Chronic Conditions in Singapore
by: Dr. Paul Chang, General Practitioner, Regis Medical
Chronic conditions are extremely common and problematic in Singapore. 1 in 4 Singaporeans aged 40 and above has at least one chronic disease. Statistics suggest that the proportion of Singaporean adults with three or more chronic conditions has nearly doubled from 2009 to 2017. More Singaporeans aged above 60 have been reported to have found difficulty in carrying out their daily activities as a result of their chronic conditions. Studies reveal that the most common chronic health conditions in Singapore were:
- Hypertension
- High blood cholesterol
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
What are Chronic Conditions?
Chronic conditions, or chronic diseases, refer to a condition or disease that usually lasts for 3 months or more and tends to progressively worsen over time. Chronic conditions tend to be caused by modern lifestyle related issues, such as unnecessary weight gain, stress and lack of adequate exercise. Chronic conditions typically occur in adults as they age and will need careful monitoring and treatment, to prevent the worsening of the disease. There is a certain financial toll that chronic disease takes on individuals and society. In addition, chronic conditions, if left uncontrolled can lead to serious health consequences such as disability, or even death. One example would be uncontrolled hypertension causing slow and steady blood vessel damage, leading to a higher chance of a haemorrhagic stroke.
In addition, chronic conditions such as hypertension, high blood cholesterol, and diabetes are closely related, making it common for patients to have a combination of these chronic conditions. Some would even invoke the term “metabolic syndrome” in patients who have all 3 of these conditions, as well as Gout.
Common Chronic Conditions faced by Singaporeans
As mentioned earlier, the most common chronic conditions in Singapore include hypertension; high blood cholesterol; joint pain, arthritis; and diabetes. However, there are many other chronic conditions that are common in Singapore.
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
The pumping action of the heart causes pressure against the artery walls. In cases for patients with high blood pressure, this pressure against the artery walls is constantly high and can lead to various health issues. Being diagnosed with hypertension means your blood pressure is consistently above normal levels. A healthy blood pressure reading should be below 140/90 mmHg. Consistent blood pressure readings of 140/90 mmHg or above suggest that you may have hypertension. One does not get diagnosed with Hypertension just based on one isolated reading, but rather, requires multiple readings done with optimal conditions (e.g. no smoking or caffeine intake before taking the reading). For cases that are suspected of white coat hypertension, one might even need to be referred for 24-hour blood pressure monitoring with a device.
Hypertension, if left untreated, can progressively worsen and cause serious health consequences such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney diseases.
High Cholesterol, also known as hyperlipidaemia, occurs when there is high cholesterol in the blood lipids. Cholesterol refers to a waxy, fat-like substance that is present in all the cells in your body. Cholesterol is necessary for your body to produce hormones, vitamins, and substances your body needs. Cholesterol is mainly produced by your liver, with the minority of cholesterol coming from foods from animals that you consume.
While cholesterol is essential to the functioning of the human body, having cholesterol levels that are too high can result in the build-up of fatty deposits in your arteries, slowing or stopping the blood flow in your body. This can cause life-threatening health complications such as stroke, heart attack or kidney disease.
Arthritis
Arthritis refers to a group of conditions that cause inflammation to the joints resulting in pain in the joints and swelling. Arthritis often leads to reduced mobility which can cause you difficulty when carrying out your daily routine. Arthritis can also damage the joints, which is irreversible and permanent. Chronic pain caused by arthritis can come and go without warning as well which can be frustrating to deal with since you cannot prepare for it. Some examples of arthritis include Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis
Diabetes is a chronic health condition where the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin or is ineffective in using the insulin produced. Insulin’s main function is to regulate the sugar in our bloodstream. High blood sugar levels, if left untreated, can lead to many serious health complications such as nerve damage, heart disease, loss of vision, and kidney disease.
Why Residents in Singapore develop these Chronic Conditions
Chronic conditions can be caused by poor lifestyle habits, an unhealthy diet, as well as risky behaviours such as smoking and binge drinking. These are all known components of a modern stressful lifestyle.
- The majority of Singaporeans lead a sedentary lifestyle and spend most of the time seated down, be it at work or home. This is coupled with the lack of physical exercise which can lead to Singaporeans being overweight or obese, which is a leading risk factor for the common chronic conditions mentioned. This is even more alarming considering the increase in childhood obesity in Singapore which is a dangerous trend for our future generations.
- Based on recent food trends, such as the rise in popularity of bubble tea (high in sugar content) and mala xiang guo or Chinese spicy stir-fry hot pot (high in fat and calories), the average Singaporean’s diet, especially younger Singaporeans, may put them at a higher risk of developing these chronic conditions in the near future. To begin with, Asians tend to consume a high-carbohydrate diet with rice as our staple food. Statistics have shown that Singaporeans on average consume about 60g of sugar a day, which is almost double the recommended intake of sugar for adults (24g for adult women and 36g for adult men), putting Singaporeans at a higher risk of developing diabetes.
- Singapore is widely known as a fast-paced, competitive country where Singaporeans strive to be efficient at work. This can create a high-stress environment, especially for those who do not get sufficient sleep, be it in terms of quality or quantity. This can greatly affect your health and put you at risk of developing chronic conditions.
- Regular use of tobacco puts you at a greater risk of developing chronic diseases as well as more severe health conditions, including health complications caused by chronic diseases. In fact, almost 6 Singaporeans die from smoking-related disease daily.
- Binge drinking regularly can lead to a long-term increase in blood pressure, putting you at risk of developing hypertension.
Screening for Common Chronic Conditions
It is extremely common to develop common chronic conditions as you age. However, majority of Singaporeans find out later rather than sooner about their chronic conditions, and this is mostly due to the fact that most chronic conditions do not present immediately with any symptoms. Our healthcare system is currently pushing for early detection and intervention for these chronic conditions. Early detection can not only save your health but also save you a lot of money. If you are above the age of 40, you are highly recommended to go for general health screening regularly at least once every year or 2 years. Health screening can also positively impact patients who are generally worried about their health by providing regular reassurance.
We offer a range of screening services that can help you detect signs of chronic conditions. Our experienced GPs will also be able to advise you on the steps you should take if you are diagnosed with any of these conditions or are at higher risk of developing such conditions. We also work with trusted labs and partners for higher level comprehensive screening.
Screen for Chronic Conditions with Regis Medical Health Screening
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