GENERAL HEALTH CHECK-UP

Diabetes is a disease that causes high blood sugar levels due to the body’s inability to make or process the hormone insulin. There are several forms of diabetes, including type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes and gestational diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes occurs when your immune system attacks the pancreas and affects your body’s production of insulin, while type 2 diabetes occurs when your body becomes insulin resistant and does not use the insulin your pancreas creates. Prediabetes, meanwhile, is characterised by higher than normal blood sugar levels. Gestational diabetes is a temporary form of the disease that manifests during pregnancy.

Diabetes is generally characterised by frequent thirst, hunger and urination, weight loss, blurred vision, fatigue, sores that don’t heal and severe fatigue. The disease is treated with insulin and other medicines that help to regulate blood sugar levels. Lifestyle changes are also necessary to help manage diabetes.

Hypertension is also known as high blood pressure and affects the flow of blood through the veins. If you have high blood pressure, your heart generally pumps more blood through your body and your blood veins are narrower. This can cause strain to your heart and may affect your overall health.

In many cases, high blood pressure does not present symptoms until the condition has reached a severe stage. You may, however, experience nosebleeds, headaches and shortness of breath if you are suffering from high blood pressure.

Your age and family history can lead to the development of high blood pressure. The condition can also be connected to obesity, lack of physical exercise, smoking and alcohol abuse. Stress can also cause high blood pressure too.

If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart failure and stroke. You may also suffer from an aneurysm or heart attack. Treatment usually involves lifestyle changes and medications that help regulate your blood pressure.

Cardiac failure, or heart failure, is a condition characterised by the weakening of the heart muscles. Also called congestive heart failure, this condition is a serious health problem that can lead to complete heart failure or the build-up of blood in other parts of the body. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, could lead to the development of heart failure.

Symptoms of heart failure can range from mild to severe. The condition is often characterised by fatigue, weight gain, the frequent need to urinate and swelling in the ankles or feet in mild cases. In more severe cases, you may experience wheezing, an irregular heartbeat, a persistent cough, shortness of breath and chest pain.

Treatment for heart failure includes various medications that can improve blood flow and ease the pressure on blood vessels. Lifestyle changes can also help improve symptoms and reduce complications. In severe cases, heart failure may require hospitalisation and valve repair surgery.

Sepsis is a serious, life-threatening condition that occurs due to infection. The condition develops when your body releases chemicals into your blood to fight off an infection, effectively poisoning you. If left untreated, sepsis can lead to septic shock, which is life-threatening.

When sepsis sets in, you may experience rapid breathing along with a rapid heart rate. You may also have a high fever. In severe cases, mental confusion, weakness and skin discolouration may occur. When you go into septic shock, your blood pressure will be dangerously low.

If left untreated, sepsis can lead to death. You will need to be treated with strong antibiotics intravenously and other medications to help fight off infection and regulate your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. If your kidneys are affected by sepsis, you may also need dialysis.

Respiratory diseases affect your ability to breathe and can lead to serious health complications. Diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive airway disease, interstitial lung disease, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis and cough are some of the respiratory diseases we treat at the Gateway Centre for Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Disease.

If you have trouble breathing or suffer from shortness of breath, wheezing, and severe fatigue, you may have an underlying respiratory disease that can worsen over time. A persistent cough and chest pain, coupled with flu-like symptoms, can also indicate respiratory issues. Our physicians can examine your symptoms and medical history to diagnose and treat you. As pulmonologists, our physicians can conduct specialised tests and treatments for respiratory illnesses.

Gastrointestinal and liver diseases affect your digestive system and liver function. These diseases can impact your quality of life and have serious health complications. Diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, jaundice, abdominal pain and peptic ulcer disease are some conditions that can affect your liver and digestive tract. Other conditions include ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, diverticular disease, pancreatitis and celiac disease.

If you’re experiencing unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea and bloating, you may have an underlying gastrointestinal or liver disease that can worsen over time. Our physicians can examine your symptoms and medical history to diagnose and treat you. If you have a severe gastrointestinal or liver condition, you will be referred to Dr Ambaram, a specialist gastroenterologist at the Gateway Centre for Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Disease.

If you have HIV or AIDs, we can help you manage the disease and treat associated complications. HIV and AIDs are not curable and affects the health of your immune system. This leaves you more susceptible to infections, which can sometimes be life-threatening. HIV, however, can be managed with antiretroviral therapy (ART) and healthy lifestyle practises.

Critical care medicine is a branch of treatment that deals with the care of critically ill patients, particularly patients in ICU. If you are critically ill due to life-threatening disease or injury, our physicians at the Gateway Centre for Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Disease can take care of you. Life support, resuscitation and end-of-life care are part of critical care medicine. Treatment aims to help you recover or come to terms with your illness.

Geriatric patients are elderly patients who may be suffering from conditions related to ageing. This can include both mental and physical ailments. Geriatric care is a specialised form of treatment aimed at older patients. Geriatric specialists are trained to help manage and treat the elderly, who primarily suffer from mobility issues along with vision and hearing problems. Mental confusion and diseases such as dementia are also part of the many conditions that can affect you as you age.

Occupational health refers to the health, safety and treatment of patients in the workplace. This branch of treatment examines your overall health and work environment to ensure that you are not exposed to hazardous substances or activities that could harm you. Occupation health and safety also focuses on prevention and treatment for patients who are exposed to these circumstances.