Author: Sony Sherpa

The word ‘osteoporosis’ means porous bone. It is a disorder in which bones become thinner and lose their strength over time. Osteoporosis develops when bone density decreases and the body absorbs more bone tissue than it produces. It is commonly referred to as a “silent disease” because you may not notice any changes until a bone breaks. All the while, though, your bones may have been losing strength over the years. In people with osteoporosis, the bones become porous and weak, increasing the risk of fractures even with minor impact or trauma.  World Osteoporosis Day falls on 20 October this…

The inflammation of joints is known as arthritis. It is not a single disease entity but a general term used for a wide variety of diseases related to our joints. It is most common among women and occurs more frequently in older people. World Arthritis Day falls on 12 Oct every year. Continue reading this article to find out what are the different types of arthritis and how they are usually being treated! Introduction Arthritis is one of the leading causes of disability. People of all ages, genders, and races can have this condition. As there are many people who…

Coronary artery disease, or also known as coronary heart disease or ischaemic heart disease, is the leading cause of death and premature mortality worldwide. It is estimated that half of all heart disease-related mortality cases in the world occur in Asian countries alone. This may be due to a lack of understanding on what is needed to maintain heart health combined with unhealthy eating habits and lifestyles. As a result, the prevalence of heart disease and heart-related deaths are on the rise. World Heart Day falls on 29 September this year. Let’s find out what is coronary artery disease all…

Ear infections are a simplified term for Otitis Media, which is an infection of the middle ear. It involves the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny vibrating bones of the ear. This condition is more common in children than adults, and can be acute or chronic. Epidemiology  In Asia, the prevalence of acute otitis media is 10.85%, among which 51% occur in children under the age of five. The incidence rate of chronic suppurative otitis media (chronic inflammation of the middle ear) is 4.76℅, with 22.6% of cases occurring annually in children under five. And 30 in…

Dementia is a syndrome characterised by the deterioration in memory, thinking, behaviour, and the ability to perform everyday activities. It is the major cause of disability and dependency among older people worldwide, although it does not affect consciousness. Cognitive dysfunction is commonly accompanied and occasionally preceded, by deterioration in emotional control, social behaviour, or motivation. Epidemiology According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are around 50 million people with dementia worldwide, with nearly 10 million new cases each year. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It may contribute to 60–70% of dementia cases. Among people with…

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a degenerative disorder of the brain, characterised commonly by progressive memory loss, cognitive deficit (reduced mental capacity to reason, make judgements) and behavioural changes which impair a person’s ability to function independently. The condition “Alzheimer’s disease” was coined by Dr. Alois Alzheimer, the scientist who first described the condition in 1906. In 2015, the number of cases of AD was about 23 million in the Asia Pacific region; it has been estimated that this prevalence will burgeon to 71 million by 2050. With access to advanced medical care and consequent increasing life expectancy, AD is on…

Gastroenteritis is a condition caused by infection and inflammation of the digestive system. Common and usual symptoms are abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and occasionally fever. It is mostly a self-limiting disease that goes away by itself after a few days.  The most common cause of gastroenteritis is viral which is usually transmitted via direct contact with an affected person or by taking infected food or water. The majority of patients recover without difficulties but it can be serious in some groups such as infants, people with weak immunity, and elderly.  Other causes of gastroenteritis include bacteria, bacterial toxins, parasites,…

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder of the brain leading to the death of dopamine-producing cells. The resultant decrease in dopamine levels causes trembling stiffness of the body, and difficulties when walking, maintaining balance, and coordination. It is estimated that around 3.171 million people from four countries in Asia (China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan) are affected by Parkinson’s. People who are approximately 60 years old develop the disease but a small portion may develop “early-onset” Parkinson’s disease before the age of 50. Early-onset Parkinson’s is thought to be inherited but some specific gene mutations have also been associated with…

Kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located at the lower back region. Kidneys help to purify the impurities in blood. Although they are very small in size, they can filter 200 litres of fluid every 24 hours. Each  kidney is composed of a million tiny filters, known as nephrons. Kidney stones are small, hard deposits of minerals and acids that occur on the inner surface of the kidneys. Kidney stones can vary in size, and can cause pain as the stones descend along the urinary tract. Once a kidney stone has formed, it can either remain inside the kidney…

Infertility is a common problem in the world affecting approximately 10 to 15% of couples worldwide. Defined as failure to conceive after ≥12 months of trying, infertility is often a result of different factors and is rarely associated with only one single cause. Infertility can affect both men and women, with one-third of cases comprising male infertility.  Causes of infertility Successful conception is dependent on a healthy egg being fertilised by a healthy sperm, then subsequently being implanted in the woman’s womb. Infertility can be due to a problem with any of these factors.  Male infertility happens when: There is…