Health & Living

More than 200 cases of acute hepatitis have been reported in children worldwide, prompting health professionals and authorities to investigate this mysterious trend, in which the children’s livers have become inflamed without any known cause. With Malaysia reporting one suspected case in a 4-year-old boy in Sabah, we check in with consultant paediatrician Dr Rakhee Yadav to find out more about thi...

When it comes to diet and nutrition, we tend to think that it’s what we eat, and how much, that matters. While that is important, there’s also the sequence of foods to consider. Prof Winnie Chee, Dean, School of Health Sciences and Professor, Centre for Transformative Nutrition & Health, International Medical University (IMU), joins us to discuss the principles of food sequencing, its effects...

Do the words ‘work’ and ‘autism’ go together? The rates of employment among autistic individuals seem to suggest otherwise. Despite the communication and behavioural challenges faced by people with autism, many are able, and willing, to work. But what kind of employment is available for them, and how do they adapt to workplaces, or vice versa? Ng Kean How, Managing Director of BabyWise, talks abou...

As a parent, how do you know whether your child is walking, speaking or learning to make friends at the right age? Most of us would rely on something called developmental milestones, where resources can be easily found online or through your healthcare professional. Earlier this year, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the US Centers for Disease Control introduced new ages and milestones into...

If you have a physical disability or other mobility issues, it can be challenging to find your way around a hospital, or to even get there in the first place. With concerns that more people will find themselves living with disabilities due to age and other illnesses, it’s more important than ever to ensure that healthcare facilities are disability-friendly. In the fourth episode of our Mind the He...

Every mental health struggle has a story behind it. Autistic individuals have stories as well, that go beyond the label of their diagnosis. In conjunction with Autism Awareness Day in April, this episode of ‘ Because Feelings Matte r’ features the story of Sarah Ow, a young autistic adult and music teacher, and her mother Li-Ling.  ‘ Because Feelings Matter ’ is a series that brings you the s...

We go about our daily routines, such as getting out of bed, waiting for public transportation, and cooking meals, without giving a second thought to the fact that we are constantly putting pressure on our knees. On a daily basis, our knees are constantly absorbing the shocks of the movements involving our lower limbs - these joints are prone to wear and tear over time, as well as injuries during s...

In March, scientists in the Netherlands discovered the presence of microplastics in human blood for the first time, adding weight to the growing call to recognise the impact of pollution on human health. What are microplastics, how do they make their way into the bloodstream, and how will it affect our bodies, especially our immune system? On Earth Day, we speak to immunologist Dr Juan Garcia Vall...

In our monthly open clinic segment, Professor Dr Mohamad Haniki Nik Mohamad, Chief Coordinator of Certified Smoking Cessation Service Provider, at International Islamic University Malaysia, joins us to answer questions about smoking and vaping - and more importantly, how to quit. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our heart’s main function is to pump blood throughout our body, so what happens when the heart can’t pump blood as well as it should? Consultant cardiologist Dr Patrick Tiau from Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City sheds some light on what happens when the heart fails and why heart failure needs to be detected and treated early. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that is often misunderstood, with many thinking that it simply refers to extreme mood swings in the individual. But it’s important to look beyond the misconceptions and stereotypes to understand how bipolar disorder affects the lives of individuals and the people around them. On our monthly Mind Matters series, Assoc Prof Dr Amer Siddiq bin Amer Nordin...

Walk down any row of shop lots and you can probably quite easily find a beauty centre offering quick fixes to how you look. But just how many of these are licensed to carry out these procedures? With the Malaysian Society of Aesthetic Medicine stating that there are only about 300 doctors accredited under the Ministry of Health in the field of aesthetics, we discuss why seeing an accredited aesthe...

With an ageing population and diabetes being a major health concern among adults, diabetic older adults are at high risk of experiencing severe flu, flu-related complications and even death. On top of that, managing diabetes when you have the flu can be extra challenging. Consultant endocrinologist Dr Azraai Bahari Nasruddin from Hospital Putrajaya shares some advice on how to protect our older po...

In Malaysia, the confinement period is a sacred time for many mothers who have just given birth. Most, if not all, of the ethnic communities have their own traditional practices that dictate the care of mothers and their newborn babies. But with mothers and babies at their most vulnerable, what are the risks of confinement practices that largely take place in the community and, increasingly, in co...

Ulam is a staple part of the diets of many Malaysians, and many of us probably don’t give much thought to it when we add it to our meals. Now some studies have found that eating ulam might benefit our brain (on top of our diets), but what exactly is that link? And looking at the bigger picture, how much does our diet affect our brain health? Dr Suzana Shahar, Professor in Nutrition & Dietetics...

The shoulder's unique and complex anatomy makes the shoulders the body's most mobile joints with the greatest range of motion. At the same time, the shoulders are also the least stable joints, and are vulnerable to injuries, like strain, repetitive injuries and dislocation. Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr Chan Kin Yuen from OSC Orthopaedic Specialist Centre joins us to discuss shoulder pain and...

In 2022, World Health Day was celebrated on 7 April with the theme ‘Our Planet, Our Health’. The theme challenges us to look at health as an outcome of factors like the environment, economy, and equitable access to clean air, water and food. This means looking beyond hospitals and doctors to understand the complex social, political and economic causes underlying global health issues. Joining us to...

Every year, reserves in the blood banks tend to run low during the month of Ramadhan. However, the festive period that follows after may necessitate a greater supply of blood, so donors are encouraged to continue donating blood even during the fasting month. Dr Nor Azhani Binti Azmi, Transfusion Medicine Specialist, National Blood Centre, joins us to dispel myths and misconceptions about donating...

Ever watched a child wobbling their way through a game of hopscotch, and yet somehow, remarkably, never falling down? That’s the body’s ability to balance itself, although not everyone has the same level of ability. What does the body need in order to balance itself, and is it true that we lose our sense of balance as we get older? Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr Rajesh Singh joins us to explain...

When you have a wound, you know what usually happens: you clean it, treat it to prevent infection, and wait for it to heal on its own. But for some people, their wounds don’t heal in this straightforward manner - instead, they experience prolonged pain, and the wounds constantly produce pus and even a foul smell. Is amputation the only way out, or is there hope for treating these hard-to-heal woun...

A death from sudden cardiac arrest is an abrupt and shocking loss, causing huge emotional impact to families and communities. A study looking at out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Malacca found that about 20 to 40 cases happened every month in 2019, but the success rate of performing CPR was only 1%, pointing to a dismally low level of bystander awareness and response during an emergency. Datuk Dr...

We look ahead to Autism Awareness Day (2 April) with a focus on autism in adulthood. Why do some autistic individuals only get diagnosed in adulthood, when earlier support and interventions in childhood would have helped them cope with their challenges? We find out from Dr Daniel Leong, Co-Chair of Autism Initiatives Malaysia who will share from a personal and professional perspective, while clini...

As the fasting month for Muslims is set to begin, it’s even more important to ensure that you are eating healthily even when you’re fasting. But when food is abundant (and delicious), what are some practical ways to instil better eating habits without compromising on our taste buds? Nutritionist Sidra al-Talib offers some advice. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

In the two years since COVID-19 was first detected, we’ve learned so much about the disease and its impact and yet there is still so much we don’t know. In a recent study, scientists have discovered that even a mild case of COVID-19 could result in changes to the brain, or more specifically a slight shrinking in the size of the brain. On the surface, this seems alarming but we’ll find out more abo...

Old hospital buildings, outdated equipment, or health facilities that are simply too few and far between. Whether we hear it from others or experience it ourselves, it’s not uncommon to hear such stories about our public health system, especially in rural and underserved areas. But with limited resources, to what extent is it possible to replace the old with the new, and how is it affecting qualit...