Health Check

Health Check Ep 18: What to know about gut health, and your poo

11.17 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests. 

In this episode, ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis host Dr Lai Jiunn Herng from Lai Endoscopy and Colorectal Surgery at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre. 

He tells you what you need to know about gut health, and answers the following questions: 

1. Why do we have to look into the toilet bowl before we flush?

2. Should we take cultured milk drinks or probiotic supplements to boost our gut health?

3. Which type of fibre-rich foods is best, if we want to reduce our risk of colorectal cancer?

4. Why should we bother about our poo?

5. Will spending time on the toilet bowl harm our health?

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

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---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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Health Check Ep 17: When we should be worried about colorectal cancer

9:44 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests. 

In this episode, ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis host Dr Lai Jiunn Herng from Lai Endoscopy and Colorectal Surgery at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre.

They discuss the symptoms of colorectal cancer,  the No. 1 cancer here in Singapore.

They ask him the following questions:
- Does bleeding in our stools mean we may have cancer?
- What types of abdominal pain are cause for concern?
- Should we be worried about unusual toilet habits?
- What can we do to reduce our risk of colorectal cancer?

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

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Health Check Ep 16: How to get your hawker food fix without risking a heart attack

15:50 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests. 
 
In this episode, ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis host Dr Michael Lim, the medical director of MWH Heart, Stroke & Cancer Centre, who's also the honorary president of the Asian Society of Cardiology. 

He tells us:
- how to get our hawker food fix without increasing the risk of a heart attack (1:59 mins)
- what to take note of when it comes to high-cholesterol foods (2:57)
- which food products with trans fat we should avoid (6:38)
- which supplements to avoid (9:04)
- if taking fish oils will help to prevent a heart attack or stroke (11:12)

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

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---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

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Health Check Ep 15: Forget about raising your good cholesterol?

19:12 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests. 
 
In this episode, ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis host Dr Michael Lim, the medical director of MWH Heart, Stroke & Cancer Centre, who's also the honorary president of the Asian Society of Cardiology. 

They ask him for tips on how to change lifestyles to prevent cardiovascular disease, like heart attacks or strokes. 

Dr Lim answers the following questions: 

1. Why is it hard for us to get a heart attack or stroke, when these conditions are common? (0:40 mins)

2. What is the simplest and cheapest way to prevent a heart attack? Drink enough water (4:04)

3. Why is good cholesterol obsolete today? (5:18)

4. Diabetes is a key risk factor, and Singapore is waging war against it. What else can we do to address this risk? (10:10)

5. Why it is better to have more and smaller meals daily (11:40)

6. How do we monitor our blood pressure levels, and what to look out for when doing so? (12:37)

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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Health Check Ep 14: Student burnout - How parents can spot it

11:01 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests.

In this episode, ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis asked Dr Lim Boon Leng, a psychiatrist at Gleneagles Medical Centre, to share more on student burnout.

Burnout is a condition that was classified - by the World Health Organisation in late May 2019 - as an occupational phenomenon and not a medical condition. However, burnout is not a condition that is specific to the workplace.

Students can get burnout too.

Dr Lim answers the following questions:
What are the early signs and symptoms of student burnout to watch out for?
How serious is student burnout?
What happens if your child is experiencing burnout?
If your child is burnt out, should you keep him from school?
What causes student burnout and what can parents do?

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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Health Check Ep 13: Burnout - what types are there and how to spot it

10:12 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests.

In this episode, correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis ask Dr Lim Boon Leng, a psychiatrist at Gleneagles Medical Centre, to share more on burnout.

It is a condition that was classified - by the World Health Organisation in late May 2019 - as an occupational phenomenon and not a medical condition.

Dr Lim answers the following questions:

1. What exactly is burnout and how serious can it get? (1:25)

2. What are other kinds of burnout, like parental or caregiver burnout? (3:22)

3. After hearing about Luis' own burnout experience, Dr Lim shares why it is important to heed early warning signs seriously (4:55)

4. What are the red flags to look out? (5:52)

5. How about student burnout and what are the signs of stress to look out for in children? (8:42)

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

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Health Check Ep 12: Fact-checking common myths about colorectal cancer

9:54 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests.

ST correspondent Joyce Teo (right) and health reporter Rei Kurohi (left) interview Professor Francis Seow-Choen (pictured centre), a colorectal surgeon from Concord International Hospital.

He lays out the facts about colorectal cancer, which is the number one cancer in Singapore, and answers the following questions:

1. What is colorectal cancer? (0:33)
2. What are the biggest misconceptions about this cancer and why? (0:48)
3. What role does sugar intake play? Can vegans and vegetarians get colorectal cancer? (2:37)
4. What about environmental factors causing colorectal cancer? (5:50)
5. When should we start going for screening and how often? (6:55)

Professor Seow-Choen also says that family history and genes determine the first cause of colorectal cancer. But 80% of all patients also do not have any family history, so environmental factors and ageing come into play next.

Produced by: Joyce Teo, Rei Kurohi and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

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Health Check Ep 11: How to use the Fast method to recognise a stroke and react quickly

9:11 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests.

Our guest for this episode is Dr Shekhawat Ravindra Singh (pictured left), an associate consultant at the Department of Neurology at the National Neuroscience Institute. He tells us how to recognise a stroke, also known as a brain attack, as well as how to prevent one.

He answers the following questions:

1. Why do people still turn up late for treatment of suspected strokes? (0:57)
2. What are the symptoms? What are the dos and don'ts? (1:10)
3. What treatment can you expect at the emergency department after? (3:10)
4. Can strokes be prevented? Smoking is a major factor for young victims aged 25 onwards (4:50)
5. Rare causes of strokes (5:40)

For family members or even strangers who run into potential stroke victims, learn the Fast test.

F stands for Face: Smile and see if one side of the face droops.

A stands for Arms: Raise both arms. Does one arm
drop down?

S stands for Speech: Say a short phrase and check for slurred or strange speech.

T stands for Time: If the answer to any of these is yes, call 995 in Singapore right away and seek emergency help.

Do share this podcast via the channels below with your friends and loved ones.

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

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Health Check Ep 10: Can schools and parents help boost the cognition and well-being of sleep-deprived Singaporean teenagers? 

9:30 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests.

To discuss why teenagers and students need to sleep more and how insufficient sleep affects them, ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis host Prof Michael Chee, the director of the Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience at the Duke-NUS Medical School who is a prominent sleep expert. 

He answers the following questions:

1. What can be done to help teenagers - inundated with homework, curricular activities, enrichment classes and tuition after school - sleep more?
2. Most Singaporean adolescents sleep an average of 6.5 hours a night on the weekdays. What is a good amount of nocturnal sleep for teenagers? Is seven to eight hours a good achievable target for upper secondary school teenagers?
3. Could shorter sleep increase the risk of diabetes among young Singaporeans?
4. How can students manage better sleep strategy during intense examination periods? 

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

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Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

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Health Check Ep 9: Why sleep habits need to be formed when young

9:30 mins

Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays, The Straits Times guides you to healthier living and debunks the myths with expert guests.

ST correspondent Joyce Teo and podcasting head Ernest Luis host Prof Michael Chee, the director of the Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience at the Duke-NUS Medical School, a prominent sleep expert who wants to change how we think about sleep. He was asked the following questions:

1. Are we sleeping more than our neighbours in the region? What’s the evidence?

2. We all know we should prioritise sleep but many of us don't get a full night's sleep. Can we make up for the lack of sleep on weekends, or by taking afternoon naps?

3. Why do we need to have sufficient sleep?

4. What causes insomnia and is it normal for the elderly to have poor sleep?

5. Should offices have sleep pods?

Produced by: Joyce Teo and Ernest Luis

Edited by: Adam Azlee

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

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Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/J6Wv 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected]

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

---

Discover ST's special edition podcasts:

The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2

Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB

Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa

Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn

---

Discover more ST podcast series:

Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7

Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf

In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m

#PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad

ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE

Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas

Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ

Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL

Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

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