PatientsEngage General Community

Alok Kaushik, now 40, talks about his transition from the life of a sighted person to a blind person. “Start living in the solution domain rather than the problem domain,” he says, sharing the solutions that help him maintain his independence. Please tell us a bit about your condition. I have Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), which is a disease of the retina that causes the photo-receptor cells in the retina, i.e. rods and cones, to degenerate in a progressive manner, leading…

Which is the greater evil? How much fat is necessary in your diet? How to read food labels? Registered dietitian and diabetes educator Ujjwala Baxi has all the information.  The human diet is always evolving. And with each evolution comes strong and focused criticism of certain foods. Some decades ago, it was the fat in our diet that was demonised and 0% fat diets and recipes flourished on bookshelves and the dinner table. But very soon, it was realised that going nil…

Maintaining good oral health is more than just about keeping cavities at bay. Your dental health has far-reaching consequences on your body, with oral bacteria being linked to many life-threatening conditions, like cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, renal health and even brain abcess. Oral hygiene and overall good health  Like many areas of the body, your mouth is teeming with bacteria, most of them harmless. Normally the body's natural defences and good oral health can keep these…

Our food comes from all over the world. What can you do to ensure that the food on your table is safe to eat. Nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju offers food safety tips on World Health Day.  Take a look at the food on your plate. It can lead to pleasure and health, or it can make you very ill. Every year, food- and water-borne diarrheal diseases kill 2.2 million people worldwide, many of them children (http://www.who.int/foodsafety/areas_work/foodborne-diseases/en/).…

By Bruce Broussard, President and CEO at Humana  Jan 27, 2015 Do we know how to handle death as we do life? Most of us don’t think about the former; we’re so wrapped up in our busy lives that it doesn’t really enter our thoughts that often. We’re focused on getting the kids to school; meeting the next deadline at work; getting the family together for dinner. Due to advances in health and medicine, people over 65 are able to live longer than in any previous generation. They’re wearing…

While conscious but not knowing her life was at risk, the patient was against amputation. Lawyer Lyn Boxall presents a case of doctors acting in the best interest of the patient when only an amputation could save her life.  Mdm LP, a diabetic, consulted Dr Tan at the Gleneagles Medical Centre in October 2005 complaining about pain in both feet1.  She said she had been told by doctors at Singapore General Hospital and at Tan Tock Seng hospital that her right leg had…

1. Processed and Red Meat: contribute to colorectal cancer, the most common cancer in Singapore and one of the top 5 cancers in India as well as to stomach, breast, endometrium, oesophagus cancer. Regular consumption, even in small quantities increase your risk because of presence of nitrates and nitrites. 2. Cured and Salted Fish: Preserved fish are high in nitrates and nitrites and increase the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer.  Opt for oily fish like salmon, sardines and tuna which are…

By Dr. Shital Raval How to avoid Swine Flu or H1N1 Wear a face mask when stepping out of the house. Avoid crowded places. Stay away from people who have a cough or cold. Practice good hand hygiene, wash hands often. Carry a hand sanitizer with you always. Avoid catching a cold by taking a multivitamin daily, avoiding stepping out early morning and late night Eat healthy.   Drink plenty of water and fluids. Use disposable tissues instead of towels or handkerchiefs. Ask your doctor about…

We keeping making resolutions to exercise more. If you are like me you have resolved to go for the morning walk, run, yoga session and never did get around to waking up earlier. Its not too late. Here are some tricks on how to get out of bed earlier.. My favourite is No. 3. It always works.. Which one is yours ? http://www.fastcompany.com/3041455/body-week/8-tricks-to-make-yourself-wake-up-earlier 1. Get up just one minute earlier (Each Day)  2. Motivate yourself by chasing small wins…

Sleep deprivation is rampant. A 30 minute nap is beneficial to your health!  This article specifically talks of the negative effects of sleep deprivation in caregivers :  forgetfulness, lowered alertness,premature aging,  decrease creativity, lower immune system, increased risk of stroke, diabetes, unwanted weight gain and increased possibility for a heart attack. Caregiver statistics show caregivers are often exhausted at the end of the day. Many  find that they…