HEALTH SENTINEL

by Dr. Philip S. Chua.
January 1, 2011
For Filipinos, the holidays started in November. At least, in the Philippines, that is. With the festivities, practically all of us will be feasting almost continuously, except when we are asleep. And some of us may even be dreaming about parties and food even in our slumber. Continue reading →

by Dr. Philip S. Chua.
December 25, 2010
Jolly Santa Claus, with his famous white moustache, beard, and long curly hair, red baggy outfit and winter black boots, is a most popular figure at Christmas. Every year, he gets the honor, and men, women, young and old, and children of all ages, have accepted him as a symbol of Christmas itself — holiday cheers, gifts, food, and merriment. Continue reading →

by Dr. Philip S. Chua.
December 18, 2010
Veggies Protect the Stomach
Those taking NSAID drugs like ibuprofen, and other anti-arthritis pain medications regularly can be victims of stomach irritation which could result in ulcers and bleeding complication. To prevent stomach ulceration, ingesting 8 to 10 ounces of vegetables a day can work wonders by protecting the stomach wall lining, according to a researcher at Sweden’s Uppsala University. Continue reading →

by Dr. Philip S. Chua.
December 10, 2010
In this column seven months ago, April 26, 2010, we warned the public about the dangers of caffeinated energy drink plus alcohol, with the following article:
Combining alcoholic beverage with caffeine energy drink is a popular cocktail today. Continue reading →

by Dr. Philip S. Chua.
December 3, 2010
What is aspirin?
Aspirin (medically known as acetylsalicylic acid) is a common household medication for pain (analgesic), fever (antipyretic), and inflammation (anti-inflammatory). This “simple” and inexpensive drug is so much underrated and practically taken for granted. Aspirin is really a versatile drug, with a lot of uses, much more than the lay public realizes. Continue reading →

by Dr. Philip S. Chua.
November 28, 2010
In the United States alone, there are over 219 million cell phone users, 2 billion worldwide, about a third of the global population. Proportionately, per capita, the Philippines is not far behind when it comes to the use of cell phones. Continue reading →

by Dr. Philip S. Chua.
November 21, 2010

A cancer scare being widely circulated, allegedly from Johns Hopkins and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, warns the public that: (A) “Plastic containers or plastic wraps and bags release dioxin, a carcinogenic (cancer-producing) chemical, which contaminates the food items in contact with them, either on the countertop, in the microwave oven, or in the refrigerator or freezer…and (B) that frequent exposure to dioxin increases the incidence of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and reproductive and developmental problems.” Continue reading →

by Dr. Philip S. Chua.
November 12, 2010
What is Body Art?
Body Art is a popular fad among adolescents and young adults, which includes tattooing or body part piercing. The tattoos are usually on the chest, arms, belly, butts, ankles, or on just about any area of the body. They come in different shapes, design, color and various objects, like a girl, snake, flag, heart, words of protest or love messages. It is estimated that 10% to 25% of young adults (25 and under) have at least one tattoo. Continue reading →

by Dr. Philip S. Chua.
November 6, 2010
Is ballroom dancing good for everyone?
For the majority of people who love to dance, ballroom dancing is one of the best exercises for cardiovascular fitness. Only those with medical or physical impairment that disable them to dance will not benefit from it. While walking on the treadmill or doing rowing exercises makes one feel he/she is engaging in a boring “forced labor,” dancing provides the exercise with much more fun and social enjoyment that one even loses, not only calories, but track of time. Without being flippant, sometimes ballroom dancing could even be better for our body than sex. But only sometimes.
Who should not indulge in ballroom dancing? Continue reading →

by Dr. Philip S. Chua.
October 30, 2010

The integrity of our natural personal immune system confers upon our body a defense mechanism which determines our susceptibility to, or the degree of protection we have against, various diseases.
Besides a healthy diet, regular physical exercise, abstinence from tobacco and other harmful substances, moderation in alcohol intake, and taking daily multivitamins-mineral (from A to Zinc) supplements, there are food items which can boost our immune system and provide us greater resistance to illnesses and daily stress. Continue reading →