.PARALLEL UNIVERSES.

Gardasil HPV Vaccine For Boys?

2009-09-11T12:56:00.002+08:00

The drug company manufacturing Gardasil, the popular vaccine known to prevent cervical cancer in women, has recently presented a study that Gardasil has also been shown to prevent genital warts in boys.

Thus, the idea of vaccinating boys with Gardasil is now being suggested. CBS' morning newscast carried the story below:

In the US, 3 doses of Gardasil cost US $390 or about P18,877.06 in Philippine pesos using current exchange rates. Because it is expensive, only the well-to-do can afford it here.

But is that a good idea?

I think so. Vaccinating both boys and girls might be the key to bring down overall incidence rates of cervical cancer in the future.

Men With Healthy Sperms Live Longer

2009-08-06T11:50:00.002+08:00

You might doubt if there's a connection between healthy sperms and longer life spans among men, but a study among Danish men suggests a link.

"No matter what you look at, the risk of dying is decreased if you have a good semen quality compared to low; the poorer the semen quality, the higher the risk of dying."

That is what one of the researchers involved in the study said.

To test the hypothesis that semen quality might therefore be related to illness and death, the researchers looked at men who had been referred to the Copenhagen Sperm Analysis Laboratory between 1963 and 2001, following them through the end of 2001 or until they died. They restricted their analysis to 43,277 men with viable sperm in their semen.

As the concentration of sperm in the men's semen increased, so did their lifespan, the researchers found. Men whose sperm concentration was 40 million per milliliter were 40% less likely to die during the course of the study than men with sperm concentrations below 10 million per milliliter.

Longevity also rose steadily with the percentage of a man's sperm that were "motile," meaning they moved around normally; and the percentage of normally formed sperm. For example, men with 75% or more normal sperm had a 54% lower risk of dying than men who had less than 25% normal sperm. ~ Reuters, 5 Aug 2009

Another 0bservation made in the same study is that men "who had fathered children lived longer than childless men." Fertility has its rewards.

This seems to be true. In the Philippines, famous personalities like Dolphy, Ramon Revilla, Sr., and even former President Joseph Estrada, who are all known to have fathered several children outside of their respective marital relations, are all still alive and kicking today. They might have been sick or suffered from stroke attacks in the past, but their recovery periods are commendable compared to men belonging to similar age brackets.

But this new finding shouldn't be misconstrued as evidence to support men's hidden desires to father children out of their marriages. No, sir. I think men can still have more children with their wives, and well within the context of a monogamous relationship. Besides, I still think the mindset to have more children outside of marriage is culture-driven.

Dementia and High Cholesterol Levels

2009-08-06T01:25:00.003+08:00

What is your current cholesterol level? Did you ever bother to find out?

A recent study suggests that cholesterol may not only play a role in cardiovascular diseases and hypertension, but also in developing dementia.

High cholesterol levels in midlife --- even cholesterol levels considered only borderline elevated --- significantly increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease 30 years later, results of a large study indicate.

"This is the first study, to our knowledge, to show that not only high cholesterol, but also borderline high cholesterol, is associated with dementia," Dr. Rachel Whitmer, the study's senior author, noted in a telephone interview with Reuters Health.

Compared to people with "desirable" cholesterol levels below 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) in midlife, the risk of Alzheimer's disease three decades later was 57 percent higher in people with high midlife cholesterol levels of 240 mg/dL and above. ~ Reuters, 5 August 2009

Most of my patients have borderline to high cholesterol levels. There are only a few who manage to keep their cholesterol levels below 200mg/dL, and this, I think, is not only because of diet restrictions but due to their statin medications.

The same study also stated that "midlife borderline high cholesterol increased the risk of vascular dementia by 50 percent." I think that is a clear warning and a definite eye-opener. Fifty percent is a high number.

To my knowledge, I think this is the first study to link dementia with dietary considerations. Dementia is said to be both a degenerative and genetic consequence. If it can also be influenced by lifestyle modifications, then, this must be good news on the preventive aspect.

Cheaper Philippine Meds: EO 821 Signed!

2009-07-28T13:03:00.000+08:00

Inquirer.net, 28 July 2009

Some questions linger:

Why are only 5 essential medicines included when the original recommendation by the Department of Health (DOH) was more than 20? Only these 5 medicines are included --- "the anti-hypertensive amlodipine (including its S-isomer and all salt form); the anti-cholesterol atorvastatin; the antibiotic/antibacterial azithromycin (and all its salt form); and the anti-neoplastics/anti-cancer cytarabine and doxorubicin (and all its salt form)."
Why still wait this long ? Executive Order 821 takes effect on August 15, 2009. Meanwhile, chronically-ill patients whose survival depend on these medicines will bear the unnecessary risk of becoming worse or dying.

Mothers Who Spank Their Children

2009-07-21T12:44:00.002+08:00

Moms who suffered physical abuse or other violent experiences in childhood are much more likely to spank their infants than moms who did not suffer these adverse childhood experiences, results of a new study indicate.

This study provides more evidence that a mother's past experiences in her own childhood have a "huge impact on how she approaches her own children," Dr. Esther K. Chung from Jefferson Pediatrics/duPont Children's Health Program in Philadelphia told Reuters Health.

Among a group of 1265 mostly black, single, low-income mothers of infants up to 11 months old, Chung and colleagues discovered that 19% said they "valued" corporal punishment as a means of discipline and 14% reported spanking their infants.

"We were pretty surprised, actually, to find the high prevalence of infant spanking because, on average, the children were about 9 months old and to think that children that young are being hit is disturbing," Chung said.
~ Reuters, 20 July 2009

In the Philippines, spanking of children is still practiced, not only by parents, but some school teachers, especially in rural areas. They believe that a child that has been spanked will grow up to be a more disciplined person.

Yes, it is true that most of these mothers were also spanked when they were kids. Spanking of children has a deep cultural history here.

The reasoning is that if it worked for the parents, then it must work for the kids also.

Kids who grow up with little corporal punishment are somewhat frowned upon by the elders, especially if they end up as bad adults. 'Bad adults' is a subjective description, of course. In this day and age of child abuse, however, the mindset is gradually changing.

Why Medicines in the Philippines are Expensive

2009-07-18T10:46:00.007+08:00

A doctor-congressman has another insightful explanation on why prescription drugs in the Philippines remain unaffordable.

He pinpoints Mercury Drug, the country's biggest pharmacy, as the culprit.

SOURCE: Inquirer.net, 18 July 2009

With profits of over a billion pesos every year, it is not difficult to see that Biron has a point to isolate Mercury Drug as a major factor in this perennial problem. Can they cut their profit margins to the levels of Thailand and India?

Mercury Drug offers weekly discounts on select products, none of which have been in the prescriptive category. And, even if they did offer discounts, these are piecemeal only.

The pharmacy giant even has a rewards program in the form of "Suki cards," which hardly benefit majority of its customers. Mercury's only claim to public service rests in its age-old marketing tagline that states, "nakakasiguro, gamot ay laging bago [Translation - we assure everyone that our medicines are always new!]

Maybe it is time the lawmakers also look at the possibility of drafting laws to address the pricing policies of Mercury Drug Corporation.

Meanwhile, today is the deadline the President gave drug companies to voluntarily cut their prices by 50 percent. If not, she will sign an Executive Order forcing them to do so.

Will Arroyo sign such an instrument? With the State of the Nation Address a mere number of days away, there is strong possibility she will.

The days of cheaper medicines are coming?

Let's hope so.

Wanted: (A)H1N1 Vaccine

2009-07-14T17:14:00.003+08:00

Even the World Health Organization is pleading that an (A)H1N1 flu vaccine be developed at the soonest possible time, possibly before autumn or winter begins this year.

WHO also said that nurses, doctors, and health workers should be vaccinated first. Then, all the rest of the people in all countries should get it.

I also think developing countries should get a discount from drug companies who will develop the said vaccine. Not everyone can afford this vaccine for sure.

Vaccine developers need not worry about their profit margins when giving a discount. With the whole planet as customer, this vaccine will certainly be a bestseller.

Swearing is Therapeutic

2009-07-13T06:08:00.001+08:00

Swearing, cussing, cursing, or saying the unutterables makes you feel good. It appears it is a potent psychological analgesic.

So, when you feel like doing it, go!!! @%$*&#!!!!

Better to blaspheme and let the expletives explode that than die of a heart attack later on.

Obesity + (A)H1N1 = Probable ICU Confinement

2009-07-11T06:02:00.000+08:00

Obesity is developing to be a risk for poor prognosis for patients with (A)H1N1.

More fat means more work for the respiratory muscles, and with (A)H1N1, respiration has to be efficient in order to survive.

Reduce Colon Cancer Risk

2009-07-08T14:22:00.003+08:00

Colon cancer is a disease of lifestyle.

Consume less or stop eating red and processed meats --- hams, hotdogs, bacon, even those tocinos you love to eat for breakfast.

Stop smoking. I have emphasized that over and over.

Exercise more. Movement has many benefits. It also decreases both your diabetes and obesity risks.

Former President Corazon Aquino is now battling colon cancer. The health tips above are a bit too late for her, but not for most people reading this.

Reduce your colon cancer risk; lifestyle modification is still the best cure.

Gloria Arroyo's Self-Quarantine?

2009-07-03T13:53:00.002+08:00

Truly, everything is not what it seems.

It is just a cover for pending cosmetic and gynecologic medical concerns. President Gloria Arroyo is probably making good use of her self-imposed quarantine. I wonder if other members of her delegation are also doing the same.

Currently, the Philippines has nearly 2,000 (A)H1N1 cases, majority of whom have recovered (the good news).

___________________

UPDATE on 06 July 2009: The problem with telling lies is that later on, you might have to tell the truth. "Chief talker" is Cerge Remonde, the president's spokesperson.

Why Daily Sex Might Be Good

2009-07-01T23:58:00.004+08:00

The best alternative to fertility problems is simple enough.

But not all men might be up to it. Also, it takes two to tango. The females should be open to this option, if the couple really wants to conceive.

What Killed Michael Jackson?

2009-06-29T17:25:00.001+08:00

Offhand, I think it was depression that ended his life. Famous people are always depressed. He might not have been eating properly, and his low electrolytes must have spelled fatal for his heart.

But Reuters has interesting theories. The speculation is that Michael Jackson was using the painkiller Demerol:

Another mentioned drug was Oxycontin, and this is how it might have killed the superstar:

But Dr. Conrad Murray, the cardiologist and physician hired to be with Michael Jackson, denied having injected him with any medications. Meanwhile, an independent autopsy is being requested by Jackson's family to know what really happened.

We will know in a few days what really killed him.

________

UPDATE on 02 July 2009 --- The DIPRIVAN Angle:

Wait a minute. This is another wild speculation. During the interview, MJ's nurse said that while Jackson begged for Diprivan, she did not give it to him. So, what's all the fuss of how Michael Jackson got hold of the drug?

Sure, Diprivan might kill when not used properly, but the question is, did he really use it?

People are jumping to conclusions.

How They're Stopping (A)H1N1 in Philippine Airports

2009-06-24T12:38:00.006+08:00

Airports are gateways. They serve as starting points of anything new introduced to a country. Yes, including viruses like the (A)H1N1. That's why airports around the world have instituted several procedures to deter the entry of the dreaded disease. In the Philippines, here is what they're doing:

First, they ask you to fill up a yellow form called a 'Health Declaration Checklist' like the one below:

No one is exempted. Foreigners and returning Filipinos are all expected to fill up the yellow form. They give you the form even before your plane lands. However, if you analyze the questions and the important reminder, the questionnaire's accuracy depends a lot on honesty. That's right, HONESTY. How honest are people? As Mencken said, it is hard to believe that a man is telling the truth when you know if you were in his place, you would lie.

So, to the questions --- "Have you had any fever, cough, headache, body weakness?" and, "Do you work in a clinic, nursing home, piggery, poultry, zoo?" --- one can expect a high degree of inaccurate answers to be given by passengers who want to go their hotels or home as fast as possible. That is just my opinion, okay? I believe it is human nature to lie because it is easier to do. Telling the truth means the possibility of quarantine, after all.

What would one answer to the question, "Do you have any household member(s) or close friend(s) who have met a person who currently has fever, cough, and/or respiratory problems?" Even people who do not travel but work every day have probably met 1 or more people with fever and cough, right?

Second, if a passenger gets away with lying with his Health Declaration Form, he still has to pass the famous 'thermal scanner' as seen below:

The thermal scanner screens for people with fever. Incubation period is defined as time elapsed between exposure to the virus (or any offending agent) and when flu symptoms like fever manifest. Therefore, it is always possible for people to unknowingly carry the flu virus, the (A)H1N1, and NOT have fever yet.

So, do thermal scanners work? Yes. For people with fever only. For those without, you know the answer.

Third, if the passenger is health-conscious, he might follow the health tips in posters found in the airport:

But knowing most tired travelers, their only concern is to get out of the airport and get home to have that much needed rest as quickly as possible. Who reads posters but children and young people?

Fourth, interested travelers might like to use the strategically-placed hand sanitizers on the immigration booths. I must confess though that when I was there, I did not see anybody use any of the sanitizers.

Fifth and last, before I forget, there's also that method of imposing self-quarantine on yourself.

Now, who better to set an example that the leader of our land, who is now currently traveling in Japan and Brazil (countries which also have (A)H1N1 cases) but is set to return home this weekend?

But you know what our Health Department says? No. Our President does not have to do that self-imposed quarantine.

In the first news item, you will read that a certain Dr. Asuncion Anden says that that the "government-required self-quarantine remains in place," then suddenly in the second news article, the government's health secretary says that self-imposed quarantine are only for those with flu symptoms. Well, okay. If you say so, sir.

Good luck to the rest of us.

First Philippine (A)H1N1 Death?

2009-06-22T18:38:00.004+08:00

This is misleading. I don't think that with the available information given, the poor patient died because she had the dreaded (A)H1N1 flu. It was just an incidental finding.

The patient had a chronic heart problem aggravated by severe pneumonia. I think those were her biggest problems. Those were probably the culprits of her death.

Anti-Wrinkling Cream

2009-06-17T06:07:00.000+08:00

An anti-cancer cream can be the answer for wrinkles.

But it doesn't come easy. There are initial problems that have to be overcome.

"The drug has been around for many years," said Dr. Dana Sachs of the University of Michigan, whose study appears in the Archives of Dermatology.

Sachs said it has been used for four decades to treat actinic keratoses, which appear as a scaly or crusty bump on the skin. They most commonly appear on sun-exposed areas such as the face, neck, forearms or lips.

Treatment with Efudex, known generically as fluorouracil, is not trouble-free. Soon after the cream is applied, the skin becomes red and inflamed.

"Patients look really bad," Sachs said in a telephone interview. "Their skin is red. I've heard people describe it as looking like raw hamburger meat."

But after the treatment, patients have said their skin looks younger. "People have commented for years that they look better. Not only are their pre-cancers gone but the quality of their skin seems to be improved," Sachs said. ~ Reuters, 15 June 2009

Knowing women who abhor wrinkles, and will do anything to look young, I bet they will endure the 'raw-hamburger-meat' appearance just to attain a youthful-looking skin.

Swine Flu H1N1 Updates

2009-06-03T07:42:00.004+08:00

Two weeks after I blogged that the Philippines is influenza A H1N1-free, the Philippines now has 21 cases of swine flu. The days of ordinary miracles has finally ended.

The good news is that there are no deaths yet; the bad news is that it is likely that there will be more cases as the days pass by.

CUO means cases under observation. However, their respective locations remain unknown. Only select Department of Health (DOH) officials know where they are confined or treated. The reason seems to be to prevent panic from ensuing.

More notes:

1. There are now more than 700 cases of swine flu in the Asian region, and it continues to grow. South Korea just confirmed its 42nd case minutes ago.

From Xinhua

2. The median age of those infected in the Philippines is 29 years old. Most of those affected are young people, and the assumption is that the older ones have a more resilient immunity. There is no gender predilection.

3. Classes opened here two days ago in spite of the swine flu threat. Meanwhile, the DOH is on its toes promoting cleanliness by encouraging students and teachers to sing 2 'happy-birthday' songs while frequently washing hands. No kidding. Read it here. Honestly, that is the best prevention strategy at the moment.

4. For a change, the DOH is also on its toes updating its website on the latest news about recent cases. It has a whole section devoted to influenza A H1N1 alone.

5. If you walk the streets in Manila, or roam inside malls and public markets, seldom would you see people wearing masks. The Catholic hierarchy has banned holding hands when praying and saying peace inside churches, but since old habits die hard, this warning is also ignored.

6. UPDATE on 08 June 2009 - DOH still pegs the total number of cases to 33. According to its latest h1N1 update, "One of the 4 new confirmed cases is another student of the De La Salle University (DLSU), a 17 year-old male, who has no history of travel. He manifested mild acute febrile respiratory symptoms on June 2 and consulted a doctor on June 3 heeding the DLSU officials’ advice to its students when it suspended all its classes in Taft. He is presently confined in a health facility and recovering well."

"Duque reiterated that DLSU is the only school that is on a voluntary ten-day suspension due to A (H1N1) at the moment. No other school has approached the Department of Health (DOH) with the same predicament and plan. We also have not confirmed any case involving other schools.

The three other cases all have a history of travel. They all came from the United States. One of them is a foreign national. She is a 29 year-old female, who arrived on June 1 and developed fever and cough shortly thereafter. The remaining two are siblings, a 9 and a 7 year-old, both females, who arrived in the country on June 3. They became ill on June 1 and were screened on arrival and were subsequently brought to a health facility by the Bureau of Quarantine. All three are recovering from their illness in health facilities."

Where those health facilities are, only top-level health officials like Duque knows.

7. UPDATE on 09 June 2009 - There are now 46 more cases.
8. UPDATE on 14 June 2009 --- Worldwide, there are now more than 30,000 (A)H1N1 cases. In the Philippines, the health department pegs the figure at 147 cases. According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer today:
"MANILA, Philippines -- As health officials in Central Luzon reported the country's first community-level transmission in a village in Jaen, Nueva Ecija, the Department of Health central office in Manila placed the national count of confirmed Influenza A(H1N1) virus cases at 147.

Chief epidemiologist Doctor Eric Tayag said on Sunday details on the demographics of the 36 new confirmed cases—there were 111 confirmed cases as of Saturday— were not yet available."

Swine Flu (A) H1N1 in the United States and the World Today

2009-05-20T10:54:00.002+08:00

Still planning that U.S. vacation? Where do you want to go? In what U.S. state will you be staying?

You might want to study this map first.....

And if you're planning to skip that US vacation, what about the rest of the world?

Swine flu has been confirmed in more than 9,830 people in at least 40 countries, with most of the cases in Mexico and the U.S. The global death toll was at least 82 --- 74 in Mexico, six in the U.S., one in Canada and one in Costa Rica. ~ AP, 20 May 2009

It will not be a surprise if more than 10,000 cases will be reported tomorrow. Although it seems that swine flu's case fatality rate is relatively low compared to the other infectious diseases, the way it spreads still confirms it is very contagious. Imagine cases increasing by almost a thousand every day.

Best option?

Stay home. The Philippines remains free of swine flu.

Manny Pacquiao and the Threat of (A) H1N1

2009-05-08T04:09:00.005+08:00

By the time you read this, Manny Pacquiao will be back home.

It would have been better if he postponed his trip. The treat of swine flu or (A)H1N1 still looms large, and it seems Manny Pacquiao only excels in boxing. And yes, I almost forgot --- he has some talent in singing, too. Other than that, his knowledge about infections and global pandemics is utterly lacking.

The deputy presidential spokesperson, Anthony Golez, is also a physician. He knows how deadly a pandemic can be if left uncontrolled. Manny Pacquiao is coming home with family members, close friends, and people belonging to his famous Team Pacquiao. These people spent their times partying and shopping around Los Angeles after Pacquiao defeated Ricky Hatton.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Los Angeles in the US is a place where they have recorded a "third-generation, human-to-human transmission" of the A(H1N1) virus."

The most prudent thing to do is to quarantine Manny Pacquiao and his company.

Healthy? How does he know? Does being healthy and being free of flu symptoms mean he and his company are no longer virus carriers?

Does Manny Pacquiao care about the recent CDC swine flu figures below?

I don't even know why I bother to ask. He is a hopeless case. Add to this, his adviser, notably DENR secretary Atienza (why does he always meddle?) is equally ignorant. He is responsible for discouraging Pacquiao to postpone his trip, even commenting that the champion boxer might be the "healthiest Filipino" around. Foolish. What a very foolish statement.

Those thermal scanners in the airport are also useless. Virus carriers need not be febrile.

I just pray the President does not eat lunch with him today wearing a face mask.

_________________
ADDENDUM--- Here's another foolish person who thinks that going through the thermal scanners "twice" makes him "clean" and free of any (A)H1N1 virus:

Thoughts on Swine Flu

2009-04-30T10:46:00.008+08:00

As I write this, the latest CNN breaking news says that a school in Fort Worth, Texas in the US has been shut down as precautionary measure to stop the spread of swine flu. The World Health Organization has also raised the pandemic alert level to 5, the second highest alert level for pandemics. Earlier, in his press conference for his first 100 days as US President, Obama supported this move of closing down schools in order to control the problem.

Here are some more things I'd like to share:

1. This swine flu is new. It's always bad news when there is a new infection. No one is ready for it. The real origins of this flu are still unknown; what is known is that pigs have acted as a mixing cauldron for its birth. Its parents are human influenza, avian influenza, and two separate strains of swine influenza.

from the CDC

2. It is a virus. A type of influenza virus, to be more specific. The official term is swine influenza virus (SIV). It passes from human to human very easily, hence explaining its quick spread. When it infects humans, there are only two possible outcomes: recovery or a fatal outcome. It all depends on how strong and how quick our respective immunities respond. The assumption is, the healthier you are, the more likely you'll recover when you get infected.

from the CDC

3. You can NOT catch swine flu by eating pork. You might catch it if you spend your days in close contact with real pigs in hog farms. So, you might still find it enticing to follow the recommendations of celebrity TV chef Anthony Bourdain and TIME magazine, that the Philippines' Cebu Lechon is the best pig in Asia. Just don't eat too much, especially if your doctor is trying to bring your cholesterol down.

Frontpage Photo from a major Mexican newspaper

4. How to protect yourself --- wash your hands frequently. Don't kiss anymore like the couple above. Cover your mouth when you sneeze. Do not spit anywhere or spread any of your secretions on the streets outside (believe me, I see this everyday in Manila streets). To quote President Obama:

"...keep your hands washed; cover your mouth when you cough; stay home from work if you're sick; and keep your children home from school if they're sick."

You can also add eating on time, sleeping 8 hours every night, and exercising regularly. These will all boost the immunity.

from the CDC

5. Antivirals - there are people I know who have been on a buying spree of anti-flu medications like Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir) in the hope of protecting themselves. Well, guess what? Reports have shown that most of the people infected with the swine flu virus make a full recovery without requiring medical attention or antiviral drugs. I say, spend your money wisely.

In addition to the 91 cases in the US, WHO reports that Mexico has 26 confirmed human cases of infection including 7 deaths, and the following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (13), Germany (3), Israel (2), New Zealand (3), Spain (4) and the United Kingdom (5), bring the total to 148 cases worldwide.

6. Be updated with the latest information -- know the current news on the swine flu spread. Have there been any evacuations done in your area? Watch TV and listen to radio reports, or surf the internet to know the latest. In problems like these, it always pays to be informed.

from the CDC

7. What's in a name? Apparently a lot. Pork producers and hog raisers feel that their industry is gravely affected by the 'swine flu' term, and are fiercely lobbying that people start calling the current epidemic as H1N1 or influenza A. After all, they reason out, you don't get ill because you ate infected pork (see # 3). President Obama and the US Secretary of Agriculture agree, but up until now, CNN, the New York Times, and even the CDC widget in the upper right hand corner of this blog has not stopped calling it, SWINE FLU. I say, there's nothing wrong with calling it swine flu. I would like to think more people out there are informed enough that they can't get swine flu from eating pork. [updated 2 May 2009]

8. Swine Flu in Asia - a 51-year old South Korean nun and a 25-year old Mexican who transited through Shanghai in Hong Kong developed a fever after arriving in the territory Thursday afternoon, are Asia's first 2 cases. I pray it does not spread anymore. [updated 2 May 2009]

9. Don't Panic - I don't think it's the end of the world yet. Stay informed and stay healthy. Wash hands frequently and cover your mouths and noses when you cough or sneeze or when somebody near you coughs and sneezes. If they can't do it, protect yourself.

10. See Your Doctor - or go to the nearest hospital when you feel that your flu isn't resolving the normal way it should.

Your Asthma and the Lice in your Head

2009-04-22T06:29:00.000+08:00

Is there a connection?

A recent study suggests that the dirtier you are, the better your resistance towards allergens that can trigger asthmatic attacks.

from Reuters Health, 21 April 2009

'Dirty' here refers to lice in your head, and it is assumed that if you have legions of lice taking residence, then you are not the type who probably believes in cleanliness being next to godliness.

Our immune systems need to be challenged early (read: you have to get sick when you're young) because that is the best way it exerts its function. Between getting sick naturally and developing antibodies from vaccines, the former is always better than the latter.

Lesson: A hyper-clean body might mean a weaker immune system.

The Death Industry

2009-04-19T17:41:00.004+08:00

In this time of global recession, one wonders if those in the funeral industry are likewise feeling a pinch in their profits. From the report below, it seems not:

Revenue in the American funeral industry will grow 1.2 percent this year, to $20.7 billion, estimates Toon van Beeck, a senior industry analyst at IBISWorld, the research firm. That’s down from a 2 percent gain last year — but, hey, it’s still growth when companies in other industries are reporting double-digit losses.

Americans may be living longer than ever, but the reality of a graying nation is stark. The annual death rate of about 2.5 million has been rising about 1 percent a year, and is expected to spike in the early 2020s as older baby boomers reach their mid-70s.

Nevertheless, the death industry is facing something of an existential crisis. Cremation, which can reduce costs by half or more, is a strong trend. (The average cost of a funeral and traditional burial is about $8,000.) Families are increasingly abandoning traditional religious funerals, which are typically organized by funeral directors, in favor of secular ceremonies they may arrange themselves. Natural burials, which avoid embalming and concrete burial vaults, are more commonly considered than they once were, while a minority of families are bypassing funeral homes altogether to take care of their dead themselves. [NYTimes, 18 April 2009]

In the Philippines, more and more rich and well-to-do families are also opting for cremation instead of the old-fashioned getting buried six feet under.

Everyone dies. No one can escape death. We are all captured markets of the funeral industry. But the choice and decision to become a big spender as a form of last hurrah usually depends on those who are left behind. In this aspect, the argument is divided among those who want it simple and those who want it as grand as possible.

Me? I want it as simple as possible. Spending mucho is for the living. The dead will never know or feel the flamboyance and elaborate nature of his funeral.

Holy Week in the Hospital

2009-04-10T10:04:00.006+08:00

Rather than dwell on the physical agony brought about by illnesses, getting sick and being hospitalized offer a moment of internal deliberation. A moment of introspection. A time to ponder on things we easily brush aside when we are not sick and busy with the inanities of our daily lives.

That moment of reflection came to Joey Velasco when he underwent a major operation that made him lose his left kidney years ago. Like most sick people, he got depressed with his condition. But that low period in his life proved to be cathartic. He is now a new man, and his paintings speak volumes to those seeking spiritual rejuvenation. Most of his paintings are scenes from true life experiences.

Joey Velasco's paintings have been on display on the lobby of the Philippine Heart Center since two weeks ago, and will run for a week more. They are all full of emotion and thought-provoking. The timing of the exhibit coinciding with Holy Week 2009 is impeccable.

Here are some of his paintings which I liked:

Titled ATROFIA, this shows Jesus lovingly embracing an
83-year old emaciated man, whom Joey calls Mang Crispin.
Atrofia is the Spanish word for "atrophy."
Atrophy in Medicine means wasting away of a body structure
due to either nutritional deficiency or nerve damage.

Close-Up: You will see the attention to detail that Joey Velasco did in the ATROFIA painting.
The fragile and thin muscle on the arm of the old man
is securely held by the loving hand of the Savior.

Here, you see the sorrowful face of the old man finding refuge in arms of Jesus.
The crown of thorns he holds probably symbolizes his lifetime of pain.

This one is titled THAT WE MAY LIVE.
It shows a group of kids carrying the dead body of Jesus.

Detail of THAT WE MAY LIVE.
The pensive look on the boy's face is striking.

This one is light on the heart. It shows the strength of innocence in wanting to heal.

If you have some spare time this Holy Week and even after, I encourage you to visit and take a look at Joey Velasco's painting exhibit over at the Philippine Heart Center. The message of celebrating Holy Week is knowing that adversity can be overturned, and that resurrection from death (more often in the figurative sense) is possible.

The Art Gallery of the Philippine Heart Center
presents
Joey Velasco: A Journey in Art and Life

Lee Kuan Yew in Metro Manila U-Turns

2009-04-09T00:21:00.004+08:00

Baffling. The bright thinkers at MMDA (our version of traffic enforcers) has just broken their own record for coming up with superb ideas to relieve the city's congested daily traffic. Their vision has always been chimerical.

Way back, I still remember the same incomprehensible feeling I had when I saw my first Ped Xing (short for pedestrian crossing). This time, however, I am really dumbfounded. I can NOT see any significant connection whatsoever.

Look at this:

What has Lee Kuan Yew got to do with Manila's U-Turns?

Is that even a LEGITIMATE traffic sign?

Will this help ease traffic and prevent road accidents from happening?

Even Lee Kuan Yew might find this very puzzling.

All-in-One Pill For Heart and Stroke Problems

2009-03-31T11:47:00.003+08:00

The first question that comes to my mind is how much this will cost. Yes, it combines the actions of 3 anti-hypertensives, aspirin (anti-blood clotter) and a cholesterol-lowering agent. This early, I can already imagine how the business minds of pharma people are grinding in coming up with a so-called competitive market pricing.

On the plus-side, its simplicity offers to answer the frustration of most sick patients when taking at least more than 5 pills in one sitting --- all for different ailments. Sick people are mostly depressed about their condition, and they become more depressed when they take their oh-so-many-pills per day. In terms of compliance, I think this 'polypill' will make many doctors happy with their patients. Imagine 1 pill doing the work of 5 different pills.

Another consideration is its size. How big will this 'polypill' will be?

Most of my old patients complain of having experienced difficulty in swallowing big tablets and capsules.

And how about the aspect of drug interactions? I think 3 anti-hypertensives (a beta-blocker, an ACE inhibitor, and a diuretic) might be too much for those who need only one anti-hypertensive agent to control their rising blood pressures.

Pills, whatever type they may be, offer instant solutions. They are reserved for those people who would always want the easy answer to solve their problems. Mostly, these are patients who are either in deep trouble and need help fast, or patients who abhor the hardships of dieting and engaging in too much physical activity.

For me, I still go and encourage my patients to heed lifestyle changes and stick instead to the long-term rewards and 'safer side effects' of diet and exercise.