Health
Plain-language health writing for Filipino families — the Super Dok column, 2006 to today.
Pistachios
My husband received a box of pistachio nuts from one of his patients, Mrs. Lydia Bondoc. Since my kids are really fond of pistachios they feasted on it while we are still in the clinic looking at our patients.
Chocolates, are they bad? II
From what I read in the medical tribune, chocolates aren't good after all. Researchers found out that eating them may actually prolong a bad mood.
Chocolates, are they bad?
Health conscious individuals often abstain from eating chocolates because they have high cholesterol content. But are chocolates really bad for the health?
Oral Rehydration Salts
Whenever a person has diarrhea, water together with some minerals are lost in the stools. This will lead to dehydration and if not treated may lead to death.
Lemongrass (citronella grass or fever grass)
This is lemongrass in the photo. We grow them in our backyard so that it is very easy to harvest whenever we need it for cooking.
Virgin Coconut Oil
In the photo is a bottle of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) given to me by a friend. She told me to try it by taking about 1 tablespoon everyday in order to attain its benefits.
It's Dengue Season Again!
Every year during the months of June to August, its rainy season here in the Philippines. Cases of dengue increase so that most parents panic whenever a child in the family becomes febrile.
Fasting Blood Sugar Determination
Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) screening is done to determine the level of sugar particularly glucose in the blood. The person who wish to undergo FBS screening is advised to abstain from taking in food for at least 8 hours prior to screening.
Rice, Is It Really Bad?
Rice is the staple food in most Asian countries. Here in the Philippines, people eat rice at least 3 times a day.
Parkinson's Patient
Are you familiar with Parkinson's Disease? It is a motor system disorder common in people more than 50 years of age.
Are they good for the health?
What does a 12-ounce can of soda contain? From what I've read, it contains 150 calories, 50 gms sugar, 30 mg phosphoric acid, 35-38 mg caffeine, carbonated water, artificial color and flavors.
Depressed? or Just Dreaming?
This is Mrs. T, a 40 years old housewife with 2 children. She had miscarriage 4 months ago after which Dilatation and Curettage was done.
Ripe Papaya, Is It Healthful?
Every breakfast I make it a point that fruits are served to my family. And ripe papaya is really great for breakfast.
New Drug for Children
The other night was the launching of another new drug for children with tuberculosis. It is called Rimcure Paed for the tablet containing Rifampicin, Isoniazid, and Pyrazinamide; and Rimactazid Paed for the tablets containing Rifampicin and Isoniazid for the maintainance phase of treatment.
What is ECG?
ECG or Electrocardiogram is a test done to record the electrical activity of the heart. It gives us information on how fast or how slow our heart is beating and whether it is beating regularly or not.
Asthma or Heart Failure?
In the photo is Mr. R., 80 years old, who came in with difficulty of breathing. At first look you will think that he is suffering from asthma.
Abdominal Obesity
One patient of mine, Mr. Y, in his 4o's, an executive, living a sedentary lifestyle, has high waist circumference. Is this okey or is it dangerous?
Hypertension
This is Mrs. X. She came to our clinic just the other day complaining of dizziness. Her blood pressure reading is 160/100.
Coffee, anyone?
There isn't a day that my husband does not drink coffee. He is really a coffee drinker averaging around 3 mugs per day.
Osteoarthritis
In the photo are the fingers of my patient, R.B., 52 years old complaining of joint pain, stiffness, limitation of motion, which are the symptoms seen in osteoarthritis.
Medicine Samples
These medicine samples are the only ones I have for today. There used to be plenty of medical representatives in our clinic from mondays to wednesdays on regular days.
