Klinik Maluri

27/08/2025

Understanding Type 2 Diabetes: It’s About Insulin Resistance, Not Just Sugar

Type 2 diabetes, often called adult-onset diabetes, is a chronic condition that affects how the body processes glucose. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not simply about eating too much sugar. The core issue is insulin resistance, where the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. Over time, this forces the pancreas to produce more insulin, eventually leading to elevated blood glucose levels if unmanaged.

HbA1c: The Gold Standard for Monitoring Control
The most reliable way to assess how well Type 2 diabetes is managed is through the HbA1c test, which measures average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. A normal HbA1c level (below 5.7%) indicates good control, and with proper lifestyle changes, many people can bring elevated levels back to this range, effectively managing or even reversing the condition.
Reversing Type 2 Diabetes with Lifestyle Changes
The good news is that Type 2 diabetes can often be managed or reversed through intentional lifestyle changes:

Eat Real Food: Focus on whole, unprocessed foods like vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains. These foods provide essential nutrients without spiking blood sugar.
Exercise Regularly: Physical activity improves insulin sensitivity and helps regulate blood glucose. Aim for a mix of aerobic exercises and strength training.
Weight Loss: Losing even a modest amount of weight (5-10% of body weight) can significantly improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels.

Avoid Ultra-Processed Foods and Sweeteners
Ultra-processed foods, such as sugary snacks, fast food, and packaged meals, often contain refined carbohydrates and artificial additives that can worsen insulin resistance. Similarly, processed sweeteners—whether caloric (like high-fructose corn syrup) or non-caloric (like artificial sweeteners)—can disrupt metabolic health and should be avoided. Opt for natural, minimally processed alternatives when sweetness is desired, such as small amounts of fruit.
Conclusion
Type 2 diabetes is not just about sugar; it’s about addressing insulin resistance through sustainable lifestyle changes. By focusing on real food, regular exercise, and weight management, and by steering clear of ultra-processed foods and sweeteners, individuals can take control of their health, achieve normal HbA1c levels, and potentially reverse the condition. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance.

04/06/2025

Signs and Symptoms of Concussion

Involved in a car collision?
Rear ended by another vehicle?
Fell and knocked your head against the floor?

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a blow or jolt to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull. Symptoms may appear immediately or take hours to days to develop. Here are the common signs and symptoms to look out for:

🧠 Physical Symptoms

Headache or "pressure" in the head

Nausea or vomiting

Dizziness or balance problems

Blurred or double vision

Sensitivity to light or noise

Feeling sluggish or groggy

Loss of consciousness (even briefly)

Ringing in the ears

🧠 Cognitive Symptoms

Confusion

Difficulty concentrating

Memory problems (e.g., forgetting events before or after the injury)

Feeling mentally "foggy

🧠 Emotional & Behavioral Changes

Irritability

Sadness or depression

Anxiety or nervousness

Mood swings

🧠 Sleep Disturbances

Sleeping more or less than usual

Trouble falling or staying asleep

⚠️ Seek Immediate Medical Attention If:

Loss of consciousness lasts more than a minute

Repeated vomiting

Seizures or convulsions

Worsening headache

Slurred speech

Weakness or numbness

⏳ Note:

Symptoms can vary between individuals and may not always be obvious. Children and older adults may present differently. If in doubt, always seek medical advice.

31/05/2025

The scape goating of the humble GPs as the cause in the rise of health insurance premiums by MOH/BNM and the subsequent imposition of the drug price display ruling is but a distraction.
Many GLCs hold large stakes in private hospitals and healthcare groups that rake in obscene profits every year

Dear Editor,

*Healthcare making humongous profits in Malaysia*

This week we read about a large private healthcare group proudly celebrating its over RM50 million profit made in the first quarter of 2025.

Any private enterprise that makes huge profits marks its capability, success and gives hope for nation building.

But when a still developing country like ours feeds private healthcare to thrive while the government's provision of free, accessible and fast healthcare to all citizens who cannot afford the escalating costs of private healthcare, the reality question to ask is, should we continue to boost private healthcare at the expense of suffering citizens?

In this regard, this 'sunrise' industry of private healthcare is truly anti national to say the least.

And to openly proclaim majestically the humongous profits raked in, less costs, clearly attests two further truths.

One, the government hospitals are failing so much so citizens are without choice left to feed the costly private healthcare providers.

Two, the government has failed to moderate the expansion of such private healthcare invasions that only keep shareholders singing all the way to the bank.

Another inherent problem that we have overlooked since the launching of the Mahathir's privatisation agenda is the fact that these large, capital fuelled private healthcare entities have killed off the growth potential of the time tested, proven private clinics that provided primary care all over the country from villages to tiny townships to big, sprawling city centres.

It has also weakened the service quality and care giving capabilities within government clinics and hospitals all across the country, let alone absolving the government of its fundamental duty of care to citizens.

While we allow private healthcare to profit (if not profiteer) at the expense of citizens and nation building, we are also slowly killing off the humble private clinics in small and big towns.

Lest we deliberately cast our eyes to the contrary, one has to be reminded that the migration of medical and healthcare specialists from government hospitals, drawn by the lucrative carrots dangled by the private healthcare giants, has caused an infused counter productive brain drain within the country.

You cannot build a resiliant nation of people if healthcare (like education) is surrendered to privatisation - a proven path solely to rake in profits and shower investment windfalls upon stakeholders.

Arguments that private healthcare bring in technologies, offer high quality care, or provide well paid jobs are masking the ugly truth, namely, that the government has failed and citizens are suffering under this yoke. Period.

J. D. Lovrenciear

17/05/2025

https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/chinese-start-up-unveils-ai-powered-clinic-in-saudi-arabia/story

Synyi AI, a Chinese startup, has initiated the world's first artificial intelligence clinic in Saudi Arabia for patient diagnosis.

16/05/2025

KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 — Caught Covid-19 in 2025? With the disease now considered endemic and the rules eased, many may be wondering what to do next. On May 1, the government...

15/05/2025

13/05/2025

12/05/2025

Dr John Teo says drug price is only one of many factors in health care that can lead to either an early death or a long life. A doctor isn't the same as a shopkeeper. A patient isn't the same as a consumer. Neither can medication be compared to Maggi mee.

11/05/2025

Pain in your foot when walking? Possible causes.

Morton's Neuroma vs. Metatarsalgia – What's the Difference?
👣 Pain in the ball of your foot? It could be one of these two common conditions!

Morton’s Neuroma

A thickening of the tissue around a nerve between your toes, usually between the 3rd & 4th toes.

Feels like walking on a pebble or having a fold in your sock.

Symptoms: burning, tingling, or numbness in the toes.

Metatarsalgia

General pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot, not linked to a specific nerve.

Caused by overuse, high-impact sports, or ill-fitting shoes.

Symptoms: aching, sharp pain, worsens with activity.

Key Difference?
Morton’s neuroma affects a nerve specifically, while metatarsalgia is more general pain in the forefoot.

Don’t ignore persistent foot pain—see a doctor for proper diagnosis!


---

MELAYU
Neuroma Morton vs. Metatarsalgia – Apa Bezanya?
👣 Sakit di bahagian depan tapak kaki? Mungkin salah satu dari dua masalah biasa ini!

Neuroma Morton

Penebalan tisu di sekitar saraf antara jari kaki (biasanya antara jari ke-3 & ke-4).

Rasa seperti berjalan atas batu kecil atau lipatan stokin.

Gejala: rasa terbakar, kebas, atau menyucuk pada jari kaki.

Metatarsalgia

Sakit dan keradangan umum di bahagian depan tapak kaki.

Disebabkan aktiviti berlebihan, sukan impak tinggi, atau kasut tidak sesuai.

Gejala: sakit berdenyut, tajam, makin teruk bila banyak bergerak.

Perbezaan utama?
Neuroma Morton melibatkan saraf, manakala metatarsalgia ialah sakit umum di kaki depan.

Jangan abaikan sakit kaki yang berpanjangan—jumpa doktor untuk diagnosis yang tepat!

10/05/2025

The following post is from another GP on a doctors WhatsApp group that i am a part of. It echoes exactly what i feel about the use of Act 723. It reduces the art of healing to a strictly transactional nature. Medicine is a science but healing is an art, where nuances and experience play a huge part.

Why Do Doctors Oppose the Use of Act 723 in the Medical Profession?

Here is an evidence-based answer for everyone still wondering.

Earlier today, a new patient walked into my clinic. She requested to purchase an antibiotic over the dispensary counter for an upper respiratory tract infection. The rest of her medications had been bought from a nearby pharmacy. My staff advised her to consult the doctor first. She initially refused. We explained again the importance of professional dispensing—that selling prescription drugs over the counter without a doctor's consultation is prohibited under the Ministry of Health’s regulations. However, she still insisted on not seeing the attending doctor, as she did not want to pay the basic consultation fee. Despite her illness, she left the clinic, angry and disappointed.
Medical doctors prescribe appropriate medications based on a patient’s health complaints, symptoms, and clinical diagnosis. They are legally responsible for the services they provide, including medical examinations, consultations, treatments, medical advice, and prescriptions. Doctors are not categorized as retailers; therefore, Act 723 should not, in any way, be applied to medical practice.
The incident mentioned above clearly illustrates how patients may begin to misunderstand Act 723. Many may come to believe that they can choose, decide on, and purchase all medications—including antibiotics—over the dispensary counter without proper consultation or a doctor's prescription. I believe this Act undermines the nobility of the medical profession, reducing clinics to mere outlets for drug sales, rather than centers for professional healthcare.
What if the patient has COVID-19, influenza, pneumonia, or another serious health complication? Can self-treatment based solely on internet information always be trusted? What if the patient misses the window for timely and adequate treatment, potentially putting their life at risk? These are the very reasons why doctors strongly oppose the application of Act 723 to medical practice.

(act723)


(gp)
&servicesact1998(act586)

08/05/2025

🌟 Did You Know? Gout is more than just a painful joint condition—it's a warning sign of underlying health issues! 🌟

🔸 What is Gout? It’s a form of arthritis caused by the build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints, leading to sudden and intense pain.

🔸 Common Symptoms: Sudden flare-ups, swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected joint—often the big toe! 👣

🔸 Risk Factors: Shedding excess weight, high-purine diets (think red meats, shellfish), alcohol, and genetics.

🍽️ Dietary Avoidance Tips:
- Limit red meats, organ meats, and shellfish 🦐🥩
- Cut down on alcohol, especially beer 🍺
- Reduce sugary drinks and foods high in fructose
- Manage nuts and legumes intake: While they contain purines, moderate consumption is usually okay—consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice! 🌰🌱
- Stay hydrated to help flush out uric acid 💧

💓 Gout and Heart Health: Did you know that frequent gout attacks are linked to an increased risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease? Managing uric acid levels not only helps joint health but also supports your heart!

💡 Pro Tip: Maintaining a balanced diet, staying active, and monitoring uric acid levels can help prevent flare-ups and protect your overall health.

🩺 If you're experiencing joint pain, don't ignore it—early diagnosis leads to easier management!

06/05/2025

MOH deputy director-general of health (pharmaceutical services) Azuana Ramli, a pharmacist, urges patients to prioritise their doctor's advice over medicine prices. "That is the person you should listen to, rather than the price. The price is secondary."