Health & Living

Digestive Health

17 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In this installment of our series with Sunway Medical Centre, we take a closer look at our digestive health and its importance. From the intestines to...

Genetics and Intelligence

16 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

How much of your intelligence may be predetermined by what you’re born with? Dr. Arif Anwar weighs in on the nature versus nurture debate when i...

The Benefits of Genetically Modified Foods

14 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Genetically modified foods can be a scary proposition for some, but for others, it represents the way forward. With news that a vitamin-enhanced &lsqu...

Investing in Adolescents

11 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

On this World Population Day, The United Nations Fund for Population Activities calls for investments in support of the largest-ever generation of you...

Football Physiology & Cooling Breaks

10 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Brazil 2014 has seen the first cooling break ever taken at a World Cup Finals. How much good will 3 minute breaks every half hour really do for player...

Andropause

09 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

They say nothing in life’s certain except death and taxes…and menopause. Now the jury’s still out on whether one would have to add ...

Bipolar Disorder

08 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

A serious medical condition that can cause massive shifts in behaviour, emotion and ability to function, bipolar disorder is also oft misunderstood an...

Orthopaedics and Physiotherapy

07 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Two disciplines that work closely to get us back on track and moving right: orthopaedics and physiotherapy. We explore how they intertwine, where they...

Doctor in the House : Dengue Emergency

04 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Malaysia is considered an endemic dengue hotspot and so far, there is no cure nor is there a vaccine. Dr. George Lee and Dr. Christopher Lee discuss t...

Endometriosis and ENDOMarch

03 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Endometriosis is a debilitating disease that can change one’s personality and affect one’s well being with terrible period pains, and can ...

Quality Is More Important Than Quantity

02 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Rajesh Singh highlights how bone plasticity and quality is significantly more important than density, challenging conventional thought.See omnystu...

Understanding Developmental Paediatrics

02 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when your child perhaps doesn’t start speaking when he or she should? Or misses other landmark moments in his or her development? S...

Kidney Cancer

26 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer, with more than 200,000 new cases of RCC diagnosed worldwide each year, and 25-30%...

Post-Coma Recovery

25 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In light of the recent news that Michael Schumacher has awoken from his coma, we look forward to the rehabilitation that might get him back on his fee...

Big Data and Population Health

24 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Big data usually attempts to predict healthcare trends - telling us when the flu might be in town for instance. But is it an accurate predictor and sh...

Nutrition Myths and Tips

23 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

They say that nutrition is 80% of the battle to get healthy and lose weight, but is that true? And if it is, how much should we be eating and does it ...

Know Thy Cancers - Beyond the Pap Smear

19 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

For a generation or two of women, the pap smear has been the main way of screening for cervical cancer. Now technology might be changing that. What li...

Understanding Depression

18 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most common conditions plaguing people around the world, it is also one of the most debilitating. Major depressive disorder can cause a sen...

Preventing Suicide

17 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

A sudden act that usually leaves loved ones with questions that may never be answered, suicide is traumatic to all whom it leaves behind. Preventing s...

Xenotransplantation

16 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

After the recent success of a pig heart being transplanted into a baboon and working successfully for almost 2 years - what might the future hold for ...

Breast Cancer and Breast Conserving Surgery

12 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Angelina Jolie stunned everyone with her courage and candour in announcing preventive surgery in light of a genetic predisposition to breast cancer. M...

Men are Weaker than Women

11 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

With Father’s Day coming up, we look at the male of our species and the various reasons why they should go for health screenings - earlier death...

Sleep Deprivation

10 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

The World Cup kicks off in three days. Also kicking off is a monthlong sleeplessness amongst Malaysian football enthusiasts trying to adjust to the ti...

Medical Absenteeism

09 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

With the World Cup looming on the horizon, unwarranted medical leave applications are sure to spike soon. Discussing that as well as the very real pro...

Under the Sea

06 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In conjunction with World Oceans Day, we look at what’s been dubbed as a goldmine for medical research: our oceans. Various specialists explain ...

Fitness on a Budget

05 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

We're always told that we need to invest in our health, but what if we lack the means? Karen Siah, fitness instructor, explains how we can get fit on ...

Headaches

04 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

We all have them, but how much do we really understand about where they come from? Is popping a paracetamol really the best way to deal with them? Dr....

Decision Making in Healthcare

03 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Who gets to make decisions when it comes to healthcare? Increasingly, it’s becoming a collaboration, with more power and responsibility being pl...

The Growth of Physiotherapy in Malaysia

02 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Physiotherapy is something that many need, but is a profession that still isn’t widely known or regulated here in Malaysia. Simon Fayers explain...

Orthodontics - Helping Malaysians Get Their Smiles Back

29 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Gone are the days when orthodontics just consisted of awkward braces and strange headgear. Detailing the advancements in the field is Dato’ Dr....

The Most Precious Bones in the World (For a Month)

28 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

World Cup Fever will soon be in full swing, and for us it may just mean a month of sleeplessness and high excitement. But for the footballers in Brazi...

Employee Wellness

26 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

 Long regarded as an unnecessary cost to the company, many modern organisations now recognise the importance of employee wellness. Joan Collar ex...

Genetic Profiles for the Premier League

23 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In March this year, The Telegraph revealed that two Barclays Premier League clubs had commissioned genetic profiles of their players to identify their...

Size Doesn’t Always Matter

21 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In our quest to get bigger (or smaller), more bulked up (or leaner), we tend to focus on large muscle groups. But to work out effectively, we also nee...

Nerve Damage and Repair

20 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Nerve damage can seriously impact our lives - in terms of motion, pain and function. But now new technology exists that can go a long way towards repa...

Are You Prepared For Death?

16 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

The poll of 2000 adults for the Dying Matters Coalition of care organizations in United Kingdom indicates that only 21% of people have discussed their...

Hearing Loss

15 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In a noisy classroom, restaurant or coffee shop, you occasionally cannot follow a conversation. Sometimes you fake a response. Or nod and hope the pau...

How to Have That Perfect Baby

09 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

 Malaysia is a great place to be a mother--the second best in Southeast Asia, according to a recent report. A mother wishing to have a healthy ba...

World Ovarian Cancer Day

08 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

A cancer that is especially deadly in its later stages, ovarian cancer is often disguised by its unassuming symptoms. In conjunction with World Ovaria...

Ankle and Foot Surgery

07 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

We expect our feet to carry us through all the days of our lives, but with all the dashing about we do on a daily basis, the damage can stack up. Dr. ...

Musculoskeletal Health at the Workplace

06 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

From the time we start work to our retirement, we will spend pretty much half of our lives at work. With that, can come some damage to our bodies. Dis...

#Selfies and Body Image

05 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

It seems like you can hardly peek into social media these days without seeing dozens of selfies. As many practice this form of online self-appreciatio...

Stem Cells and Your Skin

02 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Animals have always been used for product testing in the cosmetics industry, but might skin grown from stem cells stop animal testing? Join Dr. Ruban ...

Ebola, Humanitarian Efforts and Digital Mapping

30 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

As the ebola virus outbreak occurs for the first time ever in West Africa, Medecins Sans Frontieres have mobilised quickly to assist. However, the cha...

Oculoplastic Surgery

29 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

The eyes are the window to the soul, which means that we want them to look their best. Oculoplastic surgery is a discipline that provides solutions bo...

A Day in the Life - Sr Tham Kwee Peng

28 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Following in the A Day in the Life series with Sunway Medical Centre, we go on a journey with the 'baby whisperer'.See omnystudio.com/listener for pri...

Organ Donors

25 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

As Scottish organ donations have doubled since 2007, Dr. George Lee and Dr. Lela Yasmin discuss how important organ donation is and what it might take...

Dentistry 911

24 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

What is considered a dental emergency? Explaining when it might be time to call in the cavalry is Professor Dr. Khoo Suan Phaik, oral physician.See om...

Neglected Injuries

23 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Whether through willful ignorance or wishful thinking, sometimes injuries get ignored. However that can cause serious long-term damage that would take...

World Primary Immunodeficiencies Week

22 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Primary immunodeficiencies are disorders in which part of the body's immune system is missing or does not function normally. Primary immunodeficiencie...

Anger and Heart Health

21 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

As it becomes increasingly clear that stress can have a seriously adverse affect on our health, research also suggests that rage often triggers heart ...

HIV Home Test

18 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Meera and Dr. George are joined by Dr. Ilias Adam Yee to discuss the HIV home test following the legalisation of its sale by the UK government.See omn...

How to Live to 130

16 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve been searching for the mythical fountain of youth since time immemorial. Might the answer lie in our genes? Dr. Arif Anwar, resident genet...

Hospital Design

15 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Whether we like it or not, many of us will be in hospitals either as visitors or the ones being visited. How should hospitals be designed to accommoda...

The Importance of Reacting Quickly to Strokes

14 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

F.A.S.T is the mnemonic device used to quickly identify a stroke when it’s happening, standing for: Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech d...

Diabetic Eye Project

11 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

The Malaysian Society of Ophthalmology is holding a public health campaign to prevent blindness from diabetic retinopathy and Dr. Tara George joins us...

Know Your Medication

10 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

We take our medicine when we’re sick but how much do we really know and understand about the ingredients they’re made out of and what else...

Know Thy Cancers--Cytopathology

09 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing his Know Thy Cancer series, Dr. Sri is focusing on the technology and know-how needed to diagnose diseases on a cellular level.See omnystud...

Age is Just a Number

08 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Contrary to what many think, the youthful appearance of skin is not just about wrinkles. Many other factors - pigmentation and so on - play a role. Ex...

World Health Day 2014 - Vector-Borne Disease

07 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In conjunction with World Health Day 2014, we stick to the theme of vector borne disease, with the head of the Vector Borne Disease Sector from the Mi...

The Statin Effect

04 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Humans have always sought ways to fight heart disease. Recently, researchers debated the safety of using statin drugs that can lower cholesterol. We s...

National Eczema Awareness Month

03 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Eczema is a term for a group of medical conditions that cause the skin to become inflamed or irritated and can affect children and infants. Professor ...

Should We Worry About the New Strain of Avian Flu?

02 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Reports in February indicated that there was a new and deadlystrain of avian flu threatening us. How much do we need to worry, and what steps are bein...

Unleash Your Inner Orthopaedic Surgeon

01 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

With it being April Fool’s, Dr. Rajesh Singh has a special trick or two up his sleeve for his monthly slot discussing all matters health and ort...

Healthy Organs and Healthy Ageing

31 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

With an upcoming event, and an ongoing focus on healthy ageing, Dr. Lim Poh Hin and Professor Nathan Vytialingam from the Malaysian Healthy Ageing Soc...

Women and Cancer

28 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

As Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah's female cancer month kicks off, we invite Dr Ragu Shanmuganathan, Senior Consultant and Head of Gynae Oncology...

Use and Abuse of Party Drugs

27 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

With recent reports suggesting that a new (and still legal) party drug may be to blame for the tragic deaths at Future Music Festival Asia, we speak t...

The Difference between Growing Pains and Teenage Depression

26 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Hot on the heels of a recent report that suggested that a biological test for clinical depression in adolescents may soon be available, Dr. Fairuz Naz...

Cooking and Eating Well with Nadia Lim

25 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In conjunction with New Zealand week, we speak to cook and dietitian Nadia Lim. As she grew up with two distinct cultures - Malaysian and Kiwi- we lea...

Science of Itching

24 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Ruminations on itching doesn't just occur every seven years - the truth is, doctors and scientists often don’t understand the source or reason f...

A Day in the Life - Clement Francis Xavier

21 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

When dealing with an injury or illness and wondering whether you'll ever be back to 100 percent - help can be welcome. This Friday, meet one of those ...

Doctor in the House: Drug Use and the Kidneys

21 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Following on the recent tragic deaths at Future Music Festival Asia, Dr. George Lee cautions everyone on the toxic effects of drug use on the kidney a...

Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery

18 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Spinal surgery is a scary prospect to many - which is why having minimally invasive options are a very attractive proposition. Explaining the latest r...

Giant Virus Unthawed

17 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

A previously unknown giant virus has been revived from 30000-year-old permafrost, suggesting another possible threat from climate change as well as to...

Neck, Back and Hip Pain

13 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we attempt to answer the question of whether back, neck and shoulder pains are just “part of our evolutionary heritage”. Expert...

Bioprinting Technology

10 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

3D printing has made a huge impact on the world surrounding us, but might bioprinting be taking it to the next level? Envisioning a future in which we...

Loneliness and the Elderly

07 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

A new study has recently added to the growing body of research that suggests that loneliness can be seriously detrimental to the physical and mental h...

The Painful Truth About Shingles

06 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

While most of us believe that having had chickenpox once immunises us for life, the truth is that studies have shown that about 95% of adults over 50 ...

Navigation in Surgery: Where Will It Get You?

04 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Technology and medicine are the most comfortable of bedfellows, and modern technology allows for unprecedented access and understanding of anatomy and...

The Dangers of Binge Drinking and NekNominate

03 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

With at least five deaths being blamed on the viral spread of binge drinking game, Neknominate, and with it being such a prevalent problem in East Mal...

Older Fathers

28 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

A new study has suggested that older fathers potentially produce children with a wide variety of disabilities or problems. To get to the bottom of thi...

Rampant Anxiety

27 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Worldwide, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness today. Covering a wide spectrum, they can be very crippling and affect daily life. Viz...

Joint Pain

26 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Joint pain is one of the most common discomforts adults feel in daily life. Dr. Harjeet Singh, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, explains when one would...

Exercise and Macular Degeneration

25 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

A recent study examined the relationship between exercise and the prevention of degeneration of the eye. Dr. Michael Chong, consultant ophthalmologist...

Drug Testing

24 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

How stringently are drugs tested before they come into our country and are prescribed to us? What are the boundaries? To find out, we speak to Dr Yeoh...

A Day in the Life-Yanni Chew

21 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

If you've ever wondered what a day in the life of a doctor is like, wonder no more. Today at 4.45PM, we're taking you through A Day in the Life o...

Women and Fitness

20 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

They say men are from Mars and women are from Venus - but how does that extend to fitness? Karen Siah and Teoh Sue Ling explain how fitness for women ...

Increasing Intelligence and Brain Training

19 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Intelligence is a subjective thing, but that doesn't stop everybody from trying to become smarter. Is this possible, though? Caroline Ong, personal br...

A Holistic Guide Through Cancer

18 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

After diagnosis, many cancer patients still have a long journey to go through and while much of the process will be guided by Western medical principl...

Sleeping and Snoozing

17 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

What’s the first thing you do every morning? Odds are good that you might not be springing out of bed, but smacking the snooze button instead. D...

Valentine's Day Special: Chocolate & The Blue Pill

14 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

The Blue Pill was originally developed as a heart medication. After discovery of a big side effect, it was repositioned as a drug to solve a growing p...

Weight Loss Surgery and Obesity

13 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In this series with the experts of Sunway Medical Centre, we cover current topics in bariatric surgery, better known as weight loss surgery. The discu...

Dengue Task Force

12 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In January 2014, triple the amount of dengue cases were reported compared to January 2013, with Selangor reporting the highest numbers in the country....

Coming Out of a Coma

11 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

As the world waits to see if F1 legend Michael Schumacher is going to pull through, we learn more about the process of coming out of a coma and the po...

Getting Fit with your Smartphone

07 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

For those of us who've gone over to the dark side of using smartphones, we know that they've taken over the large swathes of our life: from communicat...

Preventive Screening Methodologies for Cancer

06 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

We all know that prevention is better than cure, but some diseases feel unpreventable to most - diseases such as cancer. However, this isn't true as D...

Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Initiatives in Healthcare

05 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Medical audits are a necessary part of hospital life and improvement, but what are some factors standing in the way of patient safety and quality impr...

Exercise and the Elderly

29 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Exercising has obvious and immediate health benefits. But what about in the future? Dr. Harjeet explains how exercise can have positive impacts on you...

Neural Tube Defects in Newborns

28 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Neural Tube Defects like Spina bifida are defects of the brain and spinal cord. They can often be detected before birth via screening, but what is it ...

The Importance of Health Screenings

27 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

We're inundated with advertising and banners asking us to get our blood, our eyes, our general health checked up - but who needs it really and what do...