Here’s what to take note if you frequently consume over-the-counter painkillers

Panadol Extra

It’s easy to pop a pill when you encounter a headache, fever, or pain. Do you know that other than paracetamol (commonly known as Panadol), there are also non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)? They include ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen. According to general practitioner Dr Jonathan Ti from DTAP Clinic Robertson, some NSAIDs come in creams or patches as well.

Yong Pei Chean, the president of the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore (PSS) also draws our attention to topical painkillers. These pain killers such as counter irritants and local anaesthetics are available for purchase without the need for a prescription.

She explains that counter irritants generally contain ingredients such as capsaicin, menthol, and camphor. When applied on the skin, you will feel a warm or cool sensation which distracts you from the actual pain.

As for local anaesthetics like lignocaine, you can usually find them in antiseptic creams and gels. “When these are applied, it temporarily numbs the area and reduces the ability of nerves to transmit pain sensation,” said Yong.

If you frequently consume over-the-counter painkillers, here’s what to take note of.

NSAIDs may not be suitable for everyone
pregnant woman taking a pill

Image Credits: SBS

While NSAIDs can be an alternative if you are allergic to paracetamol, it may not be suitable for everyone.

“NSAIDs are known to have some blood-thinning effects and may increase one’s risk of bleeding, especially when it is taken together with medicines or herbal supplements that have similar properties,” cautioned Yong, referring to the blood thinner warfarin, and herbs such as ginkgo and ginseng.

The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK advised the public to check with their doctors before consuming NSAIDs. This is especially so for people under 16 or over 65 years old, pregnant or trying for a baby, breastfeeding, asthmatic, had previous stomach ulcers or allergies to NSAIDs, have problems with the heart, liver, kidneys, blood pressure, circulation or bowels, and/or taking other medicines.

In addition to that, SingHealth has noted that NSAIDs should be taken once or twice a day, swallowed whole (unless otherwise informed), and taken after food to prevent stomach upset.

Avoid taking painkillers with other medicines
Different pills

Image Credits: Mylan

“For instance, a patient may be taking Anarex, which contains paracetamol and orphenadrine, for chronic pain. If he purchases Panadol Cold Relief (it also contains paracetamol as well as phenylephrine) to self-medicate and relieve symptoms of the flu, he could unknowingly be overdosing on paracetamol,” said Yong.

“This frequently occurs when medications are obtained from different sources, such as when they are prescribed by two different doctors or pharmacists.”

Yong also mentioned the risk of overdosing. This happens very commonly in patients who are underweight or have existing kidney or liver problems, the elderly, and children.

“A child may be previously prescribed with 5ml of a 120mg/5ml preparation by a doctor. Should the parent subsequently purchase a 250mg/5ml preparation and give the child 5ml as per the previous doctor’s prescription, the child will be given double the dose.”

Stick to the given dosage
Medicine dosage

Image Credits: Burt’s Pharmacy

“Different medications will have different onset and duration of action timings. Oral paracetamol and ibuprofen generally start working within 30 minutes, and effects last about six to eight hours,” said Dr Ti.

The same medicine created differently can influence the duration of action. For example, diclofenac’s sustained release may last for up to 24 hours and is taken once a day. While diclofenac’s immediate release can last only eight to 12 hours and may be taken two or three times a day, added Yong.

She also noted that a person should not exceed eight 500mg tablets of paracetamol in a day. This is because taking more painkillers than you should can ruin your liver in the long run.

“For paracetamol overdose, symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, sweating, and changes in mentation (mental activity),” stated Dr Ti.

In the case of overdosing on NSAIDs, the signs are more severe. Individuals might encounter acute kidney injury and/or bleeding in the stomach or intestines. “This bleeding may present as nausea and vomiting, blood in the vomit, or as black, sticky stools with or without sharp gastric pain,” said Yong.

If you suspect an overdose, head straight for the hospital emergency centre, advised Dr Ti. “They will require specific treatment protocols and close monitoring, which would not be available at a regular GP.”

“It can be helpful to bring along the box or leaflet of the medication the patient has been taking to help the medical team accurately identify the cause of the overdose,” suggested Yong.

Side effects of painkillers
Drug allergy

Image Credits: Healthline

If you spot rashes, swelling of the eyes and lips, and/or difficulty breathing after taking paracetamol, visit a doctor immediately. This could be due to an allergic reaction to paracetamol.

As per the NHS, those who regularly drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week, have kidney or liver problems, and/or are on epilepsy medicine might want to avoid taking paracetamol.

According to SingHealth, NSAIDs may also cause common side effects like dizziness, nausea, gastric irritation, and increased blood pressure. Individuals may also face fluid retention and/or worsening asthma.

“When in doubt, it is advisable to consult the doctor or pharmacist for advice,” said Yong. “This is especially important if one has any medical conditions, is on long-term medication, pregnant, or breastfeeding.”

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Internships & Jobs: NTU, UOB Kay Hian, and Ezbuy are hiring

job opportunities

How’s your job search coming along? If you need help brushing up your resume, read our recent article on the art of writing a resume as advised by experts. Meanwhile, check out these new job and internship opportunities with NTU, UOB Kay Hian, and Ezbuy.

#1: Nanyang Technological University – Trainee, Research Assistant in Parent-Infant Neural Connectivity
NTU

Image Credits: NTU

Allowance / Remuneration: S$1,800 – 2,500 monthly

NTU’s School of Social Sciences has nearly 100 faculty members and more than 1,700 undergraduates who major in the four-degree programmes the school offers: Economics, Psychology, Public Policy and Global Affairs, and Sociology. There are more than 180 graduate students in their PhD and MA programmes (by research), and MSc programmes in Applied Economics and Gerontology.

The Baby-LINC Lab in the Division of Psychology is headed by Asst Prof Victoria Leong. The lab conducts world-leading research on interpersonal neural connectivity between parents and infants, using a technique called “dual-EEG”. During early life, social interactions between infants and caregivers “gate” learning processes in the infant’s brain.

In this project, the candidate will learn to analyse dyadic-EEG data concurrently collected from infants and their parents during naturalistic learning scenarios. The aim will be to examine how the parent-infant neural network is modulated by social cues such as eye contact and infant-directed speech in order to facilitate early learning. This project can be completed through 100% virtual coaching since a large amount of data has already been collected and is ready for analysis. However, should circumstances permit, hands-on training in EEG data acquisition may also be provided to enhance the trainee’s learning experience.

Job Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
  • Basic proficiency in Matlab (preferred) or other programming languages
  • Good knowledge of statistics and statistical software packages such as R and Statistica (preferred)
  • Interest in neuroscience and/or psychology
  • Good attention to detail
  • Effective communication and report writing skills 
Key Responsibilities
  • Assisting with pre-processing of EEG datasets (e.g. checking for errors, removing artefacts)
  • Video coding of infant and maternal behaviour
  • Statistical analysis of behavioural data
  • Recruitment and screening of participants
  • Coordinating day-to-day (online) research activities (e.g. recruitment and scheduling of participants)
  • Performing other related duties assigned in support of the research projects
How to apply?

Apply via this link.

View the job post in full here.

#2: UOB Kay Hian Pte Ltd – Operations Temp
UOB Kay Hian

Image Credits: MoneyDuck

Allowance / Remuneration: S$1,000 – 1,500 monthly

UOB Kay Hian Pte Ltd claims to be the largest stockbroking house in Singapore with a strong presence in key financial centres in the region, UK and US. They provide a wide range of services to a diversified client base that includes corporations, institutions, and local investors. Clients can rely on the brand’s knowledge of key Asian financial markets to improve their investment decisions and portfolios.

Job Qualifications
  • Must be able to commit for at least 3 months, Mondays to Fridays
  • OT is required for this role
  • At least a Diploma holder
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel
  • No experience required, fresh graduates are welcomed
Key Responsibilities

This position will report to the Contracts Department, with the following duties:

  • Perform trade processing for Equities and Unit Trust
  • Checking of reports, data entry, and processing contra
  • Handle administrative tasks such as photocopying, faxing etc.
How to apply?

Submit your application to Angel Wong via this link.

View the job post in full here.

#3: Ezbuy – Human Resource Intern
Ezbuy logo

Image Credits: Ezbuy

Allowance / Remuneration: S$800 monthly

Formerly known as 65Daigou, owned by EZbuy Holdings Limited, Ezbuy is a provider of online global shopping services. Founded in 2010 by a group of aspiring entrepreneurs, Ezbuy quickly rose to become one of the largest global shopping platforms.

According to the company, they currently provide global shopping services from China, USA, and Taiwan to more than 1,000,000 customers across Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Job Qualifications
  • Poly students or university students are welcomed to apply
  • Possesses basic knowledge of HR procedure
  • Active, pleasant personality, and cheerful
  • Good team player and able to work under minimal supervision
  • Proficient in MS Office, especially in MS Excel
  • Excellent English and Chinese speaking and writing skills are advantageous (in order to liaise with the Chinese speaking associates)
Key Responsibilities
  • Monitor staff’s time attendance
  • Basic recruitment
  • Staff communication & correspondence
  • Employee welfare, benefits & compensation
  • Creating quarterly newsletter
  • Basic administration work
  • Communicating with vendor or supplier
  • Assist to fixed asset management
  • Ability to manage and organize data and information for HR and finance
  • Assist document filing and receiving, basic paperwork
  • Additional duties assigned by the Management from time to time
How to apply?

Submit your application to Emma via this link.

View the job post in full here.

#4: Ezbuy – Marketing Intern (Beauty Marketplace)
ezbuy

Image Credits: The Low Down

Allowance / Remuneration: S$800 monthly

Formerly known as 65Daigou, owned by EZbuy Holdings Limited, Ezbuy is a provider of online global shopping services. Founded in 2010 by a group of aspiring entrepreneurs, Ezbuy quickly rose to become one of the largest global shopping platforms.

According to the company, they currently provide global shopping services from China, USA, and Taiwan to more than 1,000,000 customers across Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Job Qualifications
  • Ability to speak both English and Chinese – in order to liaise with Chinese speaking associates
  • Good skills in using office software including excel, ppt, etc.
  • Having photoshop skill will be advantageous.
  • Actively looking out for the latest trends.
  • Have good written and speaking skills.
  • Good understanding of beauty products.
  • Being fast and accurate.
  • Having analytical skills.
  • Being detail-oriented.
  • Able to adapt to different working environments.
Key Responsibilities
  • Communicate with beauty marketplace sellers to plan for campaigns and execute them with the guidance of the marketing team (in both English and Chinese)
  • Managing the beauty marketplace.
  • Creating new ideas to promote for sellers.
  • Managing and updating the website on the latest trends.
  • Analyzing sales, prices, and preparing recommendations.
  • Conducting research on the market competitiveness.
  • Critical thinking and able to work independently.
  • Assist in local marketplace operations.
  • Maintaining onsite assets such as campaign landing pages.
How to apply?

Submit your application to Tee Hao Wen via this link.

View the job post in full here.

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Five Reasons Why Having Auto Insurance Is a Must

Tip on Car Insurance

Having insurance on your car or truck is a smart idea for numerous reasons, not just because it is usually required but also to give you the peace of mind you deserve when something happens to your vehicle. After all, an accident can happen at any time and if your auto insurance isn’t current, you might have to pay for all of those repairs yourself. Regardless of your income, this is a huge burden for most people, especially when you consider what most car repairs cost these days. This is but one of the reasons why having car insurance on your vehicle is a must and below are a few other reasons as well.

  1. It Is Often Required

Car insurance is often required by law, with each location being a little different regarding what you’d be responsible for if you are involved in an accident that is determined to be your fault. This is an important fact to consider because if this type of insurance is required and you aren’t covered, you’ll not only be required to pay for the costs of all of the repairs but you could also get fined because you didn’t have insurance in the first place. It is especially troublesome because let’s face it, car repairs can cost up to ten-thousand dollars in some cases.

  1. It Can Help Protect Your Investment

The right type of auto insurance will help you keep your car well-maintained, and this is important since your vehicle can be one of the biggest investments you make. Especially if you own an expensive vehicle, you’ll want to make sure it stays in great shape year after year, and if you get into an accident without the right type of car insurance, or not enough car insurance, you may not be able to afford to get all of the work done that’s necessary for your car to look good. Of course, taking good care of your vehicle is about more than it looking good – it has to run right as well, and an insurance company will help make that happen whenever an accident occurs.

  1. It Saves You a Lot of Money Over Time

Everyone thinks that car insurance is expensive and even though it can be a bit pricey depending on the circumstances, just one accident can make that amount of money seem insignificant. The longer you have car insurance, the more money it saves you. While it’s true that you can take your chances by not paying for this type of insurance and think that you’re saving money, you could easily be paying way more money than just the amount you’ve paid for car insurance up to that point when you have an accident while driving your car. Through the years, having up-to-date car insurance can save you a lot of money indeed.

  1. Protection Against Mother Nature

Of course, car accidents aren’t the only reason to always keep your car insurance up to date. Mother Nature can also wreak havoc on your vehicle with hurricanes, earthquakes, mudslides, and all other natural disasters that can cause huge damages to your vehicle. Even if you never get into an accident, the elements can cause very expensive damages from falling limbs, heavy winds and rain, and flying debris that could come crashing into your vehicle at any time. Without insurance, this can damage your budget but you won’t have to worry about any of this with the right type of auto insurance.

  1. You Can Enjoy Some Legal Protection

Even if the accident is deemed to be truly no one’s fault, this doesn’t mean that someone on the other side won’t try and sue you. This is where your insurance company can be a big help. If you get sued, the insurance company’s legal department will jump into action and help you every step of the way, fighting for you so that you always have someone by your side. Being sued can be very nerve-wracking for the average person but insurance companies have legal representatives who go to bat for you so that your side is represented from beginning to end, providing you with the peace of mind in these circumstances so that you’re much more likely to be successful in the end.

 

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Renovating your BTO flat: Interior designers share some tips on budgeting, styles, and more

HDB flat renovations

After getting over the excitement of purchasing your build-to-order (BTO) flat, it’s time to think about renovations. If you know not where to start, take it from the interior designers themselves as they share with you tips on budgeting, styles to go for, and more.

Set a budget
Set-aside-money-for-home-renovation

Image Credits: 99.co

As with most things, setting a budget will get you started on the right track. According to a spokesman for Qanvast, the data collected shows that homeowners of new apartments spend between S$30,000 and S$60,000 on renovations while renovation costs for resale units start at S$65,000.

However, he advises homeowners to budget for an excess of 10 to 20 per cent more. “It’s common for homeowners to spend more than their budget – upgrading to better tiles, adding carpentry work, or dealing with unexpected hiccups.”

Also, while you might be attracted to some low-cost packages, it’s good to do a background check before signing any contract. Mr Morris Teo, managing director of HomeRenoGuru, a renovation website, says: “Homeowners should be mindful when signing packages that appear very affordable. Reputable interior designers would usually include the entire renovation works in the initial contract.”

Also, make sure you are getting good quality materials for the price paid. As Ms Amy Picanco, a director at Aym Design and a council member of the Interior Design Confederation Singapore, rightly points out: “While it can be difficult, try to think long term – do you want a renovation that lasts for five or 10 years? This will affect the quality of the materials you use and may push prices up. However, it could save you a lot of time and money in the long run as it will be a lasting investment.”

The styles to go for
home-design

Image Credits: Houzz

Interior designer and founder of Wee Studio, Mr Yeo See Wee, comments, “If you have 10,000 pictures of every style, that makes it very difficult for you and your interior designer to decide what style to go with.” A lookbook with a few images representing the concept you like will do.

Architecturally trained interior designer Vanessa Ong suggests homeowners limit the colour and texture tones to up to five options. “Take time to observe spaces, objects, textures that inspire you or places you’ve visited. Your home should tell a story of who you are,” she adds.

Seek approval before hacking
HDB wall hacking

Image Credits: blogspot.com

“Homeowners should think about how long they’ll be staying in the flat and what their plans for the future are so that the flat can provide for their future needs. Erecting a wall in the future will be an unnecessary, time-consuming, and costly endeavour,” said the spokesman for Qanvast.

However, if you’re sure about knocking down walls to create an open-concept living space, be sure to seek approval from the Housing and Development Board (HDB) first. You can read all about demolition and erection of walls here.

Maximizing the space you have
floor-to-ceiling shelves

Image Credits: Qanvast

HomeRenoGuru’s Mr Teo says that new homeowners often misjudge the storage space they need. Planning with the future in mind is important. With that said, Ms Gwen Tan of Formwerkz Architects recommends homeowners to plan for more storage for future possessions.

Interior designers propose having built-in storage. For example, floor-to-ceiling shelves will help to maximize wall space and beds with storage beneath them will allow you extra space to store your stuff. Having illuminated bathroom mirror will save space as you can do away with an additional lamp.

 

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Surefire Ways To Save Money While Taking Care Of Your Pets

As much as you love and adore your pets, long-term care adds up. From pet medications to cleaning supplies and vet visits, it is essential to reduce your expenses without endangering your pet’s health. Fortunately, there are many simple saving tips that can employ to keep the costs to a minimum.

CULTIVATE A SAFE SPACE

Responsible care starts with creating a safe environment for your pets. Prevent hefty and harmful accidents from occurring by storing poisonous, sharp, and dangerous items out of your pet’s reach. For instance, bleach and other household cleaners may cause serious accidents for your pets. Yarns can also get stuck inside your kitty’s intestines and cost you more than thousands of dollars for the surgery.

CONSIDER PET ADOPTION

The age-old advice encourages us to adopt and not to shop. Instead of making an impulse purchase at a pet shop, you can rescue lovely animals from animal rescue centers and other animal organizations. You can provide an adopted animal a wonder new life for a lower purchase price compared to investing on a purebred animal. Purebred animals such as Golden Retrievers can cost up to S$5,000, especially if they come with a pedigree certificate.

This tip is beyond saving money. It brings the fulfillment of knowing that you have saved a life too. Just ensure that you are adopting from a reputable animal welfare organization or a rescue center. One example is the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Singapore, houses a variety of animals since its existence in the 1800s.

REDUCE THE VET TRIPS

The best way to eliminate medication costs is to prevent diseases. Vaccination is truly cheaper than the treatment for your pet’s disease. Consult your vet about the vaccination that your pet needs such the vaccination against Feline Panleukopenia virus. This virus is a highly contagious, severe infection that causes gastrointestinal, nervous system, and immune system diseases.

If your pet is already sick, ask the professional if a generic brand of medication works as well as the branded one. Generic brands are cheaper than the branded ones but they can also give the same effect.

MAKE YOUR OWN PET TOYS

Resist the temptation of purchasing several pet toys from pet stores. Often times, cheap plastic toys are poorly made and can easily get broken. Handmade toys work just as well. Moreover, you will be able to make sure that your pet’s preferences are met, using safe materials.

Most cats are fond of cardboard boxes and laser pointers. While, most dogs are fond of tug-o-war toys or empty plastic water bottles tied-up in a sock. Search thru the web for more ideas!

SLASH YOUR PET’S DENTAL EXPENSES

Gingivitis can damage your pet’s kidney and your finances since it requires expensive treatment and professional cleaning. To avoid this, do regular dental care at home. Wrap a significant amount of gauze on your finger and swipe your pet’s teeth. Brush your pet’s teeth using pet-friendly toothpaste, which may come in savory flavors such as chicken or malt. Toothpastes usually cost about S$10 per tube.

GROOM YOUR PET AT HOME

It is not only safer to groom your pet at home during this time, but it is also cheaper. It is possible to groom your long-haired furbaby at home. All you have to do is to equip yourself with an ear solution, pet shampoo, brush, and nail clippers.

Opt for a pet shampoo that can ward off parasites and fleas such as the ones available in Carousell, Lazada, and Kohepets. Having this special formulation is helpful due to Singapore’s hot weather.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Which of these pet care saving tips are you already using? Feel free to share us some of your coveted tips!

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