What is a Stroke?
什么是中风？

A stroke occurs when an area of the brain is damaged following interruption to its blood supply. This results in deterioration of the mental and physical functions controlled by that particular area.

WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF STROKE? 中风的原因

There are 3 main stroke causes:

Thrombosis: a clot forming in the artery to the area
Embolus: a small clot from elsewhere blocking the artery
Haemorrhage: bleeding into the brain, unlike others where the artery is blocked

Some common underlying causes are high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries, atherosclerosis.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF STROKE? 中风的症状

The stroke symptoms depend on the area of the brain affected and the cause. A haemorrhage usually has a sudden onset and a less favourable outlook. Sometimes a stroke is mild and the effects pass off in a day or so.

Signs of a stroke include:

Unconsciousness
Confusion
Loss of power of speech
Loss of movement of part of the body, example is on one side of the body
Double or blurred vision
Difficulty understanding questions
Dizziness
Difficulty walking or using arms
Numbness on one side of the body

WHAT IS A TRANSIENT ISCHAEMIC ATTACK?

This is a transient loss of function due to a temporary blockage in the artery. It is usually caused by a small embolus and the patient recovers in a period ranging from a few minutes to 24 hours, average time 5 minutes. It can be a warning of an impending stroke, and so it needs urgent medical attention.

HOW COMMON ARE STROKES?

They are very common, especially in people over 65 years and more so in males. In western countries they are the third commonest cause of death and after heart attacks the second commonest cause of death. Those at special risk are those with high blood pressure, diabetes or high blood cholesterol and heavy smokers.

WHAT IS THE OUTCOME OF STROKES?

About 1/ 3 recover almost completely, one third have some permanent disability and 1/ 3 will die.

HOW CAN STROKES BE PREVENTED? 如何预防中风？

The risk factors need to be checked, especially high blood pressure, which must be kept under control. Other things to do are avoid smoking, avoid excessive alcohol intake, eat a low-fat healthy diet, keep to ideal weight and have regular exercises.

If you have been found to have hardening of the arteries to the brain, you may be advised to have tablets to prevent blood clots forming. Aspirin can do this, and only a small dose is needed. Garlic tablets are reported to help prevent clots, and special blood- thinning tablets called anticoagulants can be prescribed.

SURGERY

If a person has partially clogged arteries to the brain, the carotids, it may be possible to clean them out rather like a brush cleaning out a chimney. This is a good option in some patients, especially in those who have had transient ischaemic attacks.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR STROKE?

Once the stroke has occurred, the brain tissue will not heal normally. Even though the person has survived, it is important to still attend to the risk factors, especially checking the blood pressure. Intense rehabilitation to get limbs and speech working again will begin. This involves a team approach with the physiotherapist being the key person. The results are usually a pleasant surprise to all concerned, with a gradual improvement occurring over at least 2 years.

Heart Health - Coronary Heart Disease, Learn what is Angina and Stroke, as well as How to Lower Cholesterol

Coronary Heart Disease

What is Angina?

What is Stroke?

How to Lower Cholesterol

Reducing Stroke Risk 降低中风风险

Here are some pro-active actions you can take to safeguard your health and reduce your risk of cardiovascular complications.

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

Health Assessment & Screening Packages

Health Assessment

Health Screening Packages

Jill Bolte Taylor's stroke of insight

Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor had an opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: One morning, she realized she was having a massive stroke. As it happened -- as she felt her brain functions slip away one by one, speech, movement, understanding -- she studied and remembered every moment. This is a powerful story about how our brains define us and connect us to the world and to one another.

Hypertension Symptoms & Treatment, Blood Pressure monitoring, BP Chart

What is Hypertension?

Blood Pressure Monitoring

High Blood Pressure Symptoms

Blood Pressure Chart

High Blood Pressure Treatment

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

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

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).

Learn what is Cancer, Skin Cancer-Types, Causes & Prevention, Melanomas Explained & Detecting Skin Cancer with Dermoscopy.

What is Cancer?

Skin Cancer - Types, Causes & Prevention

Melanomas Explained

Detecting Skin Cancer with Dermoscopy

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).

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

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

高血压
糖尿病
脑血管疾病
心血管疾病
慢性肺部疾病
慢性肾病
哮喘
失智
慢性神经系统疾病
癌症
风湿病
肥胖
抽烟
慢性血液系统疾病/血红蛋白血液疾病
肝病/乙型肝炎感染
营养不良
免疫缺陷/免疫功能低下，例如 HIV AIDS
65岁及以上的人

(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

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 Aging 健康老龄化

Healthy Brain Aging

Elderly Health

Women's health

Child Health

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

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).

MD Int'l (SG) Home page

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Obesity - How to Lose Weight Safely

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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.

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Doing Our Best in the COVID-19 Pandemic!

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