Scientific research has conclusively confirmed a very strong relationship between cigarette smoke and certain cancers (e.g. lung cancer). Smoking also increases the risk of cardiovascular accidents such as heart attack and stroke. Smoking also stained your teeth and leave behind a nasty odour in our breath.
We have all heard about the harmful effects of smoking. I read another interest freak accident caused by smoking. A security guard by the name of Andi Susanto from Indonesia apparently lost six of his teeth when a cigarette mysteriously exploded in his mouth last week. The Tobacco Company in Indonesia apparently offered to pay for his treatment and the case was settled out of court.
Mr Susanto said he did not find anything unusual in his cigarette when the incident occurred. Nonetheless he said he would quit smoking after this incident.
It took a cigarette to explode in the mouth of this man for him to realize the danger of smoking and decided to quite smoking.
Many smokers still persisted on smoking despite all the gruesome photos of damaged organs shown on the cigarette packaging.
They are literally waiting for a catastrophic disease to strike them before they decide to quit smoking.
Diabetes is a very common chronic medical problem that affects many people in modern society. The prevalence of Diabetes mellitus is a major concern among doctors, policy makers, economists and politicians. It is estimated that by 2030 there will be over 360 million people with Diabetes mellitus around the whole world. According to the 2004 National Health Survey, the prevalence of Diabetes in Singapore is about 8.2%. That means about 8 out of every Singaporean adult is suffering from Diabetes.
Diabetes can lead to many serious complications and is a major condition that is driving up healthcare cost in many parts of the world. Complications resulting from poorly controlled Diabetes include heart attacks, strokes, blindness, amputations and kidney failures.
Sadly many patients who are suffering from Diabetes are not following up with their doctors regularly. Some are avoiding treatments and medications. Some blatantly ignore the dietary advice and lifestyle modifications advised by their doctors. Diabetics should seek regular follow up and take their medications faithfully as well as modify their diets and make changes to their lifestyles. They should also monitor their blood sugar level regularly as well as aim to achieve the optimal HbA1C target of 7%.
Yet, even more sadly, there are many people who do not even know that they are suffering from Diabetes till it is discovered at a late stage after complications have set in.
We encourage everyone to go for annual health screening. At the very least you should get your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose check regularly. A random fasting glucose is not expensive and can help to detect early cases of Diabetes.
Book Health Screening Appointment at MHC Medical Centre here
Regular exercise helps to keep you fit and agile. It is benefits your cardiovascular system and helps to prevent stroke and heart attacks.
There is new evidence that regular physical exercise offers more than physical fitness. Exercise actually helps to fight mental ageing. Physical exercise can be very effective in improving thinking and memory impairments in the elderly.
People with mental impairments such as memory lapses and forgetfulness have a higher chance to develop dementia. Researchers found that this group of people who are suffering from mental impairments (also referred to as cognitive impairments) can benefit from physical activities such as swimming, brisk walking and cycling.
In fact this group of people becomes mentally more agile with improved memory and ability to multitask after a period of regular physical exercise.
Now you have more reason to exercise. Start moving and stay active. Physical exercises will keep your brain younger and makes you more agile mentally.
This funny Thai commercial video advocates the value of exercise.
Obese people face many problems and are also at risk of contracting many diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart attack and stroke.
I just read in the news that they may have to pay more for airfare on fully booked Air France KLM flight if they cannot fit into a single seat.
It is not healthy to be obese. It is like being imprisoned in your own body. It is also a time bomb waiting to explode one day.
Start exercising now and eat more vegetables and cut down on your calories, fat and sugar intake.
Our body is designed to move and not to lead a sedentary lifestyle. Physical activity is good for your health. Yet for most people the level of activity has been reduced to typing on the keyboards or clicking the remote control.
Researchers have shown conclusively that sitting for many hours in front of the television or computer can shorten a person’s life.
The number of hours we spent in front of the television is proportional to the increase in the risk of dying earlier from cardiovascular diseases.
In fact I just came across a study published by the American Heart Association which reported that that every hour spent in front of the television was associated with an 11% increase in risk of death from all causes, a 9 % higher risk of cancer death and an 18% increased risk of death from cardiovascular diseases.
You want to live longer? Get up and start moving and do some exercises. Don’t be a couch potato!
There has been some controversy over whether mammograms should be done at 40 or 50 for woman following the guideline issued by United States Preventive Services Task Force recently.
Now the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) have issued a joint and firm recommendation that screening mammography should be done annually starting from the age of 40 for women at average risk of breast cancer. This contradicts the earlier guideline issued by the United States Preventive Services Task Force which made the recommendation against early routine mammogram screening to spare some women from the unnecessary suffering and cost incurred due to false positive tests.
Women with high risk of breast cancer (referring to those women who have a strong family history of breast cancer and those who have mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes) should have the screening mammogram done earlier at the age of 30. This high risk group of women should also go for annual MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) test since this is more sensitive in detecting breast cancer than mammogram
Mammography screening of breast cancer has significantly reduced the mortality from breast cancer. For most women this is a good enough reason to go for early screening since they would rather have their cancer detected earlier.
As you enter into the New Year 2010, you should aim to keep your body and mind healthy!
A major catastrophic sickness like cancer, stroke or heart attack can drain your entire bank account especially if you are not insured. Being stricken with a chronic illness such as hypertension, diabetes or high cholesterol can increase your insurance premium, keep you away from works, and make you spend money on medicine and medical consultation.
Being unwell will also keep you away from works and prevent you from being able to enjoy your hobbies and life to the fullest.
Being in poor health will only guarantee you a shorter life span and miserable lifestyle. It will also mean that you will become poorer.
So make it a New Year resolution to stay in health! Exercise regularly. Eat healthy nutritious and balanced diet and go for regular health screening.
Resolve to be in health for the New Year because health is good wealth. Don’t let poor health shatter your dream!
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