Health & Living

Most people are aware that the kidneys’ major function is to remove waste products and excess fluids from the body. Tiny filters in the kidneys called glomeruli help with this secretion process. However, these filters can become inflamed, causing a condition known as glomerulonephritis or glomerular disease. Dr Wong Mun Hoe shares more on this disease and what we can do to keep our kidneys h...

In the last few decades, the demands of the orthopaedic specialist have increased tremendously due to changes in the demographic profile of the population. With an increase in life expectancy, rapid urbanisation and improved mobility, more people in developed and developing countries face orthopaedic-related diseases and complications. Dr Rajesh Singh, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, highlights th...

According to United Nation statistics, by 2050, the number of older persons will be twice the number of children in developed countries and the number of older persons in developing countries is expected to double. To commemorate the United Nation's International Day of Older Persons and the International Day of Non-Violence, we speak to former judge Dato Mahadev Shankar to discuss the impact of t...

Gonorrhea is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections with about 106 million new cases reported each year. In addition, an estimated 36 million people are infected with the bacteria. It is spread through oral, vaginal and anal sex. While it is curable, a new strain of gonorrhoea is shown to have effectively mutated against antibiotic treatments. On the up side, new DNA sequencing dev...

Being in a new setting for the first time can be overwhelming. For young children, their first days of school can feel the same as they transition into a new stage in their lives. Learn what schools and families can do to overcome barriers to learning in young children and prepare them for school. Join Dr Rajini Sarvananthan, paediatric developmentalist, as we find out the indicators of school rea...

Joint pain is a very common problem with many possible  causes usually the result of injury or arthritis. Dato' Dr. Rajen a natural health practitioner and columnist,  helps us understand joint pain. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recently conducted opinion poll showed that consumers in Malaysia want the choice to switch to e-cigarettes as a less harmful alternative to smoking. As vaping gains popularity in Malaysia, calls to regulate the vape industry seem to get louder too. Dr Konstantinos Farsalinos, researcher and cardiologist, discusses the challenges of regulating an industry that is still filled with uncertainty. S...

Decades of research improved our understanding of cardiovascular disease management and the survival rate after a heart attack. Needless to say, prevention is still better than cure. Unhealthy lifestyle remains the main cause of heart diseases in our community, which contributes 50% of the deaths of Malaysia each year. We also speak to Dr David Quek, senior consultant cardiologist and council memb...

Heart trauma leaves scar tissue, interrupting the heart's ability to pump blood efficiently. While the human heart cannot repair itself after a heart attack or other types of damage, the hearts of other species seem to be able to. Fish, for instance, can regenerate cardiac muscles.  Inspired by this, a team of researchers led by Stanford University's Professor Dr. Pilar Ruiz-Lozano decided to...

Cancer is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with approximately 14 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer-related deaths in 2012 according to WHO. The number of new cases is expected to rise by about 70% over the next two decades. Through long-term studies, scientists have suggested a relationship between some cancers and the presence of certain environmental pollutan...

Rabies is one of the oldest diseases known to humans and there is still no treatment available once a patient develops the symptoms. Malaysia has been declared rabies-free since 2012 by the World Health Organisation. All that changed last month when the first cases of rabies in Malaysia were reported. Interestingly, the World Rabies Day falls on September 28. We speak to Dr Vickneshwaran Muthu, se...

Everything we come in contact with whether it's air, water or food, it is always loaded with toxins. On top of that, Malaysia is the fattest nation in South East Asia. In the studio is Dato’ Dr. Rajen M, natural health practitioner and columnist, to talk to us about how we can help our body remove some of these toxins and ultimately how we can stay in shape.  See omnystudio.com/lis...

A group of scientists, ethicists and policy experts recently said that it is essential that the genetic modification of human embryos is allowed. Genetically modifying an embryo involves the editing of the genetic code of early stage embryos, which the group says is of tremendous value to research. This progress shows that genetically modified babies are fast becoming a possibility. What is really...

Speaking at the British Science festival in England recently, neuroscientist and sleep advocate Paul Kelley said that the typical working pattern posed a threat to performance for those aged under 55. Dr Kelley’s trial argues that not only is having enough sleep important but when we rise from sleep to start the day is equally important. How much sleep do we need and, more importantly, when...

Neuro-dramatic-play (NDP) is relationship-centric and provides grounding in play and attachment development particularly between infant and parent but also youth and adults recovering from trauma. It includes sensory, rhythmic and dramatic play. We speak to NDP pioneer Dr Sue Jennings as she explains how this interaction is of crucial importance for the development of a healthy brain and how it in...

According to the Malaysian Psychiatric Association, seven people kill themselves daily, with young adults making up the majority. In the last few years we’ve heard of several incidents of college students who attempted or committed suicide. Just last month, a student of Taylor’s University jumped off from the seventh floor of the Lakeside campus. On September 10, The World Suicide Prev...

Touted as the technology that would transform industrial production and design, 3D printing is also turning into a medical revolution. Printers that churn out life-like organs and bones are helping doctors learn new procedures and save lives. We speak to Dr Ranjit Singh, a consultant orthopaedic, to learn how 3D printing changes doctors’ work and our lives. See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Over the past 10 years, the sports medicine community has increased the use of non-operative treatment for musculoskeletal injuries. We explore Massage, Relaxation Techniques, Injectables & Acupuncture as a complementary approach to sports injuries. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Has your mother ever warned you about running or jumping too much after eating saying that it will go straight to your appendix causing an infection, thus leading to an appendicitis? Then comes the messy process of an operation to remove the infected part. However, did you know now days there are other ways of treating an appendicitis? Dr. Giana Davidson explains.  See omnystudio.com/listener...

The discussion will focus on advancements in the area of cochlear implants. Single sided deafness, CI in patients with long standing deafness (adults who lost their hearing as children) - realistic expectations, new types of implants (bone conduction implants, middle ear implants) as the common perception is that is for children and only for sensorineural hearing loss. Brought to you by Sunway Med...

Osteoporosis is a thief, it’s a racist, it’s a bully. Is it an exaggeration? With us Dato’ Dr. Rajen M, a natural health practitioner and columnist, gives us his thoughts on the matter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should Clinicians be more cautious in the use of diagnostic labels as it can influence their own clinical judgements. What is the potential impact of the stigmatising diagnosis?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The face of opioid addiction treatment has been changing at a rapid pace with the employment of various new strategies. Newer innovations, particularly community-based treatment programmes, allow more people who are opioid-dependent to have access to the treatment that they need.   In Malaysia, drug addiction has been treated with behaviour-based and faith-based programmes. Dr Philip Geo...

Is everyone at risk of an attack of gout? Often a condition that is misunderstood, Dr Rajesh will help us separate gout fact from fiction. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's Professor Mark Baker said 10 million antibiotic prescriptions a year in England were inappropriate. There is universal consensus that the very basis of modern medicine is under threat due to rising numbers of infections that are resistant to drugs. Dr. George Lee returns to discuss this piece of news alongside Dr. Ashok Philip . See omnystudi...