Author: Rachel Tan

Did you know that over half of people with diabetes (57%) in Southeast Asia are undiagnosed? Many people who suffer from diabetes are not even aware that they have the condition. Diabetes, if left untreated, can lead to a slew of health complications like heart disease and nerve damage. Hence, it is important to be aware of the warning signs. Keep reading to find out more about the criteria for a diabetes diagnosis, and how to monitor diabetes mellitus.  Diagnosis of diabetes To diagnose diabetes, doctors typically utilise the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test or the A1C test. They may…

In another article, we discussed what diabetes is, its causes, and the different types. Let us now delve deeper into the statistics and demographics of diabetes sufferers worldwide and in Asia, risk factors contributing to diabetes, and the signs and symptoms that one should look out for.  About diabetes Diabetes symptoms differ depending on the type as well as its severity. In the previous article, we discussed the 4 different types:  Diabetes type 1 (T1DM) Diabetes type 2 (T2DM)  Gestational diabetes Other uncommon kinds of diabetes (for example, diabetes that is related to cystic fibrosis or medications)  T2DM is by…

Do you know a friend or relative with diabetes? This disease is currently a serious concern worldwide and is a leading cause of death in most countries. More than 60% of diabetics live in Asia. Keep reading to find out more about what diabetes mellitus is, what causes it, and the differences between the.  What is diabetes mellitus? Diabetes is medically known as diabetes mellitus. When you consume carbohydrates and sugar, your body converts them into a sugar known as glucose and transports it through your bloodstream. Your pancreas secretes insulin, a hormone that aids the transport of glucose from…

Did you know that multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer, with almost 170,000 new cases diagnosed annually around the world? Yet, many people have not heard of it. Even with medical advancements, the disease is often characterised by recurring relapses, and is incurable for most patients, leading to almost 120,000 deaths every year. We have learnt about the overall basic understanding of blood cancers, and the diagnosis & treatments of leukaemia and lymphoma. Continue reading to find out more about myeloma diagnosis tests, treatment options, and prognosis.  What is myeloma? Multiple myeloma is a rare blood cancer…

Multiple sclerosis, or MS for short, is a disease with both good and bad news. It appears rare in Asia: between 0 and 20 per 100,000. There is no cure, but the life expectancy for most cases is positive – about 7 years less than someone who doesn’t have MS. However, if you suffer from multiple sclerosis, you may have symptoms that can drastically affect your quality of life. Most patients and their loved ones do not know where to begin. We have looked at the types, causes and symptoms of MS in the 1st part of this 3-part series…

We have talked about blood cancer in a separate article. Types of blood cancer include leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Lymphoma is a cancer afflicting your lymphatic system, which is responsible for fighting diseases and infections. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is more common in adults, while Hodgkin’s lymphoma is the most commonly diagnosed in teenagers aged 15 to 19 years old. Lymphoma is a broad term covering many subtypes. Knowing the type of lymphoma you have is crucial in understanding your treatment options and prognosis. Continue reading to find out more about the different types of lymphoma, it’s diagnosis, and treatment options.  What is…

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological diseases of the central nervous system. In the first part of our series on multiple sclerosis, we talked about what causes MS, the different types of MS, its symptoms, and risk factors. Worldwide, women are more likely than men to suffer from multiple sclerosis in a ratio of 2 to 1. Keep reading to find out more about multiple sclerosis diagnosis criteria, as well as prevention and treatment.  How to diagnose multiple sclerosis? MS usually begins with symptoms such as eye pain that worsens with movement, vision loss, limb numbness…

We have talked about blood cancer in a separate article, and we now know that leukaemia is one of the types of blood cancers. It involves the cancer of the white blood cell. The history of leukaemia diagnosis and treatment has evolved rapidly due to medical advancements. The outlook for people diagnosed with leukaemia is much better today than it was many years ago. Did you know that the current average 5-year survival/success rate for all types of leukaemia is over 50%? This means that over half of all patients are most likely to live at least five years or…

What is MS? Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a mysterious and frequently distressing disease. MS affects the brain and spinal cord, causing vision, balance, and muscular function issues. The effects of the condition are often diverse, with the majority of patients with MS diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. Read on to find out more about MS types, symptoms, causes, and risk factors.  What is multiple sclerosis? Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disorder affecting your central nervous system – the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is classified as an autoimmune illness, which occurs when the body’s…

Did you know that your blood accounts for about 8 per cent of your body weight? Like the other body parts, your blood is susceptible to cancer too, hindering the production and function of blood cells, on top of other diseases. An estimated 1.25 million blood cancers occur globally. Blood cancer can be life-threatening, especially if uncontrollable bleeding or infections occur. Continue reading to find out more about the causes blood cancer, the different types, and their symptoms.  What is blood? Our blood plays an important role in supplying the body’s organs with nutrients, oxygens, antibodies, and hormones. It is…