Education Corner

Many people associate joint pain with ageing and assume it only affects the elderly.That belief is only partially true.   Isn’t Joint Pain Only for Older Adults? Older adults often suffer from degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis), while middle‑aged people are more likely to experience rheumatoid arthritis. About 60% of people aged 60 and above are affected by osteoarthritis, which is caused by joint degeneration due to ageing. In contrast, rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect middle‑aged adults and is related to immune system disorders.The immune cells become overactive and repeatedly attack the body’s own tissues, leading to inflammation in the joints and muscles. Young, physically active individuals may also suffer joint pain due to improper exercise posture or habits. Office workers who sit for long hours or frequently cross their legs often experience pain in the lower back and knees.   Should People with Joint Pain Avoid Exercise? No. Exercise is beneficial for health, but those with joint pain should take extra care.Here are some important tips: If you have existing joint problems, consult a doctor first to determine which types of exercise are appropriate. Incorrect posture can worsen symptoms. Always warm up properly and stretch your body before starting exercise to prevent post‑workout joint pain. Avoid poor posture—for instance, leaning too far forward while running shifts the body’s centre of gravity and increases stress on the knees and spine. Do not suddenly engage in intense or high‑impact exercise, which increases joint load and may strain or injure muscles around the joints.   Can Joint Pain Be Completely Cured? Appropriate exercise and healthy eating can help relieve joint pain, but complete recovery is unlikely without long‑term effort and proper activity.Most treatments focus on pain management and symptom relief, such as: Performing light, doctor‑recommended exercises targeting specific joints—such as swimming, walking, cycling, or tai chi. Reducing body weight, as excess weight adds pressure to joints, especially the knees and spine. Taking supplements under medical advice, such as glucosamine to strengthen cartilage, and bioactive collagen peptides to help reduce inflammation and ease joint discomfort.

Many people plan to “burn fat” when they see visible fat on their bodies.However, what’s far more dangerous is the invisible fat—visceral fat, which often goes unnoticed but can lead to serious health consequences.   What’s the Difference Between Visceral Fat and Normal Fat? Most people think of body fat as the visible fat found on areas like the arms, abdomen, and thighs.But visceral adipose tissue (VAT) refers to fat stored around internal organs in the abdomen, such as the liver and intestines. This “active fat” releases various hormones and inflammatory chemicals that affect metabolism and increase insulin resistance, which in turn raises the risk of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders.   How Can I Know If My Visceral Fat Is Too High? Check whether you have central obesity (abdominal fat accumulation) — people with more fat around the waist tend to have higher visceral fat levels.To accurately measure visceral fat, MRI or CT scans are used, though these are primarily for medical research due to cost, time, and radiation exposure. Central obesity can be estimated by your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR): Men: WHR > 0.9 → Central obesity Women: WHR > 0.85 → Central obesity   Is Visceral Fat Only a Problem for Overweight People? No. There are slim-looking individuals with high visceral fat—especially common among Asians.They may appear lean but actually have little muscle mass and high internal fat due to poor eating habits and lack of strength training.Because visceral fat accumulates around internal organs rather than under the skin, it often goes unnoticed, posing hidden health risks.   Are there any Doctor’s Health Tips?  Ignoring high visceral fat for too long can lead to severe illnesses such as: Type 2 diabetes Heart disease Hypertension High cholesterol or triglycerides Cognitive decline Stroke Breast cancer Colorectal cancer To reduce visceral fat and maintain health: Exercise 2 to 3 times a week, engaging in aerobic activities for at least 30 minutes—such as running, cycling, or swimming. Maintain a balanced, low-fat, low-sugar diet. Choose healthy cooking methods like steaming or boiling, and avoid deep-frying, pan-frying, or stir-frying.

Why Are People Afraid of “Cholesterol”? Many people become anxious when they hear the word “cholesterol,” since it is often linked to serious conditions like heart disease, stroke, and vascular blockage.But is completely avoiding cholesterol the right way to stay healthy? And are slim people truly immune from cholesterol problems?   Is It True That “the Lower the Cholesterol, the Better”? No!Cholesterol is an essential substance that helps maintain the structural integrity of cells. It is a type of fat that plays a key role in forming cell membranes, bile, and various hormones, and also helps digest dietary fats. Cholesterol is divided into “good” and “bad” types: People with low good cholesterol (HDL below 1 mmol/L) People with high bad cholesterol (LDL above 3.4 mmol/L) Both groups are at greater risk of developing heart disease. Therefore, cholesterol should neither be too high nor too low — it’s all about maintaining a healthy balance.   Dietary Tips To reduce cholesterol absorption:Eat plenty of fresh fruits and high-fibre foods. To raise good cholesterol (HDL):Consume omega-3 fatty acids, found in deep-sea fish such as salmon or in fish oil supplements. To prevent the buildup of bad cholesterol (LDL):Avoid fatty and high-cholesterol foods such as fatty meat, animal organs, chicken skin, pork knuckles, duck feet, egg yolks, crab roe, hairy crabs, shrimp, oysters, and squid.   Do Slim People Need to Worry About Cholesterol? Yes—everyone should pay attention! Even slim individuals can have high cholesterol levels.About 70% of cholesterol is produced naturally by the body, while only 30% comes from food.Slim people may have genetic factors that cause the liver to produce excess cholesterol or prevent it from breaking down efficiently. If you have a family history of high cholesterol, you must remain cautious—even if you appear slender.   Apart from Medication, How Can You Improve Cholesterol Levels? Start with everyday habits!Doctors frequently emphasize lifestyle adjustments: Maintain a healthy body weight. Eat a low-fat, low-salt, and low-sugar diet. Exercise regularly and stay active. There is no medication more effective than healthy living.Many patients who have committed to these habits have seen improvements in their cholesterol readings within three to six months.

Skincare Products May Contain Harmful Ingredients — Learn How to Read Labels! News about skincare products containing harmful ingredients has become increasingly common.Since most people apply skincare products at least twice a day, that adds up to around 730 applications a year.If your products contain unsafe ingredients, imagine the burden that places on your skin.It’s time to learn how to read ingredient lists and choose the right products for yourself.   With So Many Ingredients, Which Ones Should I Pay Attention To? When selecting skincare products, look out for common irritants and allergens, especially: MIT (Methylisothiazolinone) CMIT (Methylchloroisothiazolinone) These are widely used preservatives but are known to be highly allergenic and may trigger skin reactions.Even people without particularly sensitive skin may develop skin sensitivity or irritation after prolonged use of such ingredients.   What’s the Worst That Can Happen If I Use Products Containing Allergenic Preservatives Long-Term? People with chronic skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, or rosacea—and those prone to contact allergies (for example, allergies worsened by weather changes or exposure to irritants)—should avoid using products containing MIT or CMIT. Severe allergic reactions may cause blistering, skin breaks, redness, or swelling, which can easily lead to bacterial infection if not treated properly.Recovery can take a long time and be difficult to manage.   Do These Harmful Ingredients Affect the Body? Yes.There is now medical evidence that preservatives like MIT and CMIT can negatively impact human health.To avoid potential risks, it is essential to read product ingredient labels carefully and avoid using items that contain allergenic substances or unclear formulations.   Doctor’s Professional Tips Learn how to read ingredient order:Ingredients are listed in descending order by concentration. If a preservative appears near the top of the list, be cautious—it means the product contains more of that ingredient. Understand your skin type:Choose skincare products suitable for your skin type—whether oily, dry, or combination.If you’re trying a new product, test it first on your neck, behind the ears, or on your arm to ensure no allergic reaction occurs before full use. Be cautious with multifunctional products:Skincare products today often claim to moisturize, whiten, and provide anti-aging benefits at the same time.The more functions a product claims to have, the more complex its composition is likely to be.Many women use multiple skincare products daily, which can cause ingredient overlap—so it’s especially important to check and understand what’s inside each one.

Protect Your Skin While Enjoying the Sun As spring and summer approach, don’t forget to protect your skin while having fun under the sun.According to figures from Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection, the incidence of skin cancer in Hong Kong has been steadily increasing.Because early skin cancer causes no pain or itching, it can easily go unnoticed.   If a Mole Suddenly Appears, Is It a Sign of Skin Cancer? Changes in moles or the skin’s surface may indicate early signs of skin cancer.Whether a mole is new or long‑standing, if it grows larger, changes color, or becomes damaged, it may have become malignant. You should monitor it closely and consult a doctor promptly. Also, pay attention to reddish patches that persist and don’t fade, or pearly‑looking bumps or tumors on sun‑exposed areas like the face, ears, or back of the hands. These may also suggest skin abnormalities that require medical evaluation.   What Is the ABCDE Rule? Doctor’s Tip: Follow the ABCDE guideline for self‑examination.   A (Asymmetry)： Does the mole look asymmetrical when viewed from all angles? B (Border)： Are the edges irregular or blurred? Most benign moles have smooth, round borders. C (Color) : Is the color uneven or inconsistent? Watch for multiple shades of brown or black. D (Diameter) : Is it larger than 6 mm or growing in size? E (Evolution) : Are there changes in size, color, surface, or symptoms such as pain, itching, or bleeding?   Are People with Fair Skin More Prone to Skin Cancer? One of the major causes of skin cancer is DNA damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation.Since fair‑skinned individuals have less melanin, their skin absorbs UV rays more easily, increasing cancer risk.People with a family history of skin cancer should also be particularly careful.   Is Sun Protection Unnecessary on Cloudy Days? Ultraviolet radiation includes two main types: UVA and UVB.Both can penetrate clouds and damage skin tissue, leading to DNA damage and skin cancer.UVA rays, in particular, have strong penetrating power—so even when it seems cloudy or overcast, your skin is still being exposed to UV rays. Doctor’s Tip: Always Apply Sun Protection Regular use of sunscreen is one of the most effective ways to prevent skin cancer. When outdoors, wear long‑sleeved clothing to protect uncovered skin. Those who work outdoors for long periods should routinely check their skin for new changes, and consult a doctor immediately if they notice discomfort or suspicious lesions.

How to Tell the Difference Between “Forgetfulness” and “Cognitive Impairment” Ordinary forgetfulness may result from emotional stress, anxiety, or even past brain injury, leading to occasional absent-mindedness or clumsiness. However, cognitive impairment affects daily life more broadly. People may: Struggle to express themselves clearly. Lose control of bodily functions such as urination or defecation. Fail to complete familiar tasks. Forget family members, home addresses, or daily routines.   Quick Self-Check for Cognitive Impairment If you often answer “frequently” to two or more of the following items, you may be showing early warning signs of cognitive impairment.   Never  Occasionally Frequently 1. Unable to recall or mix up names of family and friends       2. Difficulty expressing yourself verbally or finding the right words       3. Forget appointments or follow-up consultations       4. Get lost in familiar places or forget where you are       5. Suddenly unable to handle familiar tasks (e.g., mixing up steps when cooking)       6. Unable to deal with unexpected situations (e.g., leaking water pipes)       7. Forget to turn off the stove, appliances, or tap       8. Confuse the date, forgetting the correct year or month         Note: This self-assessment is for reference only. If you have any concerns, seek medical advice and request professional evaluation as early as possible.   Do Only Older People Get Cognitive Impairment? Not necessarily.While age increases the risk, younger individuals can also develop cognitive impairment.Causes may include: Stroke or reduced blood supply to the brain. Head injuries. Brain vessel blockage or other vascular conditions. Such problems can damage critical cognitive functions like speech and memory. If a family history of early-onset cognitive impairment exists, the risk may be inherited.Genetic abnormalities can cause toxic substances to accumulate in brain cells, leading to cognitive decline.   How to Reduce the Impact of Cognitive Impairment? Prevent cerebrovascular diseaseMaintain good control of blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and heart health. Managing these “three highs” reduces stroke risk and helps protect brain function. Quit smoking and alcoholBoth can damage brain tissues and raise the likelihood of developing cognitive disorders. Keep your brain activeLearn new skills, play strategic games like chess or mahjong, or read regularly to stimulate brain function and slow cognitive decline. Get early assessmentIf family members under 65 have had cognitive impairment, consult a doctor about genetic testing. Early detection allows better management through diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes.