Many people in
Phnom Penh drink powdered sachets such as Royal D in order to get nutrients. Is
this really a healthy way of getting vitamins?
Royal D, and other sachets like it, are designed
to help replace fluids you lose through vomiting or diarrhea. They contain
sugar, salts lsuch as sodium and potassium, and sometimes a little Vitamin C or
Vitamin A.
They are not a good source of nutrition, but if
you are unable to drink anything else because of sickness, it is better than
drinking just plain water.
If you are a serious athlete and sweat a lot
during exercise, you may also use the sachets to replace some of the fluids and
electrolytes you lose through sweat.
The best way to get enough vitamins and minerals
however, is to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.
This means a good amount and variety of fruits and
vegetables, dairy products, meats and carbohydrates. Vitamins are absorbed much
better when eaten in food than via pills or supplements.
I want to donate blood in Phnom Penh. How safe is it, and
where is best to do it? Are there any particular requirements?
In Phnom Penh, you can donate blood at the
National Blood Bank and Transfusion Centre. It is located in St 41 (Norodom
Boulevard), at the corner of St 114, S/K Phsaar Thmei Muoy, Khan Doun Peenh,
Phnom Penh.
This is probably the safest place to give blood in
Cambodia. However, it is always wise to watch the nurses/technicians to make
sure they use alcohol swabs and clean needles.
In the past, these operations have been overseen
by foreign aid agencies, so they should be up to the same standards, but we do
not have any current updates on this.
In general, you are not able to give blood if you
have HIV, hepatitis B or C, use intravenous recreational drugs or engage in
high-risk sexual practices.
When you go, you will have to fill out a
questionnaire to determine whether you are eligible.
Even though your intentions in donating blood are
good, do your best to fill out the questionnaire honestly, even if you think it
might make you ineligible.
Your blood will be screened for disease and will
be thrown away if it is positive for any of the above.
You do not want to put health care workers at
risk, and it will be a waste of time and resources for both you and the staff
at the blood bank. T
here are well-documented blood shortages in
Cambodia, however, and if you can help alleviate those shortages, by all means
please do!
I have heard that it’s better to use a fan to keep cool at
night than to sleep with air-conditioning on. Are there any health risks from
using air-conditioning?
Air-conditioning can help you relax and sleep
better because it reduces humidity in the room and controls the temperature
more accurately.
However, air-conditioning units cool air by
passing it through coils with refrigerant in them, and during this process both
evaporation and condensation occur. The water vapour produced within the coils
is an ideal medium for bacteria and mould growth.
Bacteria and mould, as well as dust and pollens,
can collect in air-conditioning units and then be blown into the air when
turned on. So, unless AC units are cleaned regularly, they can become a
reservoir for these harmful agents.
It’s not very common for bacteria to grow, but
every few years there are reports of outbreaks of legionella pneumonia and
aspergillosis due to this cause.
Air-conditioning units also work by de-humidifying
the air. The air is cool and dry, but can sometimes cause problems for people
with asthma and allergies. People tend to have more asthma attacks in cool air
— and, if there is dust or other allergens in the air, more allergy problems as
well.
Of course, fans can collect dust too, so it’s
important to always keep things clean.
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