Category: Health EN

CAP: More Malaysians Relying on Strained Public Healthcare Services The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) said escalating private hospital charges are forcing more Malaysians, particularly ordinary wage earners, to rely heavily on public healthcare services, which are already operating at maximum capacity. Its president Mohideen Abdul Kader said many families struggling with the rising cost...

A landmark review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine examined 128,119 participants across 97 meta-reviews and 1,039 trials, and found that physical activity was up to 1.5 times more effective than standard medication or counselling in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Participants who engaged in moderate activities, such as walking, jogging, cycling, or yoga, for at...

It’s long been known that heavy drinking raises blood pressure and damages the liver. But a new study suggests it may also deal a devastating blow to the brain – causing life-threatening haemorrhagic strokes. The study, published November 5 in Neurology, found that people who consumed 3 or more alcoholic drinks a day experienced bleeding strokes inside the brain an average of 11 years...

Mankind continues to suffer from the ever-growing diabetes epidemic and the rapid rise of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Ibn Sina (980–1037 CE) commonly known as Avicenna, in his medical encyclopedia “Al-Qanun Fi Al-Tibb” (Arabic for The Canon of Medicine) had a description of diabetes’ symptoms and came out with the term Ziabetes” or “Dianetes” to reflect the polyuric nature of...

Eating together as a family offers children more than just nutrition. Studies show family meals are literally linked to better grades. Researchers found that teens who had 4 or more family meals per week were significantly more likely to earn top grades. This practice is also a powerful boost for their language and literacy development – children who regularly eat with their families have been...

Walking just 7,000 steps (about 3.5 miles, or 5.6km) a day could significantly improve your health and lower your risk of serious diseases, according to a recent analysis of over 50 studies published in the last decade. While many people have heard the advice to hit 10,000 steps a day, this new research suggests that 7,000 steps might be a more realistic, and still powerful target, especially...

Did you know – many foods can contain “hidden” sugars that can increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and even gout. Stay mindful of “hidden” sugars in foods and opt for healthier choices. Source: World Health Organization  

Grey hair is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, according to the latest research, the presence of grey hair may be a good sign that your body is naturally protecting itself from cancer. A series of mouse experiments by scientists from the University of Tokyo suggest we've evolved to let go of cells that are at risk of generating tumours at the expense of a little colour. The study reported in...

Act Now to Address this Growing Public Health Problem Each year, from 18 to 24 November, the world observes World Antimicrobial Awareness Week – because the loss of effective antibiotics threatens every aspect of modern medicine. This year’s theme, “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future”, reminds us that awareness alone is not enough. We must take decisive action. Globally 1.27...

Stress symptoms may be affecting your health, even though you might not know it. You may blame sickness for that annoying headache, your sleeping troubles, feeling unwell or your lack of focus at work. But stress may really be the cause. Stress symptoms can affect your body, your thoughts and feelings, and your behaviour. Knowing common stress symptoms can help you manage them. Stress that's not...