Archive for the 'Health and Wellness' Category

Hospitalization Costs in the Philippines Are Far Too High

After publishing my last post “Back From Outer Space“, I got sick again. The article was written at 4am and starting at 6am, I was vomiting every 5-10 minutes. This lasted for 12 hours and almost dehydrated my body to the point that I cannot even stand up straight and life my own  weight. I [...]

Pistachio Salmonella: Go Nuts With Salmonella Bacteria

The Salmonella Bacteria scare makes it a bigger news with recent developments in the food processing business. This time, experts claim that Pistachio Salmonella is on the loose! Salmonella bacteria can be found in raw nuts, reports show.
On Philippine TV last week, Planters Pistachios were recalled from shelves. In the US, the Food and Drug [...]

Francis Magalona Died at Age 44 of Leukemia

Francis Magalona was reported dead today at age 44. In 2008, Francis Magalona was diagnosed with leukemia (cancer of the blood) – the ultimate cause of his death. Francis Magalona died leaving 8 young children: Unna, Nicolo, Francis Jr., Isabella, Elmo, Arkin, Clara, and Maxene Magalona (whom we usually call “Francis look-alike”).

Tags: cancer, Francis Magalona, [...]

The Joys and Hazards of Eating Street Foods

In the Philippines, selling of street foods is common. Despite the fact that there are many hazards of eating street foods like pork barbecue, “adidas” (chicken feet), longganisa, isaw, and others, many Filipinos and foreigners are enjoy eating street foods.

Tags: Cancerous Foods and Products, personal, Street Foods in the Philippines

Gastroenterology | What is Gastroenterology?

Gastroenterology is a branch of medicine which deals with the study of the structure, functions, and diseases of digestive organs. The word “gastroenterology” was coined from three separate Ancient Greek words: Gastros meaning stomach, enteron meaning intestine, and logos meaning reason. This special study (gastroenterology) of the digestive system includes visualizing and understanding diseases in [...]

Ebola Reston Virus or Reston Ebolavirus from Animals has Invaded Humans

The Ebola Reston Virus, also known as Reston Ebolavirus, Asian Filovirus or Reston virus, is a virus that has been discovered among crab-eating monkeys of the Philippines. In 1989, it was named Ebola Reston virus because it resembles the appearance of the Ebola virus and was discovered in Reston, Virginia. The virus was first seen [...]

Salmonella Outbreak in the United States

The Salmonella outbreak in the United States of America seriously alerted their Food and Drug Administration. There is already a confirmation of Salmonella contamination in peanut butter and peanut paste products distributed by Peanut Corporation of America in mid-year 2008.
Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) makes bulk distributions of peanut butter and peanut paste products to [...]

Salmonella, Salmonellosis and Its Hazards

After BFAD released a list of peanut butter food products contaminated by salmonella, a follow-up article on what salmonella is all about is in order.
First off, what is Salmonella? Why is Salmonella dangerous to public health? Salmonella is a genus of rod-shaped bacteria that causes Salmonellosis and Typhoid fever. These bacteria can be seen in [...]

BFAD List of Peanut Butter Products at Risk of Salmonella Contamination

The Bureau of Food and Drugs (Philippines) recently released a list of food products (most of which contain peanut butter as main ingredient) that are at risk of Salmonella contamination. The alleged source of contamination is a peanut butter company – Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). This company found out that their King Nut peanut [...]

Incidence of Pneumonia in the Philippines During Cold Months

The incidence of pneumonia during cold months in the Philippines (January-February) could increase. Reports on TV already indicated deaths in Baguio City, Benguet, Cagayan and even in Ilocos Norte (where I live). Pneumonia is a respiratory disease which often affects children and the elderly. The cold months in the Philippines will definitely affect these groups [...]

Chocolates for the Holiday Season and Other Occasions

The Holiday Season heightens many people’s love for chocolate. I’m not really sure why but the festivities involved in Christmas New Year seems to trigger the need to be happy. Having said that, what better way is there to celebrate the season than with loved ones and some food (like chocolates) on the table? [...]

Health Risks of Uranium Radiation Exposure

In the Philippines, people who suffer from diseases caused by uranium radiation exposure are left unprotected – no protection from the law to run after companies who employed them. As of this writing, this author knows no law that has been enacted here regarding the protection of workers who have been detailed in nuclear power [...]