Rx Note

Introduction A cataract is a clouding in the lens of the eye, which changes the way light passes through the lens. It usually develops slowly and may occur in one or both eyes. Risk Factors Risk factors for cataracts include Increasing age - the most common cause Family history of cataracts Smoking Alcohol consumption Long-term sunlight exposure Certain medical conditions, e.g. diabetes Certain medicines, e.g. prednisolone Symptoms At first, you may not notice that you have a cataract. But over time, cataracts can cause symptoms such as Cloudy, blurred or double vision Fading or yellowing of colours Poor night vision Increased sensitivity to glare. A halo may appear around lights Management Initially, cataracts may be managed with New spectacles, Brighter lighting, Anti-glare sunglasses and Magnifying lenses for reading and other activities. When cataract symptoms interferes with daily living activities, cataract surgery and placement of an intraocular lens should be considered. On...

Introduction As I notice white hairs growing on my head, I am reminded that I am no longer as young as I used to be. Time seems to be slipping away and I am running out of it. Sleep is Luxury Once I started working, I began to appreciate the luxury of having an afternoon nap or sleeping from night till mid-afternoon. It is funny how I used to resent my mother for asking me to sleep early when I was young, but now I understand. Every weekday, we wake up robotically in the early morning, work until five, and by the time we are finally free, it is already nearing bedtime. Despite being encouraged to walk at least ten thousand steps a day, we often struggle to meet this modest target outside of office hours. We know that sleeping late burdens our bodies, but we long for some "me-time" to unwind. Taking A Step Backward To lead a comfortable and fulfilling life, we “sell” our precious time in exchange for money. We work jobs that we may not always enjoy, but that pay us enough to ...

Introduction I recently ran into my secondary school additional mathematics tutor, Mr Low. He still retains his charming demeanour and sense of humour, even though his hair had turned white. This brought back memories. In our last lesson before the SPM exam, Mr Low said, "Success is a choice. It depends on your attitude. You need to have a positive attitude if you want success. You need to put all your mind, heart and energy into achieving success. Can you do that?" He even taught us to sing "If We Hold On Together". Youth Time is the one thing that we cannot stop or reverse. As you read this, you are at the youngest point you will ever be in the future. If you have a desire to travel or explore, do it while you are young; do not let financial constraints hold you back. While you may accumulate wealth in the future, you can never recapture the youthful excitement of seeing magnificent scenery or the energy that propels you to rise early for sunrise. Similarly, i...

Introduction The appearance of rhytides (wrinkles) is a natural part of the aging process and can be seen as creases, folds or ridges in the skin. Wrinkles are most prominent on sun-exposed skin, such as the face, neck, hands and forearms. Causes Several factors can contribute to wrinkles, including Aging - Wrinkles develop due to the skin becoming thinner and less elastic over time. Sun exposure - a major cause, especially for people with light skin. Smoking Air pollutants, e.g. lead, particulate matter (soot, exhaust, industry), nitrogen oxide (car exhaust), sulphur dioxide (industry plants) Repeated facial expression, such as frowning, squinting or smiling Prevention To minimize the appearance of wrinkles, Photoprotection, such as always wear protective clothing or using sunscreen Use moisturizer Remove makeup at the end of the day with a cleanser to prevent the blockage of the skin pores, which can hinder the body's ability to produce collagen proteins. Do not smoke Living a h...

Introduction Many different health conditions can cause changes in the nails and nail bed, including shaping ridges in the nails. In other words, your nails are a window into your overall health , so always mention any nail changes to your healthcare provider. Vertical Ridges Vertical nail ridges are fairly common and are usually harmless. Usually, the cause is aging. Hence, nothing to worry about. Beau's Lines Beau's lines are nail ridges that run horizontally across that the fingernail. A single Beau’s line on one nail may indicate an injury that affected only one finger or toe. Beau’s lines on all of your nails can mean that an illness or stress caused them. Multiple Beau’s lines on each nail may mean that an illness or trauma happened more than once. Thicker Beau’s lines may be a sign that an illness or trauma lasted a longer time. Beau's lines are not a disease and are not harmful by themselves. They are often a sign of an underlying condition that requires diagnosis ...