PKPMI Cawangan Palembang

2011-11-22T09:28:00.001+07:00

Malaysian Contingent Medal Tally by Sport (21/11/2011)...

-CYCLING-
4000 M Team Pursuit - Male - GOLD
Sprint - Female - FATEHAH MUSTAPA - GOLD
Sprint - Male - MUHAMMAD EDRUS MD - GOLD
Sprint - Male -MOHD FATTAH AMRI Z- SILVER
40 KM Point Race - Male -MUHAMAD ADIQ HUSAI- SILVER
Omnium - Male -MOHAMAD HAFIZ- GOLD
Omnium - Male - AHMAD FAKHRULLAH- BRONZE
Team Sprint - Female - GOLD

WUSHU
Sanshou - 70Kg - Male - WONG WEI JIAN- BRONZE
Sanshou - 60Kg - Female-PEI PIN TANG- BRONZE

-BOXING-
Middle Weight 75 kg - Male -MUHAMAD FARKHAN- SILVER

-FOOTBALL-
Team Men - Male (HARIMAU MUDA)- GOLD

-PARAGLIDING-
Accuracy Team - Female - BRONZE
Accuracy Team - Male - BRONZE
Open Distance Team - Female- SILVER
Open Distance Team - Male- BRONZE
Race to goal Team - Female- BRONZE
Race to goal Team - Male- SILVER

-SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING-
Free Combination - Female - GOLD

-WEIGHTLIFTING-
Above 69 kg - (Total) Female -NUE JANNAH- BRONZE

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (20/11/2011)

4th : GOLD - 59 , SILVER - 50 , BRONZE - 81 = TOTAL 190

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

2011-11-21T09:03:00.001+07:00

Malaysian Contingent Medal Tally by Sport (20/11/2011)...

-BASKETBALL-
Womens Team - Female - BRONZE

... -BOWLING-
Masters - Female -SHARON KOH- SILVER
Masters - Female -ZANDRA AZIELA- BRONZE
Masters - Male -ADRIAN ANG- GOLD
Masters - Male -MUHAMAD SYAFIQ RID- BRONZE

-JUDO-
Over 81 kg up to 90 kg - Male-EZZAT- BRONZE

-SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING-
Duet Free Routine - Female - GOLD
Team Free Routine - Female - GOLD

-WUSHU-
Dao Shu + Gun Shu - Male -ONG SHI CHUAN-BRONZE
Nandao + Nan Gun - Female -TAI CHEAU XUEN- GOLD
Nandao + Nan Gun - Female -DIANA BONG SIONG L- BRONZE
Nandao + Nan Gun - Male -KEVAN CHEAH PENG- GOLD
Nandao + Nan Gun - Male -KOO CHEE ZHONG- SILVER

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (20/11/2011)

4th : GOLD - 52 , SILVER - 45 , BRONZE - 70 = TOTAL 167

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

2011-11-20T07:36:00.000+07:00

Malaysian Contingent Medal Tally by Sport (19/11/2011)...

-BADMINTON-
Men's Doubles - Male - BRONZE

... -BOXING-
Light Fly Weight 48 kg - Female -AI JIM- BRONZE

-WEIGHTLIFTING-
105 kg - (Total) Male -FIRDAUS- BRONZE
Above 105 kg - (Total) Male -AZIM- SILVER

-CYCLING-
10 KM Scratch Race - Male - MOHD HARRIF SALEH- GOLD
500 M Individual Time Trial - Female -FATEHAH MUSTAPA- GOLD

-EKUESTRIAN-
Jumping Team - Mixed - BRONZE

-JUDO-
Over 57 kg up to 63 kg - Female-NORBAIZURA- BRONZE

-OPEN WATER SWIMMING-
10000m - Female -HEIDI GAN- GOLD
10000m - Male - KEVIN YEAP SOON- BRONZE

-SAILING-
International 470 Class - Male - BRONZE
Laser Class Radial - Female -NUR AMIRAH- BRONZE
Laser Class Radial - Male- MOHD ROMZI- SILVER
Optimist Class Open - Mixed - BRONZE

-SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING-
Duet Technical Routine - Female - GOLD
Team Technical Routine - Female - GOLD

-WUSHU-
Taijiquan + Taijijian - Female-NG SHIN YII- SILVER
Taijiquan + Taijijian - Male -LEE YANG- GOLD

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (19/11/2011)

4th : GOLD - 47 , SILVER - 43 , BRONZE - 64 = TOTAL 154

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

2011-11-20T07:33:00.000+07:00

Malaysian Contingent Medal Tally by Sport (18/11/2011)...

-FENCING-
Foil Team -Male- BRONZE
Sabre Team - Male - GOLD
...
-WALL CLIMBING-
Men's Speed Relays -Male- SILVER

-WATER SKI-
Jumping -Female-PHILLIPA CLARE- SILVER
Jumping -Male-YOONG ALEXANDER- SILVER
Slalom -Female-PHILLIPA CLARE- GOLD
Slalom -Male-YOONG ALEXANDER- SILVER
Tricking -Female-AALIYAH YOONG- GOLD
Tricking -Female-PHILLIPA CLARE- BRONZE
Overall - Female- GOLD
Overall - Male - GOLD

-ARCHERY-
Mixed Team Compound -Mixed- SILVER
Mixed Team Recurve -Mixed- SILVER

-BILLIARD & SNOOKER-
Single (Snooker) -Male -THOR CHUAN LEONG- BRONZE

-BOWLING-
Teams of Five -Female- BRONZE
Teams of Five -Male- GOLD

-WUSHU-
Nanquans - Female -TAI CHEAU XUEN - SILVER
Nanquans - Male-KEVAN CHEAH PENG- BRONZE

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (18/11/2011)

4th : GOLD - 41 , SILVER - 40 , BRONZE - 55 = TOTAL 136

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

2011-11-17T21:50:00.001+07:00

Malaysian Contingent Medal Tally by Sport (17/11/2011)...

Football Group A : Malaysia 1-0 Indonesia

-DIVING-
... 10m Platform -Female-PANDELELA RINONG- GOLD
10m Platform -Female-KAM LING KAR - SILVER

-ARCHERY-
Team Compound -Female- SILVER
Team Compound -Male- SILVER
Team Recurve -Male- GOLD

-BOWLING-
Trios -Male- GOLD
Trios -Male- SILVER

-GOLF-
Team Men -Male- BRONZE
Team Women -Female- BRONZE

-OPEN WATER SWIMMING-
5000m -Female-HEIDI GAN- GOLD

-PENCAK SILAT-
Class D 60kg-65kg -Male-AHMAD SHAHRIL - GOLD
Class E 65kg-70kg -Female-SITI RAHMAH - SILVER
Class E 65kg-70kg -Male AL - JUFFERI - GOLD
Class F 70kg-75kg -Male-FAUZI KHALID - GOLD

-PETANQUE-
Men Shooting -Male-FAIZA- BRONZE

-ROWING-
M2- Male- BRONZE

-SWIMMING-
1500m Freestyle -Male-KEVIN YEAP SOON CH- SILVER
200m Individual Medley -Female-SIOW YI TING- SILVER
200m Individual Medley -Male -IAN JAMES BARR- BRONZE
4 x 100m Medley Relay -Male- BRONZE
50m Breaststroke -Female -CHRISTINA LOH- GOLD
50m Breaststroke -Female -SIOW YI TIN- SILVER
50m Butterfly -Female -MARELLYN LIEW- SILVER

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (17/11/2011 , 21:45)

4th : GOLD - 35 , SILVER - 33 , BRONZE - 50 = TOTAL 118

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

2011-11-16T22:12:00.002+07:00

Malaysian Contingent Medal Tally by Sport (16/11/2011)...

-GYMNASTIC-ARTISTIC-
Competition III (Balance Beam) -Female-NUR ELI ELLINA - SILVER
Competition III (Uneven Bars) -Female-FARAH ANN - SILVER
...
-PENCAK SILAT-
Ganda -Female- BRONZE
Tunggal -Male-TAJUL ZAMAN - BRONZE

-ARCHERY-
Individual Compound -Male-MUHAMMAD ZAKI - BRONZE

-BILLIARD & SNOOKER-
Double (Snooker) -Male- GOLD

-BOWLING-
Doubles -Female- GOLD
Doubles -Female- BRONZE
Doubles -Male- GOLD
Doubles -Male- BRONZE

-CHESS-
Mix Individual Standard Chess -Mixed- BRONZE

-DIVING-
3m Springboard -Male-YEOH KEN NEE - GOLD
3m Springboard -Male-AHMAD AMSYAR - BRONZE

-FENCING-
Epee Team -Male- BRONZE

-SHOOTING-
50m Rifle 3 Position - Male- MOHD HADAFI - BRONZE

-SWIMMING-
200m Breaststroke -Female-SIOW YI TING- GOLD
4 x 200m Freestyle -Male- SILVER

-WALL CLIMBING-
Men's Lead -Male-ZUL FADZLI SHAFIEE- BRONZE

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (16/11/2011 , 22:20)

5th : GOLD - 27 , SILVER - 24 , BRONZE - 44 = TOTAL 95

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

2011-11-15T22:14:00.001+07:00

Malaysian Contingent Medal Tally by Sport (15/11/2011)...

-ATHLETICS-
4 x 400m Relay - Male - GOLD
4 x 100m Relay - Male - BRONZE
... 400m Hurdles - Female -NORASEELA - GOLD
Pole Vault - Female - ROSLINDA - GOLD

-SEPAK TAKRAW-
Men's Regu - Male - BRONZE

-ARCHERY-
Individual Recurve - Male -CHENG CHU SIAN - GOLD
Individual Recurve - Male -KHAIRUL ANUAR MOHA - SILVER

-BADMINTON-
Men's Team - Male - SILVER

-BOWLING-
Singles - Female -SIN LI JANE - SILVER
Singles - Male -ADRIAN ANG - BRONZE

-DIVING-
10m Platform - Male -BRYAN NICKSON - GOLD
10m Platform - Male -OOI TZE LIANG - SILVER
3m Springboard - Female -CHEONG JUN HOONG - GOLD
3m Springboard - Female -NG YAN YEE - SILVER

-FENCING-
Foil Individual - Female -NATASHA EZZRA - BRONZE
Sabre individual - Male -YU PENG KEAN - BRONZE

-PENCAK SILAT-
Class A 45kg-50kg - Male -MOHD HAFIZ - BRONZE
Class B 50kg-55kg - Female -NOOR FARAHANA - BRONZE
Class D 60kg-65kg - Female -MASTURA SAPUAN - BRONZE
Class F 70kg-75kg - Female -SITI KHADIJAH - BRONZE
Class I 85kg-90Kg - Male -AZRUL ABDULLAH - BRONZE

-PETANQUE-
Men Doubles - Male - BRONZE

-SHOOTING-
10m Air Rifle - Female -NUR SURYANI - GOLD

-SWIMMING-
100m Breaststroke - Female -SIOW YI TING - GOLD
100m Breaststroke - Female -CHRISTINA LOH - SILVER
4 x 100m Freestyle - Female - BRONZE
400m Freestyle - Male -KEVIN YEAP SOON - GOLD
800m Freestyle - Female - KHOO CAI LIN - GOLD

-TAEKWONDO-
Bantam Weight Over 58 kg & Not Exceeding 63 kg -Male-RUSFREDY - SILVER

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (15/11/2011 , 22:03)

5th : GOLD - 22 , SILVER - 21 , BRONZE - 34 = TOTAL 77

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

2011-11-15T22:08:00.002+07:00

Malaysian Contingent Medal Tally by Sport (14/11/2011)...

-BADMINTON-
Women's Team - Female - BRONZE

... -PETANQUE-
Men Singles - Male - SAFWAN- BRONZE
Women Singles - Female -SUHARTISERA ZAMRI- BRONZE

-TAEKWONDO-
Feather Weight Over 63 kg & Not Exceeding 68 kg - MOHD AFIFUDDIN- BRONZE
Fin Weight Not Exceeding 46 kg - Female - NURUL ASFAHLINA - SILVER

-ATHLETICS-
Hammer Throw - Male -JACKIE WONG SIEW C - BRONZE
High Jump - Male - LEE HUP WEI - GOLD

-DIVING-
10m Platform (Sync) - Female - GOLD
3m Springboard (Sync) - Male - GOLD

-FENCING-
Foil Individual - Male -NOOR ISKANDAR - BRONZE

-KARATE DO-
Team Kumite - Female - SILVER
Team Kumite - MALE - BRONZE

-SHOOTING-
50m Rifle Prone - Female -MUSLIFAH ZULKIFLI - BRONZE

-SWIMMING-
400m Freestyle - Female -KHOO CAI LIN - SILVER
50m Backstroke - Female- CHAN KAH YAN - SILVER

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (14/11/2011 , 22:45)

5th : GOLD - 12 , SILVER - 14 , BRONZE - 22 = TOTAL 48

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

2011-11-13T21:39:00.001+07:00

Malaysian Contingent Medal Tally by Sport (13/11/2011)...

-KARATE DO-
Kumite 68kg and above - Female - JAMALLIAH - BRONZE
Kumite 55kg and below - Female - A. NISHA - BRONZE
Kumite 55kg and below - Male -LOGANESHA RAO - GOLD
Kumite 61kg and below - Female - G. I. YAMINII - GOLD
Kumite 67kg and below - Male - KUNASILAN LAKANATH - BRONZE
Kumite 68kg and below - Female - SHAKKILA SANI - BRONZE
Kumite 75kg and below - Male - SHAHARUDIN - GOLD
Kumite 84kg and below - Male - TEAGARAJAN - GOLD

-WALL CLIMBING-
Men's Boulder - Male - HAFZANIZAM - BRONZE

-ATHLETICS-
110m Hurdles - Male -RAYZAM SHAH WAN SO - SILVER
110m Hurdles - Male -MOHD ROBANI HASAAN - BRONZE
1500m - Male - MOHD JIRONI RIDUAN - BRONZE
20km Walk - Male - LO CHOON SIENG - GOLD
Shot Put - Male - ADI ALIFFUDIN HUSS - SILVER

-CANOEING-
200m K2 - Male - BRONZE

-CYCLING-
Mountain Bike - Cross Country - Female - MASZIYATON RADZI - SILVER

-DIVING-
3m Springboard (Sync) - Female - GOLD

-FENCING-
Epee Individual - Male - JOSHUA KOH - GOLD

-ROLLER SPORT-
3000m Relays - Female - BRONZE

-SHOOTING-
25m Rapid Fire Pistol - Male - HASLI IZWAN AMIR H - SILVER
50m Rifle Prone - Male - MHD SHAHRIL SAHAK - SILVER

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (13/11/2011 , 21:35)

5th : GOLD - 9 , SILVER - 10 , BRONZE - 15 = TOTAL 34

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

2011-11-12T21:58:00.002+07:00

Malaysian Contingent Medal Tally by Sport...

-ATHLETICS-
Hammer Throw - Female - TANG SONG HWA - GOLD

... -KARATE DO-
Individual Kata - Female - THOR CHEE YEE - BRONZE
Individual Kata - Male - LEONG TZE WAI - BRONZE
Team Kata - Female -SILVER
Team Kata - Male -BRONZE

-SHOOTING-
10m Air Rifle - Male - MOHD HADAFI - SILVER
25m Standard Pistol - Male -KHALEL - SILVER
50m Rifle 3 Position - Female - NUR SURYANI - GOLD
50m Rifle 3 Position - Female - NUR AYUNI FARHANA - BRONZE

-SWIMMING-
100m Butterfly - Female - MARELLYN LIEW - SILVER
4 x 100m Medley Relay - Female - SILVER

-TAEKWONDO-
Poomsae Mixed Pair - Mixed - BRONZE

-WATER POLO-
Women Team - Female - BRONZE

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (12/11/2011 , 21:30)

5th : GOLD - 2 , SILVER - 5 , BRONZE - 6 = TOTAL 13

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

2011-11-12T21:54:00.001+07:00

Foot for thought

IT’S the usual story of a diabetes patient, one that starts with pain in the foot. Then, it’s the cramp in the calves. A little walking and the thighs begin to ache. Soon there is constant need to rest. As time goes by, little scratches on the feet turn into wounds that never heal.

Finally, the doctor warns: “If this continues we may need to amputate your foot.”

If this sounds familiar, don’t panic. With a new procedure that involves the use of stents, Dr Shaiful Azmi Yahya, consultant cardiologist at National Heart Institute says the doctor’s warning will remain a warning: You won’t necessarily have to lose a limb.

As he explains, arteries and veins transport blood to all parts of your body.

When there is an extensive build-up of fatty deposits on the inside of your artery walls, plaque and blood clots can form, obstructing blood flow.

If you feel pain after walking a short distance, your limbs are probably not receiving enough blood. This can be a sign that you’re suffering from a progressive systemic disorder called peripheral vascular disease’ (PVD).

PVD can appear in any major artery but is most common in the arteries of the lower limbs. Although the disease progresses slowly, the problem is that it is often under-diagnosed. This is particularly grave for diabetics as PVD can progress directly to a situation where there is a critical lack of blood supply to the legs.

When this happens, patients often experience pain, even during rest, suffer tissue loss or gangrene. If left untreated, it can result in amputation of limbs. Dr Shaiful estimates that 30 to 50 per cent of patients with diabetes have PVD. Indeed, the rate of major limb amputation is four times higher for them.

Whenever dead tissue is removed from the body, some healthy tissue surrounding the affected area must also be removed. With early diagnosis and treatment of PVD, the removal of such healthy tissue can be minimised.

“Our job is to enhance affected areas by getting more blood supplied to them.

Even if we have to amputate, we might just remove a few toes instead of removing the whole ankle,” he says.

The most noticeable symptom of PVD is pain, cramps or aches in the calves, thighs or buttocks that appear repeatedly when walking. This pain is relieved when the patient rests. Another symptom is that the colour of the feet takes over 40 seconds to return to normal after the feet have been elevated at 60 degrees for one minute.

Wounds on the feet will not heal and the patient suffers hair loss on his lower limbs, poor nail growth (brittle nails), dry and scaly skin. Dr Shaiful adds: “Any ulcer he develops is punched-out, painful and with little bleeding.”

To make a diagnosis, the doctor will first conduct a physical examination of the patient, paying special attention to the feet. Then, he will use a Doppler device to accurately calculate what’s called, ankle brachial index (ABI) — he will divide the highest systolic ankle pressure by the highest systolic arm pressure. If the ratio is between 0.50 and 0.90, the patient probably has mild to moderate PVD. If the ABI is less than 0.50, the patient probably has severe PVD.

Then, a range of diagnostic and imaging tests (such as magnetic resonance angiography and CT angiography) will be performed to confirm the diagnosis and determine exactly where the artery is blocked.

Those diagnosed with PVD are usually advised to change their lifestyles (stop smoking, maintain an ideal body weight and exercise), prescribed medication or asked to consider surgery.

Dr Shaiful’s preferred treatment option is a minimally invasive procedure which includes angioplasty and stent implantation — a catheter with a deflated balloon on its tip is passed into the narrow part of the artery. Then the balloon is inflated to open the blood vessel. The stent is permanently implanted to hold the diseased artery open and to restore blood flow. The balloon is deflated and removed.

The stent is a tiny cylindrical wire mesh tube made from a material called nitinol, a combination of nickel and titanium. It is malleable and, therefore, particularly useful for vessels in the lower limbs that need to flex, extend, compress and rotate.

Angioplasty and stent implantation certainly causes less scarring than surgery and has been effective in reducing disability in cases of PVD. The patient avoids the trauma and risks of surgery such as anaesthesia. Recovery is so fast that some patients return home the same day or the day after the procedure is completed.

The cost of angioplasty and stent implantation in cases of PVD can be anywhere between RM15,000 and RM20,000. Nevertheless, Dr Shaiful sees major benefits in diagnosing and treating those suffering from PVD.

In his words: “Diabetics already suffer from so many complications of the disease. With this procedure, we can help make their quality of life a little better and reduce the risk of amputation.”

THE risk factors for PVD are similar to those for coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease. Modifiable risk factors for PVD are:

RISK FACTORS

-Hypertension
-High cholesterol
-Smoking
-Obesity
-Sedentary lifestyle

Non-modifiable risk factors for PVD are:

-Age
-Male gender
-Diabetic
-Family history

SUMBER

2011-11-12T21:44:00.001+07:00

Hidup sedentari lemahkan tulang

Susu penting untuk membekalkan kalsium pada tulang menjadikannya kuat dan sihat. - Gambar hiasan

MENGEKALKAN kesihatan yang baik pasti menjadi keinginan setiap individu dan ia sangat penting dalam kehidupan seharian.

Namun, kebanyakan daripada kita kurang mengendahkan aspek itu menyebabkan ramai yang mudah mendapat penyakit.

Biarpun sibuk di pejabat tetapi kesibukan kita sebenarnya hanya menghadap komputer tanpa perlu melibatkan aktiviti fizikal.

Malah di rumah pula, ramai yang suka menghabiskan masa dengan menonton televisyen dan menghadap komputer.

Tahukah kita gaya hidup tidak aktif atau dalam bahasa perubatan dikenali sebagai sedentari sebenarnya membahayakan diri dan kesihatan.

Tetapi ia kini merupakan gaya hidup yang semakin menjadi fenomena global.

Kebergantungan kepada mesin dan sistem yang automatik dalam kehidupan harian mengurangkan keperluan untuk kita melakukan aktiviti fizikal dan juga senaman.

Teknologi moden abad ke-21 membolehkan kita melakukan hampir segala-galanya dengan hanya menekan butang.

Meskipun ia menyenangkan hidup kita semua tetapi hakikatnya ia mampu membawa kesan yang tidak sihat.

Gaya hidup sedentari itu bukan sahaja mengganggu kesihatan diri dengan penyakit-penyakit merbahaya tetapi juga boleh menyumbang kepada masalah lemah tulang.

Perkara ini diakui oleh Pakar Perunding dan Pembedahan Ortopedik dan Trauma, Hospital Gleneagles, Dr. Chin Chee Howe.

"Tulang kita adalah tisu hidup, sungguhpun nampak keras, tulang sentiasa melalui proses penguraian dan pembinaan semula.

"Gaya hidup sedentari tidak membantu kesihatan tulang, kita perlu mengambil langkah untuk melindungi tulang sejak muda sebaik-baiknya sebelum jisim tulang mencapai puncaknya,'' katanya ketika ditemui sempena bengkel media Fonterra-Anlene mengenai kesihatan tulang, baru-baru ini.

Tegas beliau, kekurangan jisim yang berterusan boleh mengakibatkan osteoporosis, satu proses yang tidak boleh dikembalikan.

"Osteoporosis, penyakit yang menyebabkan tulang rapuh dan retak bukan lagi masalah yang dihadapi golongan tua semata-mata," ujarnya.

Katanya lagi, satu-satu cara untuk melindungi tulang ialah dengan mengamalkan diet yang seimbang dan mengamalkan gaya hidup yang sihat.

"Tidak kira tua ataupun muda, kita perlu bersenam secara sederhana, mengamalkan tabiat makan yang sihat dan memastikan kita memenuhi keperluan kalsium harian kita,'' ujarnya lagi.

Tegasnya, keadaan ini penting untuk membina dan mengekalkan jisim tulang dan membolehkan kita meregang dan menggunakan potensi tulang kita dengan sepenuhnya.

Katanya, dengan hanya melakukan aktiviti fizikal, kita dapat mencergaskan badan dan mencerdaskan mental kita.

Selain aktiviti fizikal, pengambilan kalsium yang mencukupi setiap hari juga adalah penting.

"Perkara ini penting bagi memastikan tulang kita sentiasa kuat dan mengelakkan daripada ia reput,'' ujarnya lagi.

Sementara itu, Pengurus Insight Fontera Brands Malaysia, Sheua Yea pula memberitahu, ramai yang menyangka osteoporosis hanya akan berlaku kepada warga emas sahaja.

Malah ramai juga percaya bahawa penyakit yang berkaitan tulang tidak membawa maut. Bagaimanapun, ramai yang tidak sedar bahawa penyakit tersebut juga boleh menyerang golongan muda dan membawa maut sekiranya tidak ditangani secara awal

Hasil kajian penyelidikan yang dijalankan baru-baru ini menunjukkan wanita dalam usia pertengahan hingga lewat 60-an yang mengalami masalah pinggul adalah lima kali ganda lebih berkemungkinan mati dalam masa setahun.

Tambah Yea lagi, ramai wanita menganggap kemerosotan tulang hanya berlaku di usia yang lanjut, hakikatnya ia juga boleh berlaku kepada golongan muda sekiranya tidak mendapat bekalan kalsium yang secukupnya.

"Sebab itu, ramai yang tidak mengambil perhatian sehinggalah mereka sendiri merasai kesakitan tersebut, lebih malang keadaan itu adalah kritikal,'' ujarnya.

Sambil menasihati golongan muda supaya mengamalkan meminum susu setiap hari, amalan gaya sihat juga perlu diterapkan dalam kehidupan seharian.

"Senaman bukan saja membina tulang kuat, ia juga memperbaiki imbangan dan kordinasi kita. Kita perlu memastikan tulang mempunyai bahan mentah yang diperlukannya secukupnya. Malah, cara yang paling baik untuk melindungi tulang kita adalah dengan menjaganya dari usia muda dan sepanjang hayat," ujarnya.

SUMBER

2011-11-12T21:41:00.000+07:00

Lelaki juga berisiko dijangkiti HPV

DI peringkat dunia, kanser servik adalah kanser kedua yang banyak menyebabkan kematian di kalangan wanita selepas kanser payu dara. Ia membunuh seorang kaum Hawa dalam tempoh setiap dua minit.

Manakala di Malaysia, kanser servik menjadi kanser ketiga paling kerap dihidapi wanita selepas payu dara dan kolorektum.

Statistik Kanser Malaysia pada 2006 menunjukkan, kanser servik merangkumi 9.1 peratus daripada 10 kanser paling kerap di kalangan wanita di negara ini.

Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) pula melaporkan lebih daripada 700 wanita Malaysia maut akibat kanser servik setiap tahun.

Laporan yang dikeluarkan WHO, kementerian dan badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) berkaitan kesihatan dan perubatan menegaskan, hanya kaedah pelalian dijangka mampu mengurangkan dengan ketara risiko seseorang wanita diserang kanser servik.

Justeru, kempen pelalian kebangsaan untuk menentang virus human papillomavirus (HPV) yang dianjurkan Kementerian Kesihatan bermula Julai 2010 di kalangan gadis berusia 13 tahun telah dijalankan dalam usaha untuk mengurangkan risiko kanser berkenaan.

Kanser servik adalah penyakit di mana sel-sel yang tidak normal terbentuk pada dinding servik. Jangkitan HPV di servik di kenal pasti antara penyebab utama kanser servik.

Namun apakah nama di sebalik virus HPV itu sebenarnya, jenis-jenisnya dan bagaimanakah cara ia menyerang? Adakah ia hanya menyerang golongan Hawa dan bagaimana pula dengan golongan lelaki adakah kebal dengan virus ini?

Semua persoalan ini dirungkai oleh Datin Dr. Kamaljit Kaur, yang pernah berkhidmat selama tiga tahun sebagai Pakar Perbidanan dan Sakit Puan di Hospital Kuala Lumpur .

Beliau kini merupakan doktor pakar di sebuah hospital swasta di Kuala Lumpur dan pakar perunding di Hospital Assunta, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Apakah HPV dan terdapat berapa jenis HPV?

Dr. Kamaljit Kaur: HPV (Human Papillomavirus) adalah virus biasa yang menyerang lelaki dan wanita. Terdapat lebih 100 jenis HPV. Kebanyakan HPV tidak menimbulkan apa-apa gejala, tidak berbahaya dan dapat dihapuskan oleh imunisasi badan kita. Terdapat kira-kira 30 jenis HPV yang dikenali sebagai HPV kelamin kerana virus ini memberikan kesan terhadap bahagian kelamin.

Ada beberapa jenis yang boleh mengakibatkan kanser servik atau pun menyebabkan sel abnormal pada lapisan servik yang boleh bertukar menjadi kanser.

Terdapat juga beberapa jenis HPV yang boleh menyebabkan ketuat kelamin dan perubahan benigna (bukan kanser) di dalam servik.

Selain kanser servik dan ketuat pada alat kelamin wanita. Apakah penyakit-penyakit lain yang boleh ditimbulkan oleh HPV dan bagaimana serius keadaannya?

Dr. Kamaljit Kaur: HPV boleh menyebabkan lebih daripada kanser servik di kalangan wanita. Terdapat beberapa jenis HPV berisiko tinggi, iaitu jenis 16 dan 18. Infeksi berlarutan daripada HPV ini, boleh mengakibatkan kanser servik dan kanser lain pada bahagian kelamin termasuk vagina dan vulva. HPV jenis 16 dan 18 menyumbang kepada kira-kira 70 peratus kejadian kanser servik.

Manakala jenis HPV yang berisiko rendah pula HPV jenis 6 dan 11 boleh menyebabkan terbentuknya ketuat kelamin, iaitu ketumbuhan bukan kanser seumpama daging yang muncul di bahagian kelamin dan di sekelilingnya.

HPV jenis 6 dan 11 menyebabkan kira-kira 90 peratus daripada semua kes ketuat kelamin. Ketuat kelamin sangat mudah berjangkit. Kira-kira dua per tiga daripada kalangan orang yang mempunyai hubungan seks dengan pasangan yang ada ketuat genital (kelamin) akan menjangkitinya, lazimnya dalam tempoh tiga bulan.

Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) menganggarkan bahawa terdapat 32 juta kes ketuat kelamin baru akan muncul setiap tahun di seluruh dunia.

HPV juga dikaitkan dengan penyakit lain (yang jarang berlaku) seperti RRP (papilomatosis respirasi berulang), sejenis penyakit pertumbuhan di tekak yang menyukarkan pernafasan.

Bolehkah golongan lelaki mendapat HPV? Apakah jenis HPV yang boleh mendatangkan kesan kepada lelaki?

Dr. Kamaljit Kaur: Selain mengakibatkan penyakit-penyakit di kalangan wanita, HPV juga boleh menyebabkan pertumbuhan ketuat kelamin, kanser dubur, kanser zakar dan sesetengah kanser kepala dan leher seperti kanser oropharnyx di kalangan lelaki. Lelaki dan wanita boleh menyebarkan HPV antara satu sama lain melalui hubungan seksual, walaupun persetubuhan tidak berlaku.

Siapakah yang berisiko dijangkiti HPV.

Dr. Kamaljit Kaur: HPV tidak mengenal jantina, umur ataupun bangsa. Sesiapa yang mempunyai hubungan seksual mempunyai risiko dijangkiti HPV. Jangkitan HPV biasanya tidak menimbulkan apa-apa tanda atau gejala, kebanyakan orang yang dijangkiti HPV tidak tahu mereka mempunyainya (menghidapinya). Faktor-faktor risiko mendapat jangkitan HPV berkait dengan kelakuan seksual, seperti bilangan pasangan seks, sejarah sepanjang hayat pasangan seks dan sejarah seks dengan pasangan tersebut. Kebanyakan kajian melaporkan bahawa golongan yang berusia muda (bawah 25 tahun) adalah faktor risiko mendapat jangkitan HPV.

Penghidap HPV tidak menyedari diri mereka mempunyai virus itu sehinggalah simptom-simptom penyakit muncul. Adakah cara lain yang membolehkan HPV ini dikesan lebih awal supaya ia dapat dibendung daripada berkembang menjadi penyakit-penyakit lain?

Dr. Kamaljit Kaur: Setakat ini tidak terdapat pemeriksaan lazim untuk mengesan jangkitan HPV di kalangan lelaki. Tetapi wanita boleh menjalani lumuran pap (pap smear) setiap tahun. Lumuran pap adalah sebahagian daripada pemeriksaan ginekologi. Ujian ini dapat mengesan sel abnormal pada lapisan servik sebelum sel ini berpeluang menjadi (sel) kanser servik.

Kementerian Kesihatan menyediakan pelalian HPV bagi remaja berumur 13 tahun, Bagaimana dengan mereka yang berusia lebih daripada itu?

Dr. Kamaljit Kaur: Masa yang paling sesuai untuk pelalian HPV adalah sebelum pendedahan seksual dan apabila sistem imun berada di kemuncaknya. Oleh itu, kami cuba mendidik ibu bapa memberikan vaksin tersebut kepada anak-anak mereka awal pada kira-kira 13 tahun apabila sistem imun adalah tinggi.

Walau bagaimanapun, wanita muda berumur sehingga 45 tahun boleh mendapatkan vaksin selepas berunding dengan doktor.

Jadi, mereka yang berumur melebihi 13 tahun adalah digalakkan menjalani pelalian HPV terutamanya hingga umur 26 tahun malahan hingga ke umur 45 tahun.

Berapa banyak negara di dunia yang menyediakan program pelalian HPV kebangsaan mereka?

Dr. Kamaljit Kaur: Kini terdapat 34 negara di dunia yang mempunyai program pelalian HPV kebangsaan. Kesan program pelalian HPV kebangsaan jangka pendek adalah seperti pengurangan infeksi HPV dan ketuat kelamin (secara bulanan), kesan jangka pertengahan termasuk pengurangan insiden lesi servik dan RRP (papilomatosis respirasi berulang) permulaan juvana (secara tahunan) dan kesan jangka panjang seperti insiden dan kematian daripada kanser servik, kanser dubur, kanser-kanser anogenital lain (kanser vulva dan kanser faraj) dan kanser oropharynx (dekad).

Walaupun setakat ini, tiada bukti pengurangan HPV 16 dan 18 tahap populasi yang diterbitkan, terdapat data dari klinik-klinik kesihatan seksual di Australia yang menunjukkan penurunan penyakit ketuat kelamin dan dari Pejabat pendaftar ujian pap peringkat negeri Australia pula, data pengurangan penyakit servik gred tinggi.

Bukti-bukti ini diperhatikan semenjak pelaksanaan program pelalian HPV kebangsaan Australia yang mempunyai kumpulan sasaran wanita yang berumur 12-26 tahun pada tahun 2007.

Donovan et al. (sebuah kajian terbaru tempatan) telah memerhatikan penurunan sebanyak 59 peratus pada diagnosis insiden ketuat kelamin di kalangan wanita yang layak mendapat pelalian HPV program kebangsaan Australia, di lapan klinik kesihatan seksual Australia.

Penurunan sebanyak 39 peratus juga dapat dilihat di kalangan lelaki heteroseksual umur yang sama yang menampakkan bukti-bukti awal imuniti kumpulan (herd-immunity), kesan pengurangan jangkitan antara pasangan. Tiada penurunan ketuat kelamin yang diperhatikan di kalangan wanita lebih tua (bukan kumpulan sasaran program pelalian) atau lelaki yang mempunyai hubungan seks dengan lelaki.

Brotherton et al. (sebuah kajian terbaru tempatan) memerhatikan penurunan insiden lesi serviks gred tinggi yang disahkan dari segi histologi, di kalangan wanita muda Victoria (di Australia) yang dilaporkan dari Pejabat Pendaftaran sitologi servik, tidak lama sejak pelaksanaan Program Pelalian Kebangsaan Australia.

Memandangkan golongan lelaki juga berisiko dijangkiti HPV, adakah mereka patut diberikan pelalian HPV juga? Apakah umur yang disarankan bagi pelalian golongan ini?

Dr. Kamaljit Kaur: Sememangnya lelaki patut divaksinasi kerana mereka mempunyai risiko dijangkiti HPV dan pada masa yang sama menyebarkan HPV kepada pasangan wanita mereka. Seperti yang dimaklumkan, penyakit-penyakit yang disebabkan oleh HPV di kalangan lelaki termasuk ketuat kelamin, kanser zakar, kanser dubur dan sesetengah kanser kepala dan leher.

Pelalian HPV quadrivalent mempunyai indikasi rasmi untuk mencegah ketuat genital (kelamin) yang disebabkan oleh HPV 6 dan 11 untuk lelaki berumur sembilan ke 26 tahun, yang diluluskan oleh Biro Pengawalan Farmaseutikal Kebangsaan pada September 2010.

Jadual untuk tiga dos pelalian HPV untuk lelaki adalah sama dengan dos pelalian perempuan.

Memandangkan lebih ramai golongan remaja perempuan sekarang dilindungi menerusi pelalian, adakah ini bermakna mereka tidak perlu lagi menjalani ujian pap smear (lumuran pap) pada masa hadapan?

Doktor: Pelalian HPV bukanlah gantian bagi lumuran pap. Semua wanita digalakkan untuk menjalani lumuran pap secara kerap walaupun suntikan vaksin HPV sudah dilakukan.

SUMBER

2011-11-12T21:39:00.000+07:00

Kenali punca sakit

MEREKA yang mengalami sakit tulang belakang yang teruk atau berpanjangan, lemah atau kebas bahagian kaki, perlu segera berjumpa doktor.

APABILA mengangkat barang, ramai yang melakukannya secara membongkokkan badan, padahal mereka sepatutnya membengkokkan kaki bagi gerak mengusung yang diperlukan. Pekerja pejabat duduk di meja dan menghadap komputer berjam-jam tanpa regangan. Setelah penat bekerja dan pulang ke rumah ada yang terlena di atas sofa ketika menonton televisyen. Adakah senario itu menyamai rutin harian kehidupan anda? Semua itu adalah bukti bahawa insiden sakit belakang semakin meningkat.

Sakit otot dan penuaan

Pakar Perunding Pembedahan Ortopedik Tulang Belakang Pusat Perubatan Pakar Sri Kota Klang, Dr. John Ooi Tzen Chuong memberitahu, terdapat enam punca utama sakit tulang belakang kronik.

Katanya, 90 peratus sakit tulang belakang berpunca daripada kecederaan pada otot rangka yang kronik disebabkan tabiat posisi, ergonomik dan biomekanik.

“Kebiasaannya, sakit otot berpunca daripada postur duduk atau mengangkat barang dengan cara yang tidak betul. ‘‘Akibatnya, otot pada bahagian belakang berasa sakit disebabkan tekanan. Selalunya kesakitan akan bertambah baik dengan rawatan konservatif seperti fisioterapi, rehat dan ubat” katanya.

Selain itu, sakit sendi disebabkan oleh proses penuaan spondylosis pada tulang belakang juga menjadi punca.

Kebanyakan pesakit warga emas sering mengalami masalah ini.

Diska tergelincir

Sebahagian golongan ini juga mengalami saraf terhimpit atau diska tergelincir (slipped disc).

“Diska tergelincir adalah satu masalah kecederaan pada tulang lembut atau diska yang juga dikenali sebagai diska intervertebral. Masalah ini kerap berlaku pada peringkat umur 30 hingga 50 tahun. Mereka yang memandu lama ( bekerja sebagai pemandu), merokok dan obesiti merupakan golongan yang berisiko,” jelas Dr. John.

Tambah beliau, bengkak pada diska akan menekan urat saraf di belakangnya. Keadaan menjadi lebih serius apabila ia pecah menyebabkan isinya atau nucleus polposus keluar dan menekan urat saraf.

Ini menyebabkan sakit belakang teramat sangat dan akan turun ke kaki. Pesakit juga akan berasa kebas dan lemah kaki.

Rawatan untuk diska tergelincir pula bergantung kepada tahap kecederaannya seperti rehat sepenuhnya dengan berbaring untuk mengurangkan tekanan pada diska intervertebral.

Lain-lain termasuklah ubat-ubatan dan fisioterapi serta pembedahan untuk kes-kes yang teruk ataupun tidak pulih selepas dirawat.

Dr. John menambah, Pembedahan Invasif Minimum (MIS) adalah kaedah yang baru diperkenalkan bagi merawat sakit tulang belakang.

Kanser dan jangkitan

Mereka yang mempunyai sejarah kanser, kemungkinan berisiko diserang kanser tulang belakang yang menyebabkan sakit kronik.

Berbeza dengan sakit tulang belakang lain, kanser menyebabkan kesakitan walaupun pesakit hanya tidur atau baring.

Ia biasanya dikategorikan sebagai kanser tahap empat kerana telah merebak daripada satu bahagian lain ke tulang .

Berhubung rawatan, Dr. John memberitahu, bagi kanser tulang belakang, rawatan sebaiknya ialah pembedahan, kimoterapi dan radioterapi

Walaupun jarang berlaku, sakit tulang belakang juga boleh disebabkan keradangan inflammatiion atau jangkitan kuman pada tulang belakang.

Kesakitan kebiasaannya disusuli demam dan sakit dapat dirasai walaupun pesakit tidak bergerak.

“Pada peringkat awal rawatan, doktor akan memeriksa dan melakukan ujian untuk memastikan jenis kuman yang menjangkiti pesakit.

‘‘Sekiranya serius, pesakit mungkin akan dibedah atau sebaliknya, hanya diberi antibiotik,’’ katanya..

Skoliosis

Sakit tulang belakang kronik, menurut Dr. John juga boleh berpunca akibat pertumbuhan tulang tidak normal yang dikenali sebagai skoliosis.

Keadaan ini banyak berlaku pada remaja perempuan dan sehingga kini puncanya masih menjadi misteri

“Skoliosis boleh dianggap masalah pertumbuhan tulang tidak normal yang biasa berlaku pada remaja, terutama perempuan. Ini bermakna tulang belakang seseorang pesakit menjadi bengkok ke kiri atau kanan menyebabkan bahu tidak sama tinggi.

‘‘Gangguan pertumbuhan tulang belakang boleh berlaku disebabkan jangkitan, kemalangan atau tanpa sebab tertentu. Skoliosis idiopatik biasanya berlaku pada awal usia remaja (baligh),” katanya.

Ibu bapa boleh mengenal pasti penyakit ini dengan melihat bahu atau pelvis seseorang pesakit tidak sama tinggi, tulang rusuk pada sebelah badan tertonjol ke depan menjadi lebih tinggi, manakala badan kiri dan kanan menjadi tidak simetri.

Namun jika masih tidak pasti, bawa anak ke hospital untuk menjalani pemeriksaan fizikal atau ujian sinar-x untuk pengesahan.

Walaupun skoliosis tidak mendatangkan rasa sakit, ia perlu dirawat seawal mungkin.

Tanpa rawatan, tulang belakang menjadi semakin bengkok dan menimbulkan pelbagai komplikasi . Antara kaedah popular ialah menggunakan racing dan pembedahan.

Dalam pada itu, Dr. John menasihati orang ramai yang mengalami sakit tulang belakang yang teruk atau berpanjangan, lemah atau kebas bahagian kaki supaya segera berjumpa doktor.

Mengulas tentang rawatan alternatif termasuk urutan, Dr. John mengakui ia baik untuk mengurangkan kesakitan tetapi pesakit perlu mendapatkan nasihat doktor. Ini kerana sekiranya pesakit menghidap kanser atau jangkitan pada tulang belakang, urutan boleh menambah komplikasi.

Panduan menghindar sakit tulang belakang

Mengangkat barang

* Bengkokkan kaki, bukan tulang belakang anda. Bawa beban rapat pada tubuh. Keraskan otot perut sewaktu mengangkat.

* Dapatkan bantuan orang lain sekiranya anda sukar untuk mengangkat berseorangan.

Duduk

* Rapatkan punggung dan sandarkan belakang pada penyandar tempat duduk sepenuhnya untuk mengurangkan tekanan pada cakera tulang belakang.

* Pastikan ketinggian tempat duduk sesuai dan kedudukan paha selari dengan lantai.

* Campurkan aktiviti dengan senaman/regangan/berjalan.

Memandu

* Duduk tegak dan gerakkan tempat duduk ke hadapan supaya lutut selaras dengan pinggang.

* Sokong bahagian bawah belakang menggunakan tuala yang digulung atau penyokong jika perlu.

Tidur

* Tidur di atas katil yang tidak terlalu lembut dan tidak terlalu keras.

* Apabila tidur mengiring, bengkokkan sedikit lutut supaya bersentuhan atau apabila tidur menelentang, letakkan bantal di bawah lutut.

Berdiri dan Berjalan

* Tukarlah posisi berdiri dengan kerap jika perlu berdiri lama.

* Berdiri tegak dengan kepala lurus memandang ke hadapan dan luruskan belakang badan.

* Berjalan dengan cara yang betul, dagu ke dalam, kepala tegak memandang ke hadapan dan jari-jari kaki mengarah ke hadapan. Pakailah kasut yang mempunyai tumit rendah dan selesa

SUMBER

2011-11-12T21:38:00.001+07:00

Memulihkan hormon

MAAFKAN saya kerana tidak menyokong obesiti. Bagi saya obesiti adalah satu masalah fizikal yang melanda menyebabkan seorang yang cantik hilang kecantikannya.

Meski pun kata-kata saya ini menghiris hati golongan gemuk namun anggaplah ia cabaran untuk menguruskan badan. Kata pepatah melayu `sayang anak tangan-tangankan’. Sayang seorang doktor kepada pesakit adalah untuk merubah keadaan agar menjadi kurus cantik dan sihat.

Kecantikan bagi seorang wanita merupakan aset yang sangat penting. Setiap wanita mahu mengekalkan kejelitaannya untuk sepanjang hayat namun ramai tidak dapat berbuat demikian kerana dilanda obesiti.

Seseorang yang terlalu gemuk sudah tentu tidak dapat menggayakan pakaian yang cantik. Apa sahaja yang dipakainya akan tampak kurang menarik kerana faktor tubuh badan yang besar. Mereka juga sering kecewa bila melakukan aktiviti membeli-belah kerana tidak banyak pakaian yang dijual bersaiz besar. Ini menyebabkan mereka tidak berminat untuk membeli-belah dan lebih suka memakai baju besar serta longgar bagi menutupi kekurangan.

Wajah orang yang gemuk juga kurang cantik kerana bentuk muka dilitupi oleh lapisan lemak yang menutup kecantikan sebenar mereka. Sudah tentu apabila mereka sudah berjaya menjadi kurus mereka akan kelihatan sangat berbeza dan bertambah cantik.

Begitulah realiti kehidupan, yang cantik dan lebih baik lebih disenangi justeru itu marilah kita mengubah penampilan diri menjadi lebih baik lagi. Lagi pun tidak rugi jika menjadi bertambah langsing cantik dan sihat.

Tidak salah jika saya katakan bahawa obesiti adalah raja segala penyakit seperti sakit jantung, darah tinggi, kencing manis dan sebagainya. Apabila obesiti melanda muncullah kencing manis yang kemudiannya merosakkan sistem tubuh. Lalu ramai yang mengeluh kesal kerana nasi sudah pun menjadi bubur. Potongan tubuh yang lansing dan wajah yang cantik kini hanya tinggal kenangan belaka. Ini berlaku akibat kerosakan sistem hormon tubuh. Bolehkah ia dipulihkan semula? Sudah tentu boleh jika anda memulakan langkah yang betul.

Apakah BMR

BMR adalah Basal Metabolic Rate. Ertinya penggunaan tenaga bagi tubuh semasa kita berehat. Tenaga tetap diguna meski pun kita berehat atau tidur kerana pergerakan jantung usus dan lain lain tetap mengguna tenaga. Namun BMR yang rendah membuatkan banyak tenaga dikumpul menjadi lemak.

Mereka yang mempunyai kadar BMR yang rendah perlu menyedari hakikat ini dan mengambil langkah-langkah meningkatkannya.

Punca BMR rendah

1) Tidak cukup senaman. Senaman yang dimaksudkan ialah senaman ringkas yang merenggangkan tubuh badan. Ia disebut sebagai core muscle exersixe. Senaman seperti ini akan menjadikan metabolik meningkat.

2) Hipertiroid. Fenomena ini melanda hampir separuh penduduk dunia. Apabila hipertiroid menyerang seseorang akan mengalami peningkatan berat badan, berasa malas, keletihan, berat badan tidak turun meskipun berdiet, setiap pergerakan menjadi lambat, rmbut juga mudah berkelemumur dan fungus mula menyerang.

3)Insulin insufficiency. Insulin merupakan hormon paling penting dalam penukaran gula kepada tenaga. Dalam kes ini lemak yang terhasil cenderung berkumpul pada perut dan belakang badan.

4) Kesilapan memilih makanan. Kesilapan memilih makanan dengan indeks glycemic tinggi menyebabkan kadar metabolik menjadi rendah.

Apabila makan banyak makanan berkarbohidrat dan bergula tinggi, paras gula dalam tubuh meningkat. Insulin iaitu suatu hormon yang mengawal kestabilan paras gula dalam tubuh kita akan meningkat. Apabila terdapat terlalu banyak insulin maka paras gula dalam darah akan menjadi rendah. Lama kelamaan tubuh kita tidak lagi sensitif kepada insulin.

Maka insulin mula terhasil dengan semakin banyaknya dan kehadiran insulin yang terlalu banyak mula memberikan kesan kesan yang negatif .

Paras Insulin yang tidak menentu menyebabkan paras gula menjadi tidak stabil. Bila gula terlalu rendah seseorang mula berasa gelisah, resah, berdebar dan moodnya tertekan. Dia akan sering kelesuan.

Kitaran berbahaya

Tubuh yang lemah akan memberi signal berterusan kepada otak bahawa ia kurang tenaga dan akibatnya mereka akan mengambil makanan manis bagi meningkatkan paras tenaga. Keletihan dan kurang tenaga di salah tafsir sebagai lapar oleh otak. Fenomena ini menjadi suatu kitaran berbahaya kerana lama kelamaan tubuh akan menjadi bertambah gemuk serta mengundang pelbagai penyakit kronik.

Apabila tubuh tidak lagi sensitif terhadap insulin maka kitaran hormon dalam tubuh akan menjadi kelam kabut. Hormon adrenal seperti ACTH akan keluar dengan banyak menyebabkan lemak berkumpul pada belakang tengkuk dan belakang badan. Badan akan mengembang menjadi bertambah lebar dan semakin besar. Bahagian dari pinggang ke atas tampak besar longgar dan menggeleber. Usaha membuat senaman dan berdiet adalah sia sia sahaja kerana lemak seperti ini tidak boleh dipulihkan dengan diet dan senaman sebaliknya hanya boleh dipulihkan dengan pemulihan sistem hormon tubuh.

Pemulihan semula memerlukan komitmen yang tinggi kerana ia melibatkan perubahan cara makan, pemilihan makanan dan aktiviti seharian.

SUMBER

2011-11-12T21:35:00.000+07:00

Sakit bagai dicucuk jarum

Pesakit diabetes perlu sentiasa mengawal kandungan gula dalam darah mereka.

SEJAK disahkan menghidap kencing manis (diabetes) lebih tujuh tahun lalu, Halim (bukan nama sebenar) berusaha untuk menjalani gaya hidup sihat dengan mengamalkan pemakanan seimbang dan bersenam.

Begitupun sejak beberapa bulan kebelakangan ini tapak kaki dan kadang kala hujung jarinya terasa sakit dan pedih bagai ditusuk jarum atau benda tajam.

Rasa sakit tersebut pada awalnya berlaku sesekali tetapi sekarang semakin kerap sehingga kadang kala tidak tertanggung.

Keadaan itu bukan saja membuatkan dia rasa tidak selesa, malah sukar untuk berjalan, bekerja dan tidur sekali gus menjejaskan kualiti hidupnya.

Keadaan tersebut turut meresahkan orang kelilingnya terutama isteri dan anak-anak yang berasa buntu tidak tahu apa yang boleh dibuat setiap kali Halim diserang rasa sakit.

Merujuk kepada doktor, Halim diberitahu dia mengalami gejala kerosakan saraf atau painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (pDPN) yang lazim dialami pesakit diabetes.

Menjelaskan lebih lanjut simptom ini Pengarah Kampus Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mafauzy Mohamed berkata, hampir 50 peratus pesakit diabetes di negara ini akan mengalami simptom tersebut kerana kerosakan saraf.

Katanya, pDPN merupakan antara penderitaan yang sering dialami selain komplikasi-komplikasi lain seperti serangan jantung, kegagalan buah pinggang, strok, buta, gangren kaki dan sebagainya.

Menurutnya, tinjauan kesihatan dan Morbiditi Kebangsaan edisi ketiga yang dijalankan pada 2006 mendapati penularan diabetes telah meningkat kepada 14.9 peratus berbanding satu dekad yang lalu.

Keadaan ini telah meningkat hampir dua kali ganda dalam dekad yang lalu.

Dalam masa yang sama 50 peratus pesakit tempatan yang disahkan menghidap diabetes dalam tempoh enam hingga 10 tahun didapati mengalami pDPN.

"Rasa mencucuk-cucuk dan pedih pada kaki atau hujung jari jika berlarutan akan menjejaskan kesihatan tubuh secara keseluruhan,'' ujarnya.

Malangnya, jelas beliau, kesedaran terhadap penyakit ini amat kurang, menyebabkan pesakit hanya membiarkan saja rasa sakit itu sehingga ia hilang sendiri buat seketika.

Kesakitan biasanya akan bermula pada bahagian jari kaki atau jari tangan dan melarat ke bahagian betis dan lengan.

"Ketika itu pesakit akan berasa kebas pada bahagian jari kaki dan juga jari tangan selain merasai kebas tidak dapat menahan rasa panas dan sejuk,'' ujarnya lagi.

Menurut Dr. Mafauzy lagi, pesakit juga akan mengalami lemah otot serta tidak dapat menyeimbangkan badan.

Keadaan itu jika dibiarkan akan menyebabkan kemudaratan kepada pesakit itu sendiri.

"Sebab itu adalah sangat penting untuk pesakit mendapatkan rawatan awal bagi mengelakkan ia berterusan," katanya.

Katanya lagi, kesakitan itu berlaku kerana satu atau lebih saraf mereka rosak kesan daripada penyakit diabetes yang dihidapi.

Begitupun, terdapat banyak faktor lain yang turut menyumbang kepada kerosakan saraf ini.

"Pada ketika ini pesakit akan mengalami kesakitan yang amat sangat sehingga ke peringkat sukar untuk berjalan, tidur, berkerja dan menjejaskan mood pesakit," katanya.

Dalam keadaan itu kata Dr. Mafauzy, pesakit akan menjalani beberapa pemeriksaan neurologi untuk mengenalpasti punca dan juga sejauh mana kerosakan saraf yang dialami.

Dalam kajian yang dilakukan oleh Persatuan Diabetes Amerika mendapati 58 peratus pesakit tidak menyedari bahawa kesakitan yang dialami mereka adalah disebabkan daripada Diabetes.

Justeru pesakit diabetes perlu mendapatkan nasihat doktor dalam memilih rawatan yang betul untuk membantu menguruskan keadaan mereka yang menyakitkan.

Katanya lagi, dalam keadaan ini rawatan yang paling penting adalah kawalan tahap gula dalam darah secara ketat untuk mengelakkan lebih banyak saraf rosak.

Justeru, pesakit disaran serius menjalani rawatan sebaik penyakit dikesan bagi mengelak risiko.

Sementara itu, menurut laporan Akademi Neurologi Amerika (AAN), Persatuan Perubatan Saraf Otot Elektrodiagnostik Amerika, Akademi Perubatan Fizikal dan Pemulihan Amerika, menggariskan rawatan paling berkesan untuk melegakan kesakitan saraf akibat diabetes ialah ubat pregabalin.

Menurut garis panduan tersebut ubat tersebut adalah satu-satunya rawatan Tahap A yang disyorkan.

Beberapa ujian klinikal yang menilai pregabalin mendapati pesakit yang mengambil ubat tersebut kurang mengalami kesakitan berbanding dengan mereka yang mengambil ubatan lain.

Bagaimanapun selain pengambilan ubat, pesakit bertanggungjawab menjaga paras gula dengan mengawal pemakanan dan juga kerap melakukan senaman.

SUMBER

2011-11-12T21:28:00.000+07:00

Suhu panas rosakkan ubat

APABILA pulang dari klinik atau farmasi, pasti pada bungkusan ubat yang dibeli itu tertera aturan penyimpanan iaitu perlu disimpan di tempat yang kering dan sejuk.

Peringatan tersebut mempunyai sebab. Ini kerana ubat-ubatan mudah rosak jika dibiar terdedah kepada suhu yang terlalu panas.

Dalam satu kajian oleh sekumpulan pakar dari Perkhidmatan Maklumat Ubat-ubatan, Universiti Butler, Indiana, Amerika Syarikat, mendapati suhu udara melebihi 30 darjah Celcius boleh merosakkan bahan aktif di dalam ubat.

Ahli farmasi yang turut serta dalam kajian ini, Dr. Amy Peak, memberitahu, beberapa ubat-ubatan yang tidak tahan pada udara panas ialah insulin, hormon tiroid, ubat berkaitan dengan aerosol dan inhaler.

Walaupun ada pengeluar ubat yang mendakwa produk mereka boleh bertahan dalam suhu lebih 30 darjah Celcius, tetapi seeloknya ia disimpan di dalam kotak yang jauh daripada suhu panas.

Apabila anda membawa ubat-ubatan ketika bercuti atau mengembara, simpanlah ubat di dalam kabin, bukannya di ruang penyimpanan kargo. Jangan sekali-kali meninggalkan ubat di dalam kereta yang diparkir di kawasan lapang kerana kepanasan dalam kereta boleh mencecah sehingga 71 darjah Celcius.

EKSTRA: Lelaki dan perempuan menggunakan kaedah berbeza untuk menangani tekanan dan mengekspresi emosi. Lelaki pada umumnya sering berdepan gangguan perilaku, penyalahgunaan atau antisosial sedangkan wanita pula lebih kerap mendapat sindrom cemas atau berdepan kemurungan apabila tertekan.

SUMBER

2011-11-12T21:25:00.000+07:00

Aktif bersenam pintar matematik

BIJAK dalam subjek Matematik menjadi salah satu kelebihan kanak-kanak yang aktif khususnya mereka yang mengalami obesiti.

Senaman biasa boleh menambah kemampuan kanak-kanak obes, yang biasanya hanya duduk diam, untuk berfikir, membuat pelbagai rancangan, bahkan bertambah baik dalam Matematik.

Demikian penemuan oleh pengkaji di Universiti Sains Kesihatan Georgia, Amerika Syarikat (AS).

Mengapa mata pelajaran Matematik? Tidak dijelaskan sebabnya, namun alasan utama kerana Matematik adalah subjek yang memiliki tahap kesukaran yang lebih tinggi berbanding mata pelajaran lain.

Para pengkaji juga berharap agar bukan kanak-kanak obes sahaja yang perlu bersenam setiap hari, bahkan mereka yang bertubuh normal. Penyelidikan tersebut didasarkan pada kajian ke atas 171 orang kanak-kanak terlebih berat badan berusia antara tujuh hingga 11 tahun di AS.

Setelah melakukan senaman setiap hari, terdapat perkembangan yang sangat signifikan dari segi kecergasan dan penguasaan mereka dalam matematik. Menurut laman web Pysch Central, selepas dilakukan imbasan MRI terhadap otak kanak-kanak tersebut, terdapat peningkatan aktiviti otak di korteks prefrontal iaitu kawasan yang digunakan untuk berfikir.

MATEMATIK memerlukan tumpuan yang lebih untuk menguasainya.

Selain itu, kecerdasan otak (IQ) turut bertambah. Semakin kerap mereka bersenam, semakin tinggi IQ mereka. Rata-rata berlaku peningkatan sebanyak 3.8 mata untuk mereka yang bersenam selama 40 minit sehari selama tiga bulan.

Senaman yang dilakukan adalah pelbagai. Ini termasuk berlari, lompat tali dan bersenam.

Semua aktiviti itu juga merangsang otak. Ini memandangkan senaman membuatkan aliran darah serta oksigen ke otak berjalan lancar.

Faktanya, seseorang tidak mungkin boleh bergerak jika otaknya tidak aktif. Untuk aktif, oksigen diperlukan sekali gus menjadikan kedua-dua aktiviti dan oksigen saling berkait.

SUMBER

2011-11-12T21:23:00.001+07:00

Sakit perut bukan remeh

PADA satu hari selepas Hari Raya Aidilfitri baru-baru ini, penulis yang kebetulan berada di sebuah penempatan Felda dekat Triang diminta menemani dua anak saudara untuk mendapatkan rawatan di klinik kerana masalah sakit perut.

Sampai sahaja di sebuah klinik swasta di pekan Triang, kelihatan ramai sedang menunggu giliran untuk berjumpa doktor untuk mendapatkan rawatan, yang kebanyakannya mengadu sakit perut. Apa yang boleh menyebabkan sakit perut? Itulah pertanyaan penulis kepada doktor di klinik berkenaan yang mahu dikenali sebagai Dr. Vijay.

“Ada beberapa sebab. Kalau perut anda sakit, mungkin disebabkan oleh apa yang anda makan atau minum.

“Mungkin kerana keracunan makanan atau anda telah makan dan minum terlampau banyak. Makan dan minum terlampau banyak boleh menyebabkan anda mengalami sakit perut,” kata beliau.

Kata Vijay, pada musim perayaan sebegini, ramai orang datang ke kliniknya untuk mendapatkan rawatan sakit perut.

GASTROENTERITIS adalah jangkitan di usus dan ini menyebabkan berlakunya cirit-birit. - Gambar hiasan

Cirit-birit

“Mengambil makanan jenis berminyak, pedas atau berlemak kadangkala boleh menyebabkan sakit perut atau tidak hadam.

“Ini biasanya masalah kecil yang akan hilang dengan sendiri. Tetapi ia juga mungkin tanda bagi gejala kesihatan yang lain seperti refluks gastroesophagus (pedih ulu hati), intoleran laktosa, ulser, sindrom iritasi usus, jangkitan di usus dan kanser,” terang Vijay.

Ada yang berpandangan ia satu masalah yang remeh bila melibatkan orang dewasa tetapi bagi bayi serta anak kecil, sakit perut boleh menjadi satu masalah yang serius, kata beliau.

“Jadi usah teragak-agak untuk dapatkan perhatian dan bantuan perubatan,” kata Vijay lagi.

Setelah pulang ke ibu kota beberapa hari selepas hari raya, penulis bertemu pegawai perubatan kanan di sebuah pusat perubatan awam bagi mendapatkan penjelasan lebih lanjut mengenai sakit perut.

Menurut Dr. Robert Lim, sakit perut sedemikian dikenali juga sebagai gastroenteriritis.

Ia boleh disebabkan jangkitan pada usus, disebabkan virus, bakteria atau kuman yang lain.

“Anda mungkin kena episod yang kecil dengan cirit-birit. Kalau ia lebih serius ia boleh disertai dengan demam, muntah dan sakit perut yang boleh berlanjutan sehingga beberapa hari.

“Anda mungkin terkena jangkitan bakteria seperti E.coli atau campylobacter kerana mengambil makanan dan minuman yang dah tercemar. Adalah penting bagi mereka yang terkena jangkitan ini agar minum air dengan banyak atau mengambil cecair rehidrasi sebagai mengganti cecair badan yang banyak hilang kerana muntah dan cirit-birit,” kata beliau.

Menurut Lim, gastroenteritis adalah jangkitan di usus dan ini menyebabkan berlakunya cirit-birit atau diarhea.

“Ada juga muntah-muntah, sakit di bahagian perut tetapi dalam kebanyakan kes masalah akan hilang dalam masa beberapa hari. Ada juga kes yang berlanjutan dan mengambil masa untuk baik,” kata Lim.

Ujar Lim, risiko utama dalam kes gastroenteritis adalah dehidrasi di mana pesakit telah kehilangan cecair badan dengan banyak.

“Rawatan utama agar minum banyak air dan cuba hindari dehidrasi.

“Anda perlu berjumpa doktor untuk dapatkan rawatan jika rasa mengalami dehidrasi atau wujudnya simptom yang merunsingkan,” kata Lim.

Katanya, simptom dehidrasi kepada orang dewasa adalah keletihan, pening, sakit kepala, kejang otot, mata yang tenggelam, mengeluarkan kencing yang sedikit, mulut dan lidah rasa kering, lemah badan serta mudah menjadi resah.

“Dehidrasi boleh jadi serius. Bila seseorang itu mengalami dehidrasi yang teruk, beliau akan mengalami lemah seluruh badan, hilang punca, degup jantung yang cepat dan selanjutnya koma.

MAKANAN berminyak boleh mengakibatkan sakit perut. - Gambar hiasan

Kunyah

“Dehidrasi yang teruk adalah kes kecemasan perubatan dan perlu rawatan dengan segera,” katanya.

Menurut Lim, selain daripada makan benda-benda yang berminyak, pedas dan berlemak, gastroenteritis boleh disebabkan oleh stres emosi atau masalah dalam sistem penghadaman seperti penyakit refluks gastroesophagus (GERD), batu dalam hempedu, keradangan pankreas, ulser atau kanser usus. "Kadangkala, tiada sebab yang boleh diperoleh,” kata beliau.

Lim juga menasihati perubahan gaya hidup dalam menangani masalah sakit perut yang kerap.

“Ambil makanan secara sedikit dan kunyah makanan dengan baik. Hindari tabiat merokok, ambil alkohol dan kafein serta minuman yang bergas,” katanya.

Beliau juga menasihati agar mendapatkan rehat yang secukupnya selain mengurangkan tekanan dalam hidup.

Bagaimana dengan merawat sendiri?

“Walaupun ada kes sakit perut atau gastroenteritis boleh dirawat di rumah, anda perlu jumpa doktor jika berlaku kekerapan muntah, muntah darah atau ada darah dalam najis serta kesukaran dalam menelan makanan.

“Anda perlu dapatkan rawatan jika ada kesakitan antara bahagian dada dan pusat. Jumpalah doktor jika sakitnya berlanjutan selama beberapa hari,” tambah beliau.

SUMBER

2011-11-12T21:19:00.000+07:00

Kerap hamil jejas tulang

WANITA disaran supaya menjarakkan kehamilan sekurang-kurangnya selama dua tahun.

MEMILIKI zuriat yang ramai selalunya mampu memberikan kebahagiaan dalam kehidupan berkeluarga.

Namun, kehamilan yang kerap dan dalam jarak masa yang singkat turut mengundang risiko kepada ibu mengandung.

Seorang pakar perubatan rehabilitasi dari Fakulti Kedoktoran, Universiti Indonesia, Dr. Siti Annissa Nuhonni berkata, bayi di dalam kandungan memerlukan kalsium yang banyak untuk proses pembesarannya.

Kalsium tersebut disumbangkan oleh ibu dan kuantitinya perlu dikongsi bersama. Ia secara tidak langsung menunjukkan bahawa ibu hamil memerlukan kuantiti kalsium yang tinggi berbanding biasa.

Selain itu, setelah proses melahirkan anak, kuantiti kalsium yang banyak masih diperlukan untuk disalurkan kepada bayi melalui susu ibu.

“Ini secara tidak langsung menyebabkan seorang ibu memerlukan jumlah kalsium yang lebih berbanding keadaan biasa,” jelasnya.

Tambah Annissa, jarak kehamilan dan kelahiran yang dekat akan turut menyebabkan ketidakseimbangan kandungan hormon estrogen di dalam tubuh.

Ketidakseimbangan hormon penting wanita tersebut secara tidak langsung akan mengganggu penyerapan kalsium ke dalam tulang.

“Estrogen penting untuk penyerapan kalsium. Jadi, apabila ia terganggu, struktur tulang juga akan terganggu akibat kekurangan kalsium,” ujar Annissa.

Lebih memburukkan keadaan apabila darah kehabisan kandungan kalsium dan ia mula menyerapnya daripada tulang dan gigi pula.

Ini kerana sebanyak 80 peratus kandungan kalsium dalam badan terdapat pada bahagian itu.

MINUM banyak susu dapat menambah bekalan kalsium ibu hamil.

Setelah banyak kalsium diserap keluar, ia akan mengganggu struktur tulang dan gigi. Ia akan mengurangkan kepadatan struktur itu yang akhirnya mengundang penyakit berkaitan tulang.

Dalam pada itu, Pakar Perunding Pemulihan Perubatan WQ Park, Dr. Tunku Nor Taayah Tunku Zubir menjelaskan bahawa kekurangan kalsium di dalam badan boleh menyebabkan masalah kerapuhan tulang.

Berpantang

“Kalsium adalah elemen terpenting dalam pembentukan tulang. Justeru ia diperlukan dalam kuantiti yang mencukupi untuk mengekalkan kekuatan tulang.

“Apabila kurang kalsium, ia akan menyebabkan masalah osteoporosis yang sering menyerang wanita terutamanya yang sudah menopaus,” katanya kepada Jurnal.

Ibu hamil digalakkan minum banyak susu dan mengambil sumber kalsium lain seperti keju, yogurt dan sayur berdaun hijau sebagai cara untuk mengoptimumkan jumlah kalsium dalam badan.

Sebagai langkah untuk membantu mengekalkan kesihatan tulang dalam kalangan wanita, Pakar Perunding Seksual dan Kesihatan Reproduktif, Dr. Mohd. Ismail Tambi menasihatkan mereka yang berisiko agar menjarakkan tempoh kehamilan.

Sambil merujuk kepada kepentingan amalan berpantang selepas bersalin, Ismail menjelaskan bahawa wanita perlu menjaga kesihatan reproduktif sepanjang tempoh mengandung sehingga melepasi waktu bersalin.

TULANG rapuh disebabkan kalsium di dalamnya telah diserap oleh tubuh.

“Amalan berpantang adalah penting kerana ia merangkumi tempoh seseorang wanita yang baru bersalin untuk pulih dari segi mental dan fizikal.

“Jarak masa yang lama sebelum kembali mengandung dapat digunakan oleh ibu untuk mengembalikan kalsium dalam badan dan menghilangkan trauma kelahiran,” katanya.

Seseorang ibu bukan sahaja memerlukan tempoh pantang sebelum kembali mengandung bahkan masa yang lebih lama sebagai langkah menjaga kesihatannya.

Sambil menyebut saranan Islam supaya wanita menjarakkan kehamilan selama dua tahun, Ismail menasihati pasangan agar merancang kehamilan dengan pelbagai kaedah.

“Terdapat banyak cara untuk mengelakkan kehamilan berlaku. Ini termasuk mengambil hormon dan pil selain menggunakan kondom atau IUCD iaitu alat pencegahan kehamilan dalam rahim,” katanya.

SUMBER

2011-11-12T21:12:00.000+07:00

Lelaki lebih terdedah pada diabetes jenis 2

LELAKI lebih terdedah dengan diabetes peringkat 2 kerana faktor biologi dan pemakanan.

SEORANG pengkaji dari Universiti Glasgow, Scotland, Profesor Naveed Sattar berkata lelaki lebih terdedah kepada penyakit diabetes jenis 2 berbanding wanita disebabkan faktor biologi dan pemakanan.

Kenyataannya itu berdasarkan kajian terhadap 51,290 lelaki dan 43,137 wanita di Scotland dengan mengambil kira berat badan, faktor kegemukan serta indeks jisim badan (BMI) mereka.

Kata Sattar dalam kajian yang diterbitkan dalam jurnal perubatan Diabetologia itu, kebanyakan lemak lelaki tersimpan di dalam organ seperti limpa dan buah pinggang manakala wanita di pinggul dan muka.

Diabetes jenis 2 terjadi disebabkan terlalu banyak gula dalam badan hingga merosakkan buah pinggang dan organ lain.

Katanya lagi, penyakit itu dapat dicegah dengan mengurangkan berat badan berlebihan, makan makanan yang sihat dan seimbang selain selalu bersenam.

SUMBER

2011-11-12T21:06:00.002+07:00

Ubat bertukar racun

DEWASA ini penggunaan ubat-ubatan tradisional dan komplementari (TCM) semakin mendapat kepercayaan berikutan kerancakan aktiviti penyelidikan dan kecanggihan teknologi yang digunakan pengeluar.

Ubat itu termasuk ubat tradisional Melayu dan Cina, selain rawatan ayurveda, homeopati dan akupuntur.

Bagaimanapun, bukan semua produk yang dikatakan ubat itu boleh menyembuhkan penyakit. Malah, banyak kes berkaitan ubat tradisional dan alternatif sebelum ini didapati mendatangkan mudarat.

Berdasarkan rekod Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia, sebanyak 11,885 produk TCM telah didaftarkan dengan Pihak Berkuasa Kawalan Dadah (PBKD) setakat ini.

Namun, pada tahun lepas, Biro Pengawalan Farmaseutikal Kebangsaan (BPFK) menerima 127 laporan kesan mudarat akibat penggunaan produk tradisional termasuk yang didaftarkan dengan PBKD.

Ujian

BPFK mengesan pelbagai produk tradisional yang dicemari dengan bahan terkawal atau racun berjadual seperti steroid, sibutramine (ubat langsing) dan sildenafil (ubat kuat lelaki).

Bahan-bahan terkawal itu berfungsi untuk menahan kesakitan selain bertindak melangsingkan badan seseorang. Ia juga didakwa mampu menambah kekuatan tenaga batin lelaki dan wanita.

Mengulas isu ini, Pengarah Pusat Racun Negara, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Prof. Madya Razak Lajis memberitahu, kebanyakan ubat tradisional dan alternatif tidak melalui fasa ujian klinikal bagi mengenal pasti produk tersebut selamat digunakan.

“Produk yang telah didaftarkan ini hanya melalui ujian keselamatan penting di BPFK seperti saringan steroid, logam berat dan bahan terlarang berdasarkan dakwaan khasiat oleh pengeluar atau pengedar.

“Dakwaan yang dinyatakan oleh pengeluar mungkin terhad kepada kajian ke atas haiwan, testimoni pengguna dan rujukan secara turun-temurun,” katanya.

Namun begitu, Razak menjelaskan tidak semua produk tradisional memberi kesan sampingan kepada pengguna.

“Sama seperti ubat-ubatan moden, ada yang memberi kesan sampingan dan ada yang tidak.

“Apa yang penting pengguna yang mengambil ubat ini perlu merujuk pakar perubatan terlebih dahulu,” katanya.

Beliau juga mengingatkan penghidap penyakit kronik seperti darah tinggi dan kencing manis bahawa rawatan moden dan tradisional hanya berfungsi untuk mengawal penyakit tersebut dan bukan memulihkannya.

JANGAN berhenti mengambil ubat-ubatan moden walaupun serasi dengan ubat-ubatan tradisional. - Gambar hiasan

Pakar

Katanya lagi, pesakit tidak harus berhenti daripada mengambil ubat-ubatan moden walaupun mereka sedang mencuba rawatan alternatif.

“Ini kerana ubat-ubatan tersebut dapat membantu mengelakkan penyakit tersebut daripada melarat.

“Ubat moden mesti diambil walaupun ubat tradisional terbabit mula menunjukkan kesan positif,” katanya.

Ujarnya lagi, ini bagi menggelakkan sebarang interaksi bahaya antara ubat-ubatan.

“Ubat tradisional berfungsi pada bahagian tertentu dalam badan sama seperti ubatan moden.

“Jika saling berinteraksi, ia mungkin mendatangkan bahaya pada individu itu selain mendedahkan pengguna kepada penyakit seperti kerosakan buah pinggang,” katanya.

Razak menambah, status kesihatan dan penyakit sedia ada adalah faktor yang mempengaruhi keberkesanan ubat tradisional.

“Sentiasa rujuk pada label dan kandungan ubat tersebut. Jika ragu-ragu, beli ubat tersebut di farmasi berdaftar,” katanya.

Seorang pakar farmasi dari Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Puncak Alam, Aida Azlina Ali, berkata bukan semua orang perlu mengambil ubat-ubatan tradisional.

“Jika seseorang telah mengamalkan diet yang sempurna dan berkhasiat, tubuh mereka tidak memerlukan ubat tersebut.

“Ini kerana pengambilan ubat tradisional tanpa mengikut keperluan boleh bertukar menjadi toksik yang membahayakan tubuh,” katanya.

Beliau turut menasihatkan mereka yang ingin mengambil produk TCM supaya bertanya kepada pakar perubatan sebelum menggunakannya.

“Mungkin ubat itu berkesan untuk jangka masa pendek sahaja. Teliti dahulu kandungannya serta rujuklah pakar.

“Selain itu, jangan sekali-kali meninggalkan ubat moden kerana kebanyakan ubat sebegini telah menjalani pelbagai ujian klinikal sebelum diluluskan,” katanya.

SUMBER

2011-06-21T20:16:00.000+07:00

A common cancer

THE liver is the second largest organ in the body, and performs a variety of functions that are vital to life. These include the filtering and processing of blood; bile production; producing proteins, glucose and cholesterol; storing fat-soluble vitamins, glycogen and iron; metabolising drugs, glucose and haemoglobin; and even a role in immunity.

That’s an impressive resume, and it’s safe to say that when something adverse happens to the liver, life as we know it will never be the same.

Unfortunately, many things can go wrong in the liver, and probably the worst of the lot would be cancer.

In fact, liver cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Worse, it’s the third most common cause of cancer-related death. This is probably due to the fact that there are typically no symptoms of the disease until the cancer is in its later stages.

Dr Mellor ... Those living with hepatitis C, hepatitis B viral infection, as well as those with alcohol-related cirrhosis, are at most risk of developing chronic, cirrhotic liver disease. Hence, they are ultimately at higher risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer).

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer, and is responsible for about 90% of the primary malignant liver cancers seen in adults.

The current five-year survival rate for patients with liver cancer are as follows: Europe, 8.6%; United States, less than 10%; and Asia, less than 10%, for inoperable tumours. These are very depressing figures indeed.

According to consultant oncologist Dr Matin Mellor, approximately 75 to 80% of all HCC occurs in Asia. “In some parts of Asia and Africa, HCC is the leading cause of cancer mortality.”

Risk factors

It has been noted that liver cancer disproportionately affects men, with about three times as many men developing the disease as women.

Although the overall cancer incidence and mortality are decreasing in the United States, both the incidence and mortality of liver cancer are increasing worldwide.

There are a few major risk factors for the development of the disease, but the most significant one is chronic, cirrhotic liver disease. Cirrhosis is the widespread disruption of normal liver structure by fibrosis and the formation of regenerative nodules that is caused by various chronic progressive conditions affecting the liver, such as alcohol abuse.

“Those living with hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis B viral infection (HBV), as well as those with alcohol-related cirrhosis, are at most risk of developing chronic, cirrhotic liver disease. Hence, they are ultimately at higher risk for HCC.

“Worldwide, 75 to 80% of HCC cases are related to chronic HBV or HCV infection,” noted Dr Mellor.

Other risk factors include:

·Obesity – non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

·Diabetes

·Long-term exposure to aflatoxins (naturally occurring toxins produced by many species of fungus that can be found in tree nuts, peanuts and other oilseeds).

·Tobacco use

·Long-term use of anabolic steroids.

·In some parts of the world, water contaminated with arsenic.

Symptoms and complications

It is often said that the symptoms of liver cancer only appear late into the disease. The signs and symptoms may include the following:

·Unexplainable weight loss

·Ongoing lack of appetite

·Feeling very full after a small meal

·A hard lump on the right side just below the rib cage

·Pain around the right shoulder blade

·Yellow-green colour to the skin and eyes (jaundice)

·Discomfort in the upper abdomen on the right side

·Unusual tiredness

·Nausea

Many of these symptoms can also be an indication of liver cirrhosis.

Liver cirrhosis leads to many complications. There can be fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites), risk of infection to the lining of the abdomen (bacterial peritonitis), enlarged spleen, distended and/or swollen veins, brain dysfunction (hepatic encephalopathy), malnutrition, and of course, HCC.

According to Dr Mellor, HCC usually presents in patients aged 40 to 50 years old, and about 40% of these patients do not show any symptoms during diagnosis.

“Diagnostic tests for HCC include a full history and examination, liver function tests, ultrasound and other forms of radiology such as CT or MRI scan, and tumour markers (in the case of HCC, it’s alpha-fetoprotein serology).

“Once a diagnosis is confirmed, the cancer is then staged. Staging is used to determine prognosis and guide treatment,” said Dr Mellor.

“Staging HCC is difficult because most patients have underlying liver disease, and key prognostic indicators are not clearly defined. In addition, there isn’t a universal satging system that is used worldwide. There are a few around, and it depends on the doctor’s personal choice as to which one is used.

“But in general, the guidelines recommend that HCC staging systems should consider the tumour stage, liver function, health status, and impact of treatment,” he added.

Prognosis and treatment

A person’s prognosis depends on both the extent of liver disease, as well as the cancer. In general, a majority of patients present with intermediate or advanced disease, which does not bode well for future prognosis.

Treatment options for liver cancer depend on the stage of the malignant disease, underlying liver function and the patient’s overall condition.

Surgery offers the best chance to cure patients with liver cancer. If the cancer is found at an early stage and the rest of the liver is healthy, surgery with or without liver transplantation may be curative. However, only about 15% of patients are operable.

“For early stage HCC, surgery (which could be partial or total removal of the liver), or other techniques such as percutaneous ablation (a needle probe is inserted into the liver tumour, usually under ultrasound, CT or MRI, and radio-frequency oscillations used to kill liver cancer cells).

“For the intermediate stage, transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) is used,” Dr Mellor explained.

TACE exposes the tumour to high concentrations of chemotherapy and confine the agents locally as they are not carried away by the bloodstream. At the same time, this technique deprives the tumour of its needed blood supply, which can result in the damage or death of the tumour cells.

Treatment options for advanced patients are limited. There is a drug, sorafenib, which is the first approved systemic therapy for HCC, and the only one shown to significantly improve overall survival in patients with the disease.

References:

1. World Health Organization. Hepatitis B. Available at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/hepatitis/whocdscsrlyo20022/en/. Accessed May 8, 2008.

2. Mayo Clinic. Liver Cancer. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=C2850661-4805-4AD6-905AD30E9FC79DB2&dsection=5. Accessed May 8, 2008.

3. International Agency for Cancer Research. GLOBOCAN 2002. Available at: http://www-dep.iarc.fr. Accessed May 12, 2008.

4. Ferlay J, et al., GLOBOCAN 2002. Cancer Incidence, Mortality and Prevalence Worldwide. IARC CancerBase No.5, Version 2.0. IARCPress, Lyon, 2004. Available at: http://www-dep.iarc.fr. Accessed May 12, 2008.

5. Berrino et al., “Survival for eight major cancers and all cancers combined for European adults diagnosed in 1995-99: results of the EUROCARE-4 study.” The Lancet Oncology 2007: 8: 773-783.

6. American Cancer Society. What are the Key Statistics About Liver Cancer? Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_are_the_key_statistics_for_liver_cancer_25.asp?sitearea==. Accessed May 8, 2008.

7. Teo, T.K. and Fock, K.M. “Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Asian Perspective.” Digestive Diseases 2001:19: 263-268.

8. National Cancer Institute. Cancer of the Liver and Intrahepatic Bile Duct. Available at: http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/livibd_print.html. Accessed Accessed May 8, 2008.

9. Ries LAG, Melbert D, Krapcho M, Mariotto A, Miller BA, Feuer EJ, Clegg L, Horner MJ, Howlader N, Eisner MP, Reichman M, Edwards BK (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2004, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2004/, based on November 2006 SEER data submission, posted to the SEER web site, 2007.

sumber

2011-06-21T20:14:00.000+07:00

Kebaikan makan pisang

PISANG murah dan mengandungi potasium yang amat berguna dalam menentang masalah kesihatan seperti strok.

PISANG sering menjadi pencuci mulut di negara ini. Secara amnya, kandungan potasium pisang menyebabkan ia disyorkan oleh para doktor untuk pesakit yang kekurangan sumber itu.

Sebagai contoh, sebiji pisang sepanjang 22 sentimeter (sm) mengandungi 600 miligram potasium.

Pakar perunding diet, Indra Balaratnam berkongsi maklumat berguna tentang khasiat buah pisang.

Menurut Penolong Setiausaha Persatuan Pakar Diet Malaysia itu, kajian makmal menunjukkan pisang mengandungi kanji sebanyak 20 peratus dan gula satu peratus.

“Ketika pisang berubah warna menjadi kuning dan sedia untuk dimakan, kandungan gula akan berpecah kepada 66 peratus sukrosa, 14 peratus fraktosa, dan 20 peratus glukosa.

“Pada amnya, pisang bebas daripada lemak, kandungan garamnya rendah serta kaya dengan vitamin serta potasium.

“Ini menyebabkan semua jenis pisang dikategorikan sebagai berkhasiat.

“Apatah lagi ia senang untuk dimakan dan dihadam khususnya oleh bayi berusia enam bulan dan ke atas.

Khasiat

“Tidak ada kesan sampingan pada kesihatan walaupun pisang itu manis kerana kandungan gula dalam pisang adalah semula jadi,” katanya.

Kata beliau lagi, terdapat perbezaan antara pisang yang dimakan begitu sahaja dengan kerepek pisang atau pisang goreng.

Menurut beliau, pisang yang digoreng atau dibuat kerepek mengandungi lemak.

Jadi, adalah selamat jika pengambilan pisang goreng dikurangkan kepada seminggu sekali atau sebulan sekali.

Jika digoreng, kandungan khasiat serta vitamin dan zat-zat lain dalam pisang akan berkurangan sebaliknya kandungan lemak akan bertambah.

Ujar beliau, pisang juga dianggap penting dalam bidang perubatan. Di Thailand, misalnya, wanita hamil digalakkan oleh doktor untuk makan pisang bagi memudahkan proses bersalin. Ia juga membekalkan tenaga bagi melawan dan menyembuhkan penyakit.

Beberapa kajian antarabangsa mendapati hampir 15 jenis masalah kesihatan boleh dikurangkan dengan memakan pisang.

“Antaranya, penyakit anemia iaitu kekurangan hemoglobin dalam darah boleh diatasi dengan memakan pisang kerana ia membantu meningkatkan pembentukan hemoglobin.

“Kandungan potasium tinggi dalam pisang turut menolong merendahkan tekanan darah serta mengurangkan risiko strok,” jelas beliau.

Tambah beliau, selain itu, kandungan fibernya yang tinggi dapat membantu masalah pembuangan air besar secara normal setiap hari.

Ia turut mengurangkan tekanan kerana sejenis protein dikenali sebagai Trytophan yang ada di dalamnya membantu menenangkan fikiran serta otak orang yang berada dalam tekanan.

Katanya lagi, orang yang bergelut dengan penyakit ketakutan, obesiti dan tabiat rokok, digalakkan mengamalkan pemakanan pisang dan mereka dipercayai mampu bebas daripada masalah itu secara beransur-ansur.

Kajian turut membuktikan bahawa seseorang yang berdepan masalah mabuk hamil khususnya wanita yang berasa mual dan muntah pada beberapa bulan pertama kehamilan, boleh mengambil pisang untuk mengelak masalah itu.

Di samping itu, mereka yang menghadapi masalah kegemukan akibat tekanan di tempat kerja boleh diatasi dengan memakan pisang setiap dua jam.

Ia dapat membantu menghilangkan tekanan kerja selain mengawal kandungan gula dalam darah. Bahagian dalam kulit pisang pula membantu memulihkan kegatalan akibat gigitan nyamuk.

“Apa yang penting, kita perlu memberi tumpuan pada kesihatan dengan mengamalkan tabiat makan pisang.

“Bagi anak-anak, kita sangat mudah untuk menyuruh mereka makan pisang kerana ia manis dan lembut. Ia boleh disediakan dalam bentuk kek, mufin dan roti pisang,” katanya.

Laris

Pisang boleh diperoleh sepanjang tahun. Di negara ini, pisang rastali, emas, tanduk, abu dan berangan adalah yang paling laris. Ia turut menjadi tumpuan peniaga pisang goreng dan kerepek.

Seorang peniaga buah-buahan di Pasar Keramat, Kuala Lumpur, Ramli Mat Dalip, 42, berkata, pisang sentiasa menjadi pilihan orang ramai dan ia adalah salah satu buah yang boleh didapati sepanjang tahun.

Kata beliau yang berniaga sejak 15 tahun lalu, pisang berangan dan abu sering dibeli peniaga kerepek atau kuih.

Bagaimanapun, katanya, pisang emas dan berangan memang laris dijual dan dibeli pengguna kerana rasanya manis dan boleh dimakan begitu sahaja.

“Dari segi harga, tidak banyak perbezaan kerana harga pisang mengikut jenisnya iaitu dijual sekitar RM2.80 hingga RM3 sekilogram.

“Permintaan terhadap pisang pada musim perayaan khususnya Tahun Baru Cina, Hari Wesak dan Deepavali juga memberangsangkan.

“Pengguna kerap datang meminta pisang emas dan rastali kerana saiznya kecil iaitu di antara tujuh hingga 10 sm.

“Mereka akan menggunakan pisang itu dalam upacara sembahyang selain untuk dimakan,” katanya.

Sementara itu, seorang lagi peniaga Romlah Ahmad, 31 menjelaskan, berbanding buah-buahan lain khususnya yang diimport, pisang tidak menghadapi masalah kenaikan harga.

“Pisang tidak menghadapi masalah itu. Harganya di mana sekali pun lebih kurang sama iaitu kekal sekitar RM2.80 hingga RM3.50 sekilogram.

“Lagipun pisang dikatakan paling berkhasiat dan kaya dengan zat dan vitamin. Tidak hairanlah jika orang ramai gemar memakannya,” katanya.

Dalam pada itu, seorang pensyarah sebuah kolej swasta di ibu negara, Daljit Kaur, 36, berkata, beliau dan keluarga gemarkan pisang kerana kebaikan yang diperoleh daripada buah tersebut.

Katanya, sejak kecil lagi beliau suka makan pisang dan pernah sekali beliau berdepan dengan seorang rakan yang mempunyai masalah kekurangan hemoglobin dalam darah dan mencadangkan supaya dia makan pisang untuk mengatasi masalah tersebut.

“Selepas itu, saya dapati kesihatannya bertambah baik bahkan setahun kemudian, boleh dikatakan dia bebas sepenuhnya daripada masalah itu.

“Selain itu, ketiga-tiga anak saya yang berusia di antara enam hingga 13 tahun juga gemar makan pisang setiap hari.

“Mereka nampaknya sihat dan tidak menghadapi kesukaran untuk membuang air besar lagi,

sumber

2011-06-21T20:12:00.000+07:00

My obsession

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic condition which is usually associated with obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviour.

THERE are some people who cannot stop thinking about, or doing, certain things, for example, washing hands. Whether these repetitive thoughts or behaviour are normal or otherwise depends on their effects on a person’s relationships and social life.

Many normal individuals, particularly children, have occasional obsessional thoughts or repetitive behaviours, but they do not cause distress or impair daily functions. If they do, then it is no longer within the realms of normal mental functioning.

An obsession is an unwanted, unpleasant or frightening thought, image, or urge which occurs repeatedly and results in anxiety and distress. A compulsion is a repetitive, intentional behaviour or mental act that a person feels compelled to do to avoid or undo the effects of an obsession.

For a person who is obsessed about avoiding a disease, the compulsion to wash his hands frequently helps ease that obsession.

For example, a person who is obsessed about acquiring a disease may feel compelled to wash his hands on every occasion he touches any object.

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic condition which is usually associated with obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviour. OCD is diagnosed if it causes distress, occurs for more than an hour a day, and/or interferes with activities of daily living.

OCD is a common mental health condition. It usually occurs in young adults, but can occur in older people. However, it can occur at any age, including childhood. Males usually develop symptoms earlier than females.

Many cases of OCD are undiagnosed because the sufferers do not know that it is a treatable condition. Some of those who realise that OCD is an illness may be reluctant to seek help or cannot accept that they have a mental condition.

Causes

The causes of OCD are unknown, although several theories have been put forward.

There is evidence suggesting that OCD may be due to genetic factors. Although no specific gene has been found, there is evidence that OCD occurs in families, with a sufferer having four times the likelihood that another family member has OCD. OCD has been shown in studies to be associated with tics, which are rapid, repeated involuntary muscle contractions.

OCD sufferers have been shown to have abnormalities in the parts of the brain that deal with emotions, eg increased blood flow and activity in these areas of the brain.

These abnormalities return to normal following successful treatment.

Although the role of serotonin, a brain chemical that transmits information from one brain cell to another, in OCD is unknown, medicines that increase brain serotonin have been used successfully in its treatment.

There have been reports of OCD developing in children and young people following a streptococcal infection. This may be due to interaction between antibodies and a certain part of the brain.

Adverse life events like divorce or bereavement may trigger OCD in people who are predisposed to it. Stress worsens OCD, although it is not causative by itself.

Overprotective parents may increase the likelihood of developing OCD.

Clinical features

Although OCD affects people differently, there are particular cycles of thought and behaviour. They usually consist of:

·Obsession, in which there is an overwhelming, constant concern or fear.

·Anxiety that results from the obsession.

·Compulsion, in which there is compulsive behaviour to decrease the anxiety and distress.

·Compulsion brings relief, but this is temporary as the obsession recurs, causing the cycle to start all over again.

The types of obsessions vary, but the common ones include fear of acquiring a disease, fear of causing harm to own self or others through a deliberate act, mistake, or accident, and a need for orderliness or symmetry.

The compulsions are varied, but the common ones include hand washing, cleaning, checking, counting, arranging, repetition of words or thoughts, and seeking reassurance.

There is nothing shameful about consulting a doctor. During the consultation, the doctor may use a questionnaire to determine if a person has OCD. The questions may include:

·Is there a lot of washing or cleaning?

·Is there a lot of checking things?

·Is there any troublesome thought that does not go away?

·Do daily activities take a long time to finish?

·Is there concern about putting things in a particular way order?

·Are these problems troubling?

If the initial screening suggests OCD, an assessment of its severity will be carried out. There are various methods which assess the impact of OCD on a patient’s daily life. It is vital that there is openness and honesty when undergoing the assessment as it will ensure appropriate treatment.

There are three levels of severity of OCD:

·Mild functional impairment, which occurs less than one hour in a day.

·Moderate functional impairment, which occurs one to three hours in a day.

·Severe functional impairment, which occurs more than three hours in a day.

The complications of OCD include depression and poor quality of life.

Management

The treatment modalities for OCD are behavioural therapy and/or medication.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) involves graded exposure and response prevention. This involves identification of situations that cause anxiety in order of severity. There is, then, an identification of tasks leading to the situation that cause anxiety to a level that a patient can cope with without carrying out the compulsion. This exercise is repeated a few times daily. With each exercise, the anxiety decreases and lasts for a shorter time.

Upon overcoming a step, the patient proceeds to a more difficult task exposure until all the situations leading to the anxiety has been overcome.

CBT is a proven and effective treatment for about 80% of patients with OCD.

The medications used in the management of OCD are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). They can take about 12 weeks before their effects are obvious. It is usual for the doctor to advise treatment for at least 12 months.

Sometimes, the doctor may carry out blood pressure measurements, electrocardiograms (ECG) and regular blood tests for patients on medications.

The SSRIs and TCAs can only be taken under a doctor’s supervision. It is essential to keep the doctor’s appointments to monitor progress and response to medication. It is advisable to consult the doctor if there are troublesome side effects of the medications and/or prior to cessation of medication.

SSRIs increase the brain’s levels of serotonin, a compound which is thought to improve a person’s mood. They are as effective as the older TCAs, but have fewer side effects. The side effects of SSRIs, which include dry mouth, nausea, poor appetite, headaches, blurring of vision, sweating, feelings of agitation, inability to sleep, and decreased sex drive, ease off with time.

As there are reports of increased risk of self-harm and suicidal tendencies with SSRIs, it is important to let family member(s) or a close friend know and ask them to inform the doctor if they notice changes in the patient’s behaviour. The doses of SSRI prescribed in OCD are usually higher than in depression as there is evidence that lower doses are ineffective. There may be a temporary increase in anxiety at the commencement of SSRIs, but this will go away within a few days in most patients. If this does not occur, or worsens, consultation with a doctor is advisable.

An alternative SSRI may be prescribed if there is no improvement after about three months of the initial medication. The duration of treatment depends on a patient’s response.

When a decision is made to cease taking SSRIs, the dose will be gradually reduced. Sudden cessation or the missing of a dose of SSRI may result in withdrawal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, headache, sweating, dizziness, numbness, tingling and sleep disturbances, which may be severe.

TCAs increase the brain’s levels of serotonin and noradrenaline. Their side effects include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, problems passing urine, blurring of vision, drowsiness and sweating, and these ease off after about 10 days. TCAs are usually prescribed if SSRIs do not help because they have more side effects than the SSRIs. OCD with mild functional impairment is usually treated with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). OCD with moderate functional impairment is usually treated with a more intensive CBT or SSRIs. The doctor may refer such cases to a specialist.

OCD with severe functional impairment is usually managed by a specialist with a combination of intensive CBT and SSRIs or TCAs. OCD in children is usually managed by a specialist who is experienced in treating them.

Surgery has been used as a last resort in selected cases of OCD in some countries. The surgery involves using an electric current or a pulse of radiation to destroy (ablation) a small part of the limbic system which is involved in emotions, behaviour, and memory.

Although this procedure has not been subjected to clinical trials, the Royal College of Psychiatrists of the United Kingdom found improvement in more than 50% of patients. However, there was no improvement, or worsening, in about 15% of the patients. The risks include memory loss and confusion, which could be severe and irreversible.

OCD is a treatable condition. The majority of patients will be completely cured with treatment. The severity of OCD would be reduced in others, with a positive impact on their quality of life.

sumber

2011-06-21T20:10:00.001+07:00

Wnt tentukan rambut beruban

SAINTIS telah menemui protein yang mengakibatkan rambut beruban.

GABUNGAN dua jenis sel stem iaitu sel folikel dan sel melanocytes akan membentuk rambut manusia yang berwarna.

Baru-baru ini, saintis dari Pusat Perubatan Universiti New York telah mengenal pasti sejenis protein yang mengkoordinasikan pigmentasi warna oleh dua jenis sel tersebut yang dinamakan sebagai Wnt.

Kandungan Wnt menentukan warna rambut yang akhirnya berubah menjadi uban.

Kekurangan protein tersebut dalam sel melanocytes menyebabkan rambut bertukar menjadi kelabu.

Profesor Mayumi Ito menjelaskan, manipulasi terhadap protein Wnt secara genetik boleh menghentikan rambut daripada beruban.

“Kita tahu bahawa sel stem folikel rambut dan sel melanocytes yang menghasilkan pigmen rambut sama-sama menghasilkan warna rambut tetapi bagaimana ia berlaku kita tidak ketahui.

“Kami telah mendapat petunjuk bahawa Wnt adalah penting untuk menyelaraskan aktiviti kedua-dua sel tersebut untuk mempigmentasikan struktur rambut.

“Rambut beruban adalah ditentukan oleh Wnt,” katanya dalam jurnal Cell.

Tidur mengiring ke kiri elak keguguran

WANITA hamil yang tidur mengiring di sebelah kiri pada hari-hari terakhir sebelum proses bersalin dapat mengurangkan risiko kematian bayi.

Kajian yang dijalankan di Universiti Auckland, New Zealand menjelaskan bahawa wanita yang tidur mengiring pada sebelah kanan pula berisiko dua kali ganda untuk mengalami masalah tersebut.

“Wanita mengandung yang tidur dalam keadaan terlentang mahupun mengiring ke kanan dalam tempoh yang lama mengakibatkan pengaliran darah kepada bayi terbatas.

“Namun, keputusan kajian juga menunjukkan bahawa risiko kematian bayi adalah berkait rapat dengan rutin tidur yang lebih lama daripada biasa dan juga kekerapan tidur pada waktu siang,” kata Tomasina Stacey dari Jabatan Obstetrik dan Ginaekologi.

Pengkaji menjelaskan bahawa wanita mengandung tidak perlu risau kerana kadar risikonya amat kecil iaitu 3.39 daripada 1,000 kelahiran bagi mereka yang tidur mengiring dan 1.96 bagi yang tidur mengiring ke kiri.

Stacey bagaimanapun menjelaskan kajian yang disiarkan dalam British Medical Journal (BMJ) itu merupakan sebuah hipotesis baharu dan perlu dikaji secara lebih mendalam lagi.

sumber

2011-06-18T12:03:00.000+07:00

Coping with creaky joints

Osteoarthritis, the bane of old age, can be slowed down through various measures.

WOMEN fare badly as far as architecture is concerned (no offense to those in the profession)! What I am referring to is the skeletal scaffolding that upholds the vanity of our body. As the flow from the spring of eternal youth ebbs, the bones and joints crumble, buckle and creak, especially when we move into the fifth decade of senescence.

If Marilyn Monroe were still alive today, those shapely legs would be O-shaped, as the knees would have bowed.

Driving a vehicle downhill is one of those times we treasure our brakes. As we step on it often enough, we would smell the burning of rubber as frictional forces are exerted on the pads. Over time, and with overuse, the brake pads are worn off.

Natural predisposition: Almost everyone above the age of 70 has some degree of osteoarthritis, but women are more prone than men.

In the same fashion, our joints become thinned out with repetitive use. As for the car, there are spare parts, but unfortunately, there are none for our joints.

Osteo (bone) arthritis (joint inflammation) was initially thought to be wrongly coined as the earlier definition of creaky joints solely referred to wear and tear or degenerative joint disease.

Now the term has become more apt as researchers have indeed found elements of bone changes and joint inflammation in the midst of mechanical breakdown.

Drying up!

Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of a painful joint, largely affecting the knees. Almost everyone above the age of 70 has some degree of disrepair, but women are more prone than men.

To the lay person, osteoarthritis means age-related “drying up” of joint lubricant. Of course, there’s more than meets the eye. Weight-bearing joints like the knee have a layer of rubbery cartilage that acts like a cushion, dissipating the forces between the thigh and leg bones. Lining the joint cavity is a silky membrane called the synovium, which secretes joint fluid.

The latter is nutritive, protective, lubricating, and acts as “shock absorber”. Enveloping these structures is the protective fibrous covering called the joint capsule.

As the clock ticks, the weatherbeaten cartilage undergoes degradation and loses it sponginess, thinning out until bone rubs against bone.

Like the opening of an old door, the joints creak, crack, and grind each time they bend, causing pain and stiffness, especially in the morning.

By placing the palm over the affected joint during movement, one can sense a grating vibration (known as crepitus), as the thickened and swollen synovium rubs over itself.

Over time, the effect of body weight causes new irregular bone formation just beneath the cartilage and surrounding the knee, leading to little projections called spurs (osteophytes). Some may break off and become a “loose body” within the joint.

The ligaments and muscles around the joint weakens, giving rise to instability during locomotion. Externally, there is broadening of the knees, and in some cases, deformity ensues.

In our early days of mobility, we can descend a flight of stairs in a heartbeat. As for the sufferer with osteoarthritis, just getting down from the car is agonising. The facial grimaces mirror the excruciating pain tearing the joint, especially after prolonged periods of sitting.

This reflects an underlying inflammation. One literally carries the limb onto firm ground, before the tedious process of mobility can even get started.

The stabbing pain that synchronises with each step worsens with movement, as bone grinds over each other. Soon, the synovial membrane becomes inflamed, swells up, and secretes inflammatory fluid into the joint (effusion), increasing the rigidity of an already inflexible joint.

Invariably, the pain and discomfort is verbalised, quite incessantly, for sympathy and empathy. Every time I meet my old folks, they never fail to describe their misery.

Apart from age, there are other contributory causes of osteoarthritis, namely previous injuries or accidents. Athletes and footballers are prone to ligament and cartilage tears. The weakened structures and abnormal weight bearing renders this group of people more prone to osteoarthritis in later years.

Other causes of joint inflammation, such as rhuematoid arthritis, gout and joint bleeding sets the stage for more trouble.

Obesity, limb deformities and mechanical stress on the major joints also pave the way to the orthopaedic surgeons office.

Hereditary

There is, certainly, a hereditary tendency to develop osteoarthritis as well. I know of a family of sisters who limp into my office, taking turns to get pain relief.

As a matter of fact, I too realised where I got my knobbly fingers from! The little bumps on the end joint of the fingers are known as Herbeden’s nodes, which can at times become tender and swollen.

Age and acceleration of degenerative changes open up a pandora’s box for a host of other painful situations apart from the knees.

“Pain in the neck” symptoms are often due to a condition known as cervical spondylosis. The condition is often triggered by awkward positioning of the neck and prolonged postural strain, precipitating the sharp, lightning pains and numbness that may shoot down the arm. This is due to little spurs that pinch on the nerves coming out from the spine.

Diagnosis of osteoarthritis is confirmed through radiologic studies or specific scans. Blood tests are unhelpful.

Treatment of osteoarthiritis is as recurrent as the symptoms are. Most times, the only offering on the table is pain relief. Other times, another type of furniture beacons ... the operation table!

Physiotherapy and strengthening exercises are helpful for some. A new approach is the injection of a “joint lubricant” (viscosupplementation), which offers temporary relief.

Various types of surgery are available, and the ultimate changeover is joint replacement.

The realm of treatment is necessarily condensed as they are in the hands of well qualified professionals.

What is more pertinent are measures one can adopt to reduce the burden of painful creaky joints. It is necessarily DIY, as certainly no one can do it for us.

The direct link to food is weak, but generally, it is good sense to adopt an “anti-inflammatory” diet, which essentially includes high fibre, low glycaemic carbohydrates.

Plant-based proteins and fatty fish are healthy choices, unless they are deep frozen, canned, or preserved. Good fats (mono and polyunsaturated fats), especially a dose of omega-3 fatty acids through fish oil supplementation and flax seed oil, keep the joints greased and “cool” (the anti-inflammation effect).

Obesity, being an aggravating factor, should be taken by the horns as the damaged joints are carrying the weight of more than one person. Dietary modification veer towards healthy weight management.

Many nutrients have purported effects that minimise the inflammation and pain of osteoarthritis. As degradation of cartilage is a destructive process, free radicals accumulate and increase the oxidative stress level within the joint.

Dietary vitamins A, C, and E are the primary antioxidants. Minerals such as manganese and selenium have regenerative function for natural or endogenous antioxidants. Ginger and tumeric extracts have been used with variable results.

The hottest cake with candles lighting on and off is glucosamine. Although the verdict is not unanimous, chondroitin has joined the bandwagon.

The glucosamine/chondroitin story

Glucosamine made its entry into mainstream medicine 20 years ago, amidst great resistance from doctors like yours truly, who had little faith in nutritional approaches then. Reluctantly, doctors began to take notice when patients reported improvements.

Today, there is hardly any osteoarthritic sufferer who walks into a consultation room and exit without a prescription for glucosamine.

Glucosamine is a simple amino-sugar which is derived from the exo-skeleton of crustaceans and is the building block for cartilage. Its mode of action is the retardation of the thinning of cartilage and apparently reduces the pain in some patients.

There are various forms of glucosamine, and the most researched is glucosamine sulphate.

Chondroitin is a natural component of cartilage that keeps it supple. Commercially, it is sourced from animal or shark cartilage. The evidence on osteoarthritis is a little erratic, with some studies implicating benefit while others point out that it is no better than placebo.

Study design, materials used, and interpretation of results, can be confusing even to the scientific community. Conflicting reports tend to cast doubts on the efficacy of nutritional supplements. In the absence of side effects, if one finds glucosamine or chondroitin beneficial, why not try it?

During a spell of poor judgement, I jogged and jiggled with two dumbbells every morning and developed a painful swollen knee. As I am not a great fan of drugs, I opted for nature’s healing, without much resolution.

Finally, reluctantly, I opened a bottle of glucosamine sulphate for the acid test. The result was better than I expected at the end of three weeks.

Anecdotal again, but I have learnt to trust the endpoint more than any meta-analysis.

The hypothetical question is: Can we prevent osteoarthritis?

With positive pessimism, the answer is we can slow down the onset through a healthy lifestyle, with emphasis on maintaining ideal body weight, balanced nutrition, and the right choice of supplements.

The wear and tear will come as sure as age, but we can choose not to be one of the statistics before our time is up.

Unfortunately, most of us treat our body like a machine, visiting the mechanic in a white coat only when the spare parts squeak, squeal, or fall apart.

Sumber

2011-06-18T12:01:00.000+07:00

Shopping for doctors

Seeking second, third, or fourth opinions when it comes to diseases, especially cancer, is not uncommon.

THE next time you hear a group of doctors utter the word “shopping” disdainfully, you can bet it is not Harrods, Saks Fifth Avenue, or the Galeries Lafayette they are talking about.

To these shopping havens, doctors and their partners give of their time and money approvingly and willingly.

The shopping doctors describe, with a sneer, refers to patients asking around for opinions on their disease and how to treat it.

A patient who needs to undergo surgery to remove a brain tumour trudges around, a bag of x-rays and scans tightly tucked under her arm, from neurosurgeon to neurosurgeon. Sometimes it is two surgeons she sees. Often, it is more.

Patients have been known to see as many as six surgeons before deciding on the One.

The patient with breast cancer shops twice. She must shop around for the breast surgeon for the surgical part of the treatment, which involves removing part or whole of her breast.

Following the operation, she shops again for the oncologist, who will administer the follow-up treatment, which is usually chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and endocrine therapy.

What accounts for shopping?

The first reason is cost. Prices for a surgical procedure or a course of radiotherapy or chemotherapy are compared. To some patients, the lower the price tag, the better.

The second reason is bedside manner. The doctor who chews pumpkin seeds whilst consulting or who constantly checks the TV monitor for the latest share prices may lose the potential customer. Conversely, the charmer who speaks confidently, looks the patient in the eye, and has a firm handshake, is all set.

The third reason why patients compare and contrast doctors is that they want to hear what they want to hear. A patient having undergone surgery for colon cancer, sees four oncologists. Three of them recommend a six-month course of chemotherapy. The fourth one says no, and the patient happily goes along with this naysayer.

The fourth reason for shopping is that some patients need to slake their intellectual thirst. They want the doctor to make sense and to clearly articulate the treatment algorithm. The most eloquent doctor is chosen.

It is often a combination of reasons, but I think the upshot of it all is trust.

As I have always said, the relationship between a doctor and a patient is a special one. You must trust someone who will provide comfort, hope, and healing in times of adversity and illness, someone whose decisions may make the difference between life and death.

Many of us doctors see the same patient not once, not twice, but 50 to 100 times in all. The heart patient trusts his cardiologist and sees the same cardiologist for two, three, four decades. The endocrinologist who looks after diabetics similarly examines the same patient five to 10 times a year.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a crippling and chronic disease, but it usually does not kill. Again, if you trust your rheumatologist, why change?

And yet patients do change doctors whom they may have been seeing for a long time.

For oncologists, change is not uncommon. A patient, whose cancer is getting larger and spreading to more organs, abandons his oncologist and seeks another. He thinks the second (or third or fourth) oncologist may have a new trick up her sleeve. He may think the treatment given by the first oncologist may not have been optimal.

Any long term relationship can sour for any number of reasons. Friends and relatives try to do good by recommending other oncologists, and often, a cancer patient tries his best to please all around him.

They acquiesce to the suggestion to change doctors. The patient can have a religious epiphany and seek an oncologist of the new same faith.

Strangely though, I have not heard of a cancer patient who abandons all religion and seeks an oncologist who is an atheist.

Change the pilots midway through a long haul flight by all means, but provide the second set of pilots with the history of the flight. Where did the flight take off from? What were the weather conditions? How much fuel did the aircraft start with? Were there any anomalous readings on the dials during the first part of the flight?

Patients who change doctors midway through a long term treatment regime or surveillance programme should request of the doctor a long and detailed medical report. Everything should be in the report. From the diagnosis to any revised diagnosis. All the results of blood assays and imaging scans. The surgical procedures done and the drugs (and dosages) given must be clearly spelt out.

The question of offending the doctor should not ever arise. In the same heartbeat, the doctor should not hesitate in giving that detailed report. It is for the good of all the doctors concerned, and more importantly, for the well being of the patient.

Shopping can be therapeutic. Flying can be smooth. Seeing doctors should be both.

Sumber

2011-06-18T11:57:00.001+07:00

Big isn’t always better

Acromegaly is often waved off as ‘gigantism’, but what many fail to see is the layers of pain and suffering that engulf those afflicted by it.

NOBODY called him Little Robert. Sure, he was only eight, but he towered above everyone else at six feet (1.8m). By the time he turned 12, he had already grown a foot taller. At the age of 18, he stood at eight feet, four inches (2.54m) tall and weighed 390 pounds (177kg).

He wore size 37 (US) shoes and his clothes had to be custom-made with three times the normal amount of cloth. He couldn’t fit into the family car, and so his father had to remove the front passenger seat – Robert could then sit in the back and stretch out his long legs. Frankly, that was the least of his problems.

His large feet had little sensation – he could not feel any chafing until blisters formed. He dreamt of becoming a lawyer, but the simple task of walking from one campus building to another proved to be too strenuous.

All Robert wanted was to live a normal life, but he was often written off as a “freak”. He was once quoted as having said: “It’s not my fault that I am this way.”

He passed away when he was only 22 in 1940, due to a septic blister on his right ankle. His final height was eight feet, 11 inches (2.72m).

He was Robert Pershing Wadlow – the tallest man in the world. His name appears in the Guinness Book of Records, but the fact of the matter is: he never did find out why he was born that way.

He wasn’t just someone “born tall”; what he had was acromegaly, a medical disorder caused by a small tumour in the pituitary gland, which produces excessive amounts of growth hormone. His condition has also been described as gigantism, which is pre-pubertal acromegaly.

Growth unlimited?

The pituitary is a small gland, about eight to nine mm in diameter, located below the brain. Its main function is to produce hormones that are essential for everyday living. The presence of a tumour will cause the enlargement of bones of the extremities, face and jaw, as well as an increase in hand and feet size.

According to Wouter W. de Herder and Jean Périé in “Acromegaly and gigantism in the 20th century”, people afflicted with the disease had it tougher in the past, and not just because there was no treatment available at that time; those with physical abnormalities were often used as show objects, either willingly or by coercion.

Mary Ann Webster was an acromegaly patient in the 1900s who shared all the classic physical symptoms of the disease: a prominent jaw, bulging forehead, as well as enlarged hands and feet.

When her husband died suddenly in 1914, she had no choice but to search for an adequate source of income to support her children. And so she entered (and won) an “Ugly Woman” contest. From then, she appeared with much success in countless circus sideshows.

People afflicted with acromegaly had it tougher in the past, and not just because there was no treatment available at that time; they were often used as show objects, either willingly or by coercion. – Photo courtesy of Novartis

But as expected, she was often made an object of ridicule up until her death in 1933. She was 59.

What not many people knew was that the mother of four had to deal with years of excruciating headaches, loss of vision, and joint and muscle pain, because of her condition.

Being “different” was certainly a profitable profession, though one was exploited in “freak shows” more often than not. Those who suffered from acromegaly were troubled by various disorders, yet nobody could get past the fact that they were “weird-looking”.

Finding the right cure

While gigantism can now be identified and treated at a very early stage, acromegaly still goes undiagnosed – some, for up to eight years.

Senior consultant physician and endocrinologist Dr Nor Azmi Kamaruddin, who is also president of the Malaysian Endocrine and Metabolic Society (MEMS), has only identified 60 acromegaly patients in the country since 1994.

“Everywhere around the world, acromegaly is regarded as an ‘orphan’ disease. On average, there are 40 to 125 cases of acromegaly per one million population. For a country of 26 million, there might be 1,000 to 3,000 patients with acromegaly, yet a lot of them remain undiagnosed,” he says in an e-mail interview.

But being tall does not necessarily equate to having acromegaly, as in the case of China’s Yao Ming (NBA star) and Bao Xishun, who is currently the world’s tallest living man at seven feet, nine inches (2.36m). Some just have taller genes than others.

After her husband’s death, Mary Ann Webster entered and won an ‘Ugly Woman’ contest and later worked in circus sideshows to support her children, all the while battling her loss of vision, excruciating headaches and typical joint and muscle pain. – Photo courtesy of Novartis

For adults afflicted with acromegaly, instead of growing taller, they actually grow “bigger”.

“If the disease starts after adulthood, all the bones have already fused and lost the ability to lengthen. Thus, the most common symptoms involve changes to the facial features and the size of hands and feet,” says Dr Nor Azmi.

Although the tumour giving rise to acromegaly is not cancerous, it does bring with it a host of other diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, kidney stones, certain cancers, and arthritis. As the tumour enlarges, it may compress the optic nerves, resulting in restricted vision, and later, blindness, adds Dr Nor Azmi.

For the treatment of acromegaly, a patient has three options: surgery, radiotherapy, and medical therapy. “If the tumour is less than one cm in diameter, the chance of cure through surgery is about 90%.

Radiotherapy is usually reserved as a second line treatment for patients whose tumours were not cured through surgery,” says Dr Nor Azmi.

“Medical therapy comes in the form of injections of hormones that either block the production of growth hormones (somatostatin analogues) or oppose the action of growth hormones (pegvisomant). The major constraint to these two forms of treatment is cost, and the fact that they may have to be administered for life.”

The cost of a monthly injection of somatostatin analogues range from RM4,000 to RM6,000, while that of pegvisomant could go as high as RM150,000 per year of treatment.

If left untreated, acromegaly can be fatal. “Further hormonal deficiencies will develop over the years. These will affect the general well-being of the patient as these hormones are essential for cardiovascular health, intellectual function, overall metabolism and sexual function.

“Together with diabetes and hypertension, excessive growth hormones result in deaths due to heart diseases and strokes, not to mention a small increase in the incidence of cancers. A medical emergency called pituitary apoplexy, which is a haemorrhage of the pituitary gland, may lead to death due to the dramatic loss of pituitary hormones,” explains Dr Nor Azmi.

“If the condition is cured, most of the facial and skeletal abnormalities regress to a certain extent; complications such as diabetes and hypertension will improve significantly. Vision defects in most instances will improve unless the condition has been left unattended for years.”

Acromegaly happens, but not always out of the blue. “The condition cannot be prevented. However, in a small percentage of patients, the disease is hereditary – members of the family can then be screened for acromegaly at an early stage,” says Dr Nor Azmi.

Identifying acromegaly

According to Dr Nor Azmi, acromegaly is diagnosed using an oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) that measures the by-product of the growth hormone secretion called Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) in the blood.

“During the oGTT test, the patient is given a drink of glucose while the blood levels of growth hormone are measured every half an hour over a two-hour period. Normally, growth hormone levels will come down with the administration of glucose, but not so in the case of acromegaly.

“Once the blood tests confirm the presence of excessive growth hormones, the patient will then undergo an MRI of the pituitary area of the brain to determine the precise size of the tumour in the pituitary gland.”

There is no gender difference for the condition. “But since it is a slow, progressive chronic disease, it tends to occur more commonly in adults,” says Dr Nor Azmi. Also, if you have both diabetes and hypertension, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have acromegaly.

“Both diabetes and hypertension are very common in most countries of the world. They tend to occur together. The conglomerate of these diseases is called metabolic syndrome. The presence of both conditions in an individual in almost all cases is not due to acromegaly.”

Sumber

2011-06-18T11:51:00.000+07:00

The allergy march

The source of your child’s allergies may be you.

ALLERGIES may be downright annoying, but it is quite amazing when you get to know what it really is. To appreciate what an allergy is so that we can control it rather than let it control us, we must first understand the body’s immune system.

The immune system is a wonderfully efficient defence mechanism that prevents infections. Its job is to recognise foreign invaders and react by producing antibodies to fight these foreign invaders that cause infections and diseases. Except sometimes, the immune system overreacts to substances that are actually not harmful to the body. This is when allergies occur.

For people who are prone to allergies, almost any substance can cause an allergic reaction. Common culprits are substances that are found in the home like dust mites, traces of household detergents, cleaning fluids, moulds, certain types of foods, and even pets. Things that we come in contact with every day can become a problem to an allergic person.

Outside the home, there is also a host of environmental allergens like pollen, pollution, chemicals and smoke that can make life a misery for people with allergies. If the allergies are not dealt with or managed, the body is at risk of being unable to function normally.

Allergy spectrum

Allergens provoke symptoms ranging from mildly annoying to fatal. The more tolerable symptoms are itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, breathing difficulties, asthma, and itchy inflamed skin in the case of hives and eczema.

On the other hand, an allergic person may also encounter more serious conditions that can lead to a fall in blood pressure, or anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition in which the symptoms include swelling of the throat and mouth, constriction of respiratory passages, nausea and unconsciousness. Any allergen can cause this condition, but the most common culprits are foods, insect stings and drugs.

The march begins

An allergy may go through several stages known as the allergy march. This may start as early as during pregnancy. Then in your child’s early years, he may develop common signs of allergy such as vomiting and diarrhoea, or colic.

The clinical picture may progress to eczema which causes dry, red and flaky patches on the skin; at around the same time, food allergies could appear. There would then be some decrease in symptoms of eczema or occurrences of food allergies as children grow older.

However, later stages of the allergy march would present themselves with nasal symptoms (rhinitis) such as blocked and runny nose, itchiness and wheezing or asthma.

Whilst this is the norm of the allergy march, the reverse may occur. Eczema may present itself later in life, preceded by asthma or rhinitis. This reversal of sequence of clinical symptoms is sometimes referred to as the reverse allergy march.

Allergy tracing

Correct diagnosis and the ability to determine the root cause of any ailment are the most effective ways to find a solution. Although not all allergies are inherited, the cause of allergies in a high percentage of people can be traced back to their parents.

If one parent has allergies, then the child is considered to be in the high-risk category, and he has a 20%-40% chance of having allergies. If both parents have it, then the probability could increase to 50%-80%. It is thus important to find out as early as possible if the parents of a child have allergies. If the test results are positive, then the next step is to take preventative measures to reduce allergies.

At the end of the day, there is a multitude of factors that can trigger off allergies. Prevention is possible if it happens at an early stage of a person’s life. – Article courtesy of the Malaysian Society of Allergy and Immunology

For more information, visit www.allergymsai.org.

Quick facts

About 35% of children are affected by allergies.
Almost 60% of all allergies appear during the first year of life.
About 50% of children with food allergy will go on to develop other allergies like eczema, allergic rhinitis or asthma in later life.
The vulnerability to allergies is hereditary.

Sumber

2011-06-18T11:50:00.000+07:00

All about aspirin

Learn a bit about this old, but still very useful, drug.

I HAVE heard so much about aspirin. I see it all the time on pharmacy shelves. My parents take one tablet every day. I’ve been told all sorts of things about this ‘wonder drug’, which people say can prevent heart attacks and strokes, and even decrease the risk of cancer. Is this all true?

Aspirin is truly a remarkable drug. It has a very interesting history. It is actually acetylsalicylic acid, which is a mild painkiller.

It works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are chemicals produced in our body that play a role in clotting our blood and sensitising our nerve endings to pain. Therefore, if aspirin blocks this chemical, we would feel less pain.

Additionally, our blood will not clot that easily. That is why people who take aspirin find their clotting process a little delayed after they sustain a wound.

How old is aspirin?

It is believed that the first records of aspirin were written by Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine. And he lived circa 400 BC.

He wrote about a powder made from the bark and leaves of a willow tree that relieved headaches, pains and fevers.

In the 19th century, scientists found out that the willow tree contains salicin. They then began to isolate the compound.

Then in 1899, a German scientist called Felix Hoffman, who worked for the pharmaceutical company Bayer, gave the formula to his father who had arthritis. It worked so well that Hoffman convinced Bayer to market the new drug.

Aspirin was patented in 1900. Yes, that’s how old it is.

The term “aspirin” has its own roots as well. The “A” is from acetyl chloride. The “spir” is from spiraea ulmaria, the plant salicylic acid it is derived from.

Aspirin was first sold as a powder, and later as tablets. After Germany lost the First World War, Bayer was forced to give up the aspirin trademark.

What should aspirin be used for?

Since it is such an old drug, aspirin has been studied for over a century in a wide variety of clinical trials for many uses. These are some of its indications:

Pain relief: Aspirin is still effective as a mild pain reliever, although it has been superseded by paracetamol and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

But it still can be used for headaches, painful periods, joint pains, etc.

It also can be used for fever.

Prevention of cardiac events: This is what aspirin is primarily used for these days in millions of patients worldwide. Its prevention of blood clotting comes into play here.

An aspirin a day can actually thin your blood and reduce the risk of clots forming in your blood vessels.

These clots are the precursor to heart attacks and strokes. So if you have risk factors for these, it is good to take aspirin.

Once you have had a cardiac event or a thromboembolic stroke (the kind of stroke caused by a blood clot going into your brain), you would have to go on aspirin for life.

There are, of course, other alternatives to aspirin today, such as Cardiprin (easier on your stomach) and Plavix. But aspirin remains a very cheap and good alternative.

Aspirin is also used to treat rheumatic fever and Kawasaki Disease.

In that case, to prevent heart attacks and stroke, even though I am normal, shouldn’t I take one aspirin a day?

That hypothesis may be true, but not everyone should take one aspirin a day.

People who should take aspirin regularly are those who are at risk of getting heart attacks or stroke, or who have had either.

Aspirin has side effects that you may not want to expose yourself to unnecessarily if you don’t need to take it.

Risk factors for getting a heart attack or stroke include:

> Smoking

> High blood pressure

> High LDL (bad) cholesterol

> Diabetes

> Family history of heart attacks or stroke

> Lack of exercise

> Stress

You should always consult your doctor before taking aspirin.

What sort of side effects would I get from aspirin?

Not everyone will get side effects. The majority of people taking aspirin may not get any side effects at all, other than your blood taking longer to clot when there is a wound.

But the main side effects people fear from aspirin are gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding, and also tinnitus (a buzzing sound in the ear in the absence of external sounds).

Sumber

2011-06-18T11:48:00.000+07:00

Breakthrough for prostate cancer

Two new therapies for advanced prostate cancer reflect the enthusiasm that doctors hold for the future treatment of this disease.

CANCER of the prostate (CaP) is the most common cancer (other than skin cancer) in males in Western countries. In the US, it has been estimated that about 200,000 men were diagnosed with CaP in 2009, with more than 27,000 dying from the disease.

The prevalence of CaP in Asian countries is rapidly increasing as a result of the increased consumption of Western-style meals (diet has been strongly implicated as a risk factor for CaP).

In Taiwan, currently, CaP is the third most common cancer in men, and the numbers affected are still on the rise.

The hope for advanced prostate cancer patients is even brighter when these innovative therapies are non-invasive and may just require taking a few pills per day. – AFP

A question of castration

Cancer of the prostate is an androgen-receptor dependent disease, and the treatment for advanced prostate cancer is androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), or in layman’s term, depriving the cancer of testosterone.

For decades, ADT has been the most effective and successful treatment for prostate cancer. However, in nearly all cases, the cancer eventually progresses after 12 to 48 months despite ADT, depending on how extensive the disease, host factors, and inherent tumour characteristics or biology.

The cancer invariably develops new tumour characteristics and clinical behaviours after treatment with ADT. This newly evolved cancer is known as castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), which is inevitably fatal. The transformed and fiercer cancer thrives and spreads rapidly despite the body having very low testosterone levels.

The current treatment for CRPC is chemotherapy, using a standard docetoxel-based regime. However, the prognosis remains poor, and median survival with chemotherapy is less than two years.

There is currently no standard of care for patients who fail chemotherapy, and the results of all existing therapies are very poor.

This pathetic and pessimistic scene is going to change within the next few years. Over the past few months, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three new drugs for terminal stage CRPC, and two have already demonstrated the potential of extending patients’ lives.

Further, a whole host of revolutionary therapies, mainly oral medications, will come soon. Many of these new targeted or boutique drugs, which include denosumab, cabozantinib, MDV 3100, ARN-509, and TAIC-700, are in the late stages of development, and are near to final regulatory approvals.

We are certainly living in very exciting times where the bleak future of advanced castration-resistant prostate cancer patients are showered with optimistic rays of hope.

Becoming hormone refractory

How do prostate cancer cells evolve, grow, and spread rapidly despite very low testosterone levels in the body? Several things can result in this change:

· Genetic changes in the prostate cancer cells, or mutation resulting in more or different androgen receptors, result in the tumour thriving on very low levels of testosterone.

· The prostate cancer cells acquire the ability to produce their own testosterone from cholesterol molecules. This was certainly an unexpected discovery by medical researchers.

· The cancer cells develop mechanisms to evade detection by the body’s immune system, thus the body’s immune system is unable to recognise the tumour. The cancer cells can do this by creating changes that keep the immune killer cells in an immature state, allowing the tumour cells to spread throughout the body with impunity.

The recent launch of two innovative therapies for CRPC has brought about tremendous interest and excitement to urologists and oncologists worldwide. This is truly the beginning of many new effective therapies for end-stage prostate cancer patients, bringing realistic hope to these terminally-ill patients.

Two new drugs

Below are the two therapies recently approved by the FDA that have proven to increase patients’ survival:

· Provenge is the first FDA-approved immune-boosting treatment that prolongs the life of advanced prostate cancer patients. In pivotal clinical trials, the Provenge-treated patients lived significantly longer than men treated in the control group. A 22.5% reduction in the risk of death was recorded.

Treatment with Provenge, also known as Sipuleucel-T, involves removing a small quantity of patient immune cells in a specialised centre. These cells are sent to the company’s manufacturing facility. After about three days, the patient returns to the centre to receive an infusion of the boosted immune cells, which aim to kill off prostate cancer cells.

These newly boosted cells are also able to recruit other immune fighters or killer cells in eradicating prostate cancer cells. The entire Provenge treatment is repeated three times over a period of about four weeks.

The most common side effects that occur with Provenge treatment occurs one day after the infusion of the boosted immune cells. These side-effects include chills (7% of the patients), fever (23%), fatigue (16%), nausea (14%) and headache (11%). Most of these flu-like symptoms are temporary. In the clinical trials, less than 1% of the patients stopped treatment because of side effects.

The median survival benefit of Provenge therapy is about 4.1 months. About a third of the men in the pivotal trials were still alive three years after the treatment.

· The other breakthrough treatment for CRPC approved by the FDA about a month ago is Abiraterone. This is a pill with a low rate of side effects and has been shown to improve the life of CRPC patients who have failed all other treatments, including chemotherapies.

The oral medication is able to suppress androgen production in the adrenal gland, the testes, as well as in the prostate cancer cells. It is otherwise known as a true “de novo” androgen synthesis inhibitor, which practically wipes out all androgen manufacturing processes in the entire body of cancer prostate patients.

In clinical trials, patients were given 1,000mg (four pills) per day for a 28-day cycle in combination with prednisone 5mg. This regime has proven to be safe and effective in prolonging the life of CRPC patients.

There was a 35% reduction in the risk of death as compared with placebo plus prednisone, with a median survival of 14.8 months among patients who received abiraterone acetate plus prednisone, versus 10.9 months among patients who received placebo and prednisone.

The Abiraterone group of patients also show significant improvement in x-ray findings, a longer time to disease progression, and longer progression-free period. Side effects include hypertension, low potassium levels, and lower-limb swellings, are generally tolerable, and can be controlled with low dose prednisolone.

The Abiraterone research has enable medical scientists to understand in detail the biology involved in the progression of metastatic CRPC and this augurs well for researchers to develop more effective targeted approaches to further improve the outcome of treatment for CRPC patients.

Bright future

With the advent of truly effective therapies which can prolong survival of CRPC patients, the light at the end of the tunnel is ever brighter. The knowledge leading to the development of these two totally different therapies for CRPC has certainly opened up new pathways for the development of many more new targeted therapies.

There is every hope that the future management of CRPC or prostate cancer will follow the developmental paths of treating advanced testicular cancer, which was a fatal disease before the development of an effective chemotherapy regime. The early chemotherapy trials for advanced testicular cancer prolonged life by about four months, (like Provenge and Abiraterone). But today, more than 90% of all advanced testicular cancer cases are curable.

Testicular cancer is one of the few cancers that is considered totally curable and the patients go on to live a normal, full healthy life. In the coming decade, we will definitely see many more targeted therapies which could prolong lives. Using a combination of these therapies, which are proven to prolong survival, there is every hope that nearly all cases of prostate cancer at any stage may be totally curable.

The hope is even brighter when these innovative therapies are non-invasive and may just require taking a few pills per day.

These recent spectacular breakthroughs in treatment of CRPC have brought back memories of a dear friend and colleague who battled CRPC for a couple of years. We had tried practically every therapy available, including current hormonal and chemotherapies. He succumbed to the battle just weeks before the availability of these two FDA approved revolutionary therapies.

The battle against many cancers has taken centre stage. We are certainly racing against time to bring hope to the lives of patients who are unfortunate to have incurable cancer at this point in time.

Sumber

2011-06-18T11:43:00.000+07:00

What causes cancer?

You can reduce your risks of getting cancer if you keep clear of avoidable cancer-triggering factors.

THE big “C” is the single most frightening condition that any woman can imagine in her lifetime. Every woman wants to prevent it, and avoid ever having to hear the diagnosis from her doctor.

Before you can know how to prevent cancer, you have to know what causes it. Cancer is a complex disease, as it is not a single condition, and does not have a simple black-and-white cause.

There are many different types of cancer, up to at least 200 types, because they can affect any organ or tissue in the body. Then, each cancer has its own causes – not all are related, and some are very specific.

So, as you can see, it’s not as simple as putting the blame on one cause. You need to understand the multifactorial nature of cancer in order to adopt holistic changes to your lifestyle that will help you reduce the risk of cancer.

The big bad C

Cancer is essentially a disease of the cells, where individual cells become abnormal and multiply out of control. Cancer can occur in any of the cells in the body, as everything in our body, including our organs, bones, muscles, skin and blood, is made up of millions of tiny cells.

If cancer occurs in the cells of the skin, then the person has skin cancer; if it is in the cells of the breast, then it is breast cancer.

Cancer starts from the genes of one abnormal cell. In a normal cell, there are genes that control how the cell divides and multiplies – a cell becomes abnormal if those genes are damaged or mutated. This causes the cell to start multiplying out of control, to form a cancerous (or malignant) tumour. This tumour may form a lump or a patch of cells that can be seen on a scan.

Every person has a risk of developing cancer, simply because we are made up of cells. There is nothing that can completely prevent cancers from developing because nature cannot be controlled.

However, there are certain biological, environmental and lifestyle risk factors that increase the likelihood of cell mutations. These could range from cigarette smoke and asbestos, to certain viruses.

If you reduce these risk factors in your life, you would contribute towards dramatically diminishing the chances of getting cancer. In other words, don’t give your cells a chance to go bad!

Cancer triggers

We all know that smoking leads to lung cancer. This is because cigarettes and cigarette smoke contain cancer-causing substances that are carcinogenic, like benzenes or ammonia. These carcinogens, which turn cells cancerous, are one of the main causes of cancer.

The longer the duration, and the greater the amount of carcinogens that you are exposed to, the greater your risk of developing cancer. The most commonly known carcinogens are tobacco smoke (causes cancer of the lung, mouth, throat, oesophagus, bladder and pancreas), asbestos (causes mesothelioma), and radiation from UV rays or radioactive materials.

Certain viruses and bacteria can also lead to cancer. This doesn’t mean that you can “catch” a cancer the same way you catch a viral influenza. What happens is that the virus or the bacteria causes cell mutations that lead to cancer.

The hepatitis B and C viruses can increase the risk of liver cancer, while the human papillomavirus (HPV) can lead to abnormalities in the cervical and genital cells that may become cancerous after several years.

There are vaccinations for hepatitis B and HPV, so that can protect yourself from these infections. Furthermore, women should have regular Pap smears to pick up any possible HPV infection and treat it early.

One type of bacteria known to play a role in cancer is Helicobacter pylori, which infects the stomach lining and eventually leads to inflammation and increased risk of cancer. H. pylori infection can be treated with antibiotics.

Lifestyle factors

Some risk factors for cancer are beyond our control. For instance, age increases the likelihood of cancer, but we cannot stop the hands of time from advancing. You are more likely to develop cancer the older you get, because the mutations in the cells take a long time to develop and turn into cancerous cells.

When you are older, your body’s immune system is also weaker and less able to resist the development of abnormal cells or repair them. This is the same reason that certain types of cancer are more likely in people with weakened immune systems, like organ transplant patients who take immunosuppressive medications, people living with HIV and AIDS, or those who have disorders that affect their immunity.

There has been a lot of debate in recent years about whether your diet and physical activity has an impact on cancer development. Increasingly, scientists are starting to say “yes”, as research shows that certain foods have cancer-protective properties, while others can increase the risk of cancer.

Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that strengthen the body’s immune system and protect it from damage caused by age, the food we eat, and environmental factors. All the different-coloured fruits and vegetables, such as green broccoli, orange carrots, red cabbage, blueberries and purple eggplant, contain unique compounds that may protect against cancer.

Eating at least five servings of colourful fruits and vegetables every day is the easiest form of defence against cancer and keeps the body generally healthy.

Eating too much of high-fat foods is thought to contribute to the risk of cancer, because it is most likely to cause obesity. Along with lack of physical activity and overindulgence in alcohol, obesity has a strong link with certain types of cancers, such as colorectal cancer.

Some of my patients have read emails or heard claims that food additives and artificial sweeteners are carcinogenic. These claims can cause a lot of unnecessary fear in people. All ingredients in our food products are regulated by the Health Ministry, and these products would not be approved if they were shown to cause cancer.

If you are wary, you can reduce your intake of artificial sweeteners and processed foods, so that you consume mostly natural ingredients. However, there is no need to be paranoid, as it would take huge amounts of any substance to cause serious harm – and it is rarely possible for a person to consume so much of any product or ingredient.

Born with cancer?

Some of my patients have asked me whether they have “cancer genes”, because many of their close family members, like their mother, sisters, and aunts, have developed cancer.

Some people may be born with a genetic mutation in their cells that makes them “genetically predisposed” to developing cancer. However, it doesn’t mean that they will definitely get cancer, just that they are at higher risk because they already have one of several mutations needed for cancer to develop.

One instance of genetic predisposition is the BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast cancer genes, where women who carry one of these genes may be at higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who do not have the gene. These genes can be identified through genetic testing.

However, all this talk about genetic predisposition can be misleading. Some women think that just because they have the genes, they are doomed to cancer. Other women think that just because they do not have the genes, they will not get cancer, so they do not have to do breast self-examination or go for regular medical checkups.

Let me use BRCA as an example again. Less than 5% of all breast cancer is due to the mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene – which means at least 95% of breast cancer out there is caused by a multitude of other factors, some of which I have described above.

That is the most important take-home message for cancer prevention – there is not one single cause for cancer, but a combination of risk factors and triggers. There are many things that have to happen before cancer can develop – for instance, whether you have the genetic make-up, have been exposed to carcinogens, how you eat and exercise, and the general state of your health, all of which will have to cause several genetic mutations before cancer develops.

The best advice I can give women is to live healthy, think positively, and always be in control by managing your health. By reducing all of the risk factors listed above, you are giving your body a fighting chance to keep cancer at bay.

Sumber

2011-06-18T11:38:00.001+07:00

Blood work

HE comes early in the morning, right on time, at 7am, with his little trolley filled with the tools of his trade. Then he proceeds to methodically extract blood from warm, living bodies, carefully making sure that he doesn’t inflict unnecessary pain on his ‘victims’.

This is real life, not reel life. Its’s not Bill Compton in True Blood supplementing his food source, but a young doctor doing the rounds, checking his patients.

The blood that is taken will be sent to the lab for analysis, and the patient’s condition assessed once the test results are out.

To some, it’s a daily ordeal, especially those with serious conditions. For others, it might be one test before admission, and one before discharge.

C-reactive protein is an indicator of inflammation in the body. Elevated levels may indicate inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or vasculitis.

Blood tests are part and parcel of daily living for many patients who’re in hospital, especially those with serious conditions. But for those lucky ones on the other side of the fence, what part do blood tests play in our lives?

Safeguarding health

According to medical practitioner Dr C.S. Foo, blood tests have a role in safeguarding health, especially those living with chronic conditions.

“Take the example of a person with high cholesterol. I would do a blood test every three or six months to check his progress. Otherwise, it’s an annual check-up to make sure that everything is fine,” he observes.

Blood tests are but one of the many tools that doctors use to help them with their work. As Dr Foo observes, it’s but one small part of the process.

“The doctor needs to take a full history and carry out a thorough physical examination on the patient. Based on what he finds, then other tests could be indicated if he suspects something amiss,” he explains. “It could be just a blood test, or there may be a need for scans and other tests.”

Blood tests are very common aspects of a doctor’s work. They help doctors check for certain diseases, and they are useful to assess the progress of the disease, as well as treatment effectiveness.

Some of the common blood tests include a full blood count, blood chemistry tests, blood metabolic profile, and even cancer markers.

“A full blood count is useful to detect many conditions, such as thalassaemia and bone marrow problems. This is the haematological component of the test.

“Then there’s the lipid profile. I do tend to look at triglyceride levels, what with the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome these days. (This is generally defined as disturbed lipid levels, central obesity, high blood pressure, abnormal glucose levels. The definition differs, depending on which authority you’re referring to.)

“Liver function tests are useful, and in my case, I usually look for fatty liver disease when I order it for some of my patients,” explains Dr Foo.

“HbA1C is important, especially with the prevalence of diabetes these days. It’s an indicator of a person’s average glucose levels for the past two to three months, and can help identify those who have pre-diabetes,” he adds.

The blood reveals many secrets of the human body, and as such, blood tests have remained important tools of the medical trade. It says much that the basic form of the test hasn’t changed for the past 20 years or so, though new elements have been added in.

“These days, we can also look at homocysteine and C-reactive protein, indicators of inflammation in the body,” notes Dr Foo.

According to Dr Foo, some cancer markers may be useful, especially if the person is older and has a family history of certain cancers. “These may make us more careful, and we may check accordingly,” remarks Dr Foo.

In general, most blood tests do not require any special preparation, and the whole process should take only a few minutes. There are, however, some tests that may require advanced preparation. For example, fasting blood glucose requires fasting (about eight to 12 hours before the test).

And really, having your blood taken is not such a painful process, so long as the person taking it is experienced at it.

Test results can be obtained anywhere from a few minutes to a few weeks, depending on what you’re being tested for.

When in doubt, ask

There have been many reports of unnecessary tests being carried out on patients. It’s important for patients to ask their doctors why such tests are being done.

After all, it’s your body that’s being poked and prodded, and you have the right to know why.

Dr Foo advises: “It’s no use having a blood test if you do not know what it’s being done for. And once you get the results, you should be seeking the advice of your doctor as to what you should do next.”

Yes, otherwise, it’s just a bunch of abbreviations and numbers attached to them, without any meaning at all to the average man or woman.

In general, Dr Foo recommends an annual blood test for adults, just to make sure that everything is fine.

At the end of the day, blood work may make many of us uncomfortable, but if it helps us keep healthy, it’s a discomfort that we should be able to put up with. After all, it’s only once a year ... we hope.

Sumber

2011-05-28T09:35:00.001+07:00

Cool it!: Keep cool while exercising

HEAT is no excuse for skipping a workout. If you’re not a gym junkie, here are ways to keep you cool while you sweat it out:

• Drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise since the heat will dehydrate your body even more.

• Cover your head with a bandanna soaked with water. Or if you’re wearing a cap, put a few ice cubes in it before you put the cap on.

• Occasionally, pour water on your head to cool it. If you cycle, carry a water spray.

• Eat well, preferably 5-6 small meals a day, to keep your body fed and hydrated. Fruit and vegetables are good options.

• Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes made from cotton.

• Use sunscreen to avoid sunburn. Not only is sunburn detrimental to you, but it also prevents your body from staying cool.

• Change your workout hours to either very early in the day or late in the evening when it’s cooler. But don’t ignore safety.

• Avoid extreme changes in temperature. After an outdoor exercise, cool yourself down before going into an air-conditioned room.

• Listen to your body and don’t ignore early signs of heat stress such as muscle cramps, nausea, headaches and unsteady footing. Stop exercising and cool down.

• If you need to work out in the sun, try acclimatising yourself slowly by spending a few minutes for the first few days and then increasing it gradually.

Sumber

Cool it!: Keep cool while exercising

2011-05-23T18:50:00.000+07:00

Kawal kolestrol tinggi

KOLESTROL ialah bahan lembut seperti lilin yang terdapat dalam aliran darah dan sel badan kita. Ia penting untuk membantu badan berfungsi dan pembentukan membran sel dan hormon yang dibawa melalui lipoprotein.

Lipoprotein Densiti Tinggi (HDL) adalah kolestrol baik yang mampu mengelakkan endapan kolestrol. Selain itu, Lipoprotein Densiti Rendah (LDL) merupakan kolestrol tidak baik yang boleh berkumpul pada dinding arteri dan membentuk plak yang menyumbat arteri.

Ini akan menyempitkan aliran darah dan oksigen yang membuatkan seseorang diserang sakit jantung atau strok. Justeru itu, amat penting bagi anda mengawas tahap kolestrol dan mengawalnya demi kesihatan jantung.

Semua orang tahu bahawa kolestrol mempunyai kaitan dengan penyakit kronik seperti kardiovaskular atau strok. Kita selalu dinasihatkan agar tidak mengambil telur, santan, daging atau makanan berlemak lain apabila kita mempunyai tahap kolestrol yang tinggi.

Namun, apabila semua langkah itu tidak berjaya merendahkan paras kolestrol , tidak ramai yang mengetahui tindakan seterusnya.

Salah satu caranya mengawal kolestrol dengan mengambil makanan serta minuman sihat yang mengandungi sterol tumbuhan.

Apa itu sterol? Sterol tumbuhan ialah molekul organik yang terdapat dalam tumbuhan yang telah terbukti secara klinikal boleh menghalang kolestrol dari diserap ke dalam darah.

Selain daripada makanan, sterol tumbuhan boleh diperoleh daripada suplemen.

Antaranya, Blackmores Plant Sterols Plus memberi anda pilihan untuk menyeimbangkan LDL:HDL (kolestrol 'jahat': kolestrol 'baik') dalam tubuh menerusi sterol tumbuhan.

Suplemen ini memberikan sterol tumbuhan yang relevan. Kandungan sterol membantu mengurangi penyerapan kolestrol. Selain itu,

Ketika proses pencernaan, sterol bersaing dengan kolestrol dalam proses penyerapan. Dengan itu, kolestrol lebih sedikit diserap dan lebih banyak dikeluarkan.

Diet sihat

Diet yang sihat serta seimbang akan membekalkan nutrien harian dan komponen makanan lain yang membolehkan anda memiliki minda serta tubuh yang sihat dan juga bertenaga untuk menjalani aktiviti-aktiviti harian anda. Sebaiknya, makanlah pelbagai jenis makanan kerana tiada makanan khusus yang dapat membekalkan semua nutrien yang diperlukan. Makanan yang berbeza dalam kumpulan yang sama (seperti beras, roti dan bijirin sarapan) membekalkan nutrien yang berbeza dalam jumlah yang berbeza.

Makanlah diet yang seimbang berasaskan buah-buahan, sayur-sayuran, bijirin penuh dan makanan tenusu rendah lemak serta kurangkan pengambilan lemak, gula dan garam.

Untuk mendapatkan keseimbangan kolestrol sihat, kurangkan kuantiti kolestrol dan makanan berlemak daripada daging.

Selain itu, tingkatkan pengambilan ikan (bukan ikan goreng) dan makan lebih buah-buahan, sayur-sayuran dan biji-bijian.

Gaya hidup sihat

Menjadi aktif secara fizikal adalah sama pentingnya dengan makan secara sihat . Aktiviti fizikal akan memperbaiki kesihatan kardiovaskular, kekuatan dan kefleksibilan membakar kalori untuk menjadikan anda sentiasa sihat dan langsing serta membuatkan anda kelihatan, rasa dan berfikir dengan lebih baik.

Senaman yang tidak mencukupi boleh menyebabkan berlebihan berat badan atau obes di mana akhirnya boleh mengakibatkan masalah kesihatan yang serius. Sekurang-kurangnya bersenam selama 30 minit setiap hari dengan berjalan kaki. Jika anda mempunyai berat badan berlebihan atau obes, maka anda perlu bersenam dengan lebih kerap (dan untuk jangka masa yang lebih lama) untuk mengurangkan berat badan yang berlebihan.

Sumber

Kawal kolestrol tinggi

2011-05-18T17:33:00.001+07:00

The trouble with food

Adverse food reactions that wreak havoc in the body.

OUR solar system is merely a component of the universe. The planets revolve with intricate precision, but if for one split second, the Earth stalls, imagine the colossal wave of destruction.

Unlike the exactness of celestial bodies, our bodies take many hard knocks, and sometimes our well-being spins out of orbit due to certain morsels that we consume.

For the blessed majority, their digestive system is like a food receptacle, causing no trouble. Unfortunately, for the minority with a variety of intestinal peculiarities, such as food allergies and intolerance, eating a meal is a dicey experience as digestive torment often follows ingestion of “trigger” items.

Food reaction symptoms are sometimes confused with leaky gut syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, infective gastroenteritis, and food poisoning.

Food ‘maladies’

In Asia, the Chinese in particular believe that there is a balance in the body determined by the type of foods consumed, namely “heaty” and “cooling”. Nuisances like mouth ulcers, sore throat, skin boils, constipation, fever, toothache, nose bleeds, gosh, even cold sores, are often linked to taking heaty foods.

Other ailments like lethargy, weakness and rheumatism are attributed to cooling foods.

Going nuts: Common culprits known to frequently cause food allergies are peanuts, tree nuts, shell-fish, fish, eggs, dairy and wheat products.

The rationale is simplistically devoid of scientific logic, but the deep-rooted belief is adherent to the concept of yin and yang. If heaty, one consumes cooling foods, and vice versa.

Nutrition provides the human body with fuel for energy, building blocks for structures, and raw materials for the myriad metabolic processes. Under physiological circumstances, ingested food become digested, absorbed, and assimilated into the body.

The metabolic waste is processed in the liver, which is later channelled to be disposed of. So what is the problem?

Just like drugs, certain foods can wreak havoc in susceptible individuals. It can cause a whopping headache, an incessant itch, or one may be floored by intestinal turmoil. These are known as food reactions, which include food allergies and food intolerance.

To commence with the confusion, one can be allergic and intolerant to the same food, or allergic for one, and intolerant for the other person.

Food allergies

Many people erroneously attribute negative food reactions to allergies, but in fact, true allergy constitutes only between 3% to 5% of these incidences.

In sensitivity to a particular food or its component, the body mistakenly regards the incoming protein fragment as “hostile”, and in an attempt to protect the body, produces an antibody to this agent. These antibodies cleverly tag specialised immune cells, known as mast cells, and confer them immune memory.

Upon future exposure to the particular food, the tagged antibodies lock in the offending agent, like a password logon, opening a page where a cascade of chemicals are released.

One notable compound is known as histamine, which is the culprit for the various symptoms of allergy, depending on where it is released. In the skin, it causes dilatation of blood vessels, leading to redness, hives, rashes, itchiness and flushing.

In the airway, it causes mucous production and swelling, leading to nasal congestion, throat irritation and chest tightness, occasionally with difficulties in breathing.

In the gastrointestinal tract, allergy to the specific food can induce pretty nasty stomach upsets, with nausea, vomitting, abodominal cramps and diarrhoea, to mention a few.

In severe cases, there is a sudden drop in blood pressure and severe bronchoconstriction, culminating in a life-threatening situation known as anaphylaxis.

In contrast to food intolerance, food allergy symptoms occur rapidly after ingestion of the offending food. The common culprits known to frequently cause food allergies are peanuts, tree nuts, shell-fish, fish, eggs, dairy and wheat products. However, an individual may be allergic to any food.

Food intolerance

The majority of food trouble is caused by intolerance of what is in the food, or the food itself, rather than allergy. The immune system is not involved and the typical antibodies are not activated.

The manifestation is a direct result of the body being unable to handle the food item, with consequent symptoms which may mimic allergy, such as nausea, abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhoea, itchiness and non-specific skin rashes.

The most common type of food intolerance is that to lactose (cow’s milk sugar), the digestion of which requires an intestinal enzyme called lactase to break down the sugar. As a result of deficiency of this enzyme, susceptible individuals often have gaseous bloating, abdominal cramps and diarrhoea after consuming milk, ice cream and cheese.

Intolerance to a group of chemicals known as amines are often overlooked as the cause of headaches, in particular migraine and cluster headaches. Histamine and tyramine are breakdown products of proteins in meat, cheese (especially aged cheese), wine and fermented soy products.

The levels are particularly high in cured meat, sausages and poorly kept foods. Certain overripe fruits like banana and avocado contain increased levels of tyramine.

A peculiar form of toxic food reaction to frozen sea food is known as scombroidal toxicity. Sea catches that are not immediately refrigerated or poorly cooled in the market place are subject to bacterial degradation, accumulating high levels of histamine.

Greenlip mussels cooked in white wine is fabulous, but the frozen stuff could potentially turn the insides out and the lips blue with stomach cramps!

Glutamate is a non-essential amino acid found in our foods and contributes to the brain’s pool of chemical messengers (neurotransmitters). Modified into the salt form, it is widely known as monosodium glutamate (MSG) and has gained worldwide popularity (or notoriety) as a taste enhancer. The “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” occurs in individuals intolerant to MSG and describes the unpleasant hours after a tasty meal in Chinatown.

Though anecdotal (until there is enough scientific evidence), the symptoms include headaches, flushing, abdominal discomfort, insomnia, irritability and chest tightness. Pending further studies, it would be prudent not to sprinkle MSG onto our breakfast cereal.

Among Caucasians, a certain sensitivity to wheat, rye and barley, notably to a component protein found in them, called gluten, afflicts about one in 250. One has to differentiate true wheat allergy from gluten intolerance.

The former presents rapidly after consumption of wheat-based items and is in the form of an immune reaction. However intolerance to gluten, a.k.a. celiac disease, builds up over time, aided by genetic predisposition. The body produces antibodies to gluten, which assaults the intestinal lining, causing flattening of the hair-like villous projections, thereby leading to malabsorption of nutrients.

Symptoms vary and can cause confusion, with constipation, diarrhoea, cramps, bloating, nausea, etc, making early diagnosis difficult.

If one were to think that the story of food reactions ends here, there is more bad news. In days of antiquity, food was as organic as the word goes and animals back then had plenty of exercise, as they ran for their lives.

Modern day livestock are bred in confinement and are loaded with drugs and hormones. Convenience has reached a point where almost all of the foodstuff on the shelves today are processed, and anything with a shelf life that extends beyond natural freshness has chemicals added.

Salicylates, nitrites, sulphites are but a few of the well known additives that act as preservatives. There are also colouring, taste enhancers, stabilisers, emulsifiers etc, that literally numb the senses.

The list of food reactions is exhaustive, but enough has been said to impress upon the reader that the common symptoms are those related to the digestive system. Identifying the root of food reactions is difficult.

Furthermore, the approach to allergies and intolerance are different, thus the delineation of the underlying problem is essential for effective management.

One can start with a food diary, pinpointing reactions, time of ingestion, and type of foods consumed. However, if the allergy is severe, forget the notes and seek professional help.

The bizarre permutation of food reactions due to a particular food protein, natural substance in food, substances added by bacteria, fungi or man, can lead to a spectrum of intestinal upheavals that is often misdiagnosed, possibly inflating the incidence of such vague disease baskets like the irritable bowel syndrome and the leaky gut syndrome.

To add to the perplexity, one is not only mistaken for the other, but can transform to another.

2011-05-16T14:10:00.001+07:00

25 peratus pelajar obes pada 2020?

NASI lemak menjadi pilihan utama ketika tinjauan bagi laporan khas mengenai para pelajar yang mengalami masalah obesiti di Sekolah Menengah Tinggi, Setapak, baru-baru ini.

ISU obesiti di kalangan pelajar semakin hangat diperkatakan hingga menu tradisi di kantin sekolah iaitu nasi lemak turut menerima tempiasnya.

Maka timbul persoalan, di manakah silapnya dan apakah yang akan terjadi jika masalah obesiti atau kegemukan ini dibiarkan berlarutan?

Berdasarkan statistik, sebanyak 73.8 peratus pelajar mempunyai pengetahuan mengenai pemakanan seimbang namun hanya 11.2 peratus yang mengamalkannya.

Ikuti laporan wartawan unit khas Utusan Malaysia, AZRAI MOHAMMAD dan SITI NURAZLINA JAMALUDIN mengenai isu membimbangkan itu.

Selain bertemu dengan pihak tertentu, tinjauan juga dilakukan di kantin-kantin sekolah selain mengikuti kehidupan seharian pelajar obes.

Esok, ikuti pula pengalaman Mohd. Khairul Mohd. Zain, 27, yang mempunyai berat badan luar biasa dan kajian Pertubuhan Kesihatan Dunia (WHO) yang mendapati Malaysia mempunyai paling ramai penduduk obes di Asia Tenggara.

KUALA LUMPUR 15 Mei – Satu perempat atau 25 daripada 100 pelajar di negara ini dikhuatiri akan mengalami masalah obesiti atau kegemukan pada 2020 yang juga berisiko mempunyai penyakit.

Anggaran tersebut berdasarkan trend peningkatan satu peratus obesiti pelajar setiap tahun yang peratusannya didapati terus meningkat.

Ketua Jabatan Dietetik dan Sajian Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL), Ridzoni Sulaiman menjelaskan, anggaran itu berdasarkan kajian pada 2007 yang mendapati hampir 12 daripada 100 pelajar berusia antara 13 hingga 17 tahun mengalami obesiti berbanding hanya dua orang dikesan 10 tahun sebelumnya.

“Maka itu tidak mustahil jika tidak ditangani segera, pada 2020 sejumlah 25 daripada 100 pelajar atau satu perempat daripada mereka akan mengalami masalah itu.

“Jika diperincikan lagi, ini bermakna 10 pelajar dalam kelas yang mengandungi 40 orang adalah pelajar gemuk yang tidak aktif dan berisiko berpenyakit,” katanya ketika ditemui di sini baru-baru ini.

Pada masa ini terdapat lebih 5.24 juta pelajar sekolah rendah dan menengah.

Ridzoni berkata, walaupun selepas pelbagai pendedahan dan usaha dilakukan kerajaan, gejala obesiti atau kegemukan di kalangan remaja khususnya pelajar sekolah masih gagal diatasi.

“Oleh sebab itu, kantin berperanan sebagai tempat membentuk pemikiran pelajar berkaitan pemakanan seimbang sekali gus boleh mempengaruhi ibu bapa di rumah.

“Seandainya pengusaha kantin sekolah mampu menyediakan hidangan yang mengandungi sayur-sayuran dalam setiap menu, budaya pemakanan sihat secara praktikal dapat dibentuk dan menggalakkan para pelajar membawa amalan tersebut ke rumah,” katanya.

Baru-baru ini, kerajaan telah mengambil langkah proaktif bagi menangani peningkatan masalah tersebut dengan mencadangkan larangan 15 jenis makanan 'tidak sihat' dijual di semua kantin sekolah rendah dan menengah.

Turut dicadangkan ialah supaya indeks jisim badan (BMI) wajib direkodkan dalam kad laporan prestasi pelajar berbanding amalan sebelum ini yang hanya mengkehendaki guru merekodkan berat dan ketinggian pelajar.

Mengambil pengalaman beliau ketika berada di Jepun, Ridzoni berkata, pakar nutrisi dan pengusaha kantin sekolah akan bekerjasama dalam memastikan hidangan dijual adalah sihat.

Tambah Ridzoni, pelajar memerlukan kalori sebanyak 1,500 hingga 2,200 dalam sehari bergantung pada aktiviti harian yang dilakukan dan pihak berkaitan seharusnya peka dengan jumlah kalori yang sepatutnya diambil.

Sumber

Obes

2011-05-16T09:50:00.000+07:00

Custom-fit knees

Specially fitted implants for total knee replacements can now be made for each patient.

TOTAL knee replacement (TKR) is the surgical procedure of choice for advanced osteoarthritis of the knee.

Modern TKR is a reliable procedure that consistently alleviates the pain of arthritis and improves function. It is, however, continuously evolving to make it a faster and safer procedure while improving the long-term survivorship of the implants.

Built-to-fit

A fairly recent technology, which promises to satisfy all these requirements, is the use of patient-specific instruments (PSIs). These PSIs are manufactured with the aid of magnetic resonance images (MRIs) or computed tomography (CT) of the patient’s limb. These are then used during surgery to consistently and reliably improve the mechanical alignment of the limb, which has been proven to increase long-term success.

The surgical time is also significantly reduced.

Bone models of a patient’s femur and tibia, with the respective PSIs.

The entire planning of the surgery is done before the actual operation, with the dimensions, angles, and rotation of the bone cuts determined beforehand. Even the appropriate sizes of the implants are known before the actual surgery.

The large inventory that is necessary for the conventional procedure is greatly reduced, from several large trays, to a single box of instruments specific to the patient.

A set of bone models in exact dimensions as the patient’s own bone is provided by implant manufacturers such that the cuts can be simulated and measured for accuracy days before the operation.

During the actual surgery, the PSIs are mounted onto the patient’s bone and cuts are made after simply checking the components for accuracy.

The process of inserting large metal rods into the shaft of the bone in conventional surgery, which could lead to fat embolism, is avoided.

Bone models with the patient-specific implants (PSIs) mounted.

Reduced operative time and smaller number of instruments have been individually proven to reduce the infection rates of surgery in large-scale national registry data involving hundreds of thousands of patients.

The faster operation and smaller incisions in the muscle that is necessary with the use of PSIs could allow even faster mobilisation of the patient, and this too has proven efficacious in reducing the rare but potentially fatal thromboembolic complications of this surgery.

The mechanical alignment of the limb has been previously reliably improved with the use of computer navigated total knee replacement. The surgical time with computer navigation however, is significantly higher than conventional surgery, even in those who have published results of more than 1,000 cases.

The entire planning of the surgery, the dimensions of the cuts, and size of the implants are decided during the surgery. Computer navigation also utilises a larger inventory of instruments than conventional surgery, including overhead tracking monitors, which could result in a greater infection risk.

Additional measures proven to significantly reduce the risk of infection during surgery is the use of body-exhaust suits.

Computer navigation is also expensive and cannot reliably restore rotational alignment of the components (rotational malalignment has been shown to be the leading cause of unresolved anterior knee pain after surgery, causing poor patient satisfaction).

Another problem that has plagued computer navigation is with the multiple reports of fractures within weeks of the surgery, which requires another surgery to fix the fracture and prolonged immobilisation for the fracture to heal. This is caused by the large tracker pins which are drilled into the shaft of the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (leg bone) for computer navigation.

The mechanical alignment is also lost when such fractures occur.

Waiting period

The only downside of PSIs is that the patient will need to wait a month between the CT or MRI scans and the actual surgery. This is the time taken for the scanned images to be exported to a design centre where biomedical engineers use computer-aided design and manufacturing suites to chalk up a draft plan from the images.

This plan will be sent back to the surgeon for verification and approval before the PSIs are manufactured and shipped to the surgeon. The cost is hardly prohibitive, in the range of an additional 10% of the cost of conventional surgery.

Having used both computer navigation in the past and PSIs currently, I find that PSIs are a safer and more reliable option of restoring mechanical alignment when compared to computer navigation.

It also provides several added benefits that make it advantageous both for the elderly patient who requires a quick and less invasive surgery, as well as for the young who demand faster return to function and long-term survival of the implants.

When utilising this technology with several evidence-based practices, the overall safety and reliability of the procedure is enhanced. Advanced perioperative pain management techniques allow patients to actively bend their knee while being wheeled out of the operation room and walk with support the day after surgery with minimal pain (early mobilisation has been proven in studies to significantly reduce the incidence of deep-vein thrombosis, which could lead to the potentially fatal complication of pulmonary embolism).

No injections are given to the patient in most instances after the first post-operative day, and pain has been reliably managed with oral medications alone.

Occasionally, patients have been allowed to return home as early as the third day after surgery (at request).

On the whole, this is likely one of the more significant advances in knee replacement surgery in recent times. PSIs improve mechanical alignment without the added risks of computer navigation, provide a low learning curve in the hands of trained surgeons, and have several other added benefits that make it an attractive option for the treatment of advanced arthritis of the knee.

In essence, it is computer navigation in a safe little box.

Sumber

Custom-fit knees

2011-05-16T09:47:00.000+07:00

A chronic disease?

Can breast cancer be considered a chronic disease, and, what are the support systems available to women with breast cancer?

A CHRONIC disease is a disease that persists for a long time. The US National Centre for Health Statistics defines chronic disease is one lasting three months or more.

Traditionally, diseases like hypertension or diabetes are considered chronic diseases, while cancers are generally not, as they usually present as a life-threatening condition, requiring urgent attention.

In cancers where treatment options are limited, and diagnosis is usually made at a late stage, such as seen in the majority of lung, gastric, and liver cancer, survival is poor. Hence, such cancers are not likely to be considered as a chronic condition.

Redefining breast cancer

However, survival rates for certain cancers, notably breast, colorectal and prostate, have risen steadily over the past 10 years. Because survival rates for breast cancer have improved so much, there are now more than four million women worldwide who have been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer over the past five years, compared to an incidence of slightly more than a million new cases per year.

Survival rates of breast cancer has increased to more than 80% in some of the more developed countries. Hence, there are more breast cancer survivors than any other cancer survivors.

It is no surprise that there are so many breast cancer support groups all over the country, while there is not a single lung cancer support group. Because of the large numbers of women living with breast cancer, the Institute of Medicine in the US now recognise breast cancer as a chronic disease, bringing greater focus to this area of research.

After the cancer

After being treated for breast cancer, there are still a few remaining issues. Chemotherapy can lead to an early menopause. With early menopause, women have to face problems with decreased libido, dry skin, earlier onset of osteoporosis (where the bones become brittle and prone to fracture), hot flushes, and depression.

While the majority of women deal with menopause well, there is a small proportion where menopausal symptoms persist, hence interfering with quality of life. For oestrogen-receptor positive breast cancer (which occurs in up to 60% of women with breast cancer in Malaysia), an anti-oestrogen drug called tamoxifen is prescribed for five years.

In premenopausal women (more than 60% of women with breast cancer in Malaysia are in the premenopausal age group), this may cause menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, dry skin, sleep disturbances, and genitourinary symptoms. Hence, these women experience a poorer quality of life.

Side effects of surgery may persist, such as numbness and pain of the upper limb, problems with shoulder movement, and lymphedema. Pain over the chest wall is also a common symptom.

These women also have to deal with discrimination at the workplace. Indeed it is not uncommon for women to be coerced into resigning from their jobs. Insurance companies will also not insure women with a “history of breast cancer”. Because of the stigma that a diagnosis of breast cancer brings, some women do not even tell their family members about their condition.

Quality of life

CanSORT (Cancer Surveillance and Outcomes Research Team) is a multidisciplinary group of investigators based at the University of Michigan and the Ann Arbor VA Centre for Clinical Management Research in the US, and studies the quality of cancer care across a continuum of care, from prevention to survivorship.

CanSORT studies the impact of cancer and its treatment on the quality of life, especially in breast cancer, to understand the unique issues that breast cancer survivors face.

In a study carried out by this group, women interviewed eight months after completion of breast cancer treatment report ongoing symptoms – fatigue, sleep disturbances, breast and arm discomfort, and reduced emotional well-being.

Younger women and women with a poorer health status at the time of diagnosis reported more symptoms, and younger women tended to report a lower quality of life overall.

Apart from discrimination, fear of recurrence persists, even in women with early-stage breast cancer, where the prognosis is excellent.

The slightest twinge of pain, even in their big toe, can send women into a panic and running to their doctors.

This fear of recurrence is difficult to cope with for some women, while others accept it pragmatically and move on with their lives, living every day to the fullest.

The breast cancer experience differs with each women, as coping mechanisms differ widely between women, based on their previous life experiences, educational level, socio-economic status, and degree of family support.

However, “benefit-finding” is a new concept where a woman, after experiencing a life threatening event, goes on to live life more fully, taking part in activities such as mountain-climbing or trekking.

A family affair

What about the role of the family in women surviving after a diagnosis of breast cancer?

One of a woman’s greatest fear is that her husband may leave her because of cancer, and certainly, among the less educated, there are myths that cancer can spread to the spouse and that sexual intercourse will bring on a relapse.

Some women are told by their family members that they cannot eat chicken and a whole host of other types of food, so social life which revolves around eating out, can be severely curtailed.

This is unlike other chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes, where there are less superstitions and taboos.

In metastatic breast cancer, where the cancer has spread beyond the breast into areas like the bones, liver and lungs, it meant that it was time to write your will and get your affairs into order, because in the early years, only 10% of women were alive five years after a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer.

However because of improved treatment, women are living longer with metastatic breast cancer and it is common now to see as many as 40% of women with metastatic breast cancer surviving five years or more. Hence, even metastatic breast cancer, which used to have such a bleak outlook, is being viewed as a chronic disease.

Ultimately, it is important to develop interventions and programmes to meet the needs of the breast cancer survivor. Interventions include decision making tools to assist women to make good decision about surgery, chemotherapy, and their treatment options, including breast reconstruction.

Interventions to help women to better manage their condition is also required so that a woman, after being treated for breast cancer, can move on and live a normal life, somewhat like a woman who has a chronic disease like hypertension, which is so common.

Sumber

A chronic disease

2011-05-15T11:49:00.001+07:00

Intervensi awal cegah kecacatan

JANGAN lengah membawa anak bertemu doktor andai berlaku sebarang komplikasi kesihatan yang serius.

PETIKAN ucapan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak mengenai pentingnya pemahaman ibu bapa terhadap punca yang boleh menyebabkan kecacatan di kalangan kanak-kanak baru-baru mendapat perhatian ramai.

Beliau antaranya mengingatkan mengenai pencegahan awal yang boleh dilakukan segera, sekali gus dapat mengelak sebarang risiko kecacatan kekal kepada anak.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika merasmikan Program Semai Bakti, Kempen Intervensi Awal Mencegah Berlakunya Kecacatan Kepada Kanak-kanak anjuran Badan Amal dan Kebajikan Tenaga Isteri-Isteri Menteri dan Timbalan Menteri (Bakti) di Ipoh, Perak.

Sebenarnya kes kecacatan yang berpunca daripada kelalaian kita bukan perkara biasa di Malaysia. Mengimbas beberapa dekad lalu, ketika bidang perubatan negara masih lagi ditahap rendah, banyak berlaku perkara disebabkan beberapa perkara sebagai contoh demam panas. Walaupun kecacatan boleh dianggap takdir namun sebagai manusia, kita sekurang-kurangnya boleh mencuba untuk mengelaknya.

Bayi dan kanak-kanak adalah insan yang sangat terdedah kepada bahaya di persekitaran mereka. Lantaran itu, pemantauan kita sebagai ibu bapa, penjaga dan masyarakat sangat penting dalam memastikan tumbesaran mereka sempurna.

Menurut Perunding Pediatrik dari Hospital Pantai Cheras, Dr. Wong Chee Yeng, kecacatan di kalangan bayi serta kanak-kanak terbahagi kepada dua iaitu kongenital (sejak lahir) dan berpunca daripada kemalangan atau jangkitan.

"Kecacatan sejak lahir biasanya berpunca daripada kromosom atau genetik. Ia memang tidak boleh dielak. Namun kita boleh mengurangkan risiko seperti mengenalpasti puncanya," kata beliau.

Menjelaskan lebih lanjut beliau berkata, ibu yang berusia 40 tahun ke atas sangat berisiko melahirkan bayi yang mempunyai masalah kecacatan. Perkara itu boleh dielakkan dengan merancang kehamilan awal. Begitu juga dengan penyakit keturunan seperti talasemia dan hemofilia.

Beliau turut menyarankan ibu hamil agar menjaga pemakanan seperti mengambil asid folik mencukupi dan iodin bagi mengelak kecacatan pada janin.

Satu lagi kecacatan berpunca daripada kemalangan atau jangkitan kuman pada otak misalnya meningitis.

"Sebenarnya demam sahaja tidak boleh menyebabkan berlaku kecacatan pada bayi atau kanak-kanak. Memang orang selalu sebut demam panas boleh mengundang kecacatan, sebenarnya ia tidak benar. Kecacatan berlaku jika terdapat jangkitan kuman pada otak seperti meningitis atau encephalitis," katanya.

Ditanya pada umur berapakah seorang bayi itu terdedah kepada risiko kata beliau ia boleh berlaku pada sebarang usia malah kanak-kanak berusia 12 tahun juga boleh terdedah kepada meningitis.

Jangkitan kuman tersebut katanya boleh dielak melalui suntikan imunisasi.

Menurutnya, kes meningitis 20 tahun berkurangan kebelakangan ini selepas Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia mewajibkan suntikan imunisasi Hib kepada setiap kanak-kanak.

Justeru beliau sangat berharap ibu bapa mengambil langkah pencegahan dengan mematuhi jadual imunisasi yang betul dalam usaha menghalang jangkitan tersebut.

Beliau tidak menolak terdapat juga bayi atau kanak-kanak yang sensitif kepada suhu tinggi ketika demam yang menyebabkan mereka mengalami sawan, namun perkara itu tidak mengundang kecacatan.

Ditanya sama ada mampukah janin yang mengalami kecacatan dirawat ketika dalam kandungan jelas beliau, di negara maju pembedahan melibatkan janin telah terbukti berjaya namun teknologi itu belum sampai ke Malaysia. Antaranya memperbaiki masalah spina bifida.

Saranan doktor:

1. Pastikan bekalan ubat paracetamol sentiasa disimpan di rumah. Periksa suhu badan anak, jika melebihi 38.5 C hingga 39 C bermakna anak demam. Andai perlu, guna ubat dubur untuk menurunkan suhu badan.

2. Lap seluruh badan dan kepala anak juga membantu untuk menurunkan suhu.

3. Jaga kebersihan kawasan rumah. Bagi pengasuh, perlu membasuh tangan setiap kali memegang seorang bayi sebelum bertukar kepada seorang lagi bagi mengelak jangkitan.

4. Ibu bapa dan penjaga perlu peka keselamatan anak. Jika anak kecil terjadi perhatikan keadaannya. Misalnya, muntah dan bertindak di luar kebiasaan (contoh, tiba-tiba diam, menangis atau sebagainya) anak perlu dibawa ke hospital untuk pemeriksaan lanjut.

5. Jangan berlengah membawa anak mendapatkan pemeriksaan doktor andai berlaku sebarang keadaan yang boleh membawa kemudaratan.

6. Pastikan anak tidak terdedah kepada bahaya kemalangan di dalam mahu pun luar rumah.

Sumber

Intervensi awal cegah kecacatan

2011-05-11T17:27:00.000+07:00

High anxiety

Anxiety disorder is characterised by anxious feelings about a variety of issues and not being able to control worries.

ANXIETY is part and parcel of life. It is normal for everyone to experience anxiety at various times, e.g. prior to sitting for an examination, attending an interview for a job, consulting a doctor or retirement. These feelings have been described as uneasiness and can include worry or even fear. They can be mild or severe.

However, some people experience so much anxiety that it affects their daily lives. They are not able to control their worries and are anxious about a variety of issues and situations, and not specific ones. This condition is called generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).

Neverending worry: People with generalised anxiety disorder are so anxious about a variety of issues and situations that it affects their daily life

Those who have GAD are anxious almost all the time and usually have to try very hard to remember the last occasion they were relaxed. The stressful worries are uncontrollable and the person has a tendency to think of the worst. There is marked difficulty with the activities of daily living, whether it is work or social life. Some doctors have put a time line before diagnosing GAD, which is anxiety occurring continuously for about six months.

GAD is common. It has been reported to affect about 5% of the population in developed countries, with women slightly more affected than men. Many of those affected are in the third decade of life.

Causes

The causes of GAD are not well understood. Some people develop GAD after a stressful incident. Others develop it for no apparent reason. There is evidence to suggest that GAD is due to an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, ie noradrenaline and serotonin. However, it is believed that GAD is more likely to be due to a combination of causes, which include a person’s genetic make-up, biological processes, life experiences, and the environment.

Clinical features

The clinical features of GAD include psychological and physical symptoms, which vary between individuals in number and severity.

The psychological symptoms include constant worries, restlessness, dreading something will happen, irritability, poor concentration, and easy distraction.

The physical symptoms are many and include irregular heart beat (palpitations), dizziness, difficulty breathing, excessive sweating, muscle aches, abdominal ache, frequent passing of urine, diarrhoea, tiredness and difficulty falling and staying asleep (insomnia). Women who have GAD may have missed or painful periods (dysmenorrhoea).

The symptoms may lead to a person with GAD going off work and avoiding contact with family and friends. This increases the loss of self esteem, which in turn may aggravate the worries and fears.

Although people who have conditions like phobias know the cause of their anxiety, people with GAD often do not know what causes their anxiety. This worsens their anxiety to the extent that they worry that a solution is not possible.

A consultation with a regular attending doctor will be helpful. It is essential that there is frankness and openness in the consultation as it will facilitate the making of a correct diagnosis. After hearing the patient out, the doctor will carry out a physical examination to exclude other conditions which may be causing the symptoms. If there is difficulty in making a diagnosis, the doctor may carry out laboratory and/or imaging investigations and/or refer the patient to a mental health team.

Management

GAD is managed with psychotherapy and/or medicines, depending on a patient’s individual needs. The doctor will discuss with the patient the management options prior to the commencement of treatment. It is important that a patient inform the doctor of his or her preferences and circumstances.

Psychotherapy is usually initiated prior to the prescription of medicines. A primary mode of psychotherapy is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This involves helping a patient identify unrealistic beliefs and behavioural patterns, and then working together with the therapist to replace them with more realistic and balanced beliefs as well as alter behaviour. The patient is taught new skills and provided assistance in better understanding of situations that cause the anxiety.

It is important that a patient be patient and give sufficient time for CBT to take effect. CBT has been reported to be effective in treating about 50% of patients with GAD.

Another mode of psychotherapy is applied relaxation, which is as effective as CBT. It involves learning how to relax the muscles rapidly and practising the technique in situations that makes one anxious.

Medicines are also prescribed in the treatment of GAD. Depending on a patient’s circumstances, they are prescribed for the short term or the long term. The doctor will inform the patient about the side effects of the medicines and their interactions with other medicines that the patient may be taking. Short term medicines include antihistamines, benzodiazepines and other anxiolytics. The long term medicines include the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and venlafaxine.

Antihistamines are prescribed for the short term. They have a calming effect on the patient. The side effects include dizziness, blurring of vision, headache and dry mouth.

Benzodiazepines are very effective in treating anxiety, easing symptoms within an hour or so after consumption. However, they cannot be used for long periods because of their addictive potential if used for longer than four weeks and loss of effectiveness after this period. The side effects include loss of balance, drowsiness and confusion. It is important to avoid driving or operating machinery when taking benzodiazepines.

The SSRIs increases the level of brain serotonin. Their side effects include nausea, blurring of vision, dry mouth, poor appetite, poor libido and insomnia.

The consumption of SSRI requires medical supervision, which may include regular blood pressure and laboratory checks. It is important to follow the doctor’s instruction on how the SSRI is to be taken.

Venlafaxine is a selective serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). It increases the amount of serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain. The side effects include nausea, dry mouth, constipation, insomnia and sweating.

It cannot be prescribed if there is untreated high blood pressure, a recent heart attack or when there is risk of irregular heartbeats. Regular monitoring of the blood pressure is necessary when taking this medicine.

Referral to a mental health team may be made by a patient’s regular attending doctor. The team includes psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, clinical psychologists, occupational therapists and social workers.

After evaluation and assessment, a treatment plan will be formulated for the individual patient. This may include psychotherapies, treatment of other conditions that may have an effect on the anxiety, other medicines, and treatment by other specialists.

Sumber

High anxiety

2011-05-10T18:28:00.000+07:00

PET scans

No, a PET scan doesn’t scan your pets. It’s a variation of a CT scan that produces three dimensional colour images.

THERE have been exponential advances in medicine in the last five decades, both in diagnostics and therapeutics. This has been made possible through technological discoveries or improvements in other fields of human activity. The CT or CAT scan is one such example.

The CT scan is a large ring-shaped medical device which produces a series of x-ray beams as it rotates around the body in small movements. Images are built up of the various parts of the body scanned during this process.

These images, which are called tomograms, are of greater detail than that of ordinary x-rays, which uses a single x-ray beam only. The CT scan can produce images of various body parts like the organs in the chest and abdomen, blood vessels, and bones.

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a variation of a CT scan that produces three dimensional colour images. It detects the presence of a radioactive substance, called a tracer, in the body, and produces images that show where the tracer is concentrated.

A PET scan is used in the diagnosis and evaluation of the development of a condition, as well as monitoring of the progress of treatment.

Illuminating images: A PET scan utilises radiotracers to illuminate parts of the body that are being investigated.

Preparation

A radioactive substance is produced in a device called a cyclotron. It is attached to a natural compound like glucose, water, or ammonia to produce a compound called a radiotracer, a small amount of which is then injected into a vein, or inhaled during breathing.

The radiotracer travels to the body parts that utilise the natural compound, eg radioactive fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is attached to glucose to produce a radiotracer which travels to body parts that utilise glucose. As cancer cells utilise glucose in a different manner than normal cells, FDG is used to demonstrate cancer tissue.

As the body breaks down the radiotracer, energy is produced by the positively charged particles, called positrons. The latter is detected and transmitted to a computer, where it produces three dimensional images. The rate of breakdown of the radiotracer in different organs and tissues vary, thereby producing images of different colours and brightness.

There is a standard operating procedure whenever a PET scan is ordered, with instructions given to the patient by the doctor prior to having the scan.

It is usual practice to advise a patient not to eat anything for four to six hours prior to a PET scan, and to drink plenty of water before that.

The patient will be asked about his or her medical condition, consumption of medicines, history of allergies, and the possibility of pregnancy in women in the reproductive age group. In general, PET scans are not done in pregnant women unless there are medical or surgical conditions that require evaluation and/or treatment. This is because of the possibility that x-rays may harm the developing foetus.

Children are more susceptible to radiation risks than adults. As such, PET scans are only done if the child has a serious condition, which is of greater risk than the PET scan itself.

Any jewellery or metal on the body has to be removed because they interfere with the scanning process. Hair clips, dentures, contact lenses, and hearing aids will also have to be removed, particularly if the head is to be scanned.

The patient will be asked to change into a hospital gown.

Some people have a fear of being closed in without means of escape (claustrophobia, which is derived from the Latin word claustrum, which means “shut in place”, and the Greek word phobos, which means “fear”). Having a PET scan can be claustrophobic. If one has this problem or an anxiety about the scan, one should inform the staff when making the appointment.

This is usually addressed by advice and information or the prescription of a sedative to be taken prior to the scan. It is advisable to arrange for a relative or friend to drive if one is going to take a sedative.

Scan

A small amount of radiotracer will be injected into a vein in the arm, or inhaled during breathing. It takes about 30 to 90 minutes for the radiotracer to travel round the body. One needs to be quiescent and refrain from talking or moving about.

At the appropriate time, the patient will be taken to the room where the PET scanner is located and asked to lie down on an examination table, which automatically moves in and out of the hollow part of the scanner. Images will only be taken of the body part that is inside the ring.

After the position of the examination table is adjusted to ensure that the exact part of the body is in the ring of the scanner, the radiographer or radiologist will leave the examination room.

He or she will carry out the scanning from a control room, which has a window with a full view of the patient. The reason is to reduce the radiation exposure to staff carrying out x-rays daily. Communication with the staff in the control room during the scan will be through an intercom.

The patient will be requested to be still and breathe normally to prevent any blurring of the images taken. One may be asked to breathe in, breathe out, or to hold the breath at certain stage(s) of the procedure.

The x-ray in the ring of the CT scan rotates around the patient, taking images as it does so. With the completion of each rotation, the bed on which the patient is lying is moved forward a little bit, and the cycle continues until the examination of the body part required is completed

The PET scan is painless. However, if one feels unwell or needs assistance, one can press a buzzer or use the intercom to contact the staff.

As the radiation exposure is small, there are no side effects. The drinking of large amount of fluids will help in getting rid of the radiotracer from the body. The radiotracer would usually be totally excreted from the body in a few hours.

The many x-ray images taken will be stored in a computer system. The radiologist will study and analyse the images taken on a monitor screen from various angles and then write a report for the doctor who ordered the scan.

With the completion of the scan, one can leave the hospital, unless one is hospitalised. It is advisable to ask the staff when to expect the results and to confirm one’s appointment with the doctor who ordered the scan.

Uses

A PET scan is a complementary investigation, ie it is used in conjunction with other imaging modalities like x-rays, CT scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Its advantage over other imaging investigations is that it provides information about the functioning of a body part at the cellular level instead of providing information about what it looks like.

CT and MRI scans detect changes later than PET scans, after the disease has caused changes in the structure of organs or tissues.

PET scans are used in the diagnosis and evaluation of various medical conditions as well as in the monitoring of treatment.

The common uses of PET scans are:

> Cancer – showing up a cancer, determining its stage, showing if it has spread to other body parts, decision making on the best treatment, and showing how well the treatment is working.

> Heart disease – identification of diseased parts and assessment of function.

> Epilepsy – detection of the affected part of the brain and providing information about the suitability of certain medications.

> Alzheimer’s disease – diagnosis.

> Brain tumours – diagnosis.

> Lungs – diagnosis.

> Breasts – diagnosis, biopsy.

PETS scans are also used in research, eg brain function and ageing.

Risks

The exposure to radiation during a PET scan is generally at levels that are safe and insufficient to cause harm to a patient. The amount of radiation is about the same as in most CT scans. Moreover, the radiation does not last for very long in the body.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women are advised to inform their doctor before having a PET scan. This is because foetuses and infants are more susceptible to the effects of radiation because their organs are still growing.

An allergic reaction to the radiotracer may occur, although this is very rare, in which case there is pain, redness, or swelling at the site of the injection.

As with all things in medicine, the benefits and the risks of any intervention have to be considered.

If a PET scan is used in the diagnosis of a medical or surgical condition, or to monitor treatment, the benefits will have to outweigh the potential risks.

Sumber

PET scans

2011-05-10T18:27:00.000+07:00

Cara guna enjin carian

APAKAH kaedah carian maklumat yang cekap dalam Internet terutama dalam menggunakan enjin carian ?

Apabila kita berbincang berkenaan dengan carian yang cekap dalam menggunakan enjin carian di Internet, ia merujuk kepada ketepatan maklumat yang diperolehi dalam masa secepat yang mungkin.

Enjin carian Google dibina dengan kaedah cariannya yang cekap dan pantas.

Namun begitu, ada beberapa perkara yang memerlukan kecekapan pengguna enjin carian tersebut untuk mendapatkan carian maklumat yang tepat dan pantas.

Ia boleh diumpamakan dengan sebuah kereta lumba yang canggih memerlukan pemandu yang cekap untuk beroleh kejayaan dalam sesuatu pertandingan perlumbaan kereta.

Perkara pokoknya adalah bagaimana untuk menyingkirkan terlebih dahulu laman-laman web yang tidak berkaitan dan keputusan carian yang tidak betul.

Di sini akan dibincangkan beberapa faktor insan atau penggunaan carian yang betul bagi mendapatkan hasil carian yang lebih tepat dengan masa yang pantas apabila menggunakan enjin carian di Internet.

Struktur binaan sesebuah enjin carian secara umumnya adalah sama di antara satu sama lain.

Namun begitu, contoh yang akan diambil dalam perbincangan ini menggunakan enjin carian Google.

Berikut adalah beberapa kaedah yang betul untuk mendapat carian maklumat yang tepat dan pantas menggunakan enjin carian di Internet iaitu:-

1. Penggunaan kata kunci atau terma yang unik dan spesifik dalam suatu carian yang dibuat.

Apabila sesuatu carian yang dibuat, enjin carian akan paparkan beratus ribu atau lebih alamat laman web. Jadi, untuk mengurangkan paparan tersebut, gunakan kata kunci atau terma yang sangat spesifik dan unik.

2. Penggunaan tanda tolak (-) dalam kata kunci pencarian. Fungsinya adalah untuk memperkecilkan lagi skop carian. Enjin carian akan menghasilkan keputusan carian yang di luar jangka terutama kata kunci yang digunakan mempunyai beberapa maksud. Tanda tolak ini akan berfungsi secara logik sebagai TIDAK atau penafian bagi sesuatu makna dalam kata kunci carian. Ia akan membuang beberapa keputusan carian yang tidak berkenaan. Sebagai contoh, sekiranya kita menggunakan kata carian berkenaan haiwan, kerbau. Maka segala yang berkaitan dengan kerbau akan dipaparkan seperti Kerbau Enterprise, nama bagi sebuah syarikat, kertas dan lain-lain. Jadi, boleh menggunakan tanda tolak untuk tidak merangkumi maklumat-maklumat yang tidak berkaitan tersebut seperti - Enterprise - Ker dan lain-lain.

3. Penggunaan tanda pengikat kata (" ") bagi mendapatkan kata kunci yang lebih bersifat spesifik dan merangkumi segala kata kunci tersebut. Ia tidak akan mencari maklumat secara umum yang berkaitan dengan kata kunci yang dicari. Ia adalah satu cara bagi mengurangkan paparan maklumat yang tidak betul, tidak berkaitan dan tidak tepat dalam sesuatu carian.

Contohnya adalah seperti kata kunci atau carian perkataan, "Membujur lalu melintang patah".

4. Pengunaan huruf besar dan huruf kecil. Kebanyakan enjin carian tidak membezakan sesuatu perkataan yang sama dengan huruf kecil, huruf besar dan yang berada dalam pengikat kata.

Jadi, jangan membuang masa dengan perkara-perkara tersebut. Sebagai contoh, kesemua perkataan yang berikut adalah sama dalam enjin carian.

*Perpaduan

*perpaduan

*PERPADUAN

nPerpaduan

nperpaduan

5. Tidak menggunakan perkataan kebiasaan dan tanda seruan. Ini kerana kebanyakan enjin carian akan abaikan perkataan kebiasaan yang digunakan dalam ayat untuk bahasa Inggeris seperti and, a, the, an, is dan lain-lain. Pengunaan tanda seruan juga akan diabaikan. Namun begitu, ia boleh digunakan dan enjin carian akan mengambil kira dalam proses carian sekiranya ia berada dalam pengikat kata (" ").

6. Penggunaan fungsi AutoComplete dalam enjin carian. Penyusunan terma kata carian daripada secara umum kepada yang lebih spesifik dalam kotak carian dapat banyak membantu memaparkan keputusan yang tepat dalam bentuk senaraian pada kotak carian tersebut. Inilah cara yang berkesan menggunakan fungsi AutoComplete dalam enjin carian. Pemilihan item yang bersesuaian pada kotak carian menjimatkan masa untuk menaip sesuatu terma carian. Fungsi AutoComplete ini bukan sahaja berada dalam enjin carian seperti Google tetapi ada pada pelayar web atau brwoser seperti Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox dan lain-lain.

7. Elakkan menggunakan kata carian berbahasa Inggeris yang mempunyai imbuhan perkataan seperti balls, tested, walking dan lain-lain. Lebih baik menggunakan perkataan asas seperti ball, test, walk dan lain-lain. Ini dapat mengurangkan paparan maklumat yang tidak tepat dalam menggunakan enjin carian.

Namun begitu, sekiranya carian maklumat memerlukan perkataan reading. Gunakan perkataan reading dalam carian maklumat kita.

8. Penggunaan Browser History atau fungsi sejarah dalam pelayar web seperti Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox dan lain-lain.

Kadang kala ada alamat laman web yang sudah kita layari untuk dapatkan maklumat.

Sekiranya ada keperluan lagi dan kita menggunakan enjin carian, seperti biasa ia akan paparkan banyak maklumat yang perlu kita perhalusi satu demi satu.

Jadi, alamat laman web yang sudah kita layari sebelum ini boleh diperolehi semula di bahagian Browser History ini.

Bagi memudahkan lagi carian kita, perlu kita mengingat masa dan tarikh laman web tersebut dilayari menggunakan pelayar web tersebut.

9. Hadkan masa carian dan tambahkan dengan pelbagai cara carian. Sekiranya dalam masa tertentu, masih belum menjumpai maklumat yang dicari, kita perlu ada kaedah atau perancangan yang lain seperti berikut:-

nPenggunaan enjin carian yang lain seperti Yahoo!, Lycos, Bing dan lain-lain.

nMembuat pertanyaan dengan menghantar soalan ke forum-forum elektronik yang berkaitan.

nMenggunakan pakar carian maklumat yang boleh membantu.

nMembuat panggilan telefon untuk sesuatu bantuan atau pertanyaan.

nBertanya soalan atau maklumat tersebut kepada rakan taulan.

10. Perincikan carian maklumat yang dibuat. Terdapat beberapa simbol yang boleh diguna pakai dalam carian bagi menambahkan kespesifikan carian dan mengurangkan skop carian. Ia dapat mengurangkan paparan maklumat yang tidak sesuai. Di antaranya adalah seperti berikut:-

nTanda tambah ( + ) - Enjin carian akan abaikan perkataan sambungan atau yang biasa digunakan dalam ayat seperti is, are, and dan sebagainya. Sekiranya perlu untuk kita masukan perkataan tersebut boleh menambah simbol tambah ini dipermulaan perkataan tersebut seperti giant +and city. Jadi, carian tersebut akan memaparkan segala maklumat berkenaan perkataan tersebut termasuk perkataan and.

nTanda aliran ( ~ ) - Dengan penambahan tanda ini didepan sesuatu perkataan, enjin carian akan mencari maklumat perkataan tersebut dan maklumat yang sinonim dengan perkataan tersebut. Namun begitu, tidak kesemua perkataan berupaya mendapatkan hasil yang baik dengan tanda ini terutama sekali perkataan singkatan dan mepunyai banyak makna seperti HTML, CSS, HTTP dan lain-lain. Contoh penggunaanya adalah seperti berikut, ~ HTML.

nTanda asterik ( * ) - Ia digunakan untuk mencari sesuatu perkataan bersama dengan terma lain yang tidak diketahui seperti berikut, pendekar *. Namun begitu, ia tidak boleh digunaka untuk sebahagian daripada perkataan seperti pendekar m*. Hasil carian akan memaparkan segala maklumat berkenaan dengan pendekar dengan tambahan apa-apa perkataan yang lain.

nTanda atau ( OR ) atau ( | ) - Ia digunakan untuk mencari salah satu perkataan-perkataan carian yang sesuai. Sebagai contoh, kenangan indah akan memaparkan maklumat kedua-dua perkataan tersebut tetapi kenangan | indah akan memaparkan kesemua maklumat berkenaan salah satu daripada perkataan carian tersebut.

nJulat penomboran - Perincian sesuatu carian yang bernombor boleh dikecilkan skop cariannya dengan menyatakan julat dan jenis pengukuran bagi nombor tersebut. Sebagai contoh, Windows Server 2005 .. 2008, iPad RM100 RM200 dan lain-lain.

nPenggunaan carian pintar atau Advanced Search yang mempunyai banyak pilihan dan kriteria untuk mengecilkan lagi skop carian seperti tarikh, negara, bahasa dan lain-lain. Ia boleh digunakan dengan mengklik butangnya yang terdapat di sekitar kotak carian.

nPenggunaan fungsi Wonder Wheel dalam enjin carian Google. Ia juga merupakan satu kaedah pencarian yang mengecilkan skop carian kepada carian yang lebih spesifik pada sesuatu perkara.

Ia boleh dibuat carian menerusi kotak carian Google.

Kemudian klik kepada perkataan Wonder Wheel disebelah tepinya.

Segala apa yang dibincangkan sama ada ia merupakan satu kaedah carian atau alat carian adalah merupakan perkara penting. Ini berguna untuk kita mendapatkan carian maklumat yang hampir tepat dalam masa yang pantas.

Segala maklumat yang tidak perlu dapat dihindarkan daripada paparan enjin carian.

Internet merupakan sebuah gudang maklumat yang mempunyai pelbagai jenis maklumat.

Tugas kita adalah untuk memperhalusi aspek carian maklumat agar berupaya mendapat maklumat yang tepat dalam masa yang pantas. Hampir kesemua enjin carian adalah berasaskan kepada bahasa Inggeris.

Sumber

Cara guna enjin carian

2011-05-10T18:24:00.000+07:00

Kesan stres terhadap daya kerja

Stres boleh mengurangkan mood untuk melakukan kerja di pejabat.

PELBAGAI kejadian dan tragedi yang melibatkan tekanan atau stres dan kemurungan teruk sebenarnya boleh dielak dan diatasi, jika orang ramai mengambil berat mengenainya. Malah, ia boleh menjadi penyakit yang serius andai tidak diurus dan dikawal dengan baik.

Walaupun stres dikategorikan penyakit yang serius tetapi sayangnya ia tidak diambil berat.

Ini mungkin kerana masyarakat beranggapan bahawa stres hanya memberikan kesan seketika tanpa menyedari bahawa stres juga boleh menjejaskan seluruh badan dan minda.

"Ia boleh menjejaskan tingkah laku, fikiran, emosi, perhubungan dengan orang lain di pejabat dan rumah," ujar Pakar Perunding Psikiatri Hospital Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur, Dr. Nor Hamidah Mohd. Salleh ketika menyampaikan ceramah dalam Bengkel Stres Kehidupan anjuran Hospital Gleneagles.

Dr. Nor Hamidah memberitahu, wanita mempunyai risiko yang lebih tinggi mengalami stres dan kemurungan berbanding lelaki. Tidak ada sebab tertentu yang mengatakan punca mengapa wanita lebih berisiko tinggi berbanding lelaki.

Bagaimanapun, ia mungkin kerana wanita lebih mudah meluahkan perasaan dan dengan cara begini mereka cepat mendapatkan rawatan.

Lelaki biasanya tidak mudah meluahkan perasaan dan ini mungkin kerana anak lelaki dididik supaya menjadi 'lelaki sejati', iaitu tidak boleh menangis dan sebagainya.

Banyak kes yang dirawat di hospital melibatkan pesakit yang tidak membiasakan diri menyelesaikan masalah dari peringkat awal lagi.

Kadang-kadang masalah di tempat kerja juga memberi kesan terhadap institusi kekeluargaan sehingga memporak-perandakan perkahwinan itu sendiri.

Bagi penghidap stres, mereka bimbang, masyarakat akan memandang serong terhadap mereka dan tidak mahu dilabel kurang siuman.

Ujar Dr. Nor Hamidah, sebab itu masyarakat juga perlu prihatin dan sedar betapa stres dan kemurungan yang tidak dirawat dengan baik boleh memberi kesan kepada produktiviti kerja.

Ramai wanita stres?

Menurut Dr. Nor Hamidah, dalam satu kajian yang pernah dijalankan oleh Universiti Arizona terhadap 166 pasangan berkahwin mendapati, wanita melalui episod stres yang tinggi berbanding lelaki.

Bercerita mengenai punca masalah yang semakin meningkat itu katanya, desakan hidup dan persekitaran sebenarnya menjadi penyebab utama.

Kebanyakan wanita pada peringkat umur 35 hingga 45 tahun mengalami emosi yang stabil kerana ramai yang mula bijak menguruskan kewangan sementara anak-anak pula sudah membesar. Berbeza dengan wanita yang baru mendirikan rumah tangga atau mempunyai anak, mereka belum bijak menguruskan hal rumah dan kerja. Bagi wanita yang berumur 45 tahun ke atas, mereka pula berhadapan dengan perubahan hormon akibat menopaus.

Pendek kata wanita dwi kerjaya berhadapan dengan pelbagai cabaran iaitu penjagaan anak-anak, menjaga ibu bapa, beban kerja rumah, masalah dalam perkahwinan dan prestasi kerja.

Bijak

Namun seandainya seseorang bijak melalui setiap stres yang dialami, mereka mampu menjalani hidup dengan lebih berkualiti.

Jelas Dr. Nor Hamidah, kesihatan mental sama pentingnya dengan kesihatan fizikal.

"Mengambil berat tentang kesihatan mental membantu kita untuk merasa lebih sihat secara fizikal. Begitu juga sebaliknya kerana kedua-dua perkara ini saling berkait," katanya.

Dr. Nor Hamidah turut menasihatkan mereka yang mengalami masalah supaya ambil masa untuk rehat dan berani untuk berbincang mengenainya bersama saudara atau teman terdekat.

"Anda sendiri mungkin sedar dengan perbezaan diri apabila mengalami masalah mental seperti kemurungan. Malah rakan-rakan terdekat juga pasti akan sedar mengenainya. Seandainya ada yang menasihati anda agar bertemu pakar untuk mendapatkan rawatan, jangan tunggu lagi," katanya.

Dr. Nor Hamidah memberitahu, kerja, keluarga dan kawan-kawan memberi kesan kepada kesihatan mental dari sudut kebaikan dan keburukan. Justeru katanya, setiap individu perlu pandai mengimbangi kerjaya dan kehidupan mereka agar sihat mental dan fizikal.

Pengurusan stres di pejabat

Justeru itu, setiap organisasi perlu ada pengurusan stres di tempat kerja agar tidak menganggu produktiviti pekerja.

"Kita lihat banyak kejayaan menerusi perlaksanaan pengurusan kerja di pejabat. Kajian syarikat McDonnel Douglas pada tahun 1989 menunjukkan pengurusan stres di pejabat menurunkan 35 peratus kos penjagaan kesihatan pekerja. Pada tahun 1995, Perkhidmatan Salah Tingkahlaku dan Kesihatan Mental mendapati pengurusan stres di tempat kerja telah menurunkan 35 peratus masalahstres pekerja dan meningkatkan produktiviti sebanyak 14 peratus," ujarnya.

Mengulas lanjut tentang pengurusan ini, setiap organisasi perlu merujuk pekerja yang stres kepada pakar psikiatri, psikologi atau kaunselor.

Kebiasaannya, pekerja yang berhadapan dengan stres akan diberi cuti sakit sehingga seminggu. Jika kes serius berlaku, rawatan boleh dilanjutkan sehingga tiga bulan.

Ini penting untuk mengurangkan berlakunya darah tinggi - lelah - masalah kulit yang semakin teruk seperti jerawat, psoriasis, ekzema - serangan jantung - sinus/resdung - hilangan fungsi seksual dan pembiakan - strok - masalah berat badan - gangguan tidur - cirit-birit atau sembelit - migrain - gangguan kebimbangan - ulser perut - sakit kepala - kemurungan.

Sumber

Kesan stres terhadap daya kerja

2011-05-10T18:21:00.001+07:00

Hormon untuk pertahan tulang

SENAMAN dan penjagaan makanan mampu mencegah osteoporosis peringkat awal di kalangan wanita.

Apabila bapa mertua saya mengalami kemalangan di rumah, kami semua berasa risau. Bapa mertua saya berusia 80 tahun. Beliau ialah seorang lelaki yang tegap dan kacak meskipun sudah lanjut usia.

Kesihatan bapa mertua saya sangat baik sekali. Beliau tidak ada penyakit jantung mahupun kencing manis. Tubuhnya sederhana, tidak terlalu gemuk atau kurus kerana amalan pemakanannya yang baik. Ingatannya juga sangat tajam. Beliau mampu bercerita kisah lalu dan kisah terkini melalui pembacaan surat khabar setiap hari.

Apabila bapa terjatuh, beliau mengadu sakit belakang. Kami membawa bapa berjumpa pakar tulang kerana khuatir tulangnya retak atau patah. Kadar patah tulang di kalangan orang tua sangat tinggi maka kerana itulah saya begitu prihatin dengan keadaannya.

Menurut doktor tulangnya tidak patah. Sebagaimana orang tua yang lain tulang bapa mengalami osteoporosis. Ini dapat dilihat melalui gambar sinar-x yang diambil. Tulangnya kelihatan berongga dan tidak kukuh.

Sakit yang dialami mungkin hanya sekadar kesan lebam pada ototnya. Ia tidak ada kena mengena dengan tulang. Bapa bernasib baik. Tulangnya yang nipis mudah patah.

Masalah osteoporosis ini sudah lama kami ketahui. Beberapa tahun lalu, bapa juga telah terjatuh dari motosikal. Oleh kerana khuatir maka kami telah membawanya ke hospital dan doktor mengatakan dia hanya mengalami osteoporosis.

Pelbagai usaha kami lakukan untuk meningkatkan jisim tulang bapa termasuklah dengan rawatan chelation, pengambilan kalsium tinggi serta menjaga makan minumnya. Namun begitu kami tidak berjaya meningkatkan jisim tulangnya.

"Mahukah puan mencuba hormon untuk tulang?" doktor pakar itu bertanya.

Saya amat tertarik dengan saranannya itu. Sebagai seorang doktor dan juga pengamal hormon saya teruja apabila seorang pakar tulang mengaplikasikan hormon ke dalam bidangnya.

Hormon parathyroid merupakan hormon yang terpenting bagi tulang. ''Sebagai anaboloik hormon, ia mampu meningkatkan jisim tulang dengan cara membolehkan pembinaan tulang baru," terangnya.

Bagaimanakah tulang terbina?

Pembentukan tulang manusia dimulai pada saat masih janin dan umumnya akan bertumbuh dan berkembang terus sampai sehingga 35 tahun. Berikut adalah gambaran pembentukan tulang. Sekiranya dari awal proses pertumbuhan, banyak kalsium ada dalam darah maka tulang akan terbentuk dengan baik.

Pada usia 0 - 30/35 tahun, proses ini dinamakan modeling kerana pada masa ini terbentuknya model tulang seseorang. Ini bermakna tulang kita tidak sama antara satu sama lain. Kerana itulah kita mempunyai rupa paras yang berbeza.

Mencegah

Pada usia 30 - 35 tahun, pertumbuhan tulang sudah selesai, waktu ini disebut remodeling di mana modeling sudah selesai tinggal proses penggantian tulang yang sudah tua dengan tulang baru yang masih muda. Setelah pembentukan tulang selesai, maka akan terjadi penurunan jisim tulang. Hal ini bisa dicegah dengan menjaga kandungan kalsium setelah tercapainya puncak jisim tulang.

Dengan mengambil kalsium 800 - 1200 mg sehari, jisim ini boleh dipertahankan.

Untuk mencegah penurunan jisim tulang, di mana penurunan ini akan mengakibatkan berkurangnya kepadatan tulang dan tulang akan mengalami osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis lebih baik dicegah dengan cara pengambilan kalsium yang cukup setelah usia 30 atau 35 tahun.

Kesimpulan:

Dalam proses pembentukan tulang, tulang mengalami regenerasi iaitu penggantian tulang-tulang yang sudah tua dengan tulang baru yang masih muda, proses ini berjalan seimbang sehingga terbentuk puncak jisim tulang. Setelah terbentuk puncak jisim tulang, tulang masih mengalami penggantian tulang yang sudah tua dengan tulang yang masih muda. Tetapi proses ini tidak berjalan seimbang di mana tulang yang diserap untuk diganti lebih banyak daripada tulang yang akan menggantikan, maka terjadi penurunan jisim tulang. Apabila keadaan ini berjalan terus menerus, akan terjadi osteoporosis.

Komposisi tulang

Tulang terdiri daripada dua bahan:

Matrik yang kaya mineral (70%) > Tulang yang sudah matang)

Bahan-bahan organik (30%) yang terdiri dari:

Sel (2%) : 1) Sel Osteoblast : yang membuat matrik (bahan) tulang / sel pembentuk tulang. 2) Sel Osteocyte : mempertahankan matrik tulang. 3) Sel Osteoclast : yang menyerap osteoid (95%) (resorbsi) bahan tulang (matrik) / sel yang menyerap tulang.

Osteoid (98%) : Matrik (bahan) tulang yang mengandung sedikit mineral (osteoid>tulang muda)

Hormon yang mempengaruhi tulang secara langsung ialah parathyroid hormone.

Kelenjar parathyroid berada berhampiran dengan kelenjar tiroid kita iaitu di leher. Akibat penuaan maka aktiviti hormon ini merosot. Ini membuatkan kalsium tidak dapat didepositkan dengan baik. Malahan kalsium yang dimakan tidak mampu di serap dan keluar semula daripada tubuh kita.

Dengan pendekatan moden iaitu meningkatkan kembali paras hormon parathyroid kepadatan tulang akan dapat ditambahkan secara semulajadi dan ini merupakan berita gembira buat kita.

Sumber

Hormon untuk pertahan tulang

2011-05-10T18:17:00.001+07:00

Jaga pemakanan warga emas

KUrangkan pengambilan makanan yang berlemak bagi warga emas yang mengalami lebihan berat badan. - Gambar hiasan

STATUS pemakanan warga emas sangat dipengaruhi oleh perubahan-perubahan yang berlaku apabila usia semakin meningkat.

Akibat pengurangan deria rasa dan bau, keupayaan menghadam dan menyerap makanan, melihat dan mendengar, kehilangan gigi, ketahanan melakukan aktiviti fizikal, kurangnya pepejal otot, jumlah air dalam badan, kepadatan tulang dan kemurungan serta kekeliruan menyebabkan warga emas ini perlu diberi perhatian khususnya dalam hidangan makanan.

Justeru sebenarnya, apakah makanan yang baik untuk warga emas?

Ia merupakan semua makanan yang mewakili kumpulan makanan seperti yang digariskan dalam Piramid Makanan, iaitu makan sedikit makanan yang mengandungi lemak, minyak, gula dan garam. Makan sederhana susu dan produk tenusu, makan banyak sayur-sayuran dan buah-buahan dan makan secukupnya nasi, mi, oat, bijirin dan ubi.

Makanan yang kaya dengan kalsium terutamanya susu dan produk tenusu serta makanan lain yang kaya dengan kalsium seperti tauhu, sayur-sayuran berdaun hijau seperti bayam dan kailan, ikan bilis dan ikan sardin yang dimakan bersama-sama tulangnya baik untuk pemakanan warga emas.

Begitu juga makanan yang kaya dengan zat besi seperti daging lembu dan kambing, hati ayam dan sayur-sayuran seperti pucuk paku dan sawi, makanan yang kaya dengan zink seperti ikan dan makanan laut lain, hati dan daging, bijirin atau hasil bijirin mil penuh seperti sarapan pagi yang tidak ditambah gula, roti atau biskut mil penuh, capati dan semua jenis buah-buahan dan sayur-sayuran, air sama ada air kosong atau jus buah-buahan.

Panduan menyediakan hidangan

Hidangkan makanan dalam hidangan yang kecil dan sesuai dengan cita rasa setempat yang mempunyai kepelbagaian dari segi jenis, rasa, warna, bentuk, tekstur dan bau.

Gunakan pelbagai perencah asli seperti halia, lengkuas, bawang, daun bawang, daun sup, herba dan rempah asli seperti ketumbar, jintan dan halba untuk membangkitkan rasa makanan.

Pilih makanan yang kaya dengan nutrien sebagai asas menu, contohnya mi sup yang disediakan dengan sup daging adalah pilihan yang lebih baik jika dibandingkan dengan mi segera.

Cara menggalakkan warga emas makan

Galakkan mereka makan bersama kawan-kawan, juga berjalan-jalan sebelum makan untuk merangsang selera makan.

Bagi warga emas yang mengalami masalah mengunyah makanan sendiri, sediakan peralatan makan yang dapat membantu mereka berlatih menyuap makanan dengan sendiri jika perlu, bantu mereka menyuap makanan itu.

Sediakan ruang makan yang bersih, selesa dan ceria serta minta pendapat tentang makanan yang disediakan dan cuba perbaiki makanan daripada maklum balas yang diterima daripada mereka.

Makanan lembut perlu disediakan bagi warga emas yang tidak bergigi, memakai gigi palsu yang tidak sesuai atau yang mengalami masalah pernafasan seperti lelah dan mengah.

Ia boleh dilakukan dengan memotong kecil atau cincang makanan sebelum dimasak, pilih sumber protein lembut seperti telur, tauhu, tempe, keju, kacang panjang, dadih atau ikan yang berlemak. Gunakan daging cincang, bebola ayam, ikan, udang atau sotong, pilih sayur yang berdaun hijau untuk penghadaman.

Bagi warga emas yang mengalami masalah berat badan, faktor ini akan meningkatkan faktor risiko kepada penyakit-penyakit kronik seperti kencing manis, darah tinggi dan sakit jantung.

Warga emas yang berlebihan berat badan perlu menurunkan berat badan mereka. Untuk ini kurangkan penyediaan makanan bergoreng atau yang tinggi kandungan lemak, kurangkan penggunaan semua jenis minyak dan lemak, gula dan kurangkan saiz hidangan bagi setiap waktu makan.

Pilihlah buah-buahan sebagai snek bagi menggantikan kuih-muih. Untuk memudahkan penyediaan makanan warga emas yang menghidap diabetes, makanan dibahagikan kepada tiga kumpulan iaitu makanan yang bebas dimakan, yang perlu disukat dan yang perlu dielakkan.

Warga emas memang tidak akan lari dari keadaan osteoporosis, justeru perbaiki keadaan ini di kalangan warga emas daripada menjadi lebih buruk dengan menyediakan makanan yang lebih tinggi kandungan kalsium.

Pastikan warga emas terdedah kepada matahari untuk memperoleh vitamin D yang dapat membantu penyerapan kalsium dan galakkan mereka bersenam untuk meningkatkan kecergasan fizikal dan juga mengekalkan peningkatan jisim tulang mereka.

Anemia di kalangan warga emas berlaku disebabkan kurangnya pengambilan makanan yang kaya dengan zat besi, asid folik atau vitamin B. Anemia juga boleh berlaku disebabkan oleh jangkitan penyakit-penyakit kronik dan keadaan yang menganggu penyerapan zat besi oleh badan.

Sembelit pula merupakan masalah yang sering dialami oleh warga emas disebabkan kurangnya pengambilan air dan makanan yang kaya serat.

Ia juga boleh berlaku disebabkan oleh kurangnya aktiviti fizikal. Bagi mengatasi masalah sembelit di kalangan warga emas, golongan ini perlu mengamalkan minum air yang banyak, iaitu 6 hingga 8 gelas sehari walaupun mereka tidak merasa dahaga. Berilah mereka air kosong dan jus buah-buahan.

Apabila mereka makan, lebihkan kepada makanan yang mengandungi banyak air seperti sup, bubur dan puding juga makan makanan yang kaya dengan air dan serat seperti buah-buahan segar dan sayur-sayuran.

Melakukan aktiviti fizikal seperti berkebun dan berjalan juga dapat mengatasi masalah sembelit kerana fizikal mereka menjadi aktif.

Sumber

Jaga pemakanan warga emas

2011-05-07T19:42:00.000+07:00

Elak lambakan doktor kelas tiga

NEGARA sentiasa memerlukan doktor berkualiti tinggi. – Gambar hiasan

KUALA LUMPUR – Langkah kerajaan menghentikan kursus baharu perubatan di institusi pengajian tinggi (IPT) tempatan mampu membendung masalah lambakan doktor yang tidak berkualiti di pasaran ketika ini.

Presiden Persatuan Perubatan Malaysia (MMA), Dr. David Quek Kwang Leng berkata, masalah tersebut berpunca daripada kewujudan banyak IPT yang menawarkan pelbagai kursus perubatan. Beliau berkata, pertambahan jumlah kursus perubatan itu menyebabkan pelajar bebas memilih kursus dengan kos yang rendah pula.

“Ketika ini ramai pelajar boleh mendaftar kursus perubatan dengan mudah walaupun mereka sebenarnya tidak layak. “Mereka langsung tidak memikirkan tanggungjawab yang bakal digalas apabila sudah bekerja nanti,’’ katanya ketika dihubungi Kosmo! semalam. Beliau diminta mengulas keputusan Kementerian Pengajian Tinggi membekukan kursus baharu perubatan di IPT tempatan berkuat kuasa 1 Mei lalu hingga 30 April 2016. Tindakan itu dilakukan bagi memastikan pelajar perubatan mendapatkan latihan yang berkualiti dan menjadi seorang pegawai perubatan berdaya saing.

Kwang Leng menjelaskan, semua IPT di negara ini sama ada ia milik kerajaan mahupun swasta, bertanggungjawab sepenuhnya dalam melahirkan pegawai perubatan berkualiti tinggi. “Jika pelajar terbabit tidak mampu bersedia daripada semua segi, bayangkan bagaimana mereka hendak berdepan dengan pesakit yang kritikal. “Kita perlu melatih doktor yang terbaik dengan kualiti yang terbaik,” katanya. Pada masa ini nisbah jumlah pegawai perubatan kepada pesakit adalah 1:1000. Bagaimanapun kementerian percaya bahawa nisbah 1:400 dapat dicapai menjelang 2020 biarpun pembekuan tersebut dilakukan.

Sumber

Elak lambakan doktor kelas tiga

2011-05-07T16:03:00.000+07:00

Sumber air dicemari bakteria

JAKARTA - Hampir 100 peratus sumber air minum di bandar-bandar besar di Indonesia dicemari bakteria E Coli dan Coliform.

Pengarah Penempatan dan Perumahan Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Nasional (Bappenas), Nugroho Tri Utomo berkata, sebanyak 80 peratus daripada pencemaran itu berlaku hasil perbuatan manusia sendiri.

"Pencemaran berlaku kerana sikap kita sendiri, oleh itu kita perlu mengambil berat tentang sumber air kita, termasuk sistem perparitan," katanya ketika menghadiri Persidangan Kebangsaan Pengurusan Sumber Air Bersepadu di Jakarta.

Persidangan bertemakan 'Peranan Rakyat dalam Pengurusan Sumber Air Bersepadu' itu dianjurkan oleh Bappenas dan Danone Aqua sempena menyambut Hari Air Sedunia.

Menurut Nugroho, dianggarkan 3.5 juta orang akan berhadapan masalah kekurangan air pada 2025, dengan 2.5 juta daripada jumlah itu pula akan hidup tanpa tahap kebersihan yang sepatutnya.

Punca masalah itu ialah sikap manusia sendiri yang suka membazir dan mencemarkan sumber air.

"Di Indonesia, keperluan bekalan air bersih semakin meningkat dan kecenderungan pengguna air bersih turut bertambah.

"Jumlah peningkatan pengguna ialah antara 17 hingga 30 peratus per kapita untuk setahun, sedangkan jumlah air bersih yang ada semakin berkurangan ekoran pencemaran dan kerosakan," ujar Nugroho.

Sementara itu, anggota Dewan Air Nasional, Piter Hehanusa berkata, kira-kira 169 juta rakyat Indonesia belum dibekalkan dengan air bersih.

"Kerajaan memiliki 7.1 juta saluran air bersih yang hanya mampu membekalkan air kepada 35.5 juta orang dan hanya dinikmati penduduk bandar.

"Ini bermakna, sejumlah 82 peratus rakyat negara ini terpaksa menggunakan air yang tidak mematuhi piawaian kesihatan," katanya.

Ketua Pusat Sumber Daya Air Tanah dan Geologi Persekitaran dari Kementerian Tenaga dan Sumber Mineral, Dodid Murdohardono pula berkata, pencemaran air menjadi punca utama krisis air bersih di seluruh Indonesia.

Menurutnya, masalah ini diburukkan lagi dengan pengawasan yang lemah dan keengganan pelaksanaan undang-undang yang ketat. - AGENSI

Sumber

Sumber air dicemari bakteria

2011-05-06T11:23:00.002+07:00

Irritated gut

We take a look at the most common gastrointestinal complaint patients see doctors for.

MAN HAS been credited (or accused, depending on gender bias) with thinking with more than one head.

This is, of course, not true, otherwise, he would be in double trouble. The fact is, that with each thought, there is emotion; and with each emotion, there is some biological stirring that defies voluntary control.

Crippling habit: Many IBS patients probably wish they could travel with a toilet as they frequently have the urge to empty their bowels.

Aside from the groin, there are the salivary glands that water when one sees, smells, tastes, or even thinks of one’s favourite morsel. The nervous stomach gurgles outside the examination hall, while the fear literally paralyses the speaker in front of a hostile audience.

The mind works on the body. However, when the biological outcome becomes an aberration of what is a “normal” reaction, it transcends into a state of “dys–ease”, or dysfunction. The latter encompasses sensations of illness without obvious underlying physical signs of disease.

The brain-gut axis

In the 1990s, scientists mooted the idea of a “brain–gut axis”. Anatomically, the intestines are rather detached from the brain, and yet, there is the suggestion of a complex highway of nervous communication between them.

Intestinal cellular radar assesses the state of affairs within the gut and sends signals to the higher control centres for information processing.

The brain is thought to regulate certain gut portfolios like appetite, fullness (satiety), digestion, absorption and defecation.

It also co-ordinates waves of muscle contraction and relaxation, known as peristalsis, which moves balls of food along the intestines, squeezing and compacting the digested material, and pushing the resultant faeces towards the rectum, which acts like a temporary storage depot.

The sensors here detect volumetric stretch of the walls and send a message to the brain to evacuate. If the act is postponed due to a variety of factors, the stools in deposit compound interest. Consequently, the waste dries up and hardens, leading to constipation.

Irregular peristalsis, coupled with bacterial fermentation, creates many “pockets” of gas, wreaking havoc with incessant flatulence.

Stress and emotional upheavals can derail the physiological intricacies of this brain–gut axis, paving the way for dysfunctional gut responses, and the physically and emotionally exhausting symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (or IBS, which affects up to 15% of the population).

A common problem

IBS is the most common gastrointestinal condition presented to doctors.

The diagnosis is made based on the exclusion of a detectable underlying disease, and fitted according to a set of criteria, which hinges on abdominal pain and discomfort that persists for more than 12 weeks out of a year as the main complaint.

In essence, IBS is a state of chronic ill health that robs one of quality of life. Forty percent of sufferers often have anxiety and co-existing psychological adjustment problems.

Various names have been coined for this condition, including nervous colon, spastic colon and irritable colon.

Abdominal pain and discomfort is the primary symptom, and is generally eased somewhat by defecation, which is almost always incomplete.

The stools are squeezed by a “tight” colon and the product is often scanty pencil-like dry faeces, but this does not mean that the storeroom is empty! Each time the wave of spasms comes along, or when the lavatory becomes available, the urge to move the bowels becomes almost a crippling habit, resulting in repeated visits to the loo many times a day.

A frustrating sensation known as “tenesmus” is the need to empty, yet straining with little luck, except milking out a little bit of mucous from the rear.

There is also a change in frequency and form of stools – loose diarrheoa, constipation or an alternation between the two.

As a result of the disturbed movement or motility, there is gaseous build-up with the sensation of bloating and regurgitation of stomach contents, causing heartburn.

Similar symptoms, many causes

IBS is not known to cause any significant long term disease. Conditions that may mimick it have to be excluded, some of which have serious pathology. Similar abdominal complaints, either some or all of the above, may occur in:

> Gastrointestinal infection (bacterial, fungal or parasitic)

> Lactose intolerance

> Sensitivity to gluten in coeliac disease

> The “Leaky Gut Syndrome” (refer to StarTwo, Leaking gut, April 20, 2011) mimicks some or all the symptoms of IBS

> Other more sinister underlying pathologies include Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and cancer

The disturbing attendance of fever, weight loss and bloody stools should trigger alarm bells of a more serious condition.

Although the causes of IBS are largely unknown, this chaotic basket of symptoms can be triggered by diverse factors.

It has been observed to be set off by bacterial intestinal infections. There are some indications that a yet-to-be-identified chronic gut infection may be a contributory factor. An imbalance in bacterial population within the gut is also a suspect.

A lot of interest has been generated by the concept of the brain–gut axis. Stress, anxiety and other psychological derangements alter the sensitivity of the intestinal sensor cells to over-react to otherwise innocuous stimuli.

These cells release chemical signals that set the stage for further heightened sensitivity.

The brain falls in tandem with the gut and becomes extremely aware of intestinal sensations, feeding the stress–pain–anxiety cycle.

Investigations do not yield positive results. Blood and stool tests are normal. Many patients end up having either, or both – gastroscopy (viewing the upper gut) or colonoscopy (viewing the lower gut).

These procedures are like “a hammer looking for a nail”, and truly in IBS, nothing is found.

No effective treatment

Treatment of IBS is as disheartening as the symptoms. So much research and yet so little achieved. The wide array of drugs continuously being introduced illustrates the complex nature of this condition.

Ultimately, however, all pharmacological treatments merely manage the symptoms – antispasmodics, anti-diarrhoeals, laxatives, motility drugs, dyspeptic agents, etc, have all been used with just adequate results.

Targeting the brain–gut axis, various anti–anxiety and anti-depressants have been on trial with limited success.

Some of the side effects actually add to the patient’s misery. A drug targets a specific pathway and treats only a particular symptom, necessitating a potpourri of prescriptions for the plethora of varied complaints, with less than robust results.

A more holistic approach involves smoothening the edges of anxiety and stress, and resolving underlying internal conflicts.

Healthy lifestyle practices include taking up regular exercises, and having adequate rest and sleep. Adopting relaxation techniques like breathing exercises, yoga, qigong, etc, are helpful.

Since the trouble originates from the gut, it should not surprise the thinking individual that a large part of the reversal of this syndrome lies with nutritional intervention.

One should avoid large meals (beware buffets!) and “trigger” foods.

A trial of milk and wheat products avoidance may offer relief among some. Foods known to trigger allergies and intolerance should be omitted from the diet.

Taking smaller and more frequent meals certainly helps. Complete chewing and avoidance of large volumes of fluid with meals reduces some of the coexisting symptoms such as heartburn.

Spicy foods, caffeine, tea and alcohol may add more to the torment. Carbonated beverages, beans, sprouts, cabbages, fatty foods, etc, are examples of foodstuff that promote gaseous distention, compounding the abdominal discomfort.

Health supplements that purportedly help to reduce the symptoms of IBS have not been extensively studied.

From limited information, some probiotics containing certain strains of the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium groups confer some benefits for sufferers.

Taking the required amount of soluble fibre can ease constipation. However, the daily dosage is titrated according to symptoms as too much fibre can ironically cause more abdominal distention.

Peppermint oil (pure therapeutic grade essential oil) offers temporary relief.

As normal peristalsis is disordered in IBS, a well-crafted calcium and magnesium supplement may aid the restoration of motility. Magnesium has the added benefit of exerting a mild laxative effect, which is a welcome aid for IBS patients with predominant constipation.

As the discomfort follows regular food ingestion, a balanced replacement meal once or twice a day offers some relief from the overloaded diet.

While scientists debate over classification, causes and treatments, it is prudent for one to seek the key that opens the combination lock on the door of true health.

Unfortunately, as is often the case, it remains locked as the “easy not to do” (regular exercise), “hard to do” (dietary control), and “will not do” (taking optimal cellular and digestive supplements) complex, which ultimately cheats us of optimal health, leading us from one medical syndrome to another.

Sumber

Irritated gut

2011-05-04T22:19:00.000+07:00

Avokado buah kaya nutrisi

BUAH avokado kini dipromosi menjadi sebahagian diet sihat dalam kalangan masyarakat Malaysia.

BUAH avokado jarang sekali dimakan sebagai menu pencuci mulut oleh masyarakat setempat. Sedangkan hakikatnya, avokado merupakan antara buah terbaik yang tersenarai antara beberapa jenis buah-buahan yang lemaknya terdiri daripada jenis lemak tidak tepu seperti buah zaitun dan kacang tanah.

Tetapi kini, banyak pendedahan mengenai nutrisi dan khasiat yang terkandung di dalamnya menyebabkan buah avokado menerima populariti yang semakin tinggi.

Menurut Pakar Hortikultur dari Queensland, Jodie Campbell selain daripada produk kecantikan, buah avokado juga sangat sesuai dimasukkan dalam pelbagai jenis hidangan masakan Barat mahupun Asia.

“Hanya dengan sedikit tambahan, ia mampu memberi kita manfaat kesihatan harian yang sangat diperlukan oleh badan. Buah avokado juga mengandungi lemak tidak tepu yang membantu mengekalkan berat badan seimbang selain mempunyai kandungan gula dan garam yang rendah.

“Ia juga mengandungi nutrien lain seperti vitamin A, B termasuk B6, niasin dan riboflavin, C dan E. Malah, ia juga mengandungi mineral seperti zat besi, magnesium dan kalium selain diperkaya dengan fiber dan folat. Namun, ia bebas sodium dan kolesterol,” katanya yang hadir untuk mempromosikan buah tersebut di Berjaya University College of Hospitality (BUCH) untuk sebuah program latihan A Taste of Australian Avocados baru-baru ini.

Program interaktif itu dianjurkan oleh Euro-Atlantic Sdn. Bhd. yang merupakan pengimport buah-buahan, sayuran dan beberapa jenis makanan laut yang segar dan beku. Program itu dihadiri lebih 100 peserta daripada pelbagai sektor perniagaan termasuk dari hipermarket, supermarket dan peruncit.

Selain menceritakan khasiat buah tersebut, Campbell yang mempunyai pengalaman selama 20 tahun dalam bidang nutrisi buah avokado, turut berkongsi pelbagai topik berkaitan buah avokado termasuk cara yang betul untuk memegang buah tersebut, proses penghantaran dan bekalan. Tidak ketinggalan beliau memberi tip mengenai cara pemasaran buah berkenaan.

“Selalunya apabila kita membeli buah kita akan picit di bahagian tengah-tengah, tetapi disebabkan buah avokado mempunyai tekstur yang lembut, cara yang betul ialah dengan hanya menggenggam sedikit sahaja,” kata Campbell yang turut memberitahu tekstur avokado masak yang lembik sesuai dijadikan makanan pertama bayi.

Katanya, kandungan lemak mono tidak tepu dalam avokado penting untuk tumbesaran bayi. Hanya dengan melecek isinya, tersedia satu jenis hidangan bayi yang berkhasiat.

Dalam pada itu, seorang chef, Malcolm Goh turut mendemontrasi cara mudah menyediakan menu sihat iaitu Avocado Zimbabwe.

Tambah Campbell, pihaknya kini banyak mempromosikan kebaikan buah avokado kepada orang ramai kerana ramai yang kurang faham mengenai buah tersebut.

“Buah avokado juga boleh membantu mengurangkan kadar kolesterol dan baik untuk hati manakala kandungan vitamin E nya bagus untuk kulit,” katanya.

Sementara itu Penolong Pembekal Luar Negara Euro-Atlantic, Su’aidah Ahmad berkata, pihaknya memilih untuk mempromosikan buah avokado dari Australia atas permintaan tinggi pelanggan.

“Kami dapati pelanggan lebih gemar memilih avokado Australia berbanding Mexico dan Sepanyol kerana kualiti dan rasa.

Sumber

Avokado buah kaya nutrisi

2011-05-04T22:16:00.002+07:00

Mudarat gula berlebihan

PENGAMBILAN makanan yang tidak seimbang dalam kalangan kanak-kanak punca utama mereka terjebak dengan pelbagai masalah kesihatan sejak kecil. Sama ada masalah kesihatan seperti penyakit hingga kepada masalah fizikal, semuanya dikaitkan dengan amalan pemakanan yang tidak sihat.

Pemanis dalam makanan kandungan boleh memberikan pelbagai kesan yang tidak diingini.

“Kanak-kanak adalah kumpulan penggemar makanan manis yang harus dikawal kerana makanan mereka mempunyai kandungan gula yang tinggi!” demikian amaran yang diberikan oleh Perunding Pemakanan, Indra Balaratnam pada majlis pengenalan produk tenusu, susu tepung berfomula bagi kanak-kanak, Anmum Essential Tanpa Gula Tambahan di Kula Lumpur baru-baru ini.

Beliau memberitahu, perspektif umum iaitu kanak-kanak yang gemuk dan besar adalah sihat sebenarnya adalah salah sama sekali. Malah mereka mungkin mempunyai kalori dan lemak selain berpotensi membesar sebagai dewasa obes.

Indra berpendapat, kanak-kanak di Malaysia mungkin bermasalah jika ibu bapa dan penjaga kurang arif mengenai jumlah kandungan gula yang sepatutnya diambil setiap hari.

Statistik mendedahkan, 5.4 peratus kanak-kanak Malaysia obes dan 6.8 peratus daripada mereka berumur dalam lingkungan antara 7 hingga 9 tahun, manakala 6.4 peratus dalam lingkungan usia 4 hingga 6 tahun.

“Ia satu pendedahan yang tidak sihat. Pengambilan gula dalam kalangan kanak-kanak mengikut usia iaitu lima hingga enam sudu kecil bagi kanak-kanak yang berumur antara 2 hingga 8 tahun dan tidak lebih 10 sudu kecil bagi dewasa,” katanya.

Bagaimanapun, Indra mengakui pengambilan gula secara purata bagi setiap orang di Malaysia melebihi 24 sudu kecil.

DIDIKAN mengenai makanan seimbang perlu dilakukan secara berperingkat.

Ada kalangan ibu bapa yang tidak mengendahkan jika anak mereka enggan ber sarapan. “Tindakan itu boleh menyebabkan anak-anak cepat lapar dan mereka mengidam serta makan makanan yang manis. Ini boleh meningkatkan kadar gula, kalori dan sekali gus menyebabkan mereka obes,” katanya yang menggesa ibu bapa agar prihatin terhadap amalan makanan.

Pangambilan gula yang berlebihan bukan sahaja menjadikan seseorang obes tetapi turut menyumbang kepada masalah kaviti gigi akibat kekurangan mikronutrien dan diabetes.

Ditanya tentang kandungan pemanis, Indra memberitahu, amnya, istilah manisan boleh ditafsirkan dalam pelbagai nama. Antaranya sirup jagung, sirup glukosa, gula merah, molasses, treacle, gula melaka, madu, fruktosa, dan sukrosa.

“Ingat, semua nama ini adalah panggilan lain bagi gula” katanya.

Label makanan

Amnya, kandungan gula, menurut Indra akan dilabel sama ada bersama karbohidrat atau dengan nama-nama yang diberikan tadi. “Kandungan dalam label makanan dinyatakan mengikut jumlah yang banyak kepada yang paling kecil. Jika anda lihat nama-nama gula ini berada pada bacaan permulaan, kedua atau ketiga, maka ketahuilah makanan itu mempunyai elemen pemanis yang sangat tinggi,” katanya.

Indra menyarankan agar ibu bapa bijak dalam menangani masalah pengambilan gula berlebihan dalam kalangan kanak-kanak. Jelas beliau, didikan mengenai makanan seimbang perlu dilakukan secara berperingkat-peringkat dan matang.

“Jangan sekat terus sekali gus tetapi cuba fahamkan dan ajar mereka. Kanak-kanak cukup pandai, mereka akan faham. Satu lagi, jangan sekali-sekali hadiahkan mereka dengan makanan bergula. Itu satu lagi tindakan yang salah, tetapi kita sering lakukan,” katanya merujuk kepada amalan memberi gula-gula, coklat, aiskrim, donut dan sebagainya sebagai ganjaran.

Indra mahu ibu bapa memulakan amalan makanan berkhasiat di rumah dengan menjadi contoh yang baik. Ibu bapa adalah orang pertama yang perlu mengamalkan makanan sihat, bijak memilih makanan, masakan dan cuba gunakan amaun gula yang kecil dalam apa jua persiapan makanan. Ibu bapa juga disaran sentiasa peka terhadap kandungan gula dalam makanan yang dibeli di luar.

Sumber

Mudarat gula berlebihan

2011-05-03T08:35:00.000+07:00

Risiko penghidap diabetes mati awal

PESAKIT diabetes terdedah kepada kehadiran penyakit lain dalam tubuh.

KENCING manis atau diabetes dipercayai meningkatkan risiko kematian yang dikaitkan dengan saluran darah seperti kanser payu dara dan radang paru-paru.

Kes yang pernah dirujuk kepada sebuah pusat kesihatan di New York membuktikan penghidap diabetes yang berusia 50 tahun meninggal dunia enam tahun lebih awal berbanding individu yang tidak menghidap penyakit itu.

Kajian yang dijalankan untuk menyukat tahap diabetes itu mendapati penyakit tersebut turut meningkatkan risiko kematian pramatang yang disebabkan kegagalan fungsi sistem saluran darah.

Ujar seorang penyelidik dari Universiti Cambridge di Britain, Dr. John Danesh, diabetes semakin mengancam kesihatan masyarakat dunia.

"Ketika kebanyakan orang beranggapan masalah jantung menjadi punca utama kematian, diabetes pula mengejutkan kita apabila muncul sebagai pemangkin utama kepada penyakit lain di dalam tubuh manusia," katanya.

Tambahnya, perokok jangka panjang juga menjadi penyebab pengurangan jangka hayat manusia selama 10 tahun berbanding individu yang tidak merokok.

Diabetes tersenarai sebagai tujuh penyakit utama penyebab kematian di Amerika dengan 26 juta rakyatnya menghidap penyakit itu.

Diabetes terjadi apabila kadar insulin dalam badan dihasilkan terlalu sedikit atau langsung tidak boleh digunakan untuk menghasilkan gula dalam darah.

Selain itu, diabetes dikaitkan dengan obesiti melampau yang menyebabkan risikonya bertambah dua kali ganda untuk pesakit diserang lemah jantung atau strok.

Namun, mereka juga mendapati 25 peratus pesakit diabetes lebih berisiko menderita kanser dan maut akibat kehadiran pelbagai penyakit lain termasuk jangkitan, komplikasi jantung dan buah pinggang selain kemalangan.

Dalam kes jangkitan penyakit berbahaya, diabetes melemahkan sistem imunisasi badan pesakit sekali gus memudahkan peluang virus menyerang sistem tubuh.

Diabetes juga boleh menyebabkan masalah penglihatan dan kegagalan sistem saraf pada kaki seterusnya mendorong seseorang itu terlibat dalam kemalangan.

Sumber

Risiko penghidap diabetes mati awal

2011-05-03T08:28:00.003+07:00

Elak makan telur mentah

TELUR masih lagi merupakan makanan utama rakyat Malaysia.

MINGGU lalu, rakyat Malaysia dikejutkan dengan pendedahan Persatuan Pengguna Pulang Pinang (CAP) mengenai kewujudan telur tiruan di pasaran.

Menurut Presidennya, S.M. Mohamed Idris, telur tiruan tersebut mengandungi pelbagai bahan kimia seperti natrium alginat, alum, gelatin, asid benzoik, kalsium klorida serta air dan pewarna lemon.

Bagaimanapun Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Perkhidmatan Veterinar, Datuk Dr. Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin kemudian mengesahkan ujian yang dilakukan terhadap sampel telur ayam tiruan yang dirampas dari sebuah pasar di Pulau Tikus, Pulau Pinang itu mendapati ia tulen.

Sihat

Telur itu memiliki saiz yang luar biasa di samping bentuknya tidak bulat dipercayai berlaku disebabkan penyakit.

Kekalutan yang timbul daripada isu telur tiruan itu membuktikan telur masih penting dalam diet harian rakyat Malaysia.

Sebelum ini, telur dianggap salah satu makanan paling mengelirukan dari segi kesihatan.

Mula-mula ia dikatakan sihat dan sumber protein. Kemudian, telur didapati mengandungi kolesterol dan semua orang beranggapan mengambil telur akan menyebabkan mereka diserang sakit jantung.

Tidak lama selepas itu, penemuan membuktikan kolesterol dalam telur adalah ‘neutral’ dan kita disarankan mengambil beberapa biji telur sehari.

Namun, penemuan pada tahun 2008 oleh penyelidik di Universiti Harvard, Amerika Syarikat mendapati pengambilan sebanyak tujuh biji atau lebih telur dalam seminggu meningkatkan risiko kematian.

Daripada 21,000 lelaki yang dikaji selama lebih 20 tahun mendapati 1,550 orang diserang sakit jantung, 1,342 mendapat strok dan 5,000 meninggal dunia.

Di Malaysia, sukar untuk menentukan secara tepat bilangan telur yang diambil oleh rakyat negara ini kerana mereka turut mengambilnya secara tidak langsung seperti dalam kuih-muih, roti dan makanan lain.

Bagaimanapun, perangkaan daripada Jabatan Perkhidmatan Veterinar menunjukkan pada tahun lalu sebanyak 10 bilion biji telur ayam dan itik dihasilkan di negara ini.

PENGHIDAP penyakit kardiovaskular disarankan mengambil bahagian putih telur sahaja.

Tiga biji

Menurut pakar pemakanan dari Program Dietetik, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Shariza Abd. Razak, apa sahaja makanan yang diambil secara tidak terkawal ditambah gaya hidup yang tidak sihat pasti mendatangkan risiko penyakit kepada individu terbabit.

Beliau menasihatkan pengguna supaya mengambil tidak lebih daripada tiga biji telur ayam seminggu.

“Bagi mereka yang tidak menghidap penyakit seperti tekanan darah tinggi dan hiperlipidemia atau penyakit kardiovaskular, mereka tidak perlu mengikut had yang disarankan, cukup dengan mengambil makanan seimbang.

“Malah kajian terbaru mengatakan pengambilan telur bagi individu normal membantu mengimbangkan kandungan kolesterol dalam badan,” ulasnya.

Telur juga mengandungi kesemua asid amino yang diperlukan oleh badan selain vitamin A, B12, D, asid folik, kolina dan kalsium.

Ia juga mengandungi asid lemak omega 3 yang membantu meningkatkan kandungan kolesterol baik dan mengurangkan risiko sakit jantung.

“Sungguhpun begitu, jika seseorang menghidap penyakit kardiovaskular tetapi sangat meminati telur, mereka disarankan mengambil bahagian putihnya sahaja.

“Pengambilan secara mentah pula tidak digalakkan kerana berkemungkinan mengandungi kuman Salmonella yang boleh menyebabkan keracunan makanan,” ujar Shariza lagi.

Shariza menambah, sebaik-baiknya telur direbus dan tidak digoreng kerana ia akan menambah kandungan lemak dan kalori.

Sejak dahulu lagi, telur sering dikaitkan sebagai salah satu makanan afrodisiak dan mampu meningkatkan tenaga seksual kaum lelaki lebih-lebih lagi telur ayam kampung yang bebas kimia.

Bagaimanapun, Shariza berkata tiada bukti saintifik mengatakan telur dapat meningkat kesihatan seksual.

Tetapi secara logik, jika kita makan makanan yang berzat, tubuh akan berfungsi secara optimum.

DUA biji telur untuk sarapan pagi pasti mengenyangkan.

“Telur pula merupakan makanan lengkap yang diperlukan oleh badan, jadi pengambilannya boleh menyihatkan tubuh,” katanya.

Bagi atlet bina badan, telur merupakan makanan yang disyorkan kerana kandungan proteinnya.

Namun, ia juga perlu disertakan dengan corak pemakanan yang betul dan rutin senaman yang berkala bagi membina otot.

Shariza menambah, bagi mereka yang sentiasa mengalami kekangan waktu untuk mengambil sarapan, mereka disarankan mengambil sebiji telur sehari.

“Ia sudah cukup untuk membekalkan sebanyak 70 kalori dan mengenyangkan,” katanya.

Sebiji telur dianggarkan mengandungi lima gram protein serta merangkumi 12 peratus daripada keperluan protein harian.

Jika pengambilan protein terlalu tinggi, ia akan menyebabkan penghasilan keton.

“Keton merupakan bahan toksik kepada tubuh yang boleh mengakibatkan ginjal dan buah pinggang mengalami beban untuk mengeluarkannya daripada badan.

“Selain itu, ia akan memberi tekanan terhadap jantung dan berhadapan risiko penyahhidratan akibat proses tersebut,” kata Shariza lagi.

Namun, risiko pengambilan lebihan protein adalah rendah kecuali kepada atlet yang terlibat dengan sukan tertentu kerana mereka memerlukan protein dalam jumlah yang besar.

Di pasaran, banyak produk telur didakwa memiliki kandungan asid lemak omega 3 yang baik untuk kesihatan.

Menurut Shariza, telur tersebut biasanya mempunyai kandungan omega 3 tinggi sedikit daripada telur biasa.

Ulasnya, telur tersebut terhasil oleh cara penternakan ayam melalui pemberian makanan yang telah diformulasikan.

“Jika individu yang serius untuk meningkatkan pengambilan omega 3, lebih baik mereka mengambil hidangan ikan kerana ikan mengandungi asid lemak itu dalam kadar yang lebih tinggi,” ulasnya.

Sumber

Elak makan telur mentah

2011-05-02T21:56:00.002+07:00

Dewan bedah tercanggih di Malaysia

PEMBANGUNAN dewan bedah berteknologi tinggi di negara ini dengan ciri-ciri keselamatan yang canggih bukan sahaja mampu meningkatkan taraf kesihatan ke tahap yang lebih tinggi malah, boleh menyelamatkan lebih banyak nyawa.

Usaha yang dilakukan Pusat Perubatan Universiti kebangsaan Malaysia (PPUKM) sejak beberapa tahun lalu kini patut diberi pujian kerana mereka berjaya membangunkan sebuah dewan bedah berdefinisi tinggi (HD) yang dinamakan OR1 bagi memastikan pesakit dibedah dalam suasana yang lebih selamat.

Ruang kondusif dan peralatan penyelesaian lebih ergonomik pula dibekal oleh syarikat penyediaan peralatan pembedahan, Karl Storz dari Jerman menjadikan bilik bedah OR1 lebih dinamik. Ia sekali gus menggalakkan pelancongan kesihatan yang semakin popular hari ini.

Istimewanya dewan itu kerana berupaya membantu pakar bedah menjalankan pembedahan melalui pengawalan sistem peralatan perubatan selain boleh mengadakan lintas langsung atau telekonferens dengan pakar sama ada di dalam atau luar negara.

Timbalan Pengarah Pusat Kemahiran Pembedahan Lanjutan (ASSC) PPUKM, Prof. Dr. Hanafiah Harunarashid memberitahu, OR1 merupakan teknologi pertama di Asia Tenggara dan Malaysia sangat bertuah menjadi negara pertama menggunakannya.

Menurut beliau, pakar bedah juga mampu meminimumkan kesilapan ketika melakukan pembedahan laparoskopik dan endoskopik kerana mereka berupaya mengawal penuh sistem komputer, kuasa lampu, suhu dewan bedah dan sebagainya.

Kata beliau, perkembangan teknologi dewan bedah tersebut yang menggunakan aplikasi elektronik membolehkan operasi bedah berjalan lebih lancar dan mudah berbanding dewan bedah terdahulu yang kurang teratur.

Kata pakar bedah itu lagi, walaupun teknologi laparoskop yang digunakan ketika pembedahan laparoskopik dibangunkan sejak tahun 1980-an tetapi, pada ketika itu hanya melibatkan alatan asas berbanding teknologi terkini yang banyak mengaplikasi aspek elektronik.

Skrin HD dan sentuh

MALAYSIA menjadi negara pertama di Asia Tenggara yang memiliki bilik bedah OR1.

“Dewan bedah itu dianggap istimewa kerana kita menggunakan peralatan paling canggih. Jadi, kita boleh lakukan pembedahan laparoskopik tanpa membuat pembedahan terbuka lagi.

“Paparan skrin berdefinisi penuh sangat jelas berbanding sebelum ini bahkan, kita boleh menggunakan alat dengan lubang sekecil lima milimeter (mm) untuk memasukkan peralatan ke dalam tubuh manusia dan hampir tiada luka,” katanya ketika ditemui Kosmo! baru-baru ini.

Mengulas lanjut mengenai perjalanan sistem yang hanya terdapat di PPUKM, Hanafiah berkata, semua pakar bedah perlu membuat pendaftaran sebelum menggunakan dewan bedah OR1 melalui sistem komputer.

“Sebagai contoh mudah, semua peralatan itu seperti checkpoint kapal terbang. Selagi semua tidak di set dengan baik, ia tidak boleh berlepas, ini semua bagi memastikan tiada masalah kelak,” ujarnya.

Tambah Hanafiah, pakar bedah juga boleh mengawal pelbagai peralatan seperti lampu, kamera dan sebagainya seperti diinginkan mereka dengan hanya menyentuh paparan skrin umpama gajet iPhone atau iPad.

Dedah beliau, melalui OR1, pakar bedah juga mampu melakukan pembedahan secara bersendirian tanpa bantuan jururawat, namun perkara itu bergantung kepada jenis pembedahan.

Kesesuaian dewan bedah itu juga dilengkapi kemudahan telekonferens bagi pembedahan yang lebih kompleks. Sekiranya seseorang doktor memerlukan pandangan pakar yang berada jauh beribu kilometer sekali pun, mereka boleh berbincang melalui sidang video sahaja.

“Kita juga boleh melakukan pelbagai jenis pembedahan yang sebelum ini mungkin sukar dilaksanakan dan kini kita boleh lakukannya.

PAPARAN berdefinisi tinggi mampu mengurangkan kesilapan ketika melakukan pembedahan.

“Sebagai contoh, dengan teknologi buatan Jerman ini kita boleh melakukan pembedahan untuk bayi berusia seawal dua bulan sama ada yang mempunyai masalah paru-paru, ginjal, hati atau pun pankreas,” katanya.

Antara kelebihan melakukan pembedahan menerusi OR1 adalah pesakit cepat sembuh, kesakitan serta pendarahan juga kurang kerana potongan dilakukan secara minimum.

Bukan itu sahaja, pada hari pembedahan juga, pesakit sudah boleh pulang. Bagi orang dewasa, dua hari selepas pembedahan mereka boleh meneruskan kerja kembali.

Berbanding pembedahan yang dilakukan secara terbuka, selain rasa lebih sakit, pesakit akan ditahan di unit rawatan rapi (ICU) lebih daripada seminggu selepas pembedahan.

Bagaimanapun ujar Hanafiah, secanggih mana peralatan itu pasti terdapat kekangan yang menghalang. Salah satunya kekurangan tenaga mahir untuk menggunakannya kerana sistem berkenaan masih baru.

“Justeru, kami memerlukan lebih ramai pelatih dan sebab itu juga ASSC memperuntuk 12 makmal di kompleks yang turut menempatkan OR1 bagi melatih mereka mengendalikan alat itu dengan mahir.

“Kita tahu, pembedahan laparoskopik jika tidak dilatih dengan baik boleh membawa banyak kemudaratan kepada pesakit. Oleh itu, mereka perlu dilatih sebaik mungkin,” ujarnya.

Sumber

Dewan bedah tercanggih di Malaysia

2011-05-02T21:30:00.004+07:00

Sihat mulut, Sihat Badan

PEPATAH Cina ada menyebut, mulut itu pintu masuk kepada kesihatan tubuh badan kerana semua penyakit datangnya dari mulut. Manakala semua masalah datangnya daripada pertuturan.

Bagaimanapun, mulut didiami ribuan bakteria yang boleh menyebabkan kerosakan gigi dan penyakit periodontal atau gusi, kata Presiden Persatuan Pergigian Malaysia (MDA), Datuk Dr. How Kim Chuan.

Penyakit periodontal ialah jangkitan bakteria yang merosakkan tulang sekeliling akar gigi menyebabkan gigi menjadi longgar.

Ia disebabkan plak bakteria, selaput kekuningan melekit yang sentiasa terbentuk di gigi.

Antara simptom sakit periodontal ialah gusi merah, bengkak dan berdarah, kemunculan poket-poket periodontal, gigi longgar dan nafas berbau.

Walaupun begitu, tidak ramai pesakit sedar akan kehadiran penyakit itu kerana simptom-simptom biasanya tidak disertai kesakitan, kata Dr. Kim Chuan.

Mujurlah tanda-tanda keradangan itu dapat dirawat sepenuhnya jika disertai dengan langkah pencegahan, motivasi serta kerjasama daripada pesakit, katanya.

Ujarnya, terdapat banyak kajian yang menyelidik kemungkinan berkaitnya penyakit oral (mulut) dengan kesihatan sistemik tubuh badan.

"Para penyelidik mendapati periodontitis (keradangan gusi), peringkat mendalam penyakit periodontal, mempunyai kaitan dengan penyakit sistemik seperti penyakit kardiovaskular, strok, kencing manis dan pneumonia bakteria.

" Kajian juga menunjukkan bakteria dan keradangan memainkan peranan lebih bahaya dalam penyakit sistemik seperti kencing manis kerana mengurangkan ketahanan tubuh terhadap risiko jangkitan dan membuatkan penyakit periodontal semakin teruk.

"Jadi mereka yang menghidap kencing manis selalunya juga mempunyai penyakit periodontal. Malah ada kajian yang mengatakan periodontitis memberi kesan ke atas kawalan gula dalam tubuh badan," terang Dr. Kim Chuan.

Beberapa kajian turut mengaitkan bengkak yang kronik dari periodontitis dengan masalah kardiovaskular, arteri tersumbat dan strok.

Beliau menerangkan, plak gigi mungkin berkaitan dengan plak yang melekat pada lapisan dalam pembuluh darah iaitu arteri. Ini menyebabkan arteri mengeras dan mengehadkan aliran darah.

Penghasilan arteriosklerosis itu diburukkan lagi dengan mendakan lemak dan kolesterol. Ini boleh berlaku di mana-mana arteri, terutama arteri jantung yang menyebabkan sakit jantung dan arteri otak yang menyebabkan strok.

Beliau menerangkan, penyelidik juga mendapati penjagaan oral yang kurang baik boleh meningkatkan risiko mendapat pneumonia jenis aspirasi.

Pneumonia jenis ini berlaku apabila seseorang tersedut bendasing seperti makanan atau cecair yang menyebabkan iritasi kepada paru-paru. Ini seterusnya menyebabkan jangkitan bernanah, keradangan dan sakit pneumonia.

Bakteria di mulut ekoran kaviti dan penjagaan oral yang tidak sempurna juga boleh tersedut ke dalam paru-paru dan menyebabkan pneumonia jenis itu, kata Dr. Kim Chuan. - Bernama

Sumber

Sihat mulut,sihat badan

2011-05-02T21:21:00.002+07:00

Telur Asli dan Telur Palsu

ADA beberapa fakta menarik yang boleh dikongsi mengenai industri telur di negara ini. Antaranya ialah, Malaysia merupakan antara negara pengeksport telur dengan pengeluaran tahap sara diri (SSL) mencapai 123 peratus.

Industri telur kita mengeluarkan 9.2 bilion biji telur setahun dengan nilai RM2.2 bilion setahun.

Angka itu diperoleh daripada Kementerian Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani pada 2009.

Ini bermakna kita mengeluarkan telur yang melebihi keperluan.

Fakta-fakta ini sudah cukup menggambarkan tidak ada sebab kita perlu mengeluarkan telur sintetik atau boleh disebut dengan mudah sebagai telur palsu.

Malaysia mula mencapai tahap SSL sejak 1980-an lagi dengan adanya teknologi terkini dalam pengurusan ayam penelur dan sistem pemakanan yang baik.

Penggunaan sistem reban tertutup dengan persekitaran terkawal, pemberian makanan , pengutipan telur serta penggredan secara automatik menjadikan industri ini berkembang cukup pantas.

Justeru kewujudan apa yang dianggap sebagai telur palsu seperti yang dilaporkan di Pulau Piang baru-baru ini menimbulkan sedikit kesangsian.

Sebagai negara pengeksport, tidak ada sebab untuk mengeluarkan telur palsu yang mungkin harganya lebih mahal dan tidak mungkin ia dapat bertahan untuk menyaingi telur asli.

Sebab itu, penyelidik berpendapat, telur yang didakwa palsu itu sebenarnya telur bergred rendah yang ditolak dalam sistem penggredan dan tidak dipasarkan.

Institut Penyelidikan dan Kemajuan Pertanian Malaysia (MARDI) mempunyai makmal tersendiri untuk menilai dan mengenal pasti telur berkualiti.

Menurut Timbalan Pengarah yang juga Pegawai Penyelidik Prinsipal Kanan Program Pemakanan Ternakan, Pusat Penyelidikan Ternakan Strategik MARDI, Wong Hee Kum, perbandingan dengan telur asli boleh digunakan untuk membuktikan ketulenan atau sebaliknya.

"Ada beberapa faktor luaran dan dalaman telur boleh dijadikan ciri-ciri perbandingan untuk membuktikan telur asli atau telur palsu," katanya ketika ditemui di pejabatnya di Serdang baru-baru ini.

Telur asli mempunyai warna cangkerang sama ada putih atau perang (coklat). Warna ini pula ditentukan daripada baka ayam yang digunakan .

Baka ayam bulu dan cuping telinga putih akan mengeluarkan telur cangkerang putih manakala ayam berbulu merah dan cuping telinga merah mengeluarkan telur warna perang.

Meskipun terdapat perbezaan warna, ia tidak membezakan kualiti.

Sementara itu Penolong Pegawai Penyelidik Kanan di bahagian yang sama, Noraziah Mokhtar berkata, telur putih tidak lagi terdapat di pasaran ketika ini kerana pengguna di negara ini tidak menggemarinya.

"Komposisi kimianya atau kandungannya adalah sama dengan telur perang tetapi pengguna di negara ini tidak memilihnya menyebabkannya ia tidak lagi dihasilkan," ujarnya.

Seperti juga rakan penyelidiknya, Noraziah berkata, ujian kualiti boleh mengesahkan sama ada telur tersebut palsu atau sebaliknya.

Antara yang dilakukan ialah menjalani proses candling (pendianan) yang mana telur berkenaan dilalukan di bawah cahaya dan beberapa kriteria diperhatikan.

Telur normal yang berkualiti biasanya mempunyai ruang udara pada hujung atas yang lebih kecil. Bagi telur lama ruang udaranya lebih besar.

Cangkerang yang nipis juga menunjukkan telur berkenaan tidak berkualiti.

Selain itu kuning telur dipegang oleh tisu yang dipanggil sebagai kalaza.

Oleh itu beberapa teori mudah ialah tidak mungkin pembuat telur palsu mampu menghasilkan tisu berkenaan dalam sebiji telur.

Pada masa sama, saiz telur asli dan bentuknya tidak terlalu sekata sedangkan jika ia cuba ditiru, maka pembuat telur perlu menyediakan acuan khas.

Ini sekali gus dapat membezakan rupa bentuk luaran telur antara yang palsu dan asli.

Bahaya telur palsu

ISU pengeluaran telur yang dikatakan palsu baru-baru membuka mata kita betapa bahayanya menikmati apa yang kita suka tanpa mempedulikan dari mana sumbernya.

Seperkara lagi ialah, kita tidak menyangka ada pihak sedia mengambil kesempatan untuk mengaut untung tanpa memikirkan kesannya kepada orang lain.

Demikian risiko yang kita tanggung apabila memakan telur yang dikatakan palsu.

Telur palsu itu dikatakan dihasilkan daripada bahan-bahan kimia yang sudah pasti mengundang bahaya kepada badan.

Telur palsu atau fake egg dikatakan dihasilkan di China kerana mereka berpendapat, menghasilkan telur palsu lebih murah berbanding memelihara ayam penelur.

"Tidak mustahil (menghasilkan telur palsu), kerana benda serumit manapun manusia boleh hasilkan inikan pula telur palsu," kata Pengarah Institut Pertanian Tropika Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Prof Dr. Zulkifli Idrus.

Beliau yang pakar menjalankan penyelidikan berkenaan ayam bagaimanapun berkata, sekiranya pereka telur palsu itu ingin bersaing dengan yang asli mereka terpaksa mengeluarkan kos yang tinggi

"Ini kerana, jika hanya meniru menghasilkan kuning telur , putih telur (albumen) dan cangkerang, maka ia tidak mampu bersaing dengan telur asli (daripada segi zat)," ujarnya.

Pada masa sama, agak mudah untuk membezakan antara telur asli dan palsu daripada segi luaran dan dalaman.

Laporan menyebut bahawa menghasilkan telur sendiri lebih murah berbanding menternak ayam penelur di China.

Mengenai perkara itu, Zulkifli berkata, penternakan ayam penelur memang rumit dan kos tinggi.

Ini kerana, penternak memerlukan ratusan ribu ekor ayam penelur untuk memastikan mereka memperoleh keuntungan minimum sedangkan keuntungan yang sama boleh diperoleh dengan menternak ayam pedaging pada kuantiti yang jauh lebih rendah.

Ayam penelur pula hanya mengeluarkan hasil (mula bertelur) selepas 20 minggu sedangkan ayam daging sudah boleh dijual selepas lima minggu.

"Keuntungan menjual telur pula hanya dua atau tiga sen sebiji," ujar beliau.

Apatah lagi sebiji telur asli dibentuk oleh ayam dalam tempoh 24 jam termasuk pembentukan cangkerang sahaja hampir 20 jam.

Oleh itu jika pihak yang menghasilkan telur tiruan berkata, mereka ingin menjual telur pada harga yang lebih murah, ia bertentangan dengan logik kerana bahan tambahan mineral yang perlu disuntik memerlukan kos yang tinggi.

"Saya kurang setuju jika telur tiruan ini murah. Banyak perkara perlu ditiru selain kuning, putih dan cangkerang telur.

"Ini termasuk kalaza dalam telur yang fungsinya memegang kuning telur. Ini saya rasa sukar ditiru," katanya.

Melainkan ada usaha untuk mengabui mata pembeli yang menggunakan taktik mencampurkan telur asli dan telur palsu untuk mengaut untung

Namun, bagi pengguna, Zulkifli memberi peringatan bahawa amat bahaya memakan telur palsu kerana ia dihasilkan daripada bahan kimia.

Mengenai isu yang dibangkitkan oleh Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang (CAP) bahawa mereka menemui telur palsu di negeri itu, Zulkifli berkata, ia tidak mustahil berlaku.

Sumber
Telur Tulen Berkualiti
Bahaya Telur Palsu

Top Universities & Colleges in Indonesia 2011

2011-05-02T21:12:00.003+07:00

World Rank Name Country Rank

583 Universitas Gadjah Mada 1

599 University of Indonesia 2

770 Institute of Technology Bandung 3

1000 Airlangga University 4

1004 Diponegoro University 5

1007 Petra Christian University 6

1010 Gunadarma University 7

1015 Andalas University 8

1017 Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember 9

1018 Universitas Negeri Malang * 10

1026 Universitas Sriwijaya 11

1041 Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta 12

1056 Universitas Sumatera Utara 13

1204 Bogor Agricultural University 14

1217 Universitas Islam Indonesia 15

1253 Universitas Sebelas Maret 16

1382 Unikom 17

1395 Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang 18

1831 Yogyakarta State University 19

1880 Indonesia University of Education * 20

1927 Universitas Padjadjaran 21

2167 Universitas Mercu Buana 22

2335 Electronic Engineering Polytechnic Institute of Su.. 23

2398 Universitas Lampung 24

2427 Bina Nusantara University 25

2587 Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta 26

2615 Universitas Hasanuddin University 27

2702 Universitas Negeri Semarang 28

2757 Brawijaya University * 29

2835 Universitas Udayana 30

2850 Universitas Riau Beranda 31

2949 Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University 32

3121 Universitas Katolik Parahyangan 33

3145 Institut Agama Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel 34

3483 STIKOM Surabaya 35

3489 ISI Denpasar 36

3762 Informatics and Computer College Stmik Amikom 37

3878 Universitas Tarumanagara * 38

4127 Duta Wacana Christian University 39

4323 Universitas Widyatama 40

4337 Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya 41

4416 Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Mal.. 42

4575 Institut Teknologi Telkom (Sekolah Tinggi Teknolog.. 43

4788 Universitas Terbuka 44

4802 Universitas Trisakti 45

4815 Universitas Paramadina 46

4922 Ahmad Dahlan University 47

4935 Universitas Jember 48

5475 Institut Sains & Teknologi Akprind 49

5724 Universitas Sanata Dharma 50

5785 Universitas Pelita Harapan 51

5797 Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana 52

5830 Universitas Surabaya 53

5883 Universitas Malikussaleh 54

6056 Universitas Jenderal Soedirman 55

6472 Universitas Negeri Padang 56

6496 Universitas Negeri Makassar 57

6563 Universitas Dian Nuswantoro 58

6655 Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta 59

6664 Universitas Negeri Gorontalo 60

6679 Universitas Katolik Soegijapranata 61

6750 Universitas Budi Luhur 62

6802 Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha 63

6893 Maranatha Christian University 64

6896 Universitas Wijaya Kusuma Surabaya 65

6947 Universitas Negeri Medan 66

7019 Universitas Sam Ratulangi 67

7435 Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakar.. 68

7546 Universitas Al Azhar 69

7563 Universitas Darma Persada 70

7608 Sekolah Tinggi Manajemen Informatika dan Komputer .. 71

7662 ABFI Institute Perbanas 72

7786 Universitas Bina Darma 73

8099 Universitas Negeri Jakarta 74

8253 Universitas Mulawarman 75

8295 Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Yogyakart.. 76

8315 Universitas Bengkulu 77

8338 Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jawa Timu.. 78

8359 University Dr Soetomo Surabaya 79

8394 Universitas Jambi 80

8514 Widya Manadala Catholic University 81

8692 Sekolah Tinggi Informatika dan Komputer Indonesia 82

8806 Universitas Bangka Belitung 83

8930 Universitas Islam Bandung 84

8940 Syiah Kuala University 85

8998 STIE YKPN Yogyakarta 86

9029 Universitas Narotama 87

9050 Universitas Mataram 88

9200 Universitas Yarsi 89

9217 Universitas Pancasila 90

9381 Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim 91

9491 Politeknik Negeri Pontianak 92

9678 Universitas Ma Chung 93

9763 Universitas Lambung Mangkurat 94

9777 Swiss German University 95

10039 Politeknik Negeri Bandung 96

10175 Universitas Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa 97

10202 Islamic University of Sultan Agung 98

10250 Universitas Mercu Buana Yogyakarta 99

10291 Lembaga Pendidikan Perkebunan 100

The ranking main factors are Size, Visibility, Research papers and scholars.

http://www.topstudylinks.com/Top-Universities-in-indonesia-c124.aspx

PKPMI Cawangan Palembang

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (20/11/2011)4th : GOLD - 59 , SILVER - 50 , BRONZE - 81 = TOTAL 190MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (20/11/2011)4th : GOLD - 52 , SILVER - 45 , BRONZE - 70 = TOTAL 167MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (19/11/2011)4th : GOLD - 47 , SILVER - 43 , BRONZE - 64 = TOTAL 154MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (18/11/2011)4th : GOLD - 41 , SILVER - 40 , BRONZE - 55 = TOTAL 136MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (17/11/2011 , 21:45)4th : GOLD - 35 , SILVER - 33 , BRONZE - 50 = TOTAL 118MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (16/11/2011 , 22:20)5th : GOLD - 27 , SILVER - 24 , BRONZE - 44 = TOTAL 95MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (15/11/2011 , 22:03)5th : GOLD - 22 , SILVER - 21 , BRONZE - 34 = TOTAL 77MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (14/11/2011 , 22:45)5th : GOLD - 12 , SILVER - 14 , BRONZE - 22 = TOTAL 48MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (13/11/2011 , 21:35)5th : GOLD - 9 , SILVER - 10 , BRONZE - 15 = TOTAL 34MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (12/11/2011 , 21:30)5th : GOLD - 2 , SILVER - 5 , BRONZE - 6 = TOTAL 13MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

Hidup sedentari lemahkan tulang

Lelaki juga berisiko dijangkiti HPV

Kenali punca sakit

Memulihkan hormon

Sakit bagai dicucuk jarum

Suhu panas rosakkan ubat

Aktif bersenam pintar matematik

Sakit perut bukan remeh

Kerap hamil jejas tulang

Lelaki lebih terdedah pada diabetes jenis 2

Ubat bertukar racun

A common cancer

Kebaikan makan pisang

My obsession

Wnt tentukan rambut beruban

Coping with creaky joints

Shopping for doctors

Big isn’t always better

The allergy march

All about aspirin

Breakthrough for prostate cancer

What causes cancer?

Blood work

Cool it!: Keep cool while exercising

Kawal kolestrol tinggi

The trouble with food

25 peratus pelajar obes pada 2020?

Custom-fit knees

A chronic disease?

Intervensi awal cegah kecacatan

High anxiety

PET scans

Cara guna enjin carian

Kesan stres terhadap daya kerja

Hormon untuk pertahan tulang

Jaga pemakanan warga emas

Elak lambakan doktor kelas tiga

Sumber air dicemari bakteria

Irritated gut

Avokado buah kaya nutrisi

Mudarat gula berlebihan

Risiko penghidap diabetes mati awal

Elak makan telur mentah

Dewan bedah tercanggih di Malaysia

Bahaya telur palsu

Top Universities & Colleges in Indonesia 2011

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (20/11/2011)

4th : GOLD - 59 , SILVER - 50 , BRONZE - 81 = TOTAL 190

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (20/11/2011)

4th : GOLD - 52 , SILVER - 45 , BRONZE - 70 = TOTAL 167

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (19/11/2011)

4th : GOLD - 47 , SILVER - 43 , BRONZE - 64 = TOTAL 154

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (18/11/2011)

4th : GOLD - 41 , SILVER - 40 , BRONZE - 55 = TOTAL 136

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (17/11/2011 , 21:45)

4th : GOLD - 35 , SILVER - 33 , BRONZE - 50 = TOTAL 118

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (16/11/2011 , 22:20)

5th : GOLD - 27 , SILVER - 24 , BRONZE - 44 = TOTAL 95

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (15/11/2011 , 22:03)

5th : GOLD - 22 , SILVER - 21 , BRONZE - 34 = TOTAL 77

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (14/11/2011 , 22:45)

5th : GOLD - 12 , SILVER - 14 , BRONZE - 22 = TOTAL 48

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (13/11/2011 , 21:35)

5th : GOLD - 9 , SILVER - 10 , BRONZE - 15 = TOTAL 34

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!

Malaysian Contingent Current Medal Tally (12/11/2011 , 21:30)

5th : GOLD - 2 , SILVER - 5 , BRONZE - 6 = TOTAL 13

MALAYSIA BOLEH !!!