05/10/2024

180 years of horse racing ends in Singapore 5 Oct 2024

Horse racing in Singapore ends 180 years with the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup as the last race
Horse racing in Singapore will come to an end in October 2024, with the Singapore Turf Club site in Kranji to be handed back to the government in 2027 for redevelopment

Horse racing in Singapore will come to an end in October 2024, with the Singapore Turf Club site in Kranji to be handed back to the government in 2027 for redevelopment.

The Singapore Turf Club will hold its last race on Oct 5, 2024, and close its facility by March 2027, the government and Singapore Turf Club announced on Monday (Jun 5). The 120 hectares of land in Kranji that is home to the Singapore Racecourse will be redeveloped and used for housing, including public housing, the Ministry of National Development (MND) and Ministry of Finance (MOF) said in a joint press release. The government is also studying other potential uses, including leisure and recreation.

"This was not an easy decision, but necessary," said Second Minister for Finance and for National Development Indranee Rajah at a press conference on Monday afternoon, adding that there has been an increasing demand for land in Singapore. Spectatorship has also fallen over the decade. The average attendance per race day has declined significantly, from 11,000 in 2010 to about 6,000 in 2019. After the reopening of the Singapore Racecourse in 2022 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the average attendance was about 2,600 spectators per race day, said Ms Indranee. This decrease in spectatorship is not unique to Singapore, with other countries experiencing similar declines, she added.

related:
Timeline: Last stretch for Singapore Turf Club after more than 180 years


Singapore to end 180 years of horse racing with the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup as the last race
More than 180 years of horse racing in Singapore is set to come to an end with its final race, the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup as the last race in October 2024, as the city-state's only racecourse is to be closed and redeveloped for housing

More than 180 years of horse racing in Singapore is set to come to an end, with the city-state's only racecourse closing and being redeveloped for housing. The Singapore Turf Club (STC) said that the final race, the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup, will take place in 5 October 2024.

The club was founded in 1842 by a Scottish merchant and other horse-racing enthusiasts. The current racecourse in Kranji was opened in 2000, replacing the old Bukit Timah track. We are saddened by the decision of the government to close the club," STC's chairman Niam Chiang Meng said in a press release. "At the same time, we understand the land needs of Singapore, including housing and other potential uses such as leisure and recreation," he added.

The STC acknowledged that attendance at the racecourse had been declining over the past decade. Racehorse owners and trainers will be offered support for horse maintenance and exportation, the club said. There are about 700 racehorses at the club, according to local media. The land will be returned to the government in 2027 and the 120-hectare (300 acres) site will be used for housing, including public housing.


Racing will continue with the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup as the last race on 5 Oct 2024

The Government today announced that about 120 hectares of land in Kranji on which the Singapore Racecourse sits, will be handed back to the Singapore Government in 2027 for redevelopment. Singapore Turf Club will close its facility by March 2027.

The Singapore Turf Club will hold its final race meeting on 5 October 2024, featuring the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup. Singapore Turf Club Chairman Mr Niam Chiang Meng said, “We are saddened by the decision of the Government to close the Club. At the same time, we understand the land needs of Singapore, including housing and other potential uses such as leisure and recreation. We will do our best to ensure business as usual for the Club until our final race meeting. Concurrently, we will work with our stakeholders to ensure a smooth exit for local horse racing and make the necessary preparations for the estate to be handed over to the Government by March 2027.”

Singapore Turf Club to champion world-class horse racing through its last race. Horse racing has a long and distinguished history in Singapore and Singapore Turf Club intends to uphold the stellar reputation of the sport and the racing community. With races continuing until the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup on 5 October 2024, the Club will continue to ensure the sportsmanship, safety and integrity of every race. The Club will work with the Government to ensure a well-managed exit for local horse racing and make the necessary preparations for the estate to be handed over to the Government in 2027. Racehorse owners and trainers will be offered support for horse maintenance and exportation.

More than 180 years of horse racing in Singapore is coming to an end
The Singapore Turf Club on Monday announced that it will hold its final race on 5 October 2024, closing a 180-year-old chapter on horse racing in the city state

After years of placing their faith and hard cash on different horses, seasoned gamblers will soon bid their final bets and farewells to Singapore’s only racecourse. The Singapore Turf Club on Monday announced that it will hold its final race on 5 October 2024, closing a 180-year-old chapter on horse racing in the city state.

“We are saddened by the decision of the Government to close the Club. At the same time, we understand the land needs of Singapore, including housing and other potential uses such as leisure and recreation,” Turf Club Chairman Niam Chiang Meng said in a press release. It also noted that the racecourse has seen a decline of in-person attendance over the past decade. Demand for housing in Singapore has been soaring, pushing 2023′s first-quarter private residential property price index up 11% compared to the same period last year.

“Young people don’t bet on horses, they go to casinos now,” Jimmy, a 67-year-old avid horserace bettor from Singapore told CNBC, adding that racing takes place only once a week on Saturdays and at 30-minute intervals. That frequency wouldn’t be fast enough for some punters, when compared to the speed and convenience offered by casinos which operate 24/7, he suggested. Singapore’s one and only horse racing club was founded in 1842 and features a 30,000-capacity grandstand, and it’s operated across three venues starting in Farrer Park, then Bukit Timah, and subsequently in Kranji. The current racing club currently occupies 120 hectares of land in Kranji.


Singapore government ends 180 years of horse racing in city, will redevelop Kranji
The 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup will be the last race at Kranji on 5 Oct 2024, before the land is handed back to the government by 2027

The Singapore government is set to turn its back on horse racing, with the Singapore Turf Club (STC) confirming on Monday the land on which Kranji racecourse sits will be redeveloped. The final race meeting will be held on October 5, 2024, before the curtain comes down on the sport’s 180-year history in the Lion City and the land is handed back to the government in 2027.

Niam Chiang Meng, the club’s chairman, said they were “saddened by the decision of the government to close the club”. “At the same time, we understand the land needs of Singapore, including housing and other potential uses such as leisure and recreation. “Singapore Turf Club recognises that the Kranji site is a valuable resource that can help meet the evolving needs and aspirations of Singaporeans, and this transition will serve to optimise land use for the greater good of the local community and future generations. We are aligned with the government on the need to invest in the future of Singapore. “We will do our best to ensure business as usual for the club until our final race meeting. Concurrently, we will work with our stakeholders to ensure a smooth exit for local horse racing and make the necessary preparations for the estate to be handed over to the government by March 2027.” Planning is in place for the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup to be the last race at Kranji, while it is believed wagering on overseas racing may continue.

There have been a number of factors behind racing’s demise in the city, with the STC confirming “attendance at the racecourse has been declining over the past decade”, while turnover has been shrinking amid competition for dollars since the opening of two casinos in 2010. There have been prize money cuts in recent years, the horse population has been decreasing, and Covid led to fewer meetings, while Kranji’s two international races – the Singapore Airlines International Cup and the KrisFlyer International Sprint – were discontinued in 2015. “Singapore Turf Club is extremely proud to have been the home of horse racing for nearly two centuries,” said STC president and chief executive Irene Lim. “We are committed to seeing this phase of the nation’s history come to an end in a dignified manner befitting all our stakeholders, including employees, jockeys, racehorse owners, racehorse trainers, the equestrian community and horses that have graced our grounds. “We hope to leave a lasting impression of the club that will be fondly and proudly remembered by Singapore and the world”.


Singapore to hold final horse race after more than 180 years
Horse racing was introduced to Singapore in 1842

The more than 180-year-long history of horse racing in Singapore is set to draw to a close. It has been announced that the small Southeast Asian nation's only racecourse - Singapore Turf Club - will hold its final meeting 0n 5 Oct 2024.

The country's government will take back the 120-hectare site, which will be used for public and private housing. Queen Elizabeth II, who was an avid racegoer and racehorse breeder, has an event named after her at the course. Her late Majesty presented the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Cup during a visit to Singapore in 1972. She attended the feature race a second time in 2006.

"Horse racing has a long and distinguished history in Singapore," the Singapore Turf Club said in a statement late on Monday. "With races continuing until the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup on 5 October 2024, the Club will continue to ensure the sportsmanship, safety and integrity of every race," it added.


Singapore Turf Club to champion world-class horse racing through its last race in October 2024

The Government announced that about 120 hectares of land in Kranji on which the Singapore Racecourse sits, will be handed back to the Singapore Government in 2027 for redevelopment. Singapore Turf Club will close its facility by March 2027. The Singapore Turf Club will hold its final race meeting on 5 October 2024, featuring the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup.

Singapore Turf Club Chairman Mr Niam Chiang Meng said, “We are saddened by the decision of the Government to close the Club. At the same time, we understand the land needs of Singapore, including housing and other potential uses such as leisure and recreation. We will do our best to ensure business as usual for the Club until our final race meeting. Concurrently, we will work with our stakeholders to ensure a smooth exit for local horse racing and make the necessary preparations for the estate to be handed over to the Government by March 2027.”

The Government continually reviews its land use plans to best meet the needs of Singaporeans. The site at Kranji represents a valuable resource in land-scarce Singapore. Mr Niam added, “Singapore Turf Club recognises that the Kranji site is a valuable resource that can help meet the evolving needs and aspirations of Singaporeans, and this transition will serve to optimise land use for the greater good of the local community and future generations. We are aligned with the Government on the need to invest in the future of Singapore.” The Club has seen significant success through its efforts to elevate the sport of horse racing in Singapore, including the doubling of feature races. However, in-person attendance at the racecourse has been declining over the past decade. Horse racing has a long and distinguished history in Singapore and Singapore Turf Club intends to uphold the stellar reputation of the sport and the racing community. With races continuing until the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup on 5 October 2024, the Club will continue to ensure the sportsmanship, safety and integrity of every race. The Club will work with the Government to ensure a well-managed exit for local horse racing and make the necessary preparations for the estate to be handed over to the Government in 2027. Racehorse owners and trainers will be offered support for horse maintenance and exportation.


Shock, sadness and anger at Kranji after news of S’pore Turf Club closure
Local racing operations at Kranji will cease in 2024, with the last meeting scheduled on Oct 5. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

Bombshells that normally rock Kranji are either a 100-1 outsider romping home or prize money getting slashed. With punters and racing stakeholders being a resilient lot, they have always bounced back from such setbacks.

But this time, the end of Singapore horse racing spells the point of no return for the community, who reacted with disbelief and sadness on Monday. On Monday, the Singapore Turf Club (STC) addressed the rumours of closure that have been swirling for around a week. It convened two separate emergency meetings, with its president and chief executive Irene Lim speaking to staff at a townhall, and the trainers shortly after.

Local racing operations at Kranji will cease in 2024 with the last meeting scheduled on Oct 5, coinciding with the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup. Later in the afternoon, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and Ministry of National Development confirmed in a joint press conference that the 120ha of land occupied by the Singapore Turf Club since 1999 will be returned to the government by March 2027 for redevelopment.


Racing in Singapore ends on 5 October 2024
Horses leave the starting gate at Kranji racecourse in Singapore

Horse racing in Singapore, once a rich and powerful mecca for the sport, will come to a shocking and abrupt end in October of 2024 after the Singaporean government announced plans June 5 to reclaim the racecourse land for redevelopment, resulting in the termination of the sport in the jurisdiction.

A statement released by the Singapore Turf Club read: "The government today announced that about 120 hectares of land in Kranji, on which the Singapore Racecourse sits, will be handed back to the Singapore government in 2027 for redevelopment. Singapore Turf Club will close its facility by March 2027. "The Singapore Turf Club will hold its final race meeting Oct. 5, 2024, featuring the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup."

Racing in Singapore has been held for more than 180 years, across three venues in the state, since the Singapore Turf Club was founded in 1842. However, the sport has suffered from a sharp decline in fortunes in recent years. Falling attendances, exacerbated in the post-COVID-19 era, as well plummeting wagering turnover, has resulted in prize money in the jurisdiction being slashed and the horse population decreasing by a quarter in the space of four years from 2014 to 2018, the last time statistics of this nature were published. Singapore has had its number of internationally recognized black-type races reduced dramatically, from a high of 24 in 2020 to only eight for the current racing season, headlined by the Kranji Mile (G3) that took place in May.


No more horse racing: S'pore Turf Club to hold last race in Oct 2024

The Singapore Turf Club (STC) in Kranji will close by March 2027. The last race meeting will be in Oct 2024.

STC chairman Niam Chiang Meng, Singapore Tote Board chief executive Fong Yong Kiang, Urban Redevelopment Authority senior director Tan See Nin, and Second Minister for Finance and National Development Indranee Rajah announced STC's closure in a joint press conference on Jun. 5, 2023. STC will hold its last race meeting on Oct. 5, 2024, featuring the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup.

The 120 hectares of land will be handed back to the government for redevelopment by March 2027, the STC press release said. STC is Singapore's only horse racing club. It is founded in 1842.



S’pore Turf Club to close Kranji racecourse by March 2027 to make way for housing, other uses
The closure of the Turf Club means the end of over 180 years of horse racing and betting in Singapore. PHOTO: TOTE BOARD

The land where the Singapore Turf Club (STC) in Kranji sits will be returned to the Government by March 2027, making way for housing and other developments in the area. These include previously announced plans to redevelop the area around Woodlands Checkpoint, enhance Woodlands Town under the Remaking Our Heartland programme, and transform the Lim Chu Kang area into a high-tech agri-food cluster.

The closure also means the end of over 180 years of horse racing in Singapore, which has seen dwindling spectatorship over the years. “This was not an easy decision but necessary... There have been increasing needs and demands for land, and the Government regularly reviews our land use plans, because we want to ensure that resources are optimised to meet Singaporeans’ needs,” said Second Minister for Finance and National Development Indranee Rajah at a press conference held at the Ministry of Communications and Information on Monday. She added: “We plan not just for this generation, but for the next.”

The area, covering around 120ha of land, is the size of about 200 football fields and is larger than the whole of Gardens by the Bay, which spans 101 ha. STC, which employs about 350 people, will run its last race, the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup, on Oct, 5, 2024, before it shuts its facility by March 2027.


On its last legs: Horse racing in S’pore to end in 2024

The club was founded in 1842 as the Singapore Sporting Club by Scottish merchant William Henry Macleod Read and a group of horse racing enthusiasts. Its first race was held in February 1843 to mark the 24th anniversary of Singapore’s founding by Sir Stamford Raffles. The prize money was $150. The inaugural Singapore Cup was watched by more than 300 spectators. Race day was declared a national holiday.

In 1924, Singapore Sporting Club changed its name to Singapore Turf Club, and the first Singapore Gold Cup was held that year. Over the years, big races with top-dollar prizes have featured top horses and jockeys from around the world, with British royalty and tycoons in attendance. Singapore Turf Club remains the only horse racing club and authorised operator for horse racing activities in Singapore. The $500 million Kranji racetrack was designed with the latest in-turf innovation and technology. There are 41 light masts installed around the course, which allowed the club to introduce night racing in 1999.

STC boasts stables with air-conditioned rooms, swimming pools for the horses, and Singapore's only equine veterinary hospital. Its riding centre hosted the 2010 Youth Olympic Games’ equestrian show-jumping event. At the club’s peak, thousands of horse-racing enthusiasts would pack the grandstands on race day. But horse racing’s popularity here has waned. Between 2010 and 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, the club saw its average race day attendance decline from about 11,000 spectators to some 6,000. When the racecourse reopened to the public in April 2022, just 2,600 showed up on the average race day - less than half the pre-Covid-19 attendance. Last Monday, STC announced that it would close in October 2024.


Last stretch for Singapore Turf Club after more than 180 years
The original Singapore Sporting Club (predecessor of the Singapore Turf Club) race course in Farrer Park. (Photo: Singapore Turf Club)

The Singapore Turf Club will hold its last race in October next year, marking the end of horse racing in Singapore.

The land the Turf Club occupies in Kranji will be handed back to the government by 2027 for redevelopment.

Here's a look back at more than 180 years of horse racing in Singapore:
  • Oct 4, 1842 - The Singapore Turf Club was founded as the Singapore Sporting Club by Scottish merchant William Henry Macleod Read and a group of horse racing enthusiasts. It was then located at Farrer Park. It was renamed the Singapore Turf Club in 1924.
  • Feb 23 & 25, 1843 - The club’s first race was held to mark the 24th anniversary of Singapore’s founding by Sir Stamford Raffles. The race day was declared a holiday.
  • 1924 - The first Singapore Gold Cup was held, in the same year the club was re-named the Singapore Turf Club. The club's last race, to be held next year, will be the 100th Singapore Gold Cup.
  • 1933 - To cater to growing racing interest, the Club sold its Serangoon Road racecourse to the Singapore Improvement Trust and bought 98 ha of the Bukit Timah Rubber Estate to build the Bukit Timah Racecourse. It was officially opened by Sir Cecil Clementi, then Governor of Singapore on Apr 15, 1933.
  • 1942 to 1945 - Horse racing was suspended during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. The grandstand and surrounding buildings became hospitals, while the stables and syces’ or grooms' quarters were converted into military car parks. Fruit trees were grown in the fields and the best horses were shipped to Japan. The club reopened in 1947 after the committee spent two years removing damaged military vehicles and repairing the buildings and tracks.
  • 1950s, 60s - Sunday racing was introduced in 1959, and, in 1960, members of the public could attend the races if they paid the admission fee of S$4. In 1964, Runme Shaw became the first Asian to be elected as chairman of the club.
  • 1972 - Queen Elizabeth visited the Turf Club during her state visit to Singapore. A special race, the Queen Elizabeth II Cup was held in her honour.
  • 1988: The Singapore Turf Club was dissolved in March 1988, and Bukit Turf Club was appointed to take over its racing and 4D draw operations. In 1994, the club changed its name back to Singapore Turf Club.
  • Aug 22, 1995 - Rock star Rod Stewart’s first concert in Singapore was held at the Singapore Turf Club, playing to audience of 8,000.
  • Aug 7, 1999 - The Turf Club moved to the 124 ha Kranji grounds where it's currently located.
  • Jan 7, 2019 - Singapore Pools (Private) Limited took over the management and operations of horse betting from Singapore Turf Club.
  • 2020 - The Turf Club suspended all local race meetings from the “circuit breaker” which started on Apr 7, 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, community recovery facilities for foreign workers recovering from the coronavirus were constructed at the Singapore Racecourse at Kranji. Racing resumed in July, but behind closed doors. The club reopened to the public in April 2022.
  • July 2020 - Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said that the Singapore Tourism Board and Tote Board are exploring concepts for the redevelopment of Singapore Racecourse @ Kranji as a leisure destination. The redevelopment is to complement the nature attractions in the Mandai area such as the Sungei Buloh nature park, Neo Tiew area and the Mandai nature reserve.
  • Jun 5, 2023 - Authorities announced that the Singapore Turf Club facility at Kranji will close and the land be returned to the government by 2027.
  • Oct 5, 2024 - The final race, the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup.



Singapore Turf Club since 1842

Singapore Turf Club, renowned for its horse racing events, is the oldest existing club in Singapore. It was founded by Scottish merchant William Henry Macleod Read and began as the Singapore Sporting Club (SSC) on 4 October 1842.

The SSC was renamed the Singapore Turf Club (STC) in 1924, but it was de-registered at a later date. The new STC was eventually formed in 1994 when Bukit Turf Club changed its name to Singapore Turf Club. Today, the STC’s horse racing events take place at Kranji Racecourse. These happen on selected Fridays, Sundays and public holidays of each month. Guests must be 18 years old and above to enter the racecourse on race days. The SSC built a grandstand and track on swampy land near the junction of Bukit Timah and Serangoon Roads, in what is today Farrer Park. After the colonial authorities gave their approval, this piece of land was levelled, drained and cleared of trees and tall bush within four months.

The first race the SSC held at the racecourse took place on 23 February 1843. This race marked the 24th anniversary of the founding of Singapore by Stamford Raffles. The track measured 83 yd (75.9 m) and 300 residents comprising mainly of British, and several Germans, Portuguese, Jews and Americans arrived in their horse-drawn carriages for this momentous event. Read took home the prize money of $150 after he won the first Derby, which was called Singapore Cup. During the first two decades of the club’s opening, horse racing was largely favoured by amateurs who were expatriates or members of the Malayan royalty. Owners trained and rode their own ponies.  Burmese and Chinese ponies were used before Australian griffins were brought in for the first time in the 1880s. The sale of Australian horses took place in Commercial Square (today’s Raffles Place) until 1886, when the venue was changed to Abrams Horse Repository in Coleman Street.


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04/10/2024

Singapore Smart Nation 2.0

S’pore refreshes Smart Nation goals with plans to tackle digital harms, accelerate AI know-how
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced the refreshed Smart Nation 2.0 plan on 1 Oct 2024

Plans are afoot to equip scientists and students with artificial intelligence (AI) know-how and offer swift remedies to victims traumatised by cyber bullying and deepfakes circulating online, as Singapore charts its next Smart Nation milestones.

Announcing the refreshed Smart Nation 2.0 plan on Oct 1, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said that Singapore must sharpen its focus on what he described as the “three building blocks” in the next phase of its journey to becoming a technologically enabled nation.

The building blocks of growth, community and trust go beyond a narrow focus on digitalisation, the hallmark of Singapore’s first Smart Nation plan launched in 2014.


Growth, community and trust the 'building blocks' as Singapore refreshes Smart Nation strategies: PM Wong
Since the launch of Smart Nation a decade ago, Singapore has made “significant progress” and this can be felt and experienced in daily living, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong

As Singapore moves into the next phase of its Smart Nation journey, the “building blocks” of growth, community and trust will be key, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

In a speech at the Punggol Digital District on Tuesday (Oct 1) to launch the Smart Nation 2.0 initiative, Mr Wong said that this will be a work in progress as digital developments unfold, and as Singapore develops new and better solutions. Smart Nation was first launched in 2014 under then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Since then, Singapore has made “significant progress” and this can be felt and experienced in daily living, said Mr Wong.

“We have done well as a Smart Nation. But we must never think that we have arrived. Technology is advancing rapidly, and our operating environment is ever-changing,” he added. “So we have to keep pace, stay abreast of the latest developments and continually strive to do better.”

related:


New Smart Nation 2.0 initiatives include S$120 million set aside for AI adoption
Smart Nation 2.0 will involve experimenting with new approaches, and the nimbleness to pivot quickly from failures, says Prime Minister Lawrence Wong

SMART Nation (SN) 2.0 will include a sum of S$120 million set aside for artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and the setting up of a new agency to tackle online harms.

The next lap of the Smart Nation initiative, launched in 2014, was announced on Tuesday (Oct 1) by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at Punggol Digital District.

There are three key goals for SN 2.0 – trust, growth and community, and direct digital developments to benefit Singaporeans. New initiatives include getting AI into the classroom through teachers and modules, equipping more Singaporeans with digital skills, and utilising technology to enhance community connections.


PM Lawrence Wong at the Launch of Smart Nation 2.0

Smart Nation 1.0: A Decade-long Journey - In 2014, we set an ambition to become a Smart Nation – a nation where technology is used to improve our citizens’ lives. We aimed to make Singapore one of the leading cities in the world – an outstanding place where our people can live meaningful and fulfilling lives, and where the human spirit flourishes.

To achieve this vision, we had to harness technology systematically – not in a piecemeal fashion, but in a coherent and comprehensive way. So we launched our first Smart Nation plan to take full advantage of technology across the government, economy and our society. Ten years on, we have made significant progress. We can all feel and experience the changes in our daily lives. So many activities have become more convenient. In 2014, cashless payment was an aspiration. Today, it is a reality. Fewer people queue up to withdraw cash from ATM machines. Fewer still write cheques because you can use your phone to pay for all sorts of transactions. Beyond payments, you can open a bank account in minutes online, and engage in a whole range of banking services – all from the comfort of your home.

Government services have also become far more convenient too. Nearly all government services are digital. Some have been with us for some time. We are all familiar with IRA’s e-filing, ICA’s passport services, NLB’s book borrowing amongst others. Over the last few years, we have rolled out even more applications, including for parking, HDB flat bookings and purchases, health services and of course the ever-popular CDC vouchers. These are the more visible changes. But we have also used technology behind the scenes, in ways that are not so visible to the public. For example, in our housing estates, we have sensors in lifts and waters pumps, so that Town Councils are alerted immediately when a fault arises.


Singapore announces efforts to build a trustworthy smart nation
As part of Smart Nation 2.0, Singapore will look at enhancing the security and resilience of its digital infrastructure as well as strengthening the fight against harmful online activities

As the line between the physical and online worlds thins, disruptions to digital services and the proliferation of online harms can negatively impact our well-being. Recognising this, one of the goals of Singapore’s refreshed Smart Nation vision (also known as Smart Nation 2.0) is to build a Smart Nation that we can trust.

To achieve that, Singapore will introduce a new Digital Infrastructure Act in 2025 to improve the reliability of key digital infrastructure and services. According to the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI), the proposed law will address a broader set of resilience and security risks across systematically important digital infrastructure, ranging from technical misconfigurations to physical hazards such as fires and cooling system failures.

Besides that, the city-state intends to set up a dedicated government agency to support victims of online harms and enhance online safety. The agency will act on behalf of victims to direct perpetrators and online service providers to put a stop to the online harm quickly, providing added assurance on top of existing regulatory levers and court-based processes available today. It will focus on the most serious and prevalent online harms affecting victims in Singapore, such as cyberbullying and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. The agency will be backed by a new law, which will better enable victims to seek civil remedies against perpetrators of online harms.



Singapore schools to introduce “AI for Fun” courses as part of Smart Nation 2.0 plan

Starting in 2025, primary and secondary schools across Singapore will introduce a new “AI for Fun” unit to enhance students’ understanding of technology and artificial intelligence.

This initiative is part of the recently announced Smart Nation 2.0 plan, introduced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, which seeks to prepare the next generation for a digitally-driven future. The “AI for Fun” course builds upon the existing “Code for Fun” enrichment program, offering students an engaging introduction to coding and artificial intelligence. Designed to last five to ten hours, the curriculum will cover essential coding concepts while providing a foundational understanding of AI.

Additionally, secondary school students will explore computational thinking and design thinking principles, empowering them to apply these skills in developing solutions to real-world challenges. In tandem with the introduction of this course, the Singapore government has also launched the Smart Nation Educator Fellowship program. This initiative is designed to equip teachers with the latest digital skills and knowledge necessary for effective instruction in today’s technology-rich environment.


Goals of Smart Nation 2.0
We want to be a Smart Nation that we can trust

Smart Nation 2.0 seeks to achieve three key goals: Trust, Growth, and Community. These goals shape how technology is used to improve citizens’ lives and create a thriving digital future for all. They also reflect key areas of feedback and concern that citizens have raised over the years, gathered through surveys, research, and other feedback channels.

The Smart Nation 2.0 strategies will be continually iterated and adjusted as digital developments evolve. We will adapt our approaches over time in close consultation with citizens and businesses, responding to technological advancements and emerging challenges.


The Smart Nation Vision

The Smart Nation initiative is a whole-of-nation effort led by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) to build a thriving digital future for all.

The inaugural Smart Nation initiative was launched in 2014, driven by a compelling vision: to build better, meaningful, and fulfilled lives for our people, enabled by technology. Singapore has made significant progress since 2014. Digital technologies have become an integral part of our lives, influencing how we live, work, and play.

Technology holds tremendous promise in helping Singapore break new ground. While we continue to harness technology as a force for good, we must also address risks such as challenges to individual wellbeing and social harmony. In 2024, the refreshed Smart Nation vision was unveiled, outlining Singapore’s approach to build a thriving digital future for all.


Smart Nation 2.0: A Refreshed Vision

Singapore’s efforts in harnessing digital technologies to transform our economy, society, government, and security have established our country as a leader in areas like digital infrastructure and inclusion.

The mark of a truly Smart Nation is to keep striving to be better. Digital developments have given rise to new opportunities and challenges for Singapore and for humanity. The refreshed Smart Nation 2.0 vision must address these evolving needs and concerns.

Digital developments must be directed toward outcomes that benefit Singaporeans, bearing in mind the impact of technology on our society and the need to uphold our shared values as a nation.


Milestones of Singapore’s Smart Nation story

Smart technology has made a difference to the way we live, work and play. But the changes didn’t happen overnight. Here, we trace the milestones of Singapore’s Smart Nation story.


Smart Nation Vision For Singapore
Singapore lays groundwork to be world’s first smart nation

Singapore is en route to becoming the world’s first smart nation with the introduction of several new initiatives, including a new platform that encompasses the necessary infrastructure and technical architecture to support a smart nation ecosystem.

Unveiled at the opening of the Infocomm Media Business Exchange (imbX) event, these new building blocks are aimed at bringing together policies, people, and technologies in a concerted fashion that will help the country realise its smart nation ambition.

Singapore has made good progress establishing the backbone infrastructure to support big data and analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), and other transformational ICM technologies outlined in its Intelligent Nation Masterplan (iN2015), said Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information, during his opening address at imbX.


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03/10/2024

Jiǔ huáng yé dàn 九皇爺誕 2024

The Nine Emperor Gods Festival
The Festival is celebrated on the first day of the ninth month in the lunar calendar

The Nine Emperor Gods Festival (九皇爷诞) is an important religious event in the Chinese lunar calendar in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Starting from around the end of the eighth lunar month to the ninth or tenth day of the ninth lunar month, the Nine Emperor Gods Festival lasts for at least nine to ten days, and involves a personal regime of abstinence for the devotees and practitioners alike. The scale and duration of the Nine Emperor Gods festival in Singapore is different from other Chinese deity festivals in Singapore and other parts of Southeast Asia, but also differs from the same festival in China.

While some believe the festival to have its roots in ancient Chinese cosmology and religion, centering on the propitiation of the Northern Dipper in Taoism and Buddhism for longevity and salvation from disasters and misfortune, there are other stories in Singapore and Southeast Asia about the origins of the Nine Emperor Gods and who they are (or who he is), which reflect the historical experiences of the Chinese in Southern China and Southeast Asia. Some describe the gods as being pirates who robbed the rich to give to the poor. Some believe that they are Ming loyalists, while others believe the Nine Emperor Gods to be the last Ming Emperor as well as Zheng Chenggong, a pirate leader during the late Ming dynasty and opponent of the new Qing government in China in the mid-seventeenth century.

In Singapore, there are numerous temples hosting the Nine Emperor Gods Festival each year. They are located across the island. The two oldest temples hosting the celebrations, being more than a hundred years old, are the Hougang Dou Mu Gong (Tou Mu Kung) (后港斗母宫) and the Feng Shan Gong (Hong San Keong) (凤山宫) respectively. The others, include Choa Chu Kang Dou Mu Gong (蔡厝港斗母宫), Jing Shui Gang Dou Mu Gong (汫水港斗母宫) , Kim San Tze (金山寺), Jiu Huang Gong (九皇宫), Jiu Huang Dian (九皇殿), Long Nan Dian (龙南殿), Long Nan Si (龙南寺), Long Shan Yan Dou Mu Gong (龙山岩斗母宫), Nan Shan Hai (南山海), Temple, Shen Xian Gong (神仙宫), Xuan Wu Shan (玄武山), Yu Hai Tang Guan Yin Tang (玉海棠观音堂), Yu Huang Gong (玉皇宫), and Zhun Ti Tang (准提堂). In more recent years, there have been new organisations or temples holding the Nine Emperor Gods festival, such as Nan Bei Dou Mu Gong (南北斗母宫) and Yu Huang Gong (玉皇宫) respectively.

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02/10/2024

Constipation and Urinary Incontinence

What Is Constipation?
Bloating and cramps are two common symptoms of constipation

Being constipated means your bowel movements are tough or happen less often than normal. You might be constipated if you have less than three bowel movements per week.

Constipation is very common. Around 2.5 million people visit their doctor each year in the U.S. because they are constipated. It's usually not serious, and home remedies can get you back on track. How often should you poop? The normal length of time between bowel movements varies from person to person. Some people have them three times a day. Others have them just a few times a week.

But going longer than 3 days without one is usually too long. After 3 days, your stool gets harder and more difficult to pass. Constipation Symptoms You may have:
  • Few or no bowel movements
  • Trouble having a bowel movement (straining to go)
  • Hard or small stools
  • A feeling that everything didn’t come out
  • Belly bloating
  • A feeling like your rectum is blocked
  • A stomachache or cramps


Constipation

Constipation occurs when your bowel movements become less frequent and stools become difficult to pass. It happens most often due to changes in diet or routine, or due to inadequate intake of fiber. You should call a healthcare provider if you have severe pain, blood in your stool or constipation that lasts longer than three weeks.

Having fewer than three bowel movements a week is, technically, the definition of constipation. But how often you poop varies widely from person to person. Some people poop several times a day while others only poop one to two times a week. Whatever your bowel movement pattern is, it’s unique and normal for you — as long as you don’t stray too far from your pattern.

Regardless of your bowel pattern, one fact is certain: The longer you go before you poop, the more difficult it becomes for poop to pass. Other key features that usually define constipation include:
  • Your stools are dry and hard.
  • Your bowel movements are painful, and your stools are difficult to pass.
  • You have a feeling that you haven’t fully emptied your bowels.


Constipation

Constipation is where you have changes to how you poo, including not pooing as often or finding it hard to poo. It's common and it affects people of all ages. You can usually treat it with simple changes to your diet and lifestyle.

Check if it's constipation:
  • you have not had a poo at least 3 times during the last week or you're pooing less often than usual
  • the poo is unusually large or small and is dry, hard or lumpy
  • you are straining or in pain when you have a poo
  • you feel like you haven't fully emptied your bowels
You may also have a stomach ache and feel bloated or sick. If you're caring for someone with dementia or an older person, constipation may be easily missed. Look out for any behaviour changes such as confusion, as it might mean they are in pain or discomfort.


Constipation

Constipation is a problem with passing stool. Constipation generally means passing fewer than three stools a week or having a difficult time passing stool.

Constipation is fairly common. A lack of dietary fiber, fluids and exercise can cause constipation. But other medical conditions or certain medicines may be the cause. Constipation is usually treated with changes in diet and exercise or with nonprescription medicines. Constipation may require medicines, changes in medicines or other treatments prescribed by a health care professional. Long-term constipation, also called chronic constipation, may require treating another disease or condition that can cause or worsen constipation.

Symptoms of constipation include:
  • Fewer than three stools a week.
  • Hard, dry or lumpy stools.
  • Straining or pain when passing stools.
  • A feeling that not all stool has passed.
  • A feeling that the rectum is blocked.
  • The need to use a finger to pass stool.


What You Should Know About Constipation

Constipation means having hard, dry bowel movements or passing stool fewer than three times a week. It can be caused by things like your diet, medications, whether you are pregnant, or just a change in your routine.

Each person’s bowel habits are different. Some people go three times a day, while others go three times a week. However, you may be constipated if you experience the following symptoms:
  • fewer than three bowel movements a week
  • passing lumpy, hard, or dry stools
  • straining or pain during bowel movements
  • a feeling of fullness, even after having a bowel movement
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)Trusted Source recommends seeking medical advice if symptoms don’t go away or if you notice the following:
  • bleeding from the rectum
  • blood in your stool
  • persistent abdominal pain
  • pain in the lower back
  • a feeling that gas is trapped
  • vomiting
  • fever
  • unexplained weight loss
  • a sudden change in bowel movements


Constipation Relief: Tips and Treatments

Lately, you've been feeling a little -- to put it delicately -- backed up. You're not "going" as often as you should, and you feel bloated and uncomfortable.

A lot of Americans, more than 4 million by some estimates, deal with constipation on a regular basis. Women have constipation more often than men. This may have to do with the slower movement of food through a woman's intestines, as well as with the effects of female hormones on the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

There are a few effective constipation treatments. Some people naturally have a bowel movement a few times a day, while others go just a few times a week. You don't need constipation treatments unless you're going to the bathroom a lot less often than usual. But if you do, there are a lot of options for constipation treatment. What you choose will depend on why you’re blocked, and whether it’s a new or a long-term problem for you.


The Best Foods to Relieve Constipation

Eating foods high in fiber, like certain fruits and vegetables, may help relieve constipation. These foods may soften, accelerate, and increase your stool frequency.

Constipation can be painful and uncomfortable and may happen to anyone. Nearly 16 in 100 adults in the United States experience constipation, which may have symptoms like:
  • passing stools less than three times per week
  • straining, lumpy, or hard stools
  • feeling blocked
  • being unable to pass a stool
Increasing your dietary fiber intake may be a natural and effective remedy to help relieve your symptoms of constipation. Here are 4 foods that could help relieve constipation divided into categories:
  • Fruit
  • Vegetables
  • Legumes and seeds
  • Grains and dairy

Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control — is a common and often embarrassing problem. The severity ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having an urge to urinate that's so sudden and strong you don't get to a toilet in time.

Though it occurs more often as people get older, urinary incontinence isn't an inevitable consequence of aging. If urinary incontinence affects your daily activities, don't hesitate to see your doctor. For most people, simple lifestyle and dietary changes or medical care can treat symptoms of urinary incontinence.

Many people experience occasional, minor leaks of urine. Others may lose small to moderate amounts of urine more frequently. Types of urinary incontinence include:
  • Stress incontinence. Urine leaks when you exert pressure on your bladder by coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or lifting something heavy.
  • Urge incontinence. You have a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine. You may need to urinate often, including throughout the night. Urge incontinence may be caused by a minor condition, such as infection, or a more severe condition such as a neurological disorder or diabetes.
  • Overflow incontinence. You experience frequent or constant dribbling of urine due to a bladder that doesn't empty completely.
  • Functional incontinence. A physical or mental impairment keeps you from making it to the toilet in time. For example, if you have severe arthritis, you may not be able to unbutton your pants quickly enough.
  • Mixed incontinence. You experience more than one type of urinary incontinence — most often this refers to a combination of stress incontinence and urge incontinence.


Urinary Incontinence

The experience of uncontrollably leaking urine can be an embarrassing issue for many people. Urinary incontinence is a loss of bladder control that’s commonly seen in older adults and women who have given birth or gone through menopause. Urinary tract infections (UTIs), pelvic floor disorders and an enlarged prostate are other causes.

What is incontinence? Urinary incontinence is a condition that impacts many people’s lives. When you have incontinence, you may experience bladder control issues and leak urine. This leakage is often uncontrollable and can negatively impact your life. Your urinary system is made up of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. These parts do several jobs. They filter, store and remove waste from your body. Your kidneys are the filters of your body. Waste products are removed from your blood by the kidneys, creating urine. The urine then moves down through two thin tubes called the ureters. The ureters connect to the bladder, where the urine will collect until it’s time to leave the body. Your bladder is like a storage tank — once the bladder is full, the brain sends a signal that it’s time to urinate. Urine then leaves the bladder when a muscle opens up (sphincter), allowing the urine to flow freely out of the body through the urethra.

When this system is working smoothly, you usually have time to get to a bathroom before needing to urinate and you don’t experience any leakage of urine. Urinary incontinence can happen when these parts don’t operate as they should. This can happen for many different reasons throughout your life. Many people think that incontinence is a normal part of aging that can’t be helped. While it is true that your risk of incontinence increases as you get older, there are also treatments available to help you manage this condition. Incontinence doesn’t have to disrupt your life and keep you from being active.


Types of Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence -- when you accidentally leak urine -- is a problem that affects millions of Americans, most of them women. There are several different types, causes, and treatments:
  • Stress Incontinence - With this type, urine leaks due to weakened pelvic floor muscles and tissues. It can happen when pressure on your bladder increases -- such as when you exercise, laugh, sneeze, or cough. Pregnancy and childbirth can stretch and weaken a woman’s pelvic floor muscles. Other things that can lead to stress incontinence are being overweight or obese, neurological conditions, trauma to the urethral sphincter muscle, taking certain medications or, in men, having prostate surgery
  • Urge Incontinence - This is also called overactive bladder (OAB). With this type, you have an urgent need to go to the bathroom and may not get there in time.
  • Overflow Incontinence - If you can't empty your bladder, you may have overflow incontinence. This means you may dribble urine.


Managing Incontinence

Incontinence means you have trouble controlling when you pee or poop. This can happen for many different reasons. It can be occasional and mild, or it can seriously interfere with your daily life.

With urinary incontinence, pee might leak when you laugh or cough. You could wet the bed or be unable to make it to the toilet in time. Bowel incontinence can range from sometimes releasing a little poop when you pass gas to having sudden and uncontrollable urges to poop.

While incontinence can feel embarrassing, it's important to talk to a doctor if it happens to you. They can recommend the most effective ways to treat and manage it. Often, simple treatments like changes in your diet and exercises to strengthen certain muscles can improve your symptoms.


8 helpful tips for managing urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is the unintentional loss of urine. It is a common problem among all age groups, though it occurs more frequently in older people, and women are affected more than men. 

It can be caused by physical problems such as weak bladder or neurological disorders, or it can be the result of certain lifestyle habits and conditions. Treatment for urinary incontinence will depend on the type and severity of your condition, but may involve lifestyle adjustments, medications, surgery or devices like catheters.

The most common signs and symptoms of urinary incontinence include:
  • Unexpected or frequent leakage of urine while coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or engaging in other activities
  • Difficulty making it to the bathroom in time
  • A strong and sudden urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine
  • Inability to control the release of urine
  • Urinating frequently (more than 8 times a day)
  • Small amounts of urine being released with no warning or sensation
  • Waking up several times at night to urinate
  • Leakage during sexual intercourse (especially for female patients)


Why Am I Experiencing Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence can be caused by weakened bladder muscles, damage to the pelvic floor, enlarged prostate, menopause, or bladder cancer. Some medications or neurological conditions can also cause urinary incontinence.

Urinary incontinence happens when you lose control of your bladder. In some cases, you may empty your bladder’s contents completely. In other cases, you may experience only minor leakage. The condition may be temporary or chronic, depending on its cause. According to the Urology Care Foundation, millions of adults in the United States experience urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence affects women more often than men in a 2-to-1Trusted Source ratio. However, this condition can affect anyone and has many different causes. As you age, the muscles supporting your bladder tend to weaken, which can lead to urinary incontinence.

Many different health problems can also cause the condition. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can be a sign of cancer, kidney stones, infection, or an enlarged prostate, among other causes. If you experience urinary incontinence, make an appointment with a healthcare professional. Urinary incontinence can interfere with your daily life and lead to potential accidents. A healthcare professional can also determine if a more serious medical condition may be the cause. They may also be able to treat the cause.


Constipation
Constipation in a young child seen on X-ray. Circles represent areas of fecal matter (stool is white surrounded by black bowel gas)

Constipation is a bowel dysfunction that makes bowel movements infrequent or hard to pass. The stool is often hard and dry. Other symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, and feeling as if one has not completely passed the bowel movement. Complications from constipation may include hemorrhoids, anal fissure or fecal impaction. The normal frequency of bowel movements in adults is between three per day and three per week. Babies often have three to four bowel movements per day while young children typically have two to three per day.

Constipation has many causes. Common causes include slow movement of stool within the colon, irritable bowel syndrome, and pelvic floor disorders. Underlying associated diseases include hypothyroidism, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, vitamin B12 deficiency, colon cancer, diverticulitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Medications associated with constipation include opioids, certain antacids, calcium channel blockers, and anticholinergics. Of those taking opioids about 90% develop constipation. Constipation is more concerning when there is weight loss or anemia, blood is present in the stool, there is a history of inflammatory bowel disease or colon cancer in a person's family, or it is of new onset in someone who is older.

Treatment of constipation depends on the underlying cause and the duration that it has been present. Measures that may help include drinking enough fluids, eating more fiber, consumption of honey and exercise. If this is not effective, laxatives of the bulk-forming agent, osmotic agent, stool softener, or lubricant type may be recommended. Stimulant laxatives are generally reserved for when other types are not effective. Other treatments may include biofeedback or in rare cases surgery.


Urinary incontinence
Anatomy of the lower urinary tract and genital system. The top diagram shows the female urinary system, and the bottom shows the male urinary system

Urinary incontinence (UI), also known as involuntary urination, is any uncontrolled leakage of urine. It is a common and distressing problem, which may have a large impact on quality of life. It has been identified as an important issue in geriatric health care. The term enuresis is often used to refer to urinary incontinence primarily in children, such as nocturnal enuresis (bed wetting). UI is an example of a stigmatized medical condition, which creates barriers to successful management and makes the problem worse. People may be too embarrassed to seek medical help, and attempt to self-manage the symptom in secrecy from others.

Pelvic surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause are major risk factors. Urinary incontinence is often a result of an underlying medical condition but is under-reported to medical practitioners. There are four main types of incontinence:
  • Urge incontinence due to an overactive bladder
  • Stress incontinence due to "a poorly functioning urethral sphincter muscle (intrinsic sphincter deficiency) or to hypermobility of the bladder neck or urethra"
  • Overflow incontinence due to either poor bladder contraction or blockage of the urethra
  • Mixed incontinence involving features of different other types
Treatments include pelvic floor muscle training, bladder training, surgery, and electrical stimulation. Behavioral therapy generally works better than medication for stress and urge incontinence. The benefit of medications is small and long-term safety is unclear. Urinary incontinence is more common in older women


Hematochezia: Blood in Stool
Advice About Bright Red Blood in Stool

Blood is supposed to stay in your body. Seeing blood in your bowel movement is very frightening. It is an indication that something is not working right, but it is not always a herald of colon cancer. Rectal bleeding has many causes, but only one of them is colon cancer.

When You Note Blood in the Stool - The best action you can take now, to advocate for yourself, is to pay attention to this symptom and be prepared to discuss it with your doctor. Ask yourself these questions:
  • Was the blood in the stool, toilet bowl or on the toilet paper?
  • Was the blood bright red or dark red?
  • Approximately how much blood did you see? (Keep in mind, a drop of blood in a toilet bowl will turn all of the water red.)
  • Did you have to strain to pass the bowel movement?
  • How frequently do you have bowel movements?
  • Do you have other symptoms?
  • When was your last colon screening exam or colonoscopy?
  • Do you have a history of polyps or a family history of polyps?
Causes of Blood in the Stool:
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Inflammatory Conditions
  • Colon Polyps
  • Constipation
  • Bowel Infections
  • Colon Cancer

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Hematuria: Blood in urine

Hematuria is the presence of red blood cells in the urine. If there are enough red cells, the urine can become bright red, pink or cola colored. Often, however, the urine appears completely normal because there is not enough blood to cause a color change. In this case, the condition is called "microscopic" hematuria. There are many possible causes of hematuria, including:
  • Urinary tract infection — Hematuria can be caused by an infection in any part of the urinary tract, most commonly the bladder (cystitis) or the kidney (pyelonephritis).
  • Kidney stones
  • Tumors in the kidney or bladder
  • Exercise — Exercise hematuria is a harmless condition that produces blood in the urine after strenuous exercise. It is more common in males than females.
  • Trauma — Traumatic injury to any part of the urinary tract — from the kidneys to the urethral opening (the connection between the bladder and the outside world) — can cause hematuria.
  • Drugs — Hematuria can be caused by medications, such as blood thinners, including heparin, warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin-type medications, penicillins, sulfa-containing drugs and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan).
  • Glomerulonephritis — Glomerulonephritis is a family of illnesses that are characterized by inflammation of the glomeruli, the filtering units of the kidneys. Glomerulonephritis is a rare complication of certain viral and bacterial infections (including strep throat). It can also occur in people with certain auto-immune diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus or SLE) and vasculitis. Sometimes there is no identifiable cause.
  • Bleeding disorders — This includes conditions such as hemophilia and von Willebrand's disease.

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Nocturia: Excessive Urination at Night

Nocturia is a condition that causes you to wake up during the night to pee. This condition is also called nocturnal urinary frequency — having to pee more often at night. Nocturia becomes more common as people age (usually older than 60) and occurs in all genders and sexes, sometimes for different reasons. It can be common for people to wake up once during the night to pee, but peeing more frequently may be a sign of an underlying condition or problem.

When a person pees too much during the daytime, but can limit the amount of trips to the bathroom at night, it’s referred to as frequent urination. Nocturia is strictly using the bathroom multiple times after bedtime and before you wake up in the morning. Whether it’s happening due to an underlying medical condition or something else, it can leave you feeling tired because your regular sleep cycle is disrupted.

How common is nocturia? Nocturia is a common condition affecting more than 50% of adults after age 50. It’s more common in men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) after age 50. Before 50, nocturia is more common in women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). It affects up to 1 in 3 people over the age of 30.


Pneumaturia: Gas in urine

What Is Pneumaturia? Having small bubbles in your urine is called pneumaturia. It isn’t a diagnosis on its own but can be a symptom of certain health conditions. Common source causes for pneumaturia include urinary tract infections (UTIs) and passageways between the colon and the bladder (called fistula) that don’t belong.

If you have pneumaturia, you’ll feel gas or a bubbling sensation interrupting your urine stream. Your urine may appear to be full of small air bubbles. This is different than urine that looks foamy, which is usually an indicator of too much protein in your urine. Since pneumaturia is a symptom of other conditions and not a condition all by itself, you may want to look out for other symptoms that sometimes come along with it, such as:
  • burning sensation while urinating
  • difficulty urinating
  • feeling the need to “go” all the time
  • discolored urine
All of these symptoms could indicate an infection in your urinary tract. Common causes:
  • One common cause of pneumaturia is infectious bacteria. Pneumaturia can indicate a UTI, as the bacteria create bubbles in your urine stream.
  • Another common cause is a fistula. This is a passage between organs in your body that doesn’t belong there. A fistula between your bowel and your bladder can bring bubbles into your urine stream. This fistula can be an outcome of diverticulitis.
  • Less often, deep sea divers will have pneumaturia after a period of time underwater.
  • Sometimes pneumaturia is a symptom of Crohn’s disease.


Acupressure Points for Constipation

Acupressure can help in relieving constipation symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating and gas by applying pressure to specific points on the body. The following are the commonly used acupressure points to relieve constipation that you can do on your own. Instead of pressing with your fingers, you can also use acupressure stick:
  • Tianshu (ST25) - Tianshu can improve digestion. You can place three fingers parallel and alongside the centre of the belly button. Tianshu is located at the edge of the last finger, away from the belly button. Use your thumb or forefinger and apply pressure or you can do circular motion with finger.
  • Guanyuan (CV4) - Guanyuan is used for relieving abdominal pain and diarrhea. It is located at 3 inches below your belly button. Use your thumb or forefinger and apply pressure or you can do circular motion with finger.
  • Zhigou (TE6) - Zhigou is an effective pressure point for relieving chronic constipation. It is located at 3 inches up the back of your arm from the crease of your wrist. Use your thumb and apply pressure or you can do circular motion with thumb. This procedure should have been repeated for the other wrist.
  • Zusanli (ST36) - Zusanli can strengthen the digestive system. It is located on the outer calf, about four finger widths under the knee bone. Use your thumb or forefinger and apply pressure. This procedure should have been repeated for the other foot.


15 signs your stomach is functioning badly




A queasy feeling in the pit of your stomach, dreading even the idea of food, and having to constantly run to the washroom; these are all unpleasant symptoms of stomach issues. There are all sorts of reasons why you may have a poorly functioning stomach. Sometimes, it’s from food poisoning or a gastro bug going around; however, if your stomach is chronically upset, it might be a sign of a bigger problem. If you are experiencing any of these 15 signs that your stomach is functioning badly, be sure to make an appointment with your healthcare provider:
  • Frequent and chronic diarrhea
  • Blood in your stool
  • Severe cramps after eating
  • Chronic constipation
  • Frequent heartburn
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Loss of appetite
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Sudden intense abdominal pain
  • Feeling full after eating a small portion
  • Swollen abdomen
  • Anemia
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Frequent vomiting
  • Skin issues


What your poop tells you about your health
5 Things Your Poop Can Tell You About Your Health

Having a bowel movement is a critical part of digesting the food we eat. Stool formed by the large intestine is the body's way of getting rid of waste.

While you should talk to your doctor about any concerns, changes in poop color and consistency could show what is happening inside your digestive system:
  • Rocks and Pebbles - Poop that is hard and shaped like tiny rocks or pebbles is likely just a sign of constipation. You can still be considered constipated even if you are able to pass a small amount of stool. The large intestine helps to concentrate waste by absorbing water. If muscle contractions in the large intestine are not working properly, waste left in the colon becomes even more concentrated, resulting in harder stool.
  • Color Changes - A change in stool color is one of the most common concerns patients ask about. The foods you eat and the kind of bacteria living in your colon can both cause such changes, and added food colorings are frequent culprits. This is one reason why patients preparing for a colonoscopy are instructed to avoid food and beverages with certain added colors the day before. Doctors note that when they perform a colonoscopy, they can actually tell what color the beverage was that the patient drank during their preparation for the procedure. Most changes in the color of stool are not cause for concern. The exception is poop that appears black or bloody, which could signal other problems with the digestive system.
  • Black and Tarry - The most common cause of black and tarry poop is taking iron supplements or a medication containing bismuth, such as Pepto-Bismol. However, it could mean you're losing blood somewhere in your gastrointestinal tract, such as in the stomach or small intestine.
  • Oily or Greasy Stools - If you have poop that appears oily, has a greasy consistency and is difficult to flush, it could be a signal that your body is not able to properly digest fat. The consistency changes could be caused by an infection, nutrients not being digested due to celiac disease or a problem with the pancreas, such as pancreatic cancer or pancreatitis.
  • Pencil Thin - Stool that is only occasionally very thin is not a cause for concern. It is likely due to muscle contractions in the large intestine as it helps to concentrate waste. If there is a sudden and consistent change in your stool always being thin, it could mean there is a blockage in your colon, and you should see your doctor.


Diabetes: Early Signs & Symptoms

Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how the body uses blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is an important source of energy for the cells that make up the muscles and tissues. It's also the brain's main source of fuel. The main cause of diabetes varies by type. But no matter what type of diabetes you have, it can lead to excess sugar in the blood. Too much sugar in the blood can lead to serious health problems.

Chronic diabetes conditions include type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Potentially reversible diabetes conditions include prediabetes and gestational diabetes. Prediabetes happens when blood sugar levels are higher than normal. But the blood sugar levels aren't high enough to be called diabetes. And prediabetes can lead to diabetes unless steps are taken to prevent it. Gestational diabetes happens during pregnancy. But it may go away after the baby is born. Diabetes symptoms depend on how high your blood sugar is. Some people, especially if they have prediabetes, gestational diabetes or type 2 diabetes, may not have symptoms. In type 1 diabetes, symptoms tend to come on quickly and be more severe.

Some of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are:
  • Feeling more thirsty than usual.
  • Urinating often.
  • Losing weight without trying.
  • Presence of ketones in the urine. Ketones are a byproduct of the breakdown of muscle and fat that happens when there's not enough available insulin.
  • Feeling tired and weak.
  • Feeling irritable or having other mood changes.
  • Having blurry vision.
  • Having slow-healing sores.
  • Getting a lot of infections, such as gum, skin and vaginal infections.

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