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On your next appointment with your cardiologist, it is important to know how to maximize the time and make the most out of your visit. Have your heart-related questions answered during your visit to the cardiology center, and at the same time ensure you’ll be receiving nothing but the best care possible in Singapore.

If you’re still clueless as to how you can prepare for your appointment, having a list of necessary questions is a good starting point. This serves as your guide to maximize the consultation period given by your heart specialist. It is also important to establish clear and open communication lines with your heart doctor to avoid any misunderstandings in the long run.

Knowing what to do first is one thing, but knowing what to ask is another. For you to figure out which questions are necessary to ask, you must first consider your personal circumstance.

Personal medical history

To get the conversation started, make sure you provide the necessary information regarding your personal medical history. The discussion you’ll be having with your cardiologist will largely depend on the information you’ll be providing them. It is also encouraged to bring a list of the medications you are currently taking (if there are any), as well as have a thorough knowledge on the family’s history of heart diseases or other similar conditions.

The best cardiologist is ideally well-versed in asking you the crucial questions, but you are also entitled to raise some concerns of your own. Your heart doctor can’t do all the talking all by themselves. Ask relevant questions every once in a while. Keep in mind that knowing your options and the risks or benefits entailed can help you avail the best treatment possible.

Getting screened by Singapore www.harleystreet.sg/blog/heart-health-get-screened-by-a-good-cardiologist-in-singapore/ and raising your concerns to your heart doctor are the best ways to understand the heart screening process and your overall condition better. Here are some of the key questions you can raise during your next appointment with your heart specialist:

1. What type of heart condition do I have?

If you are found to have an existing heart disease, it is crucial to find out the name of the condition. Heart diseases can be varied – from Acute Coronary Syndrome to Ventricular Tachycardia. Having a professional explain your case to you would be vital in understanding the condition better.

This would also allow you to do your own research about your own circumstance. Accordingly, doing so will also allow you garner relevant information that’ll make you handle the case better in the future.

2. Do I need to undergo further tests?

Sometimes, undergoing a simple heart screening procedure might not be enough. There are complicated cases which require patients to take further tests for your cardiologist to pinpoint and diagnose the problem accurately. That said, there is a possibility that you may be referred to additional tests other than the initial examination.

The tests would largely depend on your current condition, but some of the most common further cardio examinations include an: echocardiogram, EKG, chest X-ray, CT scan, and a stress test.

3. What lifestyle changes can I make to improve my condition?

An unhealthy lifestyle can be notorious for triggering and causing certain heart conditions in some. For instance, people who are obese and heavily smokes on the daily are found to be more at risk with certain heart diseases.

While a poor heart health might spring from several poor lifestyle factors, it’s better to be honest with your cardiologist in Singapore about it to gain accurate advice for necessary improvements. While it depends on your personal circumstances, you are likely to be encouraged to: reduce stress, lose some weight, stop smoking, or avoid overeating.

4. Are there signs and symptoms to look out for?

Ask your cardiologist if you are at risk of a heart attack. Whether it is of mild or acute nature, it is crucial to be aware of the warning signs at all costs. This would allow you to prepare for the worst and get some immediate help ready in times of distress. The signs and symptoms largely vary between genders and your own personal history, but your cardiologist can brief you with that necessary information.

Knowing the signs you could experience in the long run helps you learn how to react and deal with your condition.

5. What are the risks linked with my condition?

Each heart condition poses certain risk factors you must crucially take into account. While some of them involve inconveniences such as migraine and fatigue, other serious heart conditions may be lethal. Be sure to ask your heart doctor about the risks pertaining to your own condition and have him/her explain it to you thoroughly. It is important that you fully understand the severity of the risks involved.

You can also ask about the things you can do on your part to minimize those risks – this might involve making necessary lifestyle changes and visiting your cardiologist frequently for regular assessment.

6. What can I expect for future visits?

Depending on the severity of your heart condition, you might need to keep in touch with your cardiologist often to closely monitor the state of your heart. In certain serious heart diseases, patients are asked to visit their cardiologists at least once or twice a month. Ask your doctor about how often you need to drop by the clinic and how long the appointments generally take, so you can make appropriate changes in your schedule.

Also, inquire about the tests and procedures that’ll be likely performed on you during your future visits. This will prepare you and give you an idea on what you can expect.

*This list is compiled in no particular order.*

Most of the common sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) do not show symptoms that is why they are left untreated in most cases. There is also the stigma that comes with being infected despite the rise in number of victims. STDs should never be ignored because you’re ashamed of getting the right diagnosis and treatment.

It’s important to get treated as soon as possible to avoid possible complications such as cancer, HIV/AIDS and infertility. Fortunately, STD screening in Singapore is available for anyone who wants to get tested.

STD Symptoms in Women

Most women will not see symptoms at all and even flu-like signs can be mistaken for another illness. However, you should still look out for the following and get an STD screening as soon as possible:

1. Unusual discharge or leakage
2. Itching, tenderness or pain in the genital area
3. Appearance of blisters, rashes, ulcers and warts in the genital area
4. Painful urination, intercourse and menstruation
5. Changes in urination
6. Swelling of joints
7. Pain in the rectum or surrounding area
8. Rectal discharge, bleeding and pain
9. Persistent sore throat
10. Pain in the pelvic and lower back areas
11. Irregular menstrual cycle and spotting or bleeding between periods

Common STDs in Women

1. Chlamydia

Women with chlamydia are infected with the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. A lot of people confuse this condition with gonorrhea because they exhibit the same symptoms, if there are any symptoms at all. Chlamydia is not to be confused with another sexually transmitted disease called lymphogranuloma venereum which is caused by one of the three strains of Chlamydia trachomatis.

If chlamydia is not treated at http://www.kensingtonfamilyclinic.com/std-hiv/std-testing in Singapore there is an increased risk of infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, cervicitis, Bartholinitis or blockage of the Bartholin’s glands, and ectopic pregnancy. A pregnant woman with chlamydia is at risk of having a preterm labor and an unhealthy and possibly infected newborn. Look out for the following symptoms: abnormal discharges, painful urination, bleeding between periods, pain in the lower back or pelvic area, painful intercourse, and fever and nausea. Chlamydia STD screening uses the nucleic acid amplification tests.

2. Gonorrhea

The symptoms in gonorrhea don’t often appear in most cases. If there are any, the signs are not visible until three weeks after getting infected. The symptoms are almost similar to those experienced by women with chlamydia such as painful and frequent urination, irregular periods and bleeding between menstrual cycles, abnormal discharges, and itching, irritation or pain in the genital area.

Rectal and oral gonorrhea could cause throat infection or sore throat and rectal pain, irritation and discharge. STD testing for gonorrhea involves a swab test. The doctor will get a sample from the infected site such as the cervix, rectum or throat then the sample is sent to a laboratory in Singapore for culture and identification of the bacteria. Another STD test is called polymerase chain reaction or PCR which uses DNA probes and amplification.

3. Human Papillomavirus

Human papillomavirus or HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease among women all over the world. Currently, there are over 100 known types of the virus. Some of these can lead to cancer while the others cause warts to appear on some parts of the body. The most commonly affected areas are the vagina, vulva, cervix, anus, and rectum among women. Most HPV infections disappear after a year or so and are harmless. Nevertheless, you should still get an STD testing to determine if you have high-risk HPV infection.

In women, the most common form of cancer caused by HPV is cervical cancer. There are no visible symptoms even for high-risk HPV that is why it’s important for women to have a Pap test and a follow-up HPV screening if there are findings in the Pap test result. A Pap test is done to determine if there is a development of abnormal cells or changes in the cells in the cervix. The HPV test on the other hand is done to find the virus that is causing the said changes.

4. Herpes

There are 8 types of human herpes simplex viruses currently known today. Two of the most common are herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) or herpes of the mouth and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2) or genital herpes. An infected person will see lesions on the infected areas. Some of these sores are not visible to the eye, however, especially if they appear inside the genitals.

The person will also experience the following symptoms: flu-like symptoms such as fever and body pain and swollen lymph nodes. The lesions will disappear after a while although they can still recur if the condition is not treated. There are also cases where the HSV2 has remained dormant for years in the body.

5. Syphilis

The infection is caused by the Treponema pallidum bacteria. Although the number of cases have gone down in recent years, the infection is still present among sexually-active persons. Even the use of contraception cannot stop an infected person from passing on the infection. Syphilis is described in four stages. In the early stage, a chancre or ulcer appears on the infected area. In later stages, the following symptoms might appear: rashes, sore throat, headaches, alopecia or hair loss, and heart and brain damage. You can get an STD testing for syphilis through blood testing.

Diagnosing STDs

One complication of chlamydia and gonorrhea is pelvic inflammatory disease or PID. This condition refers to the infection of the fallopian tubes and/or womb. Some STDs if not treated early can increase the chance of infertility, ectopic pregnancy, infection of newborns, cervical cancer, and heart and brain disease (caused by untreated syphilis). Doctors in Singapore recommend that women should get a Pap smear once every 3 or 5 years especially those who are sexually active. There are also cases where women get STDs as a result of sexual assault. If this is the case, the doctor will take steps to prevent infections such as prescription of antibiotics, an HPV and hepatitis vaccine, and HIV antiviral medication.

Since the demand for alkaline has grown over the years, finding a retail establishment that sell this specific type of water has become quite difficult. In fact, this has forced a good number of consumers in Singapore to start producing the water in their own homes. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to transform your regular drink into alkalized water. Investing on a reverse osmosis system or an alkaline water ionizer are two of the most effective ways to get alkaline water flowing in your home, but these are not the only options. Here, we listed down some techniques on how you could possibly acquire alkaline water, along with a few tips to effectively perform your chosen method.

1. Alkaline Water Ionizer

Investing on an alkaline water ioniser machine is one of the most cost-effective way to transform your tap water into alkaline water. This kitchen appliance is capable of changing the water’s pH level by using electrolysis. Water ionizers work by separating the water into acidic and alkaline components, until the water meets the appropriate pH level.

These machines were first made available in Japan, Singapore and other Asian countries. After the consumers began experiencing the health benefits associated with ionized water, the trend started hitting Europe and United States market. Alkaline water ionizers are fairly easy to use, compact and budget-friendly, making them a good option for someone who wants to have an endless supply of ionized water, sans spending too much.

2. Reverse Osmosis System

Reverse osmosis (RO) is another purification method that’s widely used in the water filtration industry. This method implements the use of semipermeable membrane by an alkaline water provider in Singapore to strop certain ions, molecules and particles from tap water. Applied pressure is also used in this method to eliminate osmotic pressure. In fact, RO became popular that it’s widely used even by some of the biggest bottled water manufacturers in Singapore.

Unlike an alkaline water ionizer, however, this purification method can be very costly. Nonetheless, you have the option to instantly install it on your plumbing pipes or directly into your refrigerator. Just remember that the specifics may vary from one model to another.

3. Alkaline Water Pitcher

If you want to conveniently have a good supply of alkaline water, then you might want to opt for an alkaline water pitcher instead. The water pitcher looks the same as any regular pitcher; the only difference is it has a built-in water filter. Water is added to the top, as it slowly flows to the bottom. During the process, the water filter alkalizes your drinking water.

Initially, it’s touted as one of the cost-effective way to have alkaline water, but the filters should be replaced from time to time as repeated use tend to reduce their efficiency. Also, the water pitcher is only capable of holding a specific amount of water, which could not be enough for certain households. But despite all that drawbacks, a good number of consumers prefer this method because of its cost effectiveness and convenience.

4. Alkaline Water Drops

Finally, you can alter the pH level of your water through using water drops. These water drops can transform your water’s pH level in just a matter of seconds, and a small bottle of it is very affordable. The only problem with this method is it only produces a limited amount of ionized water. Once you run out of drops, you also run out of alkaline water, and that will force you to consistently purchase more bottles of it – and the long-term cost of purchasing water drops is what will surpass the expenses of the aforementioned alternatives.

Nevertheless, the drops can still be a great option especially for households who don’t want another pitcher or kitchen appliance. Also, they are perfect for individuals who want to enjoy the benefits of alkaline water even when on-the-go. If you will be travelling abroad and don’t want to bring a pitcher with you, then a bottle of alkaline water drops can do the trick.

Tips before Alkalizing Your Drinking Water

• Check the Water’s pH Level. This is a crucial step to follow before and after you ionize your water. This will tell you how much adjustment needs to be made to your regular water. Tap water is naturally a seven on the scale, and the ideal pH level to achieve a pure drinking water is an eight or nine – which can be done through ionizing your water.

• Use a pH Strip to Test Your Water. To check your water’s pH level, be sure to purchase a pH kit with pH strips and colour chart. Once you already have your kit, allow your strip to sit in the water for a moment and then compare its colour with those indicated in the pH chart. Take note of the water’s current pH level, then ionize it using your chosen method.

• Understand the Water’s pH Level. After testing the water’s pH level, it’s now time to understand its pH level. Keep in mind that water that’s above the pH scale of seven is considered basic, while water with a pH level below that is already considered acidic. You would want your drinking water to be somewhere between 7 to 9 for it be healthy and filtered of any impurities.

Learning how to acquire your own alkaline water is one way of enjoying the benefits of this specific type of water without spending too much. Any of the aforementioned methods will help you get just that, so ensure that you choose the method that best suits your needs and budget.