Interview With The Professional

Tell us about your profession…

1. What would be a typical work day for you?
A typical workday would start around 9 or 930am. The initial cases may be health screenings or insurance checkups. There will, of course be interspersed with some acute illnesses (such as fever, flu and diarrhoea cases). In the afternoons, I will review some chronic cases such as hypertension, or those cases that return for review after chest x-ray, blood tests or other investigations. This will go on all the way until 8 or 9pm.

2. What is most satisfying about your job?
I get to see and treat patients from all walks of life. I also get exposed to a wide variety of medical and psychological problems. The most satisfying part is when I feel that I have made a difference in the patient’s life.

3. Complete the sentence. “I was inspired to be a doctor because…”
I was inspired to be a doctor when I witnessed many patients coming out of my family doctor’s consultation room with happy and smiling faces. That was when I was a kid and I thought that I should also help relieve the symptoms and troubles of the patients that I see.

Tell us more about women’s health…

4. Complete the sentence. “To me, health is…”
Health is Holistic and everything in Life. We need physical, mental and emotional health as well as healthy lifestyles in all our lives.

5. Why are periods necessary for women?
They are necessary natural hormonal changes to prepare us for pregnancy and childbirth.

6. What are some of the common problems females encounter during their periods?
Some females may experience abdominal cramps or discomfort while others may develop severe pain limiting activities. Mood swings, irritability, abdominal bloated-ness, breast soreness as well as a sensation of swelling in the legs may also be present in some ladies.

7. What are some causes of skin discomfort (pertaining to a woman’s private area) during periods?
There may be changes due to hormones itself as well as the use of scented pads or delay in changing pads. Itch or rashes may appear as a result. In some cases, those with sensitive skin or eczema may find worsening of existing skin condition.

8. Why do some women suffer badly during periods, while others have relatively pain-free periods?
Those who suffer badly may be genetically pre-disposed by having higher concentrations of prostaglandin (a hormone) in their system. Some may have conditions such as fibroids, cysts or endometriosis which may cause more pain. Others may be due to lack of physical activity. Many patients improve with exercise, subsequent pregnancy or simple medications if there are no underlying disorder.

9. What can women do to make their periods more bearable?
Some can help themselves by simple relaxation techniques to de-stress, while others can engage in regular physical activities. Simple medications to relieve pain may work for some but occasionally oral contraceptives may be used. Some have also benefitted from the use of heat packs or hot water bottle. It would be good to eat and sleep well too.

10. In what situations are periods considered abnormal? When should women consult their doctors about their periods?
Severely painful or very heavy menses that is out of the ordinary and preventing you from your usual activities should alert you to seek the advice of a doctor. Prolonged periods and absence of periods after being regular for many years should also be looked into.

11. What is one little known fact about periods?
It is not ‘dirty blood’. If too much of it is lost, it may cause anaemia!

12. In what situations do women stop having periods?
1. Pregnancy
2. Menopause
3. Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (sometimes unknown)
4. Medications

13. Is it possible for women to stop menstruating with medical intervention?
Yes, it is possible to do so!

14. Which is the most memorable/interesting/unusual medical problem on women’s health you have come across?
A middle aged lady who missed her periods for 6 months and felt that she was putting on weight around her belly. She was detected to be pregnant around 4 months.