Sunny Health

It's not hard to find horror stories about mobile appliances and cancer. On the other hand, numerous studies have sprung up to debunk these theories. So what should you believe? Is it time you ditch the Iphones and Blackberrys? Let's find out.

What's the link between mobile devices and cancer you might ask? Reports of a link between the two have periodically surfaced ever since cell phones became common appendages to people’s heads in the 1990s. There has been no concrete evidence as The National Cancer Institute in the US and Time Magazine (May 17) seem to think so. No big deal right? Not quite. It seems a growing number of independent researchers beg to differ.

Let's start with what the people who support the fact that the prolonged usage of mobile devices is one of the factors for brain cancer are saying.

1. Statistical evidence from research and studies show that there will be an increase in the number of brain tumours over a period of 30 years.

2. People who started using mobile/ cordless phones as teens have a 420% higher risk of getting brain cancer.

3. Use of cell phones inside buildings or in cars increases cancer risk, as it increases the radiation a phone must emit to function.

4. People are advised against carrying cell phones against the body, even in pockets.

5. It is ill advised to sleep with mobile phones placed under pillows. (Uh, I'm guilty of that.)

6. Use of text messaging and non-wireless headsets can reduce cancer risk.

* all data was extracted from the findings of the International Electromagnetic Field Collaborative

In fact if these same folks had it their way, they want parents to ensure that children below the age of 18 not be allowed to use mobile phones except in emergencies. It's happening right now in France actually where children in elementary schools can only use their phones for texting.

But it wouldn't be a fair article if we didn't take a look at what the detractors say right? So here we go.

1. Cancer generally requires mutation, i.e., DNA damage, and cell phone signals, radio waves, WiFi - none of these have enough energy to break the chemical bonds that hold your DNA together.

2. Experts believe that there was too much inconclusive data to link mobile phones and brain cancer. The observation period has been too short to because 20 years ago mobile phones did not possess the popularity they currently have.

3. Electromagnetic energy from cell phones and radio towers are categorized as non-ionizing radiation and are generally thought to be harmless.

4. Basically the microwave radiation waves used for mobile phones are already in the air anyway. If mobile phones caused cancer, we'd all be in trouble - not just mobile phone owners.

In my opinion sure. Mobile phones CAN kill - the biggest proven health risk of cell phones is traffic accidents caused when talking on the phone while on the road.

Maybe tomorrow things will change, and we'll find that cell phones are harmful. But till that day comes I'll be holding on to my Iphone for a little while longer.

In a recently conducted survey by the Heath Promotion Board (HPB), it was discovered that one out of ten Singaporeans were overweight.

*Horror*

Granted, we’re still a long way off the obesity rates of countries like the US and UK (in the US, one in three people were obese). But don’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet. It seems that Singapore’s rate of obesity among its population – a 0.65 per cent increase from the year 2004 – is similar to these countries. What this means is that if nothing is done to curb this trend soon, we’ll end up having to shop for clothes a few sizes larger than usual in the not too distant future.

So what does this boil down to? Simple. Singaporeans are not getting enough exercise and they’re not eating healthily. What’s even more worrying is that all of this is happening in spite the efforts of the HPB in promoting awareness, healthy living programmes with emphasis on exercise and a healthy diet.

Remember, taking small steps is often better that asking to drastically change entire lifestyles overnight. Let us not kid ourselves with instant fixes. The changes we seek can only come about with diligence over time. So immerse yourself in supportive environments, skip the finger food, be an informed customer when it comes to nutritional values of food. The list goes on. With every small success, won’t you feel motivated to do much more? I know I am.

We’re losing the battle of the bulge but we can still win the war.

Wait what? You might be thinking “That’s nice and all Mr Writer, but what in blazes does it have to do with me?”

Good question.

Detecting biomarkers early can significantly improve the chances of diagnosing a cancer tumour at its earliest stage. Well consider the fact that for most cancers the chances of a cure are significantly higher if found and treated early. Wouldn’t that be reason enough to find out more about biomarkers?

There are numerous types of biomarkers that have been identified to date. Examples include protein biomarkers, DNA biomarkers, pathological biomarkers and so on. So how do doctors examine you for biomarkers? Well, you walk into the doctor’s office, nurses and doctors will take samples of your blood and usually in a few weeks you will be asked to return to collect the results of your blood tests.

If you learn from your doctor that you have cancer and the only way to make sure was to perform some tests, you probably wouldn’t want to wait for a few weeks to find out what’s going on. You’d want to know right away. So some good people in the US have developed a new micro-device that cuts the waiting time of a few weeks into mere days.

All this good news comes at a price. For all its uses, proper validation for most of the cancer biomarkers has not been achieved. What this means that because it is a relatively new clinical method, not much data can be concluded from the various types of biomarkers that organs, diseases and conditions release.

Ultimately, for all the new ways used to detect cancer early, the best cure for cancer is still prevention.

So you’ve tried the conventional methods to treat cancer. You’ve gone for endless sessions of chemotherapy, made return trips to the treatment rooms more often than you’d like and suffered from nasty side effects. Surely there must be other options?

Few people realize that psychology can play an important role in cancer treatment. There has been evidence that a positive psychological approach reduces emotional distress, enhances communication between patients, family members and medical staff, reduces side effects of treatment and improves patients’ quality of life.

There’s the case of a Kip Little who was diagnosed with cancer in 1986. In 1990, she was given 3 months to live. Kip worked with a psychologist at the Ontario Cancer Institute and began the transformation of a lifetime. Together with fellow cancer patients, they met weekly to discuss their feelings, learned meditation and other relaxation techniques and explored ways of coping with grief, depression, pain and fear.

Most people don’t associate psychology with cancer treatment. However they should as Kip’s story illustrates, psychology can help extend patient’s lives beyond what conventional medicine can hope to achieve.

Watching what you eat during festivies would seem to be a paradox because carbonated drinks, deep fried goodies, CHOCOLATE and holidays go hand in hand. Keeping fit is also difficult because shopping trips, traffic, and fatigue (because of the shopping and traffic) disrupt your regular fitness routine.

In addition to being a religious event, Deepavali/Hari Raya is also a food festival. Dishes like roti, channa (chick pea), aloo (potato), fish head curry are commonly served to guests. Unfortunately festive periods can never be used as an excuse to overindulge in food.

As we are ever so concerned about your well-being and health dear readers, here are some suggestions for you guys to follow this Deepavali/Hari Raya to keep a check on your calorie intake.

Get enough sleep

There’s ALWAYS one more party to attend. So it’s easy to suffer from a lack of sleep. Believe it or not, some studies have shown that when people are short on sleep, they eat more. It’s as though the body is trying to obtain energy from food that was meant to come from adequate rest.

Drink lots of water

It not only helps in detoxifying the body but has been proven to curb hunger. A couple of sweets are OK but don't let yourself have too much of carbonated cold drinks. Heck, even fruit juices provide more nutritional value. Long story short, you end up eating less without putting any extra conscious effort.

Balance

Moderation is the mantra to enjoy festive food. Eat fatty foods, sweets and other fried snacks in little amounts. If you are making sweets yourself, use low fat ingredients- like low fat milk and other dairy products. Use natural sweeteners like honey and dates to make sweets and avoid using refined sugar or artificial sweeteners. Instead of loading your plate to the brim with sweets, just take a few, may be one or two, items and eat them slowly and gradually. If someone serves fruits along with sweets, try to take more of them in your plate.

Have realistic expectations

Let’s be honest. Deepavali/Hari Raya is not the time to try and lose weight. Consider yourself successful just to maintain your weight. Don’t feel guilty either if, in spite of your best efforts, you put on a pound or two. A few pounds are easily taken care of when your schedule gets back to normal in December.

Beware the “all-or-nothing” attitude

This time can be deadly if you have the “all-or-nothing” attitude towards food. This attitude says: “What’s the use? I overate during the party. I might as well stop watching what I eat and go all the way”. Going all the way means giving up all control, eating every fattening morsel that comes your way, feeling terribly guilty, eating some more, etc. So what if you succumbed to the chocolate cake? It’s not the end of the world. You can always eat a light low-calorie dinner to balance it out.

We hope these options will help make your festive celebrations a little healthier.
Happy Holidays!

I was walking down town with the boss yesterday and we had a few interesting conversations. One of them was the story of how a certain school principal was hesitant to provide details to assist in the plight of an unfortunate family who were in need of financial assistance.

I don’t want to bore my beloved readers out there (yes, you) with needless details but the gist of the conversation was the spirit of volunteering in Singapore, or in this case, rather the lack of it. Apart from the fact that altruism is really important for the progress and wellbeing of the community, doing charity work is actually good for health. It helps with your emotional well-being because you feel happy and useful when you know you're doing something good. As you work with volunteers and the less unfortunate, you learn to cope better with your emotions too. Doing charity work also gives you an excuse to get out and about. That certainly beats lounging at home as a couch potato.

For those of you who want to do something about this, you’ll be pleased to know that there are numerous organizations that welcome volunteers with open arms. With the focus of this blog on cancer and health in general, I’ve narrowed down the list to groups that focus their efforts on cancer, health and well-being. I’ve provided you with a list of organizations for your reference. Enjoy doing something really worthwhile!

Name: Children’s Cancer Foundation (CCF)
Address: 138 Bukit Timah Road / 6835 6465
Web: www.ccf.org.sg
Description: Provides counselling, education, parent support groups, family outings, financial assistance and promote public awareness. Needs volunteers who can involve children with cancer in structured play activities, clean toys, tutor and befriend children with cancer.

Name: Singapore Cancer Society
Address: 15 Enggor Street, #04-01/04 Realty Centre / 6421 5839
Web: http://www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg
Description: Volunteers required to assist in the following areas -
Befriender Programme
Administrative Duties
Transport
Public Education
Tuition
Fundraising
Support Group
Photographers

Name: Breast Cancer Support Group
Address: Outram Road / 6321 4474
Web: http://www.sgh.com.sg/Patient-Services/Support-Groups/Pages/breast-cancer-support-group.aspx
Description:
Engages breast cancer patients to share personal experiences of how to cope with illness and treatment
Shares and updates knowledge of current treatments, prevention, rehabilitation and coping strategies.

Name: Make A Wish Foundation
Address: 190 Clemenceau Avenue #07-02 Singapore Shopping Centre/ 6334 9474
Web: http://www.makeawish.org.sg
Description: Grant wishes to youths aged 3-18 with life-threatening illnesses like cancer, leukaemia and metabolic disorders. Requires volunteers for administrative support, wish granting and fund-raising activities.

The nation recently mourned the loss of Dr. Balaji Sadasivan who passed away a week ago. While our thoughts and prayers are with his family through these trying times, let us take a closer look at his cause of death – colon cancer.

Definition

Colorectal cancer, better known as colon cancer, is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. The colon is the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus.

Colon cancer, when discovered early, is highly treatable. Even if it spreads into nearby lymph nodes, surgical treatment followed by chemotherapy is highly successful. In the most difficult cases — when the cancer has metastasized to the liver, lungs or other sites — treatment can prolong and add to the quality of life.

Colorectal cancer affects both men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, and is most often found in people aged 50 years or older. For men, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer after prostate and lung cancers. For women, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer after breast and lung cancers.

Colorectal cancer screening saves lives. Screening can find precancerous polyps—abnormal growths in the colon or rectum—so that they can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment often leads to a cure.

Perhaps one of the more alarming facts regarding colon cancer is that it is not easily detected during its earlier stages.

Signs & Symptoms

These include:
• bleeding in the stool that is often painless
• change in bowel habits
• persistent diarrhoea
• mucus in the stool
• reduction of stool calibre
• a recurrent need to defaecate (tenesmus)
• anaemia
• an incidental abdominal mass
• unexplained weight loss
• fatigue
• the feeling that your bowel isn’t completely emptying

It is important to know what to watch out for, especially if your lifestyle puts you at high risk of being afflicted with the condition. Some of the signs and symptoms of colon cancer are a change in bowel habits (e.g. experiencing diarrhea, constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool for more than two weeks), rectal bleeding, and persistent abdominal discomfort (including pain, cramps, and gas).

Risk Factors

Reviewing your family history and current lifestyle may help you determine if you are at risk of developing the condition. Other risk factors include older age (most people stricken with color cancer are older than 50), a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, and alcohol. If you can relate to any of these risk factors, you should know that these increase your chances of developing the disease.

Raising Awareness

Everybody knows about lung cancer, breast cancer and the other more prominent types of cancers. Having said that, are you aware of huge disparity in terms of awareness between colon cancer and other types of cancers? It has become the most common cancer in Singapore with almost a thousand new cases diagnosed annually over the last few years. It is only second to breast cancer in the female and lung cancer in the male.

Conclusion

The seriousness of colon cancer cannot be overstated. It is one of the most common types of cancer in Singapore but one gets the feeling that people are still not aware of it. This certainly is a cause for alarm not because it is more dangerous than the others, but because of the lack of community awareness among Singaporeans regarding colon cancer.

It’s well and good to want to challenge an undesirable fate, but there’s a fine line between having a strong will and being stubborn. When it’s time to let go, it’s time to let go. Clinging on relentlessly will only break your support, just like how the poor lady broke her family’s hearts when she spent her last months flying around instead of spending quality time with them. Worst, they even had to pick up the pieces for her.

Anyway, this episode inspired me to write about coping with death. Morbid stuff.

I can’t claim to be an expert because, well, because truthfully I’ve been fortunate enough not to experience it myself.

What, you’re still here?

Fine.

This is going to be awkward. But I’ll try. So as I was saying, when it’s time to go, it’s time to go. Just have to take it on the chin and deal with it. So how can you deal with death, be it yours or anyone close to you?

Well here are some ways:

1. Face the facts. Ok you’re dying. You just got the news. You’ll need some time to get over the initial shock. Most important thing is not to go in a state of denial.

2. Get help for you and your family. Chances are, despite getting over your death, you’ll experience the occasional urge to tear at your hair and scream “It’s the end of the world!” Now it’s perfectly normal to be upset, but don’t let yourself slip into depression. In NCCS, there are cancer support groups that cancer patients and their caregivers can turn to for help. Support groups are usually formed by a bunch of nice and knowledgeable people who’ve shared your woes, understand your fears and will have the relevant resources to help you with your doubts.

3. Leave your job. It would be sad having to work on your last day on Earth. Not to mention, you wouldn’t want your colleagues cursing you for dumping a pile of unfinished work on them. If you’re the sole breadwinner, arrange for your family to seek financial help. Support groups, as mentioned in point 2, will be able to give you relevant advice for this.

4. Trim off the loose ends. Nobody likes to pick up after someone else’s mess. Settle all outstanding issues like mortgage, rent, bills and other stuff. If you have to go, you’d rather do it with peace of mind. Likewise, don’t create unnecessary debts for them. It’s one thing if you’re seeking legitimate medical treatment for your condition, but a waste of time and money if you’re experimenting with alternative medicines. Why not spend the money on something nice, like a holiday for yourself and your family?

5. Writing your will. This can be in a form of an official document signed by a lawyer or even a video. Anyone that has helped you in a way, don’t forget to mention them.

6. Religion. Some of you may cringe at this but it’s ok if you don’t believe in an unseen power. For most of you, if ever there was a time to get close to your maker, now would be a pretty good time. Often meeting up with your local priest, Imam, monk will put your mind at ease better than most activities so it’s definitely worth a try.

7. Family/Friends This is often the most important but unfortunately the hardest part. Most of the time they’ll take it much harder than you. Maybe you don’t think too much of yourself but there are people who look up to you in more ways than you’ll ever know. So remember to show your love and appreciation for them as often as you can before it’s too late to do so!

Ok. That’s enough doom and gloom for a day. All this talk about death isn’t doing anything to keep my SPIRITS up? See what I did there? OK fine I’ll shut up now.

But seriously, make peace with this world. Tell the people who you’ve never had the courage to talk to what you think of them. After all, you wouldn’t want any regrets in your final moments would you?

OK so it’s the 4^th day of Eid Al-Fitr/Hari Raya Aidilfitri. By the time you read this, chances are hearty servings of Rendang, Sambal Goreng, Sayur Lodeh, Ketupat and my biggest weakness (cue drumroll) FRIED CHICKEN WINGS have already found its way into my digestive system (and possibly yours too, yes?). It doesn’t help when I have aunts who are excellent cooks and constantly shoving things onto my plate. (No really, I couldn’t eat another bite, but what’s that Auntie? Chicken wings? Aw, you shouldn’t have.) It’s really hard to resist chowing down on Ketupat (glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in woven banana leaves) best eaten with chunks of Beef or Chicken Rendang (dry curry cooked in sinful amounts of coconut milk)

However being the caring netizen that I am (but mostly because I believe strongly in the benefits of a healthy lifestyle) here are some tips to fight the calories without compromising on the festive spirit.

1. When it comes to crunch time, moderation is the key. I know, I know it’s easier said than done when you’re faced with mountains of delicious food and overzealous aunties but try to eat in limited quantity and don’t overstuff your tummy. Overeating causes acidity imbalance (Eno anyone?) and digestive related issues.
   
   
2. Skip the finger food – generally these are your typical kueh lapis, tapioca chips, pineapple tarts and so forth. (I’ll stick to my chicken wings thank you)
   
   
3. Eat slowly and concentrate on enjoying the flavours of different foods. Eating slowly will help you not to overeat.
   
   
4. Remember to keep drinking lots of water. Ensure you drink lots of water as it not only provides numerous health benefits but also prevents overindulgence on unhealthy foods.
   
   
5. Did you know that you tend to overeat when you’re tired? Exhaustion makes you overeat to restore energy.
   
   
6. If you find it difficult to continue with your normal weight loss over the festive season, at least try to maintain your weight at where it is now and start putting in more effort again as soon as you are back to your normal routine.

With that in mind, I'm not asking you to abandon meat and go vegan for this festive season. Instead, just be mindful of what you eat and things should work out fine. After all I only tend to overwork my arteries during Hari Raya, right?

RIGHT?!

We all know that eating well is as important as breathing. Ok maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the point. Eating the right food can do wonders for our bodies, making us feel and look good. BUT, there is a fine line between eating well, and eating too well.

In fact, nutritionists have constantly urged us to eat as many as five meals a day. This method of eating keeps our bodies constantly fed, so that it’ll never get into an angry fit with us and refuse to work to break down all those calories. In busy Singapore, many of us are guilty of skipping meals like breakfast or lunch and replacing them with a grande Starbucks Mocha Frappe or the like, but we can still do way better than that. There is really no reason to substitute a proper nutritious meal with caffeine. On the other hand, there are some of us who simply can never stop munching. 24/7, and our mouths are gnawing endlessly at a bag of chips, or fries and the list goes on.

But sometimes, when an illness like cancer looms over us, the appetite for food no matter how alluring the aroma, may no longer be whet. Nonetheless, it is important to note that food during this time is crucial. When undergoing treatment or chemotherapy, the energy to sustain the procedure shouldn’t be underestimated. Many patients return feeling tired and worn out, and it has been proven that 30% of all cancers are linked to poor diet. This is because, cancer strikes when a cell or a DNA gets damaged. The damaged cell grows unchecked, and turns into a tumor that spreads and grows uncontrollably. Now, during any one of these steps, a lack of certain nutrients, or an excess of some other factor can affect what happens next. That’s why there is never-ending emphasis on eating right. Like the American Cancer Society says, “While genes influence your risk of cancer, diet and physical activities are the most important lifestyle factors that contribute to cancer.” Yes, it is definitely no easy task, but eating the right kinds of food, a little each time, can make a huge difference in making one stronger and emotionally, mentally, and physically fulfilled.

Here’s a sample cancer fighting diet taken off the Diet Channel. They have very thoughtfully incorporated the top 10 anti-cancer foods, to get you started on a healthier, invigorating food journey.

Cancer Fighting Diet

Breakfast
Yogurt smoothie with mixed berries and soy milk

Morning Snack
Apple with peanut butter
Green Tea

Lunch
Spinach wrap with mandarin oranges and broccoli sprouts
Cottage cheese and pineapple
Tomato Juice

Dinner
Baked wild salmon with caramelized onion and garlic
Stewed Tomatoes
Pumpkin soup or baked sweet potato
Black Tea

Happy Eating guys!

For some reason, having to blow out more candles on a birthday cake becomes a dreadful event each coming year. Maybe it’s the breathlessness we fear that might envelope us after wiping out all 50 candles, or the overwhelming sight of candles making up the entire cake topping. Yet just like how the candles are an inevitable reminder of those dwindling years, so are graying hair and blurring sight. Sometimes, even our bones crack mockingly, soundly reminding us of our dying youth. Ah! The signs of old age.

I’ve recently been obsessing about my own health, thanks to a frightful encounter with the mirror, when I noticed patches of my scalp, almost naked from hair, staring rudely back at me. It then dawned on me, that this was just a noticeable part of me that was aging. For all I knew, I could be wrinkling up inside! Be it for vanity or health purposes, I decided to embark on a healthier lifestyle. I started scouring through blogs and articles on health-related issues and what a comfort it was when I chanced upon an article by the New York Presbyterian Hospital, crying out “Message to Elderly: It’s never too late to prevent illness!” Just what I needed to hear.

While it had been discovered that majority of old people suffer from diseases like osteoporosis, or diabetes, cataract, sometimes even dementia, it doesn’t mean we’re doomed to a sad, live-out-of-the-tube life. In fact, there are ways we can enjoy those gray bits of hair and that wise-looking wrinkled face as much as we did our youth.

Remember back in the days when we were full of life, and mother’s nagging to down that glass of milk seemed like such a redundant chore? Well, for those of us who have been obedient, it might have saved us from developing the breakable bone disease, osteoporosis. What’s more, it has been proven that women are at a far more greater risk of succumbing to this illness because of the changes in estrogen level while leading up to menopause. Thereafter, they lose bone at an even higher rate, possibly 2 to 5% per year, after menopause. But this isn’t just a girl thing, as men are equally prone to this “silent disease”, though they tend to develop it later. The funny thing is, this is the one disease where those of a smaller body frame are at a higher risk of having their bones crack under their weight.

So for those of us who ran away from ‘milk-time’, how do we deal? Your bones determine how you stand up to the world. So exercise regularly to work those muscles that will maintain bone density and strength, even if it’s just a 10-minute walk in the park. Sit up straight if you don’t want to be mistaken for the hunched-back of Notre Dame. Fill yourself with vitamin d – an absorbent for calcium, and have a diet rich in calcium. You’ll see how grateful your bones will be for pampering them.

But don’t let it end there. Give your eyes some pampering too. After all, they get tired too after having seen the world for, what fifty years? So don’t be too harsh on them or yourself when they get a little blurry, or swell a little. Take it to the doctor’s where they’ll get some tender loving care and be given immediate attention. And while the sun may be a good thing, you wouldn’t want your eyes to be exposed to the glary light. Put on some shades, give your eyes a wash every now and then, and infections like conjunctivitis can be delayed, if not prevented. But if you experience a significant vision loss, a cataract surgery might just let you see the world through new eyes. Remember early detection can save you all the hassle.

This reminds me, just the other day while looking for something to while away my time, I came across this movie on the Hallmark channel. I don’t know if you’ve seen it, it’s called “More Than Meets the Eye”. It’s a story about a 32-year-old woman who teaches at a school for the blind. In a stroke of tragedy, she succumbs to blindness because of a muscular degeneration, and her luck spirals down when her husband dies soon after leaving her to care for their young daughter all alone. The story is moving and captivating all at once, and tells of the capabilities within each individual. I was awed just watching her strength and willpower to survive. Here’s the trailer of the movie to get you guys hooked on it:
http://www.joanbrock.com/more_than_meets_the_eye_movie_update.htm

And did you know that another notorious illness among the elderly that promotes eye problems is actually diabetes? In fact, according to a study by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, diabetes is the leading cause of new blindness among adults, and what’s more, those with diabetes are 25 times more likely to become blind than those without it. Worse still, diabetes tend to strike more, those who are 50 and above. Because as you age, your body’s immune system goes down and its capacity to produce the important metabolic catalysts diminishes.

However, all’s not lost. There are loads of therapies and products available to treat diabetes among the elderly. But the minute you experience symptoms like fatigue, weakness, or if anyone in the family has diabetes, seek medical attention! Most importantly, follow a diabetic food pyramid religiously, and adopt good eating habits. We are after all, what we eat.

So there, growing old means accepting life’s many challenges, and embracing it. No matter what comes our way, there is no reason not to wake up with a smile and a raring attitude to face the world. Let’s all age gracefully then, shall we? Do catch the movie when you have the time. I hope it inspires you as much as it did to me. Happy watching, all of you!

Till next time. Have a wonderful week ahead.

Back in the day, there were no such things as pills. People lived off their environment. They ate the reddest apples fresh from their gardens, succulent oranges and mangoes from the tress in their backyards, delightful bananas which they grew abundantly along roads and the juiciest strawberries which they plucked from the fields. Like their fruits, they lived till a ripe old age.

These days, however, pills in all shapes and colours are taking over nature’s gift. And they are fast becoming as popular as rice. Like the latter, people pop them into their mouths, (sometimes even spoonfuls!) one for their daily dose of vitamin c, another for their vitamin b intake, another for their vitamin d, and the list goes on - a never-ending routine. Do we really need all these pills? And yet, we hear more and more cases of people contracting diseases and illnesses these days.

Vitamins are an essential part of our diet, no doubt about that. They are needed to help our bodies’ work the way they ought to, and can easily be found in most of our dietary sources. But why spend a bomb on a bottle of expensive packaging and heavily advertised pills, when you can get the same amount, or even more, for half the price?

Well, here’s the breakdown of what actually goes on in there, once you pop that pill. Do you notice how sometimes after taking a few vitamin pills, your pee turns a greenish-yellow colour, instead of the crystal-clear colour you get after eating a bowl of fruits? That’s because, some of the vitamins are being lost. You see, when vitamins are packaged into pills, they are isolated, and are thus poorly absorbed by the body. In certain cases, it may even cause imbalances in body chemistry. Whole foods on the other hand, contain nutrients like fiber and phytochemicals which together, help prevent cancer and heart diseases. Our bodies operate in a way that require these compounds to work together to enhance our health. Alone, it is hardly as effective.

In fact, studies have been done on people who take vitamin supplements and those who don’t. And guess what, there’s really no difference in mortality rates whether you pop that pill or not. So we go full circle again, to pop or not to pop, that is the question.

Supplements and vitamin pills will continue flourishing in the market. Companies and the pharmaceutical industry will keep on bombarding our TV screens, mailboxes, and newspapers with “pill propaganda”. No, these supplements are not bad. Don’t get mistaken, because they are handy and they are vital for those sick, allergic, or pregnant who can’t get their daily dosage of vitamins through whole foods. It has even become a blessing for those who despise the taste of fruits and vegetables, or those who have no time to crunch heartily on an apple. But if you have the luxury of variety, why not try tasting and smelling the fruit as it is? It will stimulate your senses as much as your health. Whichever your preference, remember that ultimately, some sort of vitamin is better than none at all. So the answer to the popping question? The choice is yours.

The loss of a loved one is always difficult and painful. But the sudden loss of a healthy, young person, even a complete stranger, feels unfair and tragic. Yet, every year, a heart failure robs the lives of at least a quarter of Singaporeans.

This illness, often associated with the elderly and diabetic, doesn’t spare anyone. Like a vulture hovering above, it springs on the most appealing target, sudden and deadly, where even the fittest may fall victim. Remember the incomprehensible tragedy of scuba-diving instructor Carlson Victor Lee, known for his strength in countering oncoming currents while others fled for their lives, who died during one of his diving escapades because of a heart attack? Or the 20-year-old national serviceman recruit, Andrew Cheah Wei Siong, who died after fainting during training at Pulau Tekong? When news of these cases broke out, a wave of uncertainty and helplessness drowned most of our thoughts. ‘If it can happen to the fittest, surely it can happen to us too’, was probably what went on in our heads at the time, or at least mine.

However, all’s not lost. There are ways we can avoid it as far as possible, and that is by knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, or even a sudden cardiac arrest.

Classic & Common Symptoms:
• Chest discomfort - Also widely known as the “elephant sitting on the chest” symptom, this pain usually occurs in the middle of the chest, and lasts for several minutes. Usually feels like pressure or squeezing.
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations
• Fainting spells
• Nausea, dizziness, cold sweat, anxiety
• Discomfort in other parts of the body – jaws, back, arms, neck, stomach

Sometimes, these symptoms are vague and often ignored, mainly because they seems insignificant or totally unrelated to a heart problem. However, symptoms aren’t always what you expect them to be. They can come in the mildest of fashions, and attack mercilessly.
So what do we do then? Instead of just waiting around for one of these signs to pop by and gamble with our life, we should try as hard as possible to immune ourselves from this fatality.

Unfortunately, some of us are born with greater vulnerability to an attack than others because of our genes. If family members, immediate or distant, previously had a heart condition, the chances are, we might too. Whether or not we’ve been genetically “labeled”, we need to be as aware as ever and take precautions, because a heart attack isn’t going to pass you, just because.

Furthermore, some people insist that they can eat anything they want, as long as they exercise. Yes, the truth is, you can, but in moderation. If you were to run a marathon weekly, and treat yourself to a feast of fried chicken, char kway teow, fast food, or sugar-pounding desserts every time you do so, it would merely defeat the purpose of burning all those pounds. Worse still, the arteries you made room for, will now be blocked by fats, and everytime you free the pipe up for them, the devil of the fats will choke it up again. So eat healthy. If you really need to cave in and indulge in some good old burgers and fries, limit yourself. All it takes is a little bit of practice to eat right, and eventually you’ll be amazed at how naturally you push away those sinful buggers.

Stress also often contributes to the weakening of the heart. Sometimes the daily pressures of life can be worrying and taxing. We spend hours just thinking about the what-ifs and picturing the worst scenarios. Instead, take a breather. Do what you can, and leave the rest to take care of itself. After all, what use would a few hours of worrying do? A few extra wrinkles, a little more gray hair and a weaker heart perhaps.

In fact, it really is our lifestyle choice that plays a huge part in preventing the chance of an attack occurring. The less we smoke, the less we drink, the less we worry, the less we will be putting ourselves in the limelight of heart attacks. So yes, exercising is and always will be necessary to maintain a healthy heart, but never over exert your body. Like everything else, do it in moderation.

A heart attack will always pose a threat. But life goes on, bills have to be paid, work has to be done. By consciously living a healthy life, and staying in the know of the precautions and symptoms, we can be one step ahead in the battle of life.

With World Hand Hygiene Day just round the corner, let’s lather it on with the rest of the world and practice good hygiene! I’m sure you’ve seen posters plastered all over walls of toilets, hospital wards and health bulletins in recent years screaming at you to wash your hands, what with all the pandemics threatening to pile germs down our backs.

It seems so simple and obvious to just wash one’s hands after a meal, or after using the bathroom, or basically after touching something dirty. But do we really understand what this means, and the criticality of it all?

Imagine someone down with a cold, sneezing and coughing away. He goes into a lift, presses a button and goes out. The next person goes in, touches the same button, and so on. The number of fingers that got into contact with that contaminated button, and roaming around touching many other little things, then back to their faces, is unbelievable. The journey of germs and bacteria is indeed a long and flighty one, hopping from one person to the next like little parasites. However, it can be kept to a minimum if each individual puts in that extra effort to keep their hands clean.

And it really isn’t that difficult. Here are seven easy steps from the Health Promotion Board and Tan Tock Seng Hospital that will leave you with spotless hands. (And it only takes a minute or two!)

Seeing how simple it is to keep germs at bay, there really is no excuse for dirty, grimy hands. And I’m sure you don’t want to be caught by the new health “spies”, now that the University of Florida has come up with a special hand-washing detector, called HyGreen.

Currently aimed at hospitals where hygiene is of top-most priority, these detectors are able to sense if a medical staff has washed his hands before attending to the patient. When a staff enters the patient’s ward, he will wash up and run his hands under a HyGreen sensor that will activate a green LED light on his ID badge if his hands are clean. The system also has a monitor by the patient’s bed that sends out infrared and acoustic signals to the staff ID badge verifying the green light is illuminated. If the staff has not washed his hands, the badge will vibrate, alerting him to do so. When this happens, an alert will also be sent to a database which hospital infection staff can monitor.

You can read more about this innovation here:
http://news.discovery.com/tech/hand-washing-tech.html

Though still relatively new, when it does make its way to our little island, I’m pretty sure this technology might just boost hygiene practices, and hopefully confine the spread of infectious diseases like the common cold, gastrointestinal illnesses, diarrhoea and pneumonia to a minimum.

So if you haven’t gotten into the habit of washing your hands the proper way or often enough, let this international health campaign be a start to wash away your old habits and kick in some soapy new ones. Make this your new daily regime, not just every 5th May, and you’ll see the difference some clean fingers can do. So pop that sanitizer into your bag, and you’re good to go.

Do you wake up each morning dragging your feet to work, wishing you could hide under the covers, safe from the realms of yet another hair-wrenching day at the office? Or are you one of those lucky ones who jumps straight out of bed the minute your alarm goes off, bouncing with every step, eager-eyed to take on the world?

Well, whichever you may be, here’s a list of the top ten most stressful professions I have come up with, based on personal observations and research, to help you find out if your career choice might just be the reason you’re pulling your hair out. And just for the fun of it, I've also uncovered a list of the top ten most laid-back professions for you to compare if you're considering a career switch to recuperate from your hectic lifestyle!

Top 10 Most Stressful Jobs

1. Air Traffic Controller
With Singapore’s Changi Airport ranked one of the best in the world, it is no wonder this profession comes in tops as the most stressful job to hold. These people ensure the safe arrival and departure of flights and have to constantly be alert, especially when one slight error can put hundreds of lives at stake.

2. Nurses
These angels deal with all the petty issues of patients as well as major ones. Not only do they take care of their patients, they have tons of paperwork, administrative duties and other miscellaneous matters to take care of. The “limbs” of the hospital, not even the most technologically-advanced medical institutions can do without them.

3. Restaurant/ Bar Manager (F&B and Service Sector)
Now that the Integrated Resorts are up, such positions are not only becoming more widely available, but are also causing stress levels to increase. More customers are expecting excellent service and these people have to cater to whatever whims and fancies that come their way, including managing employees and the restaurant itself.

4. Salespeople
Getting people to part with their money to buy your product is always a challenge. What's more, sales targets add on to the stress levels. In a competitive society like Singapore with both customers and retail managers expecting the best performance, this is indeed an aggressive job to keep up with.

5. Teachers
Notice how kids these days are getting more opinionated, vocal and pampered? When away from their parents, who are the ones in charge of these young “bosses”? Teachers! Try imparting knowledge, instilling discipline, and juggling administrative work all at once without stepping on the toes of the parents and you’ve got a handful.

6. Taxi Drivers
I’m sure most of us have experienced this weird phenomenon of cabs appearing in front of you when you don’t need it, but never coming when you're stranded in an out of the way place and desperately need one? Or when you come out of a club in the wee hours of the morning and see a throng of cabs waiting to pick you up? Well that’s the strange but competitive lives of taxi drivers, vying for the best spot and time for their daily catch.

7. Surgeons
In that operating theatre, the patient's life is literally in the hands of the surgeon. Every ounce of concentration has to be put into each movement. One small mistake and it could be the end of the road, for both surgeon and patient. Not to mention, intense guilt and sleepless nights arising from a patient death.

8. Judge
Playing God is possibly one of the most nerve-wrecking professions ever. Being paid to decide whether a man lives or dies is not as glamorous as it may seem. Whoever’s in this position, not only has to be strong, confident and meticulous but ethical in judgment, be it determining a punishment or letting a man free. Furthermore, whether his sentence is justified, 9 out of 10 times, someone is bound to be unsatisfied.

9. Public Relations Officer
Making contact with clients and the media, writing speeches, preparing publicity and churning out press releases against a tight dealine, all for that one event where there is no room for error. The life of a public relations officer is all about a mad race with time.

10. Police Officers
A job which requires guts and excellent fitness, these people maintain the safety we very much take for granted. Exposed to all sorts of criminals and dangers possible, this is a job not for the faint-hearted.

Wonder what’s it like over in America? Take a look at their top ten list of heart-thumping, nerve-wrecking, nail-biting jobs derived by CareerCast.com.
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/109379/americas-most-stressful-jobs-2010?mod=career-worklife_balance


Top 10 Laid-back Jobs

Laid-back jobs are not necessarily simple jobs. They too, require specialized skills and good work etiquette. But with the absence of tight deadlines, serious competition and responsibility for other people's lives, they usually incur much lower stress levels.

1. Florist
Everybody loves beautiful things. Wouldn’t you love to work in a cozy little shop on the outskirts of town, or in the heartlands, being surrounded by colourful, sweet-scented florals? Around such pretty things, whatever stress you may have just melts away.

2. Gardener
If you love plants, it would be a joy spending time in a green house caring for things you love. Though the sun can be a nightmare, at least the untainted oxygen produced from the greenery keeps your lungs and minds fresh.

3. Lecturer
Unlike their teacher counterparts, these educators have a much easier time, what with a much higher paycheck, independent older and more mature students, minus disciplining headaches and demanding parents breathing down your necks.

4. Hair stylists
Gifted with the skill of creating a work of art with a pair of scissors, the talented ones can make quite a good living just fussing with hair. Of course, there are those long hours of standing to contend with, but hey, making good money is rarely breezy.

5. Lifeguard
These people have the perks of getting a tan on the job, keeping themselves fit, and relaxing in the sun, diving into the water every now and then only when required. Small wonder swimming lessons have been included in some of their jobscopes!

6. Food Critic
Tasting the best food in town and getting paid to gush about it! Of course, there are the occasional flukes, but few establishments would call you in if they have nothing to boast about, unless they wish for their business to end with a bang. Unless you're vegetarian, what’s there not to love about this job?

7. Movie Reviewer
Watching movies for a living, who’s complaining? Even if many movies are pure crap these days, at least you're being paid to vent your anger on it with your writing.

8. Piano Tuner
All they need is the musical ability to identify the right pitches and know which knobs to twist and keys to thump to get pianos perfect-sounding for their clients! This job is music to the ears, and while it may not provide stable income for a freelancer, it is at least a decent paying and relaxing sideline!

9. Technical Writers
A professional and skilled writing career free of the inevitable writer’s block or dry spells most writers face!

10. Mathematician
A job that scares people away by its mere title, this position isn’t as daunting as it seems. In fact, with knowledge in this area and the knack for figures, applying mathematical theories and formulas to solve problems is known to be one of the least stressful jobs around, though it only applies for those who are good with Math.

Here’s CareerCast’s list of top ten least stressful jobs in America for comparison's sake:
http://www.careercast.com/jobs/content/ten-least-stressful-jobs-2010-jobs-rated


Don't be too anxious to ditch the rat race for the simpler life, or despair over your lack of skills to make that career switch! In fact, changing your work environment or taking on entirely new responsibilities may even contribute to more stress due to the need for adaptation. Before you decide on a career change, ask yourself why you chose it in the first place, or if it is something you have always wanted to do. A job that you're passionate about is a job that you'd be happy to slave over for. Living a healthy lifestyle - by eating well, exercising, having sufficient sleep and having quality time to yourself and loved ones, is an effective way to curb stress levels. On the other hand, a relaxing job that you dislike is going to do little to get you bouncing out of bed in the mornings.

As you can see, holding the right job for yourself is crucial to a healthy and happy lifestyle too!

We all know about the hazards of smoking, especially the smokers. Yet, they still puff away senselessly throwing away health. Why? For most, the toll on the body takes effect not now…but perhaps 10-20 years later for most and for others even longer.

By then, many will come to regret. One public figure whose testimony is etched in my memory is the late Yul Brynnar, American actor fame for his roles in the Ten Commandants, the King and I, Magnificent Seven. Before he passed on from cancer, he did a public education recording to advise young people not to smoke.

Alas like all other public messages, they fell on deaf ears.

A stick of cigarette contains over 4000 types of chemicals, of which 400 are poisonous and 40 are cancer-causing. The litany of chemicals contained in a single cigarette, given by the Health Promotion Board Singapore, includes:

Nicotine: Causes addiction and withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. It stimulates the brain so that the smoker feels alert at first but eventually, it dulls the brain and senses. Nicotine causes the release of adrenaline, which makes the heart beat faster and work harder. Nicotine also makes blood clot more readily, increasing the smoker's risk of heart attack.

Carbon monoxide: A dangerous gas found in car exhaust smoke. It replaces as much as 15% of the oxygen which would normally be carried by the red blood cells, so the smoker's heart, which needs more oxygen, gets even lesser. It also makes the smoker suffer from shortness of breath and lack of stamina. Carbon monoxide damages the inner lining of blood vessels and can lead to increased risk of heart attack.

Tar: Used to cover surface of roads. Many cancer-causing substances are found in tar. Some of these are benzo, pyrene, nitrosamine and B-napthylamine, cadmium and nickel.

Acetone: Paint stripper.
DDT: A pesticide which kills mosquitoes and ants.
Arsenic: White ant poison and used by many famous murderers.
Cadmium: A chemical found in car batteries.
Formaldehyde: Used to embalm dead bodies.
Ammonia: An active ingredient in floor cleaners.
Hydrogen cyanide: A poison used in gas chambers.
Naphthalene: A killer ingredient found in mothballs.
Polonium-210: A radioactive substance.
Vinyl chloride: Chemical used to make plastic.

As a one time heavy smoker, I find it easier to give up smoking altogether via the “cold turkey” route. I gave up smoking not once but twice in my life time. The first was when I was 21, and I stopped for some 12 years before I went back to smoking. Why? Because I went on a holiday to Paris, bought a carton as part of the holiday and got hooked again. The second time was some 20 years ago when I realised that I was smoking more than 20 sticks a day, and still urging for more.

I decided enough was enough. I took up weights and running as a motivation. Sports and smoking don’t go in tandem because you lose stamina when you smoke. In many ways I suppose I have a strong will-power. To permanently nail the old habit, I went to church and made a promise never to smoke again. Today I can empathise with those who smoke but will not touch another cigarette. I run regularly, and have no regrets giving up smoking. If I can do it, why not you?

Everyone copes with stress differently. One may turn to their family and loves ones, while others through sports and entertainment. However, it is of utmost importance to unwind oneself in this high-paced society.