Health and Lifestyle

Blame dietary habits, not genes, for toothache: study

Blame dietary habits, not genes, for toothache: study

September 14, 2017, 5:26 pm

WASHINGTON -- Your mother was right. The condition of your teeth depends on your dietary and oral hygiene habits, not your genes, according to a new study out Wednesday that looked at the role that genes and the oral microbiome play in the formation of cavities. "Limiting sugar consumption and… Read More

Dengue cases in Cavite drop 20%

Dengue cases in Cavite drop 20%

September 14, 2017, 9:50 am

TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite -- The number of dengue cases in Cavite province during the first eight months of 2017 dropped by 20 percent as compared to the same period last year, the Provincial Health Office’s Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) said Thursday. In an interview,… Read More

Menopausal hormone therapy not linked to early death

Menopausal hormone therapy not linked to early death

September 13, 2017, 3:02 pm

WASHINGTON -- Taking hormone therapy to treat menopausal symptoms like hot flashes does not increase a woman's risk of early death, according to a long-term follow-up of trials that were stopped early due to health concerns. The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) research completely changed the… Read More

Watch out for landslides, leptospirosis: DOH

Watch out for landslides, leptospirosis: DOH

September 13, 2017, 1:45 pm

MANILA – With Tropical Depression Maring dumping heavy rains in various parts of Luzon on Tuesday, the health department issued twin advisories, cautioning the public against landslides and leptospirosis. "Landslides happen when there are unstable slopes during or after heavy rains or droughts,… Read More

Health experts: Why first-time mothers hesitate to vaccinate children

Health experts: Why first-time mothers hesitate to vaccinate children

September 8, 2017, 8:10 pm

SYDNEY -- First-time mothers are increasingly hesitant to vaccinate their children, according to a study released Friday. The study said that nearly half of all first-time mothers had concerns over vaccinating their children. The study conducted by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute found… Read More

 Public warned vs. buying vaccines from unauthorized online sellers

Public warned vs. buying vaccines from unauthorized online sellers

September 8, 2017, 11:23 am

MANILA -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday warned the public against purchasing Japanese encephalitis vaccine and other vaccines that are sold by unauthorized distributors or retailers online. In its Advisory No. 2017-265, the FDA said it has received reports that these vaccines,… Read More

Public urged to intensify efforts vs. mosquitoes

Public urged to intensify efforts vs. mosquitoes

September 7, 2017, 8:32 pm

MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday called on the public to intensify their efforts to prevent mosquito-borne diseases, such as Dengue, Chikungunya and Japanese Encephalitis (JE), especially during the rainy season. In a statement, the department noted that while its Epidemiology… Read More

Advocates seek Duterte’s help in legalizing medical cannabis

Advocates seek Duterte’s help in legalizing medical cannabis

September 6, 2017, 3:33 pm

MANILA – Proponents of medical cannabis have again made a push for the legalization of the medical use of marijuana, this time seeking the help of no less than President Rodrigo Duterte himself. Dr. Donnabel Cunanan, member of the Philippine Cannabis Compassion Society (PCCS) executive… Read More

DOH plans to include Japanese encephalitis in 2018 vaccination program

DOH plans to include Japanese encephalitis in 2018 vaccination program

September 6, 2017, 10:56 am

MANILA – Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial said Tuesday they are planning to include Japanese encephalitis in their immunization program for next year. In an interview, Ubial noted though that there has been no surge in the incidence of Japanese encephalitis this year, compared to last year.… Read More

PhilHealth offers packages for illnesses during rainy season

PhilHealth offers packages for illnesses during rainy season

September 5, 2017, 10:41 pm

MANILA -- The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has benefit packages for members and their dependents who are hospitalized for illnesses common during the rainy season, an official said Monday. These packages are for such illnesses as mild to severe dengue fever, influenza, and… Read More

Air ambulance resumes flight in Palawan: DOH

Air ambulance resumes flight in Palawan: DOH

September 4, 2017, 4:32 pm

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- The Department of Health (DOH)-MIMAROPA announced Monday morning the resumption of regular flights in Palawan by its air ambulance to serve patients who need emergency services in remote barangays and island areas.

 DOH-MIMAROPA Regional Director Eduardo… Read More

No new suspected bird flu cases: DOH

No new suspected bird flu cases: DOH

September 2, 2017, 5:22 pm

MANILA --The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday said no new cases of suspected bird flu infection were detected as the surveillance period ends Sunday."No new case. Basically (we can say that) after culling (period), bird flu-free na until (any) new case appears," DOH Secretary Paulyn Ubial… Read More

DOH holds dialogue with patients, CSOs in Mindanao

DOH holds dialogue with patients, CSOs in Mindanao

September 1, 2017, 11:27 am

MANILA -- Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial recently held a dialogue with patients’ groups and civil society organizations (CSOs) based in Mindanao in an effort to strengthen their line of communication. “The 4th Policy Dialogue on Universal Health Care and Access to… Read More

Leptospirosis up 71% in first 8 months of the year: DOH

Leptospirosis up 71% in first 8 months of the year: DOH

August 31, 2017, 10:55 pm

MANILA -- Suspected cases of leptospirosis nationwide rose 71.1 percent, reaching 910 from Jan. 1 to Aug. 5 this year compared to 532 cases in the same period last year, the Department of Health (DOH) reported. Of the 910 suspected cases, 96 resulted in death, compared to 50 in the same period in… Read More

All suspected human cases of bird flu tested negative: Ubial

All suspected human cases of bird flu tested negative: Ubial

August 29, 2017, 4:22 pm

MANILA -- The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed Tuesday that 39 patients, who have been exposed to chickens in areas with a bird flu outbreak and have shown flu-like symptoms, have tested negative of avian influenza. "Sa ngayon, ang na-establish natin is lahat ng sakit ay confined sa manok or… Read More

9-day low-sugar diet leads to less fatty liver in kids

9-day low-sugar diet leads to less fatty liver in kids

August 29, 2017, 1:58 pm

SAN FRANCISCO – A nine-day experimental diet that cuts out a type of sugar in soft drinks, fruit juices and most processed foods significantly reversed the buildup of liver fat in children and adolescents. Contacted over the phone, Susan Noworolski, associate professor of radiology and… Read More

PhilHealth to cover film industry workers with social health insurance

PhilHealth to cover film industry workers with social health insurance

August 26, 2017, 3:22 pm

MANILA --The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) on Saturday said self-earning film industry workers such as cameramen, gaffers, actors, directors, producers, and their qualified legal dependents will be provided with social health insurance coverage.PhilHealth Head Executive Assistant… Read More

7 more suspected bird flu cases being monitored

7 more suspected bird flu cases being monitored

August 26, 2017, 9:33 am

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) is monitoring the health of seven persons who have been exposed to infected fowls and have shown symptoms of flu. Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) director Dr. Soccoro Lupisan said Friday putting the seven under observation is part of steps… Read More

DOH allays public fears of eating poultry

DOH allays public fears of eating poultry

August 25, 2017, 8:28 pm

MANILA – It is safe to eat chicken and eggs despite the bird flu outbreak in two provinces, health and agriculture officials said Friday. And to drive home their point, Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial led the other officials in taking a bite of fried chicken and a hard-boiled egg in front of… Read More

Still no human case of bird flu: DOH

Still no human case of bird flu: DOH

August 25, 2017, 6:20 pm

MANILA -- The 34 people from Pampanga and Nueva Ecija who have manifested flu-like symptoms have all tested negative for avian influenza, Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial said Friday. "As of Aug. 24, 2017, there has been no confirmed human case due to Influenza A (H5N6)," Ubial told reporters… Read More