A-Z CLUB NEWS
OF HEALTH IN SINGAPORE
New to Singapore? The A – Z of Health in Singapore by International Medical Clinic tells you all you need to know about Health in Singapore.
O is for Orthorexia. Characterized as a harmful obsession with ‘healthy’ eating, orthorexia is a new and concerning eating disorder often found in teens. If you are concerned, see a trusted doctor. P is for Pregnancy. Locate a trusted Paediatric doctor who can guide you through, and remember you don’t have to take the paediatric doctor assigned to you at the hospital. Q is for Quality. The Singapore Health system is of a very high quality – so you can be assured, you are in very good hands. R is for Respiratory problems. There is a high prevalence of respiratory issues in Singapore, including coughs, colds, asthma and haze related breathing issues. Be prepared and register with a trusted Doctor clinic before you get sick! S is for Screenings. Annual Health Screens are important to optimize your well-being, identify conditions that are asymptomatic and screen for certain cancer where early detection can mean a better outcome or cure. Health screens should be tailored to your medical needs and any significant family history or risk factors you have should be taken into account during your consultation. Don’t put them off, protect your health.
T is for Tropical ear. Year-round swimming together with a humid environment can create the ideal conditions for ‘swimmers ear’. This is an infection of the ear canal caused by bacteria or fungi, see your doctor if your ear hurts for more than 2 days. U is for Urinary tract infections. Urinary tract infections typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begins to multiply in the bladder. In this hot and humid environment, it is important to drink lots of water and seek medical support if you start to notice symptoms. V is for Vaccines. Here are the routine vaccines highly recommended for life in Singapore: • Diptheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (DTP) • Polio • Haemophilus influenza Type B • MMR • Hepatitis A & B • BCG (against TB) • Pneumococcal • Dengue (if you have contracted dengue before) • Flu
(And don’t forget that if you are travelling around Asia, additional vaccines may be recommended). W is for Water. The water supply in Singapore is of a high quality, suitable for drinking and is optimally fluorinated. Remember to drink plenty of water in this hot, humid climate. X is for eXterminate mosquitos! You may have noticed that many of the unpleasant viruses in Singapore are spread through mosquito bites. The best protection is to wear insect repellent and avoid getting bitten. Y is for Yellow Fever. Yellow fever is a serious, potentially deadly flu-like disease spread by mosquitoes. It is characterized by high fever and jaundice. Jaundice is yellowing of the skin and eyes, which is why this disease is called yellow fever. This disease is most prevalent in certain parts of Africa and South America. It isn’t curable, but you can prevent it with the yellow fever vaccine. IMC is one of the few designated clinics in Singapore that can give the vaccine. Z is for Zika: The virus is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infective Aedes mosquito. Singapore’s first Zika outbreak occurred in August 2016; however, there has been a low incidence since that peak. Try to avoid getting bitten.
International Medical Clinic has 30 internationally trained family practitioners and paediatric doctors who speak over 10 languages. Based in East Coast (IMC Katong), Orchard (IMC Camden and IMC Children’s) and Holland (IMC Jelita). www.imc-healthcare.com
Please refer to the February issue, for A-N health information by IMC 12 |
MAR 2020
