Cheaper Medicines for Pinoy

March 31, 2010 is nearing and with it the promise of price reductions on medicines sold in the Philippines, as announced by DoH Secretray Esperanza Cabral.  This is the 2nd wave of the Cheaper Medicine Law or Republic Act 9502 which was signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on July 4, 2008.

Manufacturers of medicines agreed to a price cut of up to 50% on medicines used for hypertensions and chronic diseases, bladder and prostate disorders, hepatitis, asthma, depression, and psychotic and mental disorders, as well as some medical equipment and fluids for dialysis.

This is a big help to all Filipinos especially in this time of ever increasing prices on gas and commodities.

How will the bill help you and your family? Tell us your story by adding a comment.

Source:  inquirer.net

Tuberculosis (TB), Myths & Facts

Myth: Tuberculosis affects only the Lung.

Fact: Tuberculosis can target almost any part of the body, including joints, bones, urinary tract, central nervous system, muscles, bone marrow and lymphatic system. An infection in the lung is the most common since TB enters the body through air inhalation. But if left untreated, the bacteria may spread to other parts of the body.


Related Topics:
Tuberculosis (TB), Signs and Symptoms
Tuberculosis (TB) Treatment
Tuberculosis (TB), Lower Cases in the Philippines

Tuberculosis (TB) Treatment

Treatment



Treatment of TB requires 6 to 9 months of medication and ingesting several different drugs since the bacteria is difficult to kill. This is also the reason why several people stops and never finishes the medication thinking that they are already well upon seeing health improvements. However, your doctor is the best person to determine if you're already TB free or not.


6 months regimen for active TB consists of:

• 2 months with Rifater (isoniazid, rifampin and pyrazinamide)
• 4 months of isoniazid ans rifampin (Rifamate, Rimactane)
• ethambutol (Myambutol)

The doctor may also require all people in your household to undergo diagnosis for possible TB infection.


In the Philippines, consultation and medication of Tuberculosis is free on all local health centers and public hospitals.


Source: emedicinehealth.com
 
Related Topics:
Tuberculosis (TB) Signs and Symptoms
Tuberculosis (TB) Myth & Facts
Tuberculosis (TB) Lower Cases in the Philippines

Tuberculosis (TB) Signs and Symptoms

What is Tuberculosis (TB)?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly contagious disease that spreads through the air. It is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis which was discovered by Dr. Robert Koch on March 24, 1882. If left untreated, a person with TB can face serious illness and possibly death specially for those with weakened immunity.

TB can spread from person to person by inhaling an infected air with bacilli. When a person with TB sneeze, cough, talk or spit, he can contaminate the air with bacilli bacterium.


Signs and Symptoms


A person may carry the disease for a long time with no symptoms, but for many people with tuberculosis the following signs and symptoms may be experienced.

• Cough lasting from 3 to more weeks which produces a discolored sputum
• Rapid unintended weight loss
• Profuse night sweating
• Tiredness and weakness
• In worst conditions, chest, back and kidney pains
• Sudden feeling of chills

If you're feeling any or most of the following symptoms and suspects that you have TB, consult your health practitioner for proper diagnosis. He may require that you undergo chest X-ray and provide sample of sputum for laboratory analysis.

Source: ayushveda.com, emedicinehealth.com


Related Topics:
Tuberculosis (TB) Treatment
Tuberculosis (TB) Myth & Fact
Tuberculosis (TB) Lower Cases in the Philippines

Tuberculosis, Lower Cases in the Philippines

The Department of Health (DOH) announced that there are lower cases of Tuberculosis (TB) in the Philippines for this year's World Tuberculosis Day celebration. March 24, which marks the celebration for the date when Dr. Robert Koch discovered the bacterium that causes tuberculosis in 1882.

Today, after more than 100 years of its discovery, Philippines is still struggling to eliminate the deadly disease. We're currently on the 9th place among 22 countries that's still with cases of TB. The ranking is actually an improvement from last year's 7th place, but still translates to some 250,000 Filipinos with TB.

DOH encourages everyone who suspects himself to have the disease to visit their local health center's, where consultation and drugs are freely given.

Tuberculosis is a contagious lung disease that spreads through the air through coughing and sneezing of an infected person. It affects both young (called Primary Complex) and adults. The disease is currently on the top killer disease in the Philippines.


Related Topics:
Tuberculosis (TB) Signs and Symptoms
Tuberculosis (TB) Treatment
Tuberculosis (TB) Myth & Facts

Magic Sugar Causes Cancer

"Magic Sugar" chemically known as Sodium cyclamate was accidentally discovered in 1937 by Michael Sveda. It's potency is 30-50 times sweeter than sugar paving its way to become an artificial sweetener for diabetic patients. The patent for sodium cyclamate was first bought by DuPont and later sold to Abbott Laboratories; wherein it was used for masking the taste of drugs such as antibiotics and pentobarbital.

In 1996, a study conducted on 240 rats fed with a mixture of saccharin and cyclamates developed bladder tumors. This equates to humans ingesting 350 cans of diet soda per day. Another study was also made pointing that cyclamades appear to affect the cells involved in the production of spermatozoa. This led to the US FDA's decision of banning the sale of and usage of sodium cyclamate in the US on 1969. UK followed the decision the next year after.

In the Philippines where most of the FDA rules are being followed, usage and selling of sodium cyclamate is also banned. DOH Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral says that a person who ingest sodium cyclamate could experience dizziness, vomiting and stomach ache.

Source: Wikipedia.com and Inquirer.Net


Related Topic:
Magic Sugar, Today's Melamine Scare

Magic Sugar, Today's Melamin Scare

As the El Niño dry spell gets worse in the Philippines, vendors of summer cooler drinks such as "sago" and "gulaman" had become popular. In every streets you'll be able to see vendors selling this summer treat. But what many people doesn't know is that some of the vendors are using an artificial sweeter called "Magic Sugar" to sweeten the taste of their wares.

Just yesterday, Manila cops nabbed a vendor for positively using the forbidden "Magic Sugar" in the cooler drinks she's selling. Gallons of the contaminated summer drinks were poured into the gutter and the "Magic Sugar" was confiscated. The vendor said that she got the "Magic Sugar" from a fellow vendor selling it for a much lower price than the white sugar.

The authority suspects that "Magic Sugar" is being smuggled in the Philippines from Indonesia. Selling and usage of "Magic Sugar" is prohibited by BFAD due to studies linking "Magic Sugar" to cancers on animals that ingest it. This reminds us of last year's Melamine scare, where Melamine was used on baby formulas which caused 4 fatalities in China.

Source: gmanews.tv

To know "Magic Sugar" and its link to cancer, follow this link.

Are you in the habit of buying drinks from street vendors? Tell us your story by commenting.

Sore Eyes (Conjunctivitis) Part 3

Myth or Fact: Can I get sore eyes from looking into the eyes of a person with sore eyes?

MYTH!

You can't get sore eyes by simply looking into the eyes of a person with sore eyes.  Although highly contagious, the disease can only be transmitted through hand to eye contact and by touching the eye with a hand that got in contact with a contaminated object or previously used object of an infected person. Thus a person with sore eyes should be prevented from going to school or reporting to work.

How to Prevent Sore Eyes from Spreading?

1. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water.
2. Do not touch your eyes or face without washing your hands.
3. Do not share towels, eye glass, shades or make up with an infected person.
4. Use tissue or cotton buds in cleaning the infected eye.
5. Be careful that tips of eye drops do not touch the infected eye or eyelashes.
6. Don't swim as some bacteria or virus can survive in the water.
7. Avoid shaking hands.
8. Disinfect surfaces of commonly touched areas or appliances such as door knobs and counter tops.
9. Clothes, pillows, towels and a like should not be shared, and be washed thoroughly.

Source:  doh.gov.ph

Related Topics:
Sore Eyes (Conjunctivitis) Part 1
Sore Eyes (Conjunctivitis) Part 2

Sore Eyes (Conjunctivitis) Part 2

What is Conjunctivitis or Sore Eyes?

Sore eyes is the common term for an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that covers the white of the eyes. Often caused by allergy or bacterial or viral infection.

Signs and Symptoms

1. Redness of the eyes
2. A burning or gritty sensation on the eye
3. Pain on the eye on exposure to light
4. Water-like discharge on early onset but would soon turn gluey yellow
5. Runny nose, sore throat or even fever could be present

Treatment
Small children should seek professional health care especially if sore eyes is coupled with fever. To ease the irritation, a warm compress may be applied to the eye 5 to 10 minutes three times a day. An antibiotic such as Amoxicillin and an eye drop like Maxitrol can be used for 7 days but only upon the advice of your health practitioner.

Source:  doh.gov.ph

Related Topics:
Sore Eyes (Conjunctivitis) Part 1
Sore Eyes (Conjunctivitis) Part 3

Sore Eyes (Conjunctivitis) Part 1

Every summer, there would come a time when a mother notices a yellow gluey discharge on their kid's eyes and pass this as morning glory. A fruit of a very peaceful slumber. But then again, once we saw the same gluey discharge later in the afternoon right after their bath... a bell would ring in our head saying that... Oh oh... Dean has sore eyes!

That's what happened to me and my son (Dean) yesterday. Good thing we're at a mall where a pediatrician's clinic was located. So we stopped by and let the good doctor check his eyes. Confirmed! It's a sore eyes. Not yet itchy; not yet swollen; but already tinge in red coupled with a lot of eye discharge. The pediatrician gave us tips on how to prevent spreading the highly contagious disease and some medicines to ease the discomfort and kill the virus.

Read on to know more about Sore Eyes. 

What is Sore Eyes and How to Treat Sore Eyes?
Myth or Fact: Can I get sore eyes from looking into the eyes of a person with sore eyes?
How to prevent Sore Eyes from Spreading?

What your sore eyes story? Tell us your comments.

Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)

Paracetamol or Acetaminophen is one of the most used and recommended medicine for fever and body aches.   A must have in every household's medicine cabinet. But what is Paracetamol? Are there side effects or long term effects associated with its use? What are the recommended dosage for kids? Is it safe to use for infants?

What is Paracetamol?
Paracetamol is an analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer) home medication that has been around for over 30 years. It is safe for use in both adults and children and virtually has no side-effects when taken at recommended dosage.
Paracetamol is available in forms of tablet, syrup and drops.

Dosage
Always check insert for proper dosage or seek advice from your medical practitioner.
Dosage shown on the table below is based on the product TEMPRA which is supplied in 2 dosage forms: TEMPRA Drops 80mg/ml acetaminophen and TEMPRA Syrup 80mg/5ml acetaminophen

GROUP	DROPS	SYRUP	TABLET
under 2 years or less than 11kg	10mg/kg dose at 4 to 5 doses a day for drops	ask your pediatrician	not for use
2 - 3 years old or 11 - 16 kg	1.6ml may be repeated every 4-6 hours to a maximum of 4 doses in 24 hours	1 - 1⅔ TSP may be repeated every 4-6 hours to a maximum of 4 doses in 24 hours	not for use
4 - 5 years old or 16 - 21 kg	2.4ml may be repeated every 4-6 hours to a maximum of 4 doses in 24 hours	2 TSP may be repeated every 4-6 hours to a maximum of 4 doses in 24 hours	not for use
6 - 12 years old	-	5 - 10ml at 250mg/5ml syrup, may be repeated every 4-6 hours to a maximum of 4 doses in 24 hours	not for use
Adults	-	-	2 500mg tablets every 4 - 6 hours, not exceeding 8 tablets in any 24 hour period.

Source: Pharmweb.Net, Unipharma-sy.com

Fever, Symptoms and Treatment

What is Fever?

Fever is the body's natural way of defense against invasion of bacteria and viruses. A person is said to have a fever when body temperature reading is above or below the normal temperature which is 37°C (98.6°F). But body temperature may very well vary up to 0.6°C (1°F) hence it's not considered medically significant not unless the temperature is above 38°C (100.4°F). This demands immediate medical attention and treatment as it can result in delirium and convulsions particularly in children.

Treatment
A person with fever should be kept comfortable and not overdressed. Over dressing causes body temperature to increase further. Sponge bath using lukewarm water may help bring down the temperature but never immerse a person in an ice cold water as this may cause severe shivering.
Medications such as Paracetamol, and Ibuprofen may be used if the fever causes discomfort. Never give Aspirin to treat fever as this may cause Reye Syndrome which is a dangerous illness that causes prolonged vomiting, confusion and even coma or liver failure.

When To Sick Professional Health Care
Children under age of 3 months should be taken to a physician or pediatrician for fever with temperature of 38°C and above. Persons with continuous fever and fever lasting for more than 3 days should also seek professional medical attention to validate the cause of illness.

 Source: MedicineNet.com

Heat Stroke, Summer Heart Attack

What is Heat Stroke?
Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia that occurs when people exercise or work in a hot, humid place and losses body fluids through sweating for a prolonged period of time. This causes the body to overheat, reaching 41.1°C which causes the brain cells to die. Heat stroke is a life threatening medical condition, especially on small kids and aged people if not treated promptly and properly.

Signs and Symptoms?
Signs and symptoms of heat stroke often mimic those of a heart attack, which normally starts with exhaustion. Symptoms may start out as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, headache, muscle cramps and aches, and dizziness.

At the onset of heat stroke, patients often experience

• high body temperature
• absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed dry skin
• rapid pulse
• difficulty breathing
• strange behavior
• hallucinations
• confusion
• agitation
• disorientation
• seizure
• coma

Treatment

Persons showing signs of heat stroke must be taken to the hospital immediately. As a first aid treatment, the patient should be cooled immediately either by removal of clothes, dousing of water on neck and body and if conscious, drinking of water.

Prevention

The simplest way to prevent heat stroke is by avoiding prolonged exposure or working under the heat of sun and drinking plenty of fluids. For more tips on how to protect your kids from heat stroke, visit here.

Related Topics:

Protect Your Kids Against Heat Stroke

Protect Your Kids Against Heat Stroke

Summer is officially in and school will soon be out. Kids will start to play and stay under the sun. But with the El Niño phenomenon being experienced in the Philippines today making temperatures rise between 33°C to 37°C it's not uncommon for kids to experience prickly heat, sun burn, and even heat stroke.

Heat stroke occurs when people exercise or work in a hot, humid place and losses body fluids through sweating for a prolonged period. This causes the body to overheat causing brain cells to die. Heat stroke is a life threatening medical condition, especially on small kids and aged people.

So how will you protect your kids from experiencing heat stroke but still be able to enjoy the summer sun? Here are some simple stay cool tips to follow.

Wear light cotton clothes. This will help in circulate the air between the clothes and the body.

Drink plenty of fluids. This is the time to strictly follow the 8 glasses a day routine. To keep your kids drinking, alternate between fruit juices and water.

Use Sun Protection. Whether just a few minutes outside or several hours playing on the beach, never forget to wear sun blocks.

Bring an Umbrella. Always bring an umbrella or cap when going outside for errands.

Avoid the Afternoon Sun. Better stay indoors between 10am until 2pm. This is the time when the sun is high in the sky and temperatures are on its highest.

Take a Bath Twice a Day. Splurge on water that's not directly under the sun. Take a bath twice. Once at the middle of the day, and the other at 6pm before going to bed. Don't be afraid to bathe your toddlers at night. As long as he doesn't have fever, cough or cold.

Use Paper Instead of Towels. Yup, that's right. For your active kids who loves to play, putting a paper on his back will keep the perspiration from soaking his shirt. Paper is more absorbent than clothes and dries faster too.

Got tips to add? Send it in and will add it.

Measles, Red Rashes Of Summer

What is Measles?

It's summer time again. The time of the year where viruses like Measles, also known as rubeola, are rampant. Just last month, some 570 cases of measles on children are reported all over the Philippines. This is even with vaccines against measles given free of charge on public health centers.

Signs and Symptoms
Being known for its red rash symptom, measles starts out as a hacking cough, a runny nose coupled with a high fever and a reddish eye. The red rash typically appears on forehead first then spreads its way to the face, neck, down to the rest of the body, arms and feet.


Is Measles Contagious?
Measles is highly contagious since this is a viral disease and spreads easily on the air. A person with measles is contagious from 1 to 2 days before symptoms start until about 4 days after the rash appears. The only way to avoid measles is to get vaccination.


Measles Vaccine
According to the Expanded Program on Immunization of the Philippines, children should get the Measles Vaccine (not MMR) upon reaching 9 months old. The vaccine is given in a single dose of 0.5mL.


MMR or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella immunization is also another vaccine that prevents measles. This is administered on kids between 12 to 15months old and again at 4 to 6 years old.


Treatment
There's no specific medicinal treatment for measles. Kids with measles should be given plenty of fluids and rest during the duration of the disease which lasts for about 2 weeks. If fever is high, a non-aspirin fever medication maybe given to children.


Infants and persons with disease that affects the immune system should immediately seek professional health.