23/03/2026

MONDAY | MAR 23, 2026

26

HEALTH

I N the merriment of celebrating Hari Raya, the community also needs to be aware of self-care aspects when visiting during the festive season and attending open houses to curb the spread of tuberculosis (TB), which can easily be transmitted to others through the air. KPJ Perlis Specialist Medical Centre consultant physician Dr Nurazam Omar said that individuals with symptoms such as coughing and those at risk of infection are encouraged to wear face masks, frequently wash their hands or use hand sanitisers, and maintain a distance of one to two metres. He said that individuals with a cough are at risk of being carriers of the disease, which can infect high-risk groups, including children under five years old, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer who have weak immune systems. “When it’s the festive season, we usually go for visits and open houses, so those who have a cough and might not know they have TB need to take precautions by wearing a mask and practicing proper cough etiquette to prevent others from getting infected. “Similarly, those at risk who suffer from chronic diseases also need to be vigilant about self-care by wearing face masks, washing hands frequently and maintaining a distance, as a weak immune system makes it easy for germs to attack the lungs,” he said when met by Bernama recently. Nurazam said the disease caused by the mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, which attacks the lungs, can spread and infect other individuals through the air when the active TB carrier talks, coughs, sneezes, shouts or sings. He said that the period during which an individual is at high risk of contracting the disease is after more than eight hours of interaction and being in close contact with a TB patient in a certain place. “Open house events held in open areas have a low risk of this disease spreading due to good ventilation compared to closed halls and houses, but it should be noted that they pose a high risk to chronic disease sufferers whose immune systems are weak in fighting the disease,” he said. Nurazam said that the disease can cause complications to other organs, including the brain, kidneys, heart, glands and spine if not diagnosed early to receive immediate treatment. CHRONIC kidney disease (CKD) is often described as a “quiet disease”, one that progresses silently until damage is advanced. Malaysian data shows that women have a 14% prevalence rate slightly exceeding men at 12%. The gender gap is not always obvious in day-to-day practice. The majority of CKD is still driven by metabolic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, and these affect men and women in fairly similar numbers. Diabetes, hypertension: Biggest culprits Up to 86% of CKD cases in kidney centres are caused by metabolic disease. The Malaysian Dialysis and Transplant 2023 Registry data shows that diabetes and hypertension are the main causes of kidney failure, accounting for 56% and 30% of cases respectively. The two conditions operate in the background to gradually damage the kidneys through multiple years without showing any apparent signs. What remains concerning is that so many people find out about their kidney condition too late. Many only discover they have CKD when kidney function has already declined significantly, sometimes just when dialysis becomes an immediate necessity. This is why screening is important. The first three stages of CKD are usually asymptomatic. When gender does matter: Autoimmune disease While kidney disease can affect anyone, women are more like to experience autoimmune-related kidney conditions. One of the most common is lupus nephritis, a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Although rarer in men, the symptoms and kidney damage are often more severe when it occurs. SLE mainly affects women, with female-to

Embrace the festive spirit while taking precautions when visiting others . – 123RFPIC

Keeping Raya visits safe o Self-care awareness needed during festive season to curb spread of TB

measures. In addition, if you find out that there is a TB patient in a house, my advice is to avoid visiting that house during this festive season … don’t take the risk. If you still want to go to that house, wear a face mask and maintain your distance,” he said. Nurazam also said that TB screening can be done through several examination methods, namely X-ray and MRI, sputum tests or the Tuberculin Skin Test for those with dry cough, as well as respiratory tract sample collection. He added that TB patients require treatment and the intake of certain medications for a period of six months to a year to recover. pressure or blood sugar normalises at one stage of life does not mean the risk disappears. Women need long-term follow-up, even if they feel well. Your kidneys will not warn you, but these simple tests can For women, especially those with diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, autoimmune disease or a history of pregnancy complications, early screening for kidney disease is essential. Just three simple tests can catch trouble early: 0 Blood test for kidney function 0 Urine test for protein (preferably a urine albu Protein in the urine is one of the earliest signs of kidney damage, yet many dipstick tests miss it. Early detection changes everything as there are so many treatment options available. With the right treatment, kidney decline can also be slowed dramatically. Our goal is preservation. If we can reduce the kidney decline from 10% a year to just 2%, many patients may never need dialysis. CKD develops quietly, often going unnoticed until it is advanced. Therefore, recognising the signs early and taking prompt action is important. For women who look after others, remember that your health is the foundation of the care you provide. Hence, prioritising your own health is essential, not selfish. Do not wait for symptoms. If your blood tests are“normal”but something still feels off, ask your doctor about your kidneys. This article is contributed by Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City consultant nephrologist and kidney transplantation physician Dr Rosnawati Yahya. min-to-creatinine ratio) 0 Blood pressure check

affecting health,” he said. Nurazam said that the community needs to be vigilant about symptoms of cough and fever at night that persist for more than two weeks, as well as sudden weight loss, and urged them to immediately go to a health facility for a tuberculosis screening. However, he said there are also cases of TB that come without any symptoms but suddenly experience severe back pain before being diagnosed with the disease after undergoing a tuberculosis screening through MRI. “That’s why I emphasise the importance of taking care of oneself with these preventive be dismissed as fluid retention. Women often normalise these symptoms. They assume it is stress, ageing or hormones instead of kidney disease. However, some red flag symptoms that could indicate CKD such as changes in urination, loss of appetite or nausea or high blood pressure that is hard to control. Blood test results can be misleading, especially for women. Creatinine levels, a primary indicator of kidney function, are directly affected by muscle mass. Women are urged not to rely on numbers alone but to ask their doctor what those numbers really mean for them. Since women generally have less muscle than men, a “normal” creatinine level might still mask early kidney issues. A reading of 90 may be fine for a large man, but in a petite woman, it could signal reduced kidney reserve. Female life stages that leave long-term imprint on kidney health Pregnancy and menopause are two life events that can increase a woman’s risk of future kidney problems. Complications such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes indicate persistent vascular or metabolic issues, raising the risk of hypertension, proteinuria and CKD two to four times. After menopause, lower oestrogen further reduces kidneys and blood vessels protection, potentially accelerating disease progression. Additionally, polycystic ovary syndrome has emerged as a significant but under-recognised risk factor. It is closely linked to insulin resistance, obesity and metabolic syndrome. It can also lead to diabetes and high blood pressure earlier in life, both major causes of kidney damage over time. It is important to get blood pressure and blood sugar tests every year. Just because blood

He explained that a tuberculosis patient with low immune resistance will cause the bacteria to multiply excessively in the lungs, which will then enter the bloodstream, leading to infections in other organs. “There is latent TB and active TB. For example, individual A, a TB patient, infects individual B, whose immune system is strong and can respond to the bacteria in the lungs without any symptoms, feeling healthy as usual. Then, after a health screening, it is found to be latent TB. “It is different if individual B has a weak immune system, unable to control and fight the bacteria, leading to active tuberculosis and

Stay vigilant, get tested: Silent kidney risk many women overlook

male ratios as high as nine to one. When it involves the kidneys, women still make up most cases. Symptoms easy to miss or misinterpret One of the reasons CKD remains underdiagnosed, particularly among women, is that its symptoms are easily dismissed. Symptoms are frequently mistaken for everyday life or hormonal changes, such as: 0 Persistent tiredness or fatigue that is usually blamed on being too busy with household, work or childcare. 0 Lethargy that is often dismissed as anaemia, menstrual symptoms or tiredness. 0 Frequent night-time urination, which some women attribute it to weakened pelvic floor muscles after childbirth. 0 Swelling in the legs, ankles or face, which may Women often dismiss persistent fatigue as stress or hormonal changes without realising they may be linked to kidney health.