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6 Practices To Preserve Your Vision In This Digital Age

Out of all the senses we have, most would agree that sight is the most important one out of everything else, given how we rely on our vision to perceive our environment and function quickly and effectively.

However, with the advent of digitalisation and the continued pervasion of screens in all aspects of our daily life, our sense of sight consequently degrades with each passing day.

Over time, you may also experience symptoms of this decline through health issues such as dry eyes and headaches. Uncover the best practices that help preserve your vision and keep it clear.

Get regular eye exams

Eye problems rarely have early warning signs, making it challenging to be aware of them until they reveal their existence. Just like any other health issue, prevention is always better than a cure.

Use periodic eye exams to detect eye problems you may have to get the professional vision care you need. With the gaining popularity of telehealth in Singapore, you can consult a doctor online in the comfort of your home and even set a physical appointment if necessary.

Drink plenty of water

Water is a crucial component of the normal functioning of many of our bodily organs, including the eyes. Constant lubrication is necessary to keep the eyes moist and remove bacteria, dust, and other particles that may get in the eyes.

Without sufficient water, our eyes dry out and become itchy and scratchy, which can cause temporary issues like blurred vision or difficulty in focusing.

Keep the air moist

As mentioned above, moisture is essential for our eyes. In office environments, air conditioners and heaters will probably run non-stop. Hence, the atmosphere can become dry and lead to irritation and itchiness.

To prevent this, consider purchasing a small humidifier that you can place at your desk to retain moisture in the air around your workspace.

Improve your diet

Eating your vegetables may be one you have heard millions of times, but it is another piece of advice that benefits your eyes. Including dark leafy greens in your diet ensures you get enough nutrients to keep your eyes healthy and prevent macular degeneration, a disease in which the retina becomes affected and results in distorted eyesight or loss of central vision.

On top of that, blueberries have proven benefits in strengthening eyesight, activating retinal function, and preventing eye fatigue. Lastly, carrots and apricots contain beta carotene, a pigment that gets converted into vitamin A and promotes good vision.

Drop smoking habits

Smoking is linked to many health issues, primarily lung cancer, affecting many other body parts, such as the eyes. Studies reveal that smoking is a direct cause of cataracts due to its role in altering the cells of the eye’s lens through oxidation.

Moreover, evidence also points to the fact that smoking accumulates heavy metals, such as cadmium, in the eyes.

Give your eyes a break every once in a while

Working a desk job will mean we inadvertently strain our eyes from near work. Our eyes are just like our muscles because they need rest periods after constantly working day in and day out. Apart from sleep, you can give your eyes a break from looking at screens by following the 20-20-20 rule.

This rule entails taking a break every 20 minutes to look at a distant object 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Conclusion

Living without our eyesight is unimaginable, and it’s undoubtedly the last thing anyone would want to happen to them. Given how constant exposure to screens is unavoidable in modern life, it is essential to preserve and protect one’s eyesight. If you are experiencing issues with your eyes or want to get them checked, see an online doctor via the MyCLNQ app today.

As the leading app for telemedicine in Singapore, MyCLNQ offers medical consultation with certified doctors in just a few clicks.

In addition, as a one-stop service for all your medical needs, you can also access private ambulance services and supervised tele-ART booking in Singapore.

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MyCLNQ Health Now Provides Supervised Tele-ART Tests

When travelling during the pandemic, one of the most tedious tasks would be to find a place to take the pre-departure test. After all, airport test centres were expensive and finding downtown options could be problematic if their ART test rules differ from Singapore.

In particular, it could be challenging if you don’t speak the native tongue or if they do not accept walk-ins or online bookings. However, this procedure is inevitable if we want to stay safe, just like how you need to keep your mask on.

To make it more convenient, remote and virtual ART tests are now valid to travel to Singapore, as this rule relating to pre-departure tests has been established:

“Self-administered Antigen Rapid Test (ART) remotely supervised by an approved ART provider in Singapore.”

This means that instead of hunting high and low for a suitable place to take the pre-departure test, you could now do it in the presence of a virtual doctor in Singapore.

What is Singapore’s pre-departure requirement?

To recap, those travelling to Singapore must submit a negative test result from a COVID-19 PCR or ART test that is taken within two days before their flight to Singapore.

For example, if your flight to Singapore is at 10 pm on 16 March 2022, you should take your test starting from midnight on 14 March 2022.

A side note is that this pre-departure test is fulfilled as long as you take the PCR or ART two days before departure. Let’s say a traveller has taken a pre-departure ART in Singapore on 5 April and enters Malaysia on the same day. Should he wish to return to Singapore through the VTL between 5th and 7th April 2022.

All travellers travelling to or transiting through Singapore must undergo a Pre-Departure Test (PDT) within 2 days prior to the departure. Additionally, the results obtained must be negative.

In this case, he can use the pre-departure test that he had taken before he left for Malaysia. The tests should be professionally administered, although, with tele-art, remotely-supervised self-swabs would suffice.

This requirement applies to both VTL and non-VTL passengers, and only those below the age of 2 are exempted from the condition.

From 1 April 2022, all completely vaccinated travellers and partially or non-vaccinated children aged 12 and below are allowed to step into Singapore. This means they do not need to apply for a vaccinated travel pass (VTP) or air travel pass (ATP) to enter Singapore.

While a pre-departure test before coming to Singapore is still required, they will not need to serve a Stay Home Notice or go through an unsupervised Antigen Rapid Test (ART) upon arrival in Singapore.

This tele-ART service is accessible to travellers who meet the following criteria:

• Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, Long-Term Pass or Work Pass Holders
• Physically present in the country
• Using a certified ART provider in Singapore

Because fully-vaccinated individuals who had a recent recovery from COVID-19 has a strong immunity, thanks to the combination of infection and vaccination, the chances of being infected again is slim.

That is why who just recovered from COVID-19 are also exempted from taking the pre-departure tests. However, in this scenario, two conditions will need to be met:

1) They have to be completely vaccinated

2) They will have to submit a positive result for the PCR or an ART test that has been administered professionally, taken within 7 to 90 days before departing to Singapore. Alternatively, a medical discharge report that states the date of the infection that is within 7 to 90 days before departure to Singapore will suffice.

Tele-ARTs are now accepted for departure to Singapore

Now that Tele-ARTs are accepted as part of travelling to Singapore, all travellers, except for short-term visitors that are travelling to Singapore, from any country can make use of the tele-ART method to satisfy the requirement of a pre-departure COVID-19 test.

Inversely, the following VTL countries do accept ARTs and pre-departure tests:

• Australia
• Fiji
• Malaysia (VTL-Land only)
• Philippines
• Netherlands
• United States

MyCLNQ Health is offering Tele-ART to those who are travelling to Singapore

Because of Tele-ART’s high relevance to the pandemic and being one of Singapore’s best telemedicine and telehealth providers, MyCLNQ Health has added Tele-ART services to the MyCLNQ app.

MyCLNQ Health offers tele-art tests in Singapore, which are available daily, at 24/7. Hence, you do not need to worry about the time zone. The service includes video supervision and an ART test result certificate.

Our Tele-ART service costs $12, including GST, and you are required to procure your own Singapore HSA-certified ART kits during the video call. If you intend to use Tele-ART for a pre-departure test, you should prepare your passport and itinerary before starting the video call.

An important thing to note is that to book an appointment, you are required to use your MyCLNQ profile, and you should not book appointments for multiple people.

For more convenience on your pre-departure test, download the MyCLNQ app and make a supervised ART test booking in Singapore today.

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The Role Of Digital Health In Changing COVID-19 Landscape

When COVID-19 first emerged, it has changed the norms of citizens’ daily lives worldwide within a matter of weeks. Implementations such as government regulations, lockdowns, and other precautions to slow down the disease spread and keep society safe have entirely altered how various services are provided.

One of the core concerns worldwide is the challenge of maintaining the safety and well-being of staff and keeping up the quality of care due to pandemic-related restrictions.

Other challenges faced include:

• Meeting the demand for services.
• Providing the services based on current workforce capacity.
• Adapting quickly to constant policy and regulatory changes.

In particular, there continue to be numerous healthcare-related challenges as the pandemic continues. Although the current delivery of medical-related services remains an obstacle, digital technologies and data solutions have addressed many of the top challenges across industries.

With that being said, the new normal digital health agenda will probably be narrowed down to three core areas:

• Developing remote care.
• Coping with the pandemic’s financial impact.
• Accepting the lessons we can learn from crisis management.

Remote care

The volume of telehealth visits in Singapore had increased from 23% to 30% in 2020 when COVID-19 first emerged. This is because most Singapore residents are getting more concerned about visiting the clinics in person for fear of being exposed to the virus.

With new variations of COVID-19 coming in, there will likely be an increase in digital health usage. Moreover, patients’ expectations of the telehealth service are ever-increasing because a return to usual business is unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Hence, although providers may become comfortable delivering the care via the technology, they may find themselves hard-pressed to sustain this level of use permanently. This is because the technology and operational workarounds used may not be robust enough to meet the demands.

Now that remote care is part of the new norm, health systems should build a steady, permanent bridge to address the organisational, financial, and clinical structures and processes.

The health system will have to implement digital health elements in medical aspects such as online health records, clinical protocols towards telehealth visits, getting reimbursed for telehealth visits, and changing hospital and doctors’ practice processes to support the digital health implementation.

For example, they would have to create a system on waiting rooms and convert them to virtual waiting rooms to accommodate telehealth visits. While doing so, they should also ensure that they give medical care to patients in the proper setting and create a fantastic experience via the “digital front door”.

Delivering care in the proper setting: Quality is the most critical factor in healthcare. For this reason, health systems should ensure that the patients are cared for in the most suitable environment.

For example, healthcare providers should figure out the best way to turn care from emergency rooms that would usually belong in a doctor’s office to remote care. They should also think about the feasibility of managing chronic care via home health services to reduce visits to the doctor’s office.

One instance would be the Home Recovery Programme should you be diagnosed with COVID-19. Instead of going to the hospital, patients with milder symptoms can now stay at home and use telehealth to access consultations without the need to travel to the clinic or hospital.

Creating an excellent patient experience: With the pandemic, consumers now heavily rely on digital technologies for many of their everyday activities. For example, working from home is the default. Meals are delivered through Grab Food or Food Panda, and items are now delivered through Qoo10 or Amazon.

Because of the efficiency of these services, there will be expectations that the digital health experiences will be equally effective, if not even more so.

To meet the criteria of a quality digital health service, health systems need to enable patients to handle routine interactions conveniently and efficiently, such as scheduling online medical consultations in Singapore, paying bills, finding doctors, refilling medications, and navigating the health application itself.

While most health systems offer these capabilities, there is always room for improvement in easy navigation and excellent performance in the app.

Financial health

The definition of what “value-based care” means in healthcare has been challenging because the cost-benefit perspectives for each involved party are likely different. After all, the description is subject to individuals’ preferences and objectives.

Nevertheless, “value-based care” to healthcare providers may be stemmed from revenue improvements and reductions in operating costs. Many health systems will focus their resources on value-based care and provide health plans to emphasise them to address the revenue challenges.

For instance, health systems should increase investments in several digital health capabilities:

• Analytics that examine factors such as disease, insurance coverage, and doctor to identify the quality of care and overall costs after reimbursement
• Support for care managers who guided the patients’ care processes across various providers and services.
• Patient registry with chronic disease to help the health system ensure the condition is being well-managed across the population
• Remote patient monitoring and other technologies that will help with health monitoring

Besides managing the revenue within the pandemic period, health systems should also reduce costs and limit budgets. To do so, health systems should thoroughly find an opportunity to apply digital health tools that can ensure the smooth running of clinical and administrative operations.

Improvement of electronic health record usage should continue to ensure information can be entered correctly.

The digital health function may be pressured to operate with fewer resources to reduce expenses. Hence, the efforts made would be:

• Consolidating multiple technology applications to one
• Using cloud servers to host applications
• Optimise performance of existing applications through upgrades, reengineering clinical workflows, and conducting refresher training on application usage
• Leverage vendor capabilities to virtually support implementations

The permanence of aspects related to pandemic crisis management

When the pandemic was at its peak, health systems were forced to increase their decision-making speed drastically. This is so they can combat challenges such as personal protective equipment shortage, high usage of ICU (Intensive Care Unit) beds, and protocols to protect staff. At the same time, they would provide safe treatment for patients.

The crisis also resulted in rapid experimentation of new ways to manage clinical and operational processes. During this time, digital health systems discovered new ways to do telework, implemented chatbots to respond to health-related questions and concerns, and collaborated to give treatment across the country.

The results gotten from this pandemic should not be shelved aside should the pandemic subside. Instead, health systems should solidify the results gained from their organisational capabilities.

The most prominent impact on the health systems’ digital plan is acceleration. Before the pandemic, most health systems may already have the concepts to continue developing telehealth, implement apps that support quality care, improve the patients’ healthcare experience via “digital front door”, and lower care delivery costs. However, it’s likely put on the back mind until the pandemic hit.

Due to the pandemic, what may have taken a decade to accomplish would hypothetically be shortened to three years. Now that digital health is quickly developing and is on the front line, it has become a strategic and crucial partner to health systems worldwide.

Digital health solutions and technology will continue to play a vital role in optimising processes and systems to improve efficiency and enhance outcomes with lower costs.

While this pandemic had cost us lives, jobs, and a sense of normalcy, we still have the power to decide the future. After all, it has pushed healthcare workers to take faster action, work smarter, and a higher-focused approach when making decisions.

Challenges that digital health providers may face

While digital health companies are rapidly expanding, providing plenty of job opportunities, they still have many challenges.

These challenges include consumers’ hesitation of switching from face-to-face to digital healthcare, the effectiveness of online consultation compared to a physical consultation, the availability of high-speed internet and devices, the development of managing processes and spam calls, and patients’ data privacy.

Moreover, digital health should accommodate the patients who could not access digital health services easily or those in dire need of a physical examination.

For instance, patients with acute illness or require lab tests would have to make a physical visit to the clinic. Moreover, healthcare providers should develop a secure verification system to ensure that the patients do not accidentally share confidential information with unverified individuals.

In Singapore, the digital health providers have also faced challenges to keep up with the demand surge for services during the pandemic. As a result, consumers have to wait longer to consult a doctor online in Singapore, leading to a reduction of the quality of healthcare.

Hence, policymakers will have to take a measured approach regarding the sector development. Because the government has the right to steer this dominant sector and exercise a large control over it, this has to be considered while healthcare providers assess the potential of a digital health aspect, such as telemedicine.

Continuing to gear up for the future

The adoption of digital health in Singapore has mimicked the high transmission of COVID-19. After all, the usage of digital health-based services has considerably increased, with front-line workers such as healthcare employees banding together to use everything they’ve got to fight back against the crisis. Therefore, digital health is here to stay due to its far-reaching influence.

In time, digital health may make way for new models and “go-to” providers. After all, the digital health acceleration resulting from the pandemic has given light to the crucial unmet needs needed for healthcare systems and where digital innovation can generate the most value.

The healthcare and technology sectors need to act to stay ahead in this constantly evolving digitalised world. Pursuing new operating systems concepts can enable fundamental advantages, such as lower costs of services and better access to patients.

Conclusion

In this post-pandemic world, the consensus is that we should not revert to the previous healthcare delivery methods. On the contrary, we should continue supporting digital health tech innovators to create and develop creative solutions to tackle our country’s most prominent healthcare problems.

After all, new technologies would open the chance to provide better outcomes and reduce health inequalities. Perhaps they may even ensure that cardiac and stroke patients receive faster diagnosis and treatment.

It’s our hope and vision that healthcare providers will continue to adapt, embrace and experiment with new technology so that digital health will continue to bring in positive improvements in the years to come.

SSIVIX Lab has developed the MyCLNQ app, the leading app for telemedicine in Singapore, as part of embracing digital health. With this, you can access private ambulance services in Singapore to receive the medical assistance you need without having to leave the comfort of your own home.

With the MyCLNQ app, you will get telehealth and telemedicine services in Singapore with a simple click of a button.

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SSIVIX Lab Celebrates The Receiving Of A Brands For Good Award

Recently, SSIVIX Lab has won the Honouree Award at the Brands for Goods, indicating their status as a company that makes a difference and is committed to continuing to make a positive impact on society.

This year, SSIVIX Lab has celebrated a remarkable period as a brilliant telemedicine and provider of telehealth in Singapore amid a catastrophic global pandemic.

Special mention goes to SSIVIX Lab’s MyCLNQ app, a Digital Health Ecosystem that combines Artificial Intelligence, IoT & Big Data technology to manage everyone’s primary and home care needs, especially the ageing population.

What is Brands for Good?

Brands for Good is a non-profit organisation that organises an awards programme annually. This award ceremony more than highlights a job well done. It also celebrates businesses that made a significant and positive contribution to society.

The awards are also co-hosted by prominent organisations such as IPOS Society, International Intellectual Property Commercialisation Council Singapore and CEO Asia. The 2021/2022 award ceremony is the fourth programme, with 36 companies being honoured out of 80.

Several winners, including SSIVIX Lab, are honoured for their efforts to maintain sustainability and utilise technology to give society better services.

These 36 companies were deemed worthy of the award by thirteen distinguished experts, who reviewed the companies based on several factors: mission, values, overall impact, growth, accountability and stakeholder engagement.

The Brands for Good 2021/2022 awards are centred around the theme of giving a hand to local businesses to find, as co-chairman Alan Ng puts it, “their ethical voices.”

According to the co-chairman, these voices agree with the present-time ethical customers. The brands should “focus on brand innovation and digital transformation” to persist, improve, and thrive in the current pandemic world. This would allow a competitive spirit, even during a challenging time.

Mr. Ng wishes to continue this yearly tradition of recognising brands that create a positive impact and extend it beyond Singapore. He hopes that recognising the influential behaviour of the award-winning businesses will motivate other organisations to follow suit and result in a larger community of organisations that will contribute positively to society.

Hence, the organising committee also wishes to let this award programme as a catalyst for various companies to tell their stories to inspire other companies to follow their footsteps, creating a rippling effect that will help Singapore.

Technology for Good

To recap, the Brands for Good 2021/2022 awards comprise four categories: Business for Good, Technology for Good, Capital for Good and Leadership for Good.

In particular, the category SSIVIX Lab won the Honouree Award in, Technology for Good, zones in on businesses that use tech to tackle social and/or environmental challenges.

Because persevering health is the common theme, SSIVIX Lab fits this criterion perfectly. Using health technology, digital media, and mobile devices, the team has developed the MyCLNQ app, which has made patients, carers, and healthcare more accessible navigation towards the necessary data and information.

This helps improve healthcare and social care quality while ensuring that the needs of the ageing and elderly population are being met while allowing the elderly to stay safe from the ongoing pandemic.

Moreover, the telehealth and telemedicine service provided by the app gives the citizens the remote care they need should they contract something that requires medical attention.

Hence, they are also recognised for helping the people receive the medical care they need through the app, even if they are affected by the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

As Mr. Ng mentioned, businesses that are centred on green initiatives and meeting the current needs without affecting the future generations, deserve to be acknowledged and praised.

Conclusion

Aside from this award, SSIVIX Lab has won the Best MedTech Solutions Provider in 2021 under the private healthcare awards, thanks to their MyCLNQ Health app. Hence, you can be assured of their effectiveness and customer satisfaction.

Should you be in need for any medical help, the MyCLNQ app is here for you. As Singapore’s leading telehealth app and telemedicine provider, you can now access online medical consultations or even call for a private ambulance service in Singapore.

All you need to do is download the MyCLNQ app, and the range of medical services will be accessible with a single tap.

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A Comprehensive Guide To Vaccinated Travel Lane in Singapore

Tourism is one of the industries most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting all countries’ economies, livelihoods, opportunities, and public services.

Before the health crisis, travel and tourism had become one of the essential industries in the world economy, accounting for around 10% of the global GDP and over 320 million jobs worldwide.

However, when the global pandemic hit, about 100 million jobs in the tourism sector were put at risk, and some experts predict that worldwide tourism receipts will not recover until 2023.

Fortunately, for those whose jobs depend on the industry and those who are already eager to travel, the vaccinated travel lanes (VTLs) have now been put in place in many countries.

VTL is essentially a measure adopted by numerous countries, including Singapore, to make travelling easier for vaccinated individuals. Read on to learn more about VTL and what you should expect when travelling to Singapore.

What is VTL?

VTL (Vaccinated Travel Lane) is a measure that enables travelers who are completely vaccinated from certain countries or regions to enter Singapore with relative ease for whatever purpose of visit. These travelers will no longer need to serve a stay-home notice in Singapore.

In other words, if you have been completely vaccinated and you meet all the VTL requirements, you can already enjoy a quarantine-free entry to the country.

Aside from Singapore, numerous other countries have already adopted this measure to help their tourism industry bounce back and encourage vaccination. Here are the VTL-active countries so far:

• Australia
• Brunei Darussalam
• Cambodia
• Canada
• Denmark
• Fiji
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Hong Kong
• India
• Indonesia
• Israel
• Italy
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Netherlands
• Philippines
• Qatar
• Republic of Korea
• Saudi Arabia
• Spain5
• Sri Lanka
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Thailand
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States

Who is eligible for VTL? 

To be eligible for VTL in Singapore, you need to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days after receiving the full dosage of any approved vaccine brands in the country, such as Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty, Moderna, and WHO EUL vaccines. You must then present proof of vaccination issued before your planned entry date.

Since October 19, 2021, children aged 12 and below who are unvaccinated are already allowed to enter the country on the VTL. They are no longer required to apply for a vaccinated travel pass (VTP), provided that they comply with all other VTL conditions and are accompanied by a fully vaccinated VTL adult.

Aside from complete vaccination, here are some of the most important requirements you need to comply with to be eligible for VTL:

• Stay only in one or more of the VTL countries for 14 consecutive days before departing for Singapore
• Take designated VTL flights
• Undergo a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or Antigen Rapid Test (ART) test within 48 hours at an internationally accredited or recognised laboratory or clinic before departure to Singapore
• Undergo another PCR test upon arrival in Singapore
• Remain self-isolated until a negative COVID-19 PCR result is received (usually within 24 hours)

If you are a short-term visitor entering Singapore, you are required to download and register a profile on the TraceTogether application for contact tracing in case you become close contact.

You will also need to avail of an insurance policy for COVID-19-related medical treatment and hospitalisation expenses, with a minimum coverage of S$30,000.

Moreover, between 7 and 30 calendar days before your intended arrival date in Singapore, you need to apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP), whether you are a short-term or a long-term pass holder.

If you are a visitor who require a visa for travelling to the country, you should also obtain a valid one after receiving your VTP approval. For this reason, travellers who need to apply for a visa are encouraged to apply for their VTP early.

For those arriving: What should you do when you land in Singapore?

Even when you are already in Singapore, you will still be required to undergo post-arrival COVID-19 PCR tests at a designated laboratory or clinic by 3pm on your 3^rd and 7^th days of stay in the country. The date of the tests and a list of approved clinics will be emailed to you upon your arrival in Singapore.

If you fail to undergo the required PCR tests on the 3^rd and 7^th days of your stay, you may be liable for violating Section 16 of the Infectious Diseases Act (IDA) and will either be fined up to $20,000 or imprisoned for a term not exceeding 12 months or both.

Should you require hospitalisation or treatment for COVID-19 while in Singapore, you will be responsible for your medical bills.

Conclusion 

For more than two years, the COVID-19 crisis has affected so many lives worldwide, jeopardising livelihoods and restricting lifestyles. The tourism industry is undoubtedly one sector that has suffered the most damage.

Fortunately, with the implementation of VTL in many countries like Singapore, workers in the tourism sector can now breathe easier, and travellers can already wipe the dust off their passports.

Health screening is crucial, especially in times of a pandemic. To make sure you are healthy and fit to travel from country to country, avail of a health screening package in Singapore before you go for your next trip.

If you are experiencing any symptoms, whether of COVID-19 or other illness, do not hesitate to consult your doctor for advice on remote care.

Through the MyCLNQ app, you can already access a wide arrange of health services with ease. As the leading one-stop provider of telemedicine in Singapore, MyCLNQ will your health needs are all within reach, whether it is purchasing medicines via pharmaceutical e-commerce, hiring private ambulance services, or others.

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Ways You Can Stay Active Despite Working A Desk Job

For most people, adulting means needing to work at a desk job for up to 8 hours a day so you can make a living and keep bread on the table. While this kind of job isn’t as taxing as physically strenuous ones such as blue-collar jobs, there are caveats to jobs that require minimal movement.

It is often said that sitting is the new smoking because living a sedentary lifestyle – which is relatively common for people who work a desk job – comes with its health risks such as a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, colon cancer, high blood pressure, and a whole bunch of others.

Undeniably, it can be hard to go to the gym after work, so you can make up for sitting still for an extended time. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t simultaneously get the job done at your desk and still keep your blood pumping – here’s how:

Make use of an exercise ball

If you happen to have an exercise ball lying around, you should go ahead and get it. Instead of using your computer chair, try sitting on an exercise ball instead.

Doing so is a good workout for your core muscles – particularly those on your abs and back muscles – because you would have to flex and hold them in a certain way to maintain your balance.

Try a stand-up desk

In recent years, stand-up desks have gained notoriety, and for a good reason – they allow you to work at a desk while keeping the adverse effects of sitting to a minimum.

Using a stand-up desk also improves your posture and keeps your blood freely circulating, ultimately making sure that you don’t become a desk potato while getting work done.

Don’t drown yourself in work

Often times when you focus too much on accomplishing more than what your time would ideally allow, you end up drowning yourself in work and not working your muscles for an extensive period. To make sure that this doesn’t happen to you, make it a point to take breaks every now and then to get up and do light exercises such as jumping jacks or even a set of push-ups to get your muscles and cardiovascular system going – even the simplest stretches go a long way in keeping you from being sedentary.

Keep convenience in moderation

Convenience is usually taken as a good thing. However, keep convenience to a moderate level because if you set your work desk to be too convenient, you would probably end up not moving at all.

Working with the coffee maker an arm’s reach away might seem ideal. Still, it might be best to keep it at a certain distance. In this case, if you want to refill your cup, you would inevitably have to step away from your desk and walk a few steps to do so. Even taking ten steps is better than nothing.

Do workouts while working

If you really want to maintain an active lifestyle while attending to your desk job, then you most certainly are more than capable of doing some workouts while checking your emails.

Some examples of desk-friendly workouts are leg lifts under the desk (preferably with ankle weights), make-shift bodyweight wherein you try to lightly lift yourself by pushing your elbow on your armchair, and so much more.

Conclusion

Working a desk job doesn’t mean you inevitably live an inactive lifestyle because there are things that you can do to stay active and still get things done. Aside from the tips that we’ve tackled in this article, it’s also a good idea to keep your overall health in check by seeing a doctor personally or through telehealth in Singapore.

To keep up with the busy schedules of working adults, telemedicine in Singapore is becoming more and more accessible so that people can attend their doctor’s appointments without stepping outside their house.

Consult a doctor online today by downloading the MyCLNQ app to access comprehensive solutions for all your healthcare needs.

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Telehealth: What It Is & Its Relevance During The Pandemic

Staying at home and keeping outdoor activities to a minimum is one of the best ways to keep yourself safe from contracting the coronavirus. This is why many people have transitioned to working remotely – to limit the need to step outside their house and expose themselves to the virus.

Indeed, the pandemic brought about many changes to how people go about their daily lives, and these changes also bleed into how people keep their health in check, with telehealth gaining more traction than ever.

In the past, telehealth’s target audience was people who were too busy to fit a doctor’s appointment into their schedule or patients seeking consultation but could not visit a doctor’s office. However, almost everyone can take advantage of telemedicine in Singapore, now that we are trying to limit our outdoor interactions due to the pandemic.

What is telehealth?

By definition, telehealth means electronically providing consultation and care. This allows for a doctor’s appointment without needing to leave your house because it is done remotely – you can do it with your phone or laptop for more convenience. Some people refer to telehealth as telemedicine, but there are actually some differences that set them apart from each other;

Telehealth is a broad term that refers to using telecommunication devices to deliver healthcare services from a distance, while telemedicine is an actual medicine practice wherein the physician is at a set location and uses technology to provide his or her services on a remote basis.

What telehealth can do to help patients

As previously mentioned, telehealth in Singapore is becoming more popular because it gives people access to healthcare without exposing themselves to the virus present in healthcare facilities.

Furthermore, telehealth and telemedicine can help identify patients who need immediate medical consultation or assessment for health-related issues.

In addition, doctors or physicians can also provide coaching and support for patients who are currently managing chronic health conditions such as heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, stroke, to name a few. This also includes nutrition counselling and weight management.

Healthcare services that traditionally required physical interaction, such as physical or occupational therapy, can now also be remotely executed so that those who need them can gain access without breaking social distancing.

Why telehealth is relevant to COVID-19

Maintaining good hygiene and health practices are critical to combat the spread of COVID-19. That is why the government made it compulsory to keep our masks on even when vaccinated.

However, what exactly can it do for health concerns during the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic?

To begin with, telehealth can help screen patients who are manifesting COVID-19 symptoms, and a subsequent referral is possible through telehealth. It can also help facilitate a home recovery programme for COVID-19 patients who don’t need hospitalisation.

Although cases of COVID-19 in Singapore have remained generally compared to other countries worldwide, it does not mean we are entirely free from its hazardous nature. No matter how careful we are, we are still at risk of getting infected because of the constant mutations and how contagious and resilient the virus is.

This is especially worrying for the vulnerable, such as senior citizens or young children, because of their weaker immune systems. Hence, they are at greater risk of COVID-19 infection.

Even short exposures to COVID-19 virus particles may be enough to cause an infection and cause severe symptoms. Hence, these groups of people need to avoid exposure as much as possible.

Moreover, there are a variety of mandatory social distancing measures and practices care recipients and care providers must follow to stay safe from the infection. For instance, hospitals and clinics now need to implement capacity limits. This may result in long queues and exposure to large crowds, making it much easier for the virus to spread.

This is why telehealth and telemedicine play an important role in a pandemic such as COVID-19. Without the need for the doctors and patients to be physically present, they can ensure that the care recipients receive the care they need efficiently, safely and promptly.

Conclusion

The world is slowly becoming more and more digitalised, and because of the ongoing pandemic restrictions, telemedicine in Singapore is now made more accessible.

Should you need to see a doctor online, download the myCLNQ app, a one-stop app where you can get services such as a virtual consultation for any health concern, booking a private ambulance service in Singapore, and so much more.

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What The Color of Your Urine Says About Your Health

Did you know that the color of your urine can be a sign of your body’s overall health? Your urine naturally carries a pigment called urochrome. It should be a transparent yellow, almost clear color. However, the colour can change depending on your food and nutrient intake.

Aside from that, there are off chances where your urine can be an unusual color. If that’s the case, don’t simply brush it off. Discolored urine can point to signs of a health disorder.

The next time you go to the bathroom, pay attention to the color of your pee to see whether you’re experiencing an underlying medical condition. Here are the possible colors and what your body is trying to tell you.

Clear

Clear and completely transparent urine means that you have met the required water intake. While that’s a good thing, it can also mean that you are drinking too much water.

Yellow to amber

Light yellow to deep amber is the standard and ‘normal’ color for urine. The urochrome in your body is diluted the more water you drink.

This urochrome is produced from hemoglobin, or the protein carried in your red blood cells. Depending on how diluted it is, the urochrome in your body will reflect that.

If your pee is neon yellow, it may be a sign that you have plenty of B-vitamin in your system.

Dark orange

If you have dark orange urine, it could signify dehydration. Notice that your pee is darker in the morning or after you exercise. In these cases, increase your water intake so that hemoglobin in your system can be fully diluted.

On the other hand, dark orange urine can also result from drinking supplements. Vitamin C, beta-carotene, and vitamin B12 are known to give you orange urine.

Red or pink

Red or pink urine can mean one of two things. First, it might again be a cause of the foods you eat — beets, blueberries, and other strong-colored fruit can do that.

If you haven’t eaten any of that recently, it could mean hematuria. This is the appearance of blood in urine, resulting in conditions like kidney stones, enlarged prostate, urinary tract infections (UTI), and other related diseases.

If this is the case with you, act accordingly and consult a doctor online in Singapore for a better diagnosis.

Blue or green

Blue or green urine may also stem from the food or drink you take. Usually, this is due to dyes or food coloring they have in them. In general, bluish urine is rarer.

Conclusion

If you notice anything weird with your urine, it’s best not to delay action. Take the first step of calling a doctor to provide you with an accurate diagnosis.

With the MyCLNQ app, you can get consult a virtual doctor right away. From private ambulance services to telemedicine in Singapore, you can be diagnosed and treated while you are at home or work. Receiving medical help has never been more convenient.

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Happy Tummy: Everything You Need To Know About Diarrhea

Is having intense stomach pain and going back to the bathroom from time to time a familiar scene? If you are experiencing an uncomfortable stomachache and the need to frequently bowel, chances are you have diarrhoea!

Diarrhoea can be distinguished by loose, watery stools that last a few days. While diarrhoea can go away on its own without any treatment, the uncomfortable feeling and pain are enough to make you want to do anything to stop it.

Diarrhoea that lasts for more than a few days may be a sign of a more severe problem – chronic diarrhoea. If you suspect that you may have chronic diarrhoea, seek immediate help.

With the development of telemedicine in Singapore, it’s now possible to consult an online doctor. It’s essential to keep your stomach healthy, so read on to learn everything you need to know about diarrhoea.

What is diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea is a common illness that most people experience from time to time. It is characterized by loose, watery stools that cause abdominal pain and are accompanied by the need to go to the bathroom a few times each day.

Many people get diarrhoea a few times a year, while others get it more often because of certain conditions, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

What causes diarrhoea?

You may be having diarrhoea due to several factors or conditions. Possible causes of this condition include:

• Bacterial infection
• Intestinal disease
• Food allergy
• Lactose intolerance
• Alcohol abuse
• Diabetes
• Food that upset your digestive system
• Laxative abuse
• Viral infection
• Stomach diseases

What are the symptoms of diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea can be easily detected as it has several symptoms. The symptoms you may experience depend on the cause. You may experience one or a combination of all of them. Below are some of the possible symptoms you may feel:

• Abdominal pain
• Cramping
• Bloating
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Nausea
• Bloody stools
• Frequent need to visit the bathroom
• Large volume of stools
• Watery stools

How to feel better when having diarrhoea?

After all the bowel movements that diarrhoea brings, your rectal area may become sore and feel pain, itchy, or burn when you go to the bathroom.

To help with this, you can take a warm bath and pat the area dry with a soft and clean towel. Remember to pat slowly and not rub as it could trigger the wound and cause pain. After patting it dry, you can also use petroleum jelly or haemorrhoid cream on the affected area.

When to call a doctor?

Although diarrhoea is normal and usually not a cause of concern, it’s essential to pay attention to your symptoms. Call your doctor right away if you experience some of these:

• Blood in your stools
• Fever that lasts for more than 24 hours
• Diarrhea that lasts longer than 2 days
• Nausea
• Severe pain in your stomach area

Make sure also to pay attention to these signs of dehydration, and call your doctor if you experience some of these:

• Rapid heart rate
• Headaches
• Dry skin
• Smaller amounts of urine

Conclusion

Diarrhoea is a widespread condition that all people worldwide experience two to three times per year. However, you must look out for other symptoms when you have diarrhoea, as you may be experiencing a more severe condition.

Not everyone has the time to go out and visit a doctor immediately. However, thanks to the emergence of telehealth in Singapore, you can now consult a doctor at the comfort of your home.

All you need to do is download the myCLNQ app to find a clinic near you and ease your worries.

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Panic Attacks and Heart Attacks: Learn The Differences

If you’ve never had a panic attack or heart attack before, it can be frightening and alarming when you suddenly experience symptoms attributed to these issues out of the blue.

This comes as no surprise since the signs of both health conditions overlap to the point that it can be challenging to determine which is which, especially when you’re experiencing its symptoms.

Despite their similarities, there are still a few key differences. These differences can help you identify whether what you’re feeling is a medical issue that warrants immediate attention or just a passing occurrence that poses no immediate threat to your health.

Read on if you learn more about their similarities and differences.

The similarities and differences

Before diving into the details, it’s crucial first to understand these two health ailments. A panic attack occurs when the individual is struck by sudden overwhelming fear or anxiety.

Usually, people who have a panic disorder are the ones that frequently experience this issue, but it can also happen to anyone without the condition.

In contrast, a heart attack is a severe medical issue that arises when a cardiovascular artery builds up fatty deposits. Over time, these fatty deposits will form plaque, increasing the risk of a blood clot, causing a heart attack.

Symptoms

Similarities between the two are generally only found in their symptoms. The common ones that they both share are:

• Chest pains
• A pounding or racing heart
• Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
• Sweating, cold sweats
• Nausea
• Lightheadedness

The unique symptoms only found in panic attacks are:

• Feeling of impending doom
• Shaking or trembling
• Sudden feelings of overwhelming anxiety and fear
• Sharp or stabbing pain

For heart attacks, its unique symptoms are usually:

• Chest pressure and pain, squeezing sensation in the chest
• Achy and/or burning feeling in the chest
• Pain or discomfort in the upper body region (e.g. in the jaw, neck, shoulders, back, and arms)

Triggers

The cause of the two issues varies greatly. Heart attacks typically occur after experiencing substantial physical strain or exertion. Panic attacks tend to be triggered by emotional stress but rarely, if ever, by physical ones like heart attacks.

Additionally, it’s important to note that panic attacks and heart attacks can also occur at night when you’re asleep, often causing you to wake up once they hit.

If you don’t experience panic attacks during the day, yet you still wake up with chest pains and other symptoms, chances are it’s a sign that you have experienced a nocturnal heart attack.

Should you ever feel such symptoms when waking in the morning, it’s best to consult a virtual doctor in Singapore immediately.

Duration

Symptoms of a panic attack typically only last for a few minutes to an hour at most. In contrast, a heart attack does not let up and is known to come and go in waves.

You may feel like it’s getting better and assume it’ll disappear soon, only to return and worsen.

Location of the pain

Panic attacks and heart attacks are both known to cause chest discomfort. However, unlike panic attacks, pain and discomfort caused by heart attacks are not limited to the chest.

Pain caused by heart attacks can spread to other areas of the body, such as your back and shoulders, arms, neck, and jaw.

More details about heart attacks

There is undoubtedly a bit of an overlap when it comes to the symptoms of these two issues. Nevertheless, while it may seem like panic attacks and heart attacks can occur out of nowhere, that’s not the case for the latter.

In most cases, chest pain and other signs can appear days or weeks ahead of a cardiac event.

For example, you may notice a certain twinge or a bit of pain in your shoulder and chest before it goes away almost instantly. However, these same occurrences can feel much worse later on, and you’ll feel slightly off.

As such, be sure to catch these warning signs early to better prepare for the upcoming heart attack.

Conclusion

Although panic attacks and heart attacks share similar symptoms, only the latter is considered a medical emergency. Since it can be challenging to determine the actual cause, it’s best to consult a medical specialist.

With the help of the MyCLNQ app, the leading app for telemedicine in Singapore, you can consult a doctor online and receive the medical attention you need in an instant without having to leave the comfort of your own home.

This app also offers other services, such as hiring a private ambulance to ferry you to the nearest hospital should you need it. With MyCLNQ app, you will get access to medical assistance with a simple click of a button.