Health & Living

Osteoarthritis is the most common musculoskeletal problem worldwide, causing a great deal of pain and disability for those who live with the condition. A recent study has just discovered nine new genes associated with osteoarthritis. Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr Rajesh Singh helps us to understand the role of genetics in orthopaedic disorders, and how it could improve treatment of these debil...

We bring the latest in health news. After a short hiatus, we're back, this time to discuss the future of medicine. We scanned a few scientific journals and picked out some publications in medical research focusing on tech-driven healthcare. -- 0:00 - Intro 5:55 - The Internet made everyone a medical expert ( Source: Wired ) 17:10 - Antibiotic resistance made a jump between species ( Source: Futuri...

We know about the effect of antibiotics on gut bacteria, where there is an alarming trend of pathogenic bacteria developing resistance to many commonly prescribed antibiotics. But a new study has shown that more than 200 non-antibiotic drugs can also trigger changes in the growth of human bacteria in the gut. Dr Nadia binti Atiya, medical microbiologist from University of Malaya, joins us to expla...

Dr George Lee returns to discuss the latest medical news. Expect deep insights delivered with generous humour. It’s bad enough that the unprecedented levels of obesity and overweight are leading to increasing heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Now Cancer Research UK has found that excess weight is causing more cancers. On the other hand, smoking as a cause of cancer has declined. Dr Sauntha...

If you have relatives or friends with late-stage or metastatic cancer, you will be familiar with the pain that they suffer from – physical pain that is often debilitating. We talk to Dr Mary Cardosa, visiting pain specialist in Hospital Selayang, about whether cancer pain is under-recognised as a medical need. Joining her is Dr Lee Chee Chan, paediatrician sub-specialising in palliative care...

World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is observed on March 24 of each year to raise awareness that TB is the top infectious disease killer in the world. Even more concerning is that new drugs once thought to provide hope for disease elimination, are now starting to fail as TB bugs gain resistance. Geneticist Dr Richard Fong uses his expertise in genomics to develop faster, cheaper and accurate diagnostic to...

When you undergo heart bypass surgery, you put your life in the hands of highly qualified and trained specialists like consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Yahya Awang and consultant anaesthetist Dato’ Dr Sharifah Suraya Syed Mohd Tahir, from Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur. They join us to discuss developments in coronary artery bypass surgery and how they work beh...

The recent death of Professor Stephen Hawking due to motor neuron disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), has cast a limelight on the rare disorder. Prof Dr Nortina Shahrizaila and Dr Loh Ee Chin share more about how the Motor Neuron Disease Clinic in University Malaya Medical Centre takes a multidisciplinary approach to help patients. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If your child is a toddler, the word ‘tantrum’ probably sends shivers down your spine. But what do you do if your child is already a teenager and still throwing tantrums? Consultant developmental paediatrician Dr Rajini Sarvananthan revisits some classic approaches to dealing with tantrums, especially those that persist into adolescence. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informat...

A pregnant woman is often given great care and protection. She is often told she can’t do this, that or the other. But what can she actually do when it comes to her health and fitness? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a patient dies under a doctor’s care, the doctor has to be held accountable. But what if that doctor was overworked, her department was understaffed and the computer system had broken down? This is what happened to Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba in 2011, when a six-year-old boy, Jack Adcock, died under her care in Leicester Royal Infirmary, UK. She was convicted in 2015 of manslaughter for neglig...

Being exposed to lead in the environment has serious health effects. A study published in the journal Lancet found that lead could be responsible for as much as 18% of all deaths in the US. The study, which used data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, looked at the blood lead levels of more than 14,000 adults, and their causes of death. People with the highest lead level...

Dr George Lee returns to discuss the latest medical news. Expect deep insights delivered with generous humour. If you suddenly observe changes like paranoia and anger, hallucinations, memory loss, or incoherent speech in an older relative or friend, it could be extremely alarming. In conjunction with World Delirium Awareness Day on 14 March, consultant geriatrician Prof Dr Tan Maw Pin from Univers...

Although colorectal cancer is amongst the top three most common cancers in the country, most Malaysians are diagnosed late because of poor awareness and low participation for screening. The panel of experts from Sunway Medical Centre  Datin Dr Wendy Lim Wan Dee , Dr Chong Hoong Yin and Dr Nik Muhd Aslan Abdullah , helps us break the silence on colorectal cancer.   This show is part 4 of...

In Part 3 of 4, dietitian  Lau Wai Hong of Sunway Medical Centre explains how proper diet can contribute to a healthy digestive system.   This show is part 3 of a series on colorectal health. Listen to the other shows here: Part 1: Colorectal Health #1: Anatomy Part 2: Colorectal Health #2: Examination Part 4: Colorectal Health #4: Breaking The Silence on Colorectal Cancer See omnystudio...

If you or your loved one has cancer, the biggest hurdle is getting past the shock of the diagnosis. However, one part of the conversation that is often neglected is how patients cope with the financial challenges of cancer treatment, and whether they are denied welfare and employment benefits. In our Public Health series, Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO of Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy, is jo...

In Part 2 of 4, gastroenterologist and hepatologist Datin Dr Wendy Lim Wan Dee of Sunway Medical Centre walks us through a typical colorectal examination.   This show is part 2 of a series on colorectal health. Listen to the other shows here: Part 1: Colorectal Health #1: Anatomy Part 3: Colorectal Health #3: Gut Health Part 4: Colorectal Health #4: Breaking The Silence on Colorectal Cancer S...

You may have seen some Internet memes about depression, such as the one claiming that nature is the true antidepressant, not a pill. These are very damaging stereotypes that paint a misleading picture of depression as a condition that doesn’t require medical treatment. Consultant psychiatrist Dr Rabin Gonzaga discusses a recent meta-analysis in The Lancet, which provided solid scientific evi...

In Part 1 of 4, colorectal surgeon and general surgeon, Dr Chong Hoong Yin of Sunway Medical Centre introduces the anatomy and functions of the lower gastrointestinal tract.   This show is part 1 of a series on colorectal health. Listen to the other shows here: Part 2: Colorectal Health #2: Examination Part 3: Colorectal Health #3: Gut Health Part 4: Colorectal Health #4: Breaking The Silence...

Does your heart sometimes skip a beat or race rapidly for no reason? These could be signs of a heart condition called atrial fibrillation (AF). Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist Datuk Dr Razali Omar, from Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur (CVSKL), discusses the treatment options that can reduce the risk of stroke in patients with AF. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

Taking a one-off PSA test will not save your life from prostate cancer, a large UK trial has found. The CAP Trial, funded by Cancer Research UK, followed more than 400,000 men over 10 years. Consultant urologist Dr George Lee explains the results. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr George Lee returns to discuss the latest medical news. Expect deep insights delivered with generous humour. Whether you are a fan or not, you would have heard of the recent death of Indian female actor Sridevi Kapoor. Initial media reports cited cardiac arrest as the cause of death, before the police later revealed that she had drowned in her bathtub. Consultant emergency physician Dr Terence L...

Brain Awareness Week is typically observed on the third week of March. As part of this global campaign, neurogeneticist Dr Azlina Ahmad Annuar discusses caregiving for Alzheimer’s from a youth’s perspective. Joining her in the conversation are Chalystha Lee and Datin Jacquline Wong. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where do we get the idea that women cannot do certain things? Women juggle more roles compared to men, as they have to work, manage their household, as well as be caregivers and, often, mothers. In conjunction with International Women’s Day tomorrow, consultant clinical psychologist Paul J looks at using psychology to empower women. Racheal Kwacz from Ibu Family Resource Group joins him to s...

A recent article in South China Morning Post reported on the phenomenon of poor hand motor and dexterity skills among children who overuse touchscreen phones and tablets. Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr Rajesh Singh takes us through the development of hand function in childhood, and whether children are losing the ability to hold a pencil. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.