Sunday, September 12, 2010

DOH New Dengue Strategy

The Department of Health has recently devised their new D.E.N.G.U.E. strategy. Instead of confining patients in a hospital facility, parents and caregivers can practice the D.E.N.G.U.E. strategy. D.E.N.G.U.E. stands for:
D - daily monitoring of patient’s status,
E - encourage intake of oral fluids like oresol, water, juices, etc,
N – note any dengue warning signs like persistent vomiting and bleeding,
G – give paracetamol for fever and NOT aspirin, because aspirin induces bleeding,
U – use mosquito nets and
E – early consultation is advised for any warning signs,

This new strategy aims to educate the public on home treatment of mild dengue cases which comprise a greater part of the number of patients with dengue. This is to also help decongest hospitals by giving an assurance that not all dengue cases require hospital confinement but can be managed at home using the said strategy.

Read more at the DOH website.

Dengue News: Death toll from dengue rises to 501

MANILA, Philippines – Climate change could be one of the reasons behind the alarming rise in the number of dengue cases in the country, which has so far killed over 500 people, a health official said Saturday.

Dr. Eric Tayag, head of the Department of Health’s (DOH) National Epidemiology Center, said mosquitoes carrying the dengue virus now have more areas to breed.

He said rapid urbanization and overpopulation also contribute to the outbreak in several areas around the country.

Tayag explained that mosquitoes breed either in stagnant water or inside containers where people store water.
The insects also thrive in flood waters.

The DOH has recorded 69,594 dengue cases across the country from January to August 28  this year.

It is the largest number of dengue cases in a single year, the DOH said.

Tayag told radio dzMM that 501 people, mostly children, have died from the illness. In 2009, there were 369 deaths.

Most of the dengue cases were recorded in Western Visayas, Southern Luzon, Central and Eastern Mindanao, and Metro Manila.

Tayag said dengue cases are rising in Metro Manila while the provinces are seeing a decrease.

He said DOH tests detected 3 different dengue strains that are now causing havoc in affected areas. ABS-CBN News

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Probiotics and Natural Health

In the world of medical advancements and improvements, natural health has taken the interests of many health-conscious consumers and practitioners. Probiotics, in particular, have weaved its way in the area of natural health. Many studies have been done to know the effects of probiotics in your body.

Not all bacteria are bad for your health. In fact, a number of good bacteria are present in your body. Probiotics are the good microorganisms similar to those that are present in your digestive system.  When taken in adequate amounts, these will greatly improve your health. You can get probiotics by taking dietary supplements or by consuming foods that have probiotics in them.

There are many benefits and purposes of probiotics. Some of them are as follows:
•    To treat some diseases
•    To boost your immune system
•    To improve general wellness
•    To prevent certain illnesses.

Here are some common health conditions that probiotics are known to help prevent and treat:

•    Diarrhea – The presence of probiotics in your body will greatly improve your digestion. It is said that probiotics are very effective in treating diarrhea that is caused by Rotavirus. Probiotics regulate absorption and improve the time that the food travels through your intestinal tract.
•    Vaginal Yeast Infections – A study have shown that there have been great improvements on the cases of patients with Candida (Yeast) infections and who took probiotics than those who didn't. The good bacteria decrease the pH levels of these participants. 
•    Inflammatory bowel disease – Probiotics alter your intestinal environment to prevent the condition from worsening. These good bacteria help prevent a relapse of Crohn's disease and help patients on remission from Ulcerative colitis
•    Constipation – In older individuals, probiotics can help prevent the occurrence of constipation by improving their digestion.
•    Cancer – By boosting your immune system, probiotics can help prevent certain types of cancer.
•    Other diseases such as atopic dermatitis on children, and infections caused by H. pylori and Clostridium Difficile.

With the many benefits of probiotics, it is not surprising that people are easily convinced to take them. Keep in mind though, that probiotics also have some mild side effects, like bloating. You have to only take them in the right amount. People who have low immune system should consult their doctors first before taking in probiotics. Some good microorganisms, while beneficial to healthy individuals, may not be beneficial to those who already have a low immune system.

Taking probiotics to improve your general health is greatly beneficial. They help you absorb and use the nutrients that are already present in your body like calcium, vitamin B, iron, copper and zinc. Your immune system will also improve when you have an adequate amount of probiotics as they regulate antibodies and lymphocytes, which are known to fight harmful bacteria and protect you from serious illnesses.

Good bacteria are vital to your body. Probiotics will give you all the help you need to improve your natural health, but remember, anything that concerns your health must always be consulted to your doctor. There are no taking chances to a healthy you.

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Get Into The Tofu Habit For A Naturally Healthy You

Tofu can be a valuable source of protein, iron...Image via WikipediaTofu is a popular to most vegetarians. It is packed with nutrition and can easily substitute for meats. It is made of soybeans and is low in cholesterol, fat and calories. Tofu is very popular among vegetarians because it is a great source of protein. Whether you're a vegetarian or not, it is a very healthy idea to include tofu in your diet because it provides your body with the nutrients you need.

Here are some benefits you can get from eating tofu:

Good for the heart
Tofu is low in calories, cholesterol and fats. We all know that too much cholesterol and fats will increase your risk of getting cardiovascular diseases. Tofu lowers the amount of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and maintains a good amount of High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) in your body. LDLs are known as the bad cholesterol. Excess amount of LDL will eventually result to serious heart illnesses. It also contains Omega 3. A nutrient that is important to keep your heart healthy.

Makes your Bones strong and healthy

Tofu is rich in calcium that is very much needed in keeping your bones strong. As you get older, you'll need more calcium in your body to prevent your bones from getting brittle and weak. Eating tofu also prevents you from developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Rich in protein and Vitamin B
This is most popular reason vegetarians eat tofu. Since they don't eat meat, they lack protein in their diet. Tofu is packed with protein and vitamin B. Tofu has a high amount of protein. Eating Tofu gives vegetarians the amount of protein they need without having to resort to eating meat.

Contains Isoflavones

Isoflavones help lower the amount of LDL in your body. They are known as cholesterol fighters. Isoflavones also work like estrogen. Combined with protein, tofu is very effective in fighting off certain diseases and types of cancer. Women on the pre- menopausal and menopausal stage can greatly benefit from tofu. The estrogen in tofu helps regulate hormone levels. During menopause, women experience hormonal imbalances due to the reduction of estrogen in their system. Without this hormone, women become prone to health conditions like osteoporosis and breast cancer. In men, isoflavones help reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer.

Powerful Antioxidant
Some people like to eat tofu because it is very rich in antioxidants that fight off radicals and other harmful microorganisms in the body. Having an adequate amount of antioxidant in your body is also known to prevent certain cancers.

Maintains Weight
Tofu can help you lose weight without losing important nutrients in your body. You get enough amount of protein that you get from meat without the fat. A study had shown that people who eat tofu have lower hunger cravings and stay full longer than those who don't eat tofu.

Tofu has many benefits. It is not an exclusive food for vegetarians. Eating tofu is one way of improving your natural health. To make eating tofu more delightful, try learning different tofu recipes.

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A Shot of Wheatgrass Juice Everyday Keeps the Doctor Away

Indoor grown wheatgrass grows from 8-14 days b...Image via WikipediaPeople have taken interest on wheatgrass because of the many health benefits it gives. For the health-conscious individuals, wheatgrass juice is the way to go. If you are planning on taking the natural road to a healthy you, here are some things you have to know to get you started on wheatgrass juice.

What is wheatgrass?

Wheatgrass is the young grass of wheat plant that is dried or juiced. Because it has a high amount of Chlorophyll, it is rich in many vitamins and minerals. Studies have shown that wheatgrass has various curative and detoxifying functions.

Because wheatgrass has increased in popularity for some time now, you can easily buy wheatgrass prepared in various forms. Some bars and restaurants also included wheatgrass juice in their menu.

What are the benefits of taking wheatgrass?

• Improves metabolism and cares for your heart
Wheatgrass is good for your heart as it lowers down your blood pressure. It also makes your blood healthier by increasing the red blood cells in your blood. The properties of wheatgrass also reduce the acidity of your blood because wheatgrass is very rich in alkaline minerals. Taking wheatgrass will also help enhance your thyroid functions. It is also said that wheatgrass is effective in treating gastrointestinal diseases like constipation, diarrhea, peptic ulcers and ulcerative colitis.

• detoxifying agent
Because of the presence of minerals and antioxidants, wheatgrass is a very effective detoxifying agent. It also fights off and gets rid of harmful chemicals and other substances that may develop into various types of cancers and other illnesses. Wheatgrass makes your blood healthy and cleanses the liver effectively. Using this to treat tumors and toxins helps patient recover from their illnesses without the harmful side effects of synthetic drugs.

• Slows down the aging process
Aging is part of an individual's normal growth and development but it doesn't mean that your health should be affected by aging. Taking wheatgrass puts aging on a different level. It does not only slows down the process, but it makes you age healthily by cleansing your body off harmful toxins and keeping your cells healthy.

• Aids individuals to lose weight
Wheatgrass has fat-burning properties. It also suppresses your appetite. Losing weight doesn't have to mean taking those weight-loss pills or undergoing surgery. A regular dose of wheatgrass will do wonders to your body.

Preparations

The popularity of wheatgrass resulted to it being available in various forms. Now, you can take wheatgrass in powdered juice, tablets or through juice shots.

Some people also decide to grow wheatgrass in their homes so they can always have it easily available to them. Whatever preparations you prefer, the important thing is to be able to have your regular intake of wheatgrass.

Wheatgrass juice is prepared like any other type of juice. Add water and enjoy. You can also add some ice. Juice shots are also available in the market. A 5ml shot is equal to a tablet of wheatgrass. Wheatgrass tablets are taken twice daily.

Wheatgrass has many healthy benefits for you. Take a dose of wheatgrass everyday and start your journey to a healthier you.