By Rafael Castillo, MD
Philippine Daily Inquirer
ALLERGY for adults is a source of much concern; and it becomes more so in babies and young children. Yes, allergy is not a problem only found in adults – a popular misconception. So babies with puffy eyes and runny nose may already be suffering from allergy. Initially they may present with symptoms such as recurrent abdominal colic or regurgitation of milk, which neither the parents nor the doctor may attribute to allergy.
Dr. Peter Smith, a pediatrician-allergologist from Griffith and Bond University in Australia, was recently in the country to lecture on the various causes of allergy in infants and the steps that could protect an infant from the discomfort and danger that allergies could bring.
Dr. Smith defines allergy as “an abnormal response of the body to a foreign protein, which can be something we breathe in, something we eat, or something we’re stung with, like an insect sting.”
Food allergies, in particular, affect anywhere from 5 to 8 percent of infants, and health experts are alarmed that the rates have been rising in recent years. Cow’s milk protein is often the first and major cause of food allergy during infancy, Dr. Smith says. As the child grows and is given more solid foods as complementary feeding, allergies to eggs, nuts and seafood may also be fairly common.
Allergy symptoms
The symptoms of allergy can be relatively mild initially such as upset stomachs or regurgitation but it can also be potentially life-threatening in some cases. There have been reports of occasional anaphylactic shock in babies causing constriction of airways and difficulty of breathing. The baby with anaphylactic shock can just suddenly turn blue, due to lack of oxygen.
So babies of parents with serious allergic histories should be considered at risk of developing allergic problems also. Dr. Smith explained that if neither parent was allergic, the chance that infant would have allergies was only about 15 percent. An infant with an allergic parent has 40 to 60 percent risk of developing allergy, and if both parents have allergies, the risk goes all the way to 80 percent.
Also an interesting hypothesis (hygiene hypothesis) proposes that limited exposure to bacteria, especially in early life, due to extremely sterile surroundings may also increase the risk of allergy. So, clean environment for the baby is good, but “sterile” rooms –supposed to be a privilege of urban affluence – may deprive the babies the chance to develop the babies’ immune system.
A little bit of bacteria and other allergens may positively stimulate the immune response with antibodies being formed by the body itself. This is why some experts including Dr. Smith label some bacteria as “good bacteria.” In fact, I believe some milk preparations have already incorporated in their formula some of these good bacteria such as bifidobacteria.
‘Allergic match’
There is also such a thing as an “allergic march” in infants and children, such that the allergic manifestations may become worse as the child grows. It triggers a cascade of other troublesome allergic problems involving the stomach (gastrointestinal tract), skin, nose and lung airways. Cross allergy to various substances can also occur.
For example, 95 percent of those who have egg allergy also develop dust mite allergy. And dust mite is practically present everywhere. Egg allergy is also known to increase the risk of developing skin allergies or eczema which in turn may also lead to allergic rhinitis, so the child always have runny nose, sneezing and teary eyes.
Dietary protection vs allergy
The risk of allergy from milk preparations is one strong argument for breastfeeding. Dr. Smith stresses that it still remains as the best and earliest step that can be taken for dietary protection against allergy, regardless of family history. He explained that breast milk provided a naturally hypoallergenic milk protein that significantly reduces the risk of allergy. Also, breast milk contains antibodies and probiotics (live, good bacteria) like bifidobacteria that help strengthen the infant’s immune system.
So, unless other medical conditions in the mother and child make breastfeeding not possible, breast milk remains the best source of nutrition for the baby for as long as possible, especially during the first year. When breastfeeding is not possible, pediatricians may consider prescribing an infant formula that is hypoallergenic. Such preparations contain hydrolyzed whey (H.W.) formulas, because the process of hydrolysis makes milk proteins less allergenic. Hydrolysis is a technical process that breaks down cow’s milk protein into smaller, gentle particles that are regarded as harmless by the immune system. Hence, it helps reduce the risk of allergy.
In addition to hydrolyzed whey, introducing probiotics to an infant’s diet can also significantly decrease the risk for allergy, Dr. Smith suggests. He presented a paper explaining the benefits of probiotics in food allergy prevention. These probiotics can help alleviate the tendency of the infant’s immune system to react abnormally to proteins in food and thus help reduce the potential of developing food allergies. Specifically, probiotics have been reported to decrease the chances of developing eczema, which in turn decreases the likelihood of other forms of allergies.
Allergy prevention
Soy formula or alternative animal formulas like goat, sheep, or mare, have also been proposed for allergy prevention in infants and babies; but currently, there is no good evidence showing that they can prevent the development of allergies.
Omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil) have been shown in some studies to suppress the inflammatory mechanisms associated with allergies; and nutritional supplementation in the mother has been associated with reduced allergy risk such as wheezing in infancy. However, this protective effect dissipated by three years of age. Folate is also another nutritional supplement now being studied in the prevention of allergy.
Babies, whose parents have significant histories of allergy, should be evaluated already as early as possible if they have inherited their parents’ allergy-prone genes. There are now blood tests using a few cc’s of blood to find out the baby’s allergic risk. In fact, blood from the infant’s umbilical cord can already be sent for testing, so right on day 1, the infant’s allergic risk is known.
Allergy is always bad news at any age. Let our infants and babies be spared from it.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Ginger eases stomach pains, checks arthritis
By Cory Quirino
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 17:54:00 08/31/2009
ANCIENT remedies die hard.
Do you know that ginger is a powerful anti-aging remedy? Ginger, especially when taken fresh, aids digestion, soothes stomach ailments and controls arthritis. Its enzyme zingibain is more powerful than the papaya enzyme papain, according to Paul Schulick in “Ginger: Common Spice & Wonder Drug.”
In fact, 1 pound of ginger is equivalent to 180 pounds of papaya. And unlike papaya, it has low glycemic index. Ginger is a strong anti-inflammatory agent (gingerol compound) and is effective as astirine with no side effects.
The best way to take ginger is to grate two teaspoons and mix with very hot water.
Steep for five minutes, strain and stir slowly.
Instant lift
Ever wondered why your skin isn’t as plump and supple as it was when you were 16? That’s because the levels of hyaluron and collagen diminish over time. A primary component of young, healthy skin and connective tissue, these can be replenished.
Hyaluron’s main function is to lubricate and cushion all tissues and organs. A drastic decrease in this substance leads to deep wrinkles, fragile arteries leading to stroke and heart attack, and poor eyesight/vision leading to blindness.
Collagen is a fibrous protein that connects and supports tissues and organs, skin, bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons. Without collagen, tissue cells will be torn apart.
Collagen works with elastic, a protein molecule inside connective tissue. Its main job is to make skin firm.
Now, a natural face and body lift minus surgery is possible. Slowly but surely, a Japan-made regimen of hyaluron and collagen taken as a potent tea provides 7,000 mg a day of youth drink. Each sachet is more than enough to give the boost you need from inside-out. This is so effective that within two weeks, visible results are dramatic.
Ask your doctor about Hyaluron-Collagen supplements, or call Dr. Rudy Apostol, aesthetic anti-aging medicine expert (0917-5782088).
This imported product is also available at the World of Wellness, SM Fairview and V-Mall (332-3864, 723-3878).
Managing stress
Managing the power of touch is a science of healing that dates back to ancient times in Egypt, China and India. The right pressure, when applied at specific points or meridians in the body, has therapeutic benefits.
The Mandarin Reflexology Foot & Body Spa at the Alabang Town Center has successfully harmonized massage and reflexology into a one-hour relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
In a dimly lit spa ambience, one can simply sink into the cozy lounging chairs and drift into slumber. Expert hands, trained by two Taiwanese specialists, have brought into the Philippines their famous reflex regimen. A complimentary cup of wolfberry tea, an added touch of entrepreneurs Maan Uy and Annie Ting, hits the healing spot (809-6108; 0917-5208950).
Affirm: “I am in charge of my body, mind and spirit.”
Love and light!
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 17:54:00 08/31/2009
ANCIENT remedies die hard.
Do you know that ginger is a powerful anti-aging remedy? Ginger, especially when taken fresh, aids digestion, soothes stomach ailments and controls arthritis. Its enzyme zingibain is more powerful than the papaya enzyme papain, according to Paul Schulick in “Ginger: Common Spice & Wonder Drug.”
In fact, 1 pound of ginger is equivalent to 180 pounds of papaya. And unlike papaya, it has low glycemic index. Ginger is a strong anti-inflammatory agent (gingerol compound) and is effective as astirine with no side effects.
The best way to take ginger is to grate two teaspoons and mix with very hot water.
Steep for five minutes, strain and stir slowly.
Instant lift
Ever wondered why your skin isn’t as plump and supple as it was when you were 16? That’s because the levels of hyaluron and collagen diminish over time. A primary component of young, healthy skin and connective tissue, these can be replenished.
Hyaluron’s main function is to lubricate and cushion all tissues and organs. A drastic decrease in this substance leads to deep wrinkles, fragile arteries leading to stroke and heart attack, and poor eyesight/vision leading to blindness.
Collagen is a fibrous protein that connects and supports tissues and organs, skin, bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons. Without collagen, tissue cells will be torn apart.
Collagen works with elastic, a protein molecule inside connective tissue. Its main job is to make skin firm.
Now, a natural face and body lift minus surgery is possible. Slowly but surely, a Japan-made regimen of hyaluron and collagen taken as a potent tea provides 7,000 mg a day of youth drink. Each sachet is more than enough to give the boost you need from inside-out. This is so effective that within two weeks, visible results are dramatic.
Ask your doctor about Hyaluron-Collagen supplements, or call Dr. Rudy Apostol, aesthetic anti-aging medicine expert (0917-5782088).
This imported product is also available at the World of Wellness, SM Fairview and V-Mall (332-3864, 723-3878).
Managing stress
Managing the power of touch is a science of healing that dates back to ancient times in Egypt, China and India. The right pressure, when applied at specific points or meridians in the body, has therapeutic benefits.
The Mandarin Reflexology Foot & Body Spa at the Alabang Town Center has successfully harmonized massage and reflexology into a one-hour relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
In a dimly lit spa ambience, one can simply sink into the cozy lounging chairs and drift into slumber. Expert hands, trained by two Taiwanese specialists, have brought into the Philippines their famous reflex regimen. A complimentary cup of wolfberry tea, an added touch of entrepreneurs Maan Uy and Annie Ting, hits the healing spot (809-6108; 0917-5208950).
Affirm: “I am in charge of my body, mind and spirit.”
Love and light!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Getting Irresistible
Zosimo T. Literatus, R.M.T.
Breakthroughs
“PROBABLY the saddest thing you’ll ever see is a mosquito sucking on a mummy,” says Jack Handy, the American writer famous for his “Deep Thoughts” comedy sketches.
Certainly, most of us believe that mosquitoes just bite any skin. But scientific evidence indicates that they too choose whom to flirt with.
Professor emeritus at the University of Florida Jerry Butler observed: “One in 10 people are highly attractive to mosquitoes.” But it’s not for dinner, as Don Marquis erroneously believed. (“To a flea or a mosquito a human being is merely something good to eat.”).
Female mosquitoes bite (males don’t); they use blood to hatch their eggs. And not just anyone’s blood, apparently.
Dinner time. Much of the determinant (a whopping 85 percent) is genetics. Genes can help create in excess or fail to process in full certain chemicals that act as beacons to these minute flyers. Mosquitoes can also smell its “dinner” from up to 50 meters. So what chemicals make humans irresistible to mosquitoes?
l Carbon dioxide! “Any type of carbon dioxide is attractive,” says Joe Conlon, technical advisor to the American Mosquito Control Association.
Larger people tend to give off more carbon dioxide (CO2). Pregnant women exhale more, too. And if your flatulating a lot and just anywhere, you’d be risking a slap as well as many little bites. Movement and heat also attract mosquitoes. The more you move, the more you heat up, and then the more CO2 goes off your skin and breath.
l Certain acids: Such as lactic acid and uric acid. Lactic acid pours out of your sweat glands if you perspire a lot. Uric acid can trigger the sense of smell in mosquitoes.
l Steroids and cholesterol: It has nothing to do with high overall cholesterol level in the body.
If your body can efficiently process cholesterol, nothing will come off your skin. “People with high concentrations of steroids or cholesterol on their skin surface attract mosquitoes,” Butler says.
Solutions. usceptible people can use repellants and traps. The Centers for Disease Control and Protection recommend N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (Deet) and picaridin for repellants. However, both are not safe for children under two months. Chemical traps attract mosquitoes and then trap and kill them. You simply spray around, and voila, mosquitoes will be dropping on your feet. But are there non-chemical-based repellants? Of course, there are but that would be for another time, or another article, so to say.
Meanwhile, the old way can still prove an enjoyable one, as three-time world boxing champion Alexis Arguello noted: “When you see a mosquito fly and you’re able to hit it, you’re able to hit it with a couple of short sharp shots — it’s a beautiful thing.”
Breakthroughs
“PROBABLY the saddest thing you’ll ever see is a mosquito sucking on a mummy,” says Jack Handy, the American writer famous for his “Deep Thoughts” comedy sketches.
Certainly, most of us believe that mosquitoes just bite any skin. But scientific evidence indicates that they too choose whom to flirt with.
Professor emeritus at the University of Florida Jerry Butler observed: “One in 10 people are highly attractive to mosquitoes.” But it’s not for dinner, as Don Marquis erroneously believed. (“To a flea or a mosquito a human being is merely something good to eat.”).
Female mosquitoes bite (males don’t); they use blood to hatch their eggs. And not just anyone’s blood, apparently.
Dinner time. Much of the determinant (a whopping 85 percent) is genetics. Genes can help create in excess or fail to process in full certain chemicals that act as beacons to these minute flyers. Mosquitoes can also smell its “dinner” from up to 50 meters. So what chemicals make humans irresistible to mosquitoes?
l Carbon dioxide! “Any type of carbon dioxide is attractive,” says Joe Conlon, technical advisor to the American Mosquito Control Association.
Larger people tend to give off more carbon dioxide (CO2). Pregnant women exhale more, too. And if your flatulating a lot and just anywhere, you’d be risking a slap as well as many little bites. Movement and heat also attract mosquitoes. The more you move, the more you heat up, and then the more CO2 goes off your skin and breath.
l Certain acids: Such as lactic acid and uric acid. Lactic acid pours out of your sweat glands if you perspire a lot. Uric acid can trigger the sense of smell in mosquitoes.
l Steroids and cholesterol: It has nothing to do with high overall cholesterol level in the body.
If your body can efficiently process cholesterol, nothing will come off your skin. “People with high concentrations of steroids or cholesterol on their skin surface attract mosquitoes,” Butler says.
Solutions. usceptible people can use repellants and traps. The Centers for Disease Control and Protection recommend N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (Deet) and picaridin for repellants. However, both are not safe for children under two months. Chemical traps attract mosquitoes and then trap and kill them. You simply spray around, and voila, mosquitoes will be dropping on your feet. But are there non-chemical-based repellants? Of course, there are but that would be for another time, or another article, so to say.
Meanwhile, the old way can still prove an enjoyable one, as three-time world boxing champion Alexis Arguello noted: “When you see a mosquito fly and you’re able to hit it, you’re able to hit it with a couple of short sharp shots — it’s a beautiful thing.”
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Vitamin C regulates blood pressure
By Cory Quirino
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DRINKING one to two cups of black tea daily helps relieve headaches, treat digestive disorders, fight infections and prevent cavities. However, recent findings reveal that green tea has higher protective value than black tea. The polyphenols in tea, substances which contain antioxidant properties, can stop and slow down cancer.
Tea-making
Clean teapot/teacup.
Fill pot with fresh, clean cold water. Don’t use reheated water, it affects the flavor of tea. Bring water to boil.
Use one tea bag or one teaspoon of tea for every cup of water. Pour boiling water over tea.
Brewing time—about three to five minutes. If it’s too strong, add water to dilute.
When making iced tea, add 50% more tea. For eight glasses, use 12 tsp of tea or 12 tea bags. That’s because the ice will dilute the flavor.
Boil water. Remove from stove. Add tea bags. Let them stand for five minutes. Keep tea outside fridge as the color turns cloudy. Pour over ice. Stir and serve. For frothy tea, place ingredients in blender with small amounts of honey. Serve with sprig of mint.
Vitamin C
Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia found that 67 men and women with high levels of vitamin C in their blood had an average blood pressure reading of 104/65. Even those with only 1/5 of vitamin C level showed a reading of 111/73. The higher the vitamin C dosage, the lower the blood pressure. Take vitamin C in its natural form such as guava, kiwi, orange, papaya, strawberry, broccoli, grapefruit, green/red pepper, cantaloupe, sweet potato, lettuce, spinach and cabbage.
Bad breath
Halitosis or bad breath can be cured. Eliminate abdominal problems by addressing the causes of hyperacidity: spicy food, stress, not eating regular meals, parasites, fungus infection, antibiotics, alcohol and coffee.
Take probiotics or yogurt with active culture of good bacteria to correct the imbalance in your stomach. For more potent relief, try kefir. (Call World of Wellness at 7233878).
Drink plenty of water.
Brush your tongue.
Breathe through your nose.
Eat something sweet or chew on parsley, a natural deodorizer. Sugar and complex carbohydrates keep bad breath away.
Affirm: “The sweetness of life is in my breath.”
Love and light!
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DRINKING one to two cups of black tea daily helps relieve headaches, treat digestive disorders, fight infections and prevent cavities. However, recent findings reveal that green tea has higher protective value than black tea. The polyphenols in tea, substances which contain antioxidant properties, can stop and slow down cancer.
Tea-making
Clean teapot/teacup.
Fill pot with fresh, clean cold water. Don’t use reheated water, it affects the flavor of tea. Bring water to boil.
Use one tea bag or one teaspoon of tea for every cup of water. Pour boiling water over tea.
Brewing time—about three to five minutes. If it’s too strong, add water to dilute.
When making iced tea, add 50% more tea. For eight glasses, use 12 tsp of tea or 12 tea bags. That’s because the ice will dilute the flavor.
Boil water. Remove from stove. Add tea bags. Let them stand for five minutes. Keep tea outside fridge as the color turns cloudy. Pour over ice. Stir and serve. For frothy tea, place ingredients in blender with small amounts of honey. Serve with sprig of mint.
Vitamin C
Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia found that 67 men and women with high levels of vitamin C in their blood had an average blood pressure reading of 104/65. Even those with only 1/5 of vitamin C level showed a reading of 111/73. The higher the vitamin C dosage, the lower the blood pressure. Take vitamin C in its natural form such as guava, kiwi, orange, papaya, strawberry, broccoli, grapefruit, green/red pepper, cantaloupe, sweet potato, lettuce, spinach and cabbage.
Bad breath
Halitosis or bad breath can be cured. Eliminate abdominal problems by addressing the causes of hyperacidity: spicy food, stress, not eating regular meals, parasites, fungus infection, antibiotics, alcohol and coffee.
Take probiotics or yogurt with active culture of good bacteria to correct the imbalance in your stomach. For more potent relief, try kefir. (Call World of Wellness at 7233878).
Drink plenty of water.
Brush your tongue.
Breathe through your nose.
Eat something sweet or chew on parsley, a natural deodorizer. Sugar and complex carbohydrates keep bad breath away.
Affirm: “The sweetness of life is in my breath.”
Love and light!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Salty Taste and Upset Stomach
What is causing a very salty taste in my mouth?
By Howard LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School, for MSN Health & Fitness
Q: I have been experiencing a very salty taste in my mouth, to the point that it is giving me an upset stomach. What is causing this and what should I do?
A: A salty taste in the mouth is most often related to a change in the amount of saliva your body is producing, the chemical composition of your saliva, or both. Saliva contains substances that chemically interact with food and stimulate the taste receptors on your tongue and other parts of your mouth.
The influence of saliva on the taste of food is really quite complex. Our taste buds are constantly stimulated by saliva. For example, there is enough sodium and chloride, the two ingredients of salt, in our saliva to stimulate our taste receptors for salt. But because the amount of salt in the saliva is relatively constant, our taste buds adapt to our usual level of salivary salt and therefore our own saliva does not normally taste salty.
You could experience a salty taste in your mouth if either the concentration of salt in your saliva rose above your usual amount of salt, or your taste buds temporarily became more salt sensitive.
The two most common reasons why these changes in saliva or taste bud sensitivity occur are:
* Side effects of medication. There are about 400 different medicines that can alter taste sensation.
* Dehydration. You might not even be aware that you are not drinking enough water. Remember that alcohol and caffeinated drinks can be dehydrating.
Other causes include:
* Excessive tears. We are constantly making tears to keep our eyes moist. These tears drain from our lower eyelids through the tear ducts that end inside the nose. Tears can easily drain from there into the back of our throat, causing increased salt in the mouth.
* Diseases of the salivary glands. For example, an autoimmune disorder called Sjogren's syndrome damages the salivary glands and causes decreased production of saliva. Usually a dry mouth is the more bothersome symptom, rather than a salty taste in the mouth.
* A sinus infection with post-nasal drip. The infected mucous can have a high salt concentration, and it can drip into the back of your throat and affect the amount of salt in your mouth.
* Acid reflux. Usually this causes a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, but it can also be the reason for a salty taste.
My first suggestion would be to increase the amount of water you drink. If you are taking a medication prescribed by your doctor that you think may be causing the salty taste, call the doctor's office for advice. Also consider any over-the-counter medications, herbs, or supplements as potential causes of the salty taste.
By Howard LeWine, M.D., Harvard Medical School, for MSN Health & Fitness
Q: I have been experiencing a very salty taste in my mouth, to the point that it is giving me an upset stomach. What is causing this and what should I do?
A: A salty taste in the mouth is most often related to a change in the amount of saliva your body is producing, the chemical composition of your saliva, or both. Saliva contains substances that chemically interact with food and stimulate the taste receptors on your tongue and other parts of your mouth.
The influence of saliva on the taste of food is really quite complex. Our taste buds are constantly stimulated by saliva. For example, there is enough sodium and chloride, the two ingredients of salt, in our saliva to stimulate our taste receptors for salt. But because the amount of salt in the saliva is relatively constant, our taste buds adapt to our usual level of salivary salt and therefore our own saliva does not normally taste salty.
You could experience a salty taste in your mouth if either the concentration of salt in your saliva rose above your usual amount of salt, or your taste buds temporarily became more salt sensitive.
The two most common reasons why these changes in saliva or taste bud sensitivity occur are:
* Side effects of medication. There are about 400 different medicines that can alter taste sensation.
* Dehydration. You might not even be aware that you are not drinking enough water. Remember that alcohol and caffeinated drinks can be dehydrating.
Other causes include:
* Excessive tears. We are constantly making tears to keep our eyes moist. These tears drain from our lower eyelids through the tear ducts that end inside the nose. Tears can easily drain from there into the back of our throat, causing increased salt in the mouth.
* Diseases of the salivary glands. For example, an autoimmune disorder called Sjogren's syndrome damages the salivary glands and causes decreased production of saliva. Usually a dry mouth is the more bothersome symptom, rather than a salty taste in the mouth.
* A sinus infection with post-nasal drip. The infected mucous can have a high salt concentration, and it can drip into the back of your throat and affect the amount of salt in your mouth.
* Acid reflux. Usually this causes a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, but it can also be the reason for a salty taste.
My first suggestion would be to increase the amount of water you drink. If you are taking a medication prescribed by your doctor that you think may be causing the salty taste, call the doctor's office for advice. Also consider any over-the-counter medications, herbs, or supplements as potential causes of the salty taste.
Friday, September 4, 2009
New's ko po: There’s pee in the pool
A RECENT survey could make you think twice about jumping into a public pool. According to the poll, almost half of swimmers admit to one or more behaviors that contribute to an unsanitary pool, wrote Megan O’Neill for Rodale.com. And you’ve probably suspected as much, since the poll also shows 84 percent of us believe our fellow swimmers participate in unhygienic pool behavior.
THE DETAILS: The poll of 1,000 adults was conducted in late April and early May of this year by the Water Quality and Health Council, a body of scientific and other experts who advise the American Chemistry Council, an industry trade association.
For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter
One in five respondents (17 percent) admitted to urinating in the pool, while almost eight in 10 (78 percent) are convinced that their fellow swimmers are guilty of this act. Plus, about a third (35 percent) jump in without showering first, and three-quarters (73 percent) think other swimmers do the same.
Even though most people seem wary of the hygienic standards of the swimmers around them, only 36 percent say that pool water cleanliness is on their mind when they take the plunge.
WHAT YOU CAN DO. Here are a few tips to help you protect yourself, and other swimmers, from pool-related illness:
• Don’t swim if you have diarrhea. It sounds like common sense, but it bears repeating. And don’t send your kids to the pool if they’ve been having stomach problems.
• Get to know your pool operator. Ask pool management about the training employees receive to operate and keep the pool clean, and how often they check the chlorine and pH levels of the water.
• Test the water yourself. Inspectors aren’t on site every day, so what’s happening when they aren’t around?
To find out, the Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends purchasing easy-to-use testing strips at a local hardware or pool supply store, and measuring the pH and chlorine levels before swimming. The pH should be between 7.2 and 7.8, and there should be one to three parts per million of free chlorine in the water, according to CDC standards.
THE DETAILS: The poll of 1,000 adults was conducted in late April and early May of this year by the Water Quality and Health Council, a body of scientific and other experts who advise the American Chemistry Council, an industry trade association.
For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter
One in five respondents (17 percent) admitted to urinating in the pool, while almost eight in 10 (78 percent) are convinced that their fellow swimmers are guilty of this act. Plus, about a third (35 percent) jump in without showering first, and three-quarters (73 percent) think other swimmers do the same.
Even though most people seem wary of the hygienic standards of the swimmers around them, only 36 percent say that pool water cleanliness is on their mind when they take the plunge.
WHAT YOU CAN DO. Here are a few tips to help you protect yourself, and other swimmers, from pool-related illness:
• Don’t swim if you have diarrhea. It sounds like common sense, but it bears repeating. And don’t send your kids to the pool if they’ve been having stomach problems.
• Get to know your pool operator. Ask pool management about the training employees receive to operate and keep the pool clean, and how often they check the chlorine and pH levels of the water.
• Test the water yourself. Inspectors aren’t on site every day, so what’s happening when they aren’t around?
To find out, the Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends purchasing easy-to-use testing strips at a local hardware or pool supply store, and measuring the pH and chlorine levels before swimming. The pH should be between 7.2 and 7.8, and there should be one to three parts per million of free chlorine in the water, according to CDC standards.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
How climate change affects our health
By Amado de Jesus
Philippine Daily Inquirer
ACCORDING to the inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, sustained global temperature rises of 5 to 6°C could lead to the loss of Greenland and the western Antarctic ice sheets by the middle of the next century, raising sea levels by up to 13 meters.
Considering that a third of the world’s population lives within 60 miles of a shoreline and 13 of the world’s 20 largest cities are located on the coast, a 13-meter rise in sea level could displace a billion people in mass migration.
Water supply
Buildings in Mexico City are sinking due to overexploitation of the aquifers under the city and the water distribution network is losing 40 percent of water.
Aquifers are underground reservoirs that can be tapped for water when wells are dug until they reach the top of the aquifer. This layer is called the water table. The water table sinks lower when a considerable amount of water is pumped from an aquifer or during a dry spell.
Reduced river flows and increased water temperature will lead to declining water quality as the dilution of water contaminants are reduced, less oxygen is dissolved in water and microbiological activity increases.
Buildings and communities
Cities of the future need to adapt to climate change. First, they have to contribute less to the causes of climate change by minimizing waste, reducing consumption and preserving open space. Cities must construct green buildings and green communities that encourage walking to reduce carbon emissions and fight the global problem of obesity. Second, they must be climate resilient and must be able to cope with the risks of climate change.
What can you and I do?
Our present rate of consumption and waste creation is harmful to our health. We are using resources 25 percent faster than they can be replaced. Zero waste must be everyone’s goal and this can be achieved by composting and recycling. We have to live the 3 Rs in sustainable living: reduce, reuse, recycle. Sustainable consumption means knowing what we need from what we want.
Low carbon living is an understatement. The bigger energy guzzlers are homes than cars. Houses consume lumber, energy and other resources, and excrete waste. The middle-class household produces yearly 3,500 pounds of garbage, 450,000 gallons of wastewater and 25,000 pounds of carbon dioxide.
Investment in safe rain water harvesting during the long rainy season will bring abundant benefits during the hot season. Instead of building concrete gardens which is a very common practice, we can build underground water cisterns to store rain water for watering plants and flushing toilets. Then we can preserve open and green space above the cistern and be more environmentally responsive.
Accessible information on the life cycle of economic products and our energy usage should peter down to the community level. NGOs, pressure groups, local communities, school children should take an active interest in methods of adaptation to climate change.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
ACCORDING to the inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, sustained global temperature rises of 5 to 6°C could lead to the loss of Greenland and the western Antarctic ice sheets by the middle of the next century, raising sea levels by up to 13 meters.
Considering that a third of the world’s population lives within 60 miles of a shoreline and 13 of the world’s 20 largest cities are located on the coast, a 13-meter rise in sea level could displace a billion people in mass migration.
Water supply
Buildings in Mexico City are sinking due to overexploitation of the aquifers under the city and the water distribution network is losing 40 percent of water.
Aquifers are underground reservoirs that can be tapped for water when wells are dug until they reach the top of the aquifer. This layer is called the water table. The water table sinks lower when a considerable amount of water is pumped from an aquifer or during a dry spell.
Reduced river flows and increased water temperature will lead to declining water quality as the dilution of water contaminants are reduced, less oxygen is dissolved in water and microbiological activity increases.
Buildings and communities
Cities of the future need to adapt to climate change. First, they have to contribute less to the causes of climate change by minimizing waste, reducing consumption and preserving open space. Cities must construct green buildings and green communities that encourage walking to reduce carbon emissions and fight the global problem of obesity. Second, they must be climate resilient and must be able to cope with the risks of climate change.
What can you and I do?
Our present rate of consumption and waste creation is harmful to our health. We are using resources 25 percent faster than they can be replaced. Zero waste must be everyone’s goal and this can be achieved by composting and recycling. We have to live the 3 Rs in sustainable living: reduce, reuse, recycle. Sustainable consumption means knowing what we need from what we want.
Low carbon living is an understatement. The bigger energy guzzlers are homes than cars. Houses consume lumber, energy and other resources, and excrete waste. The middle-class household produces yearly 3,500 pounds of garbage, 450,000 gallons of wastewater and 25,000 pounds of carbon dioxide.
Investment in safe rain water harvesting during the long rainy season will bring abundant benefits during the hot season. Instead of building concrete gardens which is a very common practice, we can build underground water cisterns to store rain water for watering plants and flushing toilets. Then we can preserve open and green space above the cistern and be more environmentally responsive.
Accessible information on the life cycle of economic products and our energy usage should peter down to the community level. NGOs, pressure groups, local communities, school children should take an active interest in methods of adaptation to climate change.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
High-fat diet can cause impotence
By Cory Quirino
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DO you know that men who eat food high in cholesterol are at great risk of becoming impotent?
Studies have shown that men aged 25-83 whose cholesterol levels are higher than 240 mg/dl are twice as likely to have trouble achieving or maintaining an erection than men with cholesterol levels below 180 mg/dl.
Cleansing cures
A high-fat diet of saturated fats/animal meats narrows arteries and blocks blood flow to your heart. These are the same arteries that carry blood to the penis.
Note: Blood has to reach the penis for an erection to take place.
Tips
1. Load up on lean meat, poultry, fish.
2. Exercise daily.
3. Take a multi-vitamin, multi-mineral supplement.
4. Increase vegetable/fruit intake.
5. Don’t smoke. Smoking limits blood flow and contributes to blockages in the arteries.
6. Try a new, potent combination of five mushrooms such as reishi, shiitake, agaricus, maitake, cordyceps (regarded by Chinese, Japanese herbal natural medicine experts as effective).
Incontinence
Afflicting mostly women, incontinence is defined as the “lack of bladder and/or bowel control.”
Stress incontinence–leakage of small amounts of urine when you lift or strain, cough/sneeze caused by menopause, pregnancy, pelvic injury and excessive weight.
Urgency incontinence–urgent need to urinate caused by stroke, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease.
Overflow incontinence–spilling over of small amounts of urine when the bladder is very full.
Causes: urinary blockage, nerve damage, spinal cord injury.
Remedies: Pelvic muscle exercises.
Kegel exercise can strengthen your pelvic muscle if you do it regularly.
Here’s how: Imagine that you are trying to hold back bowel movement by tightening the muscles around your anus.
These muscles are powerful. Exercising them without involving your legs, buttocks or belly muscles will give you back not only bladder control but also more orgasms. Start exercising—contract, release, contract, release at least 100 times a day.
Smoking affects your bladder, so don’t smoke. A smoker’s cough places a great amount of stress on your bladder. The tobacco itself affects the urethra and bladder.
Coconut water therapy– Drink one glass of coconut water daily to cleanse your bladder.
Red juice cleansing–a synergetic blend of 30 vegetables and fruits, including sambong and cranberry will expel toxins from your bladder.
The amazing recovery of 36-year-old Julius Castillo from stage five chronic renal failure after consuming two bottles of red juice in 10 days was featured in a TV show (red juice is available at World of Wellness, V-mall, SM Fairview and all Mercury drugstores).
Irritability
Declare freedom from mood swings, outbursts of anger and impatience. Relax. Take vitamin B.
More tips
Declare a few minutes of “Don’t bother me.” Do slow breathing, close your eyes and visualize your stress is gone.
Take an anti-stress capsule called Morin, made from natural moringa, known to cleanse the blood and boost iron levels.
Affirm: “I declare my freedom from illness.”
Love and light!
Philippine Daily Inquirer
DO you know that men who eat food high in cholesterol are at great risk of becoming impotent?
Studies have shown that men aged 25-83 whose cholesterol levels are higher than 240 mg/dl are twice as likely to have trouble achieving or maintaining an erection than men with cholesterol levels below 180 mg/dl.
Cleansing cures
A high-fat diet of saturated fats/animal meats narrows arteries and blocks blood flow to your heart. These are the same arteries that carry blood to the penis.
Note: Blood has to reach the penis for an erection to take place.
Tips
1. Load up on lean meat, poultry, fish.
2. Exercise daily.
3. Take a multi-vitamin, multi-mineral supplement.
4. Increase vegetable/fruit intake.
5. Don’t smoke. Smoking limits blood flow and contributes to blockages in the arteries.
6. Try a new, potent combination of five mushrooms such as reishi, shiitake, agaricus, maitake, cordyceps (regarded by Chinese, Japanese herbal natural medicine experts as effective).
Incontinence
Afflicting mostly women, incontinence is defined as the “lack of bladder and/or bowel control.”
Stress incontinence–leakage of small amounts of urine when you lift or strain, cough/sneeze caused by menopause, pregnancy, pelvic injury and excessive weight.
Urgency incontinence–urgent need to urinate caused by stroke, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease.
Overflow incontinence–spilling over of small amounts of urine when the bladder is very full.
Causes: urinary blockage, nerve damage, spinal cord injury.
Remedies: Pelvic muscle exercises.
Kegel exercise can strengthen your pelvic muscle if you do it regularly.
Here’s how: Imagine that you are trying to hold back bowel movement by tightening the muscles around your anus.
These muscles are powerful. Exercising them without involving your legs, buttocks or belly muscles will give you back not only bladder control but also more orgasms. Start exercising—contract, release, contract, release at least 100 times a day.
Smoking affects your bladder, so don’t smoke. A smoker’s cough places a great amount of stress on your bladder. The tobacco itself affects the urethra and bladder.
Coconut water therapy– Drink one glass of coconut water daily to cleanse your bladder.
Red juice cleansing–a synergetic blend of 30 vegetables and fruits, including sambong and cranberry will expel toxins from your bladder.
The amazing recovery of 36-year-old Julius Castillo from stage five chronic renal failure after consuming two bottles of red juice in 10 days was featured in a TV show (red juice is available at World of Wellness, V-mall, SM Fairview and all Mercury drugstores).
Irritability
Declare freedom from mood swings, outbursts of anger and impatience. Relax. Take vitamin B.
More tips
Declare a few minutes of “Don’t bother me.” Do slow breathing, close your eyes and visualize your stress is gone.
Take an anti-stress capsule called Morin, made from natural moringa, known to cleanse the blood and boost iron levels.
Affirm: “I declare my freedom from illness.”
Love and light!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Chronic Pain: Can Acupuncture Help?
by Dr. Rob for MSN Health & Fitness
Q. Do you recommend acupuncture for chronic pain, like arthritis? Is there any harm in tr
A. Even though we have made tremendous advances with medications to treat acute pain, when it comes to chronic pain, there’s no one-size-fits-all fix. The reason: Chronic pain often takes a huge physical as well as emotional toll on both the person with the pain and their loved ones.
Because chronic pain deeply affects a person’s life, a treatment plan usually involves a “team” of approaches. This individualized plan, based on a patient’s particular needs, may involve a combination of drug and “complementary” or non-drug therapies. These non-drug therapies include, among other options, osteopathic manipulative therapy, chiropractic treatments, exercise, physical therapy, biofeedback, massage, cognitive behavioral therapy and, your choice, acupuncture.
While acupuncture has been used for more than two centuries in China, it had been slow to catch on in western society. Thankfully, that seems to be changing. The World Health Organization has endorsed acupuncture as a treatment for more than 40 medical conditions, including chronic pain. Finally, this side of the Pacific seems to be getting the point (sorry, bad pun) that acupuncture can play a role in pain management.
So, do I endorse acupuncture? Yes, but—and this is key—it’s important to realize that acupuncture does not cure the problem and that every person’s response is different. However, acupuncture has been shown to help ease pain associated with a number of chronic conditions, such as:
* Osteoarthritis of the knees
* Low back and neck pain
* Pelvic pain
* Migraine headaches
* Dental pain
* Fibromyalgia and soft-tissue pain
* Tennis elbow
* Post-surgical pain
Regarding the risks, in the hands of a skilled practitioner, acupuncture is generally very safe and well tolerated. However, please take the following precautions:
* Before beginning treatment, speak with your primary care provider. He or she can often help you find a good acupuncturist.
* Check to make sure the acupuncturist uses disposable (preferably) or sterilized needles.
* If you are offered herbal supplements or loosely packed herbs in addition to your acupuncture treatments, you must verify their safety. There have been several warnings regarding oriental herbs being tainted with arsenic, lead and other impurities. One way to protect yourself is to buy name brand supplements, which list the UPC certification on the label. This assures you of the ingredients contained in the supplement.
* Additionally, if you take supplements, be sure to check with your physician or pharmacist to ensure they do not interact with your current medication(s) or medical condition.
* Tell the acupuncturist about your medical history, including a list of your medications.
* Choose a licensed and certified acupuncturist. You can research an acupuncturist’s qualifications at the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine or the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture.
You may encounter people in the health care field who have mixed feelings about acupuncture or complementary therapies in general. That's why it is important to work with a physician whose treatment philosophy is in line with your own. Sometimes there is no right answer, and the success of a treatment program comes down to this: the patient's belief, as well as confidence, that his or her specific treatment plan will work.
Q. Do you recommend acupuncture for chronic pain, like arthritis? Is there any harm in tr
A. Even though we have made tremendous advances with medications to treat acute pain, when it comes to chronic pain, there’s no one-size-fits-all fix. The reason: Chronic pain often takes a huge physical as well as emotional toll on both the person with the pain and their loved ones.
Because chronic pain deeply affects a person’s life, a treatment plan usually involves a “team” of approaches. This individualized plan, based on a patient’s particular needs, may involve a combination of drug and “complementary” or non-drug therapies. These non-drug therapies include, among other options, osteopathic manipulative therapy, chiropractic treatments, exercise, physical therapy, biofeedback, massage, cognitive behavioral therapy and, your choice, acupuncture.
While acupuncture has been used for more than two centuries in China, it had been slow to catch on in western society. Thankfully, that seems to be changing. The World Health Organization has endorsed acupuncture as a treatment for more than 40 medical conditions, including chronic pain. Finally, this side of the Pacific seems to be getting the point (sorry, bad pun) that acupuncture can play a role in pain management.
So, do I endorse acupuncture? Yes, but—and this is key—it’s important to realize that acupuncture does not cure the problem and that every person’s response is different. However, acupuncture has been shown to help ease pain associated with a number of chronic conditions, such as:
* Osteoarthritis of the knees
* Low back and neck pain
* Pelvic pain
* Migraine headaches
* Dental pain
* Fibromyalgia and soft-tissue pain
* Tennis elbow
* Post-surgical pain
Regarding the risks, in the hands of a skilled practitioner, acupuncture is generally very safe and well tolerated. However, please take the following precautions:
* Before beginning treatment, speak with your primary care provider. He or she can often help you find a good acupuncturist.
* Check to make sure the acupuncturist uses disposable (preferably) or sterilized needles.
* If you are offered herbal supplements or loosely packed herbs in addition to your acupuncture treatments, you must verify their safety. There have been several warnings regarding oriental herbs being tainted with arsenic, lead and other impurities. One way to protect yourself is to buy name brand supplements, which list the UPC certification on the label. This assures you of the ingredients contained in the supplement.
* Additionally, if you take supplements, be sure to check with your physician or pharmacist to ensure they do not interact with your current medication(s) or medical condition.
* Tell the acupuncturist about your medical history, including a list of your medications.
* Choose a licensed and certified acupuncturist. You can research an acupuncturist’s qualifications at the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine or the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture.
You may encounter people in the health care field who have mixed feelings about acupuncture or complementary therapies in general. That's why it is important to work with a physician whose treatment philosophy is in line with your own. Sometimes there is no right answer, and the success of a treatment program comes down to this: the patient's belief, as well as confidence, that his or her specific treatment plan will work.
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