Month: January 2014

One in Nine Singaporean Adults are Obese

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One in nine Singaporean adults aged between 18 to 69 years were obese in a survey in 2010, and Singapore’s obesity rate is increasing at about 1 per cent per year. It is likely the obesity rate currently in 2014 is even higher. Many people frown upon obesity because of the negative vibe in terms of physical appearance. But the true perils of obesity lies in its associated metabolic disorders (including diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia), and the complications downstream as a result of these metabolic disorders. These complications include heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, gallstones and even cancers. The incidence of these metabolic disorders and their complications will most certainly aggravate as the obesity rate increases further. However, not all is lost. Obesity and its associated metabolic disorders can be treated to good effect as long as the patient is motivated and is positive about working with the doctor to optimize their metabolic profile.

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Does Adrenal Fatigue Really Exist?

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The adrenal glands are a pair of endocrine glands situated right above the kidneys. They are responsible for producing stress hormones such as the cortisol and adrenaline for maintaining your blood pressure and your body response to stress. Adrenal over-secreting (hyper-functioning) or under-secreting hormones (hypo-functioning) are well recognized clinical syndromes and warrant medical treatment. Recently the term adrenal fatigue has received much attention. Adrenal fatigue is a term applied to a constellation of nonspecific symptoms, such as lethargy, body aches, nervousness, and the term has turned up very much in lifestyle magazines and on alternative medicine websites. But does such an entity of adrenal fatigue really exist? This article from Mayo-clinic aptly summarizes the issues surrounding adrenal fatigue.

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Wine and Chocolates May Lower Diabetes Risk

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A study found people who have a high intake of flavanoids, compounds found in herbs, berries, red wine and chocolates had lower insulin resistance and better controlled blood sugar levels. While any discovery of compounds that may help diabetes is good news, reports like this still needs to be interpreted cautiously. It is unknown exactly how much of these compounds are necessary to potentially reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. It is likely that the extra calories and weight gain from over consumption of chocolates and wine will nullify any beneficial effects it may impose.

1 Million Singaporeans with Diabetes by 2050

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Singapore may have as many as 1 million diabetics by 2050, as we get older and fatter. This trend is worrying of course. However it has to be emphasized that with early detection and good treatment, many diabetics can live very normal, good quality life, free from debilitating complications. The key is early detection and good treatment with regular monitoring and active intervention. So although news like this is worrying, we take comfort in the fact that diabetes still remain a very treatable disease as long as you are motivated to do so and you want to live well and healthy.

The Power of the Sun

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Sunlight may help to reduce high blood pressure, a danger factor for heart attacks and stroke, a study published in a specialist journal said recently. Adequate sun exposure are well known to boost vitamin D levels in the body, with a positive effect on bone health. Recent studies have established a link between vitamin D deficiency and metabolic disorders (a group of disorders including hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol problems that increases the risk of heart disease). While too much of a good thing may not be good (excessive sun exposure are a risk for skin cancers), some amount of sun might just be helpful for your bones and metabolic profile.

6 Easy Ways to Boost your Bone Health

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Osteoporosis is a silent disease, marked by brittle bones. The perils of osteoporosis lies in its risk of fractures. Worldwide, 1 in 3 women over 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures, as will 1 in 5 men.

One of the most debilitating osteoporotic fractures happens in the hip. Data from Singapore show that the mortality rate one year post hip fracture is approximately 20% to 27%. Of the survivors, 20% become semi or fully dependent and 39% experience reduced mobility.

This is a major public health problem in Singapore especially when the proportion of the aged is increasing. While there are many effective pharmacological therapy to treat osteoporosis, some simple lifestyle changes will impact quite significantly on your bone health. Here are a few good advice.

Contact Lens Glucometer

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Google is working on a contact lens that’s built to measure glucose levels in the tears. Self monitoring of blood glucose is an important part of diabetes management especially in insulin treated patient. However the only way to do this currently remains via finger prick. If this contact lens technology becomes a reality it will provide an additional helpful option for patients with diabetes to monitor their sugar.

What does an Endocrinologist do?

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An endocrinologist is a specialist doctor who can diagnose and treat diseases that affect your glands, hormones and your endocrine system. The pancreas is part of the endocrine system, and insulin is one of the hormones the body needs to function properly. Failure of insulin action will result in diabetes. Besides the pancreas, the human endocrine system consists of a number of glands such as the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenals, ovaries in women and the testes in men. These glands produce and secrete hormones which control the body’s metabolism, growth, sexual development and function.

Endocrinologists often treat people with diabetes, thyroid disease, obesity, metabolic disorders, osteoporosis, complicated hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, calcium and vitamin D problems, sexual and reproductive health, and more.

In Singapore, an endocrinologist is required to finish five years in medical school and complete a one year housemanship. Thereafter the endocrinologist is required to spend three or more years training in internal medicine to obtain their Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) from the UK. After that, they will undergo advanced training in endocrinology where they learn how to diagnose and treat hormone conditions. Overall, an endocrinologist’s training can take up to 10 years post-university before they become a full fledged consultant endocrinologist.

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Hello

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This is a blog to share my musings on health issues especially relating to areas of diabetes, obesity, metabolic disorders, thyroid, osteoporosis and other hormonal issues, with the hope that there could be better awareness of these endocrine diseases that are increasingly a menace in our society. Enjoy and stay healthy!