how to become healthy

2012-05-07T13:09:00.001-07:00

May is Cervical Cancer Awareness & Prevention Month

2012-05-04T08:06:00.000-07:00

The Month of May has been declared as Cervical Cancer Awareness and Prevention Month in the Philippines to foster public awareness on the prevention, early detection and control of cervical cancer.
In May 2008, the Department of Health (DOH) in cooperation with Cancer Institute Foundation Inc., Cervical Cancer Prevention Network Program and Merck Sharp & Dohme Philippines launched the Cervical Cancer Awareness and Prevention Month with the theme: “Babae Mahalaga Ka.”

Cervical cancer is malignant tumor of the cervix uteri or cervical area. Cervical area of the uterus, which usually called “uterine cervix,” is the part of uterus which connects uterine body to the vaginal. Most of cervical cancer start at transformation zone, a place where endocervix meet.

In the Philippines, Cervical Cancer is the 2nd leading cancer site among women. An estimated 7,277 new cases of, and 3,807 deaths due to cervical cancer are expected to occur every year.

Generally, all women who have had sexual intercourse are at risk of cervix cancer. However, rare types of cervical cancer can occur even in women who never had any sexual intercourse in their life.

In recent studies, there had been overwhelming evidence that an infectious agent particularly human papilloma virus (HPV) that is transmitted through sexual intercourse causes cancer of the cervix.

Established as possible causes of cervix cancer are as follows; those who have had multiple sexual partners, those who have had sexual partners (regular or casual) who themselves had several sexual partners, those who have had sexual partners infected with human papilloma virus and those who had first sexual intercourse at a very early age, possibly 15 or 16 years old.

Generally, cervix cancer do not have symptoms. Often, the disease is detected during its advance stage. However, some impressions often lead to cervix cancer such as; unusual bleeding from the vagina at any time and/or unpleasant vaginal discharge.

Cervical cancer when detected early is curable. At present, the most reliable and practical way to diagnose early cervical cancer is through Pap smear.

A woman’s first Pap smear should be done three (3) years after the first vaginal intercourse. After that, it should be done every year for 3 years. If the Pap smear test is negative for the consecutive 3 years, then it can be done every 2 or 3 years. For unmarried woman who never had sexual activity in their life, Pap smear should be done at age 35.

Since there is almost universal acceptance that cervical cancer is primarily transmitted through sexual intercourse, the following preventive measures should be followed: a-one-partner sexual relationship, between partner should be observed; a delay on the first sexual intercourse and the use of barriers contraceptives like condoms during sexual intercourse.

In line with the celebration, DOH conducts seminars, open forums, support activities and free cervical screening in selected hospitals in the country.

10 Healthy Tips for Fitness Success

2012-04-14T17:18:00.000-07:00

Getting fit is on the minds of most people. However, many people are not consistent and fail in the first three months of an exercise program. But if it becomes a habit and they stick to it, something magical happens after four months. You are finally getting the results you expect and chances are you will continue with the exercise program.
Here a 10 simple tips to help you with your fitness success.
1.   Get Moving. Resolve to be active in a variety of physical activities on a regular basis that will develop strength, cardiovascular capacity and flexibility.
2.   Prime the Pump. Resolve to participate in physical activities that involve the large muscle groups of the body.
3.   Let Your Muscles do the Work. Resolve to lift weight or use resistant exercises to place demands and challenge your muscles.
4.   Loosen Up. Resolve to stretch regularly – before and after or during exercise. Remember to move your muscles through their full range of motion on a regular basis.
5.   Win the Losing Game. Resolve to maintain your weight at an appropriate level. If you need to lose weight, a general rule to follow is to eat less and exercise more (both in moderation).
6.   Watch What You Eat. Resolve to eat a healthy diet. Good nutrition equates to good health. Good nutrition involves providing your body with the required nutrients in appropriate amounts.
7.   Chill Out. Resolve to keep matters of your life in proper perspective. Know what factors you can and cannot control in your life. Don’t “stress out” over those things beyond your control. See change as an opportunity, not a threat.
8.   Get Plenty of Rest. Resolve to get enough sleep. The basic guideline concerning how much sleep you need is whatever enables you to feel refreshed, alert and in relative good spirits the next day. Sleep helps to rest and restore your body – both physically and mentally.
9.   Keep Your Focus on the Task at Hand. Resolve to make time to exercise on a regular basis. Consistency gets results. Focus on the muscle you are exercising. Don’t just go through the motions.

10. Keep in Mind that “There is no Free Lunch.” Resolve to commit to sound lifestyle choices. For example, don’t smoke. Maintain an appropriate level of body fat. Avoid the latest fitness and diet fads, magic potions and exercise gadgets that seem too good to be true (they always are).

DO HOME WHITENING KITS WORK?

2012-04-14T16:34:00.000-07:00

Does a megawatt smile have to cost megabucks? After all, some dentists have questioned the safety and effectiveness of home-whitening kids. We went to the experts to learn the truth about whitening your teeth.

The first thing to know? Most teeth-whitening products can’t reduce every type of stain. “They’ll help if you have surface stains caused by things like coffee, smoking, and wine,” explains Lyndon Cooper, D.D.S., Ph.D., former president of the American College of Prosthodontists. “They can also help some intrinsic stains, caused by things like too much fluoride.” But if you have stains caused by trauma or a genetic problem, these products won’t help.

If you’ve always had yellow teeth, you should see a prosthodonist—it could be one of the more severe types of stains. If your teeth gradually discolored over the years, however, the problem probably exists on the surface, meaning you can whiten them without the aid of a professional. Here’s how.

Whitening toothpaste
“These have bleaching chemicals and a mild abrasive that helps clean the tooth,” says Dr. Cooper. “And you don’t need to worry about the abrasive scratching your enamel.” If your teeth can handle the brushing, they can usually handle the paste. Just don’t use them more than three times a day, and consider combining the toothpaste with one of the other methods below.

White strips
“The bleach enters the pores of your teeth,” Cooper says, “and lightens the inside of the enamel, making them up to two shades lighter.” A common concern is that bleach dehydrates the tooth, causing white spots, but it’s not a major problem. “The tooth recovers very shortly after bleaching,” Cooper says.

“Avoid wine, coffee, and chocolate for up to 40 minutes after whitening,” he says. “These bleaching products open up the pores in your teeth, exposing them to anything you put in your mouth afterward.”

Another thing to keep in mind: Sensitivity. If the strips cause any pain, stop using them and see a dentist or prosthodontist.

Dentist-supervised bleaching trays
Haven’t heard of ‘em? A dentist customizes trays to your teeth and gives you a whitening agent to use at home. How long you keep it in your mouth and how often you use it depends on the prescription.

Unlike the white strips, this whitens all of your teeth—not just the ones in the front. Not just that, it allows for a higher concentration of bleach, which is why this method is the most effective.

The drawbacks: “Just be extra careful if you have sensitive teeth,” says Dr. Cooper. “This should be supervised by your prosthodonitst or dentist, because of the high levels of bleach.” It will also set you back at least $300.

Dr. Cooper has one last piece of advice: Begin your teeth-whitening regimen—even whitening strips—a few weeks before your annual dentist visit. “This way your dentist can address any sensitivity issues,” he says. “And if the product doesn’t work, he or she can determine if the discoloration is more serious.”
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