide – and its potential implications.See omnys...

Health News Digest: Smoke, And Your Grandchildren Pay The Price

22 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We bring the latest in health news. This week, find out how men who smoke cause genetic changes to their sperm, passing on cognitive deficits to his c...

Doctor in the House: Tightening and Whitening

19 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dr George Lee returns to discuss the latest medical news. Expect deep insights delivered with generous humour. If you’re thinking of inserting j...

Psychiatry Series: Stigma Fails Us All

18 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

People living with a mental health disorder struggle on two levels. Firstly, they have to cope with the symptoms and impact of the disorder. On anothe...

Psychiatry Series: Stigma Fails Us All

18 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

People living with a mental health disorder struggle on two levels. Firstly, they have to cope with the symptoms and impact of the disorder. On anothe...

Misappropriating Misoprostol in Abortion Induction

17 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Ministry of Health reported that recently, there has been a rise in abuse of the drug misoprostol for illegal abortions and it is being sold onlin...

When MPs Champion Mental Health

16 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We don’t just talk about mental health on certain days of the year. Similarly, it’s not just healthcare professionals who advocate for men...

Living With Heart Failure

15 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Heart failure is often the final stage of a heart disease but is it all doom and gloom? What is life like after a heart failure diagnosis? Dato’...

Doctor in the House: How Malaysia Eliminated Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV/Syphilis

12 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dr George Lee returns to discuss the latest medical news. On Monday, 8th October, Malaysia became the first country in the WHO Western Pacific region ...

Brain Waves #18: Neurogenesis

11 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Brain cell formation or neurogenesis is said to continue to happen throughout life. It is on this basis that we are encouraged to exercise to make new...

Public Health #11: Are Public Health Campaigns A Failure?

10 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Smoking, dengue prevention, chronic lifestyle diseases – these are some of the public health problems that have reached epidemic levels in Malay...

Public Health #10: Let’s Talk About Mental Health

10 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Today is World Mental Health Day, an occasion to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world, and to mobilise efforts in support of menta...

Bone and Soft Tissue Injuries in Children

09 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re a parent, you will be familiar with the anxiety of seeing your child hanging precariously from the monkey bars or having an accident d...

Health News Digest: Eliminating Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis

08 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We bring the latest in health news. Malaysia today became the first country in the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region to be certified as...

Health News Digest: Health & Living Jr – Growing Up in the Digital Age

08 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We bring the latest in health news. In this edition, we summarise the Health & Living Jr event, which just took place on 6 October 2018. We’...

Doctor in the House: Surviving Lung Cancer

05 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dr George Lee returns to discuss the latest medical news. Expect deep insights delivered with generous humour. Joining him this week is consultant res...

Can You Work if You Have Autism?

04 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

While we have had many discussions about helping children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there is a significant gap in the conversation, namely ...

Ask A Psychologist #3: Mental Health Clinic

03 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We return with our monthly mental health clinic with consultant clinical psychologist Paul J. On this segment, we address your concerns regarding ment...

World Heart Day Special (Part 2): Heart Clinic

01 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We just commemorated World Heart Day on Saturday, 29th September with the theme ‘My Heart, Your Heart’. It’s about making a promise ...

Methanol Poisoning

28 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

With its death toll rising to 40, we speak to the Ministry of Health for an update on the management of alcohol poisoning. See omnystudio.com/lis...

World Heart Day Special (Part 1): Life After Angioplasty

28 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

An angioplasty gives you a second chance to live free of heart disease, but it is not a miracle cure. To prevent a future heart attack and improve you...

Raising Resilient Children

27 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Our children are growing up in an environment where they are exposed to intense social pressure. At the same time, many are so sheltered that they are...

Public Health #9: Young and Pregnant

26 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Fifty cases of teenage pregnancies are recorded every day in Malaysia. We talk to Sivananthi Thanenthiran, Executive Director of the Asian-Pacific Res...

When Does The Breast Have To Go?

25 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

About 40 per cent of breast cancer patients in Malaysia are diagnosed at the advanced stages. At this late stage, is it inevitable that the breast has...

Common Concerns #6: Shocking Secrets of the Food Industry

24 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In our callers’ segment, we address some of your most pressing health concerns with some help from the experts. No case is too trivial. This wee...

Health News Digest: Do Learning Disabilities Lead To Early Death?

24 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We bring the latest in health news. In the UK, the second annual report of the Learning Disability Mortality Review found that people with learning di...

Health News Digest: “Everything You Know About Obesity Is Wrong”

24 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We bring the latest in health news. On Highline on Huffington Post, Michael Hobbes wrote that for decades, the medical community has ignored mountains...

Health News Digest: Dr Google

24 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We bring the latest in health news. New research published in the Medical Journal of Australia has found that Googling health-related questions has a ...

Doctor in the House: The Best for Your Breasts

21 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It is going to be Pink October soon – the month of the very successful awareness campaign that's been credited with improving the outcomes of br...

Obesity Series #3: Lifestyle Impacts on Obesity and Cardiovascular Health

19 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In Part 3 of 4, we explore the relationship between cardiovascular health and unhealthy weight. We find out more from Dr Mohd Kamal bin Mohd Arsh...

Be Fit Malaysians #6: The Role of The Team Doctor

19 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Every month, Dr Harjeet Singh explores injury management and prevention in sports and exercise. The Asian Games in Indonesia just ended and Malaysia r...

Cultural Spin on Body Image

13 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Body image is central to how you feel about yourself, and has a significant impact on mental and physical health. We speak to Professor Viren Swami, p...

Can You Predict A Heart Attack?

12 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

With heart disease being the number one cause of death among Malaysians, knowing how to prevent a heart attack could save your life. Dr Zubin Othman I...

Doctor in the House: Gynaes Robotics

07 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dr George Lee returns to discuss the latest medical news. Expect deep insights delivered with generous humour. Gone are the days of invasive open surg...

No Smoking in Open-Air Restaurants

07 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Earlier this week, the Ministry of Health announced that it is targeting to ban smoking in open-air restaurants, as well as in Parliament, by the end ...

Preventing HIV Before Exposure

06 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Two years ago, the Ministry of Health set the ambitious target of achieving zero HIV and AIDS by 2030. With almost 94,000 people in Malaysia living wi...

Ask a Psychologist #2: Mental Health Clinic

05 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We return with our monthly mental health clinic with consultant clinical psychologist Paul J. On this segment, we address your concerns regarding ment...

Common Concerns #5: Swimmin’ In The Rain

03 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In our callers’ segment, we address some of your most pressing health concerns with some help from the experts. No case is too trivial. This wee...

UM Axes Pharmacy Degree

03 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We bring the latest in health news. With the news that Universiti Malaya is stopping its Bachelor of Pharmacy undergraduate programme, we speak to Amr...

Health News Digest: Do We Need A Soda Tax?

03 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We bring the latest in health news. Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says the government is considering implementing a soda tax to reduce sugar ...

Health News Digest: Criminalising Suicide?

03 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We bring the latest in health news. Deputy Women, Community and Family Development Minister Hannah Yeoh said suicide should be decriminalised. We look...

LGBT Healthcare

29 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The LGBT community in Malaysia has come under attack in recent weeks, from having their rights questioned to being individually targeted and physicall...

Sports-Related Ankle Injuries

28 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Considering how much weight they have to support, your ankles may seem almost fragile in comparison. What makes up the ankle joints and how do they se...

Common Concerns #4: BCG and Vitamins

27 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In our callers’ segment, we address some of your most pressing health concerns with some help from the experts. No case is too trivial. This wee...

Health News Digest: Rabies On The Rise

27 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We bring the latest in health news. Last Wednesday, a 44-year-old man died of rabies encephalitis, the 12th person to have succumbed to the disease in...