Health checkups and examinations

After suffering a painful gout attack a month ago, I decided that it was time for a blood test again. Knowing that that was going to be quite a bit of feasting coming up, I took it last Saturday early morning, before a $1,200+ lunch for six pax at Shabu Shabu Gen and a substitute Morton's steak dinner at a friend's place. Before the results were out, this was the true safety window when I could throw caution out of the window and eat whatever I want. 

Somehow, this reminds me of when I was in primary school. While mugging for exams, obviously I couldn't (or not supposed to) slack. But the safety window was when exams were just over - that was when I could enjoy my freedom for a short period of time. Once the results were out, however, I wouldn't be allowed to have fun if my results sucked. (Which happened occasionally if I were to get below 95!)

The results came three days later. My heart sank when I saw the multiple 'H's on the report (stands for 'High'). My total cholesterol, total/HDL ratio, LDL-cholesterol, and uric acid were all high. Argh! 

Time to watch my diet. No more kway chiap, foie gras, scallops, and less alcohol and seafood. My life has lost so much meaning... sobs

104% of maximum heart rate

While using the elliptical trainer this morning during my gym session, I decided to push myself harder. At the end of the session, I used the handle bars to measure my heart rate. It came up to a shocking 195. And I felt somewhat uncomfortable for the rest of the day in an indescribable way. 

So I went to check up on exercising and heart rates. Various websites gave around the same information, that the maximum heart rate should be 220 minus your current age and that while exercising, we should always target a heart rate of 50% to 85% of our maximum heart rate.

That makes my maximum heart rate 188, and a target exercise heart rate of 94 to 160. How the hell did I manage to hit 195, which is more than my maximum heart rate? Either the machine was faulty, or I really over-exerted myself. But one thing for sure is that I should definitely lower the intensity of my workouts. 

Gout is ouch

Had some drinks with my colleague two nights ago, and I admit that I had a bit too much and was half drunk. When I reached home at around 130am, I felt a slight pain in my right knee - that's strange, considering that I didn't fall down on knock it against anything the whole day.

The next morning, it was slightly worse, but I could still get around with just a slight limp. I drove out to Marina Square to attend a piano recital, and throughout the day, the pain got worse until I was really limping. While driving to the dinner venue, I knew that I couldn't make it anymore - even driving was a feat, as the pain was worst whenever I switched from stepping on the brakes to the accelerator and vice versa. In the end, I cancelled dinner and used two feet to drive - left foot on the brakes.

I already knew the cause of the pain - gout. I got it on my right ankle exactly three years ago - and did a blood test, which came out mildly positive on the uric acid part. Since then, I have been reducing my food intake in terms of purines - the worst culprits were offal and beer, which I have reduced significantly. But alcohol in general was also a trigger, as it interferes with the elimination of uric acid from the body. So I guess that the multiple servings of whiskey that night really caused it to happen.

I doubt if I would be able to go for work tomorrow, as my right knee is still painful and swollen. The affected area even felt very warm, and I had to resort to using a walking stick these two days. Oh well. Looks like I really need to watch my food (and alcohol) intake again.

A blessing in disguise?

I fell sick recently. It was nothing major; just a slight fever that went away in a day. But in hindsight, I was really glad it happened.

On the day I fell sick, I ate too much for lunch (ordered too much at Hong Lim Food Centre). And it made me immensely uncomfortable, probably exacerbated by the fact that a fever was coming three hours later. During my company dinner that very same day, I think I ate only a third of my usual portion.

All this while, I have been thinking of cutting down on my food intake for health reasons. But I was never really successful, mainly due to a lack of discipline. This fever simplified things, because I started from a smaller appetite. It was far easier to start from this point compared to 'starving' myself if things hadn't changed. Of course, only a week has passed, but I have managed to gain momentum - I think my body is slowly adapting to a smaller food intake, and I get full more easily.

Next was my energy level. Being sick forced me to rest. And one long night of sleep did wonders in helping my body recuperate. I felt much more energetic when I had recovered, and started the work week seemingly anew.

But this coincided with a particularly busy week, and by the end of the sixty-odd-hour week, I was back to feeling exhausted. Had better recuperate this weekend!

Teeth cleaning

For the past two years, I have been going for regular teeth cleaning once every six months at the dentist. I usually go on a weekday morning at 9am, and try to reach office by 10am. It was starting to feel like a hassle. Maybe I should just get my teeth cleaned once every eight months, I thought. 

This visit was quite different. A different person attended to me this time, and she introduced herself as a hygienist, not a dentist. Despite having brushed the back of my lower front teeth, a considerable amount of calculus had accumulated there. "Look," she pointed out, "see how much calculus had built up." 

"But I have been brushing there diligently since the last session!" I protested, with a tinge of indignation.

"Your lower front teeth are crowded," she said. "This causes plaque to accumulate more easily. Also, the gum around there is slightly swollen due to that."

By the way, calculus is actually the hardening of plaque after some time. Once plaque becomes calculus, supposedly only a dentist or hygienist is able to remove it.

"Do you floss?" she asked. "No right? I can tell. Because your teeth are crowded, you must floss. By right, we should floss everyday. But for a start, maybe you can floss just once a week."

Oh well. I guess I don't have a choice. 

The teeth cleaning continued. Then she asked, "Do you smoke? No? Then you must have been drinking a lot of coffee. Your teeth are quite stained."

Well, that's very true. I drink on average one to two cups of coffee a day. This may not sound like a lot, but I only drink kopi-o or black coffee. So I guess that makes things worse. Maybe I should gargle  each time I drink coffee. 

"Also, I see some gum recession," she continued.

"What?"

"Look here - can you tell that your gum has receded? The exposed tooth area is of a different colour. Can you see?" 

Damn it, I could. 

"You have been brushing too hard. I will show you the correct way of brushing later. Also, I will give (sell) you another toothbrush later. It is smaller and softer, so it won't hurt your gum that much."

I was a bit wary of how much this toothbrush would cost, but it only cost $3.

"The last lower tooth at the right side needs more attention. I think your toothbrush is a bit too big, so you can't really brush it properly. You will need another toothbrush - one with very small bristles - to be able to clean it."

Another one! Great. Now I need to use three toothbrushes just for one mouth. Fortunately it costs around $3 as well.

After I have paid for the session - it cost me $153 - the receptionist asked if I would like to schedule my next appointment.

Without hesitation, I scheduled it six months later.

Stair-climbing

After a conversation with my colleague, I decided to take up stair-climbing again. But this time, to do it seriously. Previously, climbing the stairs was just a supplement to swimming, where I would climb to the 20th floor where I stay after a swim. But now, I decided to make it a primary activity. 

So yesterday, I took the lift down to the 1st floor and started the climb. What I did was, I would climb all the way to the 24th floor, then take the lift down to the 1st floor again, then repeat. On the way down, I would take the opportunity to stretch my legs. In total, I managed to hit 100 floors in 35 minutes.

My legs weren't that sore after that, so I expected the pain to come the next morning. But strangely, I didn't feel any aches today at all. I should do this regularly! I went to read up on the benefits of stair-climbing, and here are some important points:

- It's free!

- It supposedly burns about twice as many calories than any other sport or activity.

- It is an intense exercise that can increase our heart rate quickly, so it helps in our cardiovascular fitness.

- It can help to build bone strength as it is weight bearing.

- It is low impact and safe for the knees. Just remember to take the lift down after a climb.

- It leverages on gravity, so the heavier we are, the harder it is and the more calories we burn.

Swimming

I have been swimming regularly since 2009, when I was diagnosed with spondylosis and ceased all jogging and high-impact exercises. Although I miss jogging, I found new aspects that I love in swimming.

Exercise-wise, I used to swim breaststroke and freestyle in the ratio 3:1. But the physiotherapist told me not to swim breaststroke at all, because the leg movements may jolt and injure my lower back. It was tough swimming only freestyle at first, but after some time I got used to it. Now I can swim many laps in freestyle without really feeling too tired.

However, what I really discovered was that swimming helps me to relax. As my friends and colleagues know, I am always in a rush - because I know what I am going to do next, and I do not want to waste any time, especially during the traveling process. By traveling, I am not referring to overseas traveling but rather, commuting or just taking a train down to town. I walked so fast that a colleague, who was chasing after me, was actually panting heavily when she reached me. 

But when I am overseas, I slow down significantly, because part of what I intend to do is to enjoy the scenery, the new sights and smells. 

When swimming, my mind settles, and I finally have time to stop and think. While some of these thoughts are admittedly on what stuff I am going to do next, I also think about different things. And the sense of serenity I get is priceless.

Wisdom tooth extraction

During a dental follow-up, I was told that my upper left wisdom tooth had to be removed as well, because it was growing out too much. I guess that without the lower left wisdom tooth as its 'support' too, it will probably get worse. It was only an extraction, not a surgery, so it wasn't a big deal. I went to get it removed it yesterday.

It was over in minutes. The first few jabs stung a bit, but after that I felt nothing and was considerably surprised to find that the tooth was already out. 

Now I know why a wisdom tooth surgery requires 5 days of MC while an extraction only warrants 1 day. Just a few hours later, I was practically eating like normal, unlike the 1-2 weeks of discomfort after the surgery. 

My lower right wisdom tooth is fine, so it is remaining where it is. The upper one is still buried inside my gum, and I hope it stays that way.

Wisdom tooth surgery

Today, I went for a surgery to remove my lower left wisdom tooth. It wasn't really giving me any significant problems - in fact, 3 of my wisdom teeth came out without my knowledge, and the last one is still comfortably nestled deep in my gum. But a visit to the dentist 3 months ago made me realise that one offending wisdom tooth was tilted at a 45 degrees angle against its neighbour, effectively creating a small pocket to collect food. While it could be brushed away, some food would inevitably be forced in between the 2 teeth and create a cavity. An X-ray already showed a light shadow at the neighbouring tooth - evidence of a slight cavity.

The surgery went quite well. The dentist rubbed some cream around the tooth to make it a bit numb first, before giving me local anesthetic via several injections. The injection almost didn't hurt at all - just a slight stinging sensation, probably thanks to the cream. My face and hair was then covered, exposing just the mouth for the surgery.

Honestly, I couldn't really tell what the dentist was doing. He used a drill, but I couldn't really feel anything. I only knew that the offending tooth was gone when I felt stitches in my mouth. He then gave me 4 more anti-swelling jabs - this was more painful, but still not unbearable. And I am officially one wisdom tooth less.

My wisdom tooth looked gross. Not the tooth itself, but rather, the pieces of gum around it. Eww.