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:
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
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
Dermatology Problems - Acne, Dry Skin, Warts, Corns & Calluses on Feet
Sinopharm COVID-19 & Latest Influenza Vaccines (Protects against Flu and H1N1 Viruses) / Pre-Departure COVID-19 PCR Swab & Serology Tests for Travellers, Supervised Antigen Rapid Test (ART) done from your home, Pre-Event COVID Testing and Serology Testing to Certify Vaccination status. Make your Appointment at Tel: 6694 1661 |
Flu Subsidy Scheme eligible for Singaporeans & PRs (Pay subsidized rate of $10 for Consultation and Treatment) & Merdeka Generation /Pioneer Generation seniors (Pay subsidized $5) for patients with Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs). |
Health Assessment & Screening Packages
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
COVID Symptoms to watch out for: |
SARS-CoV-2 Virus Infection of Human Organ Tissues through Cell ACE-2 Receptors: |
Ministry of Health Recommendation :
For recovered persons who had not completed a primary series before infection:
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.
How a Gluten-free Diet can Improve your Chronic Illnesses
Healthy Diets for Optimal Health
Up to $400 per Medisave Account per year can be used for Vaccinations under the National Adult & Childhood Immunisation Schedule - Influenza, Pneumococcal (PCV13/PPSV), Human Papillomavirus (HPV2/HPV4), Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap), Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) and Chickenpox (Varicella). |
Part of MOH's Swab & Go Home programme. Our clinic can carry out the COVID-19 Swab test for anyone who meets the MOH medical criteria. All individuals aged 13 and above, diagnosed with ARI will be COVID Swab-tested. Cost of Swab test to be borne by Ministry of Health Singapore. |
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).
Ear, Nose & Throat Problems
Groups at Higher Risk for Severe Illness in a COVID-19 Infection
Comorbidities & Underlying Health Conditions in COVID-19 Patients with Complications
· Chronic lung diseases including COPD
· Asthma
· Dementia
· Chronic Neurological Disorders
· Cancer
· Obesity
· Smoking
· Chronic Hematologic disease / Haemoglobin Blood Disorders
· Liver disease / Hepatitis B Infection
· Immunodeficiency / Immunocompromised eg HIV AIDS
(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
Co-infection of COVID-19 with other infectious diseases is possible.
Reduce your risk of getting sick with COVID-19
COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 Virus Information
Shawn Achor: The happy secret to better work
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MD International Medical Centre
Medical Services available :
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
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:
* Health Screening / Blood Test
* Supervised COVID ART Test / Pre-Event Test
* Pre-Departure PCR Swab Test / Serology Testing
MBBS (Monash), B Med Sc (Hons) (Monash), Dip Pract Derm (Wales, UK)
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
· 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
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