Sharing Cancer Resources

Cancer has been a deadly disease that threatens human life. I believe that our battle against this disease begins from being thoroughly informed. Thus, I would like to share some cancer information so that we would be enlightened with the different aspects and experiences involved with the disease.

Here is the link below:

breast-cancer-survivor-resources

Job at Home

There are times when you will find it hard to make both ends meet. Some resort to borrowing but added interests often worsen their situation. It's great when friends help out unconditionally but you cannot depend on other people's kindness all the time.

Perhaps the best solution is extra income. Work overtime or make use of some extra time you have to get a job while at home.

Check out this site that offers an opportunity to earn extra. It's absolutely free to join. Doing small jobs can earn a good deal for you. I tried it! It could also work for you.

http://StartMiniJobs.com/?userid=19021

Rules for Better Sleep - Part II

To those who are experiencing any kind of sleep disorder, the Rules for Better Sleep would be a big help. Here is the second part for your appreciation:

• Time to wind down is conducive to sleep. Engage in relaxing activities like reading, watching TV or listening to music thirty minutes before bedtime (and outside the bedroom).
• Avoid worrying in bed about not being able to sleep. If after ten to fifteen minutes you are still awake, get out of bed and go to another room. Do something relaxing. When you start getting tired or sleepy, go back to bed. Staying in bed and forcing yourself to fall asleep will only make you angry and frustrated, further aggravating a conditioned arousal (negative conditioning).
• If you find yourself "clock watching", turn the clock around or cover it so you cannot see it.

Compiled by Manalastas, R. Rules for Better Sleep
Comprehensive Sleep Disorder Center,
St. Luke’s Medical Center
Image Credit: internetmedicine.com

Rules for Better Sleep

Mom has trouble sleeping occasionally. Her geriatric doctor has prescribed a sleep inducing medicine to relieve her of the distress it brings to her. It causes uneasiness, irritation and discomfort. Often, she would talk almost endlessly the whole night, recalling the memories of her younger days. Sometimes, it pains me to see her that way. 

Recently, I have read a short article about sleeping disorder and I’ve thought of sharing it hear. If there are people out there who are experiencing a sleeping disorder, these simple rules could be of good help.

• Sleep only as much as needed to feel refreshed during the following day. Extended sleep will only lead to fragmented and shallow sleep. Restricting time in bed will lead to a consolidated sleep.

• Get up the same time each morning, weekdays and weekends. Regular wake-up time will lead to regular sleep onset times.

• Regular exercise in the morning deepens sleep. Exercising in the evening is stimulating and may lead to delay in sleep onset.

• Proper sleep environment is conducive to sleep. Avoid extreme temperature, bright light and noise in the bedroom.

• Late snack may promote sleep onset in some patients. Hunger or excessive fullness can disturb sleep. A cup of warm milk, a banana or a cookie is sufficient to quell hunger pains at night.

• Avoid drinking excessive liquids at night to minimize the need to get up to go to the bathroom. Getting up (at most twice) in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom is not unusual as long as you are able to go back to sleep.

• Avoid cigarettes, alcohol and caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, colas) in the evening. Caffeine and nicotine are stimulating. Alcohol may initially promote sleep, however, it leads to a fragmented sleep.

• Bed is only for sleep and sex (conducive to sleep). Remove from the bedroom all stimuli not associated with sleep. Activities like watching TV, eating and drinking, arguments, discussing and days problems and working may interfere with sleep onset.

to be continued...

Compiled by Manalastas, R. Rules for Better Sleep
Comprehensive Sleep Disorder Center,
St. Luke’s Medical Center
Image Credit: internetmedicine.com

What Is Detoxification?

Detoxification

“99 ABC’s of Wellness” Article Credit: The original article 99 ABC’s of Wellness is by Mylene Mendoza-Dayrit, which has appeared on the Philippine Star on January 12, 1999.

Principle #24: Detoxification

“Detoxification is the process of eliminating toxins from our bodies. Therapies used for this purpose include diet, supplementation, exercise and spa treatments. Crucial is intake of enough clean drinking water.” (Excerpt from the original article)

Detoxification is an alternative therapeutic approach to free the body from harmful substances that cause ill effects.

Dieting is one approach to achieve this purpose. Often, toxic substances also come from the food we eat like food with too much cholesterol content or trans fat, artificial flavorings, preservatives, etc. The objective of dieting is to remove these harmful substances by not eating any more of those harmful toxins and let the body remove the remaining toxins naturally. Diet may consist of carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, natural juices and herbs and non-fat dairy products or oatmeal.

One example of a detox diet plan is the Gerson Therapy. German physician Max Gerson believes that disease is caused by the accumulation of unspecified toxins, and attempts to treat the disease by having patients consume a predominantly vegetarian diet including hourly glasses of organic juice and various dietary supplements (source: wikipedia).

Fasting is one approach that proponents of detoxification promote. However, while it can be effective to some people, it may not be good for all because it may cause harm instead when overdone.

Taking food supplements also help speed up the detoxification of the body. Spirulina for example, has been found to prevent damage caused by toxins affecting the heart, liver, kidneys, neurons, eyes, ovaries, DNA, and testicles (source: wikipedia).

Trace minerals also supports a healthy, energetic body and wards off diseases. It is good for bones, teeth, soft tissue, muscle, blood & nerve cells, & stimulates muscle response, nerve impulse transmission, digestion, metabolism and hormone production. It also functions as co-enzyme and influences all metabolic processes.

Detox therapy also uses water cure. Detox proponents argue that drinking stomach-full of water can clean the bowel. They say that it has various health benefits although initially, it can cause loose bowel movement due to the increase of water intake. However, intake of water in large amount can lead to a rare but harmful case of water intoxication or water poisoning, which is fatal.

We need to be conscious of our health all the time. We need to watch our diet and keep a healthy lifestyle.

Image credit:
http://www.facebook.com/NutritionSolutionLifestyle?ref=ts&fref=ts

Cooking Method Affects Diet

Breaded Fish Fillet c/o Dreamstime.Com

“99 ABC’s of Wellness” Article Credit: The original article 99 ABC’s of Wellness is by Mylene Mendoza-Dayrit, which has appeared on the Philippine Star on January 12, 1999.

Principle #23: The Cooking Method

“The cooking method you use determines your food’s fat content...” (excerpt from the original article)

Many people say that frying is not a very healthy cooking method. It would still be best to boil steam or grill meat instead of frying it in oil.

According to wiki, frying is a method of cooking that dates back to ancient Egypt, which 2,500 years ago. Up to now, fried food is still the most popular method of cooking. Perhaps, people like frying because it is the easiest method of cooking and admittedly, the most delicious to the taste. Who would resist fried chicken?

In an article I have read, it says that - "New York Times" explains that using clean oil at the right temperature and removing the food at the right time before the hissing and sizzling ceases will prevent excess fat -- and calories -- from adhering to your chicken, fish or even Twinkie. The oil you choose can make a big difference as well. Olive oil does not get as hot as other cooking oils, which means you have to leave the food in longer and will up your fat and calorie count. Peanut oil has the highest flash point of comparable cooking oils and will require the least amount of cooking time. One cup of peanut oil has 1,910 calories. Corn and canola oils, both of which have high flash points as well, have 1,980 calories per cup. A cup of lard has 1,849 calories (http://www.livestrong.com/article/504208-how-many-calories-does-frying-add) 

Diet conscious individuals avoid fried dishes. They would opt for steamed fish or grilled meat. However, steamed dishes are bland so people add mayonnaise usually. So, if one fillet of steamed fish has 157 calories and a tablespoon of mayo has 57 calories, you will consume 214 calories already.

One fillet of grilled fish has 123 calories. Well, that’s 34 calories less than a steamed fish. While a fried battered fish has 267 calories. Consuming one fillet of fried battered fish is like eating two fillets of grilled fish! It could be more ‘cause most often, we would add some gravy to it so if you will consume 3 tablespoons of brown gravy, that would add up to 291 calories.

It seems healthier to prepare grilled food than fried but I guess, if you can balance your diet with an active lifestyle, you need not worry about some excess calorie intake. Just burn them and you will still be fat free.

Image above courtesy of:

www.dreamstime.com

Coloring Agents Can Be Hazardous to Health

Pigments

“99 ABC’s of Wellness” Article Credit: The original article 99 ABC’s of Wellness is by Mylene Mendoza-Dayrit, which has appeared on the Philippine Star on January 12, 1999.

Principle #22: Coloring Agents

“Coloring agents can make some innocent grocery and toiletry item cancer-causing. It is better to choose cosmetics and preparations which use natural colors”.

According to US-FDA, “A color additive, as defined by regulation, is any dye, pigment, or other substance that can impart color to a food, drug, or cosmetic or to the human body. Color additives are important components of many products, making them attractive, appealing, appetizing, and informative. Added color serves as a kind of code that allows us to identify products on sight, like candy flavors, medicine dosages, and left or right contact lenses. One of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) roles is to assure that color additives are safely and appropriately used.”

The skin is a very sensitive part of the human body. It flaunts the natural physical beauty of an individual. Once our skin gets damaged, our natural beauty goes with it.

Healthy skin is not just about being beautiful, though. It is part of the total wellness of a person. Fatal infections can enter through the skin and cause even more serious harm inside the body. It is very important that we care for our skin and choose cosmetics that use chemical ingredients like color additives properly.

Image above courtesy of:
http://www.reissviking.com/industries.aspx?industryid=11

The Sting of Pneumonia

WPA poster, 1936/1937 (c/o Wikipedia)

Last February I had a very bad flu with temperature reaching 39 to 40 degrees Celsius. I thought that it was just a common cold and cough so I just took simple over the counter medicines we see on TV commercials. However, to my dismay, they did not give relief.

When my fever died down, I thought I was getting well although the cough persisted and the phlegm seemed to accumulate more and deeper inside my chest. I just thought that it would go away soon.

February 18 was an important day because we would be having a musical play in church, which I wrote. Some of the songs were my composition too and our band would be doing the songs live so I could never skip that event!

The event was a success. However, right after the event, perhaps my adrenalin had somehow died down, I began to feel sick. The cough worsen and I began to have difficulty in breathing. Our pastor and some of the church elders who were still there that night decided to rush me to the nearest hospital. While in the emergency room, I learned from the doctor that I was showing signs of pneumonia infection.

I was confined for 2 days in the hospital and they gave me intravenous antibiotic to fight the infection. Medications continued at home with oral antibiotics, nebulizer and oral expectorant. The cough was so hard that I could not sleep. It seemed to worsen whenever I lie flat on my back.

A few weeks after, I recovered from the illness and in a matter of days, I went back to my usual routine. Again to my shock, after a two to three weeks, I was down with fever again. When I went to my doctor for check up, he said that I had pneumonitis again. It was twice in just two months time! My doctor gave me oral antibiotic, which is stronger than the previous one, antihistamine, liquid expectorant and nebulizer.

The saddest part, my Mom also had pneumonia at the same time and she was hospitalized. I might have transmitted it to her so we had to take medication together. She was confined for two days and received intravenous antibiotic. Thank God she recovered fast.

I realized that pneumonia is vicious and must not be undermined.

Can We Prevent Birth Defects?

This handout photograph released by the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) on April 16, 2012, shows a newly-born child with six legs as he lies in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward at a hospital in Karachi. Doctors in Pakistan are fighting to save the life of a baby boy born with six legs because of a rare genetic condition, hospital officials said.AFP PHOTO/NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH (c/o Yahoo!News)

There are bizarre circumstances in life that are hard to explain and understand like birth defects.

When I have seen in Yahoo News this photo of an infant in Pakistan who has been born with six legs, I have felt a sense of sorrow for his condition. Doctors are currently working to find a way to resolve the infant’s physical abnormality through surgery. I do pray that the doctors succeed with the operation so that the baby may have a chance to lead a normal life.

Well, science explains birth defects as structural or developmental abnormalities that are present at childbirth, which cause certain disability. Genetic disorder, chromosomal imbalance or infections during pregnancy are the possible causes of birth defects.

I’m wondering, is there a way of preventing birth defects?

Birth defect prevention is not an easy process as I have learned from some reading around the internet. Health professionals are still in the process of collecting valuable data to come up with a definite and precise answer to this issue.

However, in the website that I have visited, they have found out some vital information that leads to the prevention of birth defects. Allow me to share it here:

• Folic acid is a B vitamin. Taking folic acid supplements before getting pregnant and in early pregnancy lowers the risk of having a baby with serious birth defects of the brain and spine (neural tube defects). For this reason, all women who can become pregnant should take supplements containing 400 micrograms of folic acid every day.
• Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause the baby to be born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Pregnant women should not drink alcohol any time during pregnancy.
• Smoking in the month before getting pregnant and throughout pregnancy increases the chance of premature birth, certain birth defects (such as cleft lip, cleft palate, or both), and infant death. Quitting smoking before getting pregnant is best. However, for women who are already pregnant, quitting as early as possible can still help protect against some health problems.
• Women who are obese when they get pregnant have a higher risk of having a baby with serious birth defects of the brain and spine (neural tube defects) and some heart defects. Helping women to reach a healthy weight before they get pregnant could prevent birth defects.
• Poor control of diabetes in pregnant women increases the chance for birth defects, and might cause serious complications for the mother, too. If a woman with diabetes keeps her blood sugar well-controlled before and during pregnancy, she can reduce the chance of having a baby with birth defects.
• Taking certain medications just before or during pregnancy might cause serious birth defects, but the safety of many medications taken by pregnant women has been difficult to determine. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should not stop taking medications you need or begin taking new medications without first talking with your doctor. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medications and dietary or herbal products (http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/research.html)

I feel that this information is important for everyone to know so I am giving this valuable space here on my blog. Together, with proper knowledge, we can all contribute to the process of preventing birth defects by avoiding dangerous factors that may adversely affect pregnancy.

Is Cholesterol All Bad?

“99 ABC’s of Wellness” Article Credit: The original article 99 ABC’s of Wellness is by Mylene Mendoza-Dayrit, which has appeared on the Philippine Star on January 12, 1999.

Principle #21: Is Cholesterol All Bad?

“Cholesterol, the bad type, comes from meat and dairy products. The body produces its own serum of natural cholesterol so there is no need to include it in the diet. The good cholesterol only collects the bad ones and excesses are believed to sometimes turn into bad. Excess serum cholesterol is likewise linked to cancer. Hence, excess of any kind- LDL’s (bad), HDL’s (good), or serum cholesterol – is bad.” (excerpt from the original article)

The normal cholesterol level is between 131-200mg/dl. Beyond 200, one is starting to get into trouble.

Cholesterol is a vital component of our body. In fact, the brain is composed of cholesterol and the human breast milk has significant quantities of cholesterol. “It is an essential structural component of mammalian cell membranes and is required to establish proper membrane permeability and fluidity. In addition, cholesterol is an important component for the manufacture of bile acids, steroid hormones, and vitamin D” (source: wikipedia). The problem begins when the supply of cholesterol in blood becomes excessive. They can clog the arteries and cause them to erupt.

While a good amount of cholesterol in the body is essential to keep its normal function, any excess has potential danger particularly to the heart. It can lead to cardiovascular disease and even stroke.

As we always say, too much is always bad so we need to regulate our fat intake. We need to take care of our bodies to avoid deep complications later on in life.


Image above courtesy of:
en.wikipedia.org

What is Chelation Theraphy?

“99 ABC’s of Wellness” Article Credit: The original article 99 ABC’s of Wellness is by Mylene Mendoza-Dayrit, which has appeared on the Philippine Star on January 12, 1999."

Principle #20: What is Chelation Theraphy?

“Chelation Theraphy is a non-surgical alternative treatment for cardiovascular diseases, gangrene and metal toxicities” (excerpt from the original article)

In recent years, many patients search for alternative medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Many are afraid that certain drugs might cause some serious side effects. In an old newspaper article, I have read about chelation. I must admit that it is something new to me so I have tried to know about it.

“Chelation (pronounced key-LAY-shun) is the use of a chemical substance to bind molecules, such as metals or minerals, and hold them tightly so they can be removed from the body. Chelation has been scientifically proven to remove excess or toxic metals before they can cause damage to the body. It was first used in the 1940's by the Navy to treat lead poisoning… The most common form of chelation therapy uses a man-made amino acid called EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid). EDTA removes heavy metals and minerals from the blood, such as lead, iron, copper, and calcium, and is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating lead poisoning and poisoning from other heavy metals. (source: http://altmedicine.about.com/od/treatmentsfromatod/a/chelation.htm)

How is Chelation Theraphy administered?

EDTA is intravenously injected into the body of a patient through IV fluid. The treatment requires at least 30 sessions. It removes calcium deposits in the arteries, which clogs normal blood flow. If one can avoid surgery with the treatment, it is a very welcome alternative.

Is Chelation Theraphy Safe?

Chelation Theraphy has grown wide acceptance from physicians and alternative medicine professionals in recent years although it remains controversial. Chelation is generally safe particularly in the treatment of metal poisoning just as the excerpt above says. In fact, the use of chelation as a treatment has started during World War I, when gas poisoning has first been used in warfare. Chelation has been used as an antidote to arsenic-based poison gas.

However, there is a strong opposition to it by some doctors saying that the claim of chelation’s effectiveness to cure cardiovascular diseases is false and the studies that back up the claim are not enough.

The promise of Chelation Theraphy is beneficial to many patients who cannot and do not want to undergo surgery. However, patients must understand also the risks involved in any medical treatment that they want to take. See your doctor for proper guidance.

Image courtesy of: http://www.healingdaily.com/oral-chelation/oral-chelation-or-iv-chelation.htm

Is Caffeine Harmful to Health?

"99 ABC’s of Wellness” Article Credit: The original article 99 ABC’s of Wellness is by Mylene Mendoza-Dayrit, which has appeared on the Philippine Star on January 12, 1999."

Principle #19: Is Caffeine Harmful to Health?

Over the past years, health experts have been talking about the potential hazard of caffeine to health. They say that “the caffeine in coffee, tea and cola drinks increases blood pressure and dehydrates the body. A cup of caffeine should be washed down by at least two glasses of water” (excerpt from the original article).

Caffeine acts as a stimulant to the brain. It wards off sleepiness and helps keep alertness. It is a natural “psycho-active” drug, a substance that stimulates the brain, that is readily available to consumers unlike drugs that require medical prescription. That is why coffee has been a “wake-up” beverage when someone wants to stay up while working or studying, to keep his brain working.

Caffeine is also a natural antioxidant and studies show that it has protective effects to the body against some diseases including certain types of cancer.

Experts say that there is no direct evidence that caffeine causes cardiovascular disease. It may even reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. In fact, there is a study that shows that drinking coffee may have minor protective effect against hypertension.

Caffeine can also protect the body from liver cirrhosis.

The US Food and Drugs Association recognizes “caffeine” as a safe food substance especially in cola.

Any harmful effect may arise from extreme or excessive intake. As a diuretic, it may cause frequent urination that’s why people who are traveling are advised to avoid caffeine. Excessive amounts may also cause insomnia in certain individuals.

Excessive intake of caffeine may lead to a certain condition called “caffeine intoxification”. The symptoms of caffeine intoxication are not unlike overdoses of other stimulants. It may include restlessness, fidgeting, anxiety, excitement, insomnia, flushing of the face, increased urination, gastrointestinal disturbance, muscle twitching, a rambling flow of thought and speech, irritability, irregular or rapid heart beat, and psychomotor agitation. In cases of much larger overdoses, mania, depression, lapses in judgment, disorientation, disinhibition, delusions, hallucinations, or psychosis may occur, and rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue) can be provoked (source: en.wikipedia.org)

Is caffeine harmful to health? Well, it depends on how much caffeine you take and if you have any health condition that would cause your body to react negatively to caffeine. Otherwise, normal caffeine intake like a cup of coffee or tea a day, and glass of cola may not cause harm.

Images Courtesy of:

en.wikipedia.org/

Benefits of Carageenan

“99 ABC’s of Wellness” Article Credit: The original article 99 ABC’s of Wellness is by Mylene Mendoza-Dayrit, which has appeared on the Philippine Star on January 12, 1999.

Principle #18: Benefits of Carageenan

Carageenan

“Carageenan is a healthy substitute for creams and other fatty, thickening and gelling agents. It improves palatability and appearance of food minus the fat and calories” (excerpt from the original article).

Carageenen is a product from seaweeds. It is a popular alternative to gelatin especially for vegetarians. There are three main commercial classes of carrageenan:

• Kappa forms strong, rigid gels in the presence of potassium ions; it reacts with dairy proteins. It is sourced mainly from Eucheuma cottonii.
• Iota forms soft gels in the presence of calcium ions. It is produced mainly from Eucheuma spinosum.
• Lambda does not gel, and is used to thicken dairy products. The most common source is Gigartina from South America. (source: en.wikipedia.org) 

Carageenan has medicinal value as well. Medical research suggests the effectiveness of carrageenan against the common cold virus. An Austrian company has introduced a nasal spray that contains carageenen in 2010, which claims direct treatment against the virus and not just for the symptoms.

In another study, “at the Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America suggest that carrageenans might function as a topical microbicide” (en.wikipedia.org). A microbicide is a compound or substance that reduces the infectivity of microbes, which could be virus or bacteria. Studies even suggest the potency of carageenan-based lubricant as personal microbicide in women against HPV and HIV viruses.

Carageenan is an amazing medical break through.


Image above courtesy of:
http://allenwang1225

Benefits of Eating Breakfast

“99 ABC’s of Wellness” Article Credit: The original article 99 ABC’s of Wellness is by Mylene Mendoza-Dayrit, which has appeared on the Philippine Star on January 12, 1999.

Principle #17: Benefits of Eating Breakfast

A full English breakfast with scrambled eggs, sausage, black pudding, bacon, mushrooms, baked beans, hash browns, and half a tomato c/o Wikipedia

“Breakfast skippers are most likely to overeat and be overweight than those who take a high-carbo breakfast. A cereal with low-fat milk, a banana and orange juice for breakfast provide 90 percent carbohydrate to fuel your day.” (excerpt from the original article)

Many people think that skipping meals can help them reduce weight and usually, they skip breakfast but that is wrong. As a matter of fact, skipping breakfast contributes to obesity because it would make us eat more later in the day since we feel so starve. Scientifically, long hours of fasting increases insulin in the blood, which also increases the accumulation of fat.

Health professionals say that “breakfast” is the most important meal of the day. Coming off from 8-10 hours of sleep, the body needs an energy source to keep up with the demand of the entire working day from the food that we eat at breakfast.

However, some skip breakfast not just for trying to lose weight but because they do not have much time to prepare food and eat in the morning since they rush to work. Often, they just eat in fast food restaurants.  

There are however, easy to prepare but tasteful and nutritious recipe that is perfect for breakfast. For example:

Oatmeal Congee

by Chef Gigi Angkaw

from Good Houskeeping Magazine

This recipe is good for one serving and takes 15 minutes to prepare.

1 pack instant oatmeal

¼ cup water

1-1/2 cups chicken stock

½ cup chicken, boiled and flaked

1 hard boiled egg sliced

2 tablespoon chopped spring onion

3 pcs. calamansi

2 tablespoon patis

Procedure:

Combine oatmeal and water. Mix well. Simmer chicken stock, add oatmeal mixture. Top with chicken, eggs, and sprinkle with spring onion. Add calamansi and patis.

Enjoy a healthy lifestyle while indulging in the benefits of eating breakfast.