CHIKUNGUNYA

FAKTA-FAKTA MENGENAI PENYAKIT CHIKUNGUNYA

1. Apa itu Penyakit Chikungunya?

Chikungunya adalah sejenis penyakit bawaan nyamuk. Chikungunya pertama kali dikesan melalui ujian darah di Tanzania pada tahun 1953. Semenjak itu ia berlaku di negara-negara Afrika, Asia dan akhir-akhir ini ia berlaku di beberapa buah tempat di Negara Eropah. Ia endemik (selalu berlaku) di kebanyakan negara Sub Sahara Afrika, India, Asia Tenggara, Indonesia dan Filipina. Ia bukanlah satu penyakit misteri yang tidak diketahui puncanya.

2. Bagaimana penyakit ini boleh berlaku?

Chikungunya adalah demam yang disebabkan oleh virus daripada genus Alphavirus di dalam keluarga Togaviridae.

3. Adakah ia berjangkit?

Ya. Virus Chikungunya berjangkit melalui gigitan nyamuk Aedes albopictus atau Aedes aegypti yang membawa virus tersebut. Nyamuk Aedes juga menyebarkan virus penyakit demam denggi.

4. Apakah masa pengeraman bagi Chikungunya?

Masa pengeraman bagi Chikungunya boleh menjangkau dari 3 hingga 12 hari tetapi pada kebiasaannya di antara dari 3 hingga 7 hari.

5. Apakah tanda-tanda dan gejala penyakit ini?

• Demam panas mengejut
• Sakit teruk pada sendi
• Ruam pada badan
• Sakit kepala

Seorang pesakit boleh demam dari dari 1 hingga 7 hari (kebiasaannya 5 hari).
Penyakit Chikungunya boleh disalah anggap sebagai demam denggi kerana tanda-tanda penyakit yang menyerupai demam denggi.

6. Adakah penyakit ini boleh membawa maut?

Di Malaysia, Chikungunya tidak pernah dilaporkan boleh menyebabkan pendarahan atau kematian. Tetapi, sesetengah pesakit mengalami gejala yang berpanjangan.
Pesakit yang berumur boleh mengalami kesakitan berulang pada sendi sehingga beberapa bulan atau tahun.

7. Apakah rawatan bagi penyakit ini?

Seperti penyakit-penyakit yang disebabkan oleh virus, ia tiada rawatan yang khusus. Selalunya rawatan diberi berdasarkan gejala klinikal yang dialami oleh seseorang pesakit.
Kebanyakan kes yang terjadi hanya memerlukan rawatan pesakit luar sahaja.
Tiada vaksin bagi penyakit ini.

8. Apakah yang perlu dilakukan jika dijangkiti penyakit?

Jika mengalami tanda-tanda dan gejala penyakit Chikungunya, orang ramai adalah dinasihatkan segera mendapatkan rawatan di klinik atau hospital terdekat.

9. Cara pencegahan penyakit Chikungunya

• Bersihkan kawasan rumah dan persekitaran supaya bebas daripada tempat-tempat pembiakan nyamuk Aedes. Ini boleh dilakukan melalui aktiviti gotong royong. Adalah terbukti tiada kes baru yang dilaporkan di kawasan-kawasan yang melakukan gotong- royong.
• Periksa rumah dan persekitaran sekurang-kurangnya seminggu sekali untuk memastikan tiada pembiakan nyamuk Aedes.
• Dapatkan rawatan dengan segera di klinik atau hospital berdekatan sekiranya mengalami tanda dan gejala penyakit.

10. Bolehkah kawasan saya dijangkiti penyakit Chikungunya?

Boleh, kerana penyakit ini dibawa oleh nyamuk Aedes albopictus dan Aedes aegypti yang terdapat di negara kita.

Fisioterapi bantu pesakit kembali Normal

Pesakit strok,mangsa kemalangan dan mereka yang megalami kecacatan sejak lahir adalah antara insan yang memerlukan bantuan fisioterapi untuk meningkatkan kualiti dan kembali normal.Ini kerana menerusi perkhidmatan fisioterapi,pesakit didedahkan cara memulihkan pergerakan seperti senaman cara yang betul,urutan dan sebagainya.

Bagaimanapun ,kekurangan ahli terlatih atau pakar dalam bidang fisioterapi menyebabkan tidak ramai pesakit di Malaysia bernasib baik untuk mendapatkan rawatan kecacatan pergerakan disebabkan oleh penuaan,penyakit dan kecederaan pada bahagian sendi dan otot.

Bidang ini mungkin tidaklah popular berbanding perubatan dan pergigian,tetapi tahukah anda graduan lulusan dari bidang ini mendapat anjaran lumayan.Kepentingan bidang ini tidak jauh bezanya dengan dunia perubatan atau pergigian kerana sebahagian daripada tugas pakar dalam sains kesihatan membantu doktor dan pemangkin dalam peningkatan kualiti hidup manusia.

Minat yang mendalam untuk membantu orang lain kembali normal adalah salah satu syarat yang diperlukan sebelum menceburi bidang ini.Kepuasan dalam bidang ini pasti terserlah apabila pesakit yang dibantu pulih dan menjalani kehidupan normal semula.

Dewasa ini banyak kolej dan institusi pengajian tinggi yang menawarkan kursus dalam bidang ini dari peringkat sijil hinggalah ijazah pertama.Sehubungan itu,bagi yang berminat rajin-rajinlah membuka akhbar untuk melihat iklan yang ditawarkan. Antara yang ditawarkan ialah Diploma Teknolohi Makmal Perubatan,Diploma Fisioterapi dan Diploma Terapi Carakerja.

Objektif kursus adalah untuk melahirkan lebih ramai ahli fisioterapi terlatih yang mempunyai ilmu dan pengalaman klinikal dalam bidang berkenaan.Mereka boleh menceburi kerjaya dalam sektor awam dan swasta termasuk hospital kerajaan,hospital pakar,pusat jagaan, klinik sukan, pusat pemulihan,pusat psikiatri dan institusi penyelidikan dan membuka firma sendiri.

Bidang ini bukan sahaja menjaminkan kerjaya yang mantap tetapi juga mempunyai nilai murni kerana dapat membantu insan lain meneruskan kehidupan mereka dengan lebih baik.Dan pastinya ini adalah kepuasan yang tiada tandingnya.

Natural Healer

How Dr Wu rid himself of cancer with a vegetarian diet
By: ANJIRA ASSAVANONDA
Published: 7/05/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: Mylife

At the age of 30, Chinese doctor Tom Wu was diagnosed with advanced stages of lung cancer, and was told he had only a few months to live.

However, Dr Wu, who recently spoke with Mylife, has already reached 70 years old, and to our surprise, he still looks like a young and healthy man in his 50s.

Not only has he survived, but the doctor has maintained a healthy life. The cancer is all gone, and he said he's never caught a cold or other illness for 40 years. He has stopped going for blood tests.

"My body and feelings tell me I'm well, that I'm truly in good health," says Dr Wu.

His secret lies in the power of natural healing. Dr Wu always says that no wonder drug can cure diseases. But our own internal healing power, our immune system, can. And what can strengthen our immune system are simple foods from Mother Nature, and a healthy lifestyle. In his view, diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease can be overcome by changing the diet.

Dr Wu says people get sick because they eat the wrong foods. Fried food, for example, causes blockage in the arteries, bad circulation, cholesterol, and heart disease.

"Instead of taking a cholesterol lowering drug, I would urge them to stop eating greasy food. My suggestion is to eat clean food, which is high in phytochemicals," he says.

Phytochemicals are natural cleansing agents that will help rid plaque from your arteries. They come from natural foods such as vegetables, fruits with their seeds, and common garden herbs. Phytochemicals will nourish the body's cells so they can fight against any foreign substances that invade your body.

Dr Wu's outstanding contributions to the development of natural medicine earned him the "World Famous Doctor Award" from the UN in 2001, and the "Best Wellness Doctor of the World" award from India's World Wellness Open University in March.

The secrets of how he won the fight against lung cancer and maintains a healthy body are revealed in his first book, Dr Wu's Principle of Natural Cures, which has recently been translated from its original Chinese version into a Thai edition, Thammachart Chuay Chewit, published by Nanmeebooks Publications. It was launched in Thailand in March.

Dr Wu says what's written in the book is unique and easy to understand because "the author is both the doctor and the patient himself". All the ideas and guidelines suggested in the book come from his own experience as well as what he has learned from his patients.

Dr Wu turns to natural medicine.

Dr Wu had first studied Western medicine in France, and then furthered his education in alternative therapy, earning a doctorate degree.

The turning point arrived when he was diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of 30. Modern medicine gave him no hope; it was too late to remove the damaged parts of the lung. The cancer had already spread to other organs, and the doctor told him he had only a few months left.

In his despair, Dr Wu picked up the Bible and prayed to God. Then the Bible fell to the floor, and he read the page it opened to carefully. The chapter talked about the days God created the Earth and everything needed for human beings. Then he created Adam and Eve, and told both of them that plants, vegetables and seeded fruits growing on Earth have been provided for them to eat.

"I thought about what I had eaten in the past - meat, fish, fried and grilled food, sweet cake, but God simply wanted us to eat vegetables and sour fruits. I was confused and doubted whether I would become weak if I ate too many vegetables and less meat," says Dr Wu.

Yet he decided to follow the Bible's guidance. He ate a lot of vegetables and fruits, drank clean water, and completely adjusted his lifestyle - his sleeping, breathing and exercise habits.

Nine months later, he went for a check-up, and surprisingly no cancer cells were detected.

He advised people in his family and in the neighbourhood about his discovery, and studied natural medicine until he received a doctorate degree in naturopathy and nutrition from the US.

Dr Wu has been a frequent speaker at worldwide forums, spreading his knowledge on natural cures and the use of organic food.
He advises people to use the most simple foods in the most natural way in order to fight illnesses and maintain good health.


Dr Wu's secrets to good health
Published: 7/05/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: Mylife


The human body has the power to heal itself. The immune system has a self-defence mechanism to block and destroy bacteria or viruses that invade our bodies, while the self-healing mechanism will get us back on the road to recovery. When you have a cold and take medicine, the medication may kill the virus but your immune system will not fully function, and its efficiency will decrease. As a result, your body will be more vulnerable to germs.

Dr Wu's principle is to strengthen the immune system, and avoid medication as much as possible. In his book, he offers the following guidelines to good health:

1. Have at least three bowel movements a day.

Other health experts may advise one bowel movement a day, but Dr Wu says that's not enough. You need three to four bowel movements a day in order to excrete all the accumulated faeces from your intestine. Your liver will not be overburdened and it also helps reduce cholesterol in your body.

2. Drink at least three glasses of fruit or vegetable smoothies each day.

This is a way to ingest enough phytochemicals to strengthen the body's cells and immune system. Use not only the flesh, but also the skin and seeds of fruits and vegetables to make smoothies, as they are rich in phytochemicals.

Most of the fruit seeds have small amounts of cyanide which kill bacteria and viruses without damaging the body.

Actually the recommended smoothie diet is six glasses a day, two in the morning, one before lunch, two more in the afternoon, and one more before dinner. However, if that's too much, you may start with three glasses a day. Use a high powered blender (at least three horsepower) as it can release phytochemicals from the fibre. It's best to choose sour fruits like green or red apples, grapes, pineapples, kiwi and lime.

3. Sunbathe 30 minutes daily.

We often hear that the Sun's UV rays will damage our skin, and many people apply sunblock before going out.

But Dr Wu says the opposite. He says the UV rays will help convert cholesterol underneath the skin into vitamin A which helps moisten the skin and prevent skin cancer, and also vitamin D that helps prevent colds, osteoporosis, and certain kinds of cancer.

"Therefore, use the Sun. Expose yourself to sunlight about one-half hour a day, at noon or another appropriate time based on your local climate.
The Sun will make you healthier," says Dr Wu.

4. Exercise 30 minutes a day.

Don't exercise for more than 30 minutes. If you go beyond that, your body will be overworked.

"If you do it more than half an hour, that will become labour, not exercise. Your heart and your body will be working too hard," he says.

5. Shower with hot, then cold water.

Try an alternating cold and hot water shower: Three minutes of hot water followed by 30 seconds of cold water, then repeat twice more.

This process will bring a rush of blood and energy to your body. It helps increase your immune system, blood circulation, and metabolism.

6. Drink a lot of water, in the correct way.

How much water you need to drink each day depends on your specific situation. If your office is air-conditioned, drinking six glasses of water a day is enough. If your work involves lots of walking, you have to drink 8-10 glasses a day. If you work under the hot sun, then 10-12 glasses of water are required.

The way you drink is also important. The correct way is to sip it little by little, to give your body cells time to absorb the water. If you drink the whole glass down at once, your cells can't absorb it all, and the water will be excreted as urine.

7. Eat according to your blood type.

Your blood type determines what you should eat. Eating the wrong foods will make you sick.

People with blood type O have to eat a certain amount of meat. If they eat only vegetables for a long time, their body won't absorb all the substances they need to strengthen their immune system. The recommended diet for this group is 75% vegetables, 10% fruits, 10% meat, seafood and goat's milk (avoid cow's milk), and 5% grains.

People with blood type A, however should avoid milk and meat, while increasing grains and fruits. People with blood type B should also avoid meat, while those with blood type AB should avoid chicken and beef.

8. Eat according to your biological clock.

Every human being has a biological clock that tells us when to eat, sleep, and wake up. If you don't follow your biological clock, the organs will lose their balance. Toxins and wastes won't be excreted from your body, and soon you'll get sick.

According to Dr Wu, the biological clock is divided into three phases.

From 4am to noon is the time for bowel movements, so in the morning you should eat foods with lots of fibre. Fruit and vegetable smoothies are recommended.

From noon to 8pm, your body will absorb food so lunch is the most important meal. A vegetable salad with grains is recommended. Fish or boiled eggs can be added to your lunch. Avoid meat at dinner as the amino acids in the meat will disturb your sleep. Try to finish dinner by 6pm.

From 8pm to 4am, the nutrients and energy from food will be distributed throughout your body organs. The golden time for your sleep is between 10pm and 2am, as your immune and self-healing system will function at its best.




Aspire to inspire before you expire!

Cholestrol:Myth vs Reality

Myth:Cholestrol is inherently bad.
Reality: All mammals need cholestrol to survive.

Myth:High cholestrol is dangerous.
Reality: High cholestrol is not a problem by itself. But an unfavorable ratio of "good" to "bad" cholestrol,along with factors such as your weight,the amount of exercise you get, and your family health history could be trouble.

Myth:Peolple who have hearts attacks have high cholestrol.
Reality:Although high cholestrol is a significant risk factor in heart disease,some people develop hearts disease and have heart attacks even though their chlestrol levels are normal or even low.

Myth: You must cut out cholestrol-containing foods if you are to lower your blood cholestrol levels.
Reality: Cholestrol in the blood comes from you diet but also from the cholestrol your liver makes. In fact, you liver makes far more cholestrol than you eat. So cutting back the dietary cholestrol may have little effect.

Myth: I should avoid eggs to maintain a healthy cholestrol level.
Reality: Several published studies show that an egg and two a day has little effect on people with normal cholestrol levels.

Myth: If I follow a low-fat diet and exercise a lot,my cholestrol levels will go down.
Reality: Some people's genetic make-ups mean that lifestyle changes alone-no matter how rigorously they followed -won't be enough to bring cholestrol levels into save zone.These people will require medication in addition to lifestyle changes.

Myth: Young people don't have high cholestrol.
Reality: Everyone from age 20 up should have their cholestrol measured.Studies have shown that plaque can build up in the arteries that supplies blood to the heart as early as the late teens.

Malaysia confirms 2nd swine flu-related death

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Malaysia's health ministry has confirmed the country's second swine flu-related death.

The ministry says the a 46-year-old Malaysian man was working in Belgium but came back for a vacation with his family earlier this month. He died of pneumonia and respiratory failure Sunday after being hospitalized for a week.

The ministry said in a statement Monday that the man tested positive for the H1N1 virus.

Malaysia has reported 1,124 swine flu cases since the outbreak began in this country in May.

Pendermaan Organ menyelamatkan NYAWA

"Isu ini bukan isu perdagangan. Kita tidak memperdagangkan organ. Ia adalah usaha untuk meyelamatkan nyawa. Jika setiap warga adalah pengikrar,banyak nyawa yang boleh diselamatkan"

-Dr Lela Yasmin(Ketua Koordinator Pusat Sumber Transplan Nasional)

Q & A Mengenai Pendermaan Organ

Apakah itu pendermaan organ?

Merupakan proses mendermakan bahagian tubuh badan seseorang untuk tujuan pemindahan organ (transplantasi)

Apakah itu pendermaan organ (transplantasi)?

Merupakan satu pembedahan yang melibatkan pertukaran organ atau tisu daripada penderma yang meninggal dunia kepada penerima yang memerlukan.Pemindahan organ ini boleh menyelamatkan nyawa penerima organ atau tisu dan mereka akan mendapat menjalani kehidupan yang lebih sihat.

Bilakah organ atau tisu si penderma diperolehi?

Proses perolehan organ dan tisu akan diperolehi daripada tubuh seseorang penderma hanya akan dilakukan apabila kematiannnya disahkan oleh dua orang pakar/doktor yang bertauliah.Doktor-doktor yang terlibat dengan pengesanan kematian seseorang penderma itu adalah bebas dan tiada kaitan dengan pemindahan organ dan tisu.

Adakah rawatan akan diabaikan jika diketahui anda adalah seorang pengikrar penderma organ?

Tidak! Pengikrar penderma organ akan dirawat sebaik mungkin sebagaimana pesakit-pesakit lain.

Apakah organ dan tisu yang boleh didermakan di Malaysia?

Organ

• Jantung
• Paru-paru
• Hati
• Pankreas

Tisu

• Injap jantung
• Tulang
• Kulit
• Mata

Adakah terdapat bantahan dari sudut agama?

Agama Islam mengharuskan pendermaan organ selepas meninggal dunia.Agama-agama lain didunia-Buddha,Hindu,Kristian dan Sikh menyokong pendermaan organ selepas meninggal dunia.

Bagaimana untuk menjadi seorang penderma organ?

Anda perlu mengisi borang pendaftaran pengikrar penderma organ dan kad pengikrar penderma organ.Borang yang dihantar kepada Pusat Sumber Transplan Nasional sementara Kad Pengikrar hendaklah disimpan dan dibawa bersama anda pada setiap masa.

Tip legakan kesakitan

Urutan adalah cara yang paling baik melegakan sakit tengkuk dan bahu.Seeloknya pergi berurut apabila lenguh dan jangan tunggu sampai sakit.

Alihkan kedudukan atau terbalikkan tilam sebulan sekali bagi mengelakkan sakit badan sakit-sakit disebabkan spring tilam yang tertonjol.

Untuk mengelakkan lenguh yang berpanjangan, gulungkan tuala membulat mengikut kepanjangan bantal.Masukkan ke dalam sarungnya supaya ia dapat menyokong tengkuk anda semasa tidur.

Tekapkan beg ais atau beg air panas pada bahagian yang lenguh selama 15 hingga 20 minit.Ia mampu memberi kelegaan kepada anda.

Jangan abaikan simptom lenguh

SELAIN bahu beku, sindrom bahu lenguh merupakan keadaan yang sering dialami oleh semua orang terutama individu yang bekerja di pejabat atau kilang.

"Ramai menganggap bahu lenguh seperti perkara biasa namun apabila ia dibiarkan tanpa sebarang terapi dan rawatan, ia mampu memberi kesan sakit yang membebankan," kata Siti Farah Aini Jamaludin.

Sindrom yang membabitkan tengkuk dan bahu ini mampu merebak ke dada bagi lelaki manakala golongan perempuan akan terasa ngilu di bahagian atas payu dara.

"Berdiri atau menghadap komputer dengan postur yang salah selama beberapa jam akan memberi tekanan kepada otot.

"Sebab itu, berehat selama lima minit pada setiap setengah jam mampu memberikan rehat kepada otot dan sendi.

"Walaupun begitu ramai orang tidak mengetahuinya. Selalunya, pesakit akan memberitahu doktor yang dia sakit tulang belikat atau sakit urat sedangkan ia sebenarnya merujuk pada sindrom bahu lenguh," katanya.

Menurut Siti Farah, lenguh bahu dan tengkuk akan berulang walaupun pesakit menjalani terapi atau pembedahan.

"Dengan lapan hingga 10 sesi rawatan terapi, lenguh tengkuk dan bahu boleh dipulihkan dengan syarat pesakit rajin bersenam dan mengelak daripada menggunakan bahagian tubuh pada postur yang salah," katanya.

Sindrom ini lebih berisiko pada perempuan kerana kebanyakan wanita tidak duduk dengan posisi yang betul.

Selain wanita, golongan yang berisiko diserang sindrom tengkuk dan bahu lenguh adalah mereka yang banyak menggunakan pergerakan tangan seperti atlet dan mereka yang suka tidur mengiring.

Sumber:Kosmo Ahad,26/07/2009

Longevity Secret

Explorer and longevity researcher Dan Buettner studied the places where people live the longest

• Sardinia
• Italy
• Okinawa,Japan
• Nicoya,Costa Rica
• Loma Linda,California

According to his book "The Blue Zone" shares the tips from thelong-lived residents. "There's no supplement that can reverse aging" he says.But avoiding processed foods,making famili a priority,cutting calories by 20 percent and getting on scale daily may slow it down.Also vital: reducing stress. Here's how:

1. Meditate:Sit in quiet spacce and focus on the skin below your nose and above your lip.Feel the sensation of your breathing.Aim for 15 minute a day,building up to an hour.
2. Get Personal: Write a personal mission statement.It helps you develop your purpose in life, a factor that contributes to longevity
3. Do Yoga: "Its an ideal exercise as you get older,when joint health is especially important",Buettner says.

Derma Organ:Perspektif Islam II

Islam tidak pernah menghalang sebarangan perkembangan kemajuan dam perubatan malah ianya sebuah kerja murni serta bersifat sarwajagat.Kemajuan yang memberi sumbangan dan manfaat kepada umat manusia adalah amat digalakkan.Perkara ini termasuk dalam proses pendermaan organ.Dalam menjalani proses perlu mengikut tata etika dan syiar Islam.

Proses Pendermaan Organ dilakukan dengan penuh hormat:-

• Menghormati hak jenazah- Pembedahan pengambilan organ adalah satu proses yang sama seperti mana ketika membedah pesakit yang masih hidup yakni dengan hati-hati dan teliti.
• Menghormati hak waris- Keizinan dan persetujuan daripada waris perlu diperolehi sebelum sebarang proses pengambilan organ dijalankan.Waris hendaklah dimaklumkan secara terperinci tentang keadaaan sebenar penderma.Sebarang keputusan daripada waris henddaklah dihormati.

Dengan keadaan atau syarat-syarat demikian tiada lagi timbul persoalan manusia dibangkitkan kembali dalam keadaan tidak sempurna selepas menderma organ.Sesungguhnya Allah itu berkuasa atas segalanya.

Dari Jabir r.a bahawa Nabi SAW bersabda

"Sesiapa yang mati pada masa ia taatkan Allah,beramal soleh,maka ia dibangkitkan Allah dalam keadaan yang menyukakan;dan siapa yang mati pada masa ia dalam keadaan derhaka kepada Allah,berbuat jahat, maka ia dihidupkan kembali dengan keadaan yang mendukacitakan"

(Riwayat Muslim & Ibnu Majah)

Oleh itu dengan segala ganjaran yang dijanjikan Allah bagi umat yang suka berbuat kebaikkan dn taat dengan perintahnya,maka pendermaan organ hendaklah dimanfaatkan dan didermakan untuk sesiapa sahaja yang memerluakan tanpa mengira bangsa,pangkat dan kedudukan.

Dalam amalan di Malaysia penderma tidak boleh menetapka kepada siapa yang bakal mendapat organ yang telah didermakan.Juga dalam konteks Malaysia,orang yang bukan beragama Islam dikategorikan sebagai Thimmi,yakni mereka yang telah memberikan taat setia kepada negara, dan wajib dilindungi, dibantu dan diselamatkan apabila berada dalam kesusahan dan penderitaan termasuklah menyelamatkan nyawa menerusi pendermaan organ.