Beaniplex cinema - TGV cinema

Stay calm and watch movie at beanieplex cinema.

Have you ever sit on a beanie before ? You feel like at home, the difference is, it's even nicer. A big, high resolution movie screen in front of you, with the popcorns or drinks that you bought from the counter, and your loved one right at your side. Just imagine how nice this will be!

The beanie seated theatre at TGV cinema that we went is at First Avenue shopping mall. For friends form Penang, this is the only beanie cinema available here in Penang. Just can't believe it is right under my nose for so long about this awesome facility.

The cinema theatre is specifically dedicated to this beanie design. It has beanie seats for five rows, with each row having four two-seated beanie separated compartment by a cushion (see the photo). Therefore, there is only a total of 40 seats for each movie session.

We went on Friday afternoon. Not many people going to  cinema especially in the mid afternoon.

So, here is how it begins. Just four of us in the beanie-seated theatre. Basically, you can choose any seats you like, but each one should be good enough for you to adjust your position on the comfortable beanie seats. You can sit on the comfortable beanie, or like me, just lie on it. But still, I will recommend to grab the seat at the behind. Row E is the best! I had experienced it. Haha..

Here we are, beanieplex ! Row E.

However, you may not get this advantage when it comes to weekends and public holidays. It is a nice movie theatre for a date, hence, I am sure the beanie movie tickets would be selling out fast. Perhaps, booking it online is much more secure and easier if you do not want to miss out the chance to watch your favourite movie on screen with your date at this conducive environment.

First thing to know about this beanie-seated movie theatre, you have to buy two movie tickets, at least, or more in even numbers since the beanies are meant for two persons. So, if you really want to try out by yourself, you have to pay for the tickets for two. (Well, this will not be a great idea - go grab a friend :P).

Two seated beanie cinema theatre

So the movie ticket price is almost doubled as compared to normal ticket price. As in for the price, it is more expensive than the normal movie ticket. It may not be your choice for every single movie visit at the cinema. However, it is worthwhile trying this experience.

But for couples, husband and wife, these beanie seated movie cinema theatre should be a pleasure experience after a long day or week work.

Chill, relax, feel at home and enjoy the movie.

The best thing for this is the feelings of watching movie at home with a big TV screen. This is the main reason, I guess, about the reason that beanie-seated cinema is designed.

One more crazy idea! It will be fascinating if you hold a party in the beanieplex! I am sure it will be a pleasure experience. But the thing is, I am sure the cinema management staff is happy to discuss with you further. Emmm... It's never hurt to inquiry more information from the cinema (click here) . And, let me know if you hold a party there. It must be pretty awesome!

Photo captured before the movie starts

To book or know more about this awesome cinema, can go to TGV cinema official website.

Migraine - Is it your nightmare too?

Headache is very common in our daily life. But, what is the differences between a normal headache as compared to a migraine ?

sourced from internet

Migraine, very similar to headaches, is one of the common illnesses present in the community. Migraine is the throbbing, pulsatile pain around the head which is usually one-sided (unilateral headache) and the pain last for hours, or even longer, for days. The migraine attacks is periodic. The episodes of each attack could be frequent in some of the patients but rare for some. About a quarter of those who suffer from migraine will experience aura - a shimmering of zigzag lines, twinkling lights in vision or even partial loss of visual field, before being overcome by the migraine.

Some have mild to moderate migraine, and some have unbearable pain and discomfort when the migraine strikes. The constant, throbbing pain can stop you from doing anything on hand. Even worse, you feel nauseated and suffer vomiting.

A patient described it as '"It feels like your brain is going to explode and you can't focus on your work!"

The earlier the treatment is started, the better the treatment outcome is. Pain killers such as simple analgesics i.e paracetamol, NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen), codeine, triptan, ergotamine can be the options to treat migraine. Do ask medical advice from the pharmacists or doctors.

For these severe cases, some medicines (off-label) can be used as preventive measure, such as beta blocker (propanolol and timolol), low dose amitriptyline, and anti-epileptic medicines such as sodium valproate and topiramate. However, these medicines are prescribed medicines. So, you need to go see a doctor to get the medical advice.

I had encountered with one case whose the patient is prescribed amitriptyline (low dose) at night to control the migraine symptoms. And, she said, so far, it has been working well for her, giving her back the normal life she deserves.

Another case would be a patient with migraine since childhood. Paracetamol and NSAIDs did not work for him when migraine started. His migraine started with an aura ( flickering or zig-zag lines) , followed by nausea and vomiting for at least two days. He also suffered photophobia (sensitive to light), photophobia (fear/sensitive of/to loud noises), heightened senses (metallic taste and smell). Doctor had put him on amitriptyline for long term management and the use of nasal zolmitriptan for acute migraine relief. 

Studies have revealed that Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) may also be used as migraine prophylaxis. Daily riboflavin dosing of 400 mg may reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) has fewer side effects and more tolerable as compared to amitriptyline, propranolol etc. Therefore, it could be trialled for a few months to reduce migraine attacks.  

Getting rid of migraine is important to help those patients who want to be in-charge of their normal daily life again. This sounds scary, but the pain could be excruciating. They could do nothing but surrender to the pain. Medicines are needed to alleviate the pain, for severe cases.

Often, some non-therapeutic measures should be employed. Avoiding the triggers is important. For instance, my migraine will be triggered when exposed too bright light shining onto my eyes. The pain comes after a-while-of-the-sunlight-exposure. Loud noise, strong odour could be the triggers too. Stress or anxiety is another factor that leads to migraine. A few customers have told me that they can always feel it before the imminent migraine strikes whenever they are under stress - usually we called that as aura. Woman, are three times more likely to get migraine, this may be due to the fact that hormonal changes could be a trigger fro migraine too. Usually, the migraine attacks happen before or after menstruation.

There are many ways to manage stress. Listening to your favorite music, having a good rest a home or a good sleep, doing yoga or meditation. Relaxation techniques could be employed as well. Do whatever that makes you feel relaxed and calms your mind. It helps. Exercises and acupuncture therapy could be the alternative as well. Interestingly, sleeping is one of the useful way to alleviate migraine symptoms. Ideally, rest in a dark room (especially those triggered by bright light) with a cold cloth on the forehead. Enough rest is very important, especially for those whose migraine is aggravated by movements.



Reference

1. HealthCentral
2. Pharmacy Times 
3. Joubert J, 2005. Migraine- Diagnosis and treatment. Australian Family Physician, vol. 34, no. 8.
4. Schoenen J, Jacquy J, Lenaerts M. Effectiveness of high dose riboflavin in migraine prophylaxis. A randomized controlled trial. Neurology 1998;50:466–70.
5. BPAC. http://www.bpac.org.nz/BPJ/2014/July/triptans.aspx 


updated 19 July 2017 

Five common medicines to pack for your trip

Travelling is always fun and exciting. However, many will also have butterflies flying in the stomach when it comes to what should you pack for your trip. This may simply owing the overexcitement or the anticipation of the moment to come. One thing not to forget or ignore is to get ready some medicines for your trip. This could save you a lot of time and money!

On the way to Bali, Indonesia

1. Antidiarrhoeal medicine
eg loperamide (Imodium), diphenoxylate (Dhamotil)
It is important as traveller's diarrhoea is one of the most common diseases in which a traveller can contract the disease on his the journey. It is good not to use anti-diarrhoeal medicine if possible as this is our body mechanism to expel the bacteria in our digestive tract. However, if we have a long bus or flight to catch, using this medicine is indeed helpful. And, the other important point to remember is to keep yourself hydrated when you're experiencing diarrheoa.

2. Cold or flu medicines
eg. loratadine (Clarytyne) , cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Colds and flu is commonly caused by virus infection. And, you can easily contract the virus especially when your immune system is under the par. For instance, after a long flight or a tiring day of your trip, you may get the cold easily. A change in the temperature, for example from a tropical country to temperate country, may also trigger colds or flu. When our body is under physical stress such as extreme cold temperature, we may suffer from this minor ailments such as fever and cold.

3. Gastric medicines
eg antacids (Gaviscon)
Travelling is always fun. However, we often 'mess' up our meal times, merely for a longer visit in the museum, a delayed flight or long-hours bus trip etc. We may end up suffering from gastric, stomach wind or heartburn. Therefore, antacids may be handy whenever you feel stomach discomfort.

4. Pain relief and anti-pyretic medicine
eg paracetamol (Panadol)
This is commonly useful whenever you're having the headache or muscle aches caused by the colds, flus or even sunburn. For example, two tablets of paracetamol (500gm) may alleviate your pain and keep you going.

5. Sunscreen
eg any sunscreen (more than 15 SPF)
Well, never underestimate the effect of the sunburn. The UV light from the sun could be very damaging. Apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before you're going outdoor. One more thing to remember, don't forget to apply sunscreen even though it does not look very hot out there. As long as you're doing outdoor activities for long, sunscreen is imperative to keep yourself protected from the sunburn.


For those who go to tropical countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Pacific islands; insect repellent is also very important! This can safeguard you from the insect bites. If you're going for outdoor activities, plaster in your backpack will be also handy when it comes to need.