Education Corner

Why Does Obesity Increase the Risk of Osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease involving the breakdown of cartilage. Obese individuals have up to a fourfold higher risk of developing it, especially in weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips.   How Does Obesity Gradually Damage the Joints? Excessive mechanical stress: Every additional kilogram of body weight increases the load on the knees by four times, similar to constantly walking while carrying a heavy backpack. Cartilage wear and tear: Continuous pressure makes the joint cartilage thinner and harder, reducing its cushioning ability. Inflammation: Abdominal fat releases harmful substances that trigger inflammation and swelling in the tissues around the joints. Vicious cycle: Joint pain limits mobility, which worsens obesity. Obese individuals are twice as likely to require joint replacement surgery.   What Are the Symptoms of Obesity-Related Osteoarthritis? Early stage: Morning stiffness, mild pain, and reduced flexibility. Middle stage: Increased pain during weight-bearing activities, joint swelling, and creaking sounds when moving. Late stage: Persistent pain, difficulty walking, and higher risk of disability.   How to Effectively Manage Obesity-Related Osteoarthritis Weight loss is essential: Losing 10 kg can reduce knee pain by 50% and improve function by 30%. Exercise recommendations: Choose low-impact exercises such as swimming or water walking. Strengthen thigh muscles to reduce knee stress. Nutritional supplements: Glucosamine and vitamin D may support joint health. Physical therapy: Heat therapy and ultrasound can relieve pain. Surgical options: Joint replacement should be considered in severe cases.   How to Prevent Joint Damage Caused by Obesity Maintain a healthy weight: Keep BMI below 25; aim for a waist circumference under 90 cm for men and 80 cm for women. Joint protection habits: Wear shock-absorbing sports shoes. Avoid prolonged heavy lifting and frequent stair climbing. Ensure daily calcium intake of about 1000 mg. Regular screening: People over 50 should get annual knee and hip X-rays.   Obesity can seriously harm knee joint health. If you experience joint pain or other related symptoms, seek medical advice promptly for comprehensive examination and early management to prevent complications of joint degeneration.

What is obesity?Obesity is a chronic disease where excess body fat accumulates and harms health. It is assessed mainly by BMI (weight in kg ÷ height in m²) and waist circumference.   BMI Categories Normal: 18.5–22.9 kg/m² Overweight: 23–24.9 kg/m² Obesity Class I: 25–29.9 kg/m² Obesity Class II: ≥30 kg/m² Severe/Morbid: ≥35/40 kg/m² Waist Circumference (Abdominal Obesity) Men: ≥90 cm Women: ≥80 cm   How Obesity Gradually Damages the Cardiovascular System Artery hardening and narrowing: Excess "bad" cholesterol adheres to vessel walls, forming fatty plaques that reduce elasticity. Sustained high blood pressure: Increased weight forces the heart to pump harder, leading to chronic hypertension. Lipid imbalance: Abdominal fat affects the liver, decreasing "good" cholesterol and raising "bad" cholesterol. Inflammatory response: Fat tissue releases harmful substances, causing ongoing vascular inflammation and accelerated aging.   Effective Management of Obesity-Related Cardiovascular Issues Lifestyle Changes (Core Treatment):Losing 5–10% body weight reduces inflammation by 20% and improves vessel elasticity. Regular Exercise: Aerobic: Brisk walking 30–45 minutes daily. Resistance training: 2–3 sessions weekly. Diet Principles: Adopt a Mediterranean-style diet. Increase Omega-3 sources like salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts. Limit salt to <6g daily. Reduce saturated and trans fats. Monitoring and Interventions:Regularly check blood pressure, lipids, and glucose. Severe cases may consider bariatric surgery like gastric sleeve or bypass.   Obesity severely impacts cardiovascular health. If weight rises steadily or symptoms appear, seek medical evaluation promptly for early control and complication prevention. ​

What is fatty liver disease?Fatty liver disease occurs when excess fat accumulates in the liver. It is especially common among people who are overweight or obese, as abdominal fat can directly affect liver health.   Why does obesity easily cause fatty liver? Abdominal fat directly affects the liver: Visceral fat around the abdomen releases a large amount of free fatty acids that flow directly to the liver, turning liver cells into “fat storage units.” Disrupted blood sugar and lipid levels: Obesity often comes with high blood sugar and high cholesterol, forcing the liver to process excess sugar and fat, leading to overload. Inflammatory response: Fat tissue releases harmful substances that trigger chronic inflammation in the liver, accelerating liver damage. Vicious cycle: Fatty liver impairs liver function, slows metabolism, and makes weight control even more difficult.   What are the early warning signs of fatty liver? Common symptoms: Dull pain in the upper right abdomen, fatigue, and poor appetite. Physical signs: Itchy skin, yellowish eyes (mild jaundice), or mild liver swelling. Blood test findings: Mild to moderate elevation in liver enzymes. Severe warning signs: Abdominal fluid buildup, jaundice, or confusion — symptoms of advanced cirrhosis.   What are the serious consequences of fatty liver? Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): Inflammation leads to liver fibrosis and eventually cirrhosis. Liver cancer risk: Chronic inflammation increases the risk of liver cancer. Cardiovascular complications: Fatty liver often coexists with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Hong Kong data: Up to 40% of overweight adults have fatty liver, and 10–20% of these cases may progress to serious disease.   How to effectively improve obesity-related fatty liver? Weight reduction: Losing 7–10% of body weight can lower liver fat by 30–50%. Diet adjustments: Eat a low-fat, low-sugar diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean meat, and fish. Include daily sources of Omega-3 (such as salmon and flaxseeds) to protect the liver. Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks like juice or soda. Exercise habits: Do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise weekly (e.g., brisk walking, swimming). Add muscle-strengthening exercises 2–3 times per week to boost fat burning. Medical monitoring: Have regular liver ultrasounds. In serious cases, medication may be needed to protect liver cells.   How to prevent obesity-related fatty liver? Waistline targets: Less than 90 cm for men and 80 cm for women to avoid visceral fat buildup. Annual check-up: Overweight adults over 30 should have yearly liver enzyme tests and liver ultrasounds. Healthy lifestyle: Walk at least 30 minutes daily; sit less and move more. Maintain a balanced diet and adequate sleep. Manage stress, as high cortisol levels can harm the liver.   Obesity can seriously damage liver health, leading to fatty liver and even cirrhosis. If you feel discomfort in the right abdomen or persistent fatigue, seek medical advice early for proper evaluation. Losing weight in time is key to preventing severe liver complications.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common complication of obesity, affecting about 80% of overweight patients. Excess abdominal fat impairs insulin function, causing insulin resistance and chronically high blood sugar that overworks the pancreas, leading to eventual failure.   Effective Diabetes Risk Management Weight loss: Losing 7% of body weight reduces diabetes risk by 58%.Exercise recommendations: Combine 150 minutes of weekly aerobic exercise with strength training to improve blood sugar control by 30%.Dietary adjustments: Choose brown rice, beans, and vegetables; limit white rice and sweets to stabilize blood sugar.Medications: Metformin improves glucose levels; GLP-1 agonists aid weight loss and sugar control.Regular check-ups: Keep HbA1c below 7%; annual urine and eye exams.   Prevention Measures Maintain BMI under 23. Limit daily sugar to under 25g; consume over 25g fiber from vegetables. Adults over 40: Annual blood sugar tests. Obesity significantly raises diabetes risk. If weight keeps rising or symptoms appear, seek medical checks promptly for early control and complication prevention.

Dementia is essentially a cognitive disorder. Alzheimer’s disease, which people often hear about, is one of the most common forms of dementia. In Hong Kong, 9.7% of people aged 60 or above suffer from cognitive disorders, which are a major cause of loss of independence, disability, and death among the elderly. Every year, 1.96 million people worldwide die due to dementia—it is therefore a condition that must not be underestimated!   What are the types of dementia? Alzheimer’s disease: The most common type of dementia, which may be related to aging or hereditary factors. Patients tend to become increasingly forgetful, and their comprehension and learning abilities slow down. The disease progresses gradually, eventually affecting their self-care and social abilities—for instance, they may need help with daily conversations and hygiene. In this condition, abnormal proteins accumulate in the brain, disrupting communication between nerve cells, which leads to cell death and brain shrinkage. Vascular dementia: Accounts for about 30% of cases. It is linked to stroke, heart disease, and blood circulation problems. The onset is usually related to damage in the brain’s blood vessels. Lewy body dementia: Caused by nerve cell death in the brain. Patients may experience hallucinations, confusion, shifts in attention, and Parkinson-like tremors. Frontotemporal dementia: More commonly seen in younger patients (aged 35–75). It results from localized degeneration in the brain. Early symptoms are not necessarily memory-related but may include difficulties in communication and increased emotional problems.   Does being forgetful mean I already have dementia? Typical symptoms include: Loss of interest in work or activities. Memory decline: Trouble remembering recent events, repeatedly asking the same questions, or difficulty learning new things. Language problems: Weakened ability to express or understand, frequent word-finding difficulties. Judgment and decision-making difficulties: Challenges handling complex tasks or solving problems. Disorientation: Confusion about location, date, or time; easily getting lost. Emotional and personality changes: Apathy, anxiety, irritability, or poor judgment. Decline in daily functioning: In late stages, patients may lose self-care and communication abilities.   If I have dementia, can it be cured? Currently, there is no complete cure for dementia. However, early treatment and continuous care can slow disease progression, alleviate symptoms, and improve quality of life. Medication:Some medications cannot cure dementia but can help relieve symptoms. Doctors may prescribe drugs such as cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine, which help slow down brain deterioration and improve memory, cognitive function, and behavioral control. Healthy lifestyle:Studies show most dementia patients also have chronic conditions. Therefore, maintaining a balanced diet (more fish and vegetables, less meat), regular exercise, and mental stimulation can help delay cognitive decline. Caregivers should also provide emotional support to help patients express their feelings and reduce psychological stress.   How can I check whether I have dementia early? Though there is still no cure, early detection and intervention can significantly slow down progression. It is recommended to observe changes in memory and cognition in elders and undergo Alzheimer’s screening regularly to detect problems early and begin treatment promptly. Currently, Human Health Eshop offers an Early Alzheimer’s Screening for only HK$880.You can purchase or learn more via this link: https://mall.humanhealth.com.hk/products/early_alzheimer_screening This simple blood test can accurately detect levels of the biomarker phosphorylated Tau217 protein (p-Tau217) in the blood, which is associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology and helps assess the risk of developing AD. Multiple studies have shown that blood p-Tau217 test results closely match those of traditional PET-CT scans and cerebrospinal fluid biomarker analyses. Take action now—get screened and protect both yourself and your loved ones!   References:  The Centre for Health Protection ：NCD Watch August 2025 - Understanding Dementia. Consumer Council： Trivia About Dementia: What is “Alzheimer’s Disease”? A Dingy and Cluttered Room Can Be Hazardous? Castle Peak Hospital Department of Old Age Psychiatry: Mobile Memory Clinic.

Have you ever felt uncontrollable nervousness and anxiety? In fact, anxiety is a very normal emotional reaction — everyone faces different kinds of worries and stress every day. So how can you tell whether you’re actually suffering from an anxiety disorder?   What is mental illness? Mental illness is not the same as simply feeling unhappy or telling yourself to “look on the bright side.” For example, if you’re upset because something happened today but feel better tomorrow, that’s just a normal emotional fluctuation. However, with mental illness, not only are your emotions affected, but your body, thoughts, and even overall functioning can show specific symptoms that last for a longer period of time, interfering with daily life.Research has found that many people with mental illness show unusual features in the brain, such as imbalances in neurotransmitters.   When should you see a psychiatrist? Many people have stereotypes or even stigmas about psychiatry, and recent social events have caused further misunderstanding.In reality, psychiatry doesn’t only cover conditions like schizophrenia or psychosis. The field is very broad and includes common emotional disorders such as: Depression Anxiety disorders Dementia in the elderly Attention deficit in children Hyperactivity disorder Insomnia   Psychiatrists also handle addiction-related problems, including: Alcoholism Substance abuse Gambling addiction Internet addiction   If you often feel tense or nervous, could you have an anxiety disorder? People with anxiety disorders often experience persistent and excessive worry, or constantly expect danger to occur. This is often classified as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).   Symptoms of GAD include: Ongoing uneasiness Dizziness or headaches Rapid heartbeat Shortness of breath Digestive discomfort Nausea Cold sweats Feeling hot or flushed   These symptoms can significantly interfere with everyday life, affecting health, work, finances, relationships, and emotional well-being.   Other types of anxiety disorders include: Panic disorder Social anxiety disorder Agoraphobia Claustrophobia Acrophobia (fear of heights) Hemophobia (fear of blood) Insect phobia   Anxiety disorders more common in children: Separation anxiety disorder Selective mutism   If you notice that you or someone around you shows signs of emotional or mental distress, seek professional help as soon as possible.