I first went to Metro South Hospital Friday night for an emergency – fever rising, stomach pains, bloated feeling, vomiting and loose bowel movement. They ran blood and fecalysis tests and found out that I had this bacteria lurking inside my tummy, but they said it was nothing major. The doctor issued me his prescription and sent me home while I wondered why he didn’t even recommend subjecting me to a longer observation in their emergency room. I was in their hospital for less than 2 hours.

Taking his word (nothing serious), I bought the drugs and started medication. What followed after 2 a.m. were almost 18 more trips to the bathroom, high fever, stomach cramps and more vomiting. Saturday afternoon, my mom decided to take me to Asian Hospital. Because I looked like someone who is about to die.

Upon arrival, I was immediately attended by an ER doctor and nurses. I was confined in their observation room for almost 4 hours for immediate treatment and hydration. When the lab tests came, I was admitted under the care of a gastroenterologist.

Almost 40 trips to the toilet, 38-degree fever, rumbling tummy, ingesting various drugs and being leashed to the IV/Dextrose machine for 48 hours were the highlights of my long weekend. Glad that there was cable TV, a bit okay with the low fat low sodium diet (because I want to live). Imagine the boredom, but I’m glad to still be alive.

Here are the things I learned from this experience:

Do not seek emergency treatment from some unknown hospital. If I have continued to follow the prescription given to me by Metro South Hospital Cavite doctor, I would have been dried up as prune and presumably dead by now.

If you’re employed, make sure that you are enrolled under an HMO plan to cover for your hospitalization. PhilHealth usually covers 20% of the hospital bill. I did not shell out a centavo during my confinement, except for the advance I made for PhilHealth portion which will be reimbursed to me in 3 months. Just because it was a holiday and no one is going to process my PhilHealth papers before I get discharged. (Still lousy government health plan.)

Note: Photo from lasiksurgeryclinic.com

What do most people look for a dermatological clinic? Quality of service, expertise and budget.

I had quite a number of experiences visiting facial salons and going under various pricking instruments. I had been steamed, pricked, turned over and offered various medications, hoping for a better looking skin. It was a huge investment of time, money and pain. There is truth to the saying “No pain, no gain”.

Everyone promised better solutions, so let’s check who among them lived up to the promise…and my expectations.

Luz Facial Center
This was the first facial salon I visited ten years ago. The clinic was housed inside an old building located along EDSA in Cubao, near the Araneta Center. The interior was painted white, with a number of cubicles for facial treatments. The aestheticians were dressed in red gowns, as if they’re part of a Chinese new year celebration. The therapists were nice and polite. Been there for a number of times, but I had to stop because there was a time I felt nauseous and dizzy after a treatment. I think their chemicals fried my brains that time.

Dermstrata
A friend took me to Dermstrata in Parksquare in 2003. I was happy with the service – diamond peel and a free massage – so I looked for a branch near my workplace and frequented it. But after a year of getting facials and using their medications, there was a little progress. I think my skin fell immune to any of their treatments that they no longer had effect on me.

Bioessence
Friendly therapists and managers who were taught well on how to upsell their products and services. While they are good at looking after your needs, they made no bones about making a sale. I bought from them various facial products while maintaining my P1000 facial per visit. Pretty expensive with no lasting results. I just kept on coming back to them with the same problem.

Godiva
I was happy with the service, having a permanent aesthetician taking care for my problematic skin. Budget-friendly and they didn’t do that much hardsell. You know that they’re sincere in making you beautiful. But I had to switch to another clinic after I moved in to another city.

Nisce
Tried this once but their service in one of their branches in the south was not good. They’re a little expensive as well.

DermCare
I can say I found a gem around my neck of the woods! Unbelievably affordable considering the quality of their facial treatment that would have been priced higher by other establishments. Good ambience and friendly staff. Looking forward to another visit soon.

So we’ve been eating and growing greens in our backyards, flower pots and huge farms. The more greens we have, the better for the environment. And if this matter implanted in the green salads we take in, it could cleanse the body, and probably some green minds too.

I was surprised to find that chlorophyll now comes in various forms like an over-the-counter medicine, acne treatment or glutathione – capsules, powder and liquid. Nice casing too – glass or plastic bottles and cute boxes with curious names and “food supplement” taglines. Price range is between P500-P2000, depending on which mixture you choose.

Weirds me out, although this is no longer surprising about this news since we’ve been selling oxygen in cannisters and tanks. (I would have to see a powder version.) But I would still prefer going the natural way – plant trees, eat green leafy vegetables, exercise and drink water.

There is a study in the United States that came out regarding flip-flops. Justin Shroyer, an assistant professor of kinesiology at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, cited some problems caused by wearing flip-flops.

- people work the muscles in their shins harder when trying to grip and hold flip-flops in place
- shortened strides while wearing flip-flops strain the lower legs

Other doctors also confirmed these findings:

- flip-flops don’t have shock-absorbing qualities like shoes
- wearing flip-flops would shorten your strides causing your foot and leg muscles to work harder

With these findings, the doctors recommend wearing your favorite pair to a few hours a day to reduce foot, ankle, knee, leg, hip and even back injuries. If you’re a die-hard flip-flop fan, then you should look into these qualities before buying another pair:

- check for a pair with a wider strap
- a back-strap reduces foot strain
- choose a more contoured flip-flop

If there is a list of fda approved diet pills, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) came up with a list of flip-flops they recommend.

Chaco, Inc.
Chaco Flips Collection (men’s and women’s Webbing and Leather; men’s Fuse and Latitude; and women’s Eclipse and Intersect)

Dansko LLC
Acadia Collection (Kari, Kelsey)
Beacon Hill Collection (Raquel, Raven, Roz, Runa)
Bellmont Collection (Bliss)
Cambridge Collection (Val, Vannesa, Vibeka, Vita)
Capri Collection (Carmen, Caroline, Colette)
Charlestown Collection (Daria, Delaney, Demmi)
Golden Gate Collection (Mallory, Mandolin, Marin, Marley, Meg)
Louvre Collection (Adele, Alize)
Next Gen Collection (Carson, Cooper, Cutter)
Sausalito Collection (Sally, Sela, Serena, Sigrid, Sissy, Solitaire, Sunny, Surraya)

FitFlop Limited
Clog (a/w 10), Clog (Gogh), Dass, Electra, Fiorella, Happy Gogh, Hyka, Hyker, Leather Boot Short, Leather Boot Tall, Medical/Professional Shoe, Mukluk Short, Mukluk Tall, Oasis, Pietra, Rebel, Riata, Rockstar, Roma, Shakoha, Strap, Suede Boot Short, Ultra Lounge, Walkstar 1, and Walkstar 3

Orthaheel (Vasyli)
Key West women’s Medical Sandal, Del Mar men’s Medical Sandal, Ryder Sandal, Tide Sandal, Seatrek women’s Sandal, Wave Orthotic Sandals (Kinetic, Kiwi, Seaside, Seaview, Solano, and South Beach)

Reebok International Ltd.
Ultra Versa II Sandal Toddler model

SOLE
Sole Platinum Sandal Sport Flip

Spenco Medical Corporation
Spenco® Total Support Performance Sandals

Wolky
Zen Collection (Serenity)

Here’s the shocking thing. I found out I weighed 10lbs heavier these days than I did a year ago. I pretty much have the idea that it was not just stress or lack of sleep. It was my bad dietary habit of starving myself during daytime and getting into a full meal at night. Not to mention that I move less these days, spending hours in front of the computer either working or just facebooking.

I have recently implemented a “no work at home” weekend policy, to reduce my stress levels and idle time sitting. Quite successful there. And I managed to include regular servings of fruits daily. And just today, we took off extra pounds of beef and meat from our grocery list, and diverted the budget to fruits, vegetables and fish.

While finalizing my gym enrollment, tomorrow is going to be the start of my “walk week”.

I’ve searched around and found significant amount of information about walking. It’s easy, simple and rather cheaper than your weight loss product. All you need is a pair of good shoes, a schedule, and a route. Then you’re good to go!

Here’s my Walk Week 1 plan:

- 15-minutes of brisk walking for 5 days
- Destination: just around the neighborhood
- Time: 6AM

Now the diet: Strictly NO RICE and heavy dinner. All in the name of fitness.

In one of my frequent trips to the mall, I happened to pass by a Body Shop store. Somehow I just got lucky to find that in the middle of January already, they were still having sale.

I am not so much of a Body Shop fan. I get body butter and shower gels as gifts from friends. But when I saw their new Tea Tree skin line, and scanned the labels quick, I decided to buy myself first an exfoliator facial wash (P650). In a week, I noticed it worked well in getting all dirt out of clogged pores, controlled excess oil and yes, even those nasty breakouts on my chin.

I thought about giving my regular adult acne treatment in my friend’s spa a break and try out what seemed to be a more natural alternative to pricking. The following week, I decided to add more to the line – tea tree toner (P450), night cream (P650) and a face powder (discounted at P717).

So far so good. I didn’t have that much breakouts for the past 3 weeks. Not to mention that my blemishes started to lighten too.

I really don’t recommend that you try these products. The treatment works differently with every skin type. I’ve read that not all people with acne are happy with tea tree products, Body Shop or not. Tea tree is not really a cure, but something that could be used to prevent unwanted eruptions. Acne is caused by different factors. (Mine can be blamed to genes aggravated by stress, lack of sleep and the ever polluted Manila environment.) I suggest consulting your dermatologist.

Wading in floodwaters of Karangalan Resort. I mean, Village.

If your children or family members enjoyed swimming in Ondoy or Pepeng’s floodwaters, this post is for you. And make sure to call your health provider to check on them. If you’re not the guilty party, always make sure to review that life insurance quote sleeping on your desk. Prepare for your future. You’ll never know.

Here’s the story.

My cousin’s husband was confined in a hospital where he was diagnosed to have leptospirosis. The disease manifested itself two weeks after Typhoon Ondoy left us swimming in bacteria-infested waters. It started as a fever, the feeling of fatigue and nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea and dehydration. He was rushed to the hospital when the pain in his stomach became unbearable. After a day of testing, the doctors found problems in his kidneys and liver. A series of testing and treatment followed and my cousin was notified that was not a case of diarrhea but the profound effect of leptospira bacteria.

There was already a report of an increased death (around 93) from leptospirosis in Metro Manila. Most cases are from severely flooded areas where most people spent their time wading in floodwaters. The bacteria comes from feces and urine of infected animals, usually rats, and it thrives in the water looking for hosts to feed on. The infection enters the human body through open wounds, cuts, abrasions, and mucous membranes. More serious cases lead to renal failure, meningitis, liver failure, and respiratory distress and even death.

To prevent the disease from catching up, it is important that the body is cleansed with soap and water after wading through dirty floodwaters. Wear booths and gloves. Avoid drinking contaminated water. If you are from the affected areas, see a doctor once any of the mentioned symptoms appear.

New Balance is initiating a fun run in September to raise funds for cancer patients and support cancer awareness programs in the country. Cancer in its many forms like mesothelioma, is one of the world’s top killers. The program kicked off with a press conference held at California Pizza Kitchen in Glorietta yesterday.
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Power Run hopes to raise funds for the beneficiaries of cancer patients of The Carewell Community, Philippine Cancer Society and Icanserve Foundation.

As usual, i didn’t escape those wrinkled brows as he inspected my 6-month old rebonded hair the way a doctor would check on his patients and shoot questions at them about their routines. I haven’t been faithful in shampooing every other day. I do it mostly everyday. (Come on, I live in a real polluted world.) But I promised Francis that if my hair falls out one day due to neglect, I’ll keep him out of it.

I had my hair cut short and a pedicure. Historically-speaking, long hair does not become me and Francis agrees with me for a simple reason like I’m too lazy to manage one. The weight of this mop, including body fat accumulating in wrong locations, drags my overall personality down and adds up years to my present age. And just recently, I have been called “mommy” by a taxi driver. Neth told me it could be a sign that I should really be serious at getting pretty and healthy. Mesothelioma cancer and its other dreaded relatives is something I wouldn’t want to acquire these days.

H1N1, known as the swine flu virus, first appeared in Mexico then in the United States just last March 2009. The pandemic caused panic in Mexico as more people were diagnosed with flu-like symptoms while others died. The United States declared a public health emergency. And lately, Manila is catching up with the trend.

Although I still have faith in Pinoy’s resilience to poverty, pollution and all types of germs, swine flu is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly in the absence of a sound public health program. So here are some ways to prevent the virus from possessing you:

1. Wash your hands at all times with soap and alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread through them.

3. Cover your nose when you sneeze and your mouth when you cough. Throw your tissue after use.

4. Avoid crowded places as much as you can. If you’re a cinema fanatic like me, better look for those exit signs, go home and watch DVD instead in your comfy sofa. But I won’t prevent you from trooping down the theaters when Transformers 2 debuts on silverscreen this month.

5. Eat healthy. Avoid stress. Take vitamins.