What does it mean to be obese? We’re now slowly recognising that it’s not just a result of your lifestyle choices, but is a complex disease. Earlier this year, a group of international experts published new guidelines to change how doctors view obesity and emphasised the need to approach it as a chronic disease. We’ll find out what that means with Dr George Lee, and Dr Nurain Mohd Noor, consultant endocrinologist from Hospital Putrajaya. 

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Every year, World Down Syndrome Day is commemorated on 21st March, to signify the triplication of the 21st chromosome in people born with this condition. On the show, we’re speaking to three guests to find out more about raising a child with Down Syndrome, and the impact of the early intervention programmes conducted by the Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation. Find out more about their fundraising programs on their Facebook page.

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According to a recent study by the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR), almost one in three older adults has symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. This is one of the most common conditions leading to the need for knee replacement surgery. Dato' Dr Siva Kumar Ariaretnam, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon from Subang Jaya Medical Centre, talks about how knee and hip replacement surgical methods have advanced today to reduce pain and improve recovery.

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In 2007, Maisarah Sani was building a successful career in London. But at the same time, she was leading a double life, trapped in a toxic relationship that she hid from her family due to shame and fear of disapproval. What happens when this prolonged emotional stress collides with the diagnosis of a brain tumour? Maisarah shares about how she hit rock-bottom, struggled with clinical depression, and eventually rebuilt her life, piece by piece. 

Every mental health struggle has a story behind it. ‘Because Feelings Matter’ is a series that brings you the stories of people and their mental health issues. These stories aim to normalise conversations about mental health, and to show that it’s okay to struggle emotionally and psychologically, but more importantly, to reach out for help.

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Picture someone who had a stroke, and you’d probably think of someone older, past their 60s. But stroke can happen at any age. For younger stroke survivors, their recovery journey and their goals can look very different too. We hear from Edmond Lim, who recently turned 60, about his stroke at 33 years old, and how he got back on his feet. We also hear from Kathiravan Tangaraju Anthony, Head of Rehabilitation at NASAM, on how they support younger stroke survivors. 

NCD Chronicles is a series about people living with NCDs, going beyond the diagnosis to explore their personal experiences, their challenges, as well as the impact of their health condition on their loved ones. These stories reveal the importance of understanding the unique struggles and needs of the individuals behind the disease, in our response to the NCD epidemic.

To support NASAM’s work, visit their website here.

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Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer among Malaysians, but it’s often difficult and embarrassing to talk about even after treatment, especially if you need a stoma bag. We explore what that recovery process looks like and how diet matters throughout, with consultant colorectal surgeon Dr Ruben Xavier, and dietitian Rozanna Rosly.

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Circumcision is a practice that is both familiar and mysterious in Malaysian culture. We know that berkhatan is a common practice for Muslim boys, yet there may still be concerns and anxieties among parents and young boys themselves about how the procedure is carried out and how to prevent complications from it. We speak to Dr Daniel Mohanaprakash bin Abdullah, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon from Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, to find out more.

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What do Taiping, Ipoh, Penang Island, and Sibu have in common? They’re all committed to being age-friendly cities! Together with consultant geriatrician Prof Dr Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman, we explore what it means for a city to be truly age-friendly and how we can make that a goal for all of Malaysia.

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In her PPR community in Batu Muda, Kak Lynn is a mother, office employee, home business owner, and trained community advocate for mental health. Kak Lynn talks about her role as an Ambassador for the KAMI Sembang community programme, and Teoh Rhu Yie, clinical psychologist from Thrive Well, dives into the wider benefits of developing mental health skills among members of the community.

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You may know how common chronic kidney disease is, but did you know that the disease could soon have a new - and much younger - face in Malaysia? With more children and adolescents developing obesity and diabetes, there is an increasing risk of renal impairment or even chronic kidney disease being diagnosed at a younger age. In conjunction with World Kidney Day, we speak to Prof Dr Lim Soo Kun, President of the Malaysian Society of Nephrology, and Dr Jaclynn Chin, Head of Public Education, National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia, to find out more. 

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