The Star Online: Lifestyle: Health
The Star Online: Lifestyle: Health |
| Posted: 26 Nov 2011 04:39 PM PST It's important to ensure cleanliness after an eye operation to reduce the risk of infection. DR Fong: This week, I thought I would focus on the care of your eyes after eye surgery. The two most common operations done in the world are, in fact, eye operations. The first is cataract surgery, while the second is refractive laser eye surgery. Statistics from the US reveal that more than three million cataract, and three million refractive laser operations, are performed annually in that country alone. I am sure that all of us know a relative or friend who has undergone one of these two types of eye surgery. While both operations are very effective and safe, they are not free of complications, and the most feared complication is infection after surgery. Infection after eye surgery is very rare, and modern surgical techniques have greatly improved our success rates and reduced complications. All surgeons are very particular about preventing infection before, during, and after surgery. Among the steps taken by eye surgeons to prevent infection are: using a certified clean operating theatre according to Health Ministry standards, scrubbing of our hands with povidone iodine, wearing face masks, sterile gloves and gowns, using single-use disposable surgical instruments, cleaning your eye and surrounding area with povidone iodine, and draping your eye with a sterile drape that prevents your eyelashes from contaminating the surgical area. Reducing infections There are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of infection. First, follow the instructions of your doctor regarding the use of your antibiotic and steroid eyedrops. Usually, the eye drops have to be used intensively for the first week, and then reduced afterwards. It is essential to wash your hands before you use your eyedrops. Next, you have to ensure that your eyelids are clear of any possible diseases like meibomian gland dysfunction or blepharitis. This is because any blockage of the oil glands near your eyelashes may cause superficial infections on the eyelid, and this may then enter your eye after any surgery. Your doctor may advise you to use a hot towel and lid scrubs to clean your eyelids before and after surgery. Avoid going to dusty places after eye surgery to prevent dirt from entering your eyes. You will normally be advised to wear large brim sunglasses when you go outdoors to protect your eyes. You will normally be quite averse to bright lights after cataract or refractive eye surgery, and sunglasses can also help relieve those symptoms. You should definitely avoid swimming for at least a month after eye surgery. Swimming pool water can be contaminated with various organisms despite being treated. Even eye goggles cannot effectively prevent pool water from entering your eye. However, despite the doctors' and patients' best efforts, infection can still occur. Thankfully, modern antibiotics, and early detection and treatment of the infection can still save the eye from losing sight. Food for thought Chui Hoong: A very common question asked is whether there are any types of food one should avoid or take more of after surgery. Some cultures believe that one should avoid seafood like prawns and meat like duck, to reduce the risk of infection. Personally, I have no objection to any particular diet after surgery as long as you are able to take a balanced diet that has enough calories. There is no harm abstaining from any particular food item after surgery either. The next few paragraphs will cover general dietary advice after any type of surgery, and there's a delicious recipe at the end that I really enjoy, even though I have not undergone any surgery! Protein Post-surgery, there is an increased demand for protein. Collagen is the main protein produced during the healing process of the wound. During periods of severe stress, the body requires arginine, a non-essential amino acid. Under normal conditions, a non-essential amino acid is sufficiently produced by the body and does not necessarily need to be obtained from diet. However, arginine becomes essential post-operation. Good sources include the gelatine of poultry/various meats, dairy products, seafood, wheatgerm, nuts, and pulses. Carbohydrate Sufficient energy intake from carbohydrate sources is important to aid wound healing. Otherwise, the body will break down protein to obtain glucose to provide energy for wound healing. Fat Fats play an important role in cell membrane structure and function. Insufficient intake of essential fatty acids delays wound healing. However, the jury is still out on whether omega-3 polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) are more beneficial than omega-6 PUFAs. Omega-3 PUFAs are anti-inflammatory, which is beneficial for wound healing, but may inhibit clotting, which is disadvantageous. Vitamins Vitamin A, B-complex, C, and K all play a role in the wound healing process. Although vitamin C requirements are elevated post-surgery, mega dose supplementation has not been proven to be beneficial. Zinc, iron and copper are some of the minerals required to aid in wound healing. Apart from increased nutrient requirements post-surgery, this is also the time when patients may have poor appetite and reduced food intake. There is some argument for supplementing with vitamin C and zinc to aid wound healing. However, the evidence shows that supplementation is only beneficial if there is a deficiency in the body. The nutritional status of a person has a profound influence on wound healing post-surgery. Good nutrition speeds up recovery, whereas malnutrition hampers this process. After surgery, the patient should eat a balanced diet. Most importantly, they should ensure they consume sufficient protein and energy. With regards to specific nutrients, there is little evidence to support supplementing in high doses after surgery. Chicken essence with wolfberriesHere is a recipe you can try at home. This is something my mom makes for me to aid recovery – it certainly is "chicken soup for the soul"! There's something heartwarming about drinking this nourishing soup made with no added water. This recipe is my mother's recipe, which I've modified a little by adding some wolfberries to make it a great source of zeaxanthin. Makes one rice bowl of essence Preparation & cooking time: three hours Ingredients: To prepare the chicken: Remove the skin and all visible fat from the chicken and cut into big chunks. Crush and chop the chicken pieces (bones, cartilage, meat and all) with the back of a cleaver/pestle. To make the essence: In a large soup bowl, invert a rice bowl. Place the washed dried wolfberries underneath the rice bowl before the chicken is placed on top. Place the crushed/chopped chicken on top of the rice bowl and cover with a lid. Put some water in a wok/stock pot to boil. Place a metal rack in the wok and put the covered large soup bowl on top. Cover wok with lid. Leave the soup to simmer gently for at least 2 ½ hours. Check every half hour to ensure there is enough water in the wok, and top up with boiling water if necessary. Alternatively, use a stock pot with a see-through lid. To serve: After 2 ½ hours, remove the chicken from the large soup bowl. Do not remove the rice bowl until all the chicken is taken out. Lift up the rice bowl and serve the chicken essence. Note: The cooked chicken still has a lot of flavour in them. Save them to make chicken soup/stock the next day by adding them into a pot of water with chopped potatoes, carrots, tomatoes and onions. Dr Fong Choong Sian is a consultant ophthalmologist while Goo Chui Hoong is a consultant dietitian. They are publishing a book on eye health and diet next year. For further information, e-mail starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader's own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Posted: 26 Nov 2011 04:38 PM PST KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital (DSH) launched its cancer support group last Saturday during its Cancer Awareness Day held at the hospital. The support group, which will meet once a month, is a platform for both patients and caregivers to encourage and support one another. There will be regular talks about cancer by various specialists and also activities like tai chi, qigong and yoga. Hospital chief executive officer Mohd Taufik Ismail said the members of the general public can also join in the various activities as part of the hospital's effort to increase cancer awareness among the people. Avon Malaysia is a co-partner in this endeavour. The support group was launched by Health Ministry Deputy Director (Disease Control, Non-Communicable Disease Section) Dr Zainal Ariffin Omar. For more information, please contact the hospital at 03-7722 2692. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Posted: 26 Nov 2011 04:37 PM PST With the expected increase in the numbers of elderly men in the country, certain health issues are going to become even more important. MALAYSIA, like many other high- and middle-income countries in Asia and around the world, is preparing for the population boom of older people (above aged 65) in this decade. From the perspective of men's health, this ageing trend brings about unique challenges as we struggle to maintain the health and well-being of an ageing population. An ageing population riddled with illness and disability will not be constructive for society – socially, or in terms of productivity. Since 2000, the Malaysian Men's Health Initiative (MMHI) has recognised that men's health issues require a dedicated research focus and a multi-disciplinary perspective that takes into consideration the complexity of men's health. Over the years, the MMHI has published close to 200 pieces of research work on various aspects of men's health, including epidemiology, clinical, psychobehavioural and basic science studies. For the first time, these findings have been compiled into a single publication, Managing Men's Health: Improving Men's Health Through Research, written in easy-to-understand language for the benefit of the public, medical and allied health professionals, policymakers, researchers and pharmaceutical companies. This article is the third in a series highlighting some of the findings from the book, which began with erectile dysfunction and testosterone deficiency syndrome. This week's article will look at prostate diseases among men in Malaysia. Prostate diseases in Malaysia Prostate diseases or lower urinary tract symptoms are quite common among ageing men, but they are also often brushed off as "old man's problems". On the contrary, these lower urinary tract problems, including problems related to storage of urine, urination and post-urination, are not benign issues. There is a known correlation between these prostate diseases and many urological and non-urological conditions, including prostate cancer, urinary tract infections and diabetes. MMHI's research into the prevalence of prostate diseases in Malaysia is significant, as it offers a better understanding of men's overall health risks as they age. One of the most common prostate problems at this age is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate. It causes difficulty in urinating, dribbling after urination, or frequent urination, especially at night. Some men find that they only have a weak stream and a small amount of urine each time they go, and they still feel the urge to urinate even after they have finished. Another form of prostate problems is overactive bladder, which is linked to urinary incontinence. Overactive bladder occurs when there is a problem with the bladder storage function, thereby causing a sudden urge to urinate. If you cannot suppress the urge, overactive bladder often leads to involuntary urination. How common are prostate diseases? The MMHI looked at the prevalence of prostate diseases in the 2006 Subang Men's Health Study, and the prevalence of overactive bladder in the 2008 Subang Aging Male (SAM) study. The 2006 Subang study found that roughly a third of the men who participated suffered from some form of lower urinary tract symptoms. The SAM study found that 12.7% of the men suffered from overactive bladder. The study also revealed that symptoms of such prostate problems are not trivial and, in fact, reduce men's quality of life significantly. The participants of the study reported that their physical activity and participation in daily life was limited due to physical and emotional discomfort and stress. Prostate diseases and other conditions The findings of both studies were especially instrumental in confirming the disturbing trend of a strong correlation between prostate diseases and certain serious diseases, like metabolic syndrome and erectile dysfunction (ED). These findings are extremely meaningful for physicians and men in Malaysia, as it points towards the imperative to screen men with lower urinary tract symptoms for ED, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. More information about the link between prostate diseases and chronic conditions can be found in the book. Future research In the book, MMHI lays out its plans for future research into prostate diseases, which promises to provide more insight into ways of managing these significant conditions in ageing men. It is time to change the way we view prostate diseases. They are not merely tiresome side effects of ageing, but important harbingers of other co-morbidities that could affect quality of life and life expectancy among senior men. Look out for the final article in this series, which will touch on psychosocial issues in men's health. About 'Managing Men's Health: Improving Men's Health Through Research' – This book is the latest publication by the Malaysian Men's Health Initiative (MMHI), and is available for policymakers, researchers, academicians, healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical companies and members of the public. To obtain copies, please contact Karvina or Vanitha, Sime Darby Medical Centre, 1 Jalan SS12/1A, Subang Jaya, 47500 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-56391777; email: perandro@streamyx.com; fax: 03-56391870. Please make a donation of RM30 per copy payable to the Malaysian Society of Andrology and the Study of Aging Male. Proceeds go toward the research funds of MMHI. The book can be delivered to any address within Malaysia by mail or courier without additional charge. Members of MMHI include Prof Dato' Dr Tan Hui Meng, Assoc Prof Dr Ng Chirk Jenn, Prof Dr Low Wah Yun, Prof Dr Khoo Ee Ming, Assoc Prof Dr Tong Seng Fah, Dr Verna Lee Kar Mun, Dr Lee Boon Cheok, Prof Dr George Lee Eng Geap, Assoc Prof Dr Zulkifli Md. Zainuddin, Assoc Prof Dr Christopher Ho Chee Kong, Assoc Prof Dr Ong Teng Aik, Dr Yap Piang Kian and Dr Goh Eng Hong. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
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