What is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by uric acid crystals getting caught in the spaces between the joints of the feet, the hands and some larger joints. The tissue around the joints becomes inflamed, and this inflammation triggers the sensitive nerve endings at the joint, causing extreme pain.

Uric acid is a waste product from the body, especially from proteins called purines. It is passed out in the urine by the kidneys, which sometimes cannot cope with the load of uric acid, and this causes a build-up in the body.

What are the Symptoms of Gout? 痛风的症状是什么？

The main symptom is severe pain, usually in the hands or feet, especially at the base of the big toe. Sometimes gout can strike in other joints, such as the elbow or the knee. The pain usually comes on without warning, often in the early hours of the morning, and soon the joint becomes so tender that one cannot bear even the weight of the bedsheets. The inflamed skin over the joint is often red, shiny and dry. The first attack usually involves only one joint and may last from a few hours to several days, generally about 2 or 3 days depending on how soon treatment is commenced. Sometimes there may be only one attack in a person’s lifetime.

Who gets Gout?

Almost any person can get gout, because all human beings produce about as much uric acid as the kidneys can handle. However, it does appear to be hereditary and is far more common in men, especially between the ages of 30 and 60.

It is one of the oldest disorders known to humans, and some well-known victims include Alexander the Great, Kublai Khan, Michelangelo, Martin Luther, Isaac Newton, Henry Ⅷ, John Wesley, Francis Bacon and Benjamin Franklin.

What causes Gout? 是什么导致痛风？

Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessarily brought on by high living and gluttony. Overindulgence in rice foods and alcohol can certainly bring on an acute attack in those who are prone to gout. It is associated with obesity and high blood pressure. Some drugs, particularly diuretics (fluid tablets), injury, surgery or starvation can bring on gout.

What are the Risks of Gout?

Gout is a curable disease, but if it is untreated it can cause kidney disease, including kidney stones.

What is the Treatment for Gout? 痛风的治疗方法是什么？

The acute attack

The earlier the attack is treated the better. Contact your doctor about the best treatment and the right pain-killer. Aspirin is not recommended for the pain of gout. Bed rest is important. Some relief can be obtained by applying a hot compress or ice to the affected joint. Keep the weight of the bedclothes off the foot by placing a bed cradle or similar object under the bedclothes.

Since gout may strike only once, no further treatment is needed apart from following the ‘rule of moderation’. If gout keeps returning, it will be necessary to go onto tablets that may have to be taken for a lifetime in order to prevent more acute attacks.

Rules of moderation

Do:

•    Gout Diet : Restrict intake of food high in purines, especially organ meats (liver, brain, kidneys, sweetbread) and tinned fish (sardines, anchovies, herrings)
•   Reduce your intake of alcohol
•   Eat a normal weight, but avoid ‘crash’ diets
•   Wear comfortable shoes
•   Get regular exercise

Don’t:

•   Take your worries to bed
•   Exercise too strenuously
•   Overexpose yourself to cold
• Drink excessive amounts of alcohol (keep to a modest level only,e.g.2 standard drinks a day)

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

Sinopharm COVID-19 & Latest Influenza Vaccines (Protects against Flu and H1N1 Viruses) / PCR COVID Testing / Serology Tests for Travellers & Serology Testing to Certify Vaccination status. Make your Appointment at Tel: 6694 1661

Management of Joint Pains & Gout

Arthritis in the Elderly

What is Osteoarthritis?

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Symptoms, Causes & Prevention of Gout

Rishi Manchanda: What makes us get sick? Look upstream

Rishi Manchanda has worked as a doctor in South Central Los Angeles for a decade, where he’s come to realize: His job isn’t just about treating a patient’s symptoms, but about getting to the root cause of what is making them ill—the “upstream" factors like a poor diet, a stressful job, a lack of fresh air. It’s a powerful call for doctors to pay attention to a patient's life outside the exam room.

Health Assessment & Screening Packages

Health Assessment

Health Screening Packages

Latest Influenza Vaccine

Asymptomatic patients may display no symptoms of illness. Vulnerable people should get vaccinated against Influenza which protects susceptible people from, as well as exclude the Flu and H1N1 viruses should they start to show URTI or ARI symptoms.

a. Vaccination decreases the risk of co-infection with COVID-19.

b. Vaccination reduces the burden of respiratory illnesses in the healthcare system.

The latest Influenza Vaccine is now available. It protects against the Flu and H1N1 Viruses. Ministry of Health Safety protocols are adhered to at all times for the safe vaccination of you and your family.

* Importance of Keeping your Vaccinations Up-to-date

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 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).

NAIS & NCIS - Singapore is free from vaccine-preventable diseases like poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (whooping cough) because of our successful immunisation progamme.

National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) Singapore @ MD International Medical Centre. Make your vaccination appointment at Tel: 6694 1661.

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).

Risk Factors of COVID-19 Complication

Source : Observer Research Foundation

Lung, Neurological, Liver & Kidney Diseases

Lung Diseases

Neurological Diiseases

Liver Diseases

Kidney Diseases

COVID-19 Sinopharm Vaccine & Booster

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

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.

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:

Singapore 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 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).

Pain Relief Management & Treatment, Vaccinations, Health Screening, COVID & Allergy Testing, Dermatology Treatments, Minor Surgical Procedures

Pain Relief Management, Treatment & Therapy

Dermatology Treatment

Allergy Testing

Minor Surgical Procedure

Health Screening / Blood Test

Vaccinations -Sinopharm / Flu / NAIS / NCIS Immunization Schedules

Pre-Departure PCR Swab Test / Serology Testing

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.

Healthy Diets for Optimal Health

The Anti - Inflammatory Diet

- Go Gluten-free

The Anti-Cancer Diet

- The Ketogenic Diet

Grow New Brain Cells

- The Neurogenesis Diet

Immune System Boosting, Anti-aging Longevity Diet

MD International Medical Centre

Medical Services available:

General Practice Family Medicine - Illnesses & Infections
Minor Surgical Procedures
IV Infusion of Medications
Respiratory Medicine - Influenza, Colds, Cough, Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI), Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI), Sinus Infection
Treatment of Gastric issues, Stomach aches, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Heartburn
Infectious diseases & Virology - COVID-19, Dengue, Flu, Hepatitis B etc
Dermatology - Skin Problems (Eczema, Acne, Rash, Boils, Dermatitis, Pigmented or Dry Skin, Moles /Skin Tags /Wart Removal)
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Eye Health / Ophthalmology - Conjunctivitis, Foreign body in the Eye etc
Respiratory Medicine - Cough, Wheezing, Shortness of breath
Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) - Ear Wax Removal, Ear Otitis Enterna, Nose Bleed-Epistaxis, Snoring & Sleep Apnoea, Vertigo & Dizziness, Audiogram (Hearing test)
Pain Management, Treatment & Therapy - Arthritis, Back & Joint Pain, Migraine, Gout
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Vaccinations / Immunization - Latest Flu vaccine, Sinopharm COVID Vaccine & Booster
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Health Screening / Blood tests
Management of Chronic Diseases - Treating Prediabetes, Diabetes & Insulin Resistance / Hypertension
Heart Health - ECG Heart monitoring / High Cholesterol management / Chest pains
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Student Pass / Driving License Check-up
Personal Health Management - Preventative Medicine & Disease Prevention
Elderly / Senior Health
Men's Health - Erectile Dysfunction medications etc
Women's Health- Osteoporosis, Heavy Periods, Breast lumps, Urinary Tract Infection, Anaemia, Tremors
Child Health & Nutrition / Paediatrics
Obesity / Weight control & Safe Weight loss / Nutrition & Diet
Depression / Anxiety / Insomnia & Stress Management
Erectile Dysfunction medications / Sexually transmitted diseases (STD)

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 Medical Centre / MD International (Singapore) Pte Ltd

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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,
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At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”
― John Wesley