Author: Sunitha S

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a type of sexual dysfunction that leads to a failure to begin and maintain a penile erection during sexual activity. Major health issues can contribute to getting or maintaining an erection and treatment needs to be sought to resolve any underlying conditions. Dr Lee Fang Jann speaks about erectile dysfunction. ED can be primary or secondary: Primary ED: It is present from the first experience of sexual intercourse Secondary ED: When an individual develops ED after a period of normal penile function Epidemiology ED is more common in older individuals and it is estimated to occur…

For certain medical conditions, getting a clear picture of the interior of the body is crucial. A diagnostic imaging test is normally undertaken in such circumstances. This provides a clear image of the condition affecting your internal organ(s) so that the doctor can prescribe the necessary treatment.  Different types of imaging devices are used to get a picture of your internal organs. Three of the most common diagnostic tests are X-ray, CT scan, and MRI. What are the differences between these scans? Read on more to find out. What is an X-ray?  An X-ray is the most basic diagnostic test…

Rheumatic disorders are musculoskeletal disorders that affect movement and are characterised by pain, swelling, and redness in the joints or affected areas. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), rheumatic disorders can be characterised as joint disease, spinal disorder, and physical disability. Certain conditions that arise from trauma can also be categorised as rheumatic disorders.  Most common rheumatic disorders There are over 200 different types of rheumatic diseases that each affect the body in unique ways. Here are some of the most common rheumatic disorders:  Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is a condition where the cartilage protecting the end of bones gets worn…

Have you ever felt an unpleasant reaction after having a particular food? Do you feel your stomach getting upset or rashes appearing on the skin after eating something? This could be due to an allergic reaction to that food. Other than allergy to medications, food allergy can occur to individuals as well. Read on to find out more. What is food allergy?  Food allergy is a condition in which your body’s immune system reacts abnormally to certain ingredients present in the food. The body’s immune system mistakenly recognises those ingredients as harmful and takes its own protective measures. This includes…

Hepatitis C is yet another infection that affects the liver. It is estimated that hepatitis C (HCV) affects 2.5% of healthy adults in Asia. Though this number is less when compared to other countries, the risk factor is high in Asia. World Hepatitis Day falls on 28 Jul every year. Apart from hepatitis A and hepatitis B, let’s look into another of type of viral infection that affects the liver. What is hepatitis C? Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus. This infection can result in serious liver damage. Just like all other types of…

Hepatitis B is a liver condition that is widely prevalent in Asian countries. This wide prevalence can be attributed to the virus circulating in this region for thousands of years. Moreover, low infant immunisation rates in Asian countries have also contributed to the high incidence.  The good news is that hepatitis B vaccination is gaining momentum in most Asian countries. In fact, it is included in routine childhood vaccination in almost all Asian countries. World Hepatitis Day falls on 28 Jul every year. After finding out about hepatitis A, read on more to know more about this liver infection. What…

Symptoms usually appear few weeks after contracting the Hepatitis A infection. The best way to prevent the infection is by taking the hepatitis A vaccine.

If you were to name an important solid organ in your digestive system, it would be the liver. It is mainly a football-sized organ that is situated on the right side of the abdomen. Its primary function is to digest the food you eat and eliminate the toxins from the body.  Certain diseases and lifestyle changes can affect this organ. If these conditions are left untreated, they can become life-threatening. But before we move to the conditions affecting the liver, let us look some of its major functions.  What are the functions of the liver? Production of albumin Albumin is…

Cow’s milk is an integral part of the diet in Asian countries. Apart from drinking, cow’s milk is used to make beverages like tea and coffee and is used in cereals. Many recipes also call for cow’s milk as an ingredient. In Asian countries, egg and cow’s milk allergy are the most commonly found allergies in children and young adults. Apart from allergy and taste preference, many other factors can cause people to stay away from milk. Read on to find out more about milk alternatives. Why Do You Need An Alternative To Milk?  As mentioned earlier, allergy is the main…

Not everyone may have a healthy or straight spine. Some individuals might have “C” or “S” shaped curvatures to their spine which may occur immediately before puberty or in some instances, during adulthood. Such ‘C’ or ‘S’ shaped curvatures of the spine are called scoliosis.  Various studies have been conducted to understand the prevalence of scoliosis in Asian countries. In one such study conducted in Singapore, a higher incidence of scoliosis was found in female children of Chinese descent than those of Malay or Indian descent. Studies in India have found that an estimated 0.4% of the population is affected…