SUNDAY STAR, 25 OCTOBER 2015

special

WORLD STROKE DAY

Awareness, prevention,

recovery

into account. Better plasticity (or the brain’s ability to

cope) enables younger people to recover better, especially with proper rehabilitation and care.

Chong says that counselling is an important part of the recovery process as substantial emotional and motivational support is required to help survivors regain confidence and independence.

Such treatment breathe new life into young individuals and allow them to reach their potential.

Ratha, for example, trained to write with her left hand and now makes greeting cards. She has even started a small business selling them, which has given her a sense of independence.

Physiotherapy plays a great role in stroke rehabilitation and is a complex process.

According to Datuk Dr B.S. Bains, chief executive officer and senior consultant physiotherapist of BainsPhysio, emotional, physical and social aspects must be integrated into the therapy to achieve a desirable goal of physical well-being.

Rehabilitation can be a long and tough process. The sooner therapy begins, the quicker the brain relearns normal movements and stroke survivors can resume much of their usual lifestyle.

With good physiotherapists and family support in an encouraging environment, stroke patients will be on the road to recovery for there is indeed life after stroke.

Fast action

Remember these steps for quick stroke recognition:

Facial drooping – Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face drop?Arm weakness – Ask the person to raise both arms. Is one arm weak and drifting downwards?Speech difficulty – Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?Time to call – If you observe any of these signs, call 999 immediately.

Stroke survivor Ratha Renganathan, 28, underwent several surgeries and is recovering with the help of therapy.

A FEW years ago, 28-year-old Ratha Renganathan suffered two strokes within months of each other. The second, more severe stroke involved brain haemorrhage, and left the limbs on her right side paralysed.

She underwent four brain surgeries in total but was still prone to seizures and had to be put on medication.

“I could not go out to work and felt so unfortunate to have a stroke on the threshold of independent adulthood,” Ratha recalls.

Perhaps more frustrating was the fact that her body was suddenly different and would not cooperate to execute desired movements. For example, Ratha explains that she had to switch to depending on the limbs on the left side of her body.

“I was a right hander, but after my stroke, working with my right hand became impossible,” she says.

Rethinking riskStroke is not a new disease, but the ways it

is approached and managed have changed over the years to accommodate evolving lifestyles. Once a condition faced almost exclusively by older people who already had various health complications, it is now also known to affect younger people who seem to be in the pink of health.

“Stroke does not discriminate – it can strike anyone at any age regardless of race or economic status. We see more and more young stroke victims these days,” says Sylvia Chong, general manager of National Stroke Association of Malaysia (Nasam).

This non-government organisation for stroke survivors offers affordable rehabilitation therapy and counselling services to survivors and their caregivers. According to Chong, Nasam’s members are mainly older than 45 years old but the association has been getting many younger

patients.Much like Ratha, 34-year-old Vincent Chan

had two strokes, with the second one leaving a greater impact.

“The second stroke happened when I was getting ready for work one morning and suddenly did not feel stable or balanced walking around.

“I could not stand, walk, hold, drink or chew and was slurring to the point of incomprehension,” he says.

In retrospect, Chan believes the factors that contributed to his stroke were largely controllable.

“I had Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, did not exercise and always slept late,” he reveals.

Lifestyle factors play a significant role in causing strokes among younger patients. A team of researchers from the Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, China recently announced findings linking work stress to stroke.

The study found that people with high-stress jobs (such as those in the service industry) had a 22% greater risk of stroke than people who worked low-stress jobs.

Stroke survivor Chia Cheng Boong can relate to this. The 45-year-old had a stroke last September that put him in a coma for four days.

“The doctor said I had high blood pressure and should have been put on medication,” says Chia.

According to Chong, high blood pressure can increase one’s risk of stroke by up to six times. Chia constantly felt stressed and lethargic from holding down two jobs, getting about four hours of sleep every night without time to relax, exercise or enjoy the company of his family.

“I had no time to go for a medical check-up and kept putting it off because I thought I was young and would not have any major health issues,” he says.

Instances of non-communicable diseases, including stroke, are on the rise despite the medical and technological advances we have seen, which means it is up to the individual to care for his or her health even when they seem to be fine.

Young people, especially, may not be aware of the consequences of their actions or the lifestyles they lead and the affects to their health over the long term.

Life after strokeStrokes often cause some sort of long-term

paralysis, but no two incidences are the same. This is especially so when age is taken

Concerning the youngBy THERESA BELLE

Mini strokes

Transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) occur when blood supply to the brain is temporarily interrupted, depriving brain cells of nutrients and oxygen. A person who experiences TIA has temporary stroke-like symptoms that go away after 24 hours. However, they should not be ignored as about 40% of people with TIA will go on to have a full stroke in the next five years.

“The temporary, mild effect misleads patients into thinking that they are well and there is no need to seek medical attention, but this should be taken seriously as TIA can be a warning sign of an impending full stroke,” says National Stroke Association of Malaysia’s general manager Sylvia Chong.

Vincent Chan, 34, believes that the factors that contributed to his strokes were controllable.

2 world stroke daySUNDAY STAR, 25 OCTOBER 2015

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4 world stroke daySUNDAY STAR, 25 OCTOBER 2015

Getting sufficient sleep at night is vital for good health and proper cognitive functions.

Proper rest is crucialIF you went to bed early but still wake up feeling groggy or unrested, you might be sleep-deprived. Sleep loss can affect your daily life beyond daytime drowsiness.

In the 1980s, when Japan was at its peak of economic development, a large number of deaths resulting from extremely long working hours, paired with sleep deprivation, was reported in the country.

Most of these cases involved acute cardiovascular events. This phenomenon is termed karoshi, which translates to death from overwork.

Sleep deprivation has many implications. Individuals who sleep less than six hours every night have been linked to a higher risk of having high blood pressure and a heart attack.

In addition, when you fail to get adequate sleep, your body produces less leptin, a hormone that suppresses appetite, and more ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite.

As a result, you tend to gain more weight from overeating and are prone to obesity, which can lead to a number of health complications.

Ongoing sleep scarcity also increases the risk of developing diabetes, particularly if you are obese or have a family history of the disease.

This is because your body produces more of the stress hormone cortisol when it is sleep deprived, which promotes insulin resistance.

Lack of sleep can interfere with your cognitive abilities and impair your ability to make decisions, concentrate and be creative.

This increases the likelihood of making mistakes and causing accidents or injuries on the road, at work and even at home.

A study published in Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health in 2008 found that one in three Malaysian adults display insomnia symptoms.

Your sleep may be disrupted by a range of reasons such as daily stress, sleep disorders, certain illnesses and medications, and environmental factors such as room temperature, light and noise.

An average adult requires approximately eight hours of sleep each night. Hence, do not compromise your sleep for work or play.

Put your work aside and turn off your electronic gadgets before bedtime. Go to bed at the same time daily and practise a relaxing bedtime ritual to unwind.

Take a shower, listen to soothing music or read a book to help you fall asleep more easily. Cut down on cigarettes, caffeine or alcohol in the evening as they may disrupt your sleep.

Getting adequate and quality sleep is essential for your health and well-being.

This article is brought to you by VitaHealth.

n For more information, contact VitaHealth.

Key to recoveryPHYSIOTHERAPY, combined with other forms of health management, plays a key role in rehabilitating stroke patients. The greatest misconception that the general public has about physiotherapists is that they are masseurs, which makes the layman compare them with the traditional masseur.

On the contrary, physiotherapists are movement specialists with good standing knowledge of muscles and joint structures, and are an integral part of medical teams.

A physiotherapist has to deal with the patient’s culture and background, and emotional, physical and social aspects should be amalgamated in the therapy to achieve a desirable goal in rehabilitating the patient to achieve his or her best possible form of physical well-being.

A physiotherapist equips families with appropriate knowledge of stroke and appropriate responses to the disability as well as the new lifestyle that needs to be adopted.

The physiotherapist thoroughly discusses the condition with the attending physician and properly examines the victim clinically to determine the residual weakness after an acute episode of stroke.

Once clinical examination is carried out and musculoskeletal profiling is completed, the physiotherapist plans the therapy.

Various evidence-based techniques of treatment are applied, such as PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation), patterning, coordination and balancing, EMF (electromagnetic feedback), command, cognitive and repetitive training.

Most of the time, a therapist will use a combination of therapy techniques and persuasive techniques.

The therapist requires a motivated

attitude and must be ever accommodating to the changing moods of the stroke patient.

These techniques strengthen patients’ balance and symmetry and the coordination of the left and right sides of their body.

The physiotherapist should also remember to work with the joints of the “good” side.

Gait training and walking with support is also essential, as is a healthy diet and regular exercises along with regular medical check-ups, which are key factors in ensuring health and agility.

You can live a healthy lifestyle by walking about three to four kilometres a day, eating light meals at night, sleeping enough and drinking lots of water.

Excessive food intake and bad eating habits give rise to lifestyle diseases. In many cases, stroke is an outcome of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. – By Datuk Dr B. S. Bains, chief executive officer and senior consultant physiotherapist at BainsPhysio.

n For more information, contact BainsPhysio.

Physiotherapy helps patients regain their confidence and physical ability.

SUNDAY STAR, 25 OCTOBER 2015

world stroke day 5

Dr Kelvin

Tan.

Aesthetic treatment can boost one’s self-esteem.

Looking and feeling greatAESTHETIC medicine has been an established medical field for quite some time. However, it is relatively new to Malaysia.

This does not mean that Malaysians are not warming up to the idea that they can use aesthetic treatments to look and feel good.

According to Dr Kelvin Tan, aesthetic medical practitioner at Mahkota Medical Centre, as the country develops and there is more exposure to information and ideas, appearance and self-esteem plays a bigger role in people’s lives. Therefore, more and more people are choosing aesthetic treatments to alter and improve their appearance.

He explains that he sees a wide range of patients. Though the majority – 80% to 90% – are women, recently, more men have been seeking aesthetic treatments for the same reasons women do.

Common treatments“People come seeking advice

and treatment for various issues, from wrinkles, acne scars, volume loss and skin problems such as pigmentation to dark circles and even to achieve a V-shaped face,” says Dr Tan.

The most common treatment that people seek is autologous haematopoietic stem cell rejuvenation, better known as PRP (platelet-rich plasma) or even as the vampire face lift or Korean ultra V lift.

This is where a small amount of blood – 8cc or 9cc – is extracted from the patient and put into a centrifuge to separate its components. The platelet-rich plasma that is obtained from this process is then injected into the skin to stimulate growth of new skin.

This treatment is used to smoothen wrinkles (on the face, back of the hands and even upper chest), soften scars, fill in under-eye hollows or correct puffy or dark under-eye circles, smoothen

lines on the forehead or around the mouth, treat hair loss and correct skin tone or pigmentation, among other applications.

“PRP is both simple and safe as it uses the regenerative and healing properties of the patients’ own platelets. Therefore, the risk of rejection or allergic reactions is minimised,” says Dr Tan.

Safety is paramountAs with any type of treatment,

you should take steps to ensure you get the safest and best-quality treatment and products, says Dr Tan.

There may be a number of anecdotal stories about botched treatments, but these scenarios arise only when the person administering the treatment is untrained and unable to deal with an emergency situation or when unlicensed (and thus unsafe) products are used, leading to catastrophic complications.

Dr Tan advises people not to be lured by lower prices but instead to understand that good-quality licensed products and treatments administered by qualified and licensed practitioners will come with a slightly higher price.

“Make sure you know the physician well – what his or her qualifications are – and that the products being used are licensed and legal. Ask for an explanation of exactly what the procedure will involve and what the possible side effects will be. A good practitioner will explain all these details to you,” he says.

Long-term investment It is important to know the

difference between aesthetic treatments and plastic surgery. Though good aesthetic treatments last for some time, they are not forever. The products used in aesthetic treatments are also generally made of natural materials.

For example, the fillers that are injected under the skin are made of biodegradable gels composed of hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally produced by the human body. This means that after some time the product will be broken down and absorbed by the skin.

Although some of the aesthetic treatments may be relatively expensive, the value lies in investing in the future of your skin, says Dr Tan. Most aesthetic

treatments will produce an immediate result compared to many years of expensive eye creams and, by starting at a younger age, you can prevent expensive surgery later in life.

Furthermore, despite its name, aesthetic treatments are not just for beauty – they have a preventive component as well.

“I have always believed maintenance is better than repair. I recommend that people start treatments when they are younger as a means of taking preventive measures instead of just treating the problem later,” says Dr Tan.

“Aesthetic treatment is not only meant for older people. There is nothing wrong with taking care of yourself and boosting your self-esteem at any age.”

n For more information, contact the Mahkota Dermatology Centre.

6 world stroke daySUNDAY STAR, 25 OCTOBER 2015

Strong through the yearsMOST men at the age of 80 would be retired, doing relaxing and simple tasks at home. However, Ng Chow Seng did not confine himself to doing just that.

Instead, the 80-year old grandfather went on to win his fourth gold medal in the 2015 World Masters Weightlifting Championship for the 69kg weight category.

A lifelong commitmentNg has been a dedicated

consumer of Biogrow Oat BG22 oat bran powder since 2012. Since then, his cholesterol levels have been consistently kept at healthy levels.

As a heart patient, Ng knows the importance of keeping his cholesterol levels normal for optimal heart health.

Eighty-year-old Ng believes Biogrow Oat BG22 is the best

fuel for his body.

Besides lowering cholesterol, oat beta-glucans have been shown to help stabilise blood sugar levels, promote bowel regularity and aid weight management.

The weight loss challenge

Despite his busy training schedule, Ng was considered overweight and needed to lose 5kg from his initial weight of 73 kg to qualify as a candidate for the competition.

He started taking four scoops of Biogrow Oat BG22 oat bran powder daily as his pre-dinner snack and avoided white rice and carbohydrates for six weeks.

“I love the natural taste of oats and I also like it thick and rich in my cup.

“I felt quite full after the drink and I would not have the urge of taking anything heavy as my dinner. This helped me lose 5kg in six weeks,” says Ng.

“I’ve always believed that health is wealth. Biogrow Oat BG22 is the best fuel for my body as it is rich in oat beta-glucans, which is good for lowering cholesterol and beneficial to the heart.

“After taking it, I feel much lighter and can perform better in the competition,” he says.

Having regular physical activity and a diet rich in oat beta-glucans can go a long way in staving off the ageing process.

To Ng, age is never a

hindrance to achieving his goal in becoming a world champion again.

He aspires to win his fifth and subsequent gold medals in years to come.

Power of oat beta-glucans

Biogrow Oat BG22 oat bran powder employs exclusive Swedish technology to preserve the integrity of its rich beta-glucan content of 20%.

Oat BG22 also maintains a high beta-glucan molecular weight, ensuring good viscosity effect produced in the gut for optimal cholesterol-lowering benefits.

Biogrow Oat BG22 oat bran powder is now available in strawberry and peach flavours for consumers to enjoy.

Consumers can enjoy exciting fruity flavours with a tint of sweetness from stevia extract, suitable for the whole family and even diabetics.

Two scoops (about 18g) of Oat BG22 oat bran powder daily provides more than 3g of oat beta-glucan, which is the amount recommended by the Health Ministry in helping reduce cholesterol naturally.

This article is brought to you by Legosan (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

n For more information, call 03-7956 2220 or e-mail info@biogrow.com.my

Obtain essential nutrients from

Marigold HL Low Fat Milk.

Walk the milky waySTROKE is a non-communicable disease that attacks millions of people worldwide every year.

The World Stroke Campaign aims to encourage people to understand stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high blood cholesterol.

The theme for this year’s World Stroke Day is I am a Woman, because women are:l More at risk of having a strokel More likely to die from a stroke than menl Less likely to receive acute care and rehabilitation than men, despite responding equally well to treatmentl More likely to experience a severe decline in cognitive function and run higher risk of post-stroke depressionl More likely to experience hypertension, atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), diabetes, depression and obesity, all of which increase the risk of stroke

This year’s World Stroke Day encourages women to make healthier lifestyle choices, learn about stroke prevention and perform health checks to avoid preventable stroke and cardiovascular diseases.

Healthier lifestyle choices

Most cardiovascular diseases and stroke can be prevented by

making healthy changes such as adopting healthy eating, an active lifestyle and smoking cessation.

Eating a healthy diet includes reducing high intakes of saturated and trans fat, sugar and salt and eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

Since it is highly unlikely that you would stop eating certain foods completely, it is important that you learn to reduce the portion of less healthy foods and increase the portion of healthy foods.

Include plenty of fruit and vegetables in your diet as they contain lots of fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

The wonders of milk

An easier way to obtain necessary

nutrients is to also include two glasses of Marigold HL Low Fat Milk with Plant Sterols into your daily healthy eating diet.

Marigold HL Low Fat Milk with Plant Sterols has been shown to lower blood cholesterol.

Plant sterols occur naturally in foods such as nuts, seeds,

legumes, fruits and vegetables and works by blocking cholesterol absorption by the

body. Marigold HL Low Fat

Milk is also low in fat. It contains only 1% fat, which is much lower compared to regular milk with 4% fat, keeping you healthy, slim and trim.

In addition, its high calcium content helps keep your bones strong and prevent osteoporosis while the high protein content helps build and repair muscles.

Marigold HL Low Fat Milk has low lactose content, which makes it suitable for people with lactose intolerance.

It is also fortified with nine essential vitamins

such as A, B1, B3, B6, B12, C, D, E and folic acid that meet most of the recommended daily allowance, providing more nutritional benefits than what ordinary milk can offer.

Two glasses of Marigold HL Low Fat Milk with Plant Sterols daily provides you with 1.6g of plant sterol esters.

Having this as well as a regular consumption of fruits and vegetables alongside exercise will help maintain your cholesterol levels at a healthy range.

Marigold HL Low Fat Milk is Malaysia’s No.1 pasteurised low fat milk, having recently received the prestigious Putra Brand Awards 2015 for The People’s Choice in the category of Beverage – Dairy.

Marigold HL Low Fat Milk with Plant Sterols is available in plain, chocolate and strawberry flavours.

n For more information, visit www.marigold.com.my

SUNDAY STAR, 25 OCTOBER 2015

world stroke day 7

Marigold HL Low Fat Milk with Plant Sterols provides 1.6g of plant sterols to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

8 world stroke daySUNDAY STAR, 25 OCTOBER 2015

Hearing wellOUR hearing facilitates the forming of relationships and opens up a wealth of sensory experiences. Without the ability to hear well, relationships break down as we cannot participate in normal conversations.

Hearing loss is often gradual and subtle, hence commonly ignored. Often, it can only be detected through hearing tests.

A person with hearing difficulty may:l Think that others seem to mumble

when speakingl Be told that the television is turned up too loudl Find group conversations difficult to followl Have to constantly ask others to repeat themselves

About 10% of the population are hearing impaired. Sensorineural damage (nerve deafness) is the most common form of hearing loss. However, hearing instruments can improve the hearing difficulty of about 95% of those who are hearing impaired.

There are many possible causes of hearing loss, including infections, chronic illnesses, injuries, genetic factors, medication, exposure to extreme noises and ageing.

The most common cause of temporary hearing loss among infants and young children is otitis media or ear infection.

On the other hand, presbyacusis is the

most prevalent high-frequency hearing loss that occurs with old age, leading to speech discrimination difficulty.

As early identification and intervention is crucial for language development, every child should have a hearing assessment as soon as possible after birth.

Every adult who is regularly exposed to high noise levels should also undergo a hearing test at least once a year.

Individuals who experience the slightest difficulty with hearing should undergo a hearing assessment so that early detection and intervention can be carried out.

NewSound Hearing recommends an annual hearing health check for anyone more than 50 years old and every two years for those under 50. It offers quality service and the latest range of hearing aids.

NewSound Hearing provides hearing screenings, full hearing health checks and sound advice to ensure that you are able to make the right decision for your hearing.

When you purchase a hearing aid from NewSound Hearing, you will receive lifetime aftercare service that ensures you get the best out of your hearing aids.

Changes in your hearing do not have to mean changes in your lifestyle.

n For more information, contact NewSound Hearing.

Keeping stroke awaySTROKE is the third largest cause of death in Malaysia and can affect anyone at any age. However, 80% of all stroke cases are preventable.

Stroke occurs when blood and oxygen supply to the body is disrupted due to clogged or burst blood vessels. When this happens, brain cells start to die, affecting one’s ability to speak, move or talk.

You can lower the risk of stroke by reducing its factors, including an unhealthy diet, inactive lifestyle, smoking and heavy drinking. Ensuring a healthy vascular (blood vessel) system and optimal blood and oxygen circulation also minimises the risk of stroke.

Health checks are a great way to understand your health as stroke and other health conditions may develop without symptoms. Owell offers a non-invasive three-step health check with quick and accurate results.

The health check detects:l Body oxygen level and pulse rate –

Oxygen is vital for the optimal functioning of body organs. A low body oxygen level will result in common health conditions such as poor immune system, migraine, lack of concentration, insomnia and poor memory.

l Vascular age – This check detects your vascular health, which affects the risk of developing stroke and cardiovascular diseases. High vascular age readings indicate high levels of fat deposit in the blood vessels, which restricts and blocks blood circulation, causing stroke and other health problems.

l Capillaries shape and blood circulation – Prolonged slow blood circulation increases risk of stroke and heart attack, decreases immunity and can cause muscle aches. Owell can check the shape of your blood capillaries and blood circulation speed without drawing blood.

Besides a healthy lifestyle and diet, active steps towards the prevention of stroke can be enhanced with the Owell BIO-Ge Titanium Health Accessories.

Available in necklace, bracelet and timepiece designs, the accessories are embedded with natural germanium (BIO-Ge) health minerals.

The BIO-Ge Titanium Health Accessories can boost blood circulation and increase body oxygen levels through the positive hole effect and far infrared rays.

Owell is offering the three-step health check for all visitors to its outlet at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur mall. In addition, Owell is giving away a BIO-Ge Titanium Health Pendant with purchase of any two BIO-Ge Titanium Health Accessories.

n For more information, visit Owell Bodycare’s outlet at Pavilion KL or call its

careline at 012-785 1368.

Health checks are made convenient with Owell health accessories.

Lee (left) and the Your Physio team helped An walk within a month after his stroke.

PHYSIOTHERAPY centre Your Physio comes with a personal touch – founders Joshua Tan and Lee Choon Yik met when Joshua was seeking effective rehabilitation treatment for persistent pain from his slipped disc injury.

He had previously undergone several types of treatments to little avail, but successfully alleviated the pain through therapy with physiotherapist Lee.

They then decided to form a partnership offering the expertise of physiotherapists such as Lee, which Joshua personally vouched for.

This personal touch is reflected in their ABC philosophy: added value, being excellent and customer-focused.

Patients are treated with individual care and informed of their prognosis after the first assessment.

“We are honest with patients about what we know we can achieve and do not promise full rehabilitation if we are not confident we can help them recover fully,” says Joshua.

He elaborates on this service guarantee, saying, “Our skilled physiotherapists apply the latest customer-focused treatment approaches, with individually designed treatment plans.”

The physiotherapists at Your Physio are Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia graduates who have undergone hospital-based practice and years of training with highly qualified experts in the field from around the world.

They practise the latest evidence-based techniques combined with acupuncture, combining scientific methods with traditional ones in a comprehensive two-pronged approach.

Lee says timeliness is essential in stroke physiotherapy, emphasising that patients must take action in the “golden period” after stroke to regain optimum mobility and function.

“The first three months after suffering a mild to moderate stroke is the crucial period for physiotherapy, especially if one hopes to restore walking ability,” he says.

Patients who miss this golden treatment period are more likely to develop more complications due to muscle atrophy, and this makes it harder to rehabilitate.

Second chanceThe team at Your Physio has

seen great recovery in patients who wasted no time in seeking

treatment after a stroke, such as 49-year-old An Wan Wah.

The former accountant suffered a stroke in June and had to undergo an operation to remove a swollen part of his brain.

“He was immobilised after the accident and doctors said lifelong paralysis was a possibility,” says An’s wife and caregiver Tan Lee Hsien.

He stayed in a nursing home after the operation, as his petite wife simply could not support him up and down the flight of stairs to their apartment. An could no longer communicate as usual at this point.

Acting on the recommendation of a doctor, Lee Hsien quickly sought treatment for her husband at Your Physio as she knew that he needed immediate attention if he were to walk again.

A month of daily intensive physiotherapy sessions later, An was able to walk with the assistance of a walking stick. During this crucial period, Your Physio staff made trips to his home as home treatment is part of their service to patients who are immobilised.

Today, An is back at home,

Hope for patients

Assisting a stroke survivor with rehabilitation is no easy feat; caregivers require mental and emotional support, too.

Your Physio recognises this need and therefore holds consultation sessions for caregivers every Saturday from 9am to 11am at its sole centre.

This session includes lessons on transfer techniques for patients as it is essential for caregivers to know the right methods of mobilisation assistance.

where he continues to recuperate with regular physiotherapy sessions at the Your Physio centre.

A common aimAn is one of the many stroke

survivors who has made strides in his recovery with the help of Your Physio therapists.

“Many patients who come to us are not clear on their prospects for recovery, which is largely influenced by individual circumstances,” says Lee.

“This is where we come in and advise them on the best treatment plan for significant improvement.”

Stroke patients commonly suffer from pain in the affected side, especially the shoulders.

According to Lee, the source of this pain has to be diagnosed accurately for significant improvement to be made – treating the affected area alone is not enough.

This combination of staff expertise and personalised care has proven fruitful for Your Physio.

Within its first month of operation, the centre had up to 15 patients daily, approximately 50% of whom were stroke survivors

Specialised treatmentYOUR Physio offers a range of physiotherapy services for management of various types of pain caused by: l Back injuries, including

spondylosis and problems with tendons, muscles and soft tissuesl Neck injuries, including

trauma, degenerative diseases and muscle strainl Shoulder injuries, including

frozen shoulder, dislocation and rotator cuff tendinopathyl Ankle injuries, including

ligament sprain, ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction and Achilles rupturel Muscle injuries, including

muscle sprain, soreness or weaknessl Knee injuries, including

ligament injuries, cartilage tears and patella dislocationl Neurological conditions,

including stroke, Parkinson’s disease and traumatic brain injury

Support for caregivers

who had suffered traumatic brain injury.

The physiotherapists also accommodate late evening and weekend appointments for those with busy schedules.

Besides effective treatment methods, the staff also believes in the importance of a warm, welcoming environment that is conducive to relaxation for both patients and their caregivers.

“The mental state of a patient plays a great role in their

rehabilitation process; they have to be continuously motivated and not give up during the sessions to make improvements,” says Joshua.

All these contribute in their own way towards the successful recovery of patients, which is the main aim of the committed staff at Your Physio – the physiotherapy centre with a personal touch.

n For more information, contact Your Physio.

Physiotherapists offer personalised care, even beyond regular office hours.

SUNDAY STAR, 25 OCTOBER 2015

world stroke day 9

Protect your health by

getting sufficient

sleep.

The Gintell DéVas HD massage chair.

10 world stroke daySUNDAY STAR, 25 OCTOBER 2015

Get good sleep IF you have trouble falling asleep or getting deep sleep, a natural sleep supplement such as Rilax Zzz can help regulate your sleep.

Rilax Zzz helps you experience a rejuvenating night’s sleep so that you wake up feeling recharged, renewed and re-energised.

The effectiveness of Rilax Zzz was confirmed in the results of a recent survey conducted by Rilax Zzz that involved 28 pharmacists and 80 consumers in Malaysia.

Among those surveyed, 9% experienced good-quality sleep on the first day, 46% within three days and 74% within seven days.

The top three benefits one can expect from Rilax Zzz are:l It helps you fall asleep easier and fasterl You will sleep right through the night or for longer and wake up less frequentlyl You will wake up feeling well-rested, refreshed and ready to face the day

Carole Chai, a business manager who takes Rilax Zzz, says, “I used to have problems sleeping until I was introduced to Rilax Zzz. It takes a short while for it to take effect and I can easily sleep through the night without waking up in the middle of the night. Thanks to Rilax Zzz, I can now wake up well-rested and full of energy.”

Classified as a food product by the Ministry of Health of Malaysia, Rilax Zzz contains two proven ingredients: l Lactium – A naturally

occurring peptide found in milk

protein that has relaxing and calming properties. l Green tea extract – Rich in

L-Theanine, this is an amino acid found naturally in green tea leaves. This caffeine-free extract in Rilax Zzz promotes a state of relaxation without drowsiness.

Taken an hour before bedtime, Rilax Zzz’s all-natural ingredients work synergistically to promote deeper, restful sleep by improving the quality and length of sleep.

Rilax Zzz is safe, non-habit forming and does not cause grogginess when you wake up.

It is suitable for those who experience difficulty sleeping due to stress, shift work, travel, jet lag, ageing or other factors.

Take one to two capsules of Rilax Zzz daily, one before sleep and/or one in the morning.

n For more information, call LiveLife’s infoline at 1800 880 488.

IN conjunction with World Stroke Day, Gintell encourages everyone, especially women, to lead a healthier lifestyle and get a health check to avoid preventable stroke and cardiovascular disease.

It is introducing the Wellness & Relaxation Package, which emphasises the importance of exercise and relaxation of mind to help prevent stroke and improve stroke recovery.

Redefining comfort and bringing massage to a whole new level, the Gintell DéVas HD massage chair is ergonomically designed for an unparalleled full body massage experience that relaxes your body

and mind.The HD massage technology is the

world’s first to provide a thorough massage that works along the spine and extends to the hips, buttocks and thighs.

Equipped with five exclusive humanised massage techniques, the massage chair does not merely alleviate tension, numbness and weakness in your body but effectively improves blood circulation and digestive health as well as encourages muscle recovery for complete restoration.

The Gintell DéVas HD massage chair boasts the impressive SV-Chiro Track, the third generation of technological innovation that

surpasses the first and second generations of straight and body contour tracks with less massage flexibility.

The intensive and humanised massage experience is enhanced with Yo-Yo Knuckle Rollers that consist of flexible dual-roller mechanism, giving a realistic massage therapy.

When it comes to massage precision, the specialised feature of Foot Guasa that resembles human-like massage will soothe your tired feet after a long day, while Yoga Stretch relieves stress and boosts energy.

The advanced forward-sliding technology of the Zero Gap Recliner

Calm mind, fit body

offers full declination for absolute comfort while enabling space-saving optimisation.

Besides relaxing, walking is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to maintain a healthy body.

Walking on a treadmill is a good way to begin a new exercise routine at home as the activity is well tolerated by most individuals regardless of fitness level.

As strength and endurance are developed, you can progress to using the treadmill for jogging and/or interval training.

All aspects of the workout can be controlled by the user: speed, incline, warm-up period, cool-down period and energy spent.

Exercise helps you burn calories and manage your weight. It also improves your cardiovascular system by strengthening your heart and helping to prevent plaque from building up in your arteries.

Anyone with heart issues should talk to their doctor before starting any exercise programme.

In conjunction with World Stroke Day 2015, Gintell invites you and your family to join the upcoming roadshow to enjoy the discount promotion and packages on offer.

n For more information, call 1800 886 332 or 03-6277 9333.

SUNDAY STAR, 25 OCTOBER 2015

world stroke day 11

Getting enough physical activity

daily can reduce the risk of stroke.

At the heart of strokeA STROKE happens when the blood flow of arteries leading to and within the brain is affected by a blood vessel rupture or clot.

These vessels carry oxygen and nutrients to the brain, so when their function is affected, part of the brain is not able to obtain the blood and oxygen it needs.

Therefore, brain cells in the affected area die and the abilities controlled by that area of the brain such as speech, movement and memory are lost.

Thus, the way stroke affects an individual depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much damage it has done. Depending on the damage, stroke can cause several degrees of disability or even death.

Despite knowing the source, the cause of stroke is not properly pinpointed in many cases.

However, it has been estimated that one in four stroke survivors will likely experience another stroke, so identifying the cause will help doctors of stroke patients to treat the underlying cause and minimise the chance of recurrence.

Discussions with the doctor may be followed up with diagnostic and blood testing as well as lifestyle changes.

Minimising riskIt is critical that stroke patients

follow their doctors’ medical

advice and stay on course with medication.

If they have received a heart monitoring device, they have

to follow the prescribed heart monitoring regimens.

Individuals can manage the risk factors for stroke with these seven

tips, known as Life’s Simple 7:l Manage blood pressure –

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for both heart disease and stroke. When your blood pressure stays within the healthy range, you reduce the strain on your heart, arteries and kidneys, which helps you stay healthy overall.

Blood pressure can be managed with prescribed medication and appropriate sodium intake.

l Control cholesterol – High cholesterol contributes to the development of fatty plaque, which can clog arteries and lead to heart disease and stroke.

When you control your cholesterol, you are reducing the likelihood of plaque and blockages occurring.

l Reduce blood sugar – Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, or blood sugar, that is converted into energy to fuel our bodies.

High levels of blood sugar can damage the heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves. Healthy eating is vital in managing blood sugar levels.

l Get active – Living an active

life is one of the most rewarding gifts you can give yourself and those you love. Daily physical activity increases the length and quality of life.

Active movement for 30 minutes daily is ideal, but if you are having trouble finding enough time, try splitting the time into three 10-minute or two 15-minute sessions.

l Eat better – A healthy diet is crucial in fighting cardiovascular disease. When you include more heart-healthy meals and snacks in your diet, you improve your chances of feeling good and staying healthy for life.

l Lose weight – Shedding extra fat and unnecessary pounds reduces the burden on the heart, lungs, blood vessels and skeleton.

Losing weight in a healthy way – focusing on exercise and a balanced diet – can also lower your blood pressure and make you feel better overall.

l Stop smoking – Cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do for your health.

12 world stroke daySUNDAY STAR, 25 OCTOBER 2015

Adjustable FlexSelect cushioning.

The treadmill can be folded for convenient cleaning and storage.

The NordicTrack T13 treadmill.

Exercise made convenient DO you know that stroke is the third largest cause of death in Malaysia with an estimate of 40,000 cases yearly (source: www.nasam.org)?

Risks of getting stroke can be reduced by adopting a healthy lifestyle such as through limiting alcohol consumption, adopting a healthy diet, smoking cessation and leading a physically active life.

Exercising helps to lower blood pressure, control weight, create a healthy balance of blood fats and improve your body’s ability to handle insulin. Aim to do moderate-intensity exercises for 30 minutes for at least five days of the week.

Brisk walking is the easiest form of exercising suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. The good news is that you can do it any time and at home on the treadmill.

The NordicTrack T13 treadmill is equipped with impressive features designed to make your walking or jogging more enjoyable at the convenience of your own home.

This treadmill features a smooth and powerful 2.75 CHP DurX Commercial Plus Motor, 20-inch x 60-inch tread belt plus, a six-inch backlit display for you to track total calories burned and your workout

progress, an iPod-compatible music port and the AutoBreeze workout fan that automatically adjusts its speed to match your workout speed.

Other features include:l 32 workout appsGet the training you want with

built-in workouts designed by a certified personal trainer that target calorie-burning, incline, speed or intensity goals.l 1Touch speed and incline

controlsTake your speed up to 20kph and

incline up to 12% with the touch of a button to increase intensity and calorie burn. You can choose to stay focused on your current mode or easily scroll through various settings.l FlexSelect cushioningThe adjustable treadmill

cushioning offers two different modes – superior impact reduction and joint comfort as well as a surface that likens to running on road.l Convenient usageFold the treadmill up

and out of the way for convenient cleaning and storage.

A hydraulic dampening spring does the heavy lifting for

you, making it easy to fold the treadmill and save precious floor space.

The NordicTrack T13 treadmill is now available exclusively at all Fitness Concept outlets nationwide.

Fitness Concept is Malaysia’s Largest Fitness Specialist Chain as certified by The Malaysia Book of Records with 45 outlets in leading shopping malls nationwide.

Fitness Concept is running anniversary promotions with exciting deals on treadmills, crosstrainers, exercise bikes, gym stations and fitness accessories as well as other great offers.

Customers can enjoy up to seven years warranty on the NordicTrack T13 with stabiliser during this promotion, terms and conditions apply.

For exclusive deals, drop by Fitness Concept roadshows held till Nov 8 at Subang Parade, Setapak Central and East Coast Mall (Kuantan).

n For more information,call 03-8026 2222/ 03-8026 2300 or e-mail enquiries@fitnessconcept.com.my or visit www.fitnessconcept.com.my