Sunnyhealth – Keeping Safe in the Haze without an N95 Mask
Friday, June 21, 2013 - Posted by SunnyHealth - 0 comments

With the haze PSI levels yoyo-ing between dangerous and hazardous levels this week, the atmosphere feels almost like dooms day is coming. The sky is dusty and obscured, something that many of us who have not set foot in an even more polluted city before might only see in an action or sci-fi Hollywood movie. There is talk of stopping work and school (which serves little consolation to the kids, many who are supposed to be enjoying the June holidays), and masks of all types are out of stock everywhere.

Yes, the hazy situation is undeniably a pain in more areas than one, literally. Even as I’m typing this up, my eyes are hurting. Nevertheless, panicking, getting frustrated and complaining does little to alleviate the health hazard except drive up your blood pressure and sense of helplessness.

If you do not have an N95 mask, it's not the end of the world. Here are things you can do to limit exposure to the haze and stay safe.

Monitor the PSI levels closely, and plan your activities in accordance to PSI levels, your age and physical condition. If you have a smartphone, download NEA’s myENV so that you can receive the latest updates for PSI levels.

When the air quality is at unhealthy to hazardous levels (PSI 150 and above), stay indoors as much as possible, and reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities. The key is to reduce exposure to the haze. When you exercise outdoors, you are inhaling deeply, and consequently breathe in more toxic particles. However, you can and should continue exercising in an indoor environment. Keeping fit helps to strengthen your immune system.

When indoors, keep the haze out by shutting all your windows and doors, then switch on the fans and / or air-conditioner. Yes, the air will be stale, but… do you seriously think the air out there is fresh? Fans should be sufficient to stimulate ventilation, but for better measure, get an air purifier if you want to improve the air quality indoors.

If you use the air-conditioner, make sure the filters are clean; otherwise, it will pollute the air indoors, and it will also have to work harder and utilise more power and energy.

Air your clothes indoors instead of outdoors; the polluted air will dirty your clean clothes otherwise. If you have a clothes dryer, now is the best time to make use of it.


Respiratory masks like N95 masks are strongly encouraged for when PSI levels exceed 150. This is especially so for those with heart and respiratory problems, or are simply more affected by the haze. However, if you do not have access to these, you can try wearing a normal surgical mask, but place a piece of wet tissue over it when you're outdoors. Some people have also shared that they wear multiple layers of surgical masks, though this may be too stifling while having limited effect. If you're wearing a surgical mask, make sure you at least wear it correctly, with the metal strip at the top tapered to your nose bridge and the bottom part of the mask pulled down over your chin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8v3-lQambM

Additionally, those with respiratory problems should consult the doctor before using respirator masks like the N95 masks. These masks help to keep out fine particles in the air, but on the other hand, may cause some restriction in breathing. Changing masks throughout the day is also necessary if you are spending a long time outdoors because air particles would stay on it.

If you experience discomfort in your throat and nose, or first signs of the cold, get over-the-counter medication for sore throats. Try consuming natural throat soothing products like Pi Pa Gao and Honey to keep throat irritation at bay. Drink plenty of fluids to keep your throat and mouth well-moisturised, as well as protect your immune system.

Should you suffer from shortness of breath or persistent coughing, see your doctor.

Sufferers of asthma must keep your inhalers at hand in case your condition is triggered by the haze particles.

Dry, irritated eyes are common side effects of haze. They are more particularly severe in those who already suffer from dry eyes, like the elderly, contact lens users and people who have undergone laser treatments in their eyes. Use eye-drops to moisturise your eyes and clean out toxic particles.

Feel hot, bothered and possibly dirty from the air? Cold showers and frequently splashing your face with water helps alleviate dryness and heat, keeps you refreshed.

Last but not least, turn in early and get ample rest so that your body gets more time to repair and rejuvenate at night.


Arthritis in children
Friday, June 07, 2013 - Posted by SunnyHealth - 0 comments
Sausage toes may look cute on children, but they are often the result of swollen joints, a common symptom of junior arthritis.

The next time you bemoan how troublesome it is to get out of the house and would rather hole up at home with your gadgets, consider the predicaments of little children who yearn to be their normal energetic selves but can’t due to junior arthritis, which causes so much pain that some can hardly walk, and perhaps you might treasure your mobility.

Arthritis, once thought to be a problem associated only with ageing, affects some 300,000 children in the USA. Its full name is Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Arthritis occurs when the body's immune system attacks its own cells and tissues. It is not yet known what are the exact causes of JIA and how to prevent it, though it is thought that heredity, gene mutations and environment factors that affect the immune system may be contributing factors.

JIA usually appears in children between 6 months and 16 years old, and any child can be affected by it. As with arthritis in old people, inflammation, pain and stiffness of joints can affect difficulty or loss of overall mobility. Early detection and management from a young age will help to ease the problems brought about by JIA.

Early symptoms include joint pain, swelling of joints, reddened joints and / or warm joints. The child may also experience stiffness in joints, which leads to limping and clumsy and slow movement. Sudden appearance and disappearance of rashes, as well as high fevers that spike in the evenings and suddenly disappear are common symptoms as well. The rashes and fevers are usually caused by swollen lymph nodes.

JIA can even affect the eye, causing inflammation called uveitis. As a result, children with JIA may be required to go for regular eye checks by an ophthalmologist.

If you suspect that your child may have JIA, don’t hesitate to take him/her to the doctor. The Singapore General Hospital’s Autoimmunity & Rheumatology Centre provides consultancy and treatment for JIA.

As with arthritis, there is no cure for JIA, but medication and the correct forms of exercise as prescribed by the doctor can keep the condition under control and allow the patient to lead a normal life.

In the meantime, it is vital for parents and caregivers to remain positive. Undoubtedly, it is a heart-wrenching experience for parents to see their children feeling helpless and visibly suffering from pain. Bear in mind that a parent's emotions can affect the child, so keep your spirits up and help your child to deal with his/her illness bravely. Most importantly, work closely with the doctors and therapists and ensure that your child gets the required treatment.

Treat your child normally; do not treat him/her like an invalid but allow him/her to move as much on his own as much as possible, thus giving him more self-confidence. Do also discuss with teachers and other people that he may be spending significant time with and let them know of the condition and what they should do to avoid aggravating his condition, physically and mentally.

Parents of a 19-month-old JIA victim have just the right mindset when dealing with their daughter who is plagued with joints that often ache.

"We keep her moving, we keep her active and we take one day at a time," the mother said. "When she is not feeling well, we respect that, but it's important not to make that a crutch or an excuse."

 Sources: 
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/juvenile-rheumatoid-arthritis/DS00018/DSECTION=causes
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/toddlers-struggle-juvenile-arthritis-disease-people/story?id=19250859#.UaV435yXv9U