Learn about health issues at free talks

Learn about health issues at free talks

Head to the annual two-day Health & You exhibition next month and learn how to take care of yourself from head to toe - quite literally.

Eight specialist doctors from Mount Elizabeth and Mount Elizabeth Novena hospitals will speak on various topics, from breast lumps and heart health to diabetes and how to take care of your feet.

Earlier this year, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong declared war on diabetes, hence cardiologist Kenneth Ng will be putting the spotlight on the strong association between diabetes and heart disease at his talk on the first day of the event.

He said that someone with diabetes is two to three times more likely to have a heart attack, compared to a person without diabetes.

At his talk, he will teach people how to minimise the risk of developing heart disease if they have diabetes.

About half of heart attack patients have diabetes as a risk factor.

Singapore has the second- highest proportion of diabetics in its population among developed countries, trailing behind the United States.

Dr Ng warned that 65 per cent of people with diabetes will die of cardiovascular diseases.

Two orthopaedic surgeons will share their expertise on both days of the exhibition.

On Saturday, foot and ankle specialist Tan Ken Jin will emphasise how having healthy feet is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, even as a person enters his golden years. He will share the common causes of foot pain in adults and children and how problems like bunions, flat feet and heel spurs are treated.

On Sunday, hip and knee specialist Chin Pak Lin will debunk myths surrounding treatments.

Some people believe that supplements such as glucosamine and collagen type II can cure arthritis, while others think that total knee replacement is the only solution to painful knees.

Dr Chin will shed light on cartilage regeneration techniques and state-of-the-art robot-assisted surgery.

He said: "Arthritis is part of ageing. With the silver tsunami coming, it is only natural that doctors are seeing more joint- related problems."

Otolaryngologist Tay Hin Nga will talk on Sunday about when to suspect thyroid problems and what these problems could be.

He said there are two main types of thyroid problems. The first has to do with hormonal disorders where the thyroid gland either makes excessive or insufficient thyroid hormone. The second is when the thyroid is structurally abnormal, either being enlarged throughout or developing nodules or tumours within the gland.

These two types of problems may occur in isolation or at the same time, he added.

He said thyroid disease is "frequently misunderstood by patients", who often think thyroid hormone disorders must be present if the thyroid is abnormal.

Now in its 12th year, Health & You is jointly organised by The Straits Times Mind & Body and Lianhe Zaobao Lohas. It will be held at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, Halls 401-403, on July 9 and 10, from 9am to 9pm. Admission is free.


This article was first published on Jun 21, 2016.
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