Author: Diane Galistan

OCD is the fifth leading cause of disease burden amongst women between ages 15 and 44. Read more to know the 4 major symptoms

The increased attention placed on health and fitness in recent years has caused an upsurge of individuals taking up sports and gym memberships, and naturally, cases of related injury. Getting injured during training is frustrating, especially in the lead up to a competition or tournament. You’re forced to take a backseat for recovery while your teammates continue to the final stage without you, perhaps even bagging a few medals in the process.  When you’re in the dark and deep moment of being injured, it’s hard to see a way out. But injuries always get better, usually with proper rest and the…

Earlier this year, a Singaporean woman together with her newborn daughter plummeted to her death. The sound of breaking bamboo poles followed by two loud thuds drew the attention of a passerby who then called the police. The baby was just five weeks old. Investigations found a stool positioned below the kitchen window of the apartment and no signs of physical struggle. But from a psychological standpoint, signs of a mental struggle were strewn everywhere, starting with the baby shorts, baby socks, diaper, and broken pair of spectacles found on the ground near the bodies. After delivery, the woman told…

The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes psychosis as a “condition that affects a person’s mind and distorts how they think and understand the world around them”. It is a symptom rather than an illness. This person loses touch with reality and is unable to determine that their thoughts and perceptions are illusory. This prevents them from bearing responsibilities that otherwise would be manageable and living normal lives. What causes it? Stressful events Childhood trauma and stressful life events are highly associated with the development of psychosis and other mental illnesses. Despite this, there has yet to be a clear explanation…

Each Singaporean household is entitled to one oximeter each, as part of the Stay Prepared COVID-19 response by Temasek Foundation initiative. What are these oximeters, and how do they work? How is the use of oximeters related to COVID-19? Read on to find out more. What is an oximeter? An oximeter is a non-invasive device that measures oxygen saturation. It checks how well the heart is pumping oxygen through the body. The device can measure the efficiency of oxygen transportation to extremities far from the heart such as the legs and arms. It can be handy when it comes to…

A study found that about one third of the adults in Hong Kong disclosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in the course of the frequently-violent pro-democracy protests. The authors of the study have since then advised officials to better the mental health provision of the city. PTSD is an anxiety disorder that can occur in people that have experienced or witnessed traumatic events. These events are often life-threatening, taking the form of natural disasters, serious accidents, terrorist attacks, war, rape, or threats of death, sexual violence, and serious injury. Experiencing trauma will naturally have an impact on your life and the…

Among the most common causes of blindness in Asia is cataract development, other than glaucoma. Often, around the age of 40, proteins found in the lens of our eyes can start to break down and aggregate. This cluster forms the resulting cloud so characteristic of cataracts, usually developing slowly without setting off any alarm in the early stages. This cloudiness prevents sufficient light from passing through to the retina, disrupting vision and eventually daily activities such as reading or driving a car during nightfall. Seeing halo-surrounded lights, double vision, and colour-fading are other symptoms faced by cataract sufferers. What predisposes…

Healthcare professionals can help you or your family members in smoking cessation, by using an appropriate framework and asking the right questions. Some ways of helping you or your family members quit smoking is through behavioural management, or through the use of medications. The use of medication, or pharmacotherapy, has shown to be hugely effective in helping patients to quit smoking. World No Tobacco Day happens on 31 May every year. This year, in conjunction with World No Tobacco Day, we explore the options available for healthcare professionals to help you or your family members quit smoking in this article.…