Health Awareness blog

Today, I went to the 7^th Biennial Scientific Meeting Postgraduate Medical Education Society today at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Star, Kedah. I was lucky to be there and listen to the talk of the very one and only Dr Ang Swee Chai, an orthopaedic surgeon. I am sure that many of us have heard of her and her nobel work at Palestine since 1990s. Dr Ang was a pro-Israel at first, but changed her mind after what she had seen in Jerusalem. Some people may misunderstand claiming that there are only Muslims in Palestine. It is wrong. There are also other religions including Christian. And all persons are the same in Gaza. I just mention this so we know that not only Muslims were killed.

I know myself cannot do even close to what she has done to Palestinian people. I am touched when she said that by walking through the ruin buildings, she can only passed by and whispers her prayers. Because the damage is so bad and nobody can do anything. The building was ruin by a “vacuum bombs” and the bombs damaged the whole building buried with them hundreds and thousands of lives, and of course, there were no survivors, just dead bodies…  No wonder she said that “no help” is needed there, just prayers. Apparently Israeli just knew how to be the worst people of all nations. The way they choose their bombs and armaments are “excellent”. It is almost nothing remains after their attacks.  

It is ashamed when human doesn’t react like a human anymore. I wonder how humanity has left their spirit. What have they done till their eyes so blinded and can no longer see. What have their done till their ears are deafen and can no longer hear. They are truly monsters in human disguised.

I am touched with the song by Michael Heart-We will not go down (Song for Gaza). Please do something for the people in Gaza showing that you are a true human in your heart. If you cannot give your service directly, maybe you can donate for them. Kindly do so to the charity bodies that may be available at your own place. If none, you can visit to http://www.unrwa.org/ for your donation. If you have nothing to donate, please say your prayers – hopefully they will have some peace. And with a bit of luck, we can feel the peace as well…

WE WILL NOT GO DOWN (Song for Gaza)
(Composed by Michael Heart)

A blinding flash of white light
Lit up the sky over Gaza tonight
People running for cover
Not knowing whether they’re dead or alive

They came with their tanks and their planes
With ravaging fiery flames
And nothing remains
Just a voice rising up in the smoky haze

We will not go down
In the night, without a fight
You can burn up our mosques and our homes and our schools
But our spirit will never die
We will not go down
In Gaza tonight

Women and children alike
Murdered and massacred night after night
While the so-called leaders of countries afar
Debated on who’s wrong or right

But their powerless words were in vain
And the bombs fell down like acid rain
But through the tears and the blood and the pain
You can still hear that voice through the smoky haze

We will not go down
In the night, without a fight
You can burn up our mosques and our homes and our schools
But our spirit will never die
We will not go down
In Gaza tonight

The original song available at: http://www.michaelheart.com/songforgaza.htm

Halitosis is a condition where there is unpleasant odor of the breath. It is also known as oral malodor, breath odor, mouth odor, foul breath or fetor oris. No matter how many names it has, the widely use term is “bad breath”. Halitosis might sound simple, but it can significantly affect one’s life mentally and physically. According to some studies, halitophobia is estimated to be the third most frequent reason for seeking dental aid (following by tooth decay and periodontal disease). Funny isn’t it? No wonder the dentist can make so much of money… It is important to remember that gastrointestinal disorder do not generally cause halitosis. So, it does not in any way reflect the state of digestive system or bowel function.

In general, we can divide causes of halitosis as oral and extra oral in origin. Oral halitosis consists of more than 90% of cases. The primary culprits are poor oral hygiene and periodontal disease. Debris in tonsil pits can be a site of anaerobes collection and often results in offensive smell. Oral malignancy may also produce a foul anaerobic smell. This is why posterior third of the tongue, “retromolar trigone” and sublingual need to be inspected to rule any possibility of malignancy.

Oral halitosis may be due to:

• Gingival (gum) disease
• Dental disease
• Food fermentation in mouth
• Tooth decay

Extra oral halitosis usually comes from:

• The nose
• Blood-borne compounds exhale
• Systemic diseases ( tonsillitis, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, lung abscess)
• Hepatic encephalopathy
• Diabetic acidosis
• Infectious disease
• Neoplastic disease of the respiratory tract
• Hypochondriasis
• Metabolic disorders
• Some types of medications
• Some foods (ingested substance)
• Paranasal sinuses – rarely causing halitosis unless it caused by anaerobic organisms accumulation around a foreign body or rhinolith
• Dental infection involves the maxillary sinus

Treatment:

• Treat any specific cause – mainstay of treatment
• Gargling with an effective mouthwash
• Attentive listening
• Assurance regarding benign nature (if appropriate)
• Maintain proper oral hygiene – don’t forget to clean the tongue surface
• Eating healthy breakfast (avoid the food that have bad smell)
• Chewing gum may help especially because dry mouth itself can cause bad breath by the accumulation bacteria. Chewing gum may help the production of saliva.
• Drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day (unless your doctor says otherwise) to maintain the water level in the body.

Reference:

1. Harold Ludman and Patrick J Bradley. ABC of Ear, Nose and Throat. 5^th edition. 2007.
2. Griffth’s 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Mark R. Dambro. 2005.