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Introduction

April 25 is the World Malaria Day. Malaria is a fatal disease caused by parasites that are spread by the mosquito species that feeds on humans.

Malaria and its Transmission

Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that in 2020, 241 million clinical cases of malaria occurred, and 627,000 people died of malaria, most of them children in Africa. Because malaria causes so much illness and death, the disease is a great drain on many national economies.

Malaria is not spread from person to person like a cold or the flu. It cannot be sexually transmitted. You cannot get malaria from casual contact with malaria-infected people, such as sitting next to someone who has malaria. However, an infected mother can transmit malaria to her infant before or during delivery.

The four main kinds of malaria parasites that infect humans are Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae and Plasmodium falciparum. Among these types, the P. falciparum is the one that causes the most severe infections and, if not treated promptly, can result in death. There is also Plasmodium knowlesi, which normally infects macaques in Southeast Asia. This P. knowlesi can also infect people, resulting in “zoonotic” malaria (malaria passed from animal to human). While malaria is spread by mosquito bites, only the female Anopheles mosquitoes can spread the disease. Furthermore, they must have been infected with a blood meal from an infected human previously. The symptoms of malaria include fever and flu-like illness. These include shaking chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur. Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin and eyes) because of the loss of red blood cells. If not promptly treated, the infection can become severe and may cause kidney failure, seizures, mental confusion, coma, and death.


Yes, malaria is a disease that can be fatal. However, the illness and death caused by it are usually preventable.

Prevention of Malaria

A vaccine is now available for preventing malaria. It has approval for children who live in moderate-to-high risk areas in Sub-Saharan Africa, where infection with P. falconium is common. However, it is not for use by travelers. So far, health experts have administered over 2.3 million doses, and it has a good safety profile. While the vaccine will save lives, it is not 100% effective. Currently, in children under the age of 5 years, the malaria vaccine can reduce the risk of an episode by 40%. The other methods of fighting malaria include drugs, insecticides, and insecticide-treated bed nets. Attempts at producing an effective malaria vaccine and anti-malarial medication are on-going.
You and your family can most effectively prevent malaria by taking all three of these important measures: (1) keeping mosquitoes from biting you, especially at night; (2) sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets, using insect repellent, and wearing long-sleeved clothing if out of doors at night; and (3) taking preventive vaccine or anti-malarial medication.

Conclusion

Malaria is a life-threatening disease that can occur if a person has a mosquito bite that carries certain types of Plasmodium parasites. The symptoms include a fever and chills, which may disappear after a few days but can reappear several weeks or months later. If you developed symptoms up to a year after traveling in an affected area, you can consult with MyPocketDoctor. The MyPocketDoctor has been actively delivering telemedicine services. You can certainly enjoy these conveniences right at your fingertips by downloading the MyPocketDoctor APP and talking to our team of doctors about your health concerns. MyPocketDoctor can be contacted through its Facebook page and/or agent chat on the website www.MyPocketDoctor.com. You may check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) through this website.

Reference:

https://www.cdc.gov/malaria
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150670#summary

According to the World Health Organization, the latest information about Omicron is that it is more active and transmissible. Furthermore, it can also resist most of the vaccines. 

The Omicron Variant

In November this year, experts detected the first specimen tested positive for Omicron in South Africa. The emergence of this new variant threatened public health officials and scientists. As mentioned, Omicron is more transmissible as it contains dominant mutations.

Compared to the first variant of COVID-19, the Omicron are more transmissible. This means that it can infect one person at a very fast rate. According to the experts, anyone with Omicron can transfer the virus to either partially- to fully-vaccinated individuals. However, the same symptoms, like flu and difficulty in breathing, are found in patients infected with the Omicron variant. Thus, the government warned the public to wear their face masks when going outdoors properly.

With that in mind, the risks associated with this variant are very high. Thus, the government worldwide tightened its security to prevent the possible transmission of Omicron. This variant is now present in almost 60 countries worldwide. Early December, one Californian was found as the first American who tested positive for the Omicron variant.  In the Philippines, the risk of the infection with Omicron variant pushed the increase of many cities into Alert Level 3.

Previous infections do not provide immunity against Omicron. For example, most people in South Africa tested positive for different SARS-CoV-2 variants. Despite that, South Africa remained to have the highest number of Omicron-infected individuals. In other words, immunity from previous infections does not stop omicron. This could be the reason why the number of Omicron cases is doubling very fast. In addition, current vaccines are not enough to defeat the Omicron variant. Thus, scientists are currently developing new vaccines to dominate this new variant.

How to Get Protection from Omicron

Many believe that the Omicron variant is more infectious than the previous ones. But we have tools to fight and prevent getting the Omicron virus. One of these is through vaccinations. Vaccination does not guarantee full protection against the virus. However, inoculation is our safety tool to make ourselves less susceptible to virus transmission. The good thing about getting vaccinated is that it prevents death, hospitalization, and severe illness associated with the COVID-19 virus. Scientists recommend 17 years old and below to get full vaccination. On the other hand, 18 years old and older should get booster shots to maintain their protection.

Wearing a mask is also an ideal way to protect ourselves against the virus. Experts recommend people wear masks when going outdoors. Although not very effective, social distancing can also prevent us from spreading the particles. Depending on the situation, you will need to wear either cloth, KN95, or any other type of facemasks.

Undergoing antigen tests is also helpful to monitor your health condition. It will help you to determine whether you carry the virus. If you found that you are positive with the variant, we recommend you to do self-isolation. After that, inform the health professionals in your area to receive immediate treatment.

Conclusion

The number of individuals who tested positive for the Omicron variant continue to increase. This poses a huge threat to scientists, health professionals, and the public. The good news is that we have the tools to keep ourselves protected against the virus. We can do this by using the tools of vaccination, wearing a mask and following safety protocols. If you suspect that you or your loved is infected with the Omicron variant, you can have a telemedicine consultation with MyPocketDoctor. The MyPocketDoctor website and mobile app (Android and IOS) have Multi-factor security to guard your medical information better. This telemedicine service, other than providing you with online medical consultation, has also been actively providing you with valuable health information to guide you during these unique times. You can certainly enjoy these conveniences right at your fingertips by downloading the MyPocketDoctor app and talking to our team of doctors about your health concerns. The MyPocketDoctor can also be contacted through its Facebook page and/or agent chat on the website www.MyPocketDoctor.com. You may check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) through this website.

Introduction

Yes, COVID-19 Booster is necessary. Boosters can protect individuals from severe diseases and death caused by COVID-19. Getting the COVID-19 boosters helps optimize our antibody levels, the T-cells and the memory B cells. Thus, optimizing the body’s immune protection of the highest risk populations such as the seniors and those with comorbidities. These components play an important role in building immune responses against viruses.

The COVID-19 booster shots that are being endorsed are Pfizer, the Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccines. The Pfizer and the Johnson & Johnson booster doses are exactly the same as the primary doses. It is recommended that those vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson must get a booster shot two months after receiving the first shot. Meanwhile, the Moderna comes as a half booster, consisting of 50 micrograms, that is administered for a primary series dose of Johnson & Johnson. The immunocompromised individuals are recommended to get a full dose (100 micrograms) of the Moderna shot as a booster. Pfizer booster can be taken at least two months after receiving their Johnson & Johnson primary vaccination.

The Heterologous Method

Did you know that the updated vaccine effectiveness of Johnson & Johnson against hospitalization is only 71 percent? In comparison, the Moderna vaccine has (93 percent) and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (88 percent). The World Health Organization (WHO) had advised that priorities must be given to those immune-compromised individuals who have waning immunity from COVID-19. Study shows that those who die of the COVID-19 are actually unvaccinated. The purpose of the mix-and-match approach offer the flexibility to choose additional COVID-19 protection that is different from their primary series. “Heterologous” is the clinical term for mixing and matching vaccines. The heterologous method also offers great flexibility to some vaccine providers, pharmacies and local health departments. This empowers people to choose based on their preferences and medical circumstances.

It is recommended that even though the person can choose a COVID-19 booster shot that is different from their original shot, he or she must stick with the first vaccine brand if it is available. On the contrary, some experts say that if everybody needs to match the exact brand, and every provider had to carry all three brands of the vaccine, it would delay the process and booster rollouts. This will jeopardize the Filipinos who have less access to care to begin with.

COVID-19 Boosters for Filipinos

In the Philippines, the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) made a recommendation to the Department of Health to give booster shots and third doses against COVID-19 for priority groups. The first groups include healthcare worker, seniors and “eligible priority groups”. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has approved this HTAC recommendation on 24 October 2021. This approval comes with the condition that there is sufficient vaccine supply and inoculation targets are reached. At present, there are still approximately 29.34 million Filipinos who are waiting in line for the second vaccination.

The COVID-19 boosters still need emergency use authorization (EUA). Filipinos should expect that the side effects of the booster shots are similar to those from the primary series of Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Moderna. The most common symptoms from the booster shots are fatigue and pain at the injection site. Most booster side-effects are mild to moderate.

Conclusion

COVID-19 boosters are expected to roll out before this year ends or during the first quarter of 2022 at the very least. The necessity of getting the COVID-19 boosters supports the readiness of every person to get used to living with COVID-19 virus. Prevention is better than cure, after all. Maintaining the good health and practicing good hygiene must still be practiced, whether the person can get the booster immediately or not. If all else fail, remember that supportive doctors are within your reach through the MyPocketDoctor App. The MyPocketDoctor website and mobile app (Android and IOS) have Multi-factor security to guard your medical information better. This telemedicine service, other than providing you with online medical consultation, has also been actively providing you with valuable health information to guide you during these unique times. You can easily obtain these conveniences right at your fingertips by downloading the MyPocketDoctor app and talking to our team of doctors about your health concerns. The MyPocketDoctor can also be contacted through its Facebook page and/or agent chat on the website www.MyPocketDoctor.com. You may check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) through this website.

References:

www.who.int

www.pna.gov.ph

www.cdc.gov

www.npr.org

Introduction

In every problem, there is a solution. The wonderful news is that there are three anti-inflammatory drugs to help in solving the COVID-19 crisis. There is a novel trial conducted by an extraordinary multinational partnership to find life-saving COVID-19 treatments. It is called the Solidarity PLUS.

The Solidarity PLUS

The World Health Organization is conducting a Solidarity trial in partnership with 52 nations and researchers from over 600 hospitals. The Solidarity PLUS study is the next phase of the Solidarity trial. Three anti-inflammatory medicines will be evaluated for their ability to cure the COVID-19 infection. These are infliximab, imatinib and artesunate. If any or all of these medications are shown to be successful in treating COVID-19 infection, the manufacturers have also pledged to make the drugs available to the public at a minimal cost.

Infliximab

Infliximab is used to treat autoimmune disorders. In the experiment, it will be administered intravenously in a single dose. Johnson & Johnson is the primary manufacturer of this drug. Some of the diseases in which it has proven its effectivity are ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. Infliximab works by targeting a protein called, “tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)”, which is naturally found in the body. The TNF-alpha aids the immune system in fighting infections. However, too much TNF-alpha might harm the cells that line the intestine. This is why the infliximab serves as a medication to prevent the excessive TNF-alpha production. With its demonstrated success in treating certain autoimmune inflammatory diseases, Infliximab is expected to have beneficial safety and effectiveness in reducing broad-spectrum inflammation. This can be particularly helpful for senior citizens who are most clinically susceptible to COVID-19.

Imanitib

Imatinib is the second medication under consideration by the WHO as a possible treatment for severe instances of COVID-19. For this experiment, the medicine will be administered orally once a day for 14 days. The primary manufacturer of this medication is Novartis. Imatinib belongs to a class of drugs known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which prevents the aberrant protein activity that causes cancer cells proliferation. This is why Imatinib is often used to treat specific malignancies. This medication is used to treat leukemia, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, hypereosinophilic syndrome and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. This is used for Solidarity PLUS because the inflammatory mechanisms in cancer and COVID-19 disease have similarities. By utilizing this antineoplastic drug, the reallocation of some anticancer and anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals for COVID-19 can lower the fatality rates.

Artesunate

Artesunate is an intravenous injectable to treat severe instances of malaria in adults and pediatric patients. It is a derivative of the Artemisinin. For more than three decades, Artemisinin and its derivatives are proven safe and effective in the treatment of malaria. The WHO proposed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of artesunate because of its antimalarial characteristics. Both artemisin and artesunate belong to the same pharmacological class. Artesunate is converted to DHA, which produces free radicals that prevent Plasmodium parasites from performing their regular functions. This drug has a brief duration of action and a moderate duration of therapy due to its short half-life. In the experiment, it will be administered intravenously for seven days. This is the standard dose for treating severe malaria. The major producer of Artesunate is Ipca. 

Conclusion

There is a serious threat posed by Delta and Lambda variants. These rapid mutations of the coronavirus motivated every country to contribute their expertise for the global search of COVID-19 treatment. These studies are also expected to aid in future pandemics, allowing every country to be prepared and lowering fatality rates. For now, if you have any concern regarding the COVID-19 disease, you may contact MyPocketDoctor. The MyPocketDoctor website and mobile app (Android and IOS) now have Multi-factor security to guard your medical information better. This telemedicine service, other than providing you with online medical consultation, has also been actively providing you with valuable health information to guide you during these difficult times. You can certainly enjoy these conveniences right at your fingertips by downloading the MyPocketDoctor app and talking to our team of doctors about your health concerns. The MyPocketDoctor can be contacted through its Facebook page and/or agent chat on the website www.MyPocketDoctor.com. You may check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) through this website.

References:

www.who.int/news-room/

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/

www.rappler.com

The common fear about COVID-19 is the Delta variant. It has fast transmission but it is less fatal than other variants. How true is this?

The Delta variant recently filled the global news as it posed a more significant threat of being highly transmissible even to those vaccinated. There are no firm studies that say the Delta variant causes more serious illness. However, they show similar symptoms with that of the old viral sequence. Although concerned officials and organizations are actively doing their part to mitigate the dire health situation, some health experts still warn that it may only get worse. The speculation is exceedingly feasible as new variants of COVID-19 continue to emerge that are more infectious.

The Early Stage and Recovery Stage

If you do not have access to antigen test, it is difficult to determine right away if you are carrying the disease. However, assuming that you had contact with a host, here is the possible timeline to observe:

Day 1- 5: No symptoms of COVID-19 yet. 

Day 5- onwards: Mild symptoms like muscle pain, fever, chills and sore throat can start to develop. Some can experience a combination or worsening of these four symptoms. Within 2-14 days after contact, you can start to feel tired, breathless, and loss of taste and smell.

While some infected patients recover within two weeks, others experience ongoing health problems even after the specified time. Post-COVID conditions occur within four or more weeks after first contracting the disease. They may feel symptoms like alterations in period cycles, cough, headache, mood changes, sleep problems, stomach pain and tiredness. Isolation, for 14 days of less, is the immediate solution when a person gets infected. Some might only require physical isolation and medicines while others need optimal supportive care. It all depends on the health condition of the person. This is true for those who show severe symptoms of COVID-19 that need ventilators or other oxygen-supporting equipment. After 14 days of isolation, the infected person does not automatically get out of confinement. Another 24 to 72 hours is needed to monitor any fever symptoms after not taking medicines.

The Side Effects of Treatment

During the COVID-19 treatment, a doctor may suggest taking different medications to increase the chances of success. 

However, a study showed that some combinations of these medications could lead to severe health conditions. For instance, the use of Heparin (an anticoagulation medicine) and Salbutamol could result in acute cholecystitis, which causes inflammation in the gallbladder. In some cases, it could also lead to making a hole between the walls of two upper chambers of your heart.

The use of steroids is also something to be discussed. Steroids are used for its immune-suppressing abilities. It can treat chronic diseases like asthma and autoimmune disorders. For COVID-19 treatment, the experts warned that using steroids could be a great preventive measure but it comes with a risk. Some potential harms of this medication include muscle weakness, gastrointestinal bleeding, and fungal infections.

As of August 2021, there are already more than 1.7 million cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Philippines. The lethal effect varies from person to person. Children may experience multisystem inflammatory syndrome weeks after Delta variant contact. On the hand, the situation for older people becomes worse due to comorbidity on existing diseases.

Conclusion

What remains highly recommended is that every Filipino participate in preventing and mitigating the pandemic situation. The most important step is getting vaccinated. Vaccination provides long-term protection and solution. The other essential things to do are wearing masks, frequent hand-washing and social distancing. Doing these preventive actions can save you and those around you from the dire consequences of the mutating COVID-19 virus. If by any chance, you followed the preventive actions but still contract Delta variant, you can get an online consultation with MyPocketDoctor. The MyPocketDoctor website and mobile app (Android and IOS) now have Multi-factor security to guard your medical information better. This telemedicine service, other than providing you with online medical consultation, has also been actively providing you with valuable health information to guide you during these difficult times. You can certainly enjoy these conveniences right at your fingertips by downloading the MyPocketDoctor app and talking to our team of doctors about your health concerns. The MyPocketDoctor can be contacted through its Facebook page and/or agent chat on the website www.MyPocketDoctor.com. You may check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) through this website.

References:

www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33299085/

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/

www.health.harvard.edu

www.who.int

As of this writing, the COVID-19 variants have already branched out into multiple classifications. Some of the most common active viral mutations today are the Alpha (B.1.1.7), Gamma (P.1), Beta (B.1.351), and Delta (B.1.617.2). Like any type of virus, SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes coronavirus disease (COVID-19), constantly changes over time. These changes are known as mutations. In this process, the virus replicates itself and that clone goes through the same procedure, materializing new variants. While these sequences cause the same effects on the infected body, the Delta variant is reported to be the most transmissible of all the mutations. 

Delta in the Philippines

As of August 4, almost a quarter of these records came from the National Capital Region where most of the COVID-19 cases are present. The number of Delta cases in the Philippines is posted at 216 — 17 of which are active. With the Delta variant in the equation, some local experts project that the 13,000 active cases in the region may rise up to 500,000 by the end of September if there will be no intervention from the concerned agencies.

That is why the Philippine government has ordered yet again to place Metro Manila under enhanced community quarantine for two weeks. Some areas scattered across the country were also placed under lockdown restrictions for a relatively short period due to increasing cases of the disease. But still, the experts warn that the active cases in the capital region may rise up to 30,000 by the end of September.

Outbreak of Delta Variant

Mutations can happen anywhere where there are active COVID-19 infections and high transmission rates. First discovered in India, the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 has become a major health concern after it caused the second wave of the disease in its originating country. At that time, the daily new infections in India was more than 400,000.  The number of countries that have recorded Delta variant cases jumped from 62 to 104 within the span of a month only. 

This mutation-of-concern spreads more easily than other variants, especially in indoor settings. Like the other mutations that preceded Delta, it also has the ability to reduce the effectiveness of antibodies from COVID-19 vaccines.

Vaccines vs. Delta

Although it has been mentioned above that the Delta variant diminishes the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, health experts still advise the public to be inoculated. Research shows vaccines provide protection against COVID-19 severe symptoms and prevent symptomatic viruses caused by the Delta mutation. Most of these vaccines are in the World Health Organization emergency use lists like Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.

Meanwhile, organizations, researchers, and scientists across the globe continue collecting data about the Delta variant or the COVID-19, in general, to be able to formulate the best protective solution. The main considerations of their study include the transmissibility and severity of the current and new variants. 

Conclusion

Health experts insists on reminding everyone to do their part as an individual to prevent and mitigate the virus even if it has been proven that the vaccines in circulation are effective against the Delta variant. Some of the things one could do are to wear a mask that covers both the nose and mouth, physical distance when outdoors, avoid poor-ventilated places and crowded areas, and wash your hands with soap and water (or sanitizer) more often. All of these small actions are vital while the professionals on the ground continue tracking, studying, and providing scientific and systematic solutions. In case of COVID-19 symptoms, online professional doctors are also available at the tip of your fingers, through MyPocketDoctor. The MyPocketDoctor website and mobile app (Android and IOS) now have Multi-factor security to guard your medical information better. This telemedicine service, other than providing you with online medical consultation, has also been actively providing you with valuable health information to guide you during these difficult times. You can certainly enjoy these conveniences right at your fingertips by downloading the MyPocketDoctor app and talking to our team of doctors about your health concerns. The MyPocketDoctor can be contacted through its Facebook page and/or agent chat on the website www.MyPocketDoctor.com. You may check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) through this website.

References:

www.who.int/news-room/

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/

www.cnnphilippines.com/news/

Introduction

Aside from double digits days like 7-7, the online shopping platforms have utilized salary days to make you shop. You will soon be pressing your favorite button “Add to Cart” if you are an avid fan of Shopee and Lazada. Virtual shopping as a new hobby amidst a pandemic seems counter-intuitive because there is a financial crisis all around. Still, we continue to shop like it is an addiction.

So, is online shopping a real medical disease?

The Term “Compulsive Buying Disorder”

Shopping addiction comes in different names. It can be called pathological buying, compulsive buying disorder, or compulsive buying behavior. This condition is characterized by the uncontrollable, impulsive, persistent, and excessive purchase of different products despite the harmful social, psychological, occupational, and financial consequences. However, the official record in DSM of being a shopaholic is still unsettled. One research shows that compulsive shopping disorder is often followed by anxiety, depression, and other ‘negative emotions’. People with this disorder often relieve themselves from these tensions by shopping. The research also added that people with this disorder have poor self-esteem, lower educational status, symptoms of OCD, and are more likely to be female.

The Shopping Habits of Filipinos

The social media giant, Facebook, recently conducted a trend survey in the Philippines to know what the online shoppers look onto in the online marketplace. Ninety-three percent of the respondents said that they highly consider both the price and convenience when purchasing a product. Filipino consumers, just like everybody else around the world, prefer the ease of access to products or services.

In a recent report of iPrice Group, the researchers found out that the Philippines experienced the highest spike in downloads of online shopping apps in the Southeast Asia region. Between the first and second quarters of 2020, there has been a 53% spike in app installations. The online shopping has also reached a total of 4.9 billion sessions. Since we were stuck at home most of the time,  the study shows that Filipinos tend to not purchase fashion products. Instead, we became more inclined to gadgets or electronics.

Although there is a surge in e-commerce, local online sellers still find it difficult to thrive. This is due to the colonial mentality of Filipino consumers when it comes to choosing their products. It is hard to fully determine the deciding factor separating the two aside from their operating scale. It can be observed that the local and international goods have almost the same features. The latter is just more popular. Filipinos opt for products manufactured by multinational companies rather than picking the local-made goods. 

The Pandemic Factor

Online shopping has arisen during the pandemic. Most people are staying at home when the pandemic starts and online shopping becomes a convenience. Also, virtual shopping has changed into a way to entertain ourselves by buying things that can make us happy or at least feel temporary comfort. This reliance on such behavior does not end well in the long run. On a positive note, online shopping can be a means to relieve stress but, on its downside, it can also hinder other good habits of fighting off the stress of this pandemic. It affects our mental health by becoming either eustress or distress. Prolonged exposure to imbalanced psychological effects of shopping online could bring discomfort to a person especially if it is mishandled. In such circumstances, it can even transform into addiction. To counteract this, it is advised to become aware of shopping habits and set limits to your invested time and budget in online shopping.

Conclusion

It is true that online shopping can save us from traveling and contracting COVID-19, there is a serious risk to our mental health, particularly addiction. At first, as an online shopper, you might not notice the slight ‘rewiring’ of your brain. It usually happens in subtle ways. Lastly, addiction to shopping can be a symptom of hidden psychological issue. If you suspect a problem deeper than online shopping, you have the option to talk to a psychologist at MyPocketdoctor. The MyPocketDoctor has been actively delivering both health information and telemedicine services. You can certainly enjoy these conveniences right at your fingertips by downloading the MyPocketDoctor APP and talking to our team of doctors about your health concerns. MyPocketDoctor can be contacted through its Facebook page and/or agent chat on the website www.MyPocketDoctor.com. You may check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) through this website.

References:

www.pna.gov.ph

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

www.verywellmind.com

www.bworldonline.com

Introduction

You probably heard of the old Filipino joke that butter is bad for you because it is “mantikilya” (meant to kill ya). Some butter has trans fatty acid (TFA) and this can cause obesity. However, obesity is not all about food. Obesity is also a result of other factors like lifestyle. This focus on the lifestyle of obese Filipinos has been magnified this pandemic. Obesity is not simply overweight. For one person to be considered obese, the body mass index (BMI) must be over 30. Fast food business grows so obesity must be controlled by wise decisions of every person. Obesity is no longer just a Western problem.

The Rise of Obesity

Obesity is more prevalent in men than in women posting a 5.4% increase from 1995 to 2015 compared to 3.7% of that of women. Obesity gradually forms when one takes many calories (high amounts of energy) but does so little in burning them through exercise which will then be stored as fat. In other words, eating too much while moving too little can cause obesity. For the reason that obesity is commonly formed from a diet that is calorically excessive but nutritionally inadequate, the human body reacts, having excess fat, with poor absorption of key nutrients such as vitamin D, biotin, thiamine, and chromium. Prolonged exposure to such a condition will deteriorate over time the health status of the person. Obesity does not happen overnight but is due accumulate of poor lifestyle choices like drinking too much alcohol, comfort-eating due to low self-esteem and lack of moderate aerobic activity.




Obesity in the Philippines

A survey conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute last 2019 shows that the overweight or obesity cases among the Filipino teenagers have nearly tripled in the last 15 years. Additionally, the World Obesity Federation (WOF) gave the Philippines a score of 6 over 10, which means exhibiting a “very rapid growth” in adult obesity from the year 1995 to 2015.

A lot of factors could be attributed to such a jump like genetics, lack of physical activity, medication, and, of course, food and drinks. The sugar-filled drinks and fatty foods significantly take the largest chunk of the components directly affecting the body composition. One of the popular components is TFA. This substance is present in almost every available food. Industrially-produced TFA are added to extend their shelf life. The TFA naturally occurs in small quantities in dairy and meat products. TFA can be typically found in donuts, processed products, crackers, baked goods, instant coffee, canned meat and the likes. This can cause obesity and heart problems when taken in excessive amounts. Due to the consumption of too much food or beverages, the person can highly likely eat the excessive amounts of TFA. Excess TFA can cause obesity by redistributing the fat tissue into the abdomen even if the total dietary calories are controlled. This increases the obesity health risks of having non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cancer and liver disease. These non-communicable diseases are common comorbidities, affecting 49% of COVID-19 Filipino deaths.

Come 2023, the Department of Health will remove food products with industrially-produced TFA. This is for the promotion of better health awareness on weight problems. The Food and Drugs Administration will set clear guidelines that shall mandate the complete removal of TFA from goods by the year 2023. Manufacturers are obliged to reformulate their products within the two years frame. They are encouraged to use alternative fat and oils that have the same function as TFA.

Conclusion

Economic crisis has pushed more Filipinos to rely on processed goods, fast food and stress eating. This indicates that obesity cases are not taken seriously the Philippines. While we cannot control every food that catches our eyes and tummies, we can certainly control our eating and exercising lifestyles. Self-care has never been more important now that COVID-19 cases randomly spikes from time to time. If you are obese and suspect of any comorbidities with COVID-19, you can try consulting doctors online. The MyPocketDoctor has been actively delivering both health information and telemedicine services. You can certainly enjoy these conveniences right at your fingertips by downloading the MyPocketDoctor APP and talking to our team of doctors about your health concerns. MyPocketDoctor can be contacted through its Facebook page and/or agent chat on the website www.MyPocketDoctor.com. You may check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) through this website.


References:
www.worldobesity.org
www.fnri.dost.gov.ph
ww.nhs.uk
www.inquirer.net

Introduction

The whole nation was shocked by the death of the fifteenth President of the Philippines. The former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III died of End-Stage Renal Disease, as a complication from diabetes. How informed are we about Diabetes and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)? How informed are we about diabetes and end stage renal disease?

Diabetes Leads to ESRD

Diabetes is the 6^th leading cause of death among Filipinos, according to Philippine Health Statistics. While COVID-19 has been killing many people since last year, Diabetes is one of the top killer diseases for a decade now. The common symptoms of diabetes are having more body infections, blurry vision, slow healing of wounds and sores, and frequent thirst and hunger. There is Type I and Type II Diabetes. The people with Type I and Type II Diabetes should avoid high glycemic foods. This type of food can react badly against the insulin or medication that they are taking. Foods containing high glycemia or glucose include corn flakes, white rice, white breads and baked potatoes. Type I Diabetes is usually diagnosed in very young adults and children. Type I Diabetes does not produce insulin at all. Both Type I and Type II Diabetes can lead to Diabetes Mellitues. Diabetes Mellitus is a condition characterized by high blood glucose (sugar) levels. This can cause kidney failure, resulting to End-Stage Renal Disease.

End-Stage Renal Disease

End Stage Renal Disease or ESRD happens when chronic kidney disease worsened to the point that the kidney functions less than 10% of normal. There are symptoms when the chronic kidney disease progresses to end-stage renal disease. Some of these are chest pain, if the fluid builds up around the lining of the heart, sleep problems, persistent itching and loss of appetite. Other signs are shortness of breath, if fluid builds up in the lungs, hypertension or high blood pressure, swelling of feet and ankles, decreased mental sharpness, muscle twitches and cramps, nausea, vomiting and changes in how much you urinate.

There is a build-up of waste products and fluid in the body when the patient is affected by ESRD. The waste products affect most body systems and functions. The functions include electrolyte balance, red blood cell production, calcium levels and Vitamin D levels. Management of ESDR includes dialysis treatment, kidney transplant and dietary management.

A special diet is important. This is because dialysis alone cannot effectively remove all the toxins in the body. Dietary management also helps to minimize the amount of waste build-up. A special diet also sustains the electrolyte, fluid and mineral balance in the body between the dialysis. The patient’s weight must be monitored and managed with a proper balanced diet to avoid unreasonable weight loss. The ESRD patient’s average calorie intake reduces to lower than 30-35 kg/day. This leads to malnutrition. Malnutrition directly affects the patient’s mortality and morbidity. To prevent malnutrition, the ESRD patients undergoing dialysis need to have a periodic nutrition screening and tests, comparing initial body weight with usual and ideal body weight, food diary assessment and dietary reviews. So, there is a need to do lots of dietary changes, specifically on low sodium, restricted fluid intake and potassium and phosphorus diet.

Low Sodium and Fluid Intake

Salt is used as preservatives. This can be found in canned food and processed smoked meat. These must be avoided. The ESRD patient must also avoid ketchups, pickles and sauces. When cooking food, herbs can also replace the salt. It is also important not to use salt substitute because it might contain potassium. Potassium is also restricted for those with kidney disease.

To reduce fluid intake, the patient must avoid eating food with too much water. Examples of these are Jell-O, ice cream, popsicles, soups and celery. The ESRD patient is also advised to avoid getting too hot or going out in the sun because of the fluid intake process of the body.

Potassium and Phosphorus Levels

When affected by chronic kidney disease, the patient must avoid fruits high in potassium. These fruits are bananas, kiwis, cantaloupes, prunes, tomatoes, avocados, oranges, raisins, and melons. The vegetables that are high in potassium are spinach, pumpkin, sweet potato, asparagus and potatoes. The patient can opt to eat fruits and vegetables like pineapple, watermelon, peaches, apples, eggplant, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and carrots. The phosphorus level of the patient must also be regulated. This can be reduced by the physician who prescribes the phosphorus binders.

Conclusion

The death of former President Noynoy Aquino sheds light to what we are often oblivious about- food habits. In this particular story, those foods are sugar for diabetes and salt for kidney disease. If you observe that you might have symptoms of diabetes or kidney disease, you can avail of telemedicine service 24/7 by calling the MyPocketDoctor. The MyPocketDoctor has been actively delivering both health information and telemedicine services. You can certainly enjoy these conveniences right at your fingertips by downloading the MyPocketDoctor APP and talking to our team of doctors about your health concerns. MyPocketDoctor can be contacted through its Facebook page and/or agent chat on the website www.MyPocketDoctor.com. You may check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) through this website.

References:

www.philstar.com

www.doh.gov.ph

www.kidneyfund.org

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov