The HEALTH : October 2019 | Page 3

october, 2019 | The HealTH OPINION role in eye health. Okay enough build up, let’s cut to the chase here yeah? Revon Media is honoured to present the World Sight Day Lecture Series 2019, an amalgamation of the two main eye health professionals in the country: Th e optometrists and the ophthalmologists. With joint eff orts by the Ophthalmology Department of Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HCTM UKM), Th e College of Ophthalmology, Academy of Medicine of Malaysia, Th e Association of Malaysian Optometrists (AMO), Th e Malaysian Soci- ety of Ophthalmology (MSO), and Th e Malaysian Optic Council (MOC), the lecture series assumes it place on Oct 11 at HCTM’s Auditorium. It is a place for them to share ideas, experiences, and knowledge to assist and reach a consensus on their shared roles in eye health for Malaysians. Good place for the to start seeing eye-to-eye don’t you think? Assalamualaikum. Editor norman Hussaini • Seeing the sight • High vision for World Sight Day 2019 Xtra 06 Vision comes fi rst This year’s World Sight Day aims to spread further awareness and reinforce knowledge for eye health among Malaysians Xtra 07 Escalating cases of Myopia among children The inability to see objects or visuals at a distance clearly could possibly be one of the symptom of suffering Myopia among children 03 The marathon runner T Diff erent Strokes bY adi saTria  HE Kuala Lumpur Standard Chartered Marathon 2019 successfully ended last Sunday Sept 29 marred only by an accident when a car ploughed into and injured three runners at the MRR2. It had attracted more than 35 thousand runners from all over the world who ran in diff erent catego- ries from the full marathon of 42 km, half marathon down to the 5 km fun runs. For the full marathon, more than 5000 runners completed with the winners in both the male and female categories dominated by the Kenyan runners. Nevertheless all had a great time, mostly satisfi ed that they participated and completed this iconic racing event on a haze free Sunday morning. Halfway across the world the Berlin Marathon was also about to take place attracting double the numbers with world records broken also by the African runners. Why do they keep running? According to research, running long distances actually give them a high that is equivalent to a cannabis high. Many people claim they experience a happy, invincible feeling like fl oating through the air at the peak of their workout in a gym and the same happens when running long distances . No wonder they keep coming back for more. Researchers believed that it is something to do with the endorphins that your body produce during long exercises. Th ese chemicals interact with receptors in the brain to reduce the perception of pain and some thought it may also give them that euphoric boost. Subsequent studies were conducted which four years ago challenged that notion with a diff erent theory. Th at “high” could be due to a diff erent sub- stance called endocannabinoids. It can basically be thought as the body’s self-pro- duced marijuana and, like cannabis, can impact a wide range of physi- ological processes, including appetite, pain, memory and mood. My 62-year old brother has been r unning 10km quarter marathons for years and every time his timing gets better which also earned him a medal at the recent and previous Kuala Lumpur events. His main goal was to sustain his fi tness level as his doctor (and endorsed by the number one doctor run- ning the country) had advised that running actually helps to reduce any signs of arthritis or knee pains. Together with a regular dose of cod liver oil, sensible eating to live, he has managed to maintain his weight and does not suff er any of those non communicable diseases plaguing the nation. One key technique of his running is ‘slow jog’ which eliminates tiredness allowing him to fi nish the race within the time limit to qualify for a m edal. Th ere is really no excuse for anyone not to take up running to build muscles on the knees, essential to carry your body weight for years on. Besides it is also a mental test of your own endurance which builds character. Really, age is just a number as now everyone can run. — Th e Health Adi Satria is a veteran of marketing communications who is more into swimming and cycling. He believes that while the health ministry advises that one should take ten thousand steps daily to stay fi t, any form of exercise can take you further  on the journey to better health maintenance.