FEED Validator

for Atom and RSS and KML

Congratulations!

This is a valid Atom 1.0 feed.

Recommendations

This feed is valid, but interoperability with the widest range of feed readers could be improved by implementing the following recommendations.

line 1, column 0: Use of unknown namespace: http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008 [help]
```
<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blog ...
```
line 1, column 0: Unable to validate namespace: http://schemas.google.com/g/2005. See the Google Data specification at https://developers.google.com/gdata/docs/1.0/elements [help]
```
<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blog ...
```

line 1, column 1015: Self reference doesn't match document location [help]

... feeds/13203511/posts/default?alt=atom'/><link rel='alternate' type='text ...
                                             ^

Source: http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/atom.xml

<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:blogger='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd="http://schemas.google.com/g/2005" xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13203511</id><updated>2024-03-06T09:06:40.367+08:00</updated><title type='text'>eFrenzconnect Health and Wellness</title><subtitle type='html'>The contents of this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or substitute for professional care.</subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default?alt=atom'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>15</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>25</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13203511.post-112930573668277771</id><published>2005-10-14T23:42:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2005-10-15T00:02:16.690+08:00</updated><title type='text'>Looks DO matter - even for kids</title><content type='html'>Do looks matter, even for kids? Should we consider surgery in kids to improve on their looks? Just ask any person with bat ears, adult or child, how they endured all the teasing while growing up. All because their ears look different from others. A simple surgical procedure is all it takes, to transform a child's life. In bat ears, the cartilage that forms the majority of the shape of the ear (conchal cartilage), is flat and not bent backwards, resulting in a flat and featureless ear, just like a bat's. Surgery to correct bat ears involve an incision at the back of the ear, and sculpturing the cartilage and fixing it in such a way as to pin the prominent ear back. It needs surgery because some permanence is required (cartilage has "memory" - it may sometimes spring back) This ear pin-back operation, or otoplasty, should be done as soon as the kid is conscious of it before he goes to school. It can also be done in adult-hood. Undergoing plastic surgery should not be misconstrued as indulging in a frivolous luxury. Just ask any kid (or for that matter, any adult), with bat ears. </content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/feeds/112930573668277771/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=13203511&postID=112930573668277771' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/112930573668277771'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/112930573668277771'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/2005/10/looks-do-matter-even-for-kids.html' title='Looks DO matter - even for kids'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13203511.post-112930449433340921</id><published>2005-10-14T23:18:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2005-10-14T23:41:34.393+08:00</updated><title type='text'>Looks DO matter</title><content type='html'>We often say that what is inside is more important than what is outside. A person's character and personality rank matters more than outward appearance (and for religious believers, the soul above all else). Are looks therefore important? Should one undergo anything to enhance one's looks? Everybody is beautifully and wonderfully made, both inside and outside. Looks DO matter...it matters in getting a job, in progressing in one's career, perhaps also in relationships. It is a reflection of what is inside. A common complaint for example is the presence of eyebags. If you have eyebags, you tend to look older and more tired than you actually are. Perhaps you are in a job that requires people to trust that you are AWAKE and ALERT in handling their deals. Having prominent eyebags surely convey the impression that you have not slept enough and perhaps, maybe, you may not be up to scratch to deal with the job at hand. This may, who knows, cause you to loose the deal. Or the eyebags betray your real age, and you really want to look younger. Surgery affords the most effective and quickest way to remove eyebags. Using the laser to remove the eyebags help to ensure that bleeding is kept to the absolute minimum. This translates into quicker recovery and shorter down time. We are talking about the potential of being able to get back to work after a few days. When you look better after removing those eyebags, you will feel better, and you will live better. It will influence and impact upon(for the better) your personality and character, boost your self-confidence and improve your opportunities. Looks are not the most important thing in life, but they DO matter. </content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/feeds/112930449433340921/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=13203511&postID=112930449433340921' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/112930449433340921'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/112930449433340921'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/2005/10/looks-do-matter.html' title='Looks DO matter'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13203511.post-112842799057388201</id><published>2005-10-04T19:52:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2005-10-14T23:16:12.793+08:00</updated><title type='text'>Restoring Nature's Beauty</title><content type='html'>Everybody is beautifully and wonderfully made. Unfortunately, sometimes disease or injuries mar that beauty. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, a month where ladies are reminded to do regular breast examinations. But what happens when there is cancer, and the breast needs to be removed? Breast Cancer is the commonest cancer amongst women in Singapore. Because of improved and more widespread screening like annual mammograms and ultrasound surveillance, breast cancer is increasingly being picked up in younger women. The mainstay of the treatment of breast cancer is breast removal surgery, or mastectomy, in conjunction with adjuvant therapy, either chemotherapy or radiotherapy. When faced with the prospect of needing a mastectomy, do not despair, because that beauty need not be gone forever...it can be restored and reconstructed. Preferably with your own body tissue. Breast removal and reconstruction techniques have so evolved that now, the end result is really very close to the original. Several refinements in surgical techniques have contributed to the restoration of nature's beauty, performed within a reasonable space of operation time of 4 to 6 hours. Skin-Sparing Mastectomy - means that the Breast Resection Surgeon removes as little skin and nipple as is possible, and the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon is able to utilise the remaining breast skin pocket to help shape the new breast. Simultaneous and Immediate Breast Reconstruction - means the breast reconstruction is performed at the same operation as the mastectomy. Simultaneous when the donor tissue is performed at the same time as the removal surgery, thus saving almost 2 hours of operation time. Shortening the operative time translates into reduction in facility costs, reduction in exposure to general anaesthesia time with resultant quickened recovery time. No doubt Breast Reconstruction means additional surgery, but that additional surgery is worth the discomfort and cost in the long-run. </content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/feeds/112842799057388201/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=13203511&postID=112842799057388201' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/112842799057388201'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/112842799057388201'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/2005/10/restoring-natures-beauty.html' title='Restoring Nature's Beauty'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13203511.post-112622605661822177</id><published>2005-09-09T08:23:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2005-09-09T14:21:10.983+08:00</updated><title type='text'>Know Your FA(:-c)Ts!</title><content type='html'>My friend told me he has lost 7 kgs and was thrilled. I was thrilled for him too, as it was a step in the right direction. So, I whipped out my laptop and said, "Let's take a look at your BMI!" BMI stands for Body Mass Index. And we keyed in the facts, and the answer read " BMI = 29". And it meant that he was hovering just below the threshold of obesity. He asked, what will it take to be classified as normal, so we did a "goalseek" by setting the target of 25 for BMI, and the answer was : " You need to loose another 7 kgs!: He can start first by reducing intake of food by about 300 calories daily and or by exercising more. And as the program also tracks the amount of calories consumed, we selected one of our favourite food items, "ham ", and queried for a breakdown of calories. To our surprise, we found that it contains 34% fats, with the remaining percentage comprising proteins. So in a double whammy sort of way, it dawned on us that not only we need to watch our weight, we need also to be aware of the amount of fats we are consuming. We ran out of time as we need to go for a meeting. We will continue after we return on what to do next. In the meantime, do you know your fats? You can drop us a line and share with us your insight. </content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/feeds/112622605661822177/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=13203511&postID=112622605661822177' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/112622605661822177'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/112622605661822177'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/2005/09/know-your-fa-cts.html' title='Know Your FA(:-c)Ts!'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13203511.post-112563334305942459</id><published>2005-09-02T11:49:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2005-09-19T09:24:37.686+08:00</updated><title type='text'>Sleep Apnoea – A Wake-Up Call</title><content type='html'>By Dr Ong Kian Chung Consultant Respiratory Physician Sleep apnoea is a medical condition that has 2 potentially serious consequences: (1) excessive sleepiness in the day and (2) cardiovascular disease. While one can possibly put up with the former (a lot of people are sleep-deprived anyway), the development of cardiovascular disease such as hypertension as a result of sleep apnoea is something most people would like to avoid. There is now a large amount of evidence showing that sleep apnoea is independently associated with a wide spectrum of clinical cardiovascular disease (reference: Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and Cardiovascular Risk. Lancet 2005;365:1046-1053). Evidence for a causative effect of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is strongest for hypertension. It has been recommended that: "given the high prevalence of OSA in the community and its effects on the cardiovascular system, as well as the established improvement in blood pressure with treatment of OSA, symptoms of this disorder should be sought in patients being investigated and treated for hypertension." But a lot of the scientific findings and evidence of the link between sleep apnoea and cardiovascular disease are so new, not many people are familiar with this issue. How often does you doctor inquire about your sleep when you consult him or her anyway? Read on to find out more about sleep apnoea for yourself. What is Sleep Apnoea? Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a condition characterized by intermittent episodes when breathing is interrupted (apnoeas) due to obstruction of the upper airway during sleep. Sleep predisposes one to narrowing - and in susceptible persons, to collapse - of the upper airway by reducing the tone of the upper airway muscles. The areas of the upper airway that are predisposed to obstruction during sleep is usually behind the soft palate and behind the tongue. Complete airway collapse during sleep is usually preceded by years of narrowing that produces snoring. Thus by the time adults with OSA come to medical attention, they have a long history of loud snoring, often beginning in childhood. When outright obstruction of the airway develops, however, the snoring is interrupted by periods of silence lasting 15 to 90 seconds, coincident with the complete cessation of airflow. During these episodes of apnoea, severe reduction of oxygen level in the body often develops until the apnoea is terminated by a brief awakening or arousal, and airway patency is restored. These events are usually accompanied by a generalised startle response, snorting and gasping. After a few deep breaths, the patient returns to sleep, only to have the cycle of events repeated as many as 200-400 times during 6 to 8 hours of sleep. OSA is a common medical problem that affects about 5% of the population. OSA should be suspected in people who are obese, habitual snorers, sleepy in the day or have hypertension. Obesity and Sleep Apnoea Perhaps the most important determinant of whether one is at risk of OSA is whether one is overweight or not. OSA is present in about 40% of obese individuals and about 70% of OSA patients are obese. A recent study showed that a 10% weight gain is associated with a 6-fold increase in the odds of developing OSA and a 10% loss in weight led to a 26% decrease in the severity of OSA. Even children are not spared. OSA was found to be moderately prevalent among obese children-namely, 13% to 36%. The severity of OSA was positively related to the degree of obesity. Blood pressure is found to be elevated in obese children with OSA and weight reduction is an effective treatment. Typically, a person with OSA has "male-pattern" obesity with predominance of fat deposition in the central and upper parts of the body, especially the neck region. A prediction rule based on neck circumference can be used to estimate a person’s probability of having OSA (Table 1) - the thicker the neck, the higher the chance. The "adjusted neck circumference" in cm is calculated by adding 4 cm if the person has hypertension, 3 cm if the person is a habitual snorer, and 3 cm if the person is reported to choke or gasp most nights. Table 1 illustrates how the adjusted neck circumference corresponds with a person’s clinical probability of having a positive test result for OSA. Table1: Adjusted neck circumference and corresponding clinical probability of OSA <a><img src="http://www.efrenzconnect.com/images/Health%20and%20Wellness/OngKC_Sleep.jpg" /></a>*Calculated by adding 4 cm to actual measured neck circumference if the person has hypertension, 3 cm if the person is a habitual snorer, and 3 cm if the person is reported to choke or gasp most nights Consequences of Sleep Apnoea There are 2 major consequences of OSA that should be of concern to the sufferer and these are: excessive sleepiness in the day and the link between OSA and several forms of cardiovascular disease. The first is bad enough. Excessive Daytime Sleepiness is associated with adverse effects on job performance, family relationships and quality of life and is also an important cause of motor vehicle accidents. Sleep deprivation in patients with OSA is associated with a worrying seven-fold increase in driving accidents. The second consequence of OSA is also alarming. Increasingly, OSA is identified as an independent and significant risk factor for several forms of cardiovascular disease such as hypertension, heart failure, heart, heart attacks, heart rhythm disturbances (especially during sleep) and even strokes. OSA and the Heart In OSA, the recurring episodes of apnoea lead to disruption of normal restful sleep and a lack of oxygen during sleep. These result in the body’s production of higher levels of stress hormones throughout the night that are deleterious to one’s cardiovascular system. To the body, this is akin to experiencing many near-suffocation episodes every night, except that the OSA sufferer is usually not aware of these recurring episodes during sleep. Not surprisingly, OSA patients have higher blood pressure during sleep – an average of 9 mmHg increase in blood pressure compared to healthy individuals without OSA, in whom blood pressure should be lower during sleep. People with mild to moderate OSA are also twice as likely to become hypertensive and people with moderate to severe sleep apnoea are almost three times as likely to become hypertensive. In people already with a "weak heart" (heart failure), undiagnosed and untreated OSA may also worsen their heart function. The good news, nonetheless, is that effective treatment for OSA is available. As mentioned above, weight reduction can significantly reduce the severity of OSA. Other established forms of treatment include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and specific forms of surgery. However, in all cases, the condition has to be recognised first and the diagnosis confirmed. The standard way to confirm if one has OSA is to undergo a sleep study. Sleep - the new vital sign? In view of the strong association between OSA and the development and worsening of cardiovascular illness, we should be on the look out for symptoms of OSA such as loud habitual snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness/fatigue and restless or unrefreshing sleep with frequent awakenings, especially in people who are overweight with hypertension without any known secondary causes. How we sleep at night may really affect our heart health. Written by: Dr Ong Kian Chung Consultant Respiratory Physician Keywords: <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/cardiovascular?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">cardiovascular</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/hypertension?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">hypertension</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/OSA?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">OSA</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/sleep?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">sleep</a> </content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/feeds/112563334305942459/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=13203511&postID=112563334305942459' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/112563334305942459'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/112563334305942459'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/2005/09/sleep-apnoea-wake-up-call.html' title='Sleep Apnoea – A Wake-Up Call'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13203511.post-112555556390156303</id><published>2005-09-01T14:17:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2005-09-14T23:38:46.816+08:00</updated><title type='text'>Diet and Colon Cancer: Opportunities For Prevention</title><content type='html'>By Dr Yap Chin Kong MBBS, MMED, MRCP(UK), FAMS, FRCP(Edinburgh) Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist Approximately 58-80% of cancers are caused by environmental factors and dietary factors may be involved in 35% of cancers. Environmental factors act to promote or protect cells from mutations. Environmental factors that are linked to cancer include: 1.Smoking: lung, pancreas, bladder cancer 2.Obesity: breast, endometrium, colon cancer 3.Infection with viruses: Human Papilloma virus for cervical cancer, hepatitis B and C for liver cancer, Ebstein-Barr virus for nasopharynx cancer. 4.Bacteria: Helicobacter pylori for stomach cancer 5.Radiation: Leukemia, thyroid cancer. An important component of environmental factors is our diet. Dietary factors that have a protective effect include: high fiber intake, fresh fruits, vegetables; dietary factors that are linked to cancer include: high salt intake, high fat intake, smoked meats, betel nut, excessive alcohol. A lean body weight has a protective effect against cancer. Medications such as hormone replacement therapy can protect against colon cancer but promote breast cancer. Dietary supplement and anti-oxidant are attractive concepts but have not been proven to reduce cancer when used as treatment. Cancer is the result of uncontrolled growth of cells in an organ, with the capacity to spread outside of the organ. It gradually results in interference with normal function and its consequences. The different cancers are classified according to the organ of origin. In Singapore, the top five common cancers in males are: lung, colon, stomach, liver, nasopharynx; in women: breast, colon, lung, cervix, stomach. The commonest cause of death is due to cancer, followed by heart disease. Throughout life, genetic changes (also called mutations) occur in our cells. These changes occur over time and can be inherited directly from our parents, or acquired due to the aging process and from environmental factors. The epidemiology of colon cancer in the Asia-Pacific region varies widely. IARC statistics place New Zealand and Australia with the highest incidence rates: 55.3 per 100,000 in New Zealand and 50 per 100,000 in Australia. Some countries in South Asia e.g. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have among the lowest rates: 1 per 100,000 in Bangladesh and 1.8 per 100,000 in Sri Lanka. In many countries, colon cancer is on the rise. Environmental and life-style factors play a role and urbanization seems to be associated with the increase. In Singapore, the incidence in the Indian race is approximately double that in Madras. Studies from Asia point to an increase in consumption of dietary meat and fat, a reduction in dietary fibre, fresh fruit and a sedentary life-style as associations with colon cancer. These data point to the presence of genetic, environmental (including diet) and life-style influences in the causation of colon cancer. Colon cancer: detect it early About one in twenty or 5% of people will develop colon cancer during their life-time. Colon cancer is the commonest cancer in Singapore and has doubled in the last 30 years. The rising trend is worrying and is likely related to dietary factors and an aging population. Almost all colon cancer arise from polyps. The progression from polyp to cancer takes many years due to the accumulation of genetic mutations. Polyps that are detected and removed by “polypectomy” effectively prevents the development to cancer. If cancer has developed, detection at an early stage I and II, can result in cure in approximately 80%. The chance of cure of more advanced stage cancer (III and IV) falls to 40%. Hence early detection by screening is an attractive concept. For the “average risk” person, several options for screening are available, starting at age 50 years. These are: stool occult blood test, sigmoidoscopy, combined stool test and sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, barium enema and CT colonography. The best studied and scientifically proven method to reduce the chance of dying from colon cancer is the stool occult blood test. There is a 15-30% reduction in the risk of dying from colorectal cancer. A positive test should be followed by colonoscopy. A negative test should be repeated annually. Because of false positive and negative readings, the search is on for better methods to improve on the accuracy of tests to detect early cancer. These include stool cancer markers and CT colonography. Currently, colonoscopy is the preferred method as a screening test because it examines the entire colon is considered the current “gold standard” in the examination of the colon. The benefits in reducing death from colon cancer are potentially greater than stool occult blood screening. Polyps and early cancer that are found can be removed non-surgically using snare polypectomy. If no polyps are found, colonoscopy offers “protection” against cancer for 5-10 years. For “high risk” persons, only colonoscopy is recommended. “High risk” refers to persons with a personal or family history of colon cancer or polyps, or a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease. “Very high risk” refers to persons who may have inherited a colon cancer gene in rare genetic conditions. Opportunities for prevention Environmental and dietary factors are likely to influence the development of cancer over many years or even decades. Immigrants to a country have a risk of cancer that is between their country of origin and the adopted country. It is their children who acquire the cancer risk of their adopted country. Hence, environmental factors may have an effect in the early part of life and explain why adopting healthy dietary and lifestyle habits later in life have little impact on the cancer risk. For these measures to work, they probably have to be adopted for many years, starting early in life. Logically, the strategy to reduce the problem of colon cancer is two pronged approach. The first approach is to screen “average risk” individuals starting at the age of 45-50 years (with colonoscopy as the preferred test). This approach benefits the immediate large numbers of persons who are at risk. The second approach is to adopt a healthy lifestyle and dietary habit now. This is because a good habit has to be adopted by adults before it can be passed on to our children. Although it may not affect cancer risks in adults now, it has benefits to reduce cardiovascular risk which is a major cause of death. The aim to reduce cancer risk and may not be achieved until the next generation. Contributed By Yap Chin Kong MBBS, MMED, MRCP(UK), FAMS, FRCP(Edinburgh) Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist Keywords: <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/gastroenterology?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">gastroenterology</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/polyps?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">polyps</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/diet?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">diet</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/colon?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">colon</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/cancer?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">cancer</a> </content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/feeds/112555556390156303/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=13203511&postID=112555556390156303' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/112555556390156303'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/112555556390156303'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/2005/09/diet-and-colon-cancer-opportunities.html' title='Diet and Colon Cancer: Opportunities For Prevention'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13203511.post-112554045999218664</id><published>2005-09-01T10:05:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2005-09-19T09:18:12.446+08:00</updated><title type='text'>Smoking and Your Lungs</title><content type='html'>By Dr Ong Kian Chung Consultant Respiratory Physician The most prevalent form of tobacco addiction is cigarette smoking and intuitively, the lungs would have to put up with the brunt of harmful effects of the cigarette smoke that is inhaled. Among the many lung diseases in smokers, 2 major respiratory diseases are most significant, because these illnesses are almost always caused by or associated with smoking, and these diseases have major impact on the sufferer in terms of quality of life and longevity. The 2 common and serious lung diseases in smokers are: (1) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and (2) Lung Cancer. While Lung Cancer is garnering a certain amount of and public awareness and media attention (Newsweek August 22, 2005 - cover story), chances are, you do not know much about the other smoking-related “lung problem” - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This is unfortunate, as from a general perspective, more smokers suffer from COPD than lung cancer and COPD is a deadlier disease than lung cancer (i.e. causing more deaths annually). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease A major public health burden COPD is a common disease afflicting millions of people worldwide and exacting a very heavy global disease burden. Surprisingly, public awareness of this disease is lacking and many people have not even heard of it. In America and many developed countries, COPD is the 4th leading cause of death and, among the top 5 leading cause/s of death in the US, COPD is the only one that is increasing in incidence - a disparity all the more striking amid the dramatic decline in deaths from heart disease and stroke. If the present trend continues, COPD will be the 3rd leading cause of death in the US in about a decade. In 1990, a study by the World Bank and World Health Organization (WHO) ranked COPD 12th as a burden of disease; by 2020, it is estimated that COPD will be ranked 5th. What is COPD? COPD is an umbrella term that encompasses 2 main disorders--- emphysema and chronic bronchitis--diseases that are characterized by obstruction to air flow in and out of the lungs. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis frequently coexist. Thus physicians prefer the term COPD. Smoking is the major cause of this condition. Air pollution, exposure to industrial smoke or dust and long term inhalation of smoke from wood fires in developing countries are other minor causes. Smoking progressively and gradually destroys the lungs and causes a decline in lung function (the capacity of our lungs to ventilate i.e. bring fresh air in from the environment and expired gases out from the body). This capacity of the lungs to ventilate can be measured by undergoing a simple lung function test known as spirometry. One of the measurements during spirometry is the FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second), the volume of air exhaled in the first second after a deep inhalation. For COPD patients, FEV1 is used to determine the severity of obstruction in the air passages of the lungs. In normal people who do not smoke, a loss of lung function (FEV1) is expected as one grows older (see Figure 1 below). <a><img src="http://www.efrenzconnect.com/images/Health%20and%20Wellness/Decline%20In%20Lung%20Function.jpg" /></a>In smokers, the rate of decline of lung function (FEV1) is about double that of smokers. In smokers who have COPD, the rate of decline can be 4-6 times that of non-smokers, i.e., the patient has greater obstruction in the air passages and less lung function as the patient gets older. The problem is that the loss of lung function in COPD patients is so gradual that most patients with COPD do not realize that they have the illness till it is severe. By the time most patients are diagnosed to have COPD, they may have lost at least 50% of their pulmonary function. This is exactly why the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Association (Singapore) (www.copdas.com) in cooperation with other international agencies such as the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (www.goldcopd.com) strongly encourages smokers, especially those with symptoms such as persistent cough and/or breathlessness to undergo spirometry testing. Who is likely to have COPD? The symptoms of COPD can range from chronic cough and sputum ('phlegm') production to severe disabling shortness of breath. In some individuals, chronic cough and sputum production are the first signs that they are at risk for developing the airflow obstruction and shortness of breath characteristic of COPD. In others, shortness of breath may be the first indication of the disease. Individuals with COPD increasingly lose their ability to breathe. Acute infections or certain weather conditions may temporarily worsen symptoms (exacerbations), occasionally where hospitalization may be required. Bear in mind that the progression of the disease and the loss of lung function can be so gradual that, presently, many patients don't realize they have COPD till late. Hence if you are smoker or ex-smoker who is (A) Above 40 years old, with (B) Breathlessness and/or (C) Chronic cough, please consult your doctor, and preferably undergo spirometry testing to assess if you are have COPD. Double-barrel smoking gun Smokers with COPD are at least 2 times more likely to develop lung cancer than smokers who do not have COPD. Thus, COPD may be an additional risk factor for smokers developing lung cancer! So the message is - do not smoke and if you are a smoker, do quit for it may not be just a gun you are smoking but a double-barrel one at that. Contributed by: Dr Ong Kian Chung Consultant Respiratory Physician [Dr Ong is the President of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Association (Singapore)]. Keywords: <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/COPD?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">COPD</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/spirometry?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">spirometry</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/lung cancer?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">lung cancer</a> </content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/feeds/112554045999218664/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=13203511&postID=112554045999218664' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/112554045999218664'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/112554045999218664'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/2005/09/smoking-and-your-lungs.html' title='Smoking and Your Lungs'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13203511.post-112272677562592205</id><published>2005-07-30T20:09:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2005-07-30T21:07:14.030+08:00</updated><title type='text'>Balanced Approach - Healthy Lifestyle, Prevention and Medical Conditions, Treatment</title><content type='html'>We came together with a group of friends to review our site. It was a pleasant and relaxed evening, but for a minor glitch on the broadband ( and as expected we improvised ), we got off to a good start and received many constructive pointers. There are 2 segments generally - one, those who seek health and wellness from a lifestyle perspective while another segment for more indepth insights on medical conditions and treatments. They would like to read postings relevant to their needs, easy to browse and read ( conversational and personable ). Generally, it was felt that the ability to reach out through this media is pretty cool. The use of tags will make it easier to reach out to the numerous micro-markets. Examples: Young Mother, Nutrition, Diet, Stress, Fitness, Depression, Weight Control, Flu, Sinus, Eczema, Insomnia, Diabetes, Pain Management, Eye, Joints. Overtime, we hope to gather sufficient feedback and fine-tune the postings. The overall idea is to inform - of needs that may not be known, so that the audience is better empowered to evaluate and seek alternatives before deciding on whether to proceed with consultation and or treatment. Please feel free to add your comments to this post.....cheers </content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/feeds/112272677562592205/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=13203511&postID=112272677562592205' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/112272677562592205'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/112272677562592205'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/2005/07/balanced-approach-healthy-lifestyle.html' title='Balanced Approach - Healthy Lifestyle, Prevention and Medical Conditions, Treatment'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13203511.post-111776560836437600</id><published>2005-06-03T10:26:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2005-06-16T12:19:52.663+08:00</updated><title type='text'>How Much Should I Eat?</title><content type='html'>Your body burns (metabolizes) carbohydrates, protein and fat to produce energy and perform other necessary functions. This energy is measured in calories. The amount of calories you need will depend on basal metabolic rate and total daily energy expenditure.These factors in turn depend on your activity level, body size, sex and age. For example, an older, petite, sedentary woman may need only 1,600 calories a day, but a 25-year-old woman of the same size who is very physically active may need 1,800 to 2,200 calories a day. On average, daily calorie goals are as follows: • 1,600 — children ages 2 to 6, most women and some older adults • 2,000 — average adult • 2,200 — older children, teenage girls, active women and most men • 2,800 — teenage boys and active men • For better accuracy of your calorie requirement , we can compute using more complicated formula but will leave it for another session. For those of you who are interested, please drop in a line and we can provide with you a template. Contributed by Dr Sophia Chew. Next serving: What should I eat?</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/feeds/111776560836437600/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=13203511&postID=111776560836437600' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/111776560836437600'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/111776560836437600'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/2005/06/how-much-should-i-eat_03.html' title='How Much Should I Eat?'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13203511.post-111750717910237346</id><published>2005-05-31T10:16:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2005-09-19T08:38:24.000+08:00</updated><title type='text'>How Young Do You Eat?</title><content type='html'>We are pleased to introduce a series of articles How Young Do You Eat? from our panel of health and wellness consultants for your reading pleasure. Food ConsumptionEating is one of the greatest pleasures in life, at least for some of us. And it forms the cornerstone for health. When it comes to healthy eating, many people feel that “If it’s good for you, then it will taste bad!” This is simply not true. You can eat your way to youth and health and do so deliciously. 1. Eating well is important 2. Or do you have the attitude, that since we will all go one day, we should just gorge and indulge.3. Allow me to relate to you a little tale. For the longest time, I would talk to the significant other about nutrition, blood pressure and checkups etc. However, it soon becomes obvious that my beloved probably takes better care of his car than himself. So what the wife does is to change the language. Eg Honey, you really ought to ensure that the Octane rating on that fuel is the best for your gleaming new car like eating the right type of food.4. Or how about this one, Darling, it’s time for your 100,000 km service. The man protests - but I feel fine. I don’t need to see the doctor every year. I am not that old. Response-it’s not the years, it’s the mileage. I don’t like going. It won’t be bad, she’ll listen to your engine and check your fluids. She’ll want to check my prostate. A moment of hesitation and then the vehicular equivalent-that’s like getting your oil checked. No’ it’s not. Well, it’s like getting your radiator flushed. No, says the significant other. Well, maybe it’s not like anything else but you still have to go to the doctor. I don’t want to. Listen, sweetie, you won’t be parking your car in my garage until you go for your checkup! Remember that even though that is true, we would want to ensure that our bodies remain young and functional for as long as possible. Even though we may age , we want to have young and healthy cells and keep all the chronic degenerative diseases at bay.It is really simple, if you do not maintain a machine properly, and supply it with optimal fuel, it will not operate as well. I know how appalled the guys will be if I fill up their new Beemers with the lowest quality petrol.If you take this to the cellular level, remember that the human body is no different. The human body is made up of over 60 trillion cells and the body as a whole can only perform as well as the individual cells are performing.The cells are constantly dying and regenerating. They need apart from the basic fuels of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, they also need over 50 different vitamins and minerals in the correct ratios for optimal performance. Someone did say that the human body is a machine but it takes 50 years for the import of all the fuel we feed it to soak in. By that time, you will know whether your machinery has been maintained well or otherwise. Before it is too late, we may want to consider some steps to steer us out of a tight spot. Contributed by Dr Sophia Chew Next serving: How much should I eat? Keywords: <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/nutrition?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">nutrition</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/chronic degenerative diseases ?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">chronic degenerative diseases </a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/vitamins?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">vitamins</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/minerals?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">minerals</a> </content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/feeds/111750717910237346/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=13203511&postID=111750717910237346' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/111750717910237346'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/111750717910237346'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/2005/05/how-young-do-you-eat.html' title='How Young Do You Eat?'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13203511.post-111750274244148640</id><published>2005-05-31T09:13:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2005-06-02T00:08:45.543+08:00</updated><title type='text'>Value Based Management</title><content type='html'>From time to time, we will like to take stock of where we are heading. This chapter serves to highlight issues that are important but somehow not in our priority list. We get lost in the worklife jungle without the benefit of guidance from a wise hand. By including this chapter along with others, we believe the juxtaposition will work its magic.</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/feeds/111750274244148640/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=13203511&postID=111750274244148640' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/111750274244148640'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/111750274244148640'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/2005/05/value-based-management.html' title='Value Based Management'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13203511.post-111750106451400849</id><published>2005-05-31T08:54:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2005-09-19T08:33:55.886+08:00</updated><title type='text'>High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease</title><content type='html'>In this posting, Dr Stephen Chew Tec Huan, a Consultant Nephrologist and Physician will take a look at high blood pressure in relation to kidney disease. High blood pressure in the setting of kidney disease is usually more difficult to control. Patients may need on the average 3 to 4 medications to reach blood pressure targets. There are several reasons why BP control may be difficult. 1: Patients omit their medication - If omitted they will have blood pressure problems uncorrected. Some patients take their medication only after they realize that a doctors visit is coming up. However, even if their pressures become normal, they would eventually suffer from problems of period of unsustained and only intermittent blood pressure control. 2. Patients continue with a high salt diet - Restricting salt is an important measure in controlling bp. Even without adding extra salt or sauce to our meals, the asian diet tends to be high in salt. Canned foods are another potential source of salt that the patient may be taking without realizing it. 3. Other medications like erythropoeitin may aggravate hypertension - You will need to discuss with your doctor on the relative importance of the issues at hand; ie is taking the injection critical versus the need or ability to control the blood pressure. Sometimes simple medication like flu medication can aggravate hypertension. 4. Certain antihypertensive medication can paradoxically cause periodic increases in hypertension. Your doctor is the best person to discuss this with. Keywords: <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/blood pressure?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">blood pressure</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/hypertension?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">hypertension</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/kidney failure?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">kidney failure</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/diabetes?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">diabetes</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/salt?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">salt</a> </content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/feeds/111750106451400849/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=13203511&postID=111750106451400849' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/111750106451400849'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/111750106451400849'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/2005/05/high-blood-pressure-and-kidney-disease.html' title='High Blood Pressure and Kidney Disease'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13203511.post-111749690266785353</id><published>2005-05-31T07:46:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2005-09-19T08:30:10.956+08:00</updated><title type='text'>Hypertension - Blood Pressure Control</title><content type='html'>We continue with Dr Stephen Chew Tec Huan, a Consultant Nephrologist and Physician, for his insight into hypertension. In this post he will share with us some pointers on keeping blood pressure under control in the pre-dialysis patients. Hypertension is usually silent. There maybe no symptoms even in the presence of severe hypertension unless complications set in. Hypertension can occur in the absence of any other medical problems and can be an isolated problem. According to Dr Chew, it is more frequent in obese individuals, patients with diabetes, patients with kidney disease, and can occur in association with high blood cholesterol levels. Some of these occur in the individual patients at different times of their lives, and it is important that the patient knows that he has to check regularly for these problems even if they were not first detected at the time he was diagnosed with hypertension. High blood pressure is like a time bomb, it exerts its effects slowly and progressively damaging kidneys, heart, brain and blood vessels to the legs and hands, and can explode (so to speak) by showing itself when the patients develop a catastrophic complication like a stroke or heart attack. The first step is to know your blood pressure There are many measures of the blood pressure and it may vary taken at different postures (eg standing versus sitting), it may vary according to the time a person has taken his medication for hypertension, and even may vary depending when it is taken (clinic blood pressures may be higher than home blood pressures). Special ambulatory machines can measure the blood pressure over 24 hours, and normal non-hypertensive individuals usually have a normal dip in their blood pressure in the night. In patients with hypertension due to kidney disease, this dip is usually absent, and ironically, the blood pressure actually surges in the early hours of the morning. Several measures of the blood pressure are more important a guage of effective control than single isolated readings. Who should measure your blood pressure? Ideally Yourself. And At Home, In the Morning, Before Medication. There may be exceptions to this, and your doctor can best advise you. Clinic blood pressure may be misleadingly high, leading to potential overtreatment; likewise, it may be deceptively normal if measured after medication. 24 hours BP measures are inconvenient to do all the time although they are possibly the best measures of how well the blood pressure is controlled through the day. Some useful tips to consider. 1. Buy a blood pressure machine for home use especially if you can't measure your blood pressure with your doctor over at least over several periods. 2. Try to buy machines that use an arm wrap instead of a wrist wrap; they're better indicators of your true blood pressure. 3. Bring your home machine to your doctor when you see him. He can verify the accuracy or degree of reliability of your machine. 4. Take the BP at home, rested after 5 minutes, in the morning, same arm, before medication. Record the time you took it as well. Do it for at least one week for every month. If you do it daily, all the better. 5. The ideal target blood pressure is best discussed with your doctor. In general anything above 140/90 is considered hypertension, although what your target BP ought to be should be individualised after discussing with your physician. That's all for the moment. Do stay in-tune for more insights. Keywords: <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/blood pressure?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">blood pressure</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/hypertension?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">hypertension</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/kidney failure?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">kidney failure</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/diabetes?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">diabetes</a> </content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/feeds/111749690266785353/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=13203511&postID=111749690266785353' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/111749690266785353'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/111749690266785353'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/2005/05/hypertension-blood-pressure-control.html' title='Hypertension - Blood Pressure Control'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13203511.post-111735506049948666</id><published>2005-05-29T16:09:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2005-09-19T08:24:36.603+08:00</updated><title type='text'>Checking Hypertension With The Doctor</title><content type='html'>To kick-off this chapter, we thought it to be appropriate to deal with a topic close to our heart. We are subject to stress on a daily basis, be it our work, personal life or both. And we know how stress can have an adverse impact on our immune system. Before we let our stress levels get out of control and develop into an extreme form of auto-immune sickness, we need to understand our body and how it reacts when we unconsciously abuse it. We checked with Dr Stephen Chew Tec Huan, a Consultant Nephrologist and Physician, for his insight into hypertension and how we can cope with it. If you think of it, the word hypertension means high blood pressure of the blood vessels. It reflects the blood pressure that is over and above a norm. In earlier days, when blood pressure was just beginning to be measured in clinical medicine, the inclination was that hypertension need not be treated. Earlier thoughts on hypertension were "the best thing for the clinician to deal with this entity of high blood pressure was to forget about it". How things have changed. Not only is there conclusive evidence that hypertension is associated with the development of many diseases of the blood vessels, but more importantly its treatment is associated with the reduction of these risks. And the complications are many. Heart attacks and strokes were well known complications of untreated hypertension, but the list grows and includes kidney failure and blood vessel diseases of the legs causing gangrene just to name a few. Furthermore the emergence of new data suggests that the blood pressure targets achieved previously were inadequate to reduce these complications, and now both patients and physicians must grapple with the challenges of achieving even more stringent blood pressure targets to reduce complications effectively. Hypertension reflects a parameter in the body and is not the actual disease itself. Although the name sounds the same (ie hypertension), the reality is that different patients with the same label of hypertension will all come out of the clinic with different medication. There are furthermore distinctly different types of hypertension. It is important to exclude coexisting kidney disease, as well as certain metabolic disease such as glandular tumors that can cause hypertension. The diagnosis and therapy of a patient with hypertension must therefore be tailored to the individual’s needs for maximum effectiveness and minimal complications from drug therapy. Most importantly, while reducing the blood pressure to a normal level is important, there are certain abnormalities that should be looked for and treated that tend to occur commonly in association with hypertension. These are factors which by themselves can exist in isolation, but tend to cluster with hypertension, and together with it, amplify the risk of complications. These factors are diabetes, gout and high cholesterol. Care for the hypertensive patient should include management of all these risks. Like treatment of any chronic disease, treatment is a journey and not a distinct single episode, and requires both the hands of a physician and a cooperative patient to achieve the best outcomes possible. We hope that in future postings to cover dangers of uncontrolled high blood pressures, how to keep your blood pressure in check and dietary approaches to stop hypertension. You should consult your doctor if you require further clarification on this topic. Feel free to provide your feedback and we will be pleased to follow up on your comments on the next episode. Keywords: <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/blood pressure?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">blood pressure</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/hypertension?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">hypertension</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/kidney failure?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">kidney failure</a>, <a href="http://www.technorati.com/search/diabetes?from=efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com">diabetes</a> </content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/feeds/111735506049948666/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=13203511&postID=111735506049948666' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/111735506049948666'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/111735506049948666'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/2005/05/checking-hypertension-with-doctor.html' title='Checking Hypertension With The Doctor'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13203511.post-111715104714275579</id><published>2005-05-27T07:34:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2005-06-17T22:02:30.426+08:00</updated><title type='text'>Launch of Health and Wellness Program</title><content type='html'>We are pleased to launch eFrenzconnect Health and Wellness program. We hope to uniquely position this program that will serve to introduce health & wellness into the realm of value based management. Measuring and managing human resources within an organisation have taken on a greater degree of urgency as the value drivers of corporates in a knowledge-based economy, have shifted towards leveraging off intellectual capital to generate shareholder value. We will introduce the concept of wellness that will serve to optimise the psychological, social and physical well-being of individuals. In a brief poll conducted with corporate executives, an overwhelming percentage felt that it is extremely critical for an organisation to implement a holistic Health &amp; Wellness program and that such a system should be an integral part of a performance measurement system. To sustain interest and making it fun to visit this site, we will develop a series of e-initiatives in order for our pool of medical consultants-cum-specialists to interact seamlessly with you. We hope to build a firm foundation from which we all can be empowered to maintain a sustainable healthy lifestyle. Thank you. </content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/feeds/111715104714275579/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=13203511&postID=111715104714275579' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/111715104714275579'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/13203511/posts/default/111715104714275579'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/2005/05/launch-of-health-and-wellness-program.html' title='Launch of Health and Wellness Program'/><author><name>Unknown</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='https://img1.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>

If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:

Download the "valid Atom 1.0" banner.
Upload the image to your own server. (This step is important. Please do not link directly to the image on this server.)
Add this HTML to your page (change the image src attribute if necessary):

<a href="http://www.feedvalidator.org/check.cgi?url=http%3A//efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/atom.xml"><img src="valid-atom.png" alt="[Valid Atom 1.0]" title="Validate my Atom 1.0 feed" /></a>

If you would like to create a text link instead, here is the URL you can use:

http://www.feedvalidator.org/check.cgi?url=http%3A//efrenzconnect-health-and-wellness.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Home · About · News · Docs · Terms