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CNA
2 days ago
- Health
- CNA
Coroner's court: Man, 65, died after spinal surgery, no evidence COVID-19 vaccine implicated
SINGAPORE: A 65-year-old man with multiple chronic conditions died after his airway was blocked following an operation on his spine. He had received the COVID-19 vaccine 10 days before the operation, but there was no evidence the vaccine caused or contributed to his death, the coroner's court heard. The vaccine issue had been raised in court by the deceased man's daughter. In findings made available on Tuesday (Jul 29), State Coroner Adam Nakhoda ruled the death of Mr Lee Yong Chuan Edwin a medical misadventure. According to the findings, Mr Lee died on May 29, 2021 at Mount Elizabeth Hospital. He had several chronic medical conditions, including depression and panic attacks, ischaemic heart disease, hypertension, coronary artery disease and pancreatic cancer. He had undergone a Whipple resection - a procedure to treat tumours and other pancreatic conditions - at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in 2009 for the cancer, and received follow-up radiotherapy and chemotherapy. WHAT HAPPENED On Apr 7, 2021, Mr Lee saw Dr Tan Seang Beng at his clinic, complaining that he had experienced numbness and paraesthesia - a tingling or prickling sensation - in his hands for a number of years. A clinical examination along with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of his spine revealed deterioration in his spine. He was diagnosed with a pinched nerve and an injury to his spinal cord from severe compression, along with a prolapsed intervertebral disc. In May 2021, Mr Lee consented to undergo a procedure called an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) of his vertebrae. It was scheduled for May 6, 2021 at Mount Elizabeth Hospital. The consent form highlighted, among other things, that the procedure would involve decompressing the nerves within the spine by removing the disc, removing bone spurs and repairing and reconstructing the spine by fusion. The form also highlighted possible complications such as voice and swallowing problems, wound infection, nerve or spinal cord injury and paralysis, complications related to anaesthesia, blood transfusion reactions, heart attack and death. The consent form stated that the listed risks and complications were not intended to be exhaustive. The anaesthetist explained to Mr Lee that there was a "slightly higher risk" of anaesthesia as an airway assessment revealed that Mr Lee's neck movements were limited, in particular neck extension. Mr Lee agreed to be monitored in hospital after the surgery. The procedure was carried out on May 6, 2021. Dr Tan said it was "uneventful" and was completed. Mr Lee was stable while under general anaesthesia and was able to speak and move his limbs after waking up. He was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) for routine monitoring at about 8.10pm, about half an hour after the surgery was completed. However, at about 10.10pm, Mr Lee told the nurses that he could not breathe. They propped him up, increased his oxygenation and encouraged him to breathe deeply. The nurses then inserted an oral airway in an attempt to suction his airway, as they suspected there was a mucous plug, since Mr Lee said he felt something in his throat. Mr Lee spat out the oral airway and repeated that he could not breathe. Other medical personnel were called in to help, but Mr Lee's oxygen saturation dropped and he became unresponsive. A "code blue" was activated and the nurses tried to perform Ambubag ventilation - artificial respiration using a hand-held device. The staff attempted to intubate him to no avail, and his condition improved only after doctors arrived and managed to intubate him. Mr Lee's blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation were later maintained with full ventilation and IV adrenaline infusion, following interventions from doctors, and he was transferred to the ICU. However, MRI scans two days later showed severe brain damage consistent with hypoxia - insufficient oxygen - which was due to the long resuscitation time. There was also bleeding behind his throat. Mr Lee was supported in the ICU until May 28, 2021, when his condition deteriorated. He died a day later. An autopsy certified his cause of death as hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, a type of brain complication due to lack of oxygen, following cardiac arrest. This was in turn due to airway obstruction, due to retropharyngeal haemorrhage. This is a type of rare but life-threatening condition where blood accumulates behind the pharynx in the throat. This bleeding occurred after the spinal procedure. Senior Consultant Forensic Pathologist Teo Eng Swee said Mr Lee's death was related to a post-operative complication. Airway obstruction due to acute retropharyngeal haemorrhage is a known complication after the spinal procedure in this case, said Dr Teo. EVIDENCE FROM MR LEE'S FAMILY Mr Lee's daughter said her grandfather had been admitted to hospital due to impingement of nerves that required surgery and could cause paralysis. When Mr Lee realised he might have the same condition as his father, he sought medical attention and consulted Dr Tan. Mr Lee's daughter said Dr Tan had recommended the spinal procedure, which was the same one Mr Lee's father had undergone in February 2021. Mr Lee's daughter advised him to wait before having the surgery, but Mr Lee decided to go ahead after a discussion with Dr Tan. Mr Lee's daughter said "the only risk (Mr Lee) talked about then was paralysis, a common one of spinal surgery". She added that her father had received a COVID-19 vaccination 10 days before the surgery. She raised several concerns during the inquiry. These included whether the surgical team fully considered her father's complex medical history and whether he was sufficiently advised about the risks, given his "complex medical and health status" including the COVID-19 vaccine he had received less than two weeks before the operation. At the time of the operation, there was an imminent tightening of safe management measures for COVID-19, and hospitals were deferring elective surgeries, said Mr Lee's daughter. She asked why her father's surgery proceeded during the ongoing pandemic at the time. She also asked if the respiratory arrest was preventable. THE DOCTOR'S RESPONSE On the timing of the procedure, Dr Tan said Mr Lee was concerned that his condition might deteriorate as his father's had and did not want to delay it. Dr Tan said he had "thoroughly explained" the risks and benefits of the spinal surgery, and had taken the general precautions during the operation. He said the medical staff were not sure what caused Mr Lee's respiratory arrest at the time, and that the priority was to intubate him, but the first attempts were unsuccessful. About 10 to 15 minutes passed between his respiratory arrest and his intubation, and it was this prolonged downtime that resulted in Mr Lee's brain injury, said Dr Tan. He said the existence of a blood clot at the surgical site was discovered only after the MRI done two days after the surgery. ON THE COVID-19 JAB Dr Tan testified that he was aware that Mr Lee had the COVID-19 jab 10 days prior to the surgery. He said Mr Lee had fully recovered from the vaccination and had "no abnormal symptoms" which could be attributed to the vaccine. In addition, he had been determined to be fit for the surgery by the cardiologist and anaesthetist. He said Mr Lee's collapse was "very sudden", his blood pressure had spiked, and his oxygen saturation came down "all within a couple of minutes". Dr Teo, who had conducted the autopsy, said "there was no reason to delay surgery after a patient receives COVID-19 vaccination". "In fact, an unvaccinated patient entering a hospital environment would be at a higher risk of contracting a COVID-19 infection," he said. He added that patients who developed COVID-19 infections after surgery were at risk of slower recovery or an adverse outcome, especially if they had other chronic medical conditions. He said there was in fact an increased risk of post-surgical mortality related to the COVID-19 infection. Dr Teo said there was no autopsy evidence that the vaccine had caused or contributed to Mr Lee's death. He also noted that there was no indication in any of the medical reports that the medical staff was concerned that the vaccine was related to the cause of death. ON WHY THE ELECTIVE SURGERY WAS DONE The director of operations for Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Dr Ng Shang Qun Shawn, noted that there were two policies issued by the Ministry of Health at the time Mr Lee's surgery was performed. One circular stated that healthcare resources were tight and should be prioritised according to medical needs and urgency. Another stated that public healthcare institutions had been informed to start triaging and deferring non-urgent surgery and admission as well as non-urgent specialist outpatient clinic appointments from May 3, 2021. However, Dr Ng explained that private hospitals like Mount Elizabeth Hospital were not mandated to defer non-urgent surgeries. The circular recommended that private hospitals defer non-urgent surgeries only "where possible so as to avail capacity, resources and manpower should they be needed to support the private sector". Therefore, based on the circulars, doctors at private hospitals would "make a call" and proceed on some elective surgeries based on available capacity and resources. In Mr Lee's case, the elective surgery had been allowed to proceed as the doctors involved made the decision that it could. Mr Tan said Mr Lee had been counselled on the risks and benefits of the surgery, the alternative surgical options and the option for conservative treatment. The coroner found the consent form for the procedure was "a very comprehensive" one, and there was no evidence to suggest that the risks were not highlighted to Mr Lee. Mr Lee had accepted them of his own accord and opted for the procedure, said the coroner. He added that there was no evidence to suggest that having a COVID-19 jab made him unsuitable for the procedure.
CNA
22-07-2025
- Health
- CNA
Living with endometriosis: Women speak out about pain, heavy bleeding, infertility and misdiagnosis
Mojisola Erdt's excruciating menstrual pains began when she was 14 years old. After enduring almost 30 years of worsening symptoms, she underwent a hysterectomy in 2024 to remove her uterus. The senior scientist, 44, had longed to conceive again after her daughter was born in 2016 but suffered multiple miscarriages over the years. The hysterectomy ended that hope. 'It was hard to accept that this is really the end. There was always this small hope that I could still get pregnant and everything would go well,' she said. 'You know how sweet it is to have a child, and you want another one but you can't.' Erdt has Stage 4 endometriosis, the most severe form of the condition. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. It can cause menstrual, pelvic and bowel pain, and in some cases, infertility. She is not alone in this struggle. According to the World Health Organization, endometriosis affects about 190 million women and girls worldwide. In Singapore, about 10 per cent of women of childbearing age have endometriosis and around one-third of them are unable to conceive, said Dr Kelly Loi, an obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) specialist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital. Though prevalent, endometriosis is often overlooked, and many women endure years of agony. As a progressive condition, the delay in diagnosis can lead to more severe symptoms and challenges in family planning. WHEN ENDOMETRIOSIS GOES UNDIAGNOSED Erdt said the pain felt like 'someone stabbing [her] and twisting the knife around'. As her endometriosis progressed, complications arose. Her bowels and right ovary fused to her uterus due to the abnormal growth of her cells, which doctors said resembled 'chewing gum'. Her uterus also swelled to the size of a 16-week pregnancy due to adenomyosis – a condition where tissue that usually lines the uterus grows into the muscle wall. It often accompanies endometriosis, and can cause heavy, painful periods. '[Since my hysterectomy], I'm trying to embrace the health I've regained. I had anaemia, having lost so much blood all the time, and inflammation affecting my joints,' Erdt said. On average, women seek help about two years after symptoms appear, said Dr Ma Li, an endometriosis and reproductive health specialist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital. 'In Asian cultures, we are quite often told that it's normal to have period pain … So a lot of girls try to tolerate the pain as much as they can,' said Dr Ma, who ran the endometriosis clinic at National University Hospital (NUH) from 2015 to 2024. But even when they do seek help, endometriosis may still go undiagnosed. In some cases, doctors miss signs of the condition. Dr Ma added that a common mistake medical practitioners make is performing ultrasound scans only in the uterus and ovaries. She found that in about 80 per cent of cases, endometriosis is found elsewhere in the body, including the bladder, bowels and lungs. Due to limited awareness of the condition among doctors, some patients are also simply prescribed painkillers instead of receiving a proper diagnosis. 'Painkillers just treat the pain. It doesn't treat the disease, so it doesn't stop it from progressing,' she said. COMMMON SYMPTOMS OF ENDOMETRIOSIS These include: Painful menstrual cramps Heavy menstrual periods Bleeding or spotting between periods Pain during or after sex Pelvic pain Lower back pain Discomfort during bowel movements Infertility If you have two or more of these symptoms, consider seeing a gynaecologist or an endometriosis specialist for diagnosis and treatment. There are also resources like KKH's Endometriosis Questionnaire to help you identify and assess endometriosis-associated symptoms. Collapse "DESPERATE AND HOPELESS" Delayed diagnosis can be frustrating. Dr Eleanor Loh, 26, visited six doctors over a decade to find answers for her debilitating menstrual pain. Describing the experience as lonely, the junior doctor said: 'You feel desperate and hopeless when the doctors you see don't know what to do with you, treat you wrongly, or just dismiss you outright.' It wasn't until 2021, after she was posted to Dr Ma's O&G department at NUH, that she was finally diagnosed with Stage 4 endometriosis. Another patient, Ivy Li, had such severe pain in her right abdomen that appendicitis was suspected and her appendix removed. It turned out that endometriosis was the cause. The 44-year-old recalled others telling her after the surgery: ''It's just removing something that's useless.' But it's still a surgery. You're still undergoing anaesthesia.' Since then, she's had a hormonal intrauterine device inserted into her womb to help reduce the pain and slow the progression of the disease. However, as her adenomyosis worsened, she eventually underwent a hysterectomy at age 42. Dr Loi added that as endometriosis is a progressive disease, initial investigations may not detect any abnormalities. Dr Ma noted that diagnosis is often delayed by an average of seven to eight years. 'The message we want to bring across is that it's not normal to have severe period pain. If you have that, please see a specialist.' THE ROAD TO PARENTHOOD The physical and emotional toll of endometriosis can influence decisions around having children, whether due to infertility or the potential risks associated with pregnancy. As one of the most common causes of infertility, Dr Ma said about 40 per cent of endometriosis patients need fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilisation, to conceive. She explained that endometriosis can reduce both the quantity and quality of a woman's eggs, leading to 'irreversible damage on fertility'. Said Dr Loi: 'Endometriosis is a common cause of infertility as it can distort pelvic anatomy, affect ovulation, trigger inflammation, and create an un-optimal environment for fertilisation and implantation. 'Removal of the endometriotic tissue and scar tissue often improves symptoms and fertility.' Some women with endometriosis may also fear getting pregnant. 'Getting pregnant would be a huge disruption to our reproductive organs,' said endometriosis sufferer Dr Loh. 'Some literature says endometriosis gets better but you never really know how you react on an individual level. And for us who have gotten some modicum of peace from treatment, taking the risk to potentially disrupt that by wanting a child is something that is not an easy to decision to make.' Dr Ma, however, said it is rare for endometriosis to flare up during pregnancy, as hormonal changes tend to 'quiet' the oestrogen-driven condition's symptoms. Still, she emphasised that pregnancy is not a cure for endometriosis, and that symptoms may return after childbirth. Endometriosis patients with daughters also worry about passing the condition on to them. Li, for instance, has begun monitoring her 14-year-old daughter's health since she started menstruating last year. As for Erdt, the concern lies in how to broach the topic when her now eight-year-old daughter reaches puberty. 'My experience and relationship with having a period affected my [acceptance of] becoming a woman. It was just a very painful, uncomfortable thing … And I'm trying not to pass that frustration onto her.' FIGHTING FOR CHANGE Although awareness of endometriosis has grown, societal and systemic challenges remain. Namira Binte Mohamad Marsudi, who was 28 when diagnosed with Stage 4 endometriosis in 2014, said there's been a shift in the public perception of intense menstrual pain since she began advocating 13 years ago. The founder of non-profit organisation E for Endometriosis said that at the beginning, everyone she spoke to believed such pain was normal. Now, most people recognise that it's not. From the support group's first talk in 2015 with just five attendees, E for Endometriosis has since grown into a network of over 2,000 volunteers, raising awareness and providing support for those impacted by the condition. But the 39-year-old believes there's still a long way to go. 'There is a buzz going on about endometriosis, and people are starting to learn what it is,' she said. 'But it has to be on a constant basis ... if we just let it die down, within just a year, people will start forgetting about it.' This growing awareness, Namira added, needs to extend to the medical field as well. Even among healthcare professionals, there is a 'lack of consensus on what endometriosis truly is', let alone how best to diagnose or treat the condition. 'Raising awareness isn't just about the public. It's also about ensuring that those entrusted with our care are properly equipped with knowledge, empathy, and up-to-date understanding,' she added. Professor Chong Yap-Seng, dean of the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, said that although endometriosis causes 'massive loss of productivity' in women, there have been limited advancements in its treatment. This reflects a larger global issue – the gender health gap, where women often receive inferior healthcare compared with men. He explained that while women live longer than men, they often experience health loss earlier, sometimes as soon as they start their periods. This may be due to conditions associated with menstruation, including anaemia, migraines and endometriosis, which can cause 'significant distress, discomfort and even disability in women'. 'This health loss doesn't necessarily lead to premature mortality [so it's] not taken as seriously or dealt with as efficiently as conditions that are more deadly,' he added, citing cardiovascular diseases and cancer as examples. FROM ENDOMETRIOSIS PAIN TO PURPOSE Despite the challenges, more women are turning their experiences into strength. Li, along with Dr Loh and Erdt, are active volunteers with E for Endometriosis. Li said she is an 'endometriosis warrior' who hopes to help others understand the condition is not 'just in the mind'. Dr Loh is hoping to specialise in endometriosis and aims to create a safe space for patients to share their struggles. During her three-month rotation at the O&G department, she helped treat more than 150 endometriosis patients and could relate to the women's struggles. 'If they have made that step to come and seek help, they deserve to be heard and taken seriously,' she said. Erdt is drawing on her expertise in digital health technology for chronic disease management, and working on an app that tracks endometriosis symptoms. She explained that while recognising the signs is key to proper diagnosis, the challenge lies in women not being aware of the wide range of symptoms or how they evolve over time. 'The strength I find is in the pain I've gone through and just wishing to help so no one needs to go through this alone.'
Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Singapore-listed hospital operator IHH eyes Indonesia, Vietnam for expansion
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox In Singapore, IHH operates 793 beds across four hospitals – Gleneagles Hospital (above), Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital and Parkway East Hospital. Kuala Lumpur – IHH Healthcare is looking to potential new markets Indonesia and Vietnam as the Malaysian hospital operator continues building scale to offset rising healthcare costs in the region. Indonesia is attractive, thanks to its healthcare reforms and foreign ownership relaxation, while Vietnam has emerged as a booming market, according to chief executive officer Prem Kumar Nair. 'We get a lot of patients from Vietnam into our Singapore operations,' he said in an interview in Kuala Lumpur this week. In Singapore, IHH operates 793 beds across 4 hospitals – Gleneagles Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital and Parkway East Hospital, according to its website. It also has 30 Parkway Shenton clinics, as well as other specialty and ancillary services. The company currently operates more than 80 hospitals in 10 countries, including India and China, and has been actively acquiring healthcare facilities in recent years. It bought Island Hospital in Malaysia in 2024. Its Turkish unit Acibadem and Indian affiliate Fortis Healthcare also purchased hospitals in their respective markets in the last two years. The company has US$14 billion (S$17.9 billion) in market capitalisation and is the most valuable listed hospital operator in South-east Asia. The desire to widen expansion in the region comes as IHH looks to make up for rising import costs in the industry. The group is now procuring medical equipment, consumables and generic medications in bulk to cut costs on imported items, Mr Prem Kumar said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Why Japan and South Korea are on different paths in the latest US trade salvo World Trump says steep copper tariffs in store as he broadens his trade war Opinion Is Donald Trump unstoppable? Opinion Hyper-competitive classrooms feed the corporate world's narcissist pipeline Singapore Man charged after he allegedly threw glass bottle at bus window, injuring passenger Business 'It's our grandfather's company, we won't sell', says Wong family as shareholders reject GE delisting bid Singapore Police officer taken to hospital after motorcycle accident on PIE Asia Ex-Malaysian PM Najib's wife Rosmah awarded $30,000 in suit against TikToker IHH is also planning to consolidate its presence in China, according to the CEO. It turned its clinic business into a profitable operation and is seeing rising number of patients at its hospital in Shanghai. Still, China's decision to ease restrictions on foreign investment in healthcare sector will not immediately sway IHH into expanding further in the world's second-largest economy. 'In China, the public sector is a very big competitor to private healthcare,' said Prem Kuma. 'We are the only foreign operator in China who has a combination of clinics, and an ecosystem, so we will build on it.' The company's priorities also include tapping growing opportunities in existing markets, where it's already committed to expanding hospital bed capacity by 33 per cent from 2024 through 2028 – a 4,000 bed target. 'There's no dearth of opportunities in the countries we operate,' he said. Beyond hospitals IHH booked RM6.29 billion ringgit (S$1.9 billion) in first-quarter revenue, an increase of 5.7 per cent from a year ago. Its profit slid 33 per cent to RM514 million, which the company attributed to exceptional accounting adjustments. Singapore, Turkey and Malaysia are currently its main revenue drivers, but the company expects India to become a major contributor in the coming years amid booming demand for private healthcare. With 35 hospitals, India already has IHH's biggest in-country network. Mr Prem Kumar said he was focused on growing out-of-hospital care in IHH's markets – including ambulatory surgical and care centres, along with primary care centres – to help control cost pressures. The group currently operates 60 healthcare facilities that aren't hospitals. 'If we depend on hospitals alone, healthcare costs are going to rise tremendously,' he said. Singapore already has such an ecosystem in place while Hong Kong is headed in that direction, Mr Prem Kumar said. Still, its home market of Malaysia doesn't allow hospital operators to also run other healthcare facilities. IHH plans to make representations to Malaysia's Health Ministry in hopes the rule will be changed. 'We definitely want to move, in Malaysia, into the out-of-hospital sector in a big way as well,' he said. Dual-listed IHH shares in Malaysia have dropped 8.4 per cent so far in 2025, while the Kuala Lumpur stock index has fallen around 7 per cent amid concerns over US tariffs. Its Singapore shares were trading at $2.03 as at 10.57am on July , down 7.3 per cent for the year. BLOOMBERG
CNA
13-05-2025
- Health
- CNA
Shingles and heart health: Important facts you need to know
Pain, itching or tingling – these early warning signs can appear days before any visible symptoms of shingles emerges. But did you know that this viral infection poses threats that go beyond the surface of the skin? For older adults, shingles can lead to serious health complications, including a heightened risk of heart attacks and strokes. 'Some people assume that shingles is a natural part of ageing and that nothing can be done about it,' said Dr Lee Tau Hong, an infectious disease physician at Infectious Diseases Care, Mount Elizabeth Hospital. 'This highlights the importance of raising awareness about its potential complications and ways to stay protected.' Shingles is caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV) – the same virus responsible for chickenpox. 'Most people contract chickenpox (or varicella) during childhood, but the virus doesn't leave the body. Instead, it remains dormant in the nerves near the spine,' Dr Lee explained. 'Years later, factors like ageing or a weakened immune system can reactivate the virus, leading to shingles.' Although anyone can develop shingles, the risk increases significantly after the age of 50. 'Older age is a predisposing condition,' he said. 'However, shingles isn't limited to those with chronic illnesses or weakened immunity. THE CONNECTION TO HEART HEALTH Research suggests a strong link between shingles and cardiovascular events, like heart attacks and strokes. For instance, a study published in 2017 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that shingles was associated with a 59 per cent increase in heart attack risk and a 35 per cent increase* in stroke risk, with the likelihood being highest in the first year after onset. 'While the exact cause of this connection isn't fully understood, inflammation triggered by shingles may obstruct blood flow in the heart or brain, raising the chances of heart attacks or strokes,' said Dr Lee, adding that those with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions are particularly vulnerable.' 'BURNING PAIN' AND OTHER EFFECTS According to Dr Lee, when the virus that causes shingles reactivates, it affects sensory nerves, which are responsible for sensations like touch and pressure. This can lead to sudden, intense and disabling pain. 'Many describe experiencing tingling or itching in the affected areas,' he shared. Even after the rash heals, the effects of shingles can linger. Individuals experience post-herpetic neuralgia, a painful condition that can last for months, said Dr Lee. 'This discomfort impacts daily life and productivity, and can lead to disrupted sleep, as well as feelings of anxiety or depression,' he added. Other complications include bacterial skin infections, scarring and even vision problems if the virus affects nerves near the eyes. Preventing shingles starts with a healthy lifestyle. Dr Lee recommends a balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep and stress management to reduce your risk. He also urged individuals, particularly those aged 50 and above or with weakened immunity from chronic conditions, to consult their doctors about preventive measures. 'Recognising early symptoms like pain, itching or tingling on the skin – often appearing hours or days before the rash – can make a difference,' said Dr Lee. 'If you suspect shingles, see a doctor promptly to manage symptoms and reduce complications.' Shingles does not have to be an inevitable part of ageing. By staying informed, consulting healthcare professionals and taking proactive steps, you can protect yourself and your loved ones. This health message is intended for audiences in Singapore only and is meant for disease awareness and educational purposes. It does not endorse, make reference to and/or recommend any product. Speak to your healthcare professional to learn more about treatment options and prevention methods. Information in this article is valid as of May 13, 2025. All images used in this material are for illustration purposes only. Views expressed by the expert are solely his own and based on his clinical knowledge.
