Perfectly Imperfect Health

Welcome back to Perfectly Imperfect Health! In this spooky Halloween 🎃 episode, we talk about the medical nightmares you only see or hear about on TV and social media.From flesh eating bacteria🦠🤢, to zombies 🧟 and parasites 🪱 that make you go blind! Dr Dillon Yeo, Associate Consultant from the Department of Infectious Diseases, SGH, spills the guts on gruesome stories that make perfect viewing/listening this Halloween 👻💀🧛 night.

Perfectly Imperfect Health is also available on:

🎵 Spotify: https://for.sg/perfectly-imperfecthealth-spotify

🎵 Apple Podcast: https://for.sg/perfectly-imperfecthealth-apple

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:38 Parasites can "invade" your eyes if you wear contact lenses

06:14 Can zombies happen in real life?

09:16 If you get bitten on the arm by a zombie, will cutting your arm prevent you from turning into one?

10:13 Rabies - are they linked to zombies?

12:45 Can amputation prevent the spread of rabies, after you have been infected?

13:08 Can you get rabies in Singapore?

14:04 Patient ate fish from a river and was not able to walk after that

17:39 Outbreak of Group B Streptococcus that is linked to raw fish in Singapore

18:41 Which kinds of raw fish are safer to consume?

24:27 Different kinds of raw foods (beef, cheese) and if they are safe to eat

28:35 Mao tofu (hairy tofu) and why you should be careful when eating them

30:56 Soft-boiled eggs carry bacteria too

31:35 Outbreak of meningitis in a nightclub

36:54 The experience of eating raw crabs in Jeju as an infectious diseases doctor

40:34 Final takeaways

SGH Website: www.sgh.com.sg

Welcome back to Perfectly Imperfect Health! In this episode, we talk about the trend of people attending spin classes 🚴 and getting Rhabdomyolysis - a condition where damaged muscles break down quickly and leak dangerous chemicals into your blood, which can ruin your kidneys 🫁. Dr Juliana Kan, Senior Consultant from the Dept of Internal Medicine tells you how you might end up with Teh-O ☕️coloured urine if you're not careful!Perfectly Imperfect Health is also available on:🎵 Spotify: hhttps://for.sg/perfectly-imperfecthea...🎵 Apple Podcast: https://for.sg/perfectly-imperfecthea...Timestamps:00:00 Intro01:36 What is Rhabdomyolysis?02:45 Strenuous activities like Spinning can cause Rhabdomyolysis05:34 Young women tend to get Rhabdomyolysis07:00 What are the symptoms and how to tell if it's just normal muscle aches? 09:06 Serious cases can result in kidney injury or kidney failure09:40 "Blood" in your urine that causes it to turn a dark brown "Teh-O" colour11:50 How much do you need to push yourself to get Rhabdomyolysis?12:50 Fireman ended up with Rhabdomyolysis after rescuing someone from a fire15:50 High intensity exercises and calculating your maximum heart rate18:01 Recovery and treatment 22:41 Final takeawaysSGH Website: www.sgh.com.sg

Welcome back to Perfectly Imperfect Health! In this episode, we explore what exactly is burnout with Senior Principal Psychologist Dr Evelyn Boon. Find out how Gen Z's, Millennials and Gen X's interpret burnout 😩, what makes them happy and why sometimes it's the little things 🤏 in life that matter ✨

Perfectly Imperfect Health is also available on:

🎵 Spotify: https://for.sg/perfectly-imperfecthea...

🎵 Apple Podcast: https://for.sg/perfectly-imperfecthea...

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

02:40 What exactly is burnout?

06:10 Gen Z's interpretation of burnout

07:50 Burnout v Depression

10:16 How do you know if you are under too much stress?

12:45 Why you should not turn your passion into your job

14:43 Solving math problems to destress

16:00 Getting burnout can be due to genetics

17:25 Are Gen Z's really less resilient?

20:22 Leaving work on time - can that be considered quiet quitting?

23:45 Using weighted soft toys to reduce stress 25:56 Signs that you are not ok and need help

27:32 What drives Gen Z's?

What are they passionate about?

30:04 Find your passion and don't just make work your identity

31:21 Enjoy the little things in life

33:29 Questionnaires to check if you have burnout

35:55 Final takeaways

SGH Website: www.sgh.com.sg

Welcome back to Perfectly Imperfect Health! In this episode, we find out the difference between allergies, "sinus problems" and sinusitis with Dr Xu Shuhui, Consultant, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck surgery, SGH. She explains why an itchy nose is not to be sniffed at 🤧!

Perfectly Imperfect Health is also available on:

Spotify: https://for.sg/perfectly-imperfecthea...

Apple Podcast: https://for.sg/perfectly-imperfecthea...Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

02:07 What actually is sinusitis? And why it's not the same as "I have sinus"

09:00 Allergic Rhinitis and Sinusitis: Are they genetic?

12:45 Severe case of sinusitis - Puss in the forehead

14:20 Wisdom teeth can lead to possible sinus infections 16:10 Sinusitis might lead to blindness

20:32 Can you combine rhinoplasty with sinus surgery?

24:00 What about inhaler sticks? Are they useful to tackle sinus problems?

25:38 Antihistamines with decongestants - why you need to be careful when taking them

30:29 Wasabi can clear your congested sinuses?!

31:35 How is sinusitis diagnosed?

35:22 Final takeaways

SGH Website: www.sgh.com.sg

Welcome to Perfectly Imperfect Health! In this episode, we dive into what makes your sweat stinky and salty 😓with our dermatology expert Dr Goniyamalimage Shashendra Ravinath Aponso. Find out what foods to eat to avoid stinky pits and whether you are genetically blessed to smell great.

Perfectly Imperfect Health is also available on:

🎵Spotify: https://for.sg/perfectly-imperfecthealth-spotify

🎵Apple Podcast: https://for.sg/perfectly-imperfecthealth-apple

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome!

02:28 Sweat alone does not make you smell bad

05:01 Deodorant v Antiperspirant - Which one you should be using

08:48 You smell like what you eat – How certain foods cause you to smell bad

11:13 Why South Koreans smell the best naturally

13:43 How do you end up with orange sweat?

14:55 Stress or fear induced sweat

18:33 When over sweating affects your quality of life

21:38 Botox can stop your body from sweating

26:48 Can sweating help with weight loss?

27:52 Does having “salty sweat” mean you are eating too much salt?

31:18 Final takeaways

Don't sweat it - Stay informed and take control of your health!

SGH Website: www.sgh.com.sg

Welcome to Perfectly Imperfect Health! In this episode, we speak to Associate Consultant Dr. Ong Hui Shan and Assistant Nurse Clinician Kelvin Pang as they spill the tea on the bizarre stories of the SGH Emergency room!

Perfectly Imperfect Health is also available on:

🎵 Spotify: https://for.sg/perfectly-imperfecthealth-spotify

🎵 Apple Podcast: https://for.sg/perfectly-imperfecthealth-apple

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

02:25 Destroying expensive clothing and jewellery

05:30 "Organised chaos" in the Emergency Department (ED)

07:05 Patient with projectile vomiting of blood

08:35 Eating expired bird's nest and ending up at the hospital

09:50 Fighting in the ED with internal organs hanging outside

12:25 Young girl who pooped all over herself

16:12 Online dating gone wrong - woman drops unconscious date at ED entrance

17:50 Sex-related injuries - broken penis, bottle inserted into the butt

20:15 Freak accidents - water bottles, fractured toes, and bouldering injuries

24:15 Can severed fingers be reattached?

27:10 How is the patient still alive?

30:55 Overdosing on 200 paracetamol pills

32:57 What do I do if I accidentally drank bleach?

34:10 Is the pulling out of IV plugs in Korean dramas realistic?

36:45 Inserting an IV plug through the bone

39:35 Final takeaways

SGH Website: www.sgh.com.sg

Welcome to Perfectly Imperfect Health! In this episode, we dive into everything you didn’t know you needed to know about poop with Gastroenterology and Hepatology expert, Dr Andrew Ong. From understanding what your stool says about your gut health to mastering the optimal pooping position, we leave no stone unturned.

Curious about the perfect poop, warning signs to watch out for, or even how “sharts” happen? You’re in the right place! 🚽

00:00 Welcome!

02:38 Stool as an indicator of gut health

03:17 Types of excrement

09:09 What does an ideal poop look like?

10:45 Warning signs to watch out for

12:26 Toilet volume and frequency

14:56 Prolapse & the right way to poop

19:38 Fart vs. shart

21:25 The optimal pooping position

24:48 Final takeaways

Stay informed and take control of your health - one flush at a time!

What's the healthiest and most sustainable way to get to our desired weight? What's most important when embarking on a diet to meet a weight or health goal? Joining us this episode is SGH Dietitian Agnes Chong, who plates up facts on popular diets like intermittent fasting and keto.

00:00 Intro
02:04 Body roundness index vs body mass index
05:54 Can higher body mass be due to genes?
06:59 Intermittent fasting
09:21 Set point theory
12:41 Health impact of intermittent fasting
15:28 Juice fasts
18:15 Ketogenic diet
20:31 Blood type diet
23:30 Weight loss for males vs females
25:00 What's most important when embarking on a diet?

Do you have nagging neck and back pains that are causing you distress? Well, you’re not alone. Neck and back pains are two of the most common conditions seen at the SGH Pain Management Centre. Find out more as Dr Elizabeth Tan painstakingly explains.

0:00 - Intro

3:34 – When do you need to see a pain specialist?

7:00 – The Pain Scale (1-10): 10 feels like a gunshot wound?

10:38 – Squeezing, throbbing, shooting pains, what do they mean?

15:10 – The most commonly seen pain conditions: neck and back

17:52 – How to manage your pain

21:52 – Is popping pills the way to treat pain?

24:18 – Acupuncture to manage pain

26:20 - Conclusion

In this episode of Perfectly Imperfect Health, we dive deep into the topic of food poisoning with Dr Lim Wan Tin, Senior Consultant at the Department of Internal Medicine. Whether you're trying to understand the different types of foodborne illnesses, learn how to prevent contamination, or find out what to do if you suspect food poisoning, we've got you covered!

Highlights:

0:00 - Welcome! 03:36 - Common causes of food poisoning 05:16 - Onset of food poisoning 07:04 - Food poisoning vs stomach flu 08:39 - When to see a doctor 12:34 - When things get SEVERE 16:38 - What are the riskier food 18:23 - Who's at higher risk 19:50 - How to eat safely while traveling 23:52 - Final takeaway!

Singapore General Hospital Website: https://www.sgh.com.sg/

Do you get a headache if you fail to get your coffee fix? Do you suffer from migraines after a bad night's sleep, or even get triggered by certain smells and foods? Our resident headache and migraine expert Dr Nijanth from NNI@SGH spills the tea on how to differentiate between a headache and a migraine and ways to treat them.

This episdoe is a public education initiative is supported by Pfizer.

Highlights:

0:00 - Intro

1:15 - Coffee headaches and why people get them

6:16 - Migraines

10:09 - The link between Alice in Wonderland and migraines

13:00 - Headaches vs migraines: How to self-diagnose

14:20 - Food and smells can trigger a migraine

17:40 - When to see a doctor?

19:25 - Treatments for headaches and migraines

26:15 - Conclusion

Humans are living longer due to better diets, lifestyle and medical science. What if we told you that everyone can live to a ripe old age if they just follow three simple things, with a little help from next generation science?

Find out from our expert Professor William Hwang, an authority in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and cell therapy, how you can live to a 100, and more importantly do you want to live to that age.

0:00 - Intro

1:45 - Ageing and fears of growing old

4:30 - Bryan Johnson, the man who wants to reverse ageing

9:40 - Blue zones - where longevity occurs, and why Singapore is one of them

14:25 - When doctors used to smoke!

18:40 - Recommended vitamins and supplements to take

19:20 - Growing and printing organs - next generation science

22:40 - Conclusion - Your life should be like a great movie

In this episode of Perfectly Imperfect Health, with our Podiatrist Benjamin Loh, we dive deep into all things feet-related. Whether you're dealing with stubborn corns and calluses, battling plantar fasciitis, or searching for the most supportive shoes, we've got you covered!

Highlights:

00:00 Intro

01:33 Athlete's foot & fungal infection

03:50 Warts

07:38 Corns and calluses

10:58 Ingrown toenails

14:59 Plantar fasciitis

17:54 What makes a good shoe?

22:02 Bunions

Menstruation - a monthly affair for women that often comes with PMS and cramps. But what happens when the cramps go beyond what's bearable? And how can men support their female partners, family members, friends and colleagues? Joining us this episode is Dr Yvonne Wong, Associate Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology to help us go with the flow.

Highlights:

00:52 How common are period cramps?

03:35 Management for painful periods

07:01 When is it considered "too painful"?

08:37 What is endometriosis?

10:50 Treatment options for endometriosis

12:10 Endometriotic cysts

15:26 Heavy menstrual bleeding

19:03 Does mensturation get lighter with age?

Do you hate exercising? Try doing something you love, like dancing to K-pop music to make it enjoyable. Dr Cindy Ng, Senior Principal Physiotherapist tells us exercising is not just about going to the gym and running. Find out how to exercise to give you that extra BOUNCE in your step!

Highlights:

01:12 Exercise doesn't need to be a drag

02:18 Housework is "exercise" too

04:40 Hiking as a form of exercise

06:05 Standing for too long is not good for you

07:00 Exercises you can do while working at a standing desk

10:15 Building strength and why it's important

11:30 Marching on the spot

12:14 Climbing Bukit Timah Hill

14：00 Why some people bounce during stretching

16:30 Exercises that Dr Cindy does to keep fit

17:05 Achieving the balance that you need

18:10 Tai chi is a great workout

19:10 How to exercise if you have aches and pains

19:55 Is climbing stairs good for you?

23:10 What is functional training?

24:32 Final tips

A Forbes survey found that 34% of respondents have "losing weight" as their new year resolution for 2024. But what happens when we take our strict diets and calorie cutting too far? Dr Vincent Wong, Associate Consultant, Psychiatry is our guest expert this episode, helping us foster a healthier relationship with food, body image, and self. Highlights:

01:37 Impact of social media on our body image

03:30 Are there seasons where one's body image issues might worsen?

06:19 The different types of eating disorders

11:25 At what point does our dieting or binge eating become a disorder?

13:00 Are there risk factors for developing an eating disorder?

15:13 What are some warning signs?

19:07 How can we support those with disordered eating? Helpline: SGH Eating Disorders Clinic: 6321 4377, [email protected]

How is your gut feeling today? Whether you're feeling extra flatulent, having the runs, or having trouble going, our intestinal expert is here to help! Joining us this episode is A/Prof Andrew Ong, Senior Consultant, Gastroenterology & Heptalogy, who helps us navigate our digestive tract.

Highlights: 01:22 Flatulence 04:02 What causes smelly farts? 05:08 Can certain food cause you to fart more? 06:21 Spicy food and burning diarrhoea 09:40 Lactose intolerance 11:25 How can we make our guts less sensitive? 13:41 Gluten intolerance 15:09 What are some high FODMAP foods? 18:02 Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) 20:19 What foods are good for relieving constipation? 25:04 Is there an ideal way to take a dump? 29:17 Final tips

Gearing up to run longer distances or at faster paces? Or trying a new sport or fitness regime? How can we protect ourselves, especially our knees, from injuries? This episode, Dr Chia Zi Yang, Consultant, Orthopaedic Surgery, paces us for the long run!

01:24 Is running bad for your knees?
02:36 What should people lookout for when preparing for a marathon?
05:58 What kind of sports make you more prone to knee injuries?
06:53 Osteoarthritis
09:50 Bow-leggedness
13:08 Alternatives to knee surgeries
14:56 Getting knee surgery
20:30 Final tips

With more and more people turning to vaping as the “healthier option” to smoking, is vaping the solution to nicotine addiction? Dr Melvin Tay, Senior Consultant, Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine helps us see through the smoke and mirrors.

Highlights:
1:38 - Vape devices come in all forms and flavours

3:30 - Watch what you vape, as it could harm your lungs

4:12 - Nicotine and dopamine – what it does to your body

5:55 - Vaping – Does it really help you to quit smoking?

7:50 - The EVALI outbreak which killed teens in the US

10:00 - A man in his 30's admitted to SGH with a rare lung disease linked to vaping

12:45 - Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP) – What exactly is it?

15:05 - Can vaping cause lung cancer?

16:55 - Is breathing in secondhand smoke from vapes harmful?

17:35 - The long-term effects of vaping

18:32 - Final tips from Dr Melvin

With temperatures heating up and and the drier weather, haze might be on the horizon. Dr Chew Si Yuan, Consultant, Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine helps us clear the air.

Highlights:
1:25 What are PSI and PM2.5 readings all about?
5:40 Should I stay home to protect myself from air pollutants?
11:05 Does the Lunar seventh month exacerbate the haze?
12:21 How our eyes and skin can be affected
13:45 Types of masks (surgical vs N95 vs KN95 vs KF94)
17:35 Can haze lead to cardiac arrest?
19:34 Is the air indoors better than outdoors?
20:37 Should we wear a mask while cleaning?
21:23 Are air purifiers useful?

Unfortunately, the haze might be coming back this year :( This episode, we have Dr Chew Si Yuan, Consultant, Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, to debunk myths and confirm facts about the haze. Myth or fact? 1. Wearing a surgical mask is enough to protect me against haze. 2. I don't need to worry about haze if I don't have any medical conditions like asthma. 3. The impact of haze is just temporary and will resolve once the haze period ends. 4. I should stay indoors when there's haze. 5. My air conditioner at home is good enough at filtering out haze particles. 6. All air purifiers are effective at capturing airborne pollutants as long as they have filters.

Hear us out - losing your sense of hearing might be something you think is limited to older folk, but it can happen when you're young as well. Things like listening to loud music, ear infections, or even having too much ear wax could potentially lead to hearing loss. If you find yourself turning up the volume to watch your favourite streaming shows, why not tune in to this episode with Dr Vanessa Tan, Consultant, Otorhinolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, to learn more about this sense.

Highlights:

2:00 How is sound measured and how can it lead to hearing loss?

7:30 Is hearing loss reversible?

9:25 What are the tell-tale signs of hearing loss?

11:05 Doesn't hearing loss only affect the elderly?

12:55 How should we clean our ears?

14:05 How important is hearing as a sense?

16:55 When should we seek medical help for hearing loss?

20:30 Types of hearing aids

22:15 Final tips to protect our hearing

We're back this episode with Dr Piotr Chlebicki, Senior Consultant, Infectious Diseases, to debunk some travel-related myths in this Myth or Fact special!

Myth or fact?

1. We should sanitise our seat area on the plane.

2. We fall sick more easily on the plane.

3. We should be careful about tap water and iced drinks while overseas.

4. Airplane food tastes blander because our sense of smell is affected.

5. We get drunk faster on the plane because of the altitude.

You've bought your plane tickets, you've booked your accommodation, you've planned your itinerary... but you might have forgotten something for your upcoming travel. Our guest, Dr Piotr Chlebicki, Senior Consultant, Infectious Diseases, joins us this episode to ensure we're all packed and prepared for our overseas holidays!

Highlights:

1:25 Getting flu shots and other vaccinations before travelling

3:05 What should we bring in our travel first aid kit?

6:50 Masking up on the plane

7:40 Will melatonin help you adjust better to the time difference?

9:15 Could you get deep vein thrombosis from sitting too long on long flights?

11:15 Tackling motion sickness

13:00 Altitude sickness

15:30 How can we guard against food poisoning?

19:10 What are some of the most common illnesses while travelling?

We're back for part 2 on sleep with Dr Leow Leong Chai, Director, SGH Sleep Centre, and Senior Consultant, Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine! We know how important getting ready for bed and sleeping is, but what about waking up? What if we are night owls?

Highlights:

0:33 How can we relax before sleeping?

3:59 Is there one superior sleeping position?

5:08 Snoring and sleep apnoea

8:25 Do you have social jetlag?

10:06 Are we all sleep-deprived?

13:00 Is exposure to sunlight in the day important?

16:11 What happens if you're a night owl?

18:52 Final tips on sleeping better

You probably know how many hours of sleep you should be getting each night. But if you wake up not feeling refreshed, can hitting the snooze button, getting a cup of coffee, or taking a power nap give you an energy boost? This a two-part special with our guest Dr Leow Leong Chai, Director, SGH Sleep Centre, and Senior Consultant, Respiratory ＆ Critical Care Medicine, on how we can sleep better. 

Highlights:
1:42 What constitutes good sleep?
6:00 Does dreaming mean I slept well?
7:00 What happens when I don't get enough sleep?
7:55 Is it ok to drink coffee for an energy boost?
10:14 Should we be hitting the snooze button? Or taking naps?
13:35 How can we practice better sleep habits?


If you enjoyed this episode, keep a lookout for Part 2 coming next week! 

If your new year resolution is to lose weight, you might want to know that exercise alone may not be as effective as you think it is. If that's the case, why should we still exercise? Our guest, Dr Cindy Ng, Senior Principal Physiotherapist, sheds more light on this and gives us some tips on keeping active.

Highlights:
1:33 How much weight can we lose through exercise alone?
3:41 Getting that exercise high
5:53 How many calories can we burn through exercise?
8:34 Spot reduction: fact or myth?
10:06 Why should we still exercise?
11:32 Is there a best form of exercise?
15:30 Trying new types of exercise
18:28 What's an ideal amount of exercise to clock each week?
22:14 Final tips on staying active