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Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts

Wednesday 10 April 2024

Best Aircon Temperature For Night Sleeping (Updated)

Best Aircon Temperature

In Singapore, the temperature always remains high; humidity never allows you to feel comfortable. In fact, many times, you can’t even sleep properly unless you have an Aircon in your home that can maintain the temperature for you. But if you want to get better sleep at night, you need to get an Aircon temperature at an optimum level.

That also means you need to find the best Aircon temperature for night sleeping. Experts recommend that 25 degrees is the best Aircon temperature for night sleeping and suggest you set your Aircon as well on this temperature.

Sure, you may ask what is so special about 25 degrees centigrade and why this is the best Aircon temperature for night sleeping. If you have these questions, then here is an answer for you.

25 degree temperature at night
25 degree temperature at night

Experts researched and found that if you set Aircon temperature between 23 to 24 degrees C and keep the air humidity level at 60 percent or close to that, it will give you a very comfortable environment. At this temperature, your body’s internals neither feels very cold nor does it feel hot.

That means you will have the utmost comfort and help you get a comfortable sleep without any issue. If you keep the temperature lower than this, you would feel cold, and coldness can induce your urination. That means you would have to go to the bathroom again and again for urination, and that would disturb your sleep.

But if you will set your Aircon temperature at 25 degrees C, you would not feel either much cold, or you would have for the urination in a quick time. Other than this, if you get comfortable to sleep, you don’t wake up again and again at night, then you would have a more refreshed condition in the morning, and you would be able to have the much better working capability well in in the next day work. 

Save electricity

Save electricity on aircon
Save electricity on aircon

Aircon consume a lot of electricity, and if you can set the Aircon temperature at 25 degrees C, you can save at least 20% money as well in the cooling. Energy experts already proved this fact that if you increase the temperature of AC only by 2 degrees, then it can slash up to 30% electricity bill.

That means reducing the Aircon temperature further than 25 degrees C will not only affect your sleep, but it will affect your pocket as well. So, if you want to have a perfect sleep and don’t want to have a hole in your pocket because of your comfortable sleep, keeping this temperature would be a good idea for you.

In this way, you would not only save money for yourself, but you would save nature as well. That makes it one more reason to set the Aircon temperature at 25 degrees C during your sleep instead of choosing any lower temperature compare to this one.

Lesser load on your aircon

When you run your Aircon at lower temperatures, it will have to work harder to reach that temperature. Most of the Aircon does not take many loads to reach the given temperature, but going any further low than this causes extra load on the Aircon.

Sometimes, the Aircon temperature may not reach there at all, and if it reaches there, it needs to struggle very hard to maintain that temperature. If you set a lower cut off temperature, then your Aircon compressor will keep flipping in on and off situation.

On the other hand, if you set a slightly higher temperature for the Aircon, you would have fewer worries about the cut-off. It will cut off in a good interval, and it will not create any problem for you either.

You don’t have to deal with the cut off the sound and the frequency interval that you may need to face; you set the aircon temperature at a very lower rate. 

Save money on aircon
Save money on aircon

It will save you money

If you are consuming less electricity during your sleep, then you automatically save money. That is no brainer, and I should not talk about that with you in any manner. But that is not the only way of saving money by setting your

Aircon temperature at a slightly higher position. When you set the temperature at a higher setting, it gets a lesser load the Aircon system problems to your Aircon. You ignore to consider that while using the Aircon, but if you checked it carefully, you would realize how much money you can save just by increasing the Aircon temperature during your sleep.

If we talk about the reasons or benefits that can encourage you to choose this temperature during your sleep instead of choosing a lower one.

Here, some people can also claim that increasing Aircon temperature can affect their sleep as they are habitual to that particular lower temperature. Ideally, it should not make any difference to you in anyways. However, you may have a mental blockage that may restrict you from sleeping properly with a sudden increase in temperature.

If that is the case, then I would suggest you increase the temperature gradually. For example, if you sleep at 18 degrees C temperature, you should not instantly set it to 25. Instead of that, you should first make it 19 degrees for a couple of days.

After that, you can make it 20, then 23, and then 25. If you did that gradually, you would not face any trouble sleeping, and you would be able to get over your mental blockage. 

If we talk about the perfect Aircon temperature to sleep at night, then 25 degrees C is the only suggestion you would get from experts. Some people can also increase this number by one degree, and some can reduce it by one degree. They may have this opinion based on their experience, but this is certain they would remain close to that number, which explains my point as well for the same.


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Wednesday 3 April 2024

Caution – extreme weather ahead (Poll Inside), Uptick in heat stroke, UV and other weather dangers

CLICK TO ENLARGECLICK TO ENLARGE

Throwing ‘shade’ on UV levels

 Authorities on standby, public urged to stay alert as inter-monsoon period begins

PETALING JAYA: As Malaysia enters the inter-monsoon period, authorities have advised the public to take the necessary precautions to stay safe.

Amid occurrences of heavy rain and strong winds, Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said the public has to be fully alert to changes in the weather.

“Avoid being near water bodies for the time being,” he said, adding that the inter-monsoon period could cause water surges.

ALSO READ: From heatwave to wet days – but El Nino effects to stay longer

“The strong winds and rainfall from the inter-monsoon can also cause tree branches to break; hence, the public should avoid being in areas or park their vehicles where there are trees with high-canopy loads, such as raintrees,” he said when contacted.

Nor Hisham added that instructions have been issued for his department’s officers to patrol recreational areas, especially those near water bodies.

On preparations for the coming Hari Raya celebrations, he said the department will be on standby with the police at locations across the North-South Expressway, East Coast Expressway Phase 1 (LPT 1), and East Coast Expressway Phase 2 (LPT 2).

He added that 30% of the department staff’s leave has been frozen.

ALSO READ: Long wait for rain finally ends

Civil Defence Force (APM) Assistant Commissioner (PA) Sharudin Md Zain said all APM operation centres nationwide have been on standby since March 29, when the inter-monsoon began.

He said some 154 cases of fallen trees were recorded from March 29-31.

This marked a more than threefold increase in the number of cases compared with the same period last year, said Sharudin.

“This stark increase is due to the heavy rain and strong winds that occur in the later parts of the day,” he said, adding that 874 snakes were also caught between March 29 and March 31.

ALSO READ: Throwing ‘shade’ on UV levels

Sharudin, who is the APM disaster management and operations director, also advised the public to take the necessary precautions before carrying out outdoor recreational activities.

“Plan for the location and prepare an emergency kit. Always monitor the situation there and inform the nearest police station of your route and activities planned.

“Check the trees when you are having outdoor activities, and make sure the grounds don’t show signs of erosion.

ALSO READ: Uptick in heat stroke, UV and other weather dangers

“Also take note that your camping site may be a habitat for wild animals,” he said, adding that the public should call 999 in case of emergencies.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said heavy rainfall and strong winds can potentially occur during the inter-monsoon period, especially during later parts of the day.

“These weather conditions have the potential to cause thunderstorms, uproot trees and cause structural damage,” it said in a statement.

Malaysia’s transition to the inter-monsoon period marked the end of the northeast monsoon, which began on Nov 11 last year.

POLL: Are you taking precautions against weather changes?


Uptick in heat stroke, UV and other weather dangers

Beating the heat: A man cooling down at a fountain on a hot day in Kuala Lumpur in this file photo. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star

JOHOR BARU: Three men in Johor have suffered from heat stroke, says state executive councillor Ling Tian Soon.

The Johor health and environment committee chairman said the cases occurred during the heatwave from January to March.

“One of the victims suffered from heat stroke while hiking. The other two victims are an army trainee and an oil palm estate worker.

“Two are currently hospitalised and one required outpatient treatment. Their condition has since stabilised,” he said when interviewed here yesterday.

He advised the public to continuously take precautionary measures as the Meteorological Department of Malaysia (MetMalaysia) recorded high temperatures ranging from 35°C to 37°C in districts like Muar, Tangkak and Segamat in the past three days.

Ling said in addition to the hot weather, Johor is currently in the monsoon transition stage, so rainfall may increase.

“During this time, it is usually hotter in the morning until afternoon. There will be a short period of rainfall in the late afternoon and evening, which could cause flash floods and strong winds.

“MetMalaysia also forecast average levels of rainfall from April until July,” he added.

Asked to comment on an advisory issued by Singapore’s National Environment Agency about extreme levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, Ling said the situation in Johor was still manageable.

On March 28, a Singapore English daily reported that the UV index in the city-state first entered the extreme band at about 12.15pm on March 27, with a reading of 11. It climbed to a high of 12 at about 12.45pm.

The UV index describes the level of solar UV radiation at the earth’s surface, and the maximum reading is 15.

Ling said the matter did not arise when he chaired the Johor environment action committee on Sunday, which was also attended by the state Environment Department and MetMalaysia.

However, he advised the public to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.

Ling said if this is unavoidable, they should wear sunscreen, long sleeves or use an umbrella for protection.

“For those fasting, I urge them to hydrate themselves after breaking fast until their sahur (pre-dawn meal) to avoid dehydration,” he said.

After scorching heat for about two months, Sabah is finally experiencing light rainfall in several parts of the state.

Drizzle from three-day cloud seeding over Papar, Lahad Datu and Tawau were reported over the past few days.

Areas like Sandakan, Nabawan, Penampang and around Kota Kinabalu also saw light rain. It is unclear whether this was due to cloud seeding or other natural phenomena, but the state Meteorological Department reported a 67% success rate from the cloud-seeding exercise.

Meteorologists also forecast the current dry spell to lift with the setting in of the inter-monsoon season this month.

Sabah Meteorological Department director Amirzudi Hashim said the period is expected to continue until May.

“During this season, the country will receive weak winds, resulting in thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds that will only last a while,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He said these conditions often occur in the evening or early in the night in the west and interior parts of Peninsular Malaysia, west coast of Sabah as well as south and central Sarawak.

Amirzudi warned the public of flash floods, fallen trees and the destruction of unstable structures.

“The hot and dry spell is forecast to slowly improve by mid-April,” he said

Related stories:

Long wait for rain finally ends

From heatwave to wet days – but El Nino effects to stay longer

Throwing ‘shade’ on UV levels

Uptick in heat stroke, UV and other weather dangers

Friday 22 March 2024

First human-to-human transmission of tick-borne disease

Bug alert: A doctor in his 20s contracted the infection from an elderly patient who died. The doctor’s condition has improved. — The Straits Times/ANN

The first human-to-human transmission of a viral infection linked to ticks was recorded in Japan, the country’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases said.

A doctor in his 20s contracted the infection – severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) – from a male patient in his 90s, reported The Yomiuri Shimbun.

The elderly patient was diagnosed with the disease in April 2023. Symptoms of SFTS include fever, low blood platelet count, and influenza-like symptoms or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhoea, according to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) in Singapore.

When the patient died, the doctor removed his intravenous drip and soon developed a 38ºC fever and other symptoms. He was diagnosed with the disease nine days later.

Human-to-human transmission was confirmed after the genes of the viruses in the two men were found to be identical. The doctor’s condition has since improved.

The disease is most commonly transmitted from infected animals such as cattle and rodents to humans through a tick bite, according to the NCID website.

There is no evidence that suggests the main vector, the Asian long-horned tick, is established in tropical countries such as Singapore. —- The Straits Times/ANN

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Related

Tick Bites: Symptoms, Treatments, Pictures, and Prevention


tick, insect, bug, lone star tick, lyme disease, rocky mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis


Monday 18 March 2024

SLOWING DOWN BONE LOSS, Preventing osteoporosis from a young age

https://cdn.thestar.com.my/Content/StarPicks/Issues/46C4D35E-1CC2-4EAC-8E75-AA3747D7EEC2.pdf

ACCORDING to consultant orthopaedic surgeon Dr Ruzaimi Md Yusoff at MSU Medical Centre, most people reach their peak bone mass around the age of 30. After that, bone remodelling continues, but you lose slightly more bone mass than you gain because of a decrease in osteoblast activity. That’s why it is important to have as much bone mass as possible by the age of 30.

There are multiple modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors which can affect bone health.

Diet – A low calcium intake will cause low bone density and will lead to early bone loss causing a higher risk of fractures. Not getting enough vitamin D can also increase the risk of osteoporosis because it is important for calcium absorption.

Physical activity – Not being active for long periods can increase the chances of getting osteoporosis. Muscles and bones become stronger with regular exercise and thus delay the onset of osteoporosis.

Body weight – Maintaining an ideal body weight is important for bone health. This is because extremely thin individuals will have lesser bone mass. Therefore, severely restricting food intake and being underweight weaken the bone.

Smoking – Many research suggests that tobacco will increase the risk of osteoporosis. Women who smoke go through menopause earlier than those who don’t smoke.

Alcohol – People who consume a lot of alcohol are more likely to get osteoporosis.

Medicines – Usage of corticosteroid medications such as cortisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone can be damaging to the bone.

Age – Advanced age causes thinning and weakening of the bone.

Gender – Women have a greater risk of osteoporosis as they have less bone tissue than men. Women also lose bone faster than men because of hormonal changes that occur after menopause.

Ethnicity – Caucasian and Asian women are more prone to osteoporosis.

Family history – A strong family history of osteoporosis predisposes an individual to develop osteoporosis at an earlier age.

Maintaining bone health is important to prevent or slow down the process of bone loss. Dietary calcium intake is extremely important. Good sources of calcium include dairy products, almonds, broccoli, kale, canned salmon with bones, sardines and soy products such as tofu. Calcium supplements may also be prescribed by a doctor if dietary calcium intake is lesser than the requirement.

Adequate vitamin D intake is important for calcium absorption. Good sources of vitamin D include oily fish such as salmon, trout, whitefish and tuna. Additionally, mushrooms, eggs and fortified foods, such as milk and cereals, are good sources of vitamin D. Sunlight also contributes to the body’s production of vitamin D. Vitamin D supplement may also be prescribed if indicated.

Physical activities especially weight-bearing exercises can help build strong bones and slow the process of bone loss. Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol intake will also help delay the occurrence of osteoporosis.

There are some signs of osteoporosis that we should look out for which include receding gums, chipped or brittle nails, a weakened grip and fractured bones.

It’s important to seek medical attention for any type of bone pain, especially if the pain is severe, persistent, worsening over time or associated with swelling, redness, warmth, a fever, unintentional weight loss, or a palpable mass or lump.

Since osteoporosis does not have any symptoms until a bone breaks, it is important to talk to your doctor about your bone health. A bone density test may need to be done if your doctor feels that you are at risk for osteoporosis. A bone density test measures the density of your bones and assesses whether you have osteoporosis. It can also tell you the risks of breaking a bone.

Medications may be prescribed to help prevent and treat osteoporosis. These include bisphosphonates, oestrogen agonists/antagonists, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, oestrogen therapy and hormone therapy.

Preventing osteoporosis from a young age 

https://cdn.thestar.com.my/Content/StarPicks/Issues/1C44886D-F63A-4872-9161-85CA504D3065.pdf


▪ Administering blood tests 

HE best time to start caring for your bones would be during your childhood as your bones begin to develop and grow, gaining strength and mass. Your lifelong skeletal health is determined by the amount of bone mass you obtain while you are young.

Nutrition plays a pivotal role, particularly your intake of calcium and vitamin D. The daily calcium needs for infants under six months starts at 200mg and gradually increases, whereas teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18 require 1,300mg per day to support their optimal growth.

For babies under a year old, a minimum daily intake of 400 IU of vitamin D is recommended while those older than a year old should aim for 600 IU per day.

Factors that increase the likelihood of impaired bone health

Certain groups of children and adolescents face an elevated risk of experiencing compromised bone health:

  • l Premature babies and infants with a low birth weight

Physical activities such as jogging can help prevent osteoporosis. may exhibit lower-than-average bone mass during their initial months of life

  • l Children who are on prolonged medication regimens such as steroids and anti-seizure drugs

l Children with conditions such as cystic fibrosis, celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease may struggle with proper nutrient absorption

  • l Children with medical conditions such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, osteogenesis imperfecta, diabetes, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome and anorexia nervosa
  • l Children relying heavily on cancer treatments, anticonvulsants used for epilepsy management and corticosteroids employed for treating various conditions such as arthritis and asthma
  • l Children who experience extended periods of immobility or are bedridden
  • l Adolescent girls who experience infrequent, delayed or irregular menstrual cycles due to factors like intense athletic training, emotional stress or low body weight
  • l Children with physical limitations due to conditions like cerebral palsy and other related disorders
  • l Children and adolescents who engage in a sedentary, inactive way of life

Childhood obesity contributes to the decrease in bone density, yet further research is required to distinguish its impact from other factors, such as diet, race, ethnicity, lifestyle and exposure to the sun.

Diagnosing osteoporosis in children

Osteoporosis is typically identified when a child experiences a bone fracture. The diagnostic process may involve:

  • l Reviewing the medical history
  • l Conducting a physical examination
  • l Examining family medical histories to ascertain if there is a genetic component
  • l Employing a bone scan, specifically dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), to assess bone density

Preventative measures

Ongoing research is exploring strategies to optimise peak bone mass in children. However, parents and children can adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle by considering the following recommendations:

  • ▪ Ensure a consistent intake of calcium and vitamin D
  • ▪ Engage in regular physical activity, with a preference for weight-bearing exercises like walking and running
  • ▪ Consider calcium and vitamin D supplements, as advised by your doctor
  • ▪ Avoid smoking

Prevention towards osteoporosis starts when you are young. Taking early preventive actions reduces the risk of osteoporosis down the road. This involves a multi-faceted approach, encompassing a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, regular physical activity and a vigilant eye on underlying medical conditions and medications that may contribute to the risk.

Furthermore, promoting a healthy lifestyle is essential to safeguard children against the potential consequences of osteoporosis later in life. Early interventions and a comprehensive understanding of the risk factors can pave the way for stronger bones and a healthier future 

Tuesday 12 March 2024

Nagging thoughts? Try this Hawaiian mantra to achieve inner peace

 

Repeating the mantra – I'm sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you – while taking responsibility for a specific situation can help restore inner peace. — AFP

FROM an argument with your partner, to a conflict at work, to a niggling thought that just won't go away, there are many situations that can lead to negative emotions, or even real mental blocks. 

In this case, why not try the Ho'oponopono method? This age-old Hawaiian tradition involves taking full responsibility for your actions and letting go of limiting beliefs to reconnect with yourself and others. Here's how it works.

What started out as an ancestral tradition aimed at resolving conflicts within a community, or even a family, the Ho'oponopono method has gradually evolved into a whole life philosophy, and even a personal development practice. 

But the basic objective remains the same: to eliminate certain limiting beliefs (or memories) with the help of a mantra, in order to regain inner peace and resolve situations considered stressful or conflicts with others. In a way, this life philosophy is based on introspection and empowerment, with the key coming from your inner self and not from others.

What does it promise?

According to the website Hawaiian Dictionaries, the term "ho'opono" can mean "righteous, respectable, correct, upright," or "to behave correctly." But, more precisely, it's a tradition aimed at overcoming certain conflicts (professional), relationship problems (like an imminent breakup) and other difficult situations (like a death) all through the art of introspection.

"Ho'oponopono is the practice of sincere apology and true forgiveness. It is used today by many families, and in the past few decades, it has found its way around the globe," reads an article on the subject by Psychology Today.

When is it useful?

As mentioned above, the Ho'oponopono method is now considered a life philosophy, so there are no limits or restrictions, whether for adults or children. Any unpleasant situation, whether it affects your mind or your emotions, can justify the use of this personal development practice. "When heartfelt, ho’oponopono rectifies and helps heal the person asking forgiveness or all the people involved in the process," explains the American magazine.

How does it work?

While this method is based on a four-part mantra, to be repeated tirelessly to yourself (and in silence), it's not just a matter of saying these words to make yourself feel better and resolve your conflicts – whether internal or relational. 

This practice requires a certain amount of introspection, and is based on an awareness of your own personal responsibility for this or that action or situation .

Once this principle has been grasped, it's time to move on to the famous mantra. This involves repeating the following, over and over in your head – I'm sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you – whenever you encounter a situation likely to affect you. As we've seen, the idea is to eliminate certain beliefs that can trap you in, or even foster, difficult situations. – AFP Relaxnews

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You use the mantra, "I'm sorry, Please forgive me, Thank you, I love you," to acknowledge and take responsibility for any negative thoughts, actions, or emotions that may have contributed to conflict or disharmony. The mantra helps release these negative elements and transform them into positive, healing energy

Heal your life, get over haunting memories, overcome deep-seated guilt, and let go of generational baggage and negativity through Ho'oponopono Prayer. This beautiful prayer is a traditional Hawaiian practice as a tool for reconciliation and forgiveness across lifetimes. As you repeat or hear this mantra meditation, try to feel it from your heart. Forgive and be forgiven. May your life come to balance through the magic of Ho'oponopono. #Prayer #Meditation #MindBodySoul


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How you perceive stressful situations could help minimise their health impact

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