Holistic approach to cancer care at Asian Hospital

Dr. Rodelio Bito, section head of Asian Hospital and Medical Center’s Center for Executive Check-Up

Dr. Gabriel Natividad, chair of the Tumor Committee of the Asian Hospital and Medical Center

Cancer continues to be a daunting challenge in the global medical community. The incidence of cancer deaths worldwide remains on the rise despite aggressive campaign on cancer prevention and treatment. In 2004 alone, about 7.4 million patients worldwide have been reported to have died of cancer-related illnesses, according to data from the World Health Organization. The WHO, in its report, predicted that the number of cancer-related deaths will continue to rise and is feared to reach 12 million by the year 2030.

The Philippines is not spared by these alarming findings. Dr. Gabriel Natividad, chair of the Tumor Committee of the Asian Hospital and Medical Center, related that cancer is becoming prevalent in the country, ranking second to heart disease and stroke as a cause of death among Filipinos. People should know that cancer can actually be prevented.

“With the rising incidence of cancer in the country, there is a need to focus on cancer care, particularly educate the public on measures that should be undertaken in order to prevent cancer. As a world-class medical institution, Asian Hospital has always been at the forefront of providing patient education and excellent medical care to help patients adopt a healthy lifestyle,” said Dr. Natividad.

Dr. Rodelio Bito, section head of Asian Hospital’s Center for Executive Check-Up, related that cancer is a lifestyle-related disease that can be prevented through lifestyle modification.

“Genetics, of course is an inevitable factor, but what should be noted is that 30% of cancer deaths can be prevented if we all just live a healthy lifestyle. Since cancer is a lifestyle-related disease, high-risk behaviors such as smoking, diet, sexual activity, pollution and occupational exposure can contribute in the development of cancer-related illness in the future,” explained Dr. Bito.

Another cause for concern is the lack of a comprehensive program on the management and treatment of cancer. Added Dr. Bito, “It is sad that majority of patients today don’t get access to expert cancer care. Most of them don’t know the signs and symptoms of cancer, what to do if they are diagnosed with one, and how they can effectively manage and cope with their illness.”

With these concerns in mind, the Asian Hospital has drummed up all its efforts in ensuring to provide comprehensive cancer care among patients. Through its Tumor Committee, a holistic approach to cancer care has been devised to ensure that Filipinos have access to cancer care – from preventing the disease to management and providing comfort to those who are in the late stage of the disease.

The Asian Hospital Tumor Committee oversees all the programs in the hospital relating to cancer care. Through the Committee, a one-stop shop approach to cancer care was conceptualized to ensure that patients are guided accordingly whether they want to prevent getting cancer or to receive effective medical care.

In the prevention of the dreaded disease, the hospital offers the Lifestyle Medicine Program, which focuses on preventing the development of cancer by encouraging patients to change their lifestyle habits. This is offered through the newly opened Lifestyle Medicine Center, where patients can get help in eating right and adopting an active lifestyle as well as getting assistance in screening for cancer. The hospital puts emphasis in undergoing a screening program to educate patients on cancer prevention and early detection.

For patients who have been diagnosed with cancer, the hospital offers a Multidisciplinary Approach for Cancer Treatment. Backed up by all the cancer specialists of the hospital and utilizing all its state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, the hospital ensures a multispecialty approach where patients can get convenient access to expert treatment and world-class services to help them manage and treat their illness.

For patients diagnosed in the late stage of cancer, Asian Hospital and Medical Center Palliative Care Section open its door to provide quality of life care and address end-of-life concerns of patients and their families.

“From preventing the disease to diagnosis, to treatment and management, to helping them cope with end-of-life issues, the Asian Hospital, through the Tumor Committee, is meeting the challenge upfront to provide the best cancer care to patients through a holistic, team-based and multidisciplinary approach,” concluded Dr. Natividad.

For more information on cancer care at Asian Hospital, call 771-9000 or visit its website at www.asianhospital.com.

Pharex HealthCorp reinforces partnership with medical community with new Ka-Pharex Card

Pharex HealthCorp, the No. 1 manufacturer of uni-branded medicines in the country, strengthens its partnership with the medical community in delivering better healthcare with the launch of the new Ka-Pharex Card.

The Ka-Pharex Card is an exclusive rewards program offered to doctors to facilitate faster acquisition of high-quality and affordable medicines for their patients.

In the launch held in the recent Ka-Pharex Night for the company’s partners in the medical community, Tomas Marcelo Agana III, Pharex HealthCorp president and chief executive officer, expressed the importance of coming up with the program.

“For more than 20 years in the industry, Pharex has successfully achieved its goals through the staunch support and loyalty of our friends from the medical community. So we’re introducing the Ka-Pharex Card not only as a way to express the company’s gratitude for being our loyal partners in health, but also reiterates our shared commitment to bringing high-quality, affordable medicines closer to the masses,” said Agana.

For this program, Pharex has partnered with Mercury Drug, the country’s largest drug store, to ensure that doctors get to avail of Pharex products at more drug stores across the country.

The new Ka-Pharex Card is a wise and reliable “Ka-Partner” in health by offering the best and exclusive rewards system for doctors. With every purchase at Mercury Drug using this card, doctors can earn rewards points that they can accumulate and be used as good as cash. This means, they can use these accumulated rewards points to buy Pharex medicines at any Mercury Drug store.

“With the Ka-Pharex Card, our partners in the medical community can get big savings on Pharex medications – from maintenance drugs to the treatment of common diseases. The best part is, they can easily redeem their rewards points so they can use them any time they need to purchase Pharex items at Mercury Drug. The card is also transferable so they can share the benefits of Pharex medicines with more people,” explained Agana.

All Ka-Pharex cardholders will automatically earn points under the rewards promo with every Pharex purchase at any Mercury Drug store.

With the Ka-Pharex Card, Pharex HealthCorp reiterates its commitment to a stronger partnership with the medical community to give Filipinos better healthcare through high-quality, affordable medicines.

A fun-filled celebration for would-be-moms at Asian Hospital

Dr. Ma. Cristina Pelaez-Crisologo shares with moms-to-be important pointers in pre- and post- natal care.

Asian Hospital and Medical Center recently treated moms-to-be along with their families to a fun-filled event of learning, bonding and shopping held last October 16 – 23, 2010.

Dubbed as, “Mom’s Day Out,” this week-long activity marked the culmination of this year’s ‘Simply Maternal,” a series of lectures that has become one of the most anticipated lay fora among our expectant moms and dads.

“This year, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, together with the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics and Anesthesiology, paid tribute to our patients by coming out with this exciting event that was highlighted by various activities designed to be a celebration for our new moms and our moms-to-be. It was a week especially dedicated to our patients to help them discover and learn important aspects on pregnancy, birth and newborn care while finding joy and excitement in the course of being pregnant and in becoming a new mother,” said Dr. Ma. Corazon B. De Jesus, section head of Perinatology of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

At the event, moms-to-be and their families had a blast shopping for baby stuff and other great finds at the Mom’s Day Out Bazaar. They got to enjoy marked-down prices on pregnancy items and baby care products. Moms and dads learned about the basics of 3D and 4D ultrasound during a free lecture. Free lunch was served to all the attendees of this lecture.

Exciting activities were also in store for the kids. They got to do arts and crafts making, which bonded them more with their parents. The little ones also had the time of their lives watching a free screening of Nanny McPhee starring Emma Thompson.

A photo exhibit dubbed as “precious moments” was a much awaited portion of this event. Featured were masterpieces from proud parents whose works on display truly awed and touched the hearts of guests. Twenty finalists were chosen for their treasured moments snapshots and went home with special gift packs that included gift certificates from Kid’s clothes shop and spa, skin care products for mothers, baby care products, health items and even household items. These special gift packs will definitely aid the mom in caring for her and the baby.

Highlighting the event was the Simply Maternal symposium which reinforced the importance of prenatal care that impacts on the pregnancy outcome, newborn care and what to expect during the anesthetic procedure. The open forum was gaily participated in not only by the pregnant patients but also by the husbands.

Moreover, other helpful topics such as dressing up for the pregnant women, skin care and proper diet tips, exercise and relaxation techniques were discussed to give moms insights on how to fully enjoy their pregnancy. Interactive games and exciting raffle items were also given out to expectant moms.

Finally, a tour of the Asian Hospital and Medical Center’s Genesis Center and Huggery was conducted to give the guests and patients an idea of the pregnancy and baby care services offered by the hospital.

The event truly reiterated Asian Hospital and Medical Center’s position as the Filipino Families’ partner in pregnancy and baby care. For more information on the pregnancy and baby care services offered, call 771-9000 to 02 or visit www.asianhospital.com.

Asian Hospital and Medical Center introduces new state-of-the-art cardiovascular X-ray machine

The new Allura Xper, now available at Asian Hospital and Medical Center, is the most advanced cardiovascular X-ray system in the market today designed to provide optimized cardiovascular intervention and enhanced cath lab experience for complex procedures.

True to its reputation of introducing the latest technologies to deliver world-class healthcare in the country, Asian Hospital and Medical Center introduces the Allura Xper FD20/10 cardiovascular X-ray system for complex procedures, designed to provide optimized cardiovascular intervention and enhanced cath lab experience.

The new machine is part of Asian Hospital and Medical Center’s continuing efforts to expand its facilities to provide better medical care to patients. Dr. Saturnino Javier, head of Cardiology-Interventional Section of Asian Hospital and Medical Center, said the new machine is the latest acquisition for the hospital’s catheterization laboratory or cath lab, an examination room used to support the catheterization procedure for cardiovascular interventions.

“This new cardiovascular X-ray system is the most advanced cardiovascular X-ray system in the market today, providing the clearest possible view of cardiac and vascular interventions. It provides the right balance of superb image quality and low X-ray dose, proven to give highly effective results during lengthy procedures,” explained Dr. Javier.

Dr. Javier added that the cardiovascular X-ray system boasts of versatility in diagnostic imaging providing crisp visualization of small details and objects for complex interventions. It also minimizes X-ray dose for cardiac, vascular and pediatric examinations.

“These advanced features, particularly the specialized pediatric settings that reduce X-ray dose, allow cardiologists to get twice the information with a single contrast injection, which is the most critical factor for pediatric examinations,” shared Dr. Javier.

With this new machine, cardiologists can also personalize their settings and control all movements and interventional tools tableside to provide outstanding support for treating congenital heart disease and for performing vascular examinations.

Apart from the benefits it provides surgeons, the new machine also offers utmost advantages to patients. It provides excellent patient accessibility, patient protection mechanism, and effectively supports high patient load while enhancing accuracy and efficiency of gravity-oriented procedures.

The technology utilized in this new machine breaks new ground for interventional procedures, vascular and cardiovascular applications. Because it simplifies cath lab workflow, cardiologists can focus better on their patients and help them deliver faster, more accurate diagnosis and treatment.

For any information related to angiography and angioplasty, call the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory of Asian Hospital and Medical Center at (+632) 771-9000 to 02 local 5805 or visit www.asianhospital.com.

Can one really die of ‘bangungot’?

We may have heard of it through circulated emails or online news: A young man, just starting a career for himself, described to be full of life and kind-hearted, suddenly dies in his sleep. How can someone so young and seemingly healthy pass on, without being given the chance to live his life to the fullest?

Underlying such unexplained and unfortunate reality is the baffling question of the possibility of dyingin one’s sleep. Urban legends have been passed around through the years linking such cases to nightmares or “bangungot.” But in today’s world of advanced scientific and medical discoveries, such questions remain: Is it really possible to die of nightmares? Are all sudden unexpected deaths caused by “bangungot”?

These questions will be answered at the upcoming symposium to be held at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center entitled “Solving the Mystery of Sudden Unexpected Death: Brugada Syndrome” slated on December 4, 2010, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, at the Conference Facility Unit of the hospital.

At the symposium to be held in cooperation with UCSF Medical Center, discussion will focus on “Brugada Syndrome”, a heart rhythm disorder that could sometimes lead to sudden death.In some instances, it can show itself through a “Brugada sign,” as noted on a routine electrocardiogram. This condition is frequently an inherited condition.

“Through the years people have speculated on the real causes of sudden death in sleep. Through this talk, we would be able to shed a little light on the “real” cause, a potentially lethal abnormal heart rhythm,” said Dr. Benjamin G. Luna, Jr., Section Head of Cardiology of the Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

Providing their expertise on the subject are Dr. Giselle Gervacio, an electrophysiologist who has written a paper on Brugada Syndrome’s prevalence among Filipinos; and Dr. Byron K. Lee, also an electrophysiologist from the UCSF Medical Center, who will be delving deeper on the causes, risk factors and prevention and treatment of this condition.

To be part of this interesting discussion, pre-register now by calling the Marketing Department at 771-9000 to 02 locals 8066 or 8073 or 876-5826.You can also send an email to marketing@asianhospital.com. For more information, visit www.asianhospital.com.

Latest techniques in spine surgery focus on Pott’s Disease

Tuberculosis (TB), one of the world’s oldest diseases, remains a global public health concern today. The past decade has experienced an increased prevalence with 33% of untreated patients dying every year. Because of its ability to travel to any organ in the body other than the lungs, it poses greater health risks that can be debilitating and even fatal.

One of the most common sites where TB can pose incapacitating effects is the spine. TB of the spine, or Tuberculous Spondylitis and more commonly known as Pott’s Disease, results from the spread of tuberculosis from other sites, often originating from the lungs. Named after English surgeon Sir John Percival Pott, this disease is typically characterized by a hunchback deformity caused by the collapse of the vertebrae with a resultant spinal cord compression and paralysis.

The debilitating effects of Pott’s Disease start usually as back pain. It may cause what is known as “night cries” in children where they may wake up crying due to pain. It may also be associated with weight loss and generalized body malaise. Over the course of weeks to months, a “gibbus’ develops which is manifested as a hump on the back. If untreated, the spinal column can become unstable which may eventually lead to a deformity or worse, a compression of the spinal cord resulting in different degrees of paralysis. Occasionally, these complications require surgical management in addition to anti-TB medication. Pott’s Disease may well be considered one of the most dangerous forms of musculoskeletal tuberculosis meriting increased awareness.

Cognizant of the problem of Pott’s Disease, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, in collaboration with the Philippine Spine Society, held an operative course and symposium entitled “Advances in the Management of Tuberculous Spondylitis.” Dr. Jose Martin Paiso, section head of Spinal Surgery at Asian Hospital and Medical Center, joined other spine surgery experts to share their knowledge among orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, consultants and residents on the dangers of the disease and the advances in treatment that are now available to ensure an ideal management of the disease.

“The promotion and advancement of orthopedics and spine surgery as one of the pillars of Asian Hospital and Medical Center is just one of many goals the hospital undertakes to provide further medical education to Filipino surgeons, in keeping with its commitment to provide world-class healthcare in the country,” Theo Seiler, chief executive officer of Asian Hospital and Medical Center, related in his welcome address.

Dr. Antonio Sison, president of the Philippine Spine Society, explained the importance of organizing the symposium in the practice of spine surgery: “TB is a disease of poverty which is especially common in the Philippines. We feel this is a relevant step to ensure that local spine surgeons are armed with the latest trends in the surgical treatment of Pott’s Disease so our patients receive better treatment and medical care.”

Among the updates on the treatment and management of Pott’s Disease included the use of additional instrumentation in surgical management. Dr. Jose Manuel Ignacio, head of Scientific Events of the Philippine Spine Society shared: “With the new technologies that we have today, treating Pott’s Disease becomes better. Now we can make the spine stable without having to wear a brace. Modern techniques in instrumentation make it possible for the patient to recover faster without too much downtime.”

The activity commenced with a comprehensive, whole-day symposium with local and international faculty including Prof. Chung Chek Wong from Malaysia and Prof. Jianzhong Xu from Taiwan, who tackled TB of the spine from the history of the disease and medical management, to more modern techniques of surgical management.

On the second day, a live surgical demonstration highlighted the event which showcased the “hybrid approach of surgery”. Featured was the case of an indigent female patient afflicted with Pott’s Disease of the T7 vertebra that caused her to be paralyzed. Her case was managed at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center and her treatment was sponsored by the Asian Charities Inc.

As a result of the sponsored treatment, the patient was able to benefit from a new surgical technique which involved accessing the front part of the spine from a single posterior approach. This entailed the use of modern spinal instrumentation techniques. The state-of-the-art setup in Asian Hospital and Medical Center’s operating room provided a clearer, more in-depth view of the principles of the surgical technique and there was a lively discussion as the surgeon interacted remotely with the participants in the conference room. Also, the patient had an uneventful recovery until she was discharged four days after her surgery and transferred back to her mother hospital.

For more information on the latest in spine surgery, call the Asian Hospital and Medical Center at 771-9000 to 02 or visit www.asianhospital.com.

Dr. Jose Martin Paiso, section head of Spinal Surgery at Asian Hospital and Medical Center and Dr. Jose Manuel Ignacio, head of Scientific Events of the Philippine Spine Society.

(from left) Dr. Chung Chek Wong, Dr. Jianzhong Xu, Dr. Tsiang Fu Tsai and Dr. Tiong Sam Lim

Innovations in pediatrics in Asian Hospital and Medical Center scientific forum

In a pediatric medicine conference hosted by Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian and Columbia University Medical Center two years ago, conference course director Dr. Mitchell Cairo highlighted the remarkable innovations in pediatrics in the last 10 years: “Medical breakthroughs have greatly increased the range of treatment options for pediatric diseases… in the last decade, biomedical and research breakthroughs have helped transform the care of children, improving diagnosis and treatment for numerous diseases.”

The advances in pediatric care in the past years, particularly in genetics and stem cell therapy, have indeed helped pediatric experts provide better healthcare for children and adolescents. In the Philippines, the advent of such innovative pediatric care and treatment has given Filipino physicians more reasons to elevate their practice and pediatric experts at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center continue to stay on guard to ensure that Filipino children and adolescents benefit from the medical discoveries and innovations in pursuit of longer, healthier lives.

“We continue to inform the public, more importantly our doctors of the latest in pediatric care through lectures, lay for and CME programs to ensure that Asian Hospital and Medical Center doctors as well-equipped with updated medical literature, diagnostic and treatment procedures in pediatric medicine,” related Dr. Arneil Suratos, chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

In line with its commitment to educate doctors and the public on the latest in pediatric care, a scientific forum titled “Pediatric Advances – From Birth to Adolescence” will be held for medical practitioners on November 18, 2010, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Conference Facility Unit of the Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

The forum hosted by the Department of Pediatrics will feature pediatric experts who will share their knowledge and expertise on such topics as Preventive Pediatric Care, Screening for Adolescents at Risk, and Managing Common Pediatric Problems.

“We aim to provide an in-depth discussion to help medical practitioners understand and include in their practice such pediatric innovations for better diagnosis and treatment of their patients,” added Dr. Suratos.

The scientific forum offers limited slots only. Registration fee is at P200. For more information and pre-registration, call Ricky Alon-Alon at 771-9000 local 8202. Visit www.asianhospital.com for more information.

Getting to the bottom of colorectal diseases

Photo courtesy of colorectal-surgeon.net

Diseases of the colon and rectum are more common than you think. Hemorrhoidal disease, for instance, which are swollen fibrovascular cushions in the anus and the lower rectum that result from constant straining during bowel movement, is a common ailment among people in their 50s who have to deal with the itching, discomfort and bleeding symptoms of this disease.

Despite being a common condition, there is still a very limited understanding of colorectal disease by the general public. Awareness is important because some forms of colorectal disease, particularly colon and rectal cancer can be asymptomatic or without clear and notable symptoms. Early detection and diagnosis can help prevent the disease from progressing. In fact, colorectal cancer is the third most common form of cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the country today.

It is high time that people learn more about colorectal disease, said Dr. Manuel Francisco T. Roxas, chief of Colorectal Surgery of Asian Hospital and Medical Center. “It is a must that the public be armed with information on its signs and symptoms, causes, preventive measures and treatment options that are available today. Deaths resulting from colorectal-related illnesses could be prevented when we are aware of the basic information and more importantly, procedures that are available for screening, monitoring and treatment.”

To enlighten the public on colorectal diseases, Dr. Marc Paul J. Lopez of the Division of Colorectal Surgery announced an upcoming symposium that aims to zero in on simple to complex conditions as well as the latest treatment techniques. Dubbed “Colorectal: Getting to the Bottom,” the lay forum is slated on November 13, 2010, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, at the Conference Facility Unit of the Asian Hospital and Medical Center.

Organized by the Department of Surgery, the symposium will tackle colorectal diseases from hemorrhoids to the more dreaded cancer. To be facilitated by Asian Hospital and Medical Center’s top surgeons, topics also included for discussion are advanced treatment procedures for hemorrhoids and fistula-in-ano, screening procedures for colorectal cancer, and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in treating colorectal cancer.

The lay forum is free of charge. For inquiries and pre-registration, call the Marketing Department at 771-9000 to 02 locals 8066 and 8073 and 876-5826 or email marketing@asianhospital.com. Visit www.asianhospital.com for more details.

Did you know?

It’s time to change your shoes

They say that beauty comes with a price or a sacrifice. But when your feet and knee are in much pain, it is best to say goodbye to your designer shoes because you might be experiencing arthritis.

In a research conducted from Rush Medical Colleges, some footwear like supportive shoes and clogs are shown to give more force on the knees causing joint problems. It also revealed that walking barefoot gives the least strain to the feet and joints.

Because of these findings, there are now several available shoe brands which cater to people’s different relief needs and arthritis cases. These shoes allow the feet to move naturally as it should.

So, before having a knee replacement ending, find the right arthritis shoes for you. And just like Cinderella, you can definitely find the shoes that fit you right!

What is the key to managing diabetes?

Diabetes continues to be a dreaded disease worldwide with more and more people being diagnosed with the disease everyday. According to the International Diabetes Federation, the number of people suffering from diabetes has increased from 30 million to over 230 million in the last two decades, and is expected to reach 350 million in less than 20 years. In the Philippines, an estimated 4 million Filipinos are diabetic, with 500 Filipinos being diagnosed with the disease daily.

The good news is, diabetes can be managed to help keep the disease under control and most importantly, to improve quality of life.

Managing diabetes is a lifetime responsibility as the disease is progressive and has no cure. Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or properly use insulin or both. It is characterized by persistent hyperglycemia or excessive levels of blood sugar or glucose in the bloodstream, caused either by the body’s inability to make insulin (type 1 diabetes); or by the body not responding to the effects of insulin (type 2 diabetes). Insulin is a hormone that allows glucose or (sugar) in blood to enter the cells of the body.

The goals of diabetes management are to keep your blood sugar levels, blood cholesterol and lipid levels normal; control your blood pressure; and prevent the development of diabetes-related problems.

In successfully managing diabetes, compliance to prescribed medications is key, so as to regulate blood glucose levels. But compliance with medications has become a problem in most diabetic patients. There are some patients who feel that following a drug regimen is too complex or that the lifestyle modifications that accompany these medications are a punishment that prevents them from enjoying life despite their condition. Others take their treatment of diabetes lightly, complying with their medicines for a few days and then forgetting about it in the following week or so.

There are many forms of medications for the treatment of diabetes. For type 1 diabetes, insulin injection is the common treatment, which is classified by how fast they start to work and how long their effects last. For type 2 diabetes, oral diabetes medications or diabetes pills, which are often used in combination to achieve optimal blood sugar control, are usually prescribed. Examples of diabetes pills include: Sulfonylureas, which lower blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin; Biguanides, which improves insulin’s ability to move sugar into cells and prevents the liver from releasing stored sugar; Thiazolidinediones, which reduces insulin resistance; and Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, which block enzymes that help digest starches to slow down the rise in blood sugar.

Not taking your medication compliance seriously may result in prolonged and elevated levels of glucose in the blood, which when left unchecked and untreated may lead to serious diabetic complications and sometimes even death. Complications of diabetes include kidney failure, heart disease, liver disease, nerve disease that may cause numbness or pain in the hands, feet, legs and other parts of the body, gum disease and loss of teeth, blindness and limb amputation.

Compliance with corresponding medical treatments is essential for both types of diabetes to successfully manage the disease. For type 1 diabetics, proper administration of insulin is critical, so work with your doctor closely to know the type of insulin that fits your condition, its times of onset and duration of action, and the amount of insulin you should inject depending on your food intake and exercise regimen. Compliance with diabetes pills is also a must, as studies show that continuous drug treatment results in better glycemic control.

Lifestyle modification is also a must for both types of diabetics. Make it a goal to achieve a healthy weight, as studies reveal that obesity contributes greatly to insulin resistance. Control your diet by carefully planning what you eat and exercise regularly to improve tissue sensitivity to insulin. Measure and record your blood glucose levels and blood pressure levels everyday and have regular consultations with your doctor to keep yourself informed of your diabetes status.

In managing diabetes, it is a must to gather information regarding the disease to help you control it successfully. Some patients lack proper information on the disease, particularly in detecting the symptoms and the risk factors associated with diabetes. Risk factors for diabetes include those with a family history of the disease or at least 45 years old and above, ethnicity, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, hypertension, vascular disease, or those who show signs of insulin resistance, particularly women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Diabetics experience symptoms such as frequent urination, increased thirst, unexplained weight loss, increased appetite, blurring of vision, weakness, fatigue and poor wound healing.

At the onset of these symptoms or if you think you may already be at risk for diabetes, remember that it is very important to have yourself checked to know all the options available to help you manage your condition. Keep in mind that with proper diabetes management, particularly compliance with your medications, you can still live a long and active life.

photos courtesy of http://medicalimages.allrefer.com/large/insulin-production-and-diabetes.jpg

Did you know?

Green exercise keeps the mind going

Lately, being fit and having a healthy lifestyle have become a trend. Why not try doing some green exercise?

Go out and get a dose of fresh air with green activities like walking, jogging, cycling and gardening. Many studies show that outdoor exercise can reduce the risk of mental illness and improve the sense of well-being. Plus, spending time in parks and gardens will improve your mood and boost your esteem.

In color psychology, green, which is nature’s color, gives a calming effect that relieves stress. And in other researches, the color green can improve reading ability.

So, don’t limit yourself with a green diet, go green all the way, for a more healthier and livelier you!

Compliance with medical treatments key to managing hypertension

If you have hypertension or high blood pressure, you must know that compliance to the prescribed drug treatment is key in successfully managing this disease.

Drug regimen compliance is vital to help control and normalize your blood pressure. Stopping medications can cause your blood pressure to rise even higher than before, and when left uncontrolled, hypertension can lead to serious cardiovascular disorders such as strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, heart rhythm irregularities, and kidney failure.

But some hypertensive patients find it tough to adhere to a drug treatment. Some stop taking their medication because they believe it makes them feel worse or because it is too expensive. There are those who stop when they feel better or their blood pressure becomes normal and mistakenly believe that they no longer need the medication or that they thought they were cured. Some just simply forget taking their medication.

Compliance to prescribed drug treatment is the key to successfully manage hypertension.

Continuous neglect in regular drug regimen has contributed to the disease’s high prevalence worldwide, afflicting about a billion individuals. In the Philippines alone, around 10.5 million Filipinos have hypertension. Of this number, 25% are not aware of their condition while only 13% who are under treatment are controlled.

Call it lack of proper knowledge or drive to manage their condition, people with hypertension remain oblivious to the causes of the disease, how to prevent and avoid its progression, and how they can treat or at least manage their condition.

Hypertension happens when the pressure inside the large arteries is too high. Its causes are hard to identify, although heredity and lifestyle play a key role in acquiring the disease. Factors that contribute to the increase in blood pressure include poor diet, lack of physical activity, smoking, heavy drinking as well as medications that increase blood pressure. Other less common causes include disorders of the kidneys or endocrine glands.

The only way to detect hypertension is by having your blood pressure checked. When diagnosed with hypertension, blood pressure should be controlled through regular drug treatment. Prescribing of medicines will depend on the status of your hypertension, whether it’s uncomplicated, have another disease such as a heart problem or diabetes, have some specific indication or contraindication for a specific drug, and whether your past experience with hypertension treatment dictates a choice of drug. A wide variety of medications can be prescribed by your doctor, but he will specifically prescribe a drug that suits your need.

Adherence to medication should also be complemented by modifications in your lifestyle. Eat healthy, exercise daily, lose weight if you’re overweight, and avoid stress and vices like smoking and excessive drinking. It is important as well to work closely with your doctor and consult him about any problems that keep you from achieving your blood pressure goal. You should also keep a daily record of your blood pressure readings to keep track of your condition.

Hypertension can be treated successfully. By adopting a healthy lifestyle, consulting your doctor regularly, and complying with your medicines religiously, you can keep your blood pressure under control and prevent the risk of leading to more serious cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and strokes as well as kidney failure.

Did you know?

Solve problems in your dreams

Who said that dreams are just for the romantic? Now, even realists have a good reason to have a dream-filled sleep.

Research showed that we can actually solve relatively easy problems while asleep. Dreams seem to help us find solutions to the puzzles that bother us when we are awake.

Also because of evolution, during REM sleep or when we are dreaming, our mind is refined to work a double function – to reboot our brain and to think “outside-the-box”, which is required in problem-solving.

So, when you can’t get over that one math question you failed to answer in your exam, take a goodnight’s sleep and perhaps you can solve it in your dreams.

Century Tuna inspires healthy living with a new celebrity endorser

We need inspiration to keep up with our goals – for work, school or personal gain. Whatever our aims may be, we should start having a better lifestyle to achieve these.

And who would better inspire us to have a healthy and fit lifestyle than TV actress and Century Tuna’s newest endorser, Angel Locsin.

Aside from being one of the most talented and sexiest Filipina stars, Angel embodies Century Tuna’s aggressive campaign on promoting health and wellness as she is an active health and sports advocate as well.

Angel is a natural sports lover and was actually a competitive swimmer before entering showbiz. Now, she is active in sports like muay thai, boxing and diving to help her maintain a gorgeously fit and healthy body. These qualities made her the most suitable role model for Century Tuna’s advocacy.

From being sexy, she is now a Superbod joining Derek Ramsey and the 2010 Superbods to inspire their fellow youth to achieve Century Tuna brand’s concept of total fitness – having not only a healthy body, but also a healthy mind.

The new Superbods who also live up to Century Tuna’s vision on promoting a healthy lifestyle are 18-year-old nursing student Lea Yosalina, 21-year-old psychology student Jillian Lua, 21-year-old TV host/model Renzie Ongkiko, and 23-year-old civil engineer Van Vincent Leaño.

With Angel and the Superbods as inspiration, no doubt Filipinos will be encouraged to start eating healthy, be involved in physical fitness and enjoy the best of health in the most delicious way.