Health & Living

In conjunction with World Refugee Day, Vizla Kumaresan of Health Equity Initiatives joins us to explain the work that the organisation is doing in trying to get health equity for disenfranchised groups within Malaysia, such as refugees and asylum seekers. From clinics to research, she explains the importance of evidence-based research as well as in understanding why health equity matters. See omny...

Osteopathy  is an alternative healthcare which emphasizes the interrelationship between structure and function of the body, as well as the body's ability to heal itself. However, how effiacious is it and what scientific basis does it have? The aptly named Neil Hands tells us more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Losing one's hair can be a difficult process to go through, especially because the process of replacing it can be long and problematic - and after all that, not even convincing looking. However, the times they are a-changing and there are new innovations in the field now. Dr. Chiam Tee Kiang and Dr. Chong Tze Sheng, aesthetic physicians, tell us more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

Occupational therapy is a holistic practice that aims to help people live their lives and do the things that they want and need to do - especially for those whose lives and bodies have been changed. Professor  Sharon  Brintnell shares how the profession has evolved and who it can help. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype, caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence. What this might mean in terms of cancer epigenetics is monumental - research is ongoing to see if we can identify what triggers a change in oncogene, the gene that has the most potential to cause cancer. It might change the way cancer treatment...

We hear about the morning sickness, even the hyperemis gravidarum, the change in the body and so on. But even after the full 9 months, the final few hours can still be fraught with potential complications and dangers.  Telling us about difficult deliveries and how the risks can be mitigated is Dr. Premitha Damodaran, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for p...

Going off his previous appearance on the show to talk about H.Pylori, Dr.  Vagif  extends the conversation to discuss other aspects of how this bacteria can cause things seemingly unrelated to gut health such as headaches and even hyperemis gravidarum.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malaysia is a country fortunately placed- we have a long history of using herbs and a rich ecosystem that can provide said herbs, yet to many they are a tradition forgotten. Giving some insight and knowledge into Malaysia's herbal heritage is Chee Beng Jin, a researcher from FRIM. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest fitness trends flood the market endlessly, each promising you its own unique benefits - all saying they're better than the rest. Who can you believe and what might each different program be doing for your body really? Noel Chelliah, transformation specialist and fitness blogger from DaillyMuscle, drops by to tell us all about it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Technology in medicine is what keeps it going and continues to refine techniques to make things safer and better for patients and practitioners alike. Dr. Rajesh Singh, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, discusses some of the latest technologies that has him excited.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A growing trend of yuppies who do marathons, triathlons, bike races and everything in between means that there is now a new type of  athlete – the  corporate   athlete . Letting us in on training tips and secrets- as well as how exercise can make you a better executive- is Karen Siah, fitness trainer.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've heard of dentists and orthodontist, but who is the prosthodontist and what does he or she do? Dr. Michael Mandikos talks about the various and many areas of interest of a prosthodontist and the services offered.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neurological dysfunction can be a frightening thing, entailing as it does, the feeling of losing control over one’s mind and body. Diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease loom over our heads like spectres as we begin to age. Dr. Darrick Kim tells us about natural interventions for neurological dysfunction.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meningitis has been around for centuries and yet it continues to be a threat to children and babies. Dato' Dr. Musa Mohd Nordin pay us a visit to discuss symptoms, treatment and vaccines for this disease.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beyond just dispensing medication,  pharmacists   play an important role in the medical chain. We find out more about this profession and how they help the public with David Chong,  pharmacist See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us live busy, yet simultaneously desk-bound, stressful lives. What toll is it taking on our bodies and how can we halt its effects? Giving one perspective on how acupuncture and shiatsu might help is Oran Kivity, acupuncturist and Bill Deng, practice manager of a healthcare centre. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and a Master's in Hospital and Health Administration, Mohan Manthiry has been working in various positions at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health. We pick his brain on what it would take to create further development of the healthcare industry.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this final episode of Take a Shot, it's a round-up of what we've covered in the series: the history, science and efficacy of development, alongside other issues like cost effectiveness. While we take stock of where we are, we also look forward to the future to see what the future of healthcare and vaccination may hold.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laser technology has made a huge impact on the medical field since it first started being used years ago...but it can be especially beneficial for ear, nose and throat surgery. Dr. Balachandran Apoo is the first surgeon to bring CO2 laser technology surgery to Malaysia for ear, nose and throat, and he tells us all about it.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the third episode of Take a Shot, we answer a seemingly simple question: Who should get vaccinated? The answer, it turns out, is: everyone. But even then, there are specific risk groups and a forgotten group in the form of adults. We hear from people as varied as Dato' Dr. Christopher Lee, head of the Infectious Diseases Unit at Hospital Sungai Buloh and Dato' Dr. Musa Mohd Nordin, consultant p...

In Episode Two of Take a Shot, we take a long look at the National Immunisation Program, bust the myth that it's 'compulsory', and take a look at the larger myth started by Andrew Wakefield and perpetuated by the media and frightened parents, that vaccination is linked to autism.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public and private healthcare seem to be on opposite sides of the divide - providing different things and motivated by different aims. However, with the rising cost of care and number of patients, there needs to be more collaboration between the two in order to better serve health needs. Telling us more about that is Dato' Dr. Amin Jalaluddin, who moved from University Malaya Medical Centre, to be...

We've all - at one point or another - bled. But what loss of blood would be insurmountable, and how does the body cope with bleeding? Dr. Goh Kim Yen tells us all about it, while also discussing platelets and the role they play in our blood and our systems. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Communicable diseases are the ones that often frighten people, with their tendency to spread rapidly hrough populations. However, non-communicable diseases tend to sneak up on you, only hinted at through family history and encouraged through lifestyle. Roseline Yap, council member of the Nutrition Society of Malaysia discusses how non-communicable diseases might be avoided by embracing a healthy l...

Earllier this year, it was confirmed that Malaysia was now the fattest nation in Southeast Asia and sixth in Asia. These are startling indications that we may need to seriously rethink the future health of our nation and start putting measures in place to halt the bulge.  Tan Sue Yee, nutritionist and council member of the Nutrition Society of Malaysia tells us more about how obesity is an on...