What is Asthma?

Asthma is a common chest condition in which there is temporary narrowing of the breathing tubes in the lungs (airways) because they are hyper-reactive and oversensitive. In asthma, these tubes have inflammation and swelling of their linings, increased mucus inside, tightening of the muscles in their walls and therefore less flow of air in and out.

WHAT CAUSES AN ASTHMA ATTACK?

No single cause has been found, but a variety of factors may trigger an attack. A check list of trigger factors is:

• Infections, especially colds
• Allergies to animal fur, feathers, pollens, mould
• House dust, especially the dust mites
• Cigarette smoke; other smoke and fumes
• Sudden change in weather or temperature
• Occupational irritants such as wood dust, synthetic sprays, chemicals
• Drugs such as aspirin, drugs to treat arthritis, heart problems and glaucoma
• Certain food and food additives
• Exercise, especially in a cold atmosphere
• Emotional upsets and stress

Please seek Medical attention as soon as possible if you are unsure of you or your family's health condition.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ASTHMA?

The main symptoms are breathlessness, tightness in the chest, wheezing and coughing, especially in the night.

SEVERE ASTHMA

Symptoms or signs of very severe asthma are anxiety, blue colour of the lips, cyanosis, ashen grey colour of the skin, fast pulse, rapid breathing, in drawing of the chest wall, difficulty speaking, no response to asthma medication and feeling very sick. These uncommon severe symptoms mean that you should seek urgent medical attention.

Asthma Genetic Predisposition

HOW COMMON IS ASTHMA?

About 1 child in every 4 or 5 has asthma, usually in a mild form. It usually comes on between the ages of 2 and 7. Most children outgrow by puberty, but a small number get it as adults. Others continue with it. About 1 in 10 adults has asthma.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR ASTHMA?

Prevention of attacks is the best treatment, and all asthmatics and their families should aim to know the disorder very well and become expert in it.

KNOW YOUR ASTHMA

• Read all about it
• Try to identify trigger factors and avoid them
• Become expert at using your medicine and inhalers. A big problem is incorrect inhaler technique, 34% of patients
• Know and recognize the danger signs and act promptly
• Have regular checks with your doctor
• Learn breathing exercises
• Work out a clear management plan and an action plan for when trouble strikes
• Learn the value of a peak expiratory flow meter, for anyone over 6
• Always carry your bronchodilator inhaler and check that it is not empty

STAY AT YOUR BEST

If you need medications, these should be as simple, safe and effective as possible. This is why inhaled medications are most often used for asthma. There are basically 2 types of inhaled medication that your doctor might advise you to use:

1.      The Asthma preventor such as Pulmocort

2.      The Asthma reliever which is called a bronchodilator

KEY POINTS:

1. GET TO KNOW HOW SEVERE YOUR ASTHMA IS

2. AVOID TRIGGER FACTORS SUCH AS TOBACCO SMOKE

3. KEEP AT YOUR BEST WITH SUITABLE MEDICATIONS

4. GET URGENT HELP WHEN DANGER SIGNS APPEAR

5. HAVE AN ACTION PLAN FOR SEVERE ASTHMA

6. USE YOUR INHALERS PROPERLY AND USE A SPACER IF NECESSARY

7. GET A PEAK FLOW METER TO HELP ASSESS SEVERITY AND WORK OUT YOUR BEST LUNG FUNCTION

A Comprehensive Allergy Test can be done at our medical clinic. Please make an appointment for a consultation with Dr Don Lau at Tel: 6694 1661.

Comprehensive Allergies Test for up to 101 allergens:
* Food Allergy eg Seafood, Nuts, Eggs, Fish, Meat, Fruits, Seeds or Vegetables.
* Dust/Mold Allergy
* Insect Sting Allergy.
* Pet/Cockroach Allergy.
* Eye or Skin Allergy
* Sinus Infection/Allergic Rhinitis
* Drug/Latex Allergy

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Dermatology Problems - Acne, Dry Skin, Warts, Corns & Calluses on Feet

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Health Assessment & Screening Packages

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Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine in Singapore

Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine is now available @ MD International Medical Centre. Make a Vaccination or Booster Appointment at Tel: 6694 1661. Learn more about Sinopharm here.

Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV vaccine has now been approved for use by private clinics in Singapore against the COVID-19 virus under the Special Access Route. It is the first China-made vaccine to be approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

To date, more than a billion doses of the Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV have been administered. The vaccine has also been approved for use in over 50 countries around the world.

Inactivated vaccines are a tried-and-tested form of vaccine technology which is used in other well-established vaccines, such as the Flu and Hepatitis B vaccines.

If you would like to receive the Sinopharm vaccine or booster, please make your appointment at MD Int'l Medical Centre at Tel: 6694 1661.

Effects of COVID-19 on the Brain

Ministry of Health Recommendation :

• For persons who have already completed their Primary series with mRNA vaccines and are recommended to get a booster, but are unable to take another dose of mRNA vaccines for medical reasons, they may boost using one dose of Sinopharm vaccine. The booster should be taken six months after mRNA dose 2 (M-M-S).

• For persons who are unable to take the the 2nd dose of mRNA vaccines for medical reasons, they may complete their vaccination with the Sinopharm vaccine. 2 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine is recommended to complete the Primary series. The 2nd Sinopharm dose  should be taken 28 days after the 1st Sinopharm dose (M-S-S).

For recovered persons who had not completed a primary series before infection:

• For persons who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection but received 1 dose or none of COVID-19 vaccination prior, they may receive 2 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine (28 days interval between doses), 3 months after the date of infection to complete a primary vaccination series (Recovered-S-S or S-Recovered-S-S or M-Recovered-S-S).

• For persons who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection and had received 2 doses of Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccines prior, they may receive 1 dose of Sinopharm after 3 months from the date of infection to complete a primary vaccination series (S-S-Recovered-S).
  

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Skin Problems - Treatment for Allergies, Dermatitis, Eczema & Urticaria/Hives

Vitamins & Nutrients for a Well-functioning Immune System to Protect against COVID-19 & other Viral Infections

(Ref: Nutrients. 2020 Apr 23;12(4). pii: E1181. doi: 10.3390/nu12041181 Optimal Nutritional Status for a Well-Functioning Immune System Is an Important Factor to Protect against Viral Infections Calder PC¹, Carr AC², Gombart AF³, Eggersdorfer M⁴.

Healthy Aging

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How a Gluten-free Diet can Improve your Chronic Illnesses

Healthy Diets for Optimal Health

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Part of the National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance programme with MOH. If you have a fever of > 38 degrees with a cough, our clinic is able to test for COVID-19. For children below 12 years old with clinical diagnosis of HFMD (eg fever, oral ulcers, rash), our clinic can test for Hand Foot & Mouth Disease (The tests are for surveillance purposes only).

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Ear, Nose & Throat Problems

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Groups at Higher Risk for Severe Illness in a COVID-19 Infection

Comorbidities & Underlying Health Conditions in COVID-19 Patients with Complications

·       Hypertension

·       Diabetes mellitus

·       Cerebrovascular disease

·       Cardiovascular disease

·       Chronic lung diseases including COPD

·       Chronic Kidney disease

·       Asthma

·       Dementia

·       Chronic Neurological Disorders

·       Cancer

·       Rheumatological Disorder

·       Obesity

·       Smoking

·       Chronic Hematologic disease / Haemoglobin Blood Disorders

·       Liver disease / Hepatitis B Infection

·       Malnutrition

·       Immunodeficiency / Immunocompromised eg HIV AIDS

·       People aged 65 and older

(Ref: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-020-0642-3.pdf, Dailymail.co.uk, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32320003/, Comorbidity and its impact on 1590 patients with Covid-19 in China: A Nationwide Analysis https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/early/2020/03/17/13993003.00547-2020

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Co-infection of COVID-19 with other infectious diseases is possible.

Reduce your risk of getting sick with COVID-19

• Make sure your vaccinations are up-to-date. People older than 65 years, and those with many underlying conditions, such as those who are immunocompromised or with significant liver disease, are recommended to receive vaccinations against Influenza and pneumococcal disease (PCV). Click here for Vaccination schedules (NAIS/NCIS).
  
• Do not delay getting medical care for your underlying condition because of COVID-19. MD International Medical Centre has contingency MOH infection prevention protocols to protect you from getting COVID-19 if you need care for your underlying condition.
• Continue your medications and do not change your treatment plan without talking to your doctor.
• Make sure that you have at least a two-week supply of your chronic disease medications.
• Call MDIMC @ Tel: 6694 1661 for a medical appointment if you have any concerns about your underlying medical conditions or if you get sick. Our clinic is a PHPC-accredited medical clinic. Under the MOH Swab & Go Home programme, our doctors can do a COVID-19 PCR Swab test if you meet the MOH medical crtieria.

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COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 Virus Information

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Shawn Achor: The happy secret to better work

We believe that we should work to be happy, but could that be backwards? In this fast-moving and entertaining talk from TEDxBloomington, psychologist Shawn Achor argues that actually happiness inspires productivity.

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MD International Medical Centre

Medical Services available :

• General Medicine / General Practice
• Minor Surgical Procedures
  
• Dermatology - Skin Problems (Eczema, Acne, Rash, Boils, Dermatitis, Pigmented or Dry Skin, Mole/Skin Tag/Wart Removal)
  
• Dermoscopy - Non-invasive Detection of Skin Cancer, Pubic lice & Scabbies
• Treatment of Insect Bites & Stings
• Infectious diseases & Virology (COVID-19. Dengue, Flu, Hepatitis B)
• Respiratory Medicine - Cough, Wheezing, Shortness of breath
  
• Obesity / Weight control
• Stomach ache
  
• Respiratory Lung Diseases
• Liver Diseases
• Kidney disease / Kidney stones
  
• Eye Health / Opthalmology
  
• Ear Nose Throat / ENT -
  Nose Bleed-Epistaxis /Snoring & Sleep Apnoea /Verigo & Dizziness
• Removal of Ear Wax
• Personal Health
• Allergies Test & Management
• Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis
  
• Asthma Management
• Vaccinations / Immunization (eg Flu vaccination)
• Depression / Anxiety / Stress Management
• Management of Chronic Diseases (eg Diabetes / Hypertension)
• Treating Prediabetes, Diabetes & Insulin Resistance
  
• Heart Disease / High Cholesterol Management
• Health Management
• Men's Health
• Women's Health - Osteoporosis, Heavy Periods, Breast lumps, Urinary Tract Infection, Anaemia, Tremors
  
• Child Health & Nutrition / Pediatrics
• Elderly / Senior Health
• Dementia Screening
• Neurological Disorders
  
• Treatment of Gout
• Pain Management (eg Arthritis, Back Pain, Migraine)
• Sports Injuries
  
• Travel Health (eg Vaccinations / Travellers' Diarrhoea)
  
• Health Screening / Blood tests
• Pre-Employment check-up
• Work Permit / Employment Pass / Student Pass / Driving License Check-up
• Blood Disorders
  

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Public Health Preparedness Clinic

National University Health System Primary Care Network

Singapore Ministry of Health Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP)

The information provided in this website is for knowledge purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice.

Should you encounter any medical problem that you are unsure of, always consult your doctor or health care provider for assistance and medical advice.

MD International (Singapore) Pte Ltd

Get your:

* Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine / Booster

* Latest Influenza Vaccine (Protects against Flu and H1N1 Viruses)

* Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR  Swab

* Serology Tests for Travellers 

* Supervised Antigen Rapid Test (Tele-ART) done from your home

* Serology Testing to Certify Vaccination status * Pre-Event COVID Testing

Make your appointment at Tel: 6694 1661.

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MDIMC Medical Team

Together, Being here for you.

Doing Our Best in the COVID-19 Pandemic!

“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”
― John Wesley

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Risk Factors of COVID-19 Complications

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COVID-19 Singapore Public places visited by cases in the community

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9 Taman Serasi #01-11, Botanic Gardens View

Tel : 65-6694-1661  Fax : 65-6694 1771

Email : contact@mdimc.sg

Clinic hours:

Monday to Friday: 9am-12.30pm / 2pm-6.30pm    Saturday: 9.30am-1pm

*Last registration is 30mins before the closing time

Closed on Sundays & Public Holidays

- Cashless service with most International Insurance companies and Insurance Medical cards are accepted

- Japanese & Mandarin-speaking Doctors and Medical staff

Please contact us at Tel: 6694 1661 to make an appointment.

Please make an appointment for the following at Tel: 6694 1661:

* Minor Surgical Procedure

* Health Screening / Blood Test

* Dermatology Treatment

* Allergy Testing

* Pain Management & Treatment

* Vaccination

* Supervised COVID ART Test / Pre-Event Test

* Pre-Departure PCR Swab Test / Serology Testing

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OUR MEDICAL TEAM

Dr Don Lau – Medical Director

MBBS (Monash), B Med Sc (Hons) (Monash), Dip Pract Derm (Wales, UK)

Fujiwara Takanori

The Chiropractic Association Singapore, Japan Chiropractic Register, American Chiropractic Association, California Chiropractic Association

Physiotherapy-trained NBCE The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners

YAMAGATA Chihiro 山懸千尋

Registered Psychologist

MD International Medical Centre

Medical Services

• General Practice Family Medicine
• Minor Surgical Procedures / Laser Treatments
• Management of Chronic Diseases (Diabetes / Hypertension / Heart Disease / High Cholesterol Management)
• Pain Management (Joint pains, Knee Pain, Back Pain, Migraine, Sports Injuries)
• Shockwave Treatment / Deep Muscle Stimulator DMS Therapy
• Dermatology Treatments - Skin Problems (Eczema, Acne, Rash & Hives, Boils, Dermatitis, Pigmented or Dry Skin, Moles, Skin Tags, Corns & Calluses, Wart, Treatment of Insect Bites & Stings)
• Dermoscopy - Non-invasive Detection of Skin Cancer
• Allergies Test & Management / Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis / Asthma Management
• Vaccinations / Immunization (National Adult Immunisation Schedule / National Child Immunisation Schedule / Influenza)
• Infectious diseases & Virology (COVID-19, Dengue, Flu, Hepatitis B)
• Respiratory Medicine - Cough, Wheezing, Shortness of breath
• Eye Health / Ophthalmology (Conjunctivitis, Foreign body in the Eye)
  
• Ear Nose Throat / ENT Rhinoscopy (Nose Bleed-Epistaxis, Snoring & Sleep Apnoea, Vertigo & Dizziness, Removal of Ear Wax)
• Audiogram – Hearing test
• Personal Health (Stomach ache, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Heartburn, Treatment of Gout)
• Elderly / Senior Health (Arthritis)
• Men's Health
• Women's Health (Osteoporosis, Heavy Periods, Breast lumps, Urinary Tract Infection, Anaemia, Tremors)
• Child Health & Nutrition / Paediatrics
• Travel Health (Vaccinations / Travellers' Diarrhoea)
• Health Assessment, Screening & Management / Blood tests
• Pre-Employment check-up / Work Permit / Employment Pass / Student Pass / Driving License Check-up
• Obesity / Weight control
• Neurological Disorders / Dementia Screening
• Depression / Anxiety Management
  
• Insomnia & Stress Management

Minor Surgical Procedures :

·       Injection for Supraspinatus or Bicipital Tendonitis / Epicondylitis / Trigger finger / Plantar Fasciitis

·       Tendon Sheath Injection

·       Excision of small Skin tumours / Lipomas / Nail bed / Ear lobe cysts / Meibomian cyst

·       Removal of Skin sutures / Skin tags / Sebaceous cysts / Various foreign bodies / Corneal foreign body

·       Liquid Nitrogen Therapy

·       Treatment of Plantar Warts / Calluses / Corns / Ganglions

·       Splinters under nails

·       Olecranon and Pre-patellar Bursitis

·       Ear syringing

·       Embedded earring stud