preMEDitated » medicine

What Every Woman Should Know About Diet Sodas

admin — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:31:35 +0000

If you are a woman and drink diet sodas, then you need to know about recent findings regarding diet sodas and kidney problems.
A recent study presented presented at the American Society of Nephrology’s 2009 annual meeting in San Diego, California reports that women who drink diet sodas are at greater risk for developing kidney disease. The study used kidney function data from 3,256 women enrolled in the Nurse’s Health Study to arrive at the conclusion.
The study also noted that sodas with sugar based sweeteners were found to have no effect on kidney function decline. A diet of two or more diet sodas a day, however, was associated with a doubling of the risk for kidney disease.
The mechanism for kidney decline associated with artificial sweeteners is as of yet unknown. Nevertheless although men were not included in the study, it is safe to assume that diet sodas could also damage their kidneys.

Cough and Phone

admin — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:30:53 +0000

Aside from being used for texting, calling, and playing innumerable games; the cell phone now has a chance for a more health oriented reason for existence. It may one day be used to diagnose diseases from the way a cough sounds.
Coughs are formed from a complex process starting as a sudden inhalation followed by silent expulsion of air, culminating in a burst of sound that can give clues to a patient’s condition. For example, a cough from a healthy individual is 2% louder than a sick one. Other factors such as the amount of mucus involved and the duration of the cough could aid in a quick diagnosis of disease conditions.
Unfortunately, variations of such sounds are too subtle for doctor’s and nurse’s ears to detect. Nevertheless, thanks funding from the Bill & Melissa Gates Foundation, a research firm called STAR Analytical Services is working on a project titled “Using Acoustic Analysis of Cough to Diagnosis Pneumonia.”
STAR would gather the characteristics of coughs from to produce a database that would be used to form cough profiles of diseases. In the future, it may then be possible for populations without immediate access to health professionals to receive prompt diagnosis and treatment from them via the use of cell phones.
A similar study that has also received funding from the Gates foundation attempts to bypass some of the work of health professionals. Thanks to Udantha Abeyratne of the University of Queensland in Australia, a software installed on cell phones or MP3 players may one day be used to diagnose disease based on coughs.
Anyone want to play iCough?

Source: STAR Analytical Services Press Release

Female doctors ‘to outnumber male’

admin — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:26:00 +0000

By 2017, women would outnumber men in the medical field according to the BBC.
This does not come as a surprise to me considering that the current male to female ratio in my med school is about 1:3. I don’t know about the other schools in the country, but I’m guessing that we have the same figures. I have, however, heard that PGH artificially sets their ratio at 1:1.
Pretty soon women would occupy most of health care leadership. We might even have a female Health Secretary in the near future! If that means clinical duties would be led by the “gentler” sex, then I bet all medical students, interns, and residents whether male or female would breathe a collective sigh of relief.
NO MORE 24-HOUR DUTIES! YES TO HIGHER PAY!
Then the remaining male medical professionals would be such a rarity that health institutions would do everything to get a hold on them. Ahhh. It’s just the best of both worlds…

PS Not only would doctors of both sexes benefit from this, patients would also benefit from this. They would be treated with more empathy as this would soon become standard policy should females overrun the health sector…

Swine Flu Vaccine Available

admin — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:52:05 +0000

In the race to produce a vaccine against (A) H1N1, Novartis AG has just won first place. A day after the World Health Organization (WHO)’s upgrade of the swine flu outbreak status into a pandemic, the company announced that it produced the first batch of vaccines against the virus.
Unfortunately, the vaccine would not be available for public use until about September. Clinical trials to ascertain effectiveness and side effects would have to be done before distribution to begin.
In the meantime, people are advised to follow the cliche old rule of frequent hand washing and not touching the face. They could also opt to take the ordinary flu vaccine, which btw protects against the deadlier flu viruses, otherwise known as ordinary flu.

Disclaimer: The swine flu virus as well as other “ordinary” flu viruses could still mutate to become deadlier strains. What should be noted, however, is that the swine flu is considered to be “more dangerous” despite the lower numbers of infections is that it kills otherwise normal and healthy individuals. Nevertheless, other flu viruses could also mutate to achieve this type of severity.

Sources:
1. First batch of swine flu vaccine produced
2. WHO: Full Pandemic Flu Vaccine Production To Start In 2 Weeks
3. WHO: Swine flu pandemic has begun, 1st in 41 years

DON’T PANIC: Swine Flu is now a Pandemic!

admin — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:35:51 +0000

June 11, 2009 – The World Health Organization (WHO) has just declared the AH1/N1 outbreak as a pandemic, meaning that the outbreak is now beyond epidemic proportions.
The AH1/N1 virus, more commonly known as swine flu is responsible for 141 deaths and 27,737 confirmed infections in 74 countries. Yet despite those figures, WHO and the Department of Health (DOH) are one in saying, “DO NOT PANIC.”
Most cases, especially all cases (77) found in the Philippines, show only mild manifestations of the disease indistinguishable from the common flu. Symptoms of the disease may include fever, cough, colds, and rarely vomiting.
Unfortunately, the hype has caused many people to panic. Drug companies and some doctors have been quick to ride on the wave of hysteria*. People have been flocking to them in droves. They believe that getting injected with the current flu vaccine would protect them from the swine flue. In effect, their panic is filling up the purses of some doctors and drug companies.
Hygienic practices such as frequent hand washing, and not touching the nose, mouth, and eyes are more effective in preventing swine flu infection than the current flu vaccine. It would take a few more months for vaccine manufacturers to produce vaccines against AH1/N1.
Btw, it would be better for Filipinos to be more cautious against more dangerous diseases such as dengue than the swine flu. In Cagayan de Oro alone, 200 dengue cases were noted with 4 deaths. Swine flu has 27,737 cases worldwide but only 141 deaths.

*A well known drug company in a mall in Cagayan de Oro proudly advertised they had flu vaccines for sale.

Sources:
1. World Health Organization
2. Higher alert sought for rise in dengue cases
3. DOH warns vs overreaction to swine flu
4. WHO: Swine flu pandemic has begun, 1st in 41 years

Swine Flu: Don’t Blame the Pigs!

admin — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:20:40 +0000

A/H1N1, otherwise know as the “swine flu”, has caught the world holding its breath for fear of it breathing a lungful of contaminated air.
With a current casualty rating of 151 deaths, thousands of sick and infected persons, and stopping an entire metropolis in its tracks, A/H1N1 can no longer be ignored by the international community. Not to downplay the effects of this virus; which can cause dizziness, coughing, sneezing, and basically everything associated with other flu viruses; but its name has branded a certain population of the planet: pigs.
For the information of everyone, there are many subtypes of swine flu viruses. A/H1N1 is just one type in this category. Nevertheless, this subtype has gained for itself the title of being “the swine flu”. Yet despite its name, “A/H1N1 has not been isolated in pigs! The only thing link it has with the hogs is its structure, which, however, is not even a pure swine flu virus. The strain currently infecting the world has human and avian flu viruses parts in it.
Due to the nature of flu viruses, which are notoriously famous for their crossing over to different species, there is yet no conclusion as to what host (swine, human, or bird) caused the shift of this virus type to become contagious in a human-to-human type of transmission.
So in behalf of all the disparaged pigs in the world.
Please DO NOT:

1. Stop eating pork – Give pigs the chance to fulfill their lives’ yummy purpose, specifically being enjoyed on the dining table.
2. Kill all swine in your country*

Sources:
1. Understanding Swine Flu Spread: Questions and Answers (Update1)
2. International SOS Swine Flu (“Pig Flu”) Update > FAQ
3. Egypt orders slaughter of all pigs over swine flu

* The intelligence of Egyptian Muslim officials is know highly suspect considering their recent order to kill all swine in their country.
Support the Christian minority (10%-30% of the population) in Egypt. Many of them base their income and livelihood and especially their diet on the condemned animals.

No, I Don’t Want that Filariasis in Me!

admin — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:19:56 +0000

Filariasis, specifically lymphatic filariasis, causes the dreaded illness called elephantiasis. Due to the SAFE FOR WORK nature of this blog, no images of elephantiasis would be shown on this site. For the curious and the masochistic among my readers, I suggest you google for pics.
Suffice it to say that I’ve just been given the standard treatment for the prevention of elephantiasis: 5 tablets of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and 1 tablet of Albendazole. I have yet to actually drink the stuff, but they’re now in my possession.
Call me a little paranoid, but I had been bitten by mosquitoes in a filariasis-endemic-community about 3 days ago. For those not in the know, filariasis is transmitted from the bite of a mosquito carrying filarial worms, taken from biting an infected patient. The government recommends endemic areas to hold mass medication drives to stop the chain of infection.

I don’t care if:

1. I was bitten at full noon when filariasis-carrier-mosquitoes (Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori) usually bite at night.
2. the last positive case confirmed by nocturnal blood testing happened years ago.
3. that that case was in a community several kilometers away from were I was bitten.
4. that side effects of the antiparasitic drug DEC include drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and a host of other rare symptoms.
5. that even some midwives who handle health centers in filariasis-endemic-areas don’t even take the regimen!

I just want to be sure I’m free even from risk. Heck! I don’t even care if elephantiasis does not show up in its irreversible, maiming, and disfiguring glory until 5 to 10 years after exposure.
I’m taking the drugs now. Yes, I’m already unsealing them from their precious containers. Pretty soon, I’ll be gulping them and they’ll do their work against the tiny worms, real or imagined, in my body.

Btw, if you live in a filariasis endemic area, I suggest you take the drugs. They are given free if you only but ask in your respective health center…

Pinoy MD Application (Update)

admin — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:21:10 +0000

Alarmed by the out-migration of Filipino doctors, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Department of Health (DOH) offers the Pinoy MD scholarship for those aspiring to become doctors. Benefits of the scholarship include:

1. Tuition Fees
2. Miscellaneous/Laboratory Fees
3. Living Subsidy
4. Lodging Allowance
5. Daily Transportation Allowance
6. Book and Uniform Allowance

for a total of Php 65637.00 per semester (as of June 2008).

Interested applicants may inquire at the medical school of their choice. Participating medical schools and their corresponding slots for 2009 Pinoy MD scholars include:

1. Emilio Aguinaldo Educational Group: 9 slots
2. Our Lady of Fatima University: 5 slots
3. Pamantasan ng Lunsod ng Maynila: 9 slots
4. University of the Philippines Manila: 6 slots
5. Cagayan State University: 9 slots
6. West Visayas State University: 9 slots
7. University of St. La Salle (Region VI): 5 slots
8. Iloilo Doctors College of Medicine: 5 slots
9. Southwestern University: 10 slots
10. UP School of Health Sciences: 10 slots
11. Mindanao State University: 14 slots
12. Davao Medical School Foundation: 9 slots
Finally, more details regarding the Pinoy MD scholarship.

Contact details for the schools can be found here.

Btw, they are now accepting participants from all sectors. Priority, however, will still be given to:

1. Applicants who have a combined Gross Family
Income of Php 50,000/month or Php
600,000/annum or lower.
2. Applicants who are part of, or are children of
Barangay Health Workers, government
employees or Indigenous People (IP).

Big downside for this scholarship, however, is the 2-year-service obligation to the government for every year of the scholarship enjoyed. Better be prepared for this!

Additional details can be found in this online brochure.

A Valentine Warning

Engr. Dr. — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:42:06 +0000

Even though the Philippines prides itself on its low HIV/AIDS prevalence, it is no guarantee that there would be no forthcoming epidemic. Even the Secretary of Health Francisco T. Duque III has mentioned that we are on the verge of a full-blown epidemic.
The Department of Health (DOH) has released the following data. From 20 cases a month for previous years, the number of new HIV positive cases has risen to 29 a month in 2007. The total HIV cases reported in the country since 1984 has reached to over 3,305; of which 793 developed full-blown AIDS. 310 of this number have already died.
The DOH also reports that transmission of the virus through heterosexual contact dropped from 193 cases in 2006 to 139 cases in 2007. Homosexual and bisexual transmission, however, have increased. Transmission through homosexual (81 cases in 2006 to 107 cases in 2007) and bisexual (26 cases in 2006 to 74 in 2007).
I wouldn’t go on lecturing about the evils of immorality or whatnot. I’m sure people already know whether their actions are good or not. I’m just posting this friendly Valentine reminder:

If legs cannot be closed or if pants must come off, then at least make every effort to be safe.

Remember that the reported HIV cases are only the tip of the iceberg. There is no regular HIV screening in the country, and most people wouldn’t even think of having themselves screened. The actual prevalence of HIV could be many times the reported number of 3,305.

Please save yourself from pain and don’t get infected.

Please save the doctors from the added burden of caring for more AIDS patients…

Source:
1. The Philippine Daily Inquirer

Pranic Healing?

Engr. Dr. — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:56:29 +0000

Pranic healing works!
Or so the doctor who introduced us to a basic pranic healing course told us. He, of course, said that he was not forcing us to believe — the usual disclaimer for all things that reek of alternative medicine. He only asked us to have an open mind. The following is what I understood from him.

So-called aura around so-called healer

Pranic healing “works” on the basis of manipulating prana or life energy, produced from chakras. The human body is said to emanate another body aside from the visible body. This is called the ethereal body.
The ethereal body is composed of the inner aura, and the outer aura. Whatever happens to the body is reflected by the condition of the inner aura. So-called pranic healers claim to be able to assess the condition of the inner aura, and consequently diagnose bodily conditions. They also claim to be able to cleanse and energize this aura, which would consequently heal the body.

We were also shown a video showing people who claimed to have benefited from pranic healing. A “master” merely flicked his hands around people which supposedly cured them. Yet aside from testimonials coming from unheard of Russian doctors from the Cold War, the whole pranic healing affair is scientifically unsubstantiated.
To me, the whole show reeked of the placebo effect. It also reeked of the less familiar Hawthorne effect, wherein the mere presence of a medical practitioner is enough to make a person feel better. It could also mean that those people were lying to their teeth.
In short, I am unconvinced about the so-called benefits of so-called pranic “healing”.
I maintain open mind, but I naturally close it to such far-fetched concepts as pranic healing. There is no such thing as prana. Hence, there could never be a thing such as pranic healing.
Prana and chakra should be left to the fantasy world of Naruto and his friends.