Blog Posts by Health Xchange

  • Could you have ‘text neck’ syndrome?

    By Health Xchange | Fit to Post Health – Mon, May 7, 2012

    Young adults are constantly connected to the mobile devices, even while walking. (Thinkstock photo)Young adults are constantly connected to the mobile devices, even while walking. (Thinkstock photo)

    Move over, "BlackBerry Thumb". There's a new tech-induced health hazard in town — "text neck" or "iNeck pain".

    A term coined by U.S. chiropractor Dr Dean L. Fishman, "text neck" refers to an overuse syndrome or a repetitive stress injury, where you have your head hung forward and down looking at your mobile electronic device for extended periods of time.

    Indeed, as mobile technology becomes more widespread, people are spending more and more time with handheld devices like smartphones, e-readers and computer tablets. And "text neck", which can potentially affect millions worldwide, is a growing health concern.

    Symptoms of "text neck"

    When users are stuck in the unnatural posture of looking down for a prolonged period of time, it can lead to tightness across the shoulders, soreness in the neck and even chronic headaches.

    Related video: Advice & tips for neck pain relief

    That's because the more you crane your neck, the more weight it has to carry.

    Dr Tan Kian Hian, director at the

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  • Healthy eating: What should you put on your plate?

    By Health Xchange | Fit to Post Health – Mon, Apr 30, 2012

    Food is an important factor in determining our health condition. (Thinkstock photo)Food is an important factor in determining our health condition. (Thinkstock photo)

    At your next meal, take a close look at what is on your plate. Are you having a well-balanced meal as recommended by the Healthy Food Pyramid?

    You should consume the following foods and servings every day:

    • 5 to 7 servings of rice and alternatives (including 2 to 3 servings of whole grain products)
    • 2 servings of fruits and 2 servings of vegetables
    • 2 to 3 servings of meat and alternatives (with ½ serving from dairy or other high calcium products)
    • small amounts of fats, oils, sugar and salt

    "Together with regular exercise, a healthy and well-balanced diet can help to lower your risk of getting diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and becoming overweight," says Dr Ian Phoon, senior family physician from Pasir Ris Polyclinic.

    Rice and alternatives

    For a healthy diet, increase your intake of whole grains or "good" carbohydrates. It has been found that whole grains lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, protect against cancers such

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  • Young, slim… and hiding high cholesterol?

    By Health Xchange | Fit to Post Health – Thu, Apr 12, 2012

    Cholesterol build-up can be observed in young and otherwise healthy adults (Thinkstock photo)Cholesterol build-up can be observed in young and otherwise healthy adults (Thinkstock photo)

    Even if you're of normal weight, you may not be as healthy as you think.

    Many young adults who are apparently healthy and don't have a weight problem may have a build-up of fat and cholesterol in the walls of their arteries — a condition called atherosclerosis — which puts them at a higher risk of developing heart disease and/or a stroke later in life.

    Once thought to only afflict older people, this hidden thickening of arteries is now being observed in younger and otherwise healthy adults.

    Dr Tan Hong Chang, Associate Consultant at the LIFE Centre of Singapore General Hospital, explains: "Atherosclerosis occurs when cholesterol, fat and other substances build up in the arteries over the years and form hard structures known as plaque."

    When this happens, blood flow to vital organs could be restricted. These plaques can also burst, causing a blood clot," Dr Tan adds.

    Atherosclerosis develops gradually and there may not be any symptoms until an artery is so narrowed that it cannot

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