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Wellness Centre
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Health Corner
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Now medisave covers Cervarix Cervical Cancer Vaccination for ladies age 9 to 26! Email wellness@ahppl.com.sg for more info today!
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Premature Ejaculation and Ulthera
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Dr Chong Yeang Chern - Featured in Mind Your Body magazine 27 January 2011
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Dr Chong Yeang Chern - Featured in
Men's Health magazine 14 January 2011
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Dr Chong Yeang Chern - Featured in
Men's Health magazine 10 January 2011
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Dr Chong Yeang Chern - Featured in
Men's Health magazine October 2010
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Dr Chong Yeang Chern - Featured in
Men's Health magazine September 2010
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Dr Chong Yeang Chern - Featured in
Men's Health magazine August 2010
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Male menopause – Myth or Fact?
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Men and women are not alike. Most of us are aware of this fact.
When a woman goes through menopause, she experiences a variety of physical and emotional
changes. The truth is that, men also go through a change very much like women in
the middle years. Hence the term – 'mid life crisis' is derived.
Of course, every one of us is different. Not everyone will experience turbulence
in the middle years. Sometimes it may be difficult to differentiate the symptoms
of such changes from symptoms due to other diseases.
Male menopause, also known as andropause, generally occurs from around 40
years of age. This happens as a result of decline in hormones such as male sex hormone
– testosterone. Compared to women, the decline is more gradual, hence the changes
may be more subtle. As a result, a lot of men attribute the changes to normal ageing.
Testosterone is the most important male sex hormone. It is essential for maintaining
health as well as quality of life. It is produced mainly in the testes. Testosterone
declines with age due to death of testes cells and decreased stimulation by the
brain.
As a result of reduced levels of testosterone, a multitude of symptoms
can occur in the male body.
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Feel tired
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Tend to fall asleep after meals
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Anxious, irritable, depressed
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4.
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Poor sense of well being, decreased enjoyment of life
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5.
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Increased sweating
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6.
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Problem with sleep
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7.
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Decrease in muscular strength, endurance, sports ability
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Decrease in work performance
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9.
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Bodyache
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10.
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Increase in weight, especially around the waist
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11.
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Decrease in sexual desire/ libido
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Decrease in morning erections
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13.
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Erection is less strong
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If a man in such a situation ignores the problem, he may be at
greater risk of heart disease as well as osteoporosis.
How does one confirm the condition?
If you do have some of the symptoms listed above, a blood test
for testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (protein that binds to testosterone),
other hormones such as DHEA(S) and growth hormone is advised.
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Tips to cope with the change -
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1.
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Healthy diet
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2.
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Regular exercise
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3.
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Adequate sleep
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4.
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Stress reduction techniques
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5.
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Sufficient fluids
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6.
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Less alcohol and caffeine
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7.
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Good social support
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Treatment
Testosterone replacement therapy must always be administered
by trained physicians. Regular follow-up including blood test for testosterone,
prostate cancer marker and blood counts is required.
Testosterone is available in different forms – oral tablet, topical cream
and injection. Oral tablet does not provide steady blood levels – hence not generally
recommended. The cream form makes use of bio-identical testosterone and the preparation
is custom made in doses suitable to patient’s needs and condition. The cream is
applied daily in the morning to the inner arms / thighs. As for the injection form,
it provides convenience to the patient as it requires only 4 injections per year.
The testosterone level with the injection method is more consistent.
DHEA therapy is administered orally. This is an adrenal gland hormone. Low
levels may lead to fatigue and low sex drive.
Growth hormone therapy is administered by own self via injection – fine needle
or needleless method on daily basis. This is a brain hormone. Decline may contribute
to memory and sleep problems, increase in weight, decrease in muscle bulk, poorer
hair and skin.
In my clinic practice, I encounter many men in mid 40s with the problem of andropause.
A lot of them were not aware of such a condition previously due to lack of publicity.
For those who are on the treatment programme, they are happy with the outcome as
the treatment has ‘renewed’ their life. As one patient has said – I feel like a
different person altogether! I have become stronger in sports and I have lost weight
too.
In conclusion, early diagnosis and treatment is the way to go to improve your health
and vitality!
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Dr Chong Yeang Chern - Featured in Men's Health
magazine June 2010
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Dr Chong Yeang Chern - Featured in Men's Health
magazine May 2010
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Looking into the Brain – Connecting Body & Mental
Health
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The mind speaks a thousand words. Our state of mind can relate
to the status of our health. In the current economic situation, we are bombarded
with bad news from multiple sources. Financial issues, work stress, family problems
will lead to a cumulative impact on our mind. The stress and frustration that one
faces, if poorly managed, can lead to a cascade of health issues. The classic scenario
is that of a tired, nervous person with pain at different parts of the body and
suffers from indigestion, poor appetite and sleepless nights.
It is therefore essential to manage stress well to maintain good physical and mental
fitness in order to fight the challenges of life. Stress can have a negative impact
on health as it may weaken the immune system, making us more susceptible to diseases.
Stress management involves recognizing and acknowledging that one is under stress,
looking for the sources of stress and learning healthy ways to overcome stress.
Time management, prioritization and positive thinking are important techniques.
Living a healthy lifestyle and having a strong social support network are equally
as crucial.
It is never too late to make the first step to overcome stress and reverse the damage.
Here are some great tips:
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For The Mind -
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1.
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Practice slow deep breathing in between work – this will allow
your mind to relax and recharge
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2.
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Listen to soft smoothing music
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3.
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Talk to a friend/colleague – vent out your frustrations
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4.
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Pen down your thoughts and things that bother you
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5.
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Indulge in something enjoyable, take up a new hobby
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6.
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Laughter is the best medicine. Look for humor in life.
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For The Body -
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1.
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Start a regular exercise regime - 3 times a week, 30 minutes
for each session. Walk whenever there
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are opportunities
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2.
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Increase your intake of vegetables and fruits
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3.
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Consider supplements such as anti-oxidants
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4.
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Pamper yourself with a massage to release muscle tension and
relax the mind
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Kick-starting the routine may seem hard at first but as it develops
into a habit, it would be a breeze. Remember to assess the overall progress. Seek
professional input and guidance. Health screening is also useful as a guide to assess
for any medical problems and complications as a result of stress.
Economical comprehensive health screening packages which include anti-stress massages
are now available at Asia HealthPartners.
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Sports – The double edged sword
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People who exercise may lower their risk of diseases but only
those who are aware of the possible risks of strenuous sports and be prudent about
it will reap the full benefits of physical activities.
In Singapore, there is an increasing trend of mortality- marathon related sudden
death cases over the past few years, with the latest headlines of a 17 year old
death in a triathlon and a 25 year old death in a 21km run. Even so, the number
of participants for the competitions did not seem to decrease but continue to soar
with popularity.
Do the participants fully understand the risk they have put themselves through?
A recent study in Orlando cited that the risk of sudden death in participants of
triathlons is at least twice that of marathons. Statistics showed that there are
15 deaths per million participants of triathlons compared to 4-8 deaths per million
participants of marathons. It was concluded that the main risk is due to heart failure
during the swimming part. Autopsies revealed that 60% of the death was due to underlying
problems.
"When we exercise, the heart is made to pump harder to ensure sufficient oxygen
and nutrients reach the heart muscles. Contacting an external lower temperature
such as cold water will constrict vessels resulting in the heart having to pump
even harder to push the blood through," explained Dr. Chong Yeang Chern, Wellness
Physician at Asia HealthPartners. “In whichever case, over-stressing the heart may
aggravate pre-existing problems and increase mortality risk. Hence a pre-race checkup
is important to screen for pre-existing medical conditions and should not be overlooked."
This is supported by the Triathlon Association of Singapore which encourages participants
to have a thorough medical check up before any race.
When carefully manipulated, physical exercises can lower the risk of heart diseases,
hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and osteoporosis; reduce stress and keep
the body looking fit!
Here are some advices from Dr Chong to lower athlete’s health risk:
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Have regular health screening. Ensure that your medical screening
includes Treadmill Stress Test to
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check that the heart is fit for the physical stress of exercise
and does not have underlying problems such as heart artery diseases.
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Self-check assessment: Measure your own heart rate during peak
exercise and look out for any chest
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discomfort or difficulty breathing. Maximum heart rate should
not exceed (220 – age)/ minute. Recommended heart rate to achieve is 60-80% of the
maximum heart rate.
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Be well-trained and conditioned for any types of physical competition.
Check with your trainer or
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professional pertaining to the risk of activities if unsure,
especially for any physical challenges.
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Eat right. Seek a professional or a dietician’s advice at least
months before any competition.
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Remember – Staying fit is a challenge. So be sure to take good care of your health!
Prevention pays in the long run!
Live Well. Live Happy.
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Uncontrollable Weight Gain
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- A repercussion of hormone deficiency
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If you have been experiencing weight gain despite cutting down
on daily food intake portion, choosing food wisely and exercising regularly, you
may have medical conditions that contribute to the weight gain such as hormone deficiencies
and food intolerance.
Hormone deficiencies will have an impact on the quality of life. Symptoms such as
sleepless nights, body ache, dry skin, thin hair, fatigue, poor concentration, poor
physical stamina, low sex drive as well as weight gain may creep in. Unfortunately
many people attribute it to part and parcel of the ageing process and live with
it without realizing that medical options are available for treatment as well as
prevention. In the long run, the hormone deficiencies can lead to serious health
consequences such as heart diseases and osteoporosis.
Determine your Health Status
Before concluding that the above symptoms are due to hormone deficiencies, one should
have a thorough check done.
Health Screening can detect silent pre-existing medical conditions and prevent deterioration
of the existing problems, thereby reducing healthcare costs incurred due to serious
conditions. An affordable yet comprehensive screening can be done with a simple
blood test checking on hormones such as male hormone (testosterone), female hormones
(estrogen and progesterone), brain hormone (growth hormone), thyroid hormones and
adrenal hormone (DHEAs). It is always advisable to consult the doctor prior to the
screening so that appropriate tests can be done as each and every one of us is different
in our genetic makeup and lifestyle habits.
Know the options & keep an open mind
Based on in-depth consultation as well as medical analysis, a holistic multi-pronged
approach by a medical practitioner will be used. This will involve advice with regards
to nutrition, exercise, supplements as well as use of bio-identical (natural) hormone
therapy. The therapy can be administered via oral, topical or needleless (pain-free)
injection. These treatments will be customized based on individual needs and requirements.
With a good treatment programme and monitoring, the hormonal imbalance can be reversed
and the harmony of good health and beauty can be achieved.
Finally scientific revolution has proved its worth in both treatment and prevention.
Live Well. Live Happy.
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