While there’s plenty of fitness and health news that just seems like it’s designed to scare the pants off us, there’s also plenty that we need to pay attention to. Our monthly health hub in print and online will answer a few questions and give you health news that’s relevant to keeping you fit and healthy.
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Health Help: Insights from Doctors
“How can retinal detachment be treated and managed? How serious can it get if left untreated?”
Dr Lee Shu Yen, Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal Surgeon at Advanced Eye Clinic and Surgery
Retinal detachments are medical emergencies that require intervention to restore the anatomy of the eye. The simplest method is a pneumoretinopexy, where a gas bubble is injected into the eye to close the incriminating retinal break and allow the fluid under the retina to be reabsorbed. This technique is only suitable for retinal breaks in the upper half of the retina. The patient has to maintain a head position to ensure closure of the break by the gas bubble.
The second type of surgery is a scleral buckle. This is akin to placing a belt around the widest part of the eye globe to provide an external indent that would close the retinal break.
The third technique is the pars plana vitrectomy, during which the gel inside the eye (the vitreous) is removed, the fluid under the retina is sucked out and laser is applied around the retinal break. The eyeball is then filled with an inert surgical gas to hold the retina in place as it reattaches. Patients must maintain a face-down position to ensure the entire retina is protected by the gas bubble.
Without intervention, a retinal detachment can progress and result in the complete separation of the retina, potentially leading to blindness. If the central retina (also known as the macula) is not yet affected by the detachment, surgery should be performed urgently to restore the eye’s anatomy, allowing good vision to be maintained after the procedure. However, once the macula is involved, it’s unlikely that vision will return to normal levels of 6/12 or better.
In general, more than 90 percent of acute retinal detachments can be successfully treated with a single operation. About 10 percent of cases may require repeat surgery due to scarring (proliferative vitreoretinopathy), new retinal breaks or failure of reattachment.
3 Mount Elizabeth, #13-12
6517 9440 | advancedeyeclinic.sg | infolsy@aecs.sg
Health Help: Insights from Doctors
I’ve been struggling with haemorrhoids for years. I’ve tried creams and lifestyle changes, but they keep coming back. When should I consider surgery?
Dr Imran Nawaz, Senior Consultant Surgeon at IN Surgery
Haemorrhoids, or piles, are a very common medical ailment. They refer to the enlargement of vascular tissue in the anal canal. Patients become aware of them due to bleeding from the anus, usually during bowel movements, with or without discomfort, and swelling or lumps around the anus. The most common cause of haemorrhoids is constipation and straining during bowel movements. Sitting on the toilet bowl for too long, distracted by reading newspapers or scrolling on the phone, is a common contributory cause.
Haemorrhoids are generally a minor problem – more bothersome than dangerous. However, occasionally, bleeding from haemorrhoids can become serious enough to cause significant, and even life-threatening, blood loss. A more important concern is that colorectal cancer, the most common type of cancer in the developed world today, can present with bleeding as the only symptom. To rule this out, a colonoscopy is recommended for all adults who present with bleeding from the anus.
Early haemorrhoids (bleeding alone or with small reducible swellings) can be treated with medications, optimisation of diet and prevention of constipation. However, recurrent or resistant cases may require further measures.
For minor haemorrhoids, rubber band ligation, a painless outpatient procedure, may resolve the issue. For larger haemorrhoids (prolapsed piles), surgery is usually needed. There are various options available, but the 2024 guidelines from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons recommend excisional haemorrhoidectomy as the one that is the most effective, with the least serious complications and lowest recurrence rates. It can be done as day surgery.
#08-11 Farrer Park Medical Centre, 1 Farrer Park Station Road
6787 0078 | insurgery.com.sg
Bauerfeind Opens at Lucky Plaza!
Exciting news for sports and wellness enthusiasts – Bauerfeind has a new retail location at #02-51 Lucky Plaza! Now open from 9am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday, the store offers the brand’s range of premium compression gear, braces and orthopaedic support. Whether you’re into running, basketball, volleyball, tennis, fitness or football, they’ve got you covered. You’ll find top-quality products designed to improve your performance and recovery.
This health hub of fitness and health news first appeared in our monthly Expat Living magazine. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue! Or head over to our Health & Fitness section for lots of great full-length features.
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