 CHILDHOOD VACCINATION SCHEDULE IN SINGAPOREVaccinations are undoubtedly one of the great advances of modern medicine. Through the use of vaccines, many diseases that used to cause widespread... |  GASTROENTERITIS RESOURCE CENTRE Gastroenteritis is a term used to refer to a self-limiting infection of the gastrointestinal tract, characterized by abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, nausea and... |
 OPTIONAL CHILDHOOD VACCINATIONS1. Hepatitis A VaccineThe Hepatitis A virus (HAV) causes acute hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). Symptoms of acute hepatitis include fever, jaundice, nausea,... |  OBESITY RESOURCE CENTREObesity may be defined as a condition in which excess fat in the body accumulates to the extent that health, both physically and psychologically, is affected.It is not... |
| IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME RESOURCE CENTREIrritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), is a common disorder, affecting up to as many as 10 - 15% of people. Whilst most people experience digestive problems once... |  INSOMNIA - RESOURCE CENTRE "Insomnia can be a symptom of a psychological disordersuch as an anxiety disorder or depression,and these disorders should be treated" INSOMNIA OVERVIEWInsomnia exists... |
 ASTHMA - RESOURCE CENTREAsthma is a condition in which the bronchial tubes of the respiratory tract are hyper-reactive. In response to various triggers, the airways constrict and get inflammed,... |  HYPERTENSION RESOURCE CENTRE Hypertension, otherwise known as high blood pressure, is a fairly common chronic disease in the community. In Singapore, about 1 in 5 adults is hypertensive, and this... |
 MALE PATTERN HAIR LOSS - RESOURCE CENTREMale pattern hair loss is the most common type of hair loss. It is a genetic condition with no known cure, and it is caused by a genetic increased... |  The prevalence of diabetes mellitus increases with age, and the number of older persons with diabetes is expected to grow with an aging population. The incidence of diabetes also rises with... |
 KIDNEY DISEASE - RESOURCE CENTRE How do I know if I have kidney disease?The three important functions of the healthy kidneys are to remove waste from our body, regulation of electrolytes and water... |  ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION - OVERVIEWErectile dysfunction (ED) is the persistent inability to sustain an erection of sufficient rigidity and duration, in order to achieve satisfactory penetration... |
 Depression is much more than just passing sadness thatmost of us experience from time to time. While feeling “blue” or “down in the dumps” in response to setbacks,losses and other adverse life... |  ECZEMA RESOURCE CENTRESTRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF SKINThe skin is the largest organ in the body, making up about one-sixths of total body weight. The functions of our skin go well beyond being a... |
 HYPERCHOLESTEROLAEMIA RESOURCE CENTRECholesterol is a fat-like substance made in the liver and other cells in the body. It is also found in certain foods, such as meats, dairy products and... |  OSTEOPOROSIS RESOURCE CENTRE "Although 80% of osteoporosis sufferers are women, as the longevity of the male population increases, the disease will assume increasing importance in men."Gro Harlem... |
 "It would be worth remembering, that not all bleeding during defaecation is due to hemorrhoids." HAEMORRHOIDS (PILES)Haemorrhoids, also known as piles, is a common ano-rectal condition typically... |  HEADACHES RESOURCE CENTREHeadaches are one of the most common afflictions in life, with up to 90% of people reported to have suffered from headaches at some point in their lives.Most headaches,... |
 HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPYIn the past, hormone replacement therapy used to be commonly prescribed in women with severe menopausal symptoms, for the treatment of these symptoms as well as for... |  ACNE RESOURCE CENTRE Acne, or acne vulgaris, is a common skin problem which starts when oil and dead skin cells clog up the pores. Bacteria may subsequently infect these clogged pores and result... |
 OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDERS OCD, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, is a common disorder with a lifetime prevalence of 2-3% in the general population. It occurs in children, adolescents and... |  Children tend to develop fevers more easily than adults. This is largely due to a relatively immature immune system, making them more susceptible to various infections (the most common cause of... |
 RELAXATION TECHNIQUES TO REDUCE STRESSLiving in today’s world can be stressful. Hectic work schedules, heavy school timetables, a multitude of deadlines, demands from significant others, to name... |  What is Hip Arthroscopy?This refers to surgery in the hip joint performed through small incisions (key hole) using specialized equipment to manage injured areas of the hip joint. This is a... |
| What is Gastroscopy?Gastroscopy is performed by inserting a narrow, flexible, telescopic camera (a gastroscope) down the oesophagus, and into the stomach and initial part of the small intestine... |  OSTEOARTHRITIS - RESOURCE CENTRE "I don't deserve this award, but I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either."Jack Benny Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, occurring in up... |
 PROSTATE RESOURCE CENTRE The prostate gland sits just beneath the bladder, and surrounds the urethra (part of the urinary tract) as it leaves the bladder. The prostate gland is responsible for... |  Artificial Disc Replacement Degenerative disease of the spine is one of the leading causes of disability in the adult population. Most of these patients are treated non-surgically with... |
 ATHEROSCLEROSIS RESOURCE CENTREAtherosclerosis is a condition in which fatty material builds up along the walls of the arteries. Eventually, this build-up leads to hardening and narrowing of the... | "The aim of the wise is not to secure pleasure, but to avoid pain"Aristotle BACK PAIN RESOURCE CENTREBack pain is a very common symptom which plagues most people at some point in their lives.... |
| PROTEINURIA - RESOURCE CENTRE WHAT IS PROTEINURIA?Protein is an essential substance of the body and is mainly made up of amino acids. It performs various key functions in the body; they keep our... |  THYROID DISORDERS RESOURCE CENTREThe thyroid gland is a small endocrine (hormone producing) gland situated in the neck, just below the Adam's apple. It has 2 halves, and is shaped somewhat like a... |
 GASTROPARESIS Gastroparesis refers to delayed emptying of the stomach. Normally, the stomach muscles contract to push food along, and the gastric pylorus (which is the gateway leading to the... |  Historically, gout was known as "The Disease Of Kings" or "Rich Man's Disease".Gout is a condition of abnormal uric acid metabolism. The body either produces too much uric acid, or has a problem... |
 ATRIAL FIBRILLATION The Normal Heart Rhythm:The normal heart consists of 4 chambers, the right and left atria (upper chambers), and the right and left ventricles (lower chambers). During each... | A lipoma is a benign tumour made up of fatty tissue. It is a low-growing lump, which is soft to touch, and is situated between the skin and underlying muscle layer. Because of its position... |
| Glomerulonephritis Resource CentreGlomerulonephritis (GN) is a kidney disease in which the filtering system (known as glomeruli) of the kidneys become inflamed and eventually scarred, and hence... |  Dyspepsia, also commonly known as indigestion, is characterized by pain or a burning sensation in the upper abdomen (the epigastrium), upper abdominal fullness, bloatedness, belching, nausea, and... |
| COLORECTAL CANCER : A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER Singapore and Malaysia have one of the highest numbers of colorectal cancers in Asia. Not unlike that observed in Caucasian populations, more than 75... | MENOPAUSE RESOURCE CENTREMenopause is the time when a woman permanently stops having menstrual periods. It is not a disease, but merely life's natural transition, from the reproductive to the... |
 PARKINSON'S DISEASE RESOURCE CENTREParkinson's disease ia a chronic, progressive degenerative disorder of the nervous system. Its average age of onset is in the early or mid 60's, but in a... |  GLAUCOMA RESOURCE CENTRE Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions in which damage to the optic nerve leads to progressive, irreversible visual loss. It is often called the "silent thief of sight"... |
 Shoulder Pain Shoulder pain is a common complaint in the working and sporting adult. In most instances, the pain in the shoulder is transient and resolves spontaneously without treatment.... | What is Stress? We all know how the demands of modern living can leave us overwhelmed at times. It should not be too difficult to recall a period of time when life became “stressful”. Stress is... |
 Injured your Anterior Cruciate Ligament? Here's what to do. The anterior cruciate ligament or ACL is one of the important ligaments located in the knee joint. It connects the thigh bone (femur)... |  Eating & Drinking Right When Breastfeeding It is often said that a breastfeeding mother needs about 300 to 500 extra calories per day to successfully breastfeed her baby. Whilst the verdict is... |
 Constipation is defined as stools which are hard, difficult and often painful to pass. There is also infrequent bowel movements, typically less than 3 times a week. The sensation of incomplete... |  CATARACT RESOURCE CENTRE Cataract refers to a cloudy area in the lens of the eye, which blocks the passage of light to the retina, and in so doing causes vision problems. It is generally a slow... |
| INTRODUCTIONTraditional spine surgery usually requires long incisions. Muscles are cut and moved away from the spine to expose the surgical area. This causes increased pain, long recovery time... |  GENERALISED ANXIETY DISORDER (GAD)In an anxiety disorder, there is an excessive amount of anxiety which is troublesome to the sufferer. There are various types of anxiety disorders, and... |
| What is Colonoscopy?Colonoscopy is the internal examination of the colon and rectum by a colonoscope (a long, flexible tube about half an inch in diameter with a camera attached to the end), to... | ENDOMETRIOSIS RESOURCE CENTRE Endometriosis is a very common gynaecological condition which affects millions of women around the world. It is a condition in which endometrial-like cells are... |
 Bed-Wetting (Nocturnal Enuresis) "Children rarely ever bed-wet on purpose, so they should not be made to feel guilty about it" Bed-wetting, otherwise known as nocturnal enuresis, can be a very... |  INTRAUTERINE CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES Intra-uterine Contraceptive Devices, or IUCDs, are a means of contraception generally used by women who, for medical reasons, are unable to use hormonal... |
 HAEMATURIA RESOURCE CENTRE Haematuria means blood in the urine. Microscopic hematuria indicates that the blood is only seen when the urine is examined under a microscope, while gross (or... | Means testing is a way to focus limited resources for needy Singaporeans, by channeling it to those who need it most. It was first implemented at government funded nursing homes in 2000 and at... |
 URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS Infections of the urinary tract are the second most common type of infection in the body. Women are especially prone to UTIs for reasons that are not yet well understood.... | DEMENTIA RESOURCE CENTRE The word "Dementia" has its roots in Latin, from "de" (without) and "mens" (the root of "mens" - the mind) i.e. "without the mind".Dementia is a syndrome characterized by... |
 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the median nerve gets compressed as it passes from the forearm into the hand via the carpal tunnel in the wrist. The carpal... |  RETINAL DETACHMENT RESOURCE CENTREThe retina is an important layer in the back of the eye, whose function is to absorb and process light that enters the eye, very much like the film which... |
 PROSTATE CANCER RESOURCE CENTREProstate cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumour that consists of cells from the prostate gland. The tumour usually grows slowly and remains confined to the gland... |  CONTACT LENSESContact lenses are used very commonly today as an alternative to wearing glasses. Contact lenses are thin discs, made of plastic, placed on the cornea of the eye. Unlike before,... |
| Diarrhoea and vomiting in children are often due to gastroenteritis (commonly known as stomach flu), a very contagious viral infection of the gastrointestinal tract. Other causes may include food... | KIDNEY CANCER RESOURCE CENTRE Several types of cancer can start in the kidney. Renal cell cancer is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. It is sometimes called renal adenocarcinoma or... |
 COMMON MYTHS ABOUT VACCINATIONS 1. Children With Egg Allergies Cannot Receive The MMR VaccineThe Myth:A child with allergy to eggs (this occurs in about 0.5% of the population) may develop... |  Colic (also known as infantile colic or infant colic) is used to describe bouts of crying and upset behaviour, in an otherwise healthy infant. These bouts can occur frequently and for extended... |
| CLUSTER HEADACHESCluster headaches occur in "clusters", in that, they have a tendency to occur periodically, with regular bouts (clusters), and separated by spontaneous remissions.They are... |  MIGRAINESMigraines are the second most common type of headaches, after Tension headaches. They tend to be hereditary, commonly running in families. Age of onset may vary, but most commonly... |
 Earache ("otalgia") is a common complaint in children and this is usually either due to a external ear infection (otitis externa – in which there is infection and inflammation of the external... | Meningitis refers to the inflammation of the protective membrane covering the brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges. This inflammation is most commonly caused by infections (by viruses,... |
| A trigger finger or thumb is a common painful condition which causes the fingers or thumb to lock in a bent position.Tendons that help bend the fingers slide through a protective covering known... | Cystitis refers to inflammation of the bladder, generally due to bacterial infections. Cystitis is the most common type of urinary tract infection (UTI), and is chiefly a problem that occurs in... |
| Serous otitis media (also known as otitis media with effusion, OME) refers to fluid collection in the middle ear space in the absence of infection.Serous otitis media occurs when the Eustachian... |  SECONDARY HEADACHESSecondary headaches refer to headaches which are the result of a known organic cause. There are "red flag" symptoms which point to the possibility of a more sinister cause of... |
 QUIT SMOKING The health risks of smoking have been widely publicized and you all know about them. Wanting to quit because "it's bad for you" is usually not enough for most people. You'll need... | HYPOTHYROIDISM - The Under-active ThyroidHypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too little thyroid hormone, and when this happens, the body's functions slow down.Common Symptoms... |
| Pityriasis rosea is a fairly common skin condition which produces a rash. It can occur at any age, but is most commonly seen in those between 10 to 35 years of age. It is a benign condition but... |  TENSION HEADACHESTension type headaches are by far the most common type of headaches experienced. They are sometimes also referred to as "stress headaches".They may be classified according to... |
| Fatty Liver refers to the build-up of fat in the cells of the liver. Unlike what many believe, eating fatty foods does not lead to this accumulation of fat in the liver. The liver plays a key... | Keloids are scar tissue that overgrow, without knowing when to stop. They appear as firm, heaped-up lesions, raised above the level of the skin. They have a smooth, often skinny top, are... |
 Allergic Rhinitis is an allergic inflammation of the nasal airways, giving rise to symptoms such as runny nose, blocked nose and sneezing. These symptoms are very familiar to most of us, and... | Wax is an oily substance formed by glands in the outer portion of the ear canal. Ancient monks used this oily property of the wax to illuminate their manuscripts!Wax helps in the cleaning and... |
| Conjunctivitis (sometimes known as "pink eye) refers to an inflammation of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the transparent membrane that lines the eyeball, and inflammation of this layer may... |  The normal hip joint is a ball and socket joint. The socket is formed by part of the pelvis called the acetabulum. The ball is formed by the upper part of the thigh bone called the femoral head.... |
| Barrett's oesophagus refers to a pre-malignant change in the cells of the lower oesophagus, in which the normal squamous epithelial lining of the lower oesophagus is replaced by metaplastic... | Melasma is a common skin condition resulting from an overproduction of melanin, which appears as blotchy, brownish pigmentation on the face. Melasma usually affects women, and generally starts... |
 Women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) suffer from a collection of physical, psychological and emotional symptoms, which start about 7 days before the onset of a menstrual period. These symptoms... |  What Are STDs And How Can Their Spread Be Prevented? Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that are transmitted during any type of sexual exposure, including intercourse (vaginal or... |
 Sleep apnoea is a common disorder in which there are one or more "apnoeic" (paused breathing) episodes during sleep. These apneoic episodes may last several seconds to minutes, occurring as... | The Enlarged Thyroid A goitre merely refers to an enlarged thyroid gland. It should be noted that goitres may produce normal levels of thyroid hormones (in which they are referred to as being... |
| Epistaxis is defined as acute bleeding from the nostril, nasal cavity or nasopharynx. It is generally a benign condition but can cause significant anxiety. In the majority of cases, the... | Breast cancer is the No. 1 cancer among women in Singapore. Most of us would know someone who has, or has had breast cancer, and with the ongoing media coverage of the condition, women are... |
| Pericardial Effusion refers to an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardial cavity (the layer surrounding the heart). There is limited amount of space in the pericardial cavity, and if... | Zenker's Diverticulum refers to a diverticulum (outpouching) of the mucosa of the pharynx, just above the cricopharyngeal muscle.As with the formation of diverticula in general, the increased... |
| What is an ACL Reconstruction? It is an operation performed to recreate the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) using a graft tendon to replace the form and function of the torn ligament. This graft... | Endometrial cancer is one of the more common cancers among women in Singapore. The endometrium is the inner tissue lining of the uterine cavity, which grows and sheds during the menstrual cycle,... |
| Our immune system serves to protect us from foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. It recognizes these foreign invaders and produces specially tailored antibodies to combat them. In... | Dupuytren's contracture is a fixed flexion contracture of the hand, caused by an abnormal thickening of the palmar aponeurosis (the tough tissue underneath the skin of the palms and fingers). The... |
| Otitis externa, also known as "Swimmer's ear", is one of the most common conditions affecting the ear. It is an inflammation of the ear canal, and is responsible for most cases of ear itch and... | HYPERTHYROIDISM - The Overactive ThyroidHyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormones into the blood stream. Common symptoms include:• Feeling hot... |
Health Guide
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