The saying goes that “prevention is better than cure”. This is certainly true when it comes to our long-term health, and eating healthily, getting sufficient sleep and exercise should top the New Year’s resolution lists of those of us who wishes to stay healthy this coming year. However, despite our best intentions, ill health may still strike. For a number of common diseases, they often come silent and patients present no symptoms until the disease is in more advanced stages. It is thus important to get regular health screenings to detect such diseases and start treatment early. Diseases are often easier to manage with early treatment.
5 Common Silent Diseases In Singapore
Here are 5 common, but silent diseases in Singapore that we should screen ourselves for regularly.
Diabetes
What it is: Diabetes is a disease that impairs our body’s proper ability to use sugar. A diabetes patient may either not produce sufficient insulin, or the body’s cells do not respond to insulin. This results in the built up of sugar in the blood.
What it can lead to: Long-term diabetes may result in serious medical conditions including blindness, heart attacks and stroke, kidney disease, and nerve damage.
How diabetes is screened: Diabetes is screened using a blood test that measures the amount of sugar in the blood.
High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia)
What it is: Cholesterol is a substance that is either from the food that we eat, or produced by our body. Our body uses cholesterol for vital functions such as the production of hormones, enzymes and vitamin D. When our cholesterol level is too high (hyperlipidemia) however, it has a negative impact on health.
What it can lead to: High cholesterol results in an increased risk for heart diseases such as heart attacks and stroke.
How high cholesterol is screened: High cholesterol is screened using a blood test.
Fatty Liver
What it is: Fatty liver occurs when abnormal amounts of fat accumulate in the liver. It is often associated with people with diabetes or higher cholesterol levels, or and excessive alcohol intake.
What it can lead to: Unmanaged fatty liver may result in liver scarring (cirrhosis). People who suffer from liver scarring are more likely to develop liver failure.
How fatty liver is screened: A blood test may show higher-than-normal levels of liver enzymes. The doctor may then order a liver ultrasound scan if fatty liver is suspected.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
What it is: When the blood pressure is consistently above 140/90 mmHg, it results in a condition known as hypertension.
What it can lead to: If it remains unmanaged, high blood pressure could lead to conditions such as heart attacks and stroke, and kidney disease.
How high blood pressure is screened: Our blood pressure is measured typically using an upper-arm cuff blood-pressure monitor (sphygmomanometer).
Colorectal Cancer
What it is: 1 in 4 people in Singapore may develop cancer in their lifetime, and colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in Singapore.
What it can lead to: Colorectal cancer may ultimately lead to death if not treated successfully. Survival rates in Singapore for both men and women, for Stage one colorectal cancer are close to 84% and 86%, respectively. However, at Stage four, survival rates drop to 10% for men and 11% for women.
How colorectal cancer is screened: Colonoscopy is considered the current gold standard screening for colorectal cancer. Another effective screening test is stool occult blood testing. This tests the stool for traces of blood, which may be indicative of the cancer. If blood is detected, followup tests such as colonoscopy may be ordered by the doctor.
Health Screening For Silent Diseases
There are numerous common but silent diseases that may strike us down without warning. It is important that we take action to screen for them as such screenings may not be carried out during our regular GP visits. Without screening, these diseases may thus remain undetected until it is too late.
Health Screening Packages From Our Healthcare Partners That You Can Consider
Protect against cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic diseases with regular health screening. Compare and shop for health screenings from Singapore and regional healthcare providers at a single convenient platform - shop.health365.sg
This article is informative only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.