Health Check

Health Check

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Health Check episodes

  • S1E125: Why babies and toddlers do not need screen time

    Excessive screen time can lead to speech delays, autism-like symptoms in children.

    Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

    My 18-month-old loves viewing videos on my phone; why is he not talking?

    Screen time can help children develop social, creative, communication and other skills, but very young children, especially those below 18 months of age, are not ready for it. They should not be getting any screen time, unless it is for video chatting. 

    Find out how excessive screen time can affect them, and how too much time spent on digital devices can lead to a myriad of issues in children above 18 months of age. For instance, children here are getting myopia from a younger age, from spending too much time indoors on near work and too little time outdoors in the daylight. 

    In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with her two guest experts - Dr Yvonne Ling, an eye surgeon specialising in adult squints and paediatric ophthalmology, from the Singapore National Eye Centre and Dr Christelle Tan, a consultant at the Department of Child Development at KK Womens’ and Children’s Hospital (KKH) to find out more. Dr Ling also sees young patients with various eye issues, including myopia, at KKH.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    2:06 Why is myopia something to watch out for? 

    5:18 What is the best sport that children can do to stave off myopia?

    8:17 Why is my 18-month-old baby not talking?

    10:07 Case of 3-year-boy who spent hours on video games

    11:50 Should I be worried about the autism-like symptoms in my child? 

    26:16 What parents can do to protect their children from the effects of too much screen time? 

    32:24 How to prepare for a myopia check? What parents can do to protect their children from the effects of too much screen time? 

    Produced by: Joyce Teo ([email protected]) and Eden Soh

    Edited by: Eden Soh

    Follow Health Check Podcast here every month and rate us:

    Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

    Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

    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 more ST podcast channels:

    All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 

    The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u

    COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

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

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

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

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

    Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE

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

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

    ---

    ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

    Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

    The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

    #healthcheck

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    38 min
  • S1E124: Did you know that vapes can expose you to toxic metals?

    Vape users inhale not just harmful chemicals, but toxic metals into their lungs.

    Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

    E-cigarettes or vapes can contain less chemicals than cigarettes, but did you know that the former can expose users to toxic metals? 

    Is vaping safer than smoking and just how harmful is vaping? Find out these and more in the latest Health Check episode with ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo, as she dives into the topic with two experts from Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

    They are Adj Asst/Prof Clive Tan, Public Health Specialist and Senior Consultant, Department of Preventive & Population Medicine and Adj Asso/Prof Puah Ser Hon, Head and Senior Consultant from the Department of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine.

    With vaping on the rise here, despite it being illegal, they also talk about the help available to a vape user who wants to quit the habit, and what can be done about the vaping problem here.

    In Singapore, simply purchasing, using or owning an electronic vapouriser or vape, can attract fines of up to $2,000 per offence.

    Yet, vaping is on the rise here. The purchase, use or possession of vapes jumped 58 per cent to about 7,900 cases in 2023, from about 5,000 cases in 2022, according to data from the Ministry of Health.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    3:33 Are vapes safer than cigarettes?

    8:17 Inhaling chemicals and toxic metals

    20:35 Considering an amnesty for vape users

    27:42 You can get the help that you need to quit vaping

    Produced by: Joyce Teo ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, and Eden Soh

    Edited by: Eden Soh

    Follow Health Check Podcast here every month and rate us:

    Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

    Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

    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 more ST podcast channels:

    All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 

    The Usual Place: https://str.sg/wEr7u

    COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

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

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

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

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

    Hard Tackle: https://str.sg/JWRE

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

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

    ---

    ST Podcast website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

    ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

    Get The Straits Times' app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

    The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

    Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

    #healthcheck

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    34 min
  • S1E123: A new personalised treatment for stubborn depression

    IMH trial to study efficacy of personalised transcranial magnetic stimulation for depression.

    Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

    Researchers from the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore are studying a new personalised treatment for resistant depression. 

    It is the personalised version of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), a non-invasive treatment that uses magnetic fields to stimulate and reset the specific part of the brain that regulates mood. 

    A clinical trial that aims to study its efficacy is currently being conducted at IMH. It pairs TMS with the algorithm of each patient’s functional magnetic resonance imaging to identify a precise spot on the head where magnetic stimulation can be applied to achieve better outcomes.

    In this Health Check podcast episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to two experts involved in the trial. Dr Tor Phern Chern is a Senior Consultant at the Mood & Anxiety department and Head of Neurostimulation Service, at IMH and Associate Professor Thomas Yeo is from the Centre for Sleep and Cognition at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    1:28 How does TMS work? 

    8:47 Using a tape measure to ascertain the target area 

    10:34 What is depression?

    23:29 Using Professor Yeo's algorithm to find an individual treatment target

    25:52 What is the trial about? 

    29:27 Envisioning a future of TMS treatments

    Produced by: Joyce Teo ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, and Eden Soh

    Edited by: Eden Soh

    Follow Health Check Podcast here every month and rate us:

    Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

    Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

    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 more ST podcast channels:

    The Usual Place: https://str.sg/5nfm

    COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

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

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

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

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

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

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

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

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

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

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

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

    #healthcheck

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min
  • S1E122: You don’t need to join an exercise class to be healthy

    Get started on moderate intensity physical activity to stay healthy.

    Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

    Singapore wants to be a healthier nation, and everyone needs to play their part by leading healthier lifestyles. This would only benefit the individual, but not everyone exercises regularly.

    And, if you have watched the popular Netflix documentary series Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones, which are spots where people tend to live to around 100, you will know that the world’s longest-lived people do not exercise. They don’t go running in the stadium, nor do they go for a workout in the gym.

    So, just how much of it is necessary when it comes to doing it for health, weight management or weight loss? What’s the minimum amount of exercise that you can do to obtain any health benefits? 

    In this Health Check podcast episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to Clinical Assistant Professor Ivy Lim, a Senior Consultant and the Chief of the Department of Sport and Exercise Medicine at Changi General Hospital to find out more.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    2:01 Do we really need to exercise?

    4:35 Pairing exercise and diet will lead to greater weight loss than solely relying on diet

    8:09 Is it okay to focus on resistance training and not cardiovascular exercise like running? 

    9:52 Can you get rid of your belly fat by doing a lot of sit-ups? 

    12:04 Will brisk walking and stair climbing cause you to have knee problems?

    15:53 Sprint training snacks at CGH: Doing less but at a higher intensity

    Produced by: Joyce Teo ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, and Eden Soh

    Edited by: Eden Soh

    Follow Health Check Podcast here every month and rate us:

    Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

    Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

    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 more ST podcast channels:

    The Usual Place: https://str.sg/5nfm

    COE Watch: https://str.sg/iTtE

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

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

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

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

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

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

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

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

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

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

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

    #healthcheck

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    21 min
  • S1E121: Monitoring your heart with your phone

    Wearable tech can help us monitor our heart.

    Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

    Today, we can easily find heart rate monitors in wearable devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers. As Singapore shifts the centre of gravity in healthcare from acute hospitals to the community with its preventive care strategy Healthier SG, such wearable technology will likely become more popular as they enable us to take charge of our health. 

    In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Clin Assoc Prof Ching Chi Keong, a Senior Consultant at the National Heart Centre Singapore about how one can make use of these devices and just how accurate they are.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    1:55 How do ECG readings taken with a smart watch compare with a traditional ECG done in a medical setting? How accurate are they? 

    3:41 Interpreting ECG readings on your phone and what it means to have a sinus rhythm

    11:09 When should you seek medical help? 

    14:35 Which group of people should use wearable devices to monitor their heart rate?

    Produced by: Joyce Teo ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, and Eden Soh

    Edited by: Eden Soh

    Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

    Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

    Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

    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 more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

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

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

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

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

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

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

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

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

    #healthcheck

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    20 min
  • S1E120: Is ADHD affecting you or your family?

    An ADHD diagnosis can help you make sense of your life.

    Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

    The awareness of ADHD, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, a common neurodevelopmental condition is growing around the world and more people have been diagnosed with it. Yet, many do not know that they have it while others may not have a good understanding of the condition, in order to thrive with it. 

    ADHD is characterised by inattention and hyperactive-impulsive behaviour. It can greatly affect one’s life, but it can also be turned into a superpower if it is managed correctly. 

    In this Health Check podcast episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to Moonlake Lee, the founder of Unlocking ADHD, the first site in Singapore that aims to help individuals with ADHD and their families live life to the fullest, to find out more.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    2:31 Moonlake’s journey as an ADHDer and how her diagnosis has helped her

    6:12 On the growing awareness of ADHD in Singapore

    21:25 How to tell if you have ADHD?

    28:43 Deciding whether to put your child on ADHD medication

    Helplines

    MENTAL WELL-BEING
    •  Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389-2222 (24 hours)
    •  Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) / 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)
    •  Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
    •  Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928
    •  Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788
    •  Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500/1
    •  Women’s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)

    COUNSELLING
    •  TOUCHline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252
    •  TOUCH Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555
    •  Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180
    •  Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366

    ONLINE RESOURCES
    •  moht.com.sg/mindline-sg
    •  eC2.sg
    •  tinklefriend.sg
    •  chat.mentalhealth.sg
    •  carey.carecorner.org.sg (for those aged 13 to 25)
    •  limitless.sg/talk (for those aged 12 to 25)

    Produced by: Joyce Teo ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, and Eden Soh

    Edited by: Eden Soh

    Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

    Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

    Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

    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 more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

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

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

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

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

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

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

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

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

    #healthcheck

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    32 min
  • S1E119: Treatment is available but when do you pull the plug on a grievously ill person?

    It is always good to start having end-of life conversations early.

    Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

    There are some conditions that are difficult to treat, others possibly pointless to treat. Doctors know the limits of medical care and they can advise against further treatment, if the care is deemed futile. 

    In this episode, we will hear about the difficult decisions that some doctors and some families have to contend with, in their work and life.

    Dr Shirlynn Ho is a senior consultant and deputy head of the division of Supportive & Palliative Care at the National Cancer Centre Singapore. She’s also the assistant secretary of the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network, which works with the Lien Collaborative for Palliative Care in Singapore.

    Dr Tan Yia Swam is a breast surgeon, with her own practice at Mount Alvernia Hospital. She was the past president of the Singapore Medical Association and a former Nominated MP.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    1:23 What is Advanced Medical Directive?

    4:33 A difficult decision made by doctors

    6:35 Advice on Advance Care Planning

    15:16 How people in the region view death

    Produced by: Joyce Teo ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Amirul Karim and Eden Soh

    Edited by: Eden Soh

    Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

    Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

    Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

    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 more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

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

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

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

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

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

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

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

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

    #healthcheck

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    24 min
  • S1E118: What are the stories you want to tell with your life?

    It is always good to start having end-of life conversations early.

    Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

    End-of-life planning is never easy. A better way could be to start the process early by planning for the life you want to lead and leave behind. 

    After all, death is a part of life, and it may be helpful to start thinking about it years before, said a palliative care doctor and a surgeon who does not shy away from talking about death and dying well with her patients.

    In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to two guests. They discuss the importance of end-of-life planning and palliative care, and how talking about death can help us come to terms with this reality.  

    Dr Tan Yia Swam is a breast surgeon with her own practice at Mount Alvernia Hospital. She was a former Nominated MP and the past president of the Singapore Medical Association.

    Dr Shirlynn Ho is the deputy head and senior consultant of the Division of Supportive & Palliative Care at National Cancer Centre Singapore. 

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    1:08 Broaching the topic of palliative care

    6:30 Why is there a rising urgency for palliative care?

    10:41 Story about a dying patient

    13:32 How do medical professionals convey information to families?

    Produced by: Joyce Teo ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Amirul Karim and Eden Soh

    Edited by: Eden Soh

    Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

    Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

    Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

    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 more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

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

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

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

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

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

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

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

    ---

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

    #healthcheck

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    18 min
  • S1E117: The promise of digital medicine

    Learn about digital therapeutics.

    Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

    Traditional healthcare is based on doctor and hospital visits, and it can take a long time to obtain appointments to see a healthcare professional. What if one day, an individual can be prescribed a digital therapy for their depression or other health issues remotely? He or she would not have to take any medications. 

    In this Health Check podcast episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to ​Professor Dean Ho, the director of the Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM) at the National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and the head of the NUS biomedical engineering department, to find out more about digital therapeutics or DTx. 

    He’s just written a book on DTx with two other researchers Mr Yoann Sapanel and Dr Agata Blasiak from the institute titled Medicine Without Meds: Revolutionising Healthcare With Digital Solutions.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    1:12 What is DTx?

    9:24 Challenges of DTx?

    10:57 How can DTx further personalise care? 

    23:05 Prof Ho’s experiments

    Produced by: Joyce Teo ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Amirul Karim & Eden Soh

    Edited by: Eden Soh

    Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

    Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

    Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

    Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

    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 more ST podcast channels:

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

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

    Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN

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

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

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

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

    Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX

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

    ---

    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

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    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

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    27 min
  • S1E116: Take charge of your menopause

    Find out more about menopause and what you can do about it.

    Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

    Menopause is a natural part of aging but the time leading up to menopause, known as perimenopause, affects each woman differently.

    Associate Professor Rukshini Puvanendran, the head and senior consultant of Family Medicine Service, and the co-lead of KK Menopause Centre at ​KKH, said that while many people are aware of menopause, they do not fully understand it​. There are also many misconceptions surrounding menopause, with the most common being that hormone replacement therapy ​or HRT is harmful.

    Still, menopause is a stage of life that also marks a new beginning for women.  ​In the west, there's even a new trend in the travel industry - menopause retreats. Women are embracing their menopausal transition and willing to pay for vacations that combine spa treatments with fitness or yoga sessions and advice on how to deal with symptoms like hot flushes.

    ​​In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks to ​Assoc Prof Rukshini to find out​ more about how menopause affects women, how safe HRT is as well as other ways of managing the symptoms.

    Highlights (click/tap above):

    1:07 When do women in Singapore experience menopause

    2:20 How does it affect the body?

    6:46 What other issues should menopausal women be aware of?

    13:36 When should women seek help for the symptoms they experience?

    19:33 Misconceptions of hormone replacement therapy

    Produced by: Joyce Teo ([email protected]), Ernest Luis, Amirul Karim & Eden Soh

    Edited by: Eden Soh

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

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    Special edition series:

    True Crimes Of Asia (6 eps): https://str.sg/i44T

    The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuZ2

    Invisible Asia (9 eps): https://str.sg/wuZn

    Stop Scams (10 eps): https://str.sg/wuZB

    Singapore's War On Covid (5 eps): https://str.sg/wuJa

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    37 min

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Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

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