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On this episode of Heart of Medicine, virologist Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr Lam Sai Kit and infectious diseases consultant Dr Timothy Williams join consultant cardiologist Dr Kannan Pasamanickam, to explore the impact of COVID-19 infection on cardiovascular health. They also debunk myths about the COVID-19 vaccine and the heart, and discuss why the false messaging around COVID-19 vaccination continues to persist. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s been more than 100 years since the BCG vaccine was first introduced as a significant tool in our fight against tuberculosis. While the BCG vaccine is still widely rolled out today, it is largely only effective among infants and young children, leaving adolescents and adults still vulnerable to developing TB. Worldwide, TB is one of the deadliest infectious diseases and leaves millions suffering from extended periods of ill-health and disability, especially in low- and middle-income countries. We speak to Dr Allison Portnoy, Assistant Professor of Global Health at the Boston University School of Public Health, to find out what difference a new TB vaccine could make, and how we can convince governments and pharmaceutical companies that this is an investment worth making. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feeling a bit more brain fog than usual? Getting forgetful, but chalking it up to stress and fatigue? If you're a woman in your 40s, there could be another reason - perimenopause. Hormone changes can have an effect on the brain, but are these effects permanent over the longer term? We talk about whether menopause brain is real, even in the years preceding, and whether dementia is a risk that perimenopausal women need to be concerned about. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The idea of undergoing a colonoscopy can be daunting, but it is one of the tools we have for picking up colorectal cancer early, as the disease often has no symptoms in the early stages. So how often should you have a colonoscopy? How do you know if you need one? And is that the only screening option for colorectal cancer? Find out from Dato’ Dr Meheshinder Singh, consultant colorectal surgeon from Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur. See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How do you go from being an active 44-year-old, to suddenly discovering you have end-stage kidney disease? On this episode of NCD Chronicles https://www.bfm.my/podcast?qseaid=ncdchronicles, we get a glimpse into Ezi’s life with chronic kidney disease, and how home-based peritoneal dialysis has given him the freedom to continue living a normal life. Consultant nephrologist Dr Azrini Binti Abdul Aziz weighs in to highlight innovations in peritoneal dialysis that have improved the monitoring and support for patients remotely, but also calls for renewed attention on the prevention of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. This episode of NCD Chronicles is brought to you by Baxter Healthcare Malaysia: The Kidney Care Journey in the Modern Era. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Federal Court recently ruled that private hospitals can also be held liable for medical negligence, meaning that not all the responsibility falls on the doctor alone. What does this mean for the private healthcare system and thus on patients’ healthcare experiences in the private sector? We find out from Charlaine Chin, medico-legal lawyer and Treasurer of the Medico-Legal Society of Malaysia. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019 shows that 1 in 2 adults are either overweight or obese, and 1 in 2 adults have abdominal obesity, which causes various metabolic problems. Prof Dr Rohana Abdul Ghani, Consultant Endocrinologist, and President of the Malaysian Obesity Society, joins us to unpack the multifactorial ecosystem that affects people with obesity, and how to better support them in managing their weight. This is a disease awareness message brought to you by Novo Nordisk Pharma Malaysia. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional in the event of any medical query or emergency. See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Anita Abu Bakar had always been a high achiever. But throughout childhood, and her early career as an investment banker, she describes feeling an emotional void. Instead, she would frequently experience anxiety, panic and loneliness. It was only a matter of time before she reached breaking point. On this episode of ‘Because Feelings Matter https://www.bfm.my/podcast?utm_source=tags&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=resourcetags&tag=becausefeelingsmatter&utm_content=becausefeelingsmatter’, Anita Abu Bakar describes the excruciating pain that came with hitting rock bottom, and how she clawed her way back up to eventually set up a mental health NGO, the Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association of Malaysia https://www.miasa.org.my/index.html (MIASA Malaysia). Every mental health struggle has a story behind it. ‘Because Feelings Matter https://www.bfm.my/podcast?utm_source=tags&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=resourcetags&tag=becausefeelingsmatter&utm_content=becausefeelingsmatter’ is a series that brings you the stories of people and their mental health issues. This series is produced in collaboration with Thrive Well https://www.thethrive.center/. This segment talks about self-harm and suicide, and may be a difficult topic for some listeners. If you need to talk about your mental health problems, look for local support within your community, or call helplines like: Talian HEAL at 15555, MIASA's 24-hour helpline at 1-800-1800-66, or Befrienders KL at 03-7627 2929. See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In Malaysia, it is estimated that between 1.6% and 4.6% of children have ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactive disorder. But statistics do not tell us the reality of the struggles faced by these children, when it comes to managing their daily routines, making friends, coping with school, and being accepted by people around them. We speak to Nik Norezreen Nik Adnan, a parent of a primary-age child with ADHD, about the systemic barriers that present challenges to children and their caregivers. In the same conversation is Liana Mohd Nawi, Director of Clinical Services, Thrive Well, to share thoughts on how we can better support families, when it comes to assessment and professional support. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Women conform to different societal norms as they go through various phases of life, and the perimenopause years are no different. With menopause on the horizon, women in their 40s are forced to set aside their sexual desires and needs, and are not able to talk about sexual dysfunction in their relationships. In this candid conversation with consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Hoo Mei Lin, we discuss how sex and relationships are affected by perimenopause, and how to create a safe space for women to acknowledge their sexual health issues with their partners and healthcare professionals. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Women conform to different societal norms as they go through various phases of life, and the perimenopause years are no different. With menopause on the horizon, women in their 40s are forced to set aside their sexual desires and needs, and are not able to talk about sexual dysfunction in their relationships. In this candid conversation with consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Hoo Mei Lin, we discuss how sex and relationships are affected by perimenopause, and how to create a safe space for women to acknowledge their sexual health issues with their partners and healthcare professionals. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Organ donation offers a new lease on life for recipients of organ transplants. But in Malaysia, we have a critical shortage of organ donors and thus low transplantation rates. Dr Mohamad Zaimi Abdul Wahab, a transplant nephrologist from Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Vice President of the Malaysian Society of Transplantation joins us to dive into the challenges in raising organ donation and transplant rates in Malaysia and how a programme targeted at university students aims to change this. See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Almost 50,000 people in Malaysia live with end-stage renal disease. The Ministry of Health has warned that by the year 2040, there could be more than 100,000 Malaysians on dialysis if nothing is done to stop the rising cases of kidney failure in the country. In conjunction with World Kidney Day, we revisit the burden of chronic kidney disease in Malaysia. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why do some people remain so sharp as they age, while others are less resilient to the effects of memory loss and dementia? Why are some still able to function normally even when their brain shows that there is damage or pathology that could lead to cognitive decline? It might come down to something called cognitive reserve, and that’s what we’ll be exploring on this episode of Brain Waves, with neurogeneticist Dr Azlina Ahmad Annuar. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When you undergo surgery, the anaesthesiologist plays a very important role in ensuring your safety and comfort before, during and after surgery. This is the medical doctor who specialises in anaesthesia, pain management, and critical care medicine. Consultant anaesthesiologist Dr Gunalan Palari Arumugam joins us to share why he chose this career path, and what he has learned about patient care from his role by the operating table. See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The midlife can be both thrilling and terrifying for women in their 40s - this is the time for major changes, such as children going into adolescence or university, changes in relationships or careers, or the death or illness of parents. We look at how the perimenopause period affects women's mental health, and why it's important for women to have a strong support system, including her partner and family, to help her navigate this phase with empathy and compassion. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In conjunction with International Women’s Day on 8 March, Health & Living is exploring the barriers that women in underserved communities in Sarawak and Sabah face in the context of cancer care. We speak to Stage 3 breast cancer survivor Jacqueline John, Vice President of the Kinabalu Pink Ribbon https://www.facebook.com/sabahkpr/ (also known as the Kinabalu Breast Cancer Support Association), who overcame tremendous personal barriers to undergo surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Jacqueline also shares more about the pervasive challenges of increasing breast cancer awareness, access to care, and survivorship support for women in Sabah. See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In conjunction with International Women’s Day on 8 March, Health & Living is exploring the barriers that women in underserved communities in Sarawak and Sabah face in the context of cancer care. Breast and cervical cancer are common cancers among women that can be detected early and yet doctors on the ground in Sarawak still see many women being diagnosed in later stages, especially in underserved communities. We speak to Dr Yolanda Augustin, clinical oncologist at St George’s, University of London, and Dr Melissa Lim, Lecturer, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) about their efforts to reach this community of women and how we can improve healthcare in Sarawak. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The fabulous 40s are a phase of life for women to look forward to, but what happens when their hormones have a somewhat different idea? Perimenopause, the years leading up to menopause, has its own hormonal, physiological and psychological effects, which means that women go through an extended transition where they struggle with physical symptoms and emotional ups and downs, for several years. In the first episode of this mini-series throughout March, we look at how societal norms shape the way women view their identity as a pre-menopausal woman - mother, wife, daughter, career professional? Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Premitha Damodaran joins us for this chat. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The abdominal muscles - where your six-pack is (or should be) - are two flat and parallel muscles separated by a connective tissue called linea alba. Some people - for instance, women post-delivery - find that their linea alba can become separated, in a condition called diastasis recti. Consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr Rajesh Singh joins us to take a peek at the linea alba, and to help us understand how fascia forms in our body, their functions, and consequences of their dysfunction. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What is it like to grow up without being able to hear sounds and speech? Picking up hearing loss among babies and children is crucial to ensure that their development is not affected. In conjunction with World Hearing Day, we speak to Dr Farah Liana Lokman, an ENT specialist, and Fatimah Sazari, an audiologist, both from Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM to understand hearing loss among children and how universal hearing screening for newborns can help. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the last two months, several developments involving migrant workers have put a spotlight on their right to fair living and working conditions. In one case, it was revealed that several hundred Bangladeshi workers had been left stranded and jobless after being duped by their recruitment agency. Separately, the Negri Sembilan and Johor governments have also announced that migrant workers in their respective states have to be housed in registered Centralised Living Quarters (CLQ), and not in residential areas. On top of that, rarely a month goes by without a news report about migrant workers getting injured - sometimes fatally - while on the job. On the show, we look at how migrant labour policies, as well as occupational and environmental health practices, should prioritise the health and well-being of foreign workers. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Parenting is already hard enough; raising a child with a rare disease? Most of us can’t even begin to imagine the challenges, sacrifices, and heartbreak that the parents go through. In conjunction with Rare Disease Day, we speak to Dr Nurul Izzaty Hassan about her daughter’s diagnosis of neurofibromatosis and her own journey of balancing her daughter and family’s needs with her own mental well-being. Every mental health struggle has a story behind it. ‘Because Feelings Matter https://www.bfm.my/podcast?utm_source=tags&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=resourcetags&tag=becausefeelingsmatter&utm_content=becausefeelingsmatter’ is a series that brings you the stories of people and their mental health issues. See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Director-General of the World Health Organisation, Dr Tedros Adhanom Gebreyesus, recently reiterated that the next pandemic is not a matter of if, but when. His warning was merely the latest of what experts have been saying for years that pandemics will only become more common and that we must be prepared for the next Disease X, a new pathogen that we have yet to discover. On today’s show, I’m joined by Assistant Professor Dr Ruklanthi de Alwis, a viral immunologist and the Deputy Director of the Duke-NUS Centre for Outbreak Preparedness in Singapore to find out what this means and how countries - especially in Southeast Asia - can prepare ourselves before the next outbreak hits. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For many parents of children with rare diseases, the journey from discovering their child’s symptoms to finding a definite diagnosis is often long and arduous. Parents often go from doctor to doctor to figure out what is happening to their child, and because of the nature of these diseases, most doctors aren’t able to quickly pick up on the nature of the disease. But what if we can introduce screening policies to help detect some of these cases much earlier, even before the child shows symptoms? Ahead of Rare Disease Day (29 February), we speak to consultant paediatrician & clinical geneticist Prof Dr Thong Meow Keong, and genetic counsellor Yoon Sook Yee for their thoughts. Image credit: Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The heart is one of the most vital organs in our body, working day and night from the moment we are born to pump blood throughout our body. But for a small number of individuals, from the moment they’re born, their hearts don’t work like they should because the structure of the heart is abnormal. These individuals are diagnosed with congenital heart disease. On this episode of NCD Chronicles, we hear from Jennifer Lim about her son Thaddeus’ diagnosis of congenital heart disease and the agonising wait for life-saving surgery. NCD Chronicles https://www.bfm.my/podcast?qseaid=ncdchronicles is a series about people living with NCDs, going beyond the diagnosis to explore their personal experiences, their challenges, as well as the impact of their health condition on their loved ones. These stories reveal the importance of understanding the unique struggles and needs of the individuals behind the disease, in our response to the NCD epidemic. See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Drug Control Authority has recently given conditional approval to Qdenga, a dengue vaccine that could be given to those aged four and above. With dengue continuing to be a threat to the Malaysian population, will a vaccine be the game changer that we need? What do we know about the safety of this vaccine and will we face challenges with vaccine hesitancy this time around? Consultant urologist Dr George Lee is joined by Dr Ravindran Thayan, Head of the Virology Unit at the Institute of Medical Research to find out more. Image credit: Shutterstock Inc. See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Prostate cancer is often referred to as the “silent killer” because it can develop without any symptoms. In fact, almost 70% of cases in Malaysia are only diagnosed in the late stages. What does this mean for men who receive a prostate cancer diagnosis? How far have we come in treating the cancer itself but also supporting these men with their mental health? Find out from consultant urologist Dr Peter Ng https://subangjayamedicalcentre.com/doctor-info/dr-peter-ng-eng-pin and registered counsellor Kelly Lai from Subang Jaya Medical Centre. See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When a child is significantly quieter than their peers, we say the child is shy or a wallflower. When a child stumbles over their words when telling you about something that happened in the playground, we smile indulgently, and simply help the child finish their story. In these two scenarios, we could be missing out on important signs that the child has a developmental language disorder. Consultant Developmental Paediatrician Dr Rajini Sarvananthan, and Speech and Language Therapist Iffah Rashida Mazlan, join us to explain how DLD affects children in their communication and literacy, schooling, as well as social interactions. Image credit: Shutterstock Inc See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In a society which highly emphasises outward appearances, it can often be easy to be dissatisfied with our body image. For adolescents, this pressure can feel immense as their bodies also go through rapid physical changes during puberty. On top of that, with rising peer pressure and the influence of social media, are our teenagers growing up in an environment where they find it harder to love their bodies as they are? Consultant child psychiatrist Dr Anita Codati from Hospital Tunku Azizah weighs in on this episode of Mind Matters. Image credit: Shutterstock Inc. See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
