Contagious sickness...TB

Tuberculosis (TB) is on the rise. I brought up this subject because someone in my office is diagnosed and quarantined. How many of us really takes TB seriously?

Many people think that TB only happened to those who smoke. Do you know there is no cure for TB? It can only be controlled. TB can be transmitted through contacts and breathing the same air.

I just want to share with my readers, if you do not already know :

TB is an air-borne disease transmitted through respiratory droplets from a TB person.

So who will get it or high in possibilities?

- Person(s) with prolonged close contacts with someone who have TB

- Person(s) with medical problems i.e HIV, diabetes

- Person(s) with weak immune system e.g. always fall sick

- Person(s) who are under nourished

- Drug addicts

Again what are the signs to watch out?

- Coughing non-stop for 3 weeks or more

- Coughing blood

- Tired all the time

- Fever and night sweats

- Loss of weight

"Chest pain Complications Infection with TB can cause permanent lung damage if not treated early. It can also spread to other parts of the body such as the bone, intestine, brain and central nervous system where it can lead to life-threatening complications. The most serious complication, however, is when TB infection recurs and the strains causing the disease are resistant to multiple anti-TB medications. "

How to protect yourself ?

- Lead a healthy lifestyle

- adopting healthy eating habits, exercising regularly and having enough sleep

If you have TB

- You must be responsible and must avoid close contact with families or friends.

- Do not eat or use the same eating utensils or use handkerchief. Do not wash your clothing with those who are healthy.

- When you cough or sneeze, please cover your mouth. If you use tissue papers, please dispose it in a plastic bag and than throw it into the bins. Please wash your hands thoroughly.

For those who are confirmed TB, please take responsibilities to keep strangers, friends and families safe.

Sang Ye..or Mulberry Leave

Sharing again a medicinal leave which I consumed recently "Sang Ye " or "桑叶" in Chinese. This leave has another name called "Mulberry Leave aka Folium Mori".  Yes, you are right, the leave that silkworms feed on. What good is this leave?

I stumbled on this plant because I got lazy eyes or Chinese calls it "眼针". The eyes are hot and one side of my eye had a slight swell which is painful and very uncomfortable. My brother bought these leaves and put it in a slow cooker with water and let it boiled. He gave me the drink and after drinking a few cups, my eye swelling when down. This fresh brewed has no taste, just like tea however the smell to me is not so pleasant.

He also took some of the leaves from the boiled drink and pounded them and than applied on both my eyes. The boil on my eye broke and pus started oozing. The swell subsided. I decided to google and read about this leave and realized that it not only heals the eyes and at the same time there are many goodness about the plant. Sharing with you some of the medicianl  benefits and you can read further from the internet.

Sang Ye's benefits - to list a few

1) It is a powerful sugar blocking agent and act as a sugar balancer

2) Good for controlling blood pressure

3) Lower Cholesterol

4) It a Liver cleanser and prevent Liver Cancer

5) It is a powerful Anti-oxident

6) Good for Eyes as it contains Vit A

7) It contains various Vitamins and Minerals that are good for the Immune Systems

As I read on, I realized that various races around the world is using this leaves as remedies for various illness. It is surely a cleanser because after drinking the tea, I have been going to the restroom. My intestine is also cleaning up and I can feel some changes to my body.

A disclaimer - I am not the authority to gaurantee this leaves works for everyone but it works for me and many of our friends who tried it. Everything has to be taken moderately with right dosage. Over dosage of Mulberry Leaves carry some poison so be aware.

Below are some extracts from my readings :

"Mulberry tea is used to treat a variety of health issues including colds, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, mulberry tea can be used to treat conditions associated with the liver and lung meridians. It helps clear fever, headache, sore throat, cough, and red or painful eyes. Mulberry tea can also inhibit the development of bacterial strains, including streptococcus, the cause of strep throat. Drink mulberry tea to prevent and recover from common cold symptoms.

Mulberry tea naturally inhibits carbohydrate absorption. This is a result of the compound moranoline 1-deoxynojirimycin). Moranoline inhibits an enzyme in the intestinal tract (alpha-glucosidase) involved in the digestion of carbohydrates. This means the starchy, carbohydrate-rich foods you eat, like bread, rice, pasta and potatoes, do not turn to glucose in your body and are simply flushed out. The lack of glucose in your system also lowers your blood sugar levels, making you less hungry. Used as part of a sensible diet, mulberry tea helps you achieve your weight loss goals.

Mulberry tea reduces the oxidization of cholesterol in the blood vessels, resulting in reduced risk of atherosclerosis (blocked blood vessels). This is due to quercetin and additional flavonoids contained in mulberry leaves. These antioxidants inhibit oxidative stress reactions that produce atherosclerosis. For healthy blood vessels, drink mulberry tea as a regular supplement to a healthy lifestyle.

Good Sugar Balance Mulberry leaf tea can balance blood sugar and aids in carbohydrate absorption according to a 2008 study. According to Medical News Today, the herb lowers post-meal blood sugar spikes and stabilizes blood sugar levels. As a result, drinking mulberry tea results in more sustained energy levels throughout the day.

For centuries, mulberry tea has been used as a treatment for diabetes mellitus in Asia. One of the most unique qualities of the mulberry leaf tea is its ability to prevent sugars from entering your bloodstream. Researchers in Japan found that mulberry leaves contain compounds that inhibit intestinal enzymes from passing sugars into the bloodstream. This inhibitor compound known as 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), can only be extracted from the mulberry leaf. By preventing large amounts of monosaccharide from entering into circulation, mulberry tea helps prevent and fight diabetes.

Prior to using mulberry leaf tea to treat any condition, please consult a licensed health care provider. "

My slimming receipes...

I never thought that I will give slimming priority. I love food and I enjoy food and to eat ''healthly'' is not taken seriously. However my concept has changed. It is not about looking nice but it is about not getting sick. When an unplanned check-up showed that I have bad BMI, bad Blood Pressure, bad Cholesterol and badly overweight, it worries me. So other than exercise, I am experimenting on things I eat.

My daily intake should be 2000 calories and if I want to lose 1/2kg weekly, I need to lose 2500 calories daily. It is a major task for people who love coke, cakes and anything fatty to go on such diet. I refused to take slimming pills and popping it without exercise comes to 'zero'. Here are some facts and if you want to eat like I do...try it.

To lose 500 calories daily :

For Breakfast - Mee Siam/ Mee Rubus (do not drink the gravely)/ oats with skimmed milk (no condensed milk nor sweetener) and a banana or other fruits

For Lunch - a bowl of steamed rice (no chicken rice), a plate of assorted fresh or steamed greens and once a week I pampered myself with grilled chicken (no skin) and drink only water (no coffee/ tea/ coke)

 

For Dinner - Fishball soup, Ban Mian or anything soupy (no fried food but light food) and fruits

Do you know

1) Potato chips = 1225 calories and Baked potato = 100 calories
2) Prawn Noodle Dry = 409 calories and Prawn Noodle Soup = 293 calories
3) Roti prata = 317 calories and Chappati = 90 calories
4) Goreng Pisang = 195 calories and a banana = 100 calories
5) Chicken chop = 499 calories and Steam chicken without skin = 100 calories

Therefore I have to eat carefully. I love cakes but I have to abstain for the time being!

10 YEARS OF LESLIE CHEUNG ( 十年了，张国荣！)

Ten years has passed by but the memory of Leslie did not fade. There is no new songs from him nor new movies from him - how can there ever be? I may not talk about him but at the back of my mind I knew he existed.

How time flies, people changed, environment changed but some feelings never change. Looking at all Leslie photos still stir my emotion. Hearing him sing all his top song tracks is still so enjoyable and was like yesterday he just sang them. His 演唱会performances was still so good to look at, he was lively, romantic, daring and he never failed to deliver and entertain.

Looking at how Leslie grew through the years as an inexperienced actor to the day he performed in all his acclaimed movies, he had come a long way. There were so many good movies which showcased his skills and commitment to the role but how many times did they give him the 'Movie King' title? People were biased and jealous of him. NO, he do not need the title as to those who loves him but I believe it hurt him a bit. Because he was a celebrity, all his privacy were opened for all to see. People praised him, criticized him, purposely bad named him but his fans love him.

Once again, my tribute to the one and only Leslie Cheung!

When 1st April "风再起时“，I know this wind will "风继续吹"。 It is this season that brought back " 當年情" when we "為你鍾情"。 "儂本多情" "追 "Kor Kor。 When all our emotion became "當愛已成往事", it was heartbreaking。We have to accept "今生今世 " that you decided "沉默是金"。"這些年來" who will share our "想妳"。 Actually we asked "有誰共鳴" and we miss this "不羁的风"。 We remember you belting out "千千闕歌" and the lyrics touched our hearts。 "以後" you have "拒絕再玩" so in this life time we know "只怕不再遇上 ".....so long........

 

Brisk Walking...

Further to what I blogged, I am determined to lose some weight and I did. 4 kg is not much but is an effort. I have been walking with my bro and friends 5 evening a week. Actually it started with feet dragging and panting and a 2.4km walk took me 23 minutes. My instructor cannot help but encouraged me but I am sure he knew that I am far from healthy but overweight. The regular walk is something that I looked forward to. I am trying to see whether I can lose up to 30 kg...humm.m.m...I will try!

Last week I went to check-out Changi Coastal Walk. I have been to this place so many times and I did not realized that the coastal walk was pleasant and relaxing. I timed my walk with RunKeeper which offers a GPS. It tells me the time, average speed per km, total calories burnt and the distance accomplished. My last walk was 4.85km @ 10.58/ km with a lost of 277 calories.

Walking back to health...

 

My recent medical checkup was a disaster. My doctor blah...blah...blah...at me for not taking care of my health. Actually all sinful food are so yummy and anything that is blend tasting is ''yucks''!. However I have taken all he said seriously. I realized that it is not whether you are overweight or you are slim, it is the stamina and health which matter most.

 

I count my blessings as just behind my block is a canal and a path with benches where people jog and cycle. Not far away and just around the corner is Tampines Eco Green.

 

This is the first time I visited this place by National Parks Board. I am happy that there is no place for car parking and therefore the place is peaceful and not swarmed with people. The people who jog and walk here are residence of Tampines and Pasir Ris and it keeps the Park in good condition and clean.

 

In the middle of concretes and highway, it is a hidden haven away from the hustle and bustle of a hectic day.  This Park not only provide sanctuary to the animal and reptile, it is also a sanctuary for all those who wander into the Park.  This place allows one to be near nature and be at peace with the environment.

 

The open grasslands around its vicinity allow people to walk and jog with shoes as well as bare footed. One can also sit down on the grass and smell its fragrance and to mediate or listen to the chirping of the birds and insects around. The flora and fauna around is green and healthy. This park is also a haven for biodiversity which is so crucial to our well being.

 

WOMAN'S HEART ATTACK

Heart Attack is sudden and it happened without warning. Someone sent me an article and we realized that heart attack happened to men and women are different. This is for ladies as well as men's knowledge and action. Please read on.........

NURSE'S HEART ATTACK EXPERIENCE I am an ER nurse and this is the best description of this event that I have ever heard. Please read, pay attention, and send it on! FEMALE HEART ATTACKS I was aware that female heart attacks are different, but this is the best description I've ever read. Women rarely have the same dramatic symptoms that men have ... you know, the sudden stabbing pain in the chest, the cold sweat, grabbing the chest & dropping to the floor that we see in movies. Here is the story of one woman's experience with a heart attack. I had a heart attack at about 10:30 PM with NO prior exertion, NO prior emotional trauma that one would suspect might have brought it on. I was sitting all snugly & warm on a cold evening, with my purring cat in my lap, reading an interesting story my friend had sent me, and actually thinking, 'A-A-h, this is the life, all cozy and warm in my soft, cushy Lazy Boy with my feet propped up. A moment later, I felt that awful sensation of indigestion, when you've been in a hurry and grabbed a bite of sandwich and washed it down with a dash of water, and that hurried bite seems to feel like you've swallowed a golf ball going down the esophagus in slow motion and it is most uncomfortable. You realize you shouldn't have gulped it down so fast and needed to chew it more thoroughly and this time drink a glass of water to hasten its progress down to the stomach. This was my initial sensation--the only trouble was that I hadn't taken a bite of anything since about 5:00 p.m. After it seemed to subside, the next sensation was like little squeezing motions that seemed to be racing up my SPINE (hind-sight, it was probably my aorta spasms), gaining speed as they continued racing up and under my sternum (breast bone, where one presses rhythmically when administering CPR). This fascinating process continued on into my throat and branched out into both jaws. 'AHA!! NOW I stopped puzzling about what was happening -- we all have read and/or heard about pain in the jaws being one of the signals of an MI happening, haven't we? I said aloud to myself and the cat, Dear God, I think I'm having a heart attack! I lowered the foot rest dumping the cat from my lap, started to take a step and fell on the floor instead. I thought to myself, If this is a heart attack, I shouldn't be walking into the next room where the phone is or anywhere else... but, on the other hand, if I don't, nobody will know that I need help, and if I wait any longer I may not be able to get up in a moment. I pulled myself up with the arms of the chair, walked slowly into the next room and dialed the Paramedics... I told her I thought I was having a heart attack due to the pressure building under the sternum and radiating into my jaws. I didn't feel hysterical or afraid, just stating the facts. She said she was sending the Paramedics over immediately, asked if the front door was near to me, and if so, to un-bolt the door and then lie down on the floor where they could see me when they came in. I unlocked the door and then laid down on the floor as instructed and lost consciousness, as I don't remember the medics coming in, their examination, lifting me onto a gurney or getting me into their ambulance, or hearing the call they made to St. Jude ER on the way, but I did briefly awaken when we arrived and saw that the radiologist was already there in his surgical blues and cap, helping the medics pull my stretcher out of the ambulance. He was bending over me asking questions (probably something like 'Have you taken any medications?') but I couldn't make my mind interpret what he was saying, or form an answer, and nodded off again, not waking up until the Cardiologist and partner had already threaded the teeny angiogram balloon up my femoral artery into the aorta and into my heart where they installed 2 side by side stints to hold open my right coronary artery. I know it sounds like all my thinking and actions at home must have taken at least 20-30 minutes before calling the paramedics, but actually it took perhaps 4-5 minutes before the call, and both the fire station and St Jude are only minutes away from my home, and my Cardiologist was already to go to the OR in his scrubs and get going on restarting my heart (which had stopped somewhere between my arrival and the procedure) and installing the stents. Why have I written all of this to you with so much detail? Because I want all of you who are so important in my life to know what I learned first hand. 1. Be aware that something very different is happening in your body, not the usual men's symptoms but inexplicable things happening (until my sternum and jaws got into the act). It is said that many more women than men die of their first (and last) MI because they didn't know they were having one and commonly mistake it as indigestion, take some Maalox or other anti-heartburn preparation and go to bed, hoping they'll feel better in the morning when they wake up... which doesn't happen. My female friends, your symptoms might not be exactly like mine, so I advise you to call the Paramedics if ANYTHING is unpleasantly happening that you've not felt before. It is better to have a 'false alarm' visitation than to risk your life guessing what it might be! 2. Note that I said 'Call the Paramedics.' And if you can take an aspirin. Ladies, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! Do NOT try to drive yourself to the ER - you are a hazard to others on the road. Do NOT have your panicked husband who will be speeding and looking anxiously at what's happening with you instead of the road. Do NOT call your doctor -- he doesn't know where you live and if it's at night you won't reach him anyway, and if it's daytime, his assistants (or answering service) will tell you to call the Paramedics. He doesn't carry the equipment in his car that you need to be saved! The Paramedics do, principally OXYGEN that you need ASAP. Your Dr. will be notified later. 3. Don't assume it couldn't be a heart attack because you have a normal cholesterol count. Research has discovered that a cholesterol elevated reading is rarely the cause of an MI (unless it's unbelievably high and/or accompanied by high blood pressure). MIs are usually caused by long-term stress and inflammation in the body, which dumps all sorts of deadly hormones into your system to sludge things up in there. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive. A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life. *Please be a true friend and send this article to all your friends (male & female) who you care about!*