Health Today Malaysia - June 2019

In this issue

In June, HealthToday celebrates the most important man in our life: our father. Let's cherish him for all the hardships he had to undergo to raise us. Our cover story on page 35 features Michael Bublé a tough dad who had to stay strong for his son when he was stricken with cancer. In honour of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, we feature scientific facts on dates (page 12) and a cheat sheet to help you maintain your weight after the Raya feasts (page 15). We bring you a special in-depth report by Prof Dr Tan Maw Pin on root causes and solutions to abuse of older persons on page 20. A sleep researcher throws a surprising fact on sleep at us on page 28. Did you know there is such a thing called 'hole in the gut'? Read more about it on page 31. For a treat, we have a Giveaway with 3 sets of Vaya Tyffyn each worth RM189 up for grabs (page 69). So what are you waiting for? Subscribe now!

Fancy A Date? Heck, Why Not 10?

Who could forget the famous sultry whisper of “Yusuf Taiyoob” come every fasting month. The name is synonymous with dates and is a testament to its marketing success. Dates (Phoenix dactylifera) are very much part of Southeast Asian culture and was probably introduced into the region by the spread of trade. We did some digging around and found that dates are as potent as figs and perhaps that’s the reason our forefathers took such a liking to them.

3 mins

The Cheat Sheet - For Post-raya Damage Control

To all my Muslim friends, I know the last month has been a struggle. I also know a number of you might have put on a little extra weight over the fasting month. Does it come as a surprise? Not really. You would expect to lose weight if you’re only eating half as much as you normally do. But that isn’t the case, is it? Think about it, the heavy breakfasts in preparation for the day ahead, all the Ramadan bazaars conveniently popping up after work, the sudden cravings for pizza and deep-fried chicken (which you would otherwise try to avoid). Dietary habits definitely change during the fasting month and some people would consider it as an opportunity to indulge (excessively). Fret not, as HealthToday has come up with a cheat sheet for those of you who need a little help getting into that pair of jeans you used to fit in back in April.

4 mins

Is 8 Hours Of Sleep Enough?

We are often told we need 8 hours of sleep every day. Do you wonder where the number comes from? Well, it seems the number is quite random. There is no definitive length of time for sleep, says anthropologist Dr David R. Samson.

3 mins

Hole In The Gut!

What happens when a hole forms right through the wall of a stomach, small intestine or large intestine? While not a very common occurrence, gastrointestinal perforation can occur to anyone at any age. This month let’s take a closer look at this condition and how it can be treated.

4 mins

A Father's Voice

Michael Bublé is arguably one of the best performers of our time. Through his career, he has touched the hearts of millions by bringing old forgotten tunes back to life, and putting his own modern spin on them. This Father’s Day, we explore Bublé’s other voice, which is that of a father; and we get to know the heartwrenching journey he took supporting his young son through cancer.

5 mins

Keeping The Dream Of Fatherhood Alive

Going through Father’s Day can be hard for men who experience difficulties conceiving a child with their loved one. If you are one of those men, don’t lose hope. Advances in fertility research and treatment have kept the door open even for men with low sperm count to become a father. This month, Dr Agilan Arjunan shares some insights on the options available to transform a man’s dream of fatherhood into reality.

6 mins

Moving House? Don't Break Your Back Over It

Speaking from recent first-hand experience: moving houses is not fun. Whether it’s due to a new college, a new job, or a change in family circumstances, the process of packing up and moving an entire household’s worth of possessions to a different building can be incredibly stressful for everyone involved—and potentially hazardous to one’s health. Read up HealthToday basics on how to stay both sane and safe while dealing with a big move.

4 mins

Warning: It's Going To Get Corny

Longing for smooth, baby-soft feet? Can’t seem to find a way to get rid of those pesky hardened skin known as corns and calluses? HealthToday talks to a podiatrist to find out ways to eliminate corns and calluses safely, and for good.

3 mins

Let Yoga Heal Your Body And Mind

This may not be the most well-known fact, but June 21 is International Day of Yoga. The worldwide celebrative day is still fairly new as it was incepted in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly. However, yoga is anything but young. It is believed to have originated in India around 3000 B.C. with stone carvings of persons in yoga poses being found in the Indus Valley, which is one of the main civilizations during the Bronze Age. The word ‘yoga’ is derived from Sanskrit and means to join or unite, which is a reflection of yoga’s aims of uniting the body and consciousness.

2 mins

Two Wrongs Don't Make A Right

Relationships are all about give and take. But very often, we get to know of extremely unhappy relationships where one person is always giving, and the other is always taking—the roles are never reversed.Many times, situations like these point towards a co-dependent relationship, which is a relationship that is imbalanced and unhealthy mentally. Though it is easy to blame one party over the other, the truth is it takes two dysfunctional personalities to cultivate such a relationship.Counselling psychologist Cathie Wu tells us more.

4 mins

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Health Today Malaysia Magazine Description:

HealthToday is your award-winning guide to living a better and healthier life. For more than a decade, HealthToday has consistently raised the bar in providing readers with information on diseases and health-related topics, in an interesting and entertaining manner. This is our commitment to ‘Empowering you to Healthy Living’.