HEALTH SENTINEL

Ten years ago, one case of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection was reported every 3 days in the Philippines. Today, one case is diagnosed every 3 hours, according to TIME magazine. This does not include those unreported cases because of the stigma associated with HIV and AIDs. There were 24,000 cases in 2012, a low prevalence compared to a couple of other countries, Continue reading →

Controversial medical therapies
For years physicians have suspected that snoring is generally associated with sleep apnea, and sleep apnea was linked to sudden cardiac death. Unlike heart attack not related to sleep apnea, which could occur anytime of the day, cardiac death from sleep apnea happens while the patient is asleep. Continue reading →

“For ladies who want larger breasts, men who want larger and longer penises, for those who want to be taller, and for older people who want to have instant rejuvenation and a sex drive and performance of a teenager, send me your money and I will make your dream come true!” Continue reading →

ARBs or Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers are very popular drugs used for the treatment of high blood pressure and heart failure. They also reduce the adverse effects of high blood pressure or diabetes on the kidneys, thus preventing kidney failure. Beta amyloid, a “sticky” toxic brain protein seen on autopsies in the brains of Alzheimer’s victims is the primary pathology among them. Continue reading →

In these days of health-consciousness, almost everyone is concerned about chest pains and possible heart attack, especially individuals who are 40 and older. While we hear occasionally of cases of heart attack among those in their 30s or even 20s, most likely candidates are actually those who eat red meat regularly, do not exercise, who smoke, who are overweight, and 40 years of age and older. The peak average age incidence is about 65. Continue reading →

by Dr. Philip S. Chua.
June 16, 2013
The various media, print, radio, television, and the internet are flooded with infomercials about testosterone replacement (rejuvenation and sex enhancing) therapy. Some even suggests it to be a fountain of youth that could stop the biological clock and transform males to “supermen in bed” and athletes to champions. Continue reading →

by Dr. Philip S. Chua.
June 1, 2013
George Bernard Shaw. There is no question that diet plays a very important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic illnesses, and some forms of cancer, especially of the gastrointestinal tract. One particular diet — one high in saturated fat and cholesterol, Continue reading →

by Dr. Philip S. Chua.
May 16, 2013
May  In a previous column, we wrote that soft drinks, which I called “liquid candy,” cola or uncola, diet or regular, “are unhealthy, especially for children. Not only because the regular ones are loaded with sugar (high carbo, super calories), but because of the other adverse effects all these soft drinks (without exception!) have on people’s health.”    Continue reading →

by Dr. Philip S. Chua.
May 1, 2013
The body is a wonderful natural chemical factory. Whatever we eat, drink or apply to our body is absorbed and automatically transformed to energy (fuel) or to various hormones and substances that control our total bodily function, including thought processes, mental state, behavior, and cellular responses and reactions. Continue reading →

by Dr. Philip S. Chua.
April 16, 2013
A lawyer in the United States, Sam Hirsch, sued McDonald’s on behalf of his obese clients. Of the tobacco companies that had been sued, he says “you can’t stop tobacco from being unhealthy, but you can make food less unhealthy.” Obviously, he was referring to the health dangers of what many people consider junk foods, with high cholesterol and fats, like hamburgers, eggs, fries, etc. in this $142 Billion fast food industry. Continue reading →