Health & Living

While autism is usually thought of and considered a brain disease, there is a strong suggested link with gut issues, and how the gut microbiome may play a role in the formation of the condition. Dr. Arif Anwar gives us more details.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In August last year, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin stated that only 2.5% of Malaysians were blood donors, well below the international average of five percent. We discuss this with Consultant Urologist Dr. George Lee and Consultant Haemotologist  Dr Norris Naim.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the flood victims tally tops the 200,000 mark and people are being evacuated from their homes and temporarily housed in evacuation centres, other health issues crop up. With good hygiene and sufficient space becoming rarities, disease can compound the difficulties of flood survivors. Here is an update on the flood situation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia has more cases of cervical cancer compared to other developed countries, even though the disease is preventable and has the potential to be eradicated. Cervical cancer can occur at any age in a woman’s life, although about half of all women diagnosed with cervical cancer are between 35 and 55 years of age and many of these women were most likely exposed to the HPV (virus) during the...

The time has finally come that the body can heal itself - albeit with a little help. Dr. Rajesh Singh discusses how the modern healing process mimics natural regeneration and how to achieve optimum outcomes with minimum disruption to patients’ lifestyle.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Detoxes and cleanses are all the rage, and no more so than when the New Year starts and most of us are trying to melt away the sins and excesses of the festivities. But evidence suggests that detoxes may be at best ineffective and at worst actively unhealthy. Weighing in on the matter is Goo Chui Hoong, dietitian and cookbook author.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a society where first impressions are of great importance, facial anomalies can be greatly upsetting for the people who have them. Not to mention the health repercussions. Thankfully, reconstructive surgery has come a long way and can now go great distances towards helping those with facial anomalies. Dr. Kim Tan, consultant reconstructive and plastic surgeon, tells us all about it. See omnystu...

In this installment of our 4 day retrospective of the year, this episode is chock a block with news about Ebola and digital mapping, polio and avian flu. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Starting off our health retrospective of the year, we examine the health stories that grabbed the headlines from January to March - 3D printing, Michael Schumacher’s injury, dengue and a giant virus.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christmas time - a time for family dinner and sweet treats. We’re covering all our bases this Christmas, as Nicholas Pillai explains how to plan the perfect Christmas dinner, Pang Su Li gives us her favourite recipe for brownies, while Goo Chui Hoong tells us what damage that would do and Vizla Kumaresan provides an emotional festive survival guide in case it all just becomes too much. ...

Everywhere you go, you're bringing trillions of tiny, microscopic friends and foes along for the ride. This is what makes up the human microbiome. Recently, a research was published, showing that we leave behind microbial fingerprints on the screens of our smartphones. What significance does this have for our health? Dr. James Meadow, lead researcher from the University of Oregon, tells us. See om...

Continuing our coverage of HIV in conjunction with World AIDS Day on December 1st - As the fight against HIV hits its next phase, more imagination and different methods of combat against the virus are needed. So perhaps a topical application that kills the virus might have a place not in treatment but in prevention? Professor Angela Kashuba tells us about whether this may someday be a reality. See...

As the year winds down, Dr. George Lee looks back on some of the big medical stories that have shaped our understanding of our health. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Developmental landmarks are there for a reason - to let parents know that their child is growing up as they’re supposed to. While these landmarks can shift slightly, it can be worrying when one seems to be missed entirely. One of these landmarks is a child’s first words. Dr. Rajini Sarvananthan, developmental paediatrician attempts to address what parents can do if their child is not t...

As most of us would agree - Stress is a part of everyday life. It shouldn't be, but it is. And for many busy, working adults, stress mounts daily. So why do we need to have a stress test and what would it prove? Experience one part of A Day in the Life of a cardiologist as Dr. Lim Bee Chian, consultant cardiologist at Sunway Medical Centre, conducts a stress test for a patient who has some concern...

Jim Pugel discusses how effective policing of drugs supports improved health outcomes for people who use drugs as well as improved social and security outcomes for the community. Such outcomes are a priority for the Malaysian government and communities, and given the apparent changing approaches to drug policy pursued by the national drug control agency, discussions about achieving improved health...

Karen Siah is covering both bases (Christmas gifts and New Year’s Resolutions), as she takes us through a list of suggestions of good fitness gifts to give your friends to show you care about their health, as well as some tips on how to stick to your New Year’s Resolutions.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should you be Facebook friends with your doctor? Should you accept theirs if they send it? Do we really want to see the wizard behind the curtain? Dr. George Lee and Niki Cheong unpack the intricacies of social media and its impact on the doctor-patient relationship. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allergies can manifest early in life, and inflame different systems in the body. For this month’s Sunway Medical Centre show, the main focus is on this chronic and persistent disease that affects various organs, e.g. nose and skin and factors behind allergies for most Malaysians such as house dust mites and humid weather. Dr. Bong Jan Ling discusses rashes and our skin, while Dr. Lee Leong M...

Trust and love are two founding principles of a good marriage. So what happens when one is broken but other remains? Discussing working towards regaining trust after betrayal is Dr. Johnben Loy, licensed marriage and family therapist.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Until now, pain has been seen as a symptom. But some argue it is a disease in itself. Dr. Ozlan Izma Muhamed Kamil explains why knowing your pain makes you a better patient. http://www.knowyourpainasia.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all want our children to be healthy when we finally meet them after 9 months of waiting. But sometimes it’s not to be. Sometimes, genetics takes a harsh toll. Sharing their experience of living with a child with spinal muscular atrophy are parents Edmund Lim and Lim Sook Yee, accompanied by Professor Dr. MK Thong, geneticist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HIV is evolving to become less deadly and infectious. What repercussions might this have? Dr. George Lee, consultant urologist and Professor Sunil K Lal, professor in Microbiology discuss this in conjunction with World AIDS Day this past Monday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The John Cunningham virus, or JCV, is so named for the patient from whose tissue the virus was first successfully cultured. While many of us may be infected and suffer no ill effects, for some, it can lead to insidious and serious illnesses. Dr. Igor J. Koralnik, professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, and an expert in this area, tells us more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

We expect our babies to pop into the world at the 9 month mark, but sometimes they can be hasty. What health concerns are there for premature babies and their surprised parents? Dr. Premitha Damodaran, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, discusses.a See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.