Health & Living

With World Sight Day falling in the month of October, we take the chance to focus on the health of one of our most important organs and senses - our eyes that allow us to enjoy the beauty of the world around us, read, and navigate the world. Tackling different aspects of eye health are Dr Chin Pik Kee, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr Tara George, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Dr Sree Kumar, Consul...

We all want to know: will our babies be smart? Beautiful? Musical? Most of all - will they be healthy? Prenatal genetic tests allow for at least one of those questions to be answered, albeit partially. Offering a look into the latest developments in prenatal genetic tests is Dr. Arif Anwar, resident geneticist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In conjunction with World Mental Health Day which fell on October 10th, Dr. Phillip George and Dr. Stephen Jambunathan discuss the theme of the year, which is 'Living with Schizophrenia'. An often misunderstood and poorly treated disease, schizophrenia can be frightening to both its sufferers and the people around them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The term gifted doesn't just refer to intelligence or IQ - it goes beyond that. Similarly the needs of gifted children are multifaceted, and no one would be better placed to offer this perspective than a gifted child who's now grown up into a gifted adult. That adult is Dr. Ille Gebeshuber from the Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics at the National University of Malaysia (UKM) See o...

The International Drug Prevention and Rehabilitation Conference (PREVENT 2014) is an annual event providing a platform for stakeholders on various levels to discuss the state of drug issues and the latest ideas on drug prevention and rehabilitation. Sharing some of these ideas is Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Rushdan Mohd Jailani, Director of the Asian Centre for Research On Drug Abuse. See omnystu...

Growing children need their nutrition, but what happens when a child staunchly refuses to give any ground and eat something just because it's 'good for them'? Dr. Rajini Sarvananthan explains how we can help our picky eaters enjoy the culinary wonderland that is Malaysia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Of the 40 million abortions that occur worldwide every year, half happen in countries where it is illegal, and unsafely done. Discussing the legal aspects of abortion--the laws, the conditions that permit abortions, and the controversies--are two doctors and a lawyer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When faced with speedbumps in life, some inevitable side effects are anxiety, discomfort, maybe even depression. And while some of us are willing and able to seek out therapy, what about those who lack access? That’s where community counselling comes in and telling us more about this are William Leong and Ms. Boey, licensed counsellors.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

It’s not all Arc Reactors and cool suits of armor, in real life our Ironmen are more likely to be seen participating in one of the most difficult one-day sporting events in the world. Discussing his preparation as well as what being a triathlon coach entails is Kevin Siah, Ironman Competitor and Online Triathlon Coach. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The thyroid is a small but important part of our health system and when it goes wrong - many other things soon follow. Explaining how it’s all connected and how thyroid problems can affect women specifically, is Dr. Alexander Tan, consultant endocrinologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Haemorrhoids--swollen blood vessels that protrude from the anal regions--cause piles and give many people much discomfort. Dr. George Lee and Dr. Paul Selvindoss talk about the causes of piles and its treatments, including surgery using lasers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When calamities strike, one’s dental records suddenly assume an importance they didn’t have before. Explaining how they deal with tissues sent for investigation to better understand disease or events that have transpired, are Professor Dr. Khoo Suan Phaik and Professor Phrabhakaran. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With World Heart Day coming up on September 29, Dr. Jeyamalar Rajadurai explains how we can create heart-healthy environments in every part of our lives, from work to play. She will also touch on how stakeholders, policy makers and the private sector can form strategic collaborations to achieve this. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The power of the mind - it’s not just the arena of life coaches and therapists anymore. Instead, with the help of technology, a man successfully moved his hand using the strength of his mind. Dr. Ali Rezai, consultant neurosurgeon, explains this innovation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After years of pink ribbons being worn and awareness being spread, the rates of breast cancer in Malaysia remain alarming. Explaining why this is, and sorting through treatment options as well as the controversy surrounding screenings, is Dr. M Devanand, Chairman of the Pink Ribbon Wellness Foundation and Consultant Breast Surgeon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In August, a ruling rejecting the use of a prostate cancer drug in the United Kingdom was deemed a ‘fiasco’. Why was this and what are the ramifications of this for treatment of this cancer? Dr. George Lee is accompanied by Dr. Rachael Khong, clinical oncologist, in examining this issue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If children are our future, what can we be doing to best help them achieve their potential? Keeping them healthy would be a start, and working in that direction are Dr Rosalie Yip, Dr Ong Shong Meng and Dr Nazrul Neezam Nordin from Sunway Medical Centre. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The concept of evil is ancient to our species and many efforts have been made to understand how it could motivate our actions. But what about how it challenges our views and shapes our beliefs? Taking it from the macro to the micro, Dr. Johnben Loy examines how belief in the concept of evil could affect our lives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several lifestyle related factors are related to colorectal cancer, and because of that, a holistic approach to the disease is necessary. Telling us more about this is Dr. C.D. Siby and Dato Dr. Suseela Nair. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The news that Rafael Nadal will not be defending his US Open Grand Slam title due to a wrist injury marks the most recent injury-blighted chapter of Nadal’s stellar career. Dr. Harjeet Singh examines why some athletes are more prone to injury and how this can be avoided. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Early childhood can prove to be a major formative power in our lives. We find out what parents can expect in the first 6 years of their child’s life, taking it much like new parents - a day at a time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently in the United Kingdom, the General Medical Council has suggested that doctors be forced to say sorry to their patients and relatives when they make a mistake. This is supposed to increase patient confidence in their doctors. Will this work, and what impact will it have from a legal point of view? We find out with Dr. Krishna Kumar Hari Krishnan, President of the Malaysian Medical Associat...

As tough as a tendon - that’s a common phrase and one that accurately denotes the strength that tendons have and the tension they can withstand. So what happens when they don’t work correctly? Taking us through disorders of the tendon and how it affects associated structures is Dr. Rajesh Singh, consultant orthopaedic surgeon. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We follow Dr. Khoo, a consultant padiatrician, as he starts his day in the nursery and ends it in his clinic. Dr. Khoo tends to children of all ages, and their concerned parents. He wants only for the children to have good healthcare, good education and to be loved. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social media is a part of our lives 24/7, or at least a few hours out of each day. It’s changed the way we interact with one another and how we understand human relationships. Professor Jafri Malin Abdullah weighs in. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.