Know more about Health

Seniors attending a health talk

 Is health important to you?  Do you know your own body?  One way of finding out is to attend talks given by doctors on the latest in medical science.

            Recently, my husband and I attended a series of talks on “Good Health in your Golden Years,” at Sunway Medical Centre in Petaling Jaya.

It was a community health service project held in conjunction with International  Day of Older Persons (Oct 1).

                The talks were informative and interesting. Instead of long lectures, the speakers spoke briefly on their specialised fields.  They then answered questions from the participants, most of whom were seniors who had queries concerning their health.  Those who were shy were given pens and papers to write their questions.

               I found the dialogue sessions beneficial and enlightening.  Participants with health problems received expert advice from the specialists. Others with similar problems learnt from the answers given.  The doctors were accommodating and attentive in that special environment.

            The first talk on Walking Pains  by Dr. Leong Yew Pung, the Consultant Vascular Surgeon, was very relevant to senior citizens.  His tips on the correct way of walking and how to avoid pain were well received..

The second talk on My Aching Bones, by Dr. Kiran Veerapen, Consultant Rheumatologist, was very educational.  I learnt what soft tissue Rheumatism was- it concerns aches or pains arising from structures surrounding the joint due to overuse or misuse. Such pains will go away if you rest or use better equipment.  Her remedies were simple and practical like using a lighter chopper or using luggage with wheels.

           There were many questions on arthritis and rheumatism but time was running short.  However, the leaflets distributed by Dr. Kiran were comprehensive enough. Many participants with arthritis were glad to know of an Arthritis Foundation in Kuala Lumpur that they could join.

Dr. Samuel Ong, Consultant Cardiologist in his Young at Heart talk, was full of   jokes.  His lucid example - of lying in a coffin awaiting death - on the dangers of smoking was awesome.  The message is loud and clear: prevention is better than cure especially for stroke and heart attack.

            Dr. Koay Cheng Boon, Consultant ENT Surgeon, spoke on Dizziness/Hearing Problems.  I was very interested in this topic as I had been feeling dizzy lately.  Understanding its causes put my mind at rest.  Many people with hearing and balancing problems were all ears when the specialist elaborated on the dual functions of the ear.

            Besides the talks, there was free health screening for participants which consisted of ideal weight monitor, blood sugar profile, blood pressure, total cholesterol profile and bone densitometry. 

The bone density test, only for ladies, is quite a novelty. You sit on a chair and rest your left foot on the machine.  A few minutes later, a computer printout gives you a bone density score. Although the queue for this test was long, the wait was worthwhile.

A bone densitometry test can detect osteoporosis or the likelihood of getting it. Osteoporosis, a disease of the bones, makes them fragile. This diagnosis enables you to take remedial action.  The densitometry machine is quite costly and the hospital is commended for giving free testing to the first 100 senior citizens.

Have you heard of Limborobics? It is a light therapeutic exercise session suitable for senior citizens.  Just before lunch, we were ushered to a large room where Vimala, a physiotherapist, demonstrated the exercise to music.  As we followed her, I could hear some bones ‘creak’ and some groans as muscles twitched!

Nevertheless, the participants enjoyed themselves so much that some requested for regular exercises at the centre in the near future.

Other surprises included a bag of goodies upon registration.  This consisted of packets of cornflakes, Enercal, vitamins, a water container and other samples plus pamphlets on health.  These were warmly appreciated- little things mean a lot to senior citizens.

            I think the best part of the medical examination was the meeting with the doctor. All the results were handed to the doctor and we had to wait for the interpretation. I felt like a student waiting in suspense for my grades after an examination!  I passed with flying colours.

These talks, organised by Sunway Medical Centre, are free.  They are open to all senior citizens above 50.  The gathering is informal and the friendly cheerful staff projected a good image for the hospital.  Free horlicks drinks warmed our hearts in the cool environment.

Lunch (costing RM 3.50 per person) at he cafeteria was subsidised and comprised  a balanced meal of rice with meat and vegetables plus a hot drink.

What did I learn from these talks?  Now I know what a bone densitometry is.  My clean bill of health has erased unwarranted worries on my insomnia and dizziness.

 Many other hospitals in the Klang Valley do organise such talks and I have attended some at the other hospitals.  I find them all useful.  Senior citizens would find such talks rewarding and enriching. 

Come, expose yourself to knowledge on health by attending talks and seminars organised around your neighbourhood. Use knowledge to keep fit and guide you to a path of good health. Prevention is always better than cure.

            Investing money on your body is much better than spending thousands of ringgit on house renovation, new cars or expensive clothes.  If you don’t care for your own body, who will?  Your body is your fortune!

You have only one body: understand it, use it well and do not abuse it.  Age gracefully with health taking precedence over wealth. 

Enjoy good health in your golden years.

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This article was published in the Star (Malaysian newspaper) on October 23, 2000. A photo is added here.