Night blindness, also known as nyctalopia, is a condition where one's vision is severely impaired in low light conditions. It can be caused by various eye conditions like cataracts, severe short-sightedness, diabetic retinopathy, vitamin A deficiency, and retinitis pigmentosa. At an eye specialist visit, tests like visual acuity checks and retinal examinations will be performed to diagnose the cause. Treatment depends on the underlying cause but may include glasses, surgery, dietary changes, or vitamin supplements. Without treatment, night blindness can result in loss of mobility in low light.

7. Eye Health
Night
by Clinical Associate Professor Goh Kong Yong
NIGHT BLINDNESS OR nyctalopia
is not a disease but an underlying
abnormal eye condition where one’s
eyes refuse to function at night or in
low light conditions.This has severe
consequences for the sufferer as it
means a loss of mobility at night.
What causes night
blindness?
It can be caused by the following eye
conditions:
• Cataracts – The increasing opacity
of the human lens causes blurring of
vision even in daylight and worsens
in dim light or at night.
• Severe short-sightedness (high
myopia) – Night blindness may
be a symptom of undiagnosed or
progressive myopia.
• Diabetes affecting the retina
(diabetic retinopathy) – Diabetes
affects the small blood vessels in
the retina, causing damage to the
photoreceptors which are responsible
for receiving visual images. In dim
conditions, the photoreceptors
Blindness
What happens at an eye
specialist visit?
At the Eye Specialist clinic, you will be
given a comprehensive eye examination
which comprises a visual acuity check,
intra-ocular pressure measurement
as well as a refractive error check. A
retinal examination is then performed
to detect any retinal diseases.
Sometimes, a night adaptation test may
be performed to assess the severity of
the condition.
How can night blindness
be treated?
The mode of treatment for night
blindness depends on its cause. It may
be as simple as prescribing a new pair
of glasses, to surgically removing the
cataract. For diabetic patients, advice
on a low sugar level diet will help
stabilise their visual condition.
Night blindness caused by Vitamin
A deficiency is easily treatable by
prescribing Vitamin A supplements
or encouraging the consumption of
food rich in Vitamin A such as sweet
potatoes, carrots and dark green leafy
vegetables.
Mdm Minah had been healthy and independent all her
life until her fifties, when she noticed she had difficulty
seeing at night.
“I used to go out at night to buy supper for my boys who
would come home hungry after their afternoon shift.
But lately, I realised that everything outside the house
seemed so dark. I dismissed it simply as age catching up
and perhaps, all I needed was just a new pair of glasses.”
One evening, she had a nasty fall while venturing out
alone to run an errand. Her two worried sons took her
to her family doctor. After treating her injury, the doctor
checked her vision and was appalled that she could
only see silhouettes in dim lighting, although her daytime
vision seemed perfectly normal. An eye specialist
diagnosed it as retinitis pigmentosa, a condition in which
vision drops sharply at night, resulting in night blindness.
Normal night vision Diminished night vision (Notice the loss
of details)
Clinical Associate Professor
Goh KongYong is a Senior
Consultant Ophthalmologist at
Dr Goh Eye Neuro-ophthalmic
and Low Vision Specialist,
Mount Elizabeth Novena
Hospital, Singapore.
function even more poorly.
• Vitamin A deficiency – Vitamin
A is necessary to keep the retina
healthy. However, a deficiency in this
vitamin is rare.
• Retinitis pigmentosa (usually
hereditary) – This is a rare and
untreatable condition.This ailment
tends to run in the family and may
plague both the young and elderly.
Am I at risk of developing night
blindness?
Think about the following questions:
1.Do you take a long time making out images at night?
2.Do you have any family member with night blindness?
3.Do you have short-sightedness above 700 degrees?
4.Do you have diabetes mellitus?
If you answer “Yes” to any of the above, it is advisable to see an eye
specialist at least once yearly.
To date, no active treatment is
available for retinitis pigmentosa,
although recent studies on the use of
oral valproic acid have reported an
improvement in visual function.1
Does LASIK cause night
blindness?
A number of my patients who have
had their LASIK procedure done are
concerned about LASIK causing night
blindness. I assured them that although
LASIK may initially cause nocturnal
visual disturbances like “haloes”, such
“halo” disturbances usually subside after
a month.
Footnote:
1 J Ocul PharmacolTher. 2014 Sep; 30(7):580-6).
Are you in the dark?
64ezyhealth | DECEMBER 2014
www.ezyhealth.com DECEMBER 2014 | ezyhealth 65www.ezyhealth.com

8. MARCH 2015 |ezyhealth 27www.ezyhealth.com
Dr Michael Soon is a Consultant
Orthopaedic Surgeon, practising
at the Centre for Orthopaedics,
located in Mount Elizabeth
Orchard, Mount Elizabeth
Novena and Parkway East
Hospitals.
THIS IS AN extremely common
scenario. With more people maintaining
an active lifestyle, injuries to the knee
become more common. Knee injuries
can affect people of all ages, and can
be broadly divided into accidental/
traumatic causes and those due to
overuse.
Accidental Causes
Accidental causes are usually easy to
appreciate.
Nagging
Knee PainWhat’s the cause?
by Dr Michael Soon
seven kilometres, it goes up easily to
10000 steps a day.
The cartilage in your knee, which
measures just 3 mm thick, protects
you for today and the rest of your
life. Much of its function is
determined by how smooth this
cartilage surface is. If you take two
pieces of ice and move them
together, you realise it is very
slippery.The cartilage interface
is four times that smoothness.
Hence, once the cartilage loses that
smoothness, it progress predictably
towards wear, tear and eventually
breakage. Once this occurs, this is
known as osteoarthritis.
See a doctor if you notice these signs:
• Inability to bear weight on the knee
• Marked knee swelling
• Inability to fully extend or flex
your knee
• Knee instablility
Overuse
In runners, overuse injuries are a lot more
common.There are many causes, and
can even be due to your running style,
whether you have a flat foot, or the shoe
that you use. Hence, assessment for knee
pain in such cases will need to include
examination of the entire lower limb,
rather than the knee alone.
• Anterior knee pain is pain around the
knee cap.This is usually due to stress on
the cartilage under the knee cap.There
may also be underlying problems that
may need assessment by a specialist.
“Do I have to stop
running?” was the thought
that went through Janice’s
mind. She had been running
regularly about three times
a week, for a distance
of approximately seven
kilometres. Everything was
good initially but she noted
that recently, her knee
became stiffer after running.
She also noted occasional
‘clicks’ and swelling.
• Ligament injuries like those
affecting the ACL (anterior cruciate
ligament) are especially common
in soccer players and skiers. Such
ligaments are important stabilisers
of the knee joint. Once these are
ruptured, it is unlikely that you can
return to sports without treatment.
Athletes like American World Cup
alpine ski racer Lindsay Vonn return
to full sporting performance only after
surgery and rehabilitation.
• Tears of the meniscus can also occur
at the same time when the knee is
twisted. Think of people like Jeremy
Lin (basketball) and Luis Suarez
(soccer), who sustained tears of their
meniscus.The meniscus is essentially
the shock absorber of the knee. While
it can take direct loading fairly well,
it is much weaker with twisting
motions. Hence meniscus tears occur
more often in sports that involve
change of direction and sudden stops
and turns.
Small tears can be managed with
a sports physiotherapist and non-
surgical means. However, if the knee
remains persistently swollen, locked or
painful such that activity is restricted,
treatment in the form of arthroscopic
surgery may be required to regain full
function.
• Cartilage injuries can occur from
an acute injury or due to overuse.The
cartilage is the smooth covering at the
end of the bones, and in essence, it is
the joint. A sedentary person takes
about 3000 steps a day and if you run
• Pain above and
below the knee
cap – This can be
due to inflammation
of the patella tendon
below the knee cap,
or inflammation of the
quadriceps, which is above
the knee cap.The patella tendon
connects the knee cap to the shin
bone, and transmits the powerful
muscle of your thigh (quadriceps) to
straighten your knee. With the many
repetitions in running, the tendon
is “overused” and becomes inflamed.
This can lead to pain both during
and after running, and curtails speed
and distance.
• Runner’s knee is a form of friction
syndrome, where the ilio-tibial band
(ITB) rubs on the outside of the
knee.The ITB is a large and long
muscle that spans from the hip to
below the knee.This band rubs on
the bone during
running. If the
mechanics of the
lower limb are off,
and this occurs with
poor running gait or poor
muscle control (especially at
the hips) or even being flat footed,
this friction is increased and leads to
pain on the outside of the joint.
This was the case with Janice. After
obtaining corrective arch support
to treat her flat foot, and directed
physiotherapy, her runner’s knee
recovered and is now the bee’s knees.
Pull the Plug on
Pain!
Treat pain by:
1. Physiotherapy – stretching,
specific strengthening, pain
management and
stability exercises. This should
be maintained at home too.
2. Methods such as running on
a softer surface (e.g. grass or
indoor running track)
3. Changing your type of shoes
4. Having adequate rest
5. Cross-training – Change your
activity to spread the stress.
You can run, cycle, swim or
use an elliptical trainer on
different days. This allows rest
for the injured region to heal.
26 ezyhealth|MARCH 2015 www.ezyhealth.com
Health

9. www.ezyhealth.com
Alternative Medicine
EVERY DAY, ADVERTISING billboards and television
bombard us with images depicting the current ‘desirable’
body shape. How can we achieve our weight loss goals, in
the face of wide-spread obesity?
Obesity is defined as “increased body weight caused by
excessive accumulation of fat”. People are considered obese
if they weigh 20% or more above average for their height
and build.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), good health
consists of the body’s systems acting in harmony according
to the individual’s constitution. If all is working well, there
will not be any weight problem.
The Roots of Obesity
Obesity was first mentioned in Chinese medicine in the
Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine: “When
treating exhaustion syndromes, sudden syncope, hemiplegia,
atrophy, or rapid respiration conditions that occur in
obese patients, recognise that these are usually due to
overindulgence in rich foods.”
As early as in the Han dynasty,TCM practitioners
recorded the symptoms, mechanism and risk factors of
obesity.The Suwen (Book of Basic Questions) states: “If
obesity occurs in the nobleman and rich people, they must
be over-consuming heavy and greasy foods.” Similar to the
modern understanding of obesity, associated risk factors
include undesirable eating habits, under-exercising, body
constitution and mental state.
The ancient Chinese also knew that obesity has close
links with metabolic disorders such as diabetes and other
conditions such as stroke or chest
pain.
Four Main Types of
Obesity
In TCM theory, obesity is believed
to be the result of many factors.
Careful observation over many
centuries allows Chinese medicine
to say that there is not just one type
of overweight or obesity, there are
many.
Weighty Issues
TCM solutions for obesity
by Dr Leslie Ong Kwee-Nam
TCM classifies overweight and obesity into four main types:
1. Excessive Internal Phlegm and Dampness
Phlegm is an important concept in TCM, indicating not
only mucus from cough or nose discharge, but also stagnant
body fluid.The spleen is said to be at the root of all phlegm
production.
When the spleen becomes damaged, such as when one eats
too many sweet foods and gets too little exercise, it will fail in
its duty to move and transform waste fluids and foods. Instead,
these metabolic wastes will gather, collect and transform
into dampness. If dampness evils endure, over time they will
congeal into phlegm, and become fat tissue.
The excessive internal phlegm manifests itself as:
• Excess weight
• Tiredness
• Body heaviness
• Chest and/or stomach distension
• Poor appetite, in some cases
• Slimy covering or ‘fur’ on the tongue
This type of obesity is generally due to an eating disorder,
or secondarily by some other illness.
Treatment revolves around sweeping away phlegm and
removing stagnation. Once the phlegm is swept away, the qi
(vital energy) can move smoothly and easily.This promotes the
movement of phlegm and reduction of fat with the ultimate
result of decreasing obesity.
2. Stagnation of Qi and Blood
Patients exhibiting this condition may suffer from:
• Irritability or low motivation
• Chest or breast fullness
• Insomnia
• A dreamy state
• Menstrual disorder or amenorrhea
(absence of menstruation)
• Infertility
• Headaches in some patients
• Dizziness and numbness of the four extremities
• Tongue may turn dark red with a thin white fur or a thin and
greasy fur
TCM, by its
holistic focus
on the body
and its systems,
provides a key
to long-term
healthy weight
maintenance.

10. 40 ezyhealth|MARCH 2015 www.ezyhealth.com
Alternative Medicine
This is because the movement of blood is not smooth or
easily flowing. Stasis obstructs the vessels and inhibits
the qi mechanism.Therefore, fat and dampness collect
and accumulate within the vessels, making the blood
more viscous. If this continues over time, obesity and
arteriosclerosis (thickening and hardening of the arteries) will
result.
The principle treatment is to speed up the blood flow and
remove stagnation.
3. Yang Deficiency of Spleen and Kidney
The third type is yang deficiency of the spleen and kidney.
Common symptoms for people in this category include:
• Feeling exhausted or fatigued
• Lower back and knee weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Impotence or low libido
• Tongue is pale and without any fur covering
Genetic factors can play a part in this condition. It
may also be the result of other illnesses, stress or an
unhealthy lifestyle.
Treatment involves fortifying the spleen and
rectifying the kidney deficiency.
4. Liver Stagnation
Liver stagnation caused by prolonged strong emotions or
depression leads to disharmony between the spleen and the
liver and gives rise to fluid retention. Due to the liver being
depressed, the gall bladder is also depressed and exhausted,
the ebb and flow of these organs become unbalanced, and
the qi does not flow freely. Hence, there is difficulty in
transforming fat. Over time, this leads to obesity.
People in this category may experience:
• Excessive fatty material deposited in the abdomen
• Bloated physique
• Feeling drained of energy
• Excess sputum secretion
• Dizziness
• Vertigo
• Retching
• A dry mouth
• Lack of desire for food or drink
• Discomfort in the chest and abdomen
• Tongues are usually covered by a white glossy or
greasy coating
Treatment involves improving liver function, unblocking
the gall bladder and removing stagnation.
TCM Therapies
Since the nature of each type is different, the treatments are
also different.Today, we are using many TCM therapies, such
as herbal medicines, acupuncture, as well as diet combined
with exercise to treat obesity. With these treatments, most
patients can lose 5 – 10 kg per month.
HerbalTreatment
TCM believes that Chinese medicine possesses certain
properties and that every medicinal substance has its
strengths as well as shortcomings. Chinese preparations are
complex recipes combined according to particular TCM
theories. Medicinal substances (usually herbs) are carefully
balanced in quality and quantity, in order to accentuate the
health restorative actions while reducing side effects.
Classic herbal preparations dealing with this problem
have been passed down for centuries.The plan for treatment
will be based upon each individual’s constitution and
differentiation of syndromes.
Besides the individual’s physical state, a TCM physician
also takes into account the geographic location, sex,
age, lifestyle patterns and past medical and family
histories. As a result, the therapeutic methods
are comprehensive and are customised to an
individual’s condition.
AcupunctureTreatment
Acupuncture therapy affects the autonomic nervous
system and regulates energy metabolism by stimulating the
qi flow in the body’s meridians. Acupuncture is often most
effective for stubborn stagnation problems in the meridians.
It can also prohibit appetite and increase the metabolic rate of
obese individuals.
TCM has a lot of experience with obesity. Chinese
medicine and acupuncture are alternative treatments to help
control weight problems. Besides these treatment methods,
individuals must also exercise and practise good dietary
habits. Chinese medicine and acupuncture combined with
exercise and food therapy can greatly enhance the treatment
of obesity and help individuals manage their weight.
TCM, by its holistic focus on the body and its systems,
provides a key to long-term healthy weight maintenance. It is
important to consult a qualified TCM physician to help you
select the most appropriate formula to meet your needs.
Dr Leslie Ong Kwee-Nam is a Doctor of Medicine (Nanjing
University of Chinese Medicine). He has a Bachelor Degree in
TCM (Singapore College ofTCM) and Bachelor Degree inTCM
(Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine). He is a registered
TCM Physician of Singapore and practises at Si EnTCM
Medical Clinic.

11. DECEMBER 2015 | ezyhealth 63www.ezyhealth.com www.ezyhealth.com
Myth Busters
“LOW FAT IS better.”“I’m too fat! I need to eat oily foods.”“I should
cut fats from my diet completely.” Sound familiar? You’ve probably heard
people around you utter these words before, or you may have thought them
yourself. Here’s a heads-up: these statements may not only be untrue, they
are also potentially dangerous! Get the facts on fats here.
62ezyhealth | DECEMBER 2015
Getting by Kelly Ng
Fats Rightthe
Will you flunk the “fats facts” test?
The more fat I eat, the
more weight I put on.
Again, the amount of fat we eat
does not impact our weight,
cholesterol levels, or risk of heart
disease, nearly as much as what
kind of fat we eat. Most unsaturated
fats – found in vegetable oils,
avocados and peanuts – are good
for you, but saturated fats are bad
in excess. This is why olive oil, which
is 100% unsaturated fat, is healthier
than pancake mix, which contains
11% saturated fat. That said, trans
fat is an artificially created type of
unsaturated fat which increases our
risk of heart disease by increasing
bad cholesterol and lowering
good cholesterol in our bodies
(a double whammy). Steer clear
of trans fat by avoiding items with
“partially hydrogenated” fats in their
ingredient lists.
The healthiest diet is one without fats.
Research has shown that the total amount of fat in the diet isn’t really
linked with weight or disease. What really matters is the type of fat and
the total calories in the diet. Also, just because the label says “fat-free”
does not mean it is low in calories. To make up for the lack of taste
and texture in certain “fat-free” foods, some food makers tend to pour
other ingredients – especially sugar, flour, thickeners, and salt – into their
products. Some of us tend to eat more “non-fat” and “low fat” foods
because we think there’s no way to get fat eating these. The truth is, the
calories still add up. Before getting your next “fat-free” food, check its
ingredient list and make sure it isn’t loaded with sugar or additives.
Fat is bad for our bodies.
Not true. Our bodies need a certain amount of fat as it serves as an energy
store, a cushion for vital organs and a transport system for fat-soluble
vitamins. Our brain, nerves, and immune system need omega-3, a type
of fatty acid. Omega-9 helps lower bad cholesterol, helping to keep your
heart healthy. We need fat and to make hormones. We also need fat during
digestion to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Without fat, these
valuable vitamins will be lost!
In the 1960s, Today,
• Fats and oils supplied Americans
with ~ 45% of calories
• ~ 13% of adults were obese
• < 1% had type 2 diabetes
• Americans consume ~ 33% of
calories from fats and oils
• 34% of adults are obese
• 11% have diabetes, most with type
2 diabetes
www.ezyhealth.com
So…how much fat
do I need?Fat should make up about
25% to 30% of our total
energy intake. Based on a
typical 2000kcal diet, the
total fat allowance is about
55 – 65g a day. It’s easy
to exceed this allowance
if one is not mindful – if
you have a curry puff for
breakfast, a bowl of laksa
for lunch and a plate of
chicken rice for dinner,
you would have already
consumed 70g of fat.
Opt for more “good” fats,
such as:
•monounsaturated fat
(from olives and avocado)
•omega-3 polyunsaturated fat
(from oily fish, walnuts and linseed)
•omega-6 polyunsaturated fat
(from fish, linseed, margarine and
sunflower oil)
The amount of fat we eat
does not impact our weight,
cholesterol levels, or risk
of heart disease, nearly as
much as what kind of fat
we eat. Most unsaturated
fats – found in vegetable oils,
avocados and peanuts – are
good for you, but saturated
fats are bad in excess.

12. DO YOU FEEL an urge to munch on
something whenever you sit down to
unwind in front of the TV? Does stress
send you into an insatiable frenzy for a
chocolate bar? Can you choose a salad
over fried chicken? Find out how much
self-control you have over your eating
habits!
1. What are the drinks and
snacks that typically sit on
your desk at work?
a. A bottle of water, no snacks, but I keep
a jar of baked almonds or a muesli bar
in my drawer if I feel peckish or miss
breakfast.
b. Nothing. I drink water from the water
cooler whenever I feel thirsty.
c. Water/a soft or caffeinated drink (for
an afternoon pick-me-up) and yummy
butter cookies that the cleaning aunty
kindly brought for everyone.
d. No space for those chocolate bars and
packets of crisps on the desk! They’re
stashed away in my emergency rations
drawer.
2. You’re at a buffet. How do
you help yourself to the
food?
a. Finish a hearty serving of salad before
moving on to the hot foods. I’m
usually done in two rounds – I don’t
have much room left for dessert.
b. Order á la carte. Buffets aren’t my
thing.
c. Try to make space for everything! My
plate usually ends up looking like a
sloppy Leaning Tower of Pisa.
d. The kiasu Singaporean in me is
ignited! I create my own mini buffet
by taking platefuls of every single
item. Better take more of my favourite
dishes before others do!
Are you a
What your food
habits say about you
by Sylvy Soh
self-control
guru?
Now score yourself!
3. Your boss unexpectedly
assigns you not one,
but two major work
assignments on top of
your already heavy
workload. How do you
react?
a. Groan inwardly and grouse about the
news to a trustworthy colleague.
b. Groan inwardly and get down to
work.
c. Stomp out for a second tea break.
You’re gonna need more coffee – and
maybe a few slices of kaya and butter
toast – to fuel up for the long night
ahead. A chocolate bar for good
measure wouldn’t hurt either.
d. Ransack the pantry. There’s bound
to be something in there... oh wait,
there’s my emergency stash of snacks
too. Life is hard, why suffer more by
not indulging?
a – 4 points b – 3 points c – 2 points d – 1 point
If you scored…
16 – 20 points:
Congratulations, you’ve got this self-control act down pat! While you’re good at
managing your food cravings, you know when to indulge and let loose too. Food is your
friend: you make mostly healthy choices because you know what’s good for your body.
10 – 15 points:
Aren’t you the guru! Your impeccable ability to control your urges (if you have any at
all) is great, but it’s ok to lighten up at times. If snacking isn’t your thing, make sure you’re
eating enough at mealtimes, and that your meals are well-balanced. Opt to have small
meals throughout the day so your blood sugar doesn’t dip too drastically, or have low GI
snacks like almonds, bananas or wholemeal biscuits.
5 – 9 points:
Ah, this probably describes most of us; we use food to satiate our emotions. It wouldn’t
hurt to practice some restraint – and discernment – in your food choices. Learn to feed
your body what it needs when it needs it, not what it craves as and when. Don’t keep
unhealthy snacks within easy reach. Don’t pile food on your plate, because you’ll
probably end up eating more than you should. To cope with stress without resorting to
eating, drink up! Water keeps you hydrated and your cortisol levels in check (cortisol is
the hormone responsible for feelings of stress). You’ll be less hungry too.
64 ezyhealth|MARCH 2015 www.ezyhealth.com
Pop Quiz
4. You’ve resolved to shed
a few pounds. Your
friends suggest the latest
Korean fried chicken joint
for dinner. How do you
respond?
a. Say you’re on a diet, and suggest a place
with a variety of food choices so you can
have a healthier meal.
b. Tell them flatly you’re on a diet, and that
you’d rather not meet them at all.
c. Tell yourself “There’s always tomorrow!”
and gleefully go along.
d. Call the restaurant to order the biggest
platter in advance so you don’t have to
wait. Come on, it’s fried chicken!
5. What comes to mind when
you think of a snack?
a. Plenty! So many good food choices, like
blueberries, dark chocolate, baked nuts,
and granola. Sometimes, I feel naughty
and indulge in my favourite potato
crisps.
b. Snacks are for the weak. I thrive on a
strict three-meal regime, no more, no
less.
c. Anything that is salty or sweet,
depending on my mood.Why not have
the best of both worlds?
d. Why think about it when you can
actually have it? I’m ahead of you
on this one, dude. Remember my
emergency stash?

15. Ahem! Attention please!
If you’ve been on a
coughing roll and
aren’t sure why,
check out this
list of oft-seen
offenders.
Common
Culprits of
Coughs
There are two
types of coughs
– productive and
non-productive.
Productive coughs
(or wet coughs) are
so-called because they
produce phlegm, which
either drains from the nose
down the throat (mucus), or
comes up from the lungs. A productive
cough is your body’s way of getting rid of the
phlegm, so cough it up!
Causes of Productive Coughs
• Viral illnesses, such as the common cold. Mucus
from the nose drips down the back of the throat.
• Infections, such as infection of the lungs or upper
respiratory passages
• Chronic lung disease
• Reflux from stomach acid – this is a possible
symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD)
• Nasal discharge
• Smoking – this is a common sign of lung damage or
throat irritation
Non-productive coughs, on the other hand, do not
produce phlegm.They are hence also known as dry
coughs and have the characteristic ‘hacking’ sound.
Causes of Non-Productive Coughs
• Viral illnesses – a non-productive cough may linger
after other symptoms have cleared
• Bronchospasm or spasms in the bronchial tubes
caused by irritation
• Allergies such as allergic rhinitis
• Breathing in environmental dust and
chemicals
• Asthma
• Certain medications,
such as for high blood
pressure and allergies
Combat That
Cough!
Here are some
tricks to try if
you’re treating
that cough at
home:
1. Drink Up
Keeping yourself
hydrated helps
with both wet
and dry coughs.
The extra fluids thin
out the mucus or
phlegm as well as keep
your mucous membranes
moist – a good idea when the
weather is dry. So keep a bottle
of water handy.
2. Suck It Up
Numb your throat by sucking on a menthol lozenge.
This will decrease your urge to cough to get rid of
irritation. Another way to soothe your itchy throat is to
sip warm tea with some honey in it.
3. Steam It Up
Take a hot shower.You’ll definitely feel better after one
– steam loosens mucus and phlegm. Alternatively, use
a humidifier to keep your air from getting too dry, but
be sure to keep it clean!
4. Clean It Up
Clear your air of scented products such as perfumes
and sprays. Stop smoking, or if you’re a non-smoker,
take care to avoid second-hand smoke.
5. Take Medications
What else can you do if all of the above aren’t working
for you? Well, sometimes you just have to take
your medicine.There are many over-
the-counter medicines that can
help ease coughs.These are
mainly decongestants
which work by clearing
your airways of
mucus, cough
suppressants
which help to
soothe throat
irritation, and
expectorants
which make
mucus
thinner and
hence easier
to cough up or
expel.
You should
see your doctor
if your coughing
spell goes on for
more than a month, or
if you experience other
symptoms such as consistent
weight loss or extreme tiredness.
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16. It’s your MoveGet a jump on joint pain
Painful joints can be a real downer. Fortunately,
Global Medics joint care supplements make it
possible to stay on the go, painlessly.
Whether you're an avid sportsperson worried
about wear and tear, actively enjoying your
golden years, or simply health conscious and
want to protect your joints, there is a solution for
you. Available in three products for different ages
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keep your joints healthy with:
Glucosamine and chondroitin to protect
cartilage
Collagen for joint strength and flexibility
Vitamin E as an antioxidant
Pain-relieving plant extracts to soothe stiff
joints and muscles
Only available online at www.globalmedicsasia.com
Arti-Forte, $78.00
Prevention is better than cure
Supports healthy joints
Delays the onset of joint pain
Higher levels of collagen make
Arti-Forte ideal for follow-up
treatment after Arti-Forte+
Arti-Forte+
, $98.00
When the going gets tough
For chronic/severe joint pain
Contains hyaluronic acid for better
joint lubrication
More pain-relieving plant extracts
Arti-Sport, $98.00
Keep on moving
For mild/medium joint pain
Supports an active lifestyle
Combines hyaluronic acid with
calcium and magnesium, as well as
B vitamins for energy production

17. Let your body blossom
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How you look reflects the state of your health. When your body is out of balance, it shows
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delicate flower, your body requires the right nourishment, protection and care to thrive.
Holistic Way Beauty Range brings you the formula for beauty. Specially formulated from
important herbs and nutrients, these beauty aids improve and enhance your skin, hair and bust
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BeautyBlooming
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60’s: $79.00

18. DrTanTyngYuan is the Clinic
Director ofThe Aesthetics
& Hair Clinic, located at
391B Orchard Road Ngee
Ann CityTower B, #08-04
Singapore 238873. For
more information, call
6235 0010 or visit www.
aestheticsandhairclinic.com.
ewYear, new look!
Begin the year with
a fresh outlook – erase
skin imperfections with
Thermage, a facial
treatment that targets specific
problem areas. We talk to DrTan
TyngYuan, Clinic Director ofThe
Aesthetics and Hair Clinic, on this
transformative treatment. Now you
can put your best face forward and
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How does Thermage work?
DrTan: Thermage is a non-surgical
radiofrequency treatment that
works by stimulating our own body
collagen. As we age, our body
collagen gets depleted and gives rise
to wrinkles and sagging jawlines,
neck lines and nasolabial lines
(‘laugh lines’).Thermage helps to
firm and lift the face and also smooth
out the fine lines.
Can I go for Thermage if I
have sensitive skin?
DrTan: In general,Thermage is a
very safe treatment on sensitive skin,
but do consult a doctor who carries
out the procedure to evaluate your
suitability.
Will there be any pain or
discomfort during the
procedure?
DrTan: There is minimal discomfort
with the procedure, which is made
more comfortable by the application
of a numbing cream beforehand.
You will feel cooling and heating
sensations during the procedure,
and your physician will adjust the
heat level for your comfort.Your skin
may have a slight redness after the
procedure, but you can resume your
normal activities immediately after
your treatment.
What results can I expect
to see?
DrTan: Thermage gives more
definition to the jawline, improves
saggy jowls, decreases the
appearance of nasolabial folds and
eyebags and also smooths out neck
lines and fine wrinkles.
How soon can I see results?
DrTan: You can see the results
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treatment.
How long will results last?
DrTan: The effects of just one
treatment continue to improve for
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The results last for up to two years
and the treatment can be repeated
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21. Living Things and
Their Life Processes
1
C h a p t e r
Naughty Ari has been giving his milk to the plant!
Do you think the milk actually helped the plant to grow?
Well Ari, if you haven’t been
drinking your milk, what have
you been doing with it?

22. What’s In This Chapter?
What Will I Learn?
I will:
1. Know the life processes that humans and other animals undergo.
2. Understand that all animals need air, water and food to stay alive.
3. Know the life processes that plants undergo.
4. Be able to describe the differences between living and non-living
things using my knowledge of life processes.
Things
Life
processes
Non-livingLiving
not able to
carry out
can be can be
ableto
carryout
2
Biology
2

23. What Are the Life Processes in
Humans and Other Animals?
Let’s do a show-and-tell! Bring a pet to school if you have one, or a photo of
your pet. Share with your friends what you have learnt and noticed about
your pet.
Here are some things you can share:
it recognises you?
if it does not get enough food or water?
Now you have heard your friends share about their pets.
babies have the same needs?
Observing,
Communicating
Skills!
B
u
ild
Y
ou
r
My pet
moves about a lot,
just like me!
My pet loves to eat,
just like me!
Hmmm... Rita, Ari,
their pets and all of us are alike in
some ways. We carry out similar
activities every day! What do you
think these activities are?
The next time you visit a zoo, farm or national park, watch
what the animals are doing. You may notice that some of
the things they do are similar to the things you do!
3
Living Things and Their Life Processes
1
Chapter

24. Just like humans, animals carry out activities every day.
Most of these activities are important to keep living
life processes.
Life processes include nutrition, movement, growth,
sensitivity, respiration, excretion and reproduction.
Nutrition
Living things need nutrition. Nutrition simply means
eating! The food and water taken in by animals are
converted to energy. Animals need energy to move
and grow.
These giraffes get their food
from tree leaves and water
from streams or rivers.
4
Biology
4

25. This bear has
just caught a
fish for lunch!
This crab is
hiding in a hole
in the sand.
This mouse is
running from
a cat. The
cat wants
to catch the
mouse!
Movement
Humans and other animals can move on
their own. They require energy to move.
movement important?
to escape from danger.
Think about how you look for food, look for
shelter and escape from danger in your daily
life. Can you think of any other reasons why
living things move? Discuss this with your friends.
Skills!
B
u
ild
Y
ou
r
Analysing,
Communicating
Activity 1: How Do I Survive?
Activity 2: Move It!
>> Workbook Activity
to look for food.
to look for shelter.
This girl is reaching up to
pick a fruit from a tree.
5
Living Things and Their Life Processes
1
Chapter

26. 1
You are given a challenge to survive on a faraway
deserted island for seven days.
You are given a list of things that you can choose to bring with you.
a. Study the things in the list below and colour the stars below
each thing according to how important it is in helping you
survive on the island.
Not important — do not colour any stars
Important — color one star
Very important — colour two stars
Name: Class: Date:
Activity
1 How Do I Survive?
Process skills: Comparing, Evaluating What do you need
to stay alive?
Things you may choose to bring
Pillow Fork and spoon Canned food
A story book 20 litres
of water
Extra clothes
My favourite toy A picnic blanket Computer games
Matches and candles A chair Photographs of my family
Living Things and Their Life Processes

27. 2 Chapter 1
b. From the list in ‘a’, choose the three most important things that will
help you survive on the island. Explain why you chose them.
The things I will bring
with me are...
I chose this thing because...
1.
2.
3.
2 Chapter 1