Why the sale of organs should not be allowed
Dr Huang believes once we accept that man and his organs are mere commodities that can be traded like meat, the rich will profit while the poor disadvantaged. -myp
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Health news in brief: OT linked to mental distress
To get this and more bite-size health snippets, read on. |
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"Good" cholesterol may protect memory, study finds
Studies found high levels of HDL cholesterol help to protect against memory loss. -Reuters
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Accidental fungus leads to promising cancer drug
This drug works by starving tumors by preventing them from growing blood supplies. -Reuters
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Surprise! Most people in world are happy
Denmark is tops while Singapore is ranked 31st.
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"Spiritual" effects of mushrooms last a year
"Sacred" mushrooms may offer a way to help patients with fatal diseases or addictions cope.
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Study shows how broccoli fights cancer
Researchers believe a chemical in the food sparks hundreds of genetic changes.
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Only wealthy and criminals will benefit if organ sales allowed
The less affluent could be outbid by the wealthy for organs, says reader.
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Unhealthy habits
Lifestyles need changing to beat disease, warns Thai health minister.
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Smokeless tobacco linked to cancer risk, but safer than smoking
Oral and nasal snuff and chewing tobacco increase risk of specific cancers but still safer than smoking.
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Grape seed extract may fight Alzheimer's
Research in mice show red grape seed extract could help prevent against memory loss.
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Cells in blood may help cancers spread
Normal cells in the blood that play a role in healing wounds may also be creating the right conditions for cancer cells to spread.
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Sex in the bedroom
Good sex is not just about techniques. Pillow talk is part of the foreplay.
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A pragmatic look at organ sales
Reader Mr Chan feels that organ recipients should not be selected on their ability to pay but on medical considerations.
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Donate organs for points
Reader Mr Tan feels these points may then be utilised for future visits to or treatment at hospitals.
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Consider cloning organs
Reader Mr Cheong feels this is the best way to combat the supply shortage of organs.
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Green tea protects against heart disease: study
Studies show green tea improves blood flow and the ability of arteries to relax.
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High fat diet may abet prostate cancer progression
Men who consumed higher amounts of saturated fat nearly two times more at risk. |
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$22,000 for his kidney = 16.5 years of his pay
Sulaiman wanted to donate his kidney for a windfall sum, but was caught by authorities before the operation. Another man, Toni, suffered health complications after donating his kidney. Both men were sentenced and fined.
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Bad attitude from smoker
He said in a loud voice: "Why? Cannot smoke, is it? I paid $10 (for the cigarettes) and I have the right, okay?"
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Smokers openly breaking law
Where are our law enforcement officers when we need them?
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Fountain of youth? Red wine gives up secrets
Lab experiments found that mice given resveratrol - a compound found in red wine - tended to have less cardiovascular functional decline. |
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Baking soda may improve swimming speed
When given a sodium bicarbonate supplement before swimming, athletes were able to shave time off their usual performance.
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Omega-3 fatty acid may stop repeat stroke
While the acid did not reduce the occurrence of a first stroke, it lowered recurrence rates in those with a history of stroke. |
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Why are smokers in no smoking zone?
Some smokers are flouting the law and insisting on lighting up inside the no-smoking areas.
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More sex wards off erection trouble in older men
Regular intercourse has an important role in preserving erectile function among elderly men: researchers. |
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Heart cases spared NS combat training
Almost 100 found to be medically unfit over past three years.
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Motivated by shorter BMT
Those who obtain at least a silver grade in a fitness test will be able to shave two months off NS. |
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Fighting fit
From enlistment to retirement, SAF personnel ? both national servicemen and regulars ? undergo regular rounds of medical screenings to ensure they are fit to take up arms.
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Men past 40 face fertility problems: researchers
Couples trying to have a baby when the man is over 40 will have more difficulty conceiving than if he is younger.
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Making Bangkok a healing hub
Physician and dermatologist Orawan Kitchawengkul is a guinea pig - she experiments on herself. -Daily Xpress
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Witness: Virtual friends in a cancer world
Reuters bureau chief recalls the support she received online after a diagnosis of early-stage breast cancer. |
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Breast reconstruction can have lasting benefits
Research shows reconstructive surgery can provide a psychological lift, helping to improve self-esteem and body image.
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Heart failure outcomes worse in diabetics: study
Novel findings indicate that having diabetes raises the risk of illness and death in people with heart failure.
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Health authority rejects battery-powered 'cigar'
The HSA is concerned that the Ruyan e-Gar and V8 Electronic Cigar might promote smoking, especially among the young.
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ICA finds drugs inside soft toys
1,400 Erimin 5 tablets, 150g of Ketamine and 30g of Ice were found hidden in toys at the Woodlands Checkpoint. |
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Medication mustn't be on receipt
Reader Ms Goh calls for protecting the privacy of patients' medical conditions by removing the medication list on receipts.
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NEA firmly enforces smoking prohibition
NEA will ensure managements advise smoking patrons to do so only within the designated smoking areas.
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Health event draws record 70 exhibitors
This year, SPH-organised ?Health & You? exhibition promotes eating healthy from young. -ST
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NBI to investigate doctors' involvement in organ trade
Two members of a syndicate were arrested for duping several people into selling their kidneys. -Inquirer
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Andrea De Cruz all for organ trade
If the hospitals, doctors and recipients benefit...I don't see why the donors shouldn't benefit as well," says the spunky De Cruz.
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Buy an organ? YES. Sell an organ? NO.
Most Singaporeans polled would buy an organ if in need but are less willing to sell their own. -ST
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Awake during $50,000 China kidney transplant
S'porean under local anaesthesia felt surgeon cut him up, then push intestines aside. After 15 days, he checks himself into SGH A&E for all-clear. -TNP
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Greeks caught up in Indian organ trade scandal
Two of the Greeks were patients at an illegal clinic in Gurgaon where ailing Westerners receive kidney transplants. -AFP
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Overseas transplants run risk of death & disease
The quality of medical and surgical care at overseas hospitals may not be as good as what is available here.
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De facto price control on human organs
Our goal should be not to prohibit but merely to regulate - and solely to protect the penniless sellers from getting short-changed. -Inquirer
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'No basis to charge organ donation board'
For exempting Israelis from kidney ban. -Inquirer
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CBCP calls for stronger laws vs organ sale
Despite laws to govern organ donation, the act has been "abused and exploited" at the expense of the poor. -Inquirer
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Losing a kidney
Kidney transplantation is a key area where Filipino surgeons and specialists have gained expertise. -Inquirer
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Tech addiction a growing problem
It's more dangerous than say, alcoholism, because it may not show up physically and that adds to the denial. -BT |
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London hospital caught in liver transplant scandal
Organs from British donors given to Greek and Cypriots while 400 locals wait desparately for transplant. -TNP
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Kidney specialist's proposal smacks of exploitation
Reader asks: can we consider as ethical for us to treat the poor as disposable items in life? -The Star
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Cautious welcome for Philippine transplant ban
Most organ transplants to foreigners banned to stem a thriving trade in poor Filipinos selling their kidneys. -AFP
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Filipino kidneys cheapest in world black market, says NGO
Kidney vendors get a measly $1,500 or roughly P125,000 - a price 20 times cheaper than those in the United States. -Inquirer
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Will CK Tang chairman be charged?
Unlike the Indonesians who were charged for making false statutory declarations, Mr Tang probably faces no such liability. -ST
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Get off your high horse, moral arguments a luxury
Moral arguments are a luxury that healthy people indulge in before misfortune befalls them too. -ST |
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Protecting the giver of the ultimate gift
A kidney donation shouldn't be allowed if the donor will be exposed to an undue risk of developing complications in the future. -Inquirer
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Paying tribute to Muslim couple
Many are touched by Muslim couple act of donating brain dead son's heart to save another life. -The Star |
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Multi-layered checks keep illegal cases down
Doctors say they do their best to sieve out any dubious relationships between donors and recipients. -ST
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Reward organ donors and give their families incentives
A neurosurgeon suggests the Government consider paying the funeral expenses of a deceased donor. -The Star
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DoH: Aliens on wait list exempted from kidney transplant ban
Israeli president ordered ban following concerns over the poor selling their kidneys, harming their health. -Inquirer
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Regular exercise good for dementia patients
The findings indicate that regular exercise appears to help senile dementia patients maintain their independence. -Reuters |
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More dengue cases cropping up in the west
5 per cent of last year's more than 8,800 dengue fever cases were reported from western Singapore. Scientists found these are popular breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquito. -ST
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Kidney prices worldwide
This table presents the average price of a kidney around the world. -ST
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Kidney debate: Go with common sense instead of 'by the book'
Reader Mr Loh feels a robust system can be created to ensure donor suitability and fair compensation for donors. -ST
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Morally wrong? But it can save lives
Reader Jonathan Chua feels disallowing organ trade deprives two consenting parties of the mechanism to make each other's lives better. -ST
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'Let independent panel okay donors'
Halimah Yacob doubts ability of hospital panels to spot phoney donations. -ST
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Poor will be victims of organ trade
Reader Miss Tan feels the act of putting a monetary value on a human organ undermines the sanctity of human life. -ST
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Get tough on smokers
Reader Mr Tan feels the National Environment Agency should step up enforcement action and conduct more surprise checks. -myp
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Measles outbreak hits 127 people in 15 states
The biggest US outbreak since 1997 is driven by travelers who became infected overseas then returned to the US ill and infected others. |
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A dialysis patient's plea to the Government
Reader Ms Lau does not support the concept of a kidney market in Singapore but calls for creative solutions. -ST
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The case for legalising organ sales in Singapore
Wouldn't it be better to provide a system where organ trade occurs in a way that best protects the donor? -ST |
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India gets tough on organ transplants
It will toughen laws so that foreigners seeking treatment must find donors from their own country. -ST
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Artificial intelligence
Robotic surgery is slowly making it's mark here as it offers faster recovery times for patients. Soon, robots will become more common for us to live better lives. -SPU |
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Man says prescription drug caused compulsive gambling
This ex-Wall Street banker lost $3 million from compulsive gambling. He now claims his addiction was caused by a prescription drug, and is suing companies involved for his losses. -Reuters
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Prescription drugs easily purchased online: study
Researches found that 85 percent of sites selling controlled drugs do not require a prescription.
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Anorexia, 'bigorexia' may have same genetic roots
For men, the obsession with being too small and undeveloped, may share the same genetic underpinnings as anorexia nervosa.
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Cancer death rate drop tied to education levels
The study was the latest to illustrate how a person's health can be closely tied to socioeconomic factors such as education. -Reuters
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Middleman to be paid $300,000 to get kidney for CK Tang boss
This was one of 10 charges he faces in landmark case. -ST
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Kidney-for-sale: CK Tang chairman charged with 3 counts
Tang faces three counts - two under the Human Organ Transplant Act which bans the sale of human organs, and another for making a false declaration. -ST |
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No such thing as ethical organ market
Many poor vendors have expressed "donor regret". The selling of an organ did not help them out of poverty and in fact had significant negative impact on their health and employment. -ST
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Dentists still using fillings with toxic mercury
Five local dentists my paper spoke to said they would still carry on using the fillings unless patients request for an alternative. -myp |
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'Cure' for transplant woes? Cut risk of kidney failure
Transplant cases can be halved if diabetics keep illness in check. -ST
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Tangs boss charged; he was allegedly going to pay $300k
Retail chain chairman out on $15k bail; alleged middleman also charged. -ST |
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A Swede way to boost Singapore's birth rate
Measures include tiered child allowances, 13 months' paid leave, affordable childcare.
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Alleged middleman in kidney-for-sale cases arrested
Wang Chin Seng, the 'referral agent' named in two cases, out on $30k police bail. |
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Let's not rule out organ trading yet, says Khaw
Surprise comment from Singapore's Health Minister likely to re-ignite fiery debate.
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More children suffering from sleep disorder
It is a condition in which the nose and throat become blocked during sleep, causing breathing to stop temporarily.
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Kiwis scour black market for kidneys
A New Zealander went to India for a kidney transplant, but got hep B instead.
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Man jailed for not telling boy of risk in first HIV case
Former chef pleaded guilty to performing oral sex on the boy, 16, at the male toilet of Northpoint Shopping Centre.
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Study finds genetic link to violence, delinquency
Three genes may play a strong role in determining why some young men become violent criminals while others do not.
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'Organ trading fair, if both sides willing'
Star Bloggers on citizen media website Stomp were asked to give their views on organ trading in Singapore. |
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Treadmill workstation brings exercise to office, slowly
Can sedentary office workers multi-task their way to a healthier lifestyle? Try this treadmill-workstation hybrid.
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Visual impairment indirectly linked to suicide
Findings suggest that better treatments for the underlying conditions that cause visual impairment may reduce the risk of suicide.
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Kids should work with hands for brains' sake
Author also warns class-obsessed Britons to drop their snobbish attitude to hands-on vocational training within schools.
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France ends 12-year ban on energy drink Red Bull
But authorities remain concerned about its high caffeine and taurine levels.
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Background TV disruptive for very young children
Even when they paid little attention to it, the quality of their play fell.
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Menthol is used to hook young smokers: study
Menthol is used in cigarettes to make those first few puffs more palatable to young smokers.
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Expectant moms who eat nuts boost child asthma risk
Researches found children whose mothers ate as little as one peanut butter sandwich a day had a far higher risk of asthma.
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Chinese woman hails life-changing surgery on giant, deformed legs
Painful elephantiasis had caused her legs to treble in size.
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Voluntary HIV testing doubles to over 1,700
The number going for the test, which is anonymous, has doubled from 678 last year to 1,723 this year. -ST
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I would do anything to get a donor
TV host Jamie Yeo was born with only one kidney. And she would do anything to get a willing donor if the need arose. |
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Too much sleep tied to stroke risk in older women
But researchers do not know the reason for the link.
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Donating kidney through navel works well
Removing it through the belly-button reduces the pain, scarring and recovery time.
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Cardiovascular disease remains the number one killer in Malaysia
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No food, drug for epilepsy given
Epileptic woman waits 18 hours at Changi General Hospital for an op for a gaping 10cm by 3cm wound. |
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Hospital: Other patients needed emergency surgery
A woman had to wait 18 hours for surgery because her condition was not critical.
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Accept apology and move on
The hospital has admitted its mistake so give CGH another chance.
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They take good care of my daughter
News of Venerable Shi Ming Yi's arrest did not seem to have had much of an effect on Ren Ci Hospital's operations.
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MOH issues new rules for fat removal in clinics
From November, clinics can only offer liposuction if their doctors get accreditation from a new committee. |
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Irresponsible parents to blame for return of HFMD
They would take their kids to school even when they have high fever and ulcers, says a reader.
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More private clinics to offer anonymous HIV tests
Because testing is anonymous, the clinics do not submit a report when someone tests positive.
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SAF safety systems and procedures 'sound': minister
Proper processes and procedures are in place and being followed. -ST
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Special fabric for pain relief
Heavy computer use is enough to cause shoulder pain. Explore the options to prevent and soothe this common problem.
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Livers from older donors work well in transplants
No difference in survival rates whether livers come from young or old donors, say study.
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Viagra helps depressed women
It has proven effective at combating sexual dysfunction in depressed women.
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Sleep apnea may trigger nighttime heart attack
Body changes that occur with OSA may lead to blockage of the coronary arteries and heart attack.
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Parasitic worms may help fuel AIDS epidemic: study
They may undercut the immune system's ability to fight off HIV infection.
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Inhaled sugar helps clear lungs in cystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a serious genetic disorder characterized by abnormally thick mucus secretions in the lungs and other organs.
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Most children with milk allergy tolerate warm milk
Researchers discovered specific milk proteins that trigger allergic reactions can almost entirely be destroyed through exposure to high temperatures.
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Torn, but she did it anyway
At least 20 people travelled overseas for transplants each year, according to Health Ministry figures. Melissa Sim speaks to one of them who did.
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Minimally invasive treatment helps infertile men
Swollen veins in the scrotum are a common cause of infertility in men.
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What price altrui$m?
Should there be financial compensation for organ trading?
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Soy may not bring men joy
Half serving a day of soy-based foods could be enough to significantly lower a man's sperm count.
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'I last saw my wife alive before tummy tuck'
Woman dies after liposuction and surgery; husband alleges negligence.
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Drug patch could make life easier for Alzheimer's patients
A Novartis study in 2006 showed that Exelon-patch users had better memory improvement than participants on Exelon pills. |
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Custom-made insoles may ease certain foot pain
They may help ease foot pain caused by high arches, rheumatoid arthritis.
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Changes to Hota to make more organs available
Currently, organs cannot be taken from someone who is over 60 years old when he dies.
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Medical profession okays aesthetic treatments doctors can do
They will not be allowed to advertise these treatments and will have to get written permission from patients.
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Doctors face tighter rules on aesthetic treatments
From Nov 1, doctors will have to get permission before they can offer a range of controversial aesthetic treatments such as breast enhancement surgery. |
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New rules' impact merely skin-deep?
There is unlikely to be any major shake-up in the aesthetic treatment business because of the new rules released by the profession and the Ministry of Health (MOH), say doctors.
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Meditation slows Aids progression: study
It may slow the worsening of Aids in just a few weeks, perhaps by affecting the immune system.
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Oxygen therapies may ease headache pain
Two forms of oxygen therapy may offer relief from debilitating migraines and cluster headaches.
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Trans fats banned in California restaurant food
Governor Schwarzenegger has his target locked on food that clogs arteries.
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Not enough specialised nurses to go around
This has caused several wards and intensive care units in newer hospitals to remain closed.
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Mum's abdominal fat linked with birth defect risk
Babies of women who are obese before pregnancy may be at increased risk of defects of the brain and spinal cord.
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KKH: 150 years old, 1.3 million babies and counting...
Long working hours in Singapore make it hard to start a family. KKH provides insights how to tackle this problem.
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Paragon to convert 3 floors of offices to medical suites
Move spurred by strong demand in healthy sector, say market watchers.
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Prevention is SAF recruits? best heart-disease guard
Is medical screening in the SAF adequate? The Singapore Heart Foundation and Singapore Cardiac Society give their take.
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Chikungunya virus outbreak in Ipoh
The mosquito-borne disease leads to fever, chills, headache, nausea, vomiting, joint pain with and low back pain.
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He sold 7.5cm of his liver and "life is better now"
The sale allowed Mr Salimudin to become the proud owner of a 5,000 sq m palm tree plantation.
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"Village of Body Parts"
In Indonesia, trading of organs is illegal but difficult to clamp down on. |
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Getting to the root of dental problems from very young
Singapore: Visitors to roadshows can get free dental checks and also at 253 participating dental clinics during August.
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Look after kids' teeth now or feel the pain later
A pre-schooler's teeth were so badly decayed that all 20 had to be pulled out, under general anaesthesia.
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Soy reduces sperm count: study
Soy contains isoflavones, an organic compound that acts like female hormones.
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Secondhand smoke raises spouse's stroke risk: study
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Fishy diet may protect against clogged arteries
Researchers found Japanese men living in Japan had twice the blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids than middle-aged white men.
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Chikungunya cases escalate
Up to yesterday morning, 136 people tested positive from the 631 cases detected at 20 localities in Johor, Malacca, Negri Sembilan and Perak.
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60-year-old woman is latest Chikungunya victim
The housewife, who lives in Jalan Jelita, off Holland Road, fell ill last Thursday. She is the 17th person to contract the mosquito-borne, dengue-like disease while in Singapore. -ST
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