What is haemophilia?

Haemophilia is a blood clotting disorder where there is not enough clotting factor VIII (8) or IX (9) in the blood. A clotting factor is a protein in the blood that helps control bleeding. It is incurable and without proper treatment, can be life threatening.

Haemophilia is an inherited condition and occurs in families. However in 1/3 of cases it appears in families with no previous history of the disorder. The genetic alteration causing haemophilia is passed down from parent to child through generations. Men with haemophilia will pass the gene on to their daughters but not their sons. Women who carry the altered gene can pass the gene on to their sons and daughters. Sons with the gene will have haemophilia. Some women and girls who carry the gene may also experience bleeding problems.

There are different types of haemophilia. Each 'type' refers to the lack of a specific clotting factor. Factors VIII and IX are the most common deficiencies, however others do exist. Factor VIII deficiency is known as haemophilia A, while haemophilia B refers to deficiency of Factor IX.

Depending on the degree of the deficiency. (ie how much factor is missing), it can be:

• Mild Haemophilia - 5-40% factor VIII or IX activity
• Moderate Haemophilia - 1-5% factor VIII or IX activity
• Severe Haemophilia - Less than 1% factor VIII or IX activity

Genetically modified mosquito to fight dengue

Genetically modified mosquito is developed by a British Company, Oxitec. By transferring the Wolbachia bacterium into Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, Prof Sinkins and his team were able to reduce the mosquitoes' ability to transmit the dengue virus. Wild females which mate with male mosquitoes with Wolbachia also produce eggs which do not hatch. The bacterium does not affect humans, said Prof Sinkins. "It originates from fruit flies, so even if humans are eating any fruit they are probably eating little bits of Wolbachia from the fruit flies. It doesn't do any harm," he said.

Last year, it was reported that the National Environment Agency's Environmental Health Institute was conducting laboratory studies to test the potential and risks in the Singapore context. So will Singapore be adopting this method to fight the rising cases of dengue?

Read more about GM-mosquitoes lead warfare on dengue

First online chat service for distressed children launched

The Singapore Children's Society launched on Monday Tinkle Friend Online, the only online chat service for distressed children here. The service is for primary school children. It provides support, advice, and information to lonely and distressed kids, especially in situations when their parents or main caregivers are unavailable.

This is definitely a good move, especially in Asian, where parents are still practising the traditional ways of running a family. Parents don't really treat their children like friends, much more don't talk about personal issues. Hence it is an avenue where children could seek help, before situations get out of hand.

Read more at First online chat service for distressed children launched

What you need to know about drowning

Signs that may indicate a person is drowning

• The victim is rarely able to call for help.
• The person has instinctual arm movements – thrashing the water with both arms partially extended from his sides – which appear to push him upwards in the water.
• The victim usually manages to turn towards shore. The body stays in an upright position, with no apparent supporting leg kick.
• The victim is completely limp in the water.

If you have the slightest doubt, ask the person if he or she is ok. If the person is unresponsive, or responds with a blank stare, you need to act fast.

What to do if you witness someone drown

• Call for emergency help.
• Do NOT attempt to rescue the drowning person by entering the water if you have not been trained as you will be endangering yourself.
• Throw a flotation device such as a rescue tube and life jacket, or extend a long pole for the drowning person to hold onto.
• Once the drowning person is on dry land, begin resuscitation/CPR if there is no spontaneous breathing or pulse. Keep the head and neck very still in case of neck, head or spinal injuries.
• If the person was swimming in cold water, get blankets or otherwise help bring the person’s body temperature back to normal.

What to do if you are drowning

• To survive a drowning incident, the first thing to remember is not to panic!
• Keep your head up and try to breathe normally. The body floats better when the lungs are full of air, but you need to avoid hyperventilating.
• Toss away anything weighing you down such as shoes or bags.
• Attract attention to your difficulties, if there are people around, by shouting, waving and/or splashing water (to the extent you are able to).
• If you are tired, try to lie on your back and tilt your head back as well so your eyes look at the sky.
• Try to stay as relaxed as possible. Tense muscles use up more oxygen than relaxed muscles, and staying oxygenated is very important.

3 terms of drowning

I always though real drowning victims are like those shown in the movies, flailing their arms and shouting for help. Instead they stay quiet as they are struggling to breathe. Also this is the first time I heard of dry, water and delayed drowning. So what exactly are these 3 types of drowning.

In dry drowning, water reaches the voice box and triggers laryngospasm which completely closes the airway. The person is unable to breathe air in and gets asphyxiated.

In wet drowning, the laryngospasm is only partial, so water enters the lungs and renders them incapable of performing their function of oxygenating the blood.

In both dry and wet drowning cases, the person ultimately dies from a lack of oxygen.

Delayed drowning, or secondary drowning, may occur to near-drowning victims within 8 hours after they have been rescued, due to a small amount of water remaining in the lungs. The resultant pulmonary oedema can lead to pulmonary failure and death. Delayed drowning may not show symptoms, so you should always see a doctor to be safe. Possible symptoms of delayed downing, if any, may include the following:

• Persistent cough
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing / shortness of breath
• Shallow breathing
• Extreme fatigue

“Always seek emergency care even if the person appears fine after having been rescued from drowning. There is a risk of delayed drowning and even in the well looking person, there is a need for assessment and observation,” says Dr Wee.

Sex During Pregnancy

Being Asian, we are conservatives and having non educated parents, they will tell you cannot have sex during pregnancy. However one should know that sex during pregnancy is safe and understand when it is unsafe to have sex during pregnancy. It is important to learn the facts, rather then being ignorant to them and endanger your life and the life of the baby.

At www.healthxchange.com it answered the 10 most frequently asked questions about sex during pregnancy

1. Is sex safe in pregnancy?

2. Will it hurt my baby?

3. Will my sex drive be affected in pregnancy?

4. Why is my partner not keen on sex?

5. Will sex feel any different to me?

6. Bleeding after sex?

7. When should sex be definitely avoided?

8. What are the comfortable positions for sex?

9. Is oral sex safe in pregnancy?

10. Are there any alternatives to intercourse?

Do you have 'flat feet'?

The correct medical terminology for 'flat feet' is 'pes planus'. In a non 'flat-footed' individual, the arch of the foot is usually raised off the ground when the person is standing. If the foot arch is low or in-existent, the person is said to have 'flat feet' or sometimes, 'fallen arches'.

Flat feet can be identified while the individual is standing or walking. However it can be difficult to identify in children as they may yet to be fully develop. Poor footwear may contribute in developing flat feet. So if I have flat feet, does that mean that I am going to get pain? Contrary to popular belief, having a flat foot does not necessarily increase the incidence of injury and it does not usually cause problems. However, flat feet may put a strain on your muscles, ligaments and joints, which may cause pain in your feet, legs, hips and back when you stand or walk. Furthermore, individuals with flat feet may develop tired or aching feet after prolonged periods of standing or walking.

So next time when someone or your children complaint about pain, don't simply think they are just too weak. It might due to them having flat feet.

Depression

It is normal to feel sad at one time or another, due to disappointment, frustration or losing someone. Normally, people continue with lives after awhile, when time heals the sadness. However in some people, depression can be severe until it makes it difficult to cope with daily life. Depression of this degree is an illness and needs treatment. In extreme cases, it can lead to suicidal thoughts or tendencies.

Symptoms / What to expect

The following are the most common symptoms of depression. If you experience 5 or more of these symptoms for 2 weeks or longer, you are probably depressed.

• Persistent sadness or feeling down or gloomy
• A loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, such as socializing with friends and family, most of the day, nearly every day.
• Loss of appetite and loss of weight.
• Insomnia. For some people, on the contrary, they find that they are sleeping more than normal.
• Feeling restless and agitated more easily.
• Feeling tired and having little energy.
• Unable to concentrate and think clearly and thereby becoming indecisive.
• Feeling of worthlessness and quilt
• Recurrent thoughts of death

Depression is getting more common these days. It is important to know the symptoms which enable us to identify the illness and seek early treatment, not only for ourselves, but also for our love ones and people around us. If you are depress, you must know that it is nothing to be ashamed of, instead seek help from friends and family members to get over it. Get early treatment before it becomes severe.

What is Measle

Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. Measles starts with a fever. Soon after, it causes a cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Then a rash of tiny, red spots breaks out. It starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body. Measles can be serious for young children. It can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and death. Measles spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is so contagious that if one person has it, 90% of the people around him or her will also become infected if they are not protected.

In Singapore, children receive both doses of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine at a younger age. MMR vaccination is the most effective way to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella, which are highly contagious childhood diseases that can lead to serious complications in children and in the case of measles, even death. Children receive their first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12 months of age. The second dose of the vaccine at 15-18 months of age. Providing the two doses at a closer interval will ensure that almost all vaccinated children are sufficiently protected against measles earlier in their lives.

For whatever reasons, if the child has missed the vaccination, as responsible parents we should not just let it go and assume such virus will never happen on the child. Parents should ensure the child is protected with proper vaccination. If you have domestic maid, do ensure she is vaccinated too.

• 80 measles cases in S'pore; 23 had travelled to Philippines
• Maids returning from Philippines are to get measles vaccination
• Measles in the Philippines (Watch - Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions)
• Vietnam battles fatal measles outbreak

Android Devices vulnerable to Heartbleed

If you are using android devices running on jelly bean version 4.1.1, you are vulnerable to Heartbleed Bug. Tech security firm, Trend Micro is warning that mobile apps are just as vulnerable to the Heartbleed Bug. We need to be aware and not be ignorant to this security threat.

• Heartbleed bug: millions of Android devices still vulnerable
• Heartbleed may bleed mobiles too

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)

I had never heard of this term before. I came across it when reading recent spread of Ebola virus. The MERS virus is considered a deadlier but less-transmissible cousin of the SARS virus. Experts are still struggling to understand the disease, for which there is no known vaccine. A study has said the virus has been "extraordinarily common" in camels for at least 20 years, and may have been passed directly from the animals to humans. The MERS death toll in Saudi rises to 66.

• MERS fears prompt ER closure at Saudi hospital
• Saudi MERS death toll rises to 66
• Johor man dies of Mers virus; first reported case of death in Asia

"Heartbleed" bug

While the physical world is fighting Ebola virus, the virtual world is fighting a critical illness "Heartbleed" bug. So what exactly is it? "Heartbleed is a catastrophic bug in OpenSSL," OpenSSL is a commonly used software platform for encrypted transactions at "https" websites that Internet users have been taught to trust. The Heartbleed flaw lets hackers snatch packets of data from working memory in computers, creating the potential for them to steal passwords, encryption keys, or other valuable information.

Once again it proofs that nothing is secured in virtual world regardless how strong your passwords can be. It is again giving warning signs to users not to disclose too much personal information online. Users should not assume everything is safe, everything is alright as always.

• "Heartbleed" bug a critical Internet illness
• Heartache for data firms due to Heartbleed

Ebola Virus

Living far from this virus, I am totally ignorant about it. It is never too late to learn something new. I am glad I learn something everyday. While the world is focusing on the missing Malaysia Flight MH370, the other end of the world is fighting against Ebola virus. What is ebola? An infectious and generally fatal disease marked by fever and severe internal bleeding, spread through contact with infected body fluids by a filovirus ( Ebola virus ), whose normal host species is unknown.

Recently there is a raise in this virus at West Africa. Virologists say they are deeply worried by the unprecedented Ebola epidemic in West Africa which has claimed more than 90 lives and may now also have struck north into the Sahel. Read more......

• Experts cast worried eye on Ebola spread
• Health expert warns funerals spread Ebola in Guinea
• Guinea Ebola outbreak thought to have spread to Sierra Leone
• Terror grips Ebola-hit west Africa
• Liberia confirms first Ebola cases
• Mali reports three suspected Ebola cases
• Canada has possible Ebola case: health officials

8 tips on how to stop snoring

I hope the tips really work and help people to manage their snoring habit, and spare their bed partner from deprived deep sleep.

1. Lose weight if you're obese
2. Avoid alcohol after 6pm
3. Avoid taking sleeping pills
4. Quit smoking
5. Apply nasal strips
6. Treat nasal congestion
7. Exercise regularly and adopt fixed sleep patterns
8. Sleep on your side

Taken from Healthxchange.com.sg

Spot the signs of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)

Symptoms often begin gradually and are usually more severe in the dominant hand.

• intermittent numbness or tingling in your thumb, index, middle and ring fingers, typically at night during sleep which may improve by 'shaking it off'
• your hand may seem like it has 'fallen asleep' or feels swollen
• intermittent weakness of your grip
• condition may worsen with time, resulting in permanent weakness and wasting of the muscles

Singapore (SGD) - coins

The Singapore Third Series coins were issued into circulation on 25 June 2013. The coin designs feature national icons and landmarks. The First and Second Series coins remain legal tender and the public can continue to use them for payment alongside the new coins.

Singapore Third Series Coins

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

What is CTS? It is the abbreviation for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a condition of hurt in the hands and wrists due to repetitive movements which wear out our hands and wrists. This condition is getting common in our world of technology, where we can't get our hands off the laptops, smartphones and tables.

Risk Factors

• repetitive wrist movements
• if your hands have narrower carpal tunnels
• CTS is 3 times more common in women and pregnant women
• more likely to develop CTS for people with diabetes, obesity, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis and wrist injuries

Treatment

• mild to moderate CTS can be treated with a hand splint or steroid injections
• severe cases, a simple surgical decompression procedure can be performed under local anaesthesia

Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

What exactly is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease? Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is an accumulation of fat in the liver. Typically it is a middle-aged disease linked to excessive alcohol drinking. Unfortunately it is affecting younger group of people due to unhealthy lifestyles, regardless they drink little or no alcohol.

If not managed properly with those people having also obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, the disease can become more serious and the fatty liver becomes inflamed. The good news is that a simple fatty liver condition can be reversible by exercising 30 minutes three times a week, lose weight and eat healthy.

Early fatty liver disease does not usually show symptoms, but you may experience tiredness, discomfort in the right upper abdomen and loss of appetite.

Diagnosis and Treatment

• blood and liver function tests
• imaging procedures, such as ultrasound and computerised tomography (CT) scans
• liver tissue tests or biopsy in more serious cases

Tips for Healthy Liver

• Cut down on food with high levels of fat, such as red meat and diary products. Avoid deep-fried and processed food.
• Take more high-fibre foods such as whole grains, fruit and vegetables. Choose more fish, beans and nuts.
• Exercise regularly. It decreases stress on the liver and helps to prevent obesity.

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are benign growths or non-cancerous tumours that develop in the womb's muscular walls, causing it to be enlarged. Fibroids may grow as a single tumour or in clusters that fill the pelvis or abdomen. It can be as small as pea to as large as a melon. The levels of oestrogen will cause them to grow or shrink. They tend to grow rapidly in pregnancy because the body has high levels of oestrogen, causing pain. They tend to shrink or stop growing once menopause is reached, as the levels of oestrogen drop.

Tips to spot the signs

• pelvic pain
• constipation
• distended tummy
• difficult or frequent urination
• heavy or lengthy menstrual bleeding
• pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse
• reproductive problem

Treatment for Uterine Fibroids

• may not require any treatment, but will require regular monitoring if diagnosed via a pelvic exam or ultrasound
• non-surgical options include hormone therapy and other medication to treat symptoms, but it is noted fibroids continue to grow when medication is stopped
• women with a few fibroids may use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided ultrasound waves treatment
• surgical option 'Myomectomy' to remove fibroids, which can be open or keyhole surgery
• another surgical option 'Hysterectomy' is a permanent cure to remove fibroids, is reserved for women who have completed their families or who do not intend to conceive

Mass Aqua Aerobic Session on 27 Apr 2014

I think this might be the very ever first mass aqua aerobics session held in Singapore. My aqua aerobic instructor will be one of the many instructors. It is targeting 500 people, so that it can be in Singapore Book of Records. Come and join us for half an hour of fun. Event is free and all are welcome.

Venue - Sengkang Swimming Complex (Teaching Pool-1.2m depth)
Date - 27 April 2014
Time - 11am

Majority of Singaporean still think that this exercise is only for old ladies. It is suitable and good for all ages. Just that most of the classes are filled with elderly, so the younger ones thought it is an exercise for the elderly. I hope the younger ones will realise that it is a good form of exercises and give it a try.

You may be interested to find out more about my instructor, Vikki and updates of her classes. Check it out at her Facebook page Vik's Fitness

Tips for Good Oral Hygiene

I had come across people telling me not to brush my teeth too often as it 'thin' and hurt the gums. Interesting belief, but I still put my trust in science. We all taught from young in school to brush our teeth twice a day. Once in the morning and once in the night. So are we going to teach that to our children or teach the old folks belief to the children? Guess the choice is up to individual. Nevertheless here are good oral hygiene tips:

• brush your teeth right at least twice daily to minimise plaque accumulation around gums
• floss every day
• visit the dentist twice a year
• quit smoking

Gum Disease

Do you know that good oral health means more than just looking after your teeth? Beside your teeth, your gums need to be healthy too. A beautiful smile starts with healthy gums. Gum disease is the largest cause of tooth loss in adults. Studies shown that gum inflammation may be linked to other chronic health conditions.

What is Gum Disease?

The main culprit of gum or periodontal disease is bacterial plaque. Overtime plaque that is not removed can harden and form tartar which can only be removed with professional cleaning by a dentist. The longer plaque and tartar remain on teeth, the more harmful they become resulting in gum disease. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that occurs when bacterial plaque causes gum inflammation. Gums become red, puffy and bleed easily. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to a more severe gum disease called periodontist. This occurs when the gum pull away from the teeth and are filled with plaque becoming infected. The teeth may become loose due to bone loss and may have to be removed.

Treating Gum Disease

Gingivitis can be reversed. With regular visits, your dentist can pick up signs of disease and prescribe a good hygiene programme for you to follow at home, complemented by professional scaling. If required you may be referred to a periodontist with specialised training in treating gum disease. Treatment for periodontist may include gum surgery to remove deep-seated plaque and tartar.