When the thyroid gland is not healthy, it can lead to various complications such as weight gain, depression, and even miscarriage in pregnant women. Thyroid symptoms are usually mild and might go unnoticed, but a simple blood test can help to determine the general condition of the thyroid. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland found […]

May is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. According to the United Nations, more than 250,000 women die each year from cervical cancer worldwide, with 85 percent of these coming from low- and middle-income nations. In the Philippines, 6,000 women are diagnosed yearly. The cervix is a part of a woman’s reproductive system. It is the lower […]

Having a family is one of the most important decisions you can make. It’s a bold but thrilling step forward in family life. Pregnancy is difficult for a woman. She will experience many changes in her physical and emotional characteristics during pregnancy. Here are the things how you can support a pregnant woman: Educate yourself […]

Heart disease and hypertension are major public health concerns around the world. According to the World Health Organization, the processed food sector is playing a significant role in increasing the number of hypertension patients as it increases, altering the salt content of foods all over the world. High blood pressure is also known as hypertension. […]

The Department of Health (DOH), in collaboration with the Philippine Society of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, observes Head and Neck Consciousness Week! Based on Presidential Proclamation 1676, it aims to raise public awareness about head and neck cancers (which includes the oral cavity, nasopharynx, larynx, and thyroid), as well as to promote prevention, […]

Every April 25, World Malaria Day is commemorated. This annual event is part of a global effort to promote malaria awareness and funding for treatment and its prevention. Malaria is a disease that is spread in tropical Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines. The Plasmodium protozoa parasite is transmitted to humans by an infected […]

Summer is a great time for families and friends to get together. For some, travelling to the beach and exploring outdoors has become the top choice since the quarantine restrictions have been lifted. Being able to go out of the house is good for one’s emotional, physical, and mental health, as well as the environment. […]

Health professionals play a crucial role in enhancing the population’s access to quality health care. They administer primary health care to people, families, and communities, promoting health, preventing diseases, and providing health care services. Our medical personnel are heroes. We should have known – and recognized this – all along, but the COVID-19 outbreak has […]

Women in their 30s are in the most critical stage of their lives medically. According to the Philippine Medical Test System, at this age, you would have a slower metabolism, a higher chance of cancer, and other disorders related to general reproductive health. Women now have access to tests during various life phases thanks to […]

It is important to know proper care for women’s health. A woman has many health needs and paying attention to them can help prevent serious diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and breast cancer. Breast care It is very important that we take good care of our breasts. Made of fat and specialized tissue, they are […]

The first trimester of pregnancy is both thrilling and stressful. Especially for first-time mothers who are unsure about how to care for their future children. What hormonal changes are felt in the first trimester of pregnancy? • Fatigue • Tender and swollen breasts • Nausea that sometimes includes vomiting• Frequent urination • Sensitivity to taste […]

As part of the worldwide observation of International Women’s Day (IWD), the month of March has been declared as National Women’s Month to highlight the empowerment of women as active contributors to and claimholders of development and growth. IWD came about as a result of women’s organizing efforts in the early 20th century. Working women […]

by: Froilan Santos, M.D Women with normal ovulatory function menstruate regularly each month. Have irregular menstrual periods alerted you as a red flag? Have you been irregularly menstruating since the menarche (start of menstrual period)? It cannot be stressed importantly enough to have the regularity of menstrual cycles in your compass! A normal menstrual period […]

Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) bacteria cause leprosy (Hansen’s Disease), which is a chronic infection. It can cause problems with the skin and nerves of the hands and feet, as well as the eyes and nasal lining. Leprosy can damage other organs, such as the kidneys and in some testicles in men, in some situations. Leprosy […]

The theme for Oral Health Month for the next three years sends out a simple but powerful message: Be Proud of Your Mouth. In other words, value and take care of it. The importance of good oral health to our overall health cannot be overstated. The purpose of appropriate oral hygiene is to prevent gum […]

It’s always beneficial to have a heart-to-heart talk when you have a problem. But what if it’s your heart that’s the issue? Philippine Heart Month, established in 1973 by Proclamation No. 1096, is observed every February to raise awareness of heart disease as a critical problem among Filipinos. Heart disease is no laughing matter. From […]

Cancer is a leading cause of death for children and adolescents. Cancer can affect any organ or tissue in a child’s body, including the blood and lymph node systems, the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system), kidneys, and other organs and tissues. The cancers that most commonly affect children differ from those that affect […]

The skin serves as a natural barrier to protect our entire body from the harsh environment and any dangerous substances. It also helps regulate body temperature by preventing dry and depleting water inside the body. Touch, pain, and pressure are all sensations that the skin helps perceive and respond to. Vitamin D is produced in […]

Autism, also called Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a complex developmental condition that involves communication and behavioral issues. This can include a wide spectrum of symptoms as well as disabilities. It is a lifelong disorder wherein the degree of functional impairment may range from mild to severe needing full time care. ASD is a diagnostic […]

What, Why, Where, How: Deworming by Andrea Peñaflorida, M.D The Department of Health holds January and July of every year as the National Deworming Month. This drive aims to move towards eliminating intestinal parasitism most specially in children. Currently, the government already offers free deworming services in government and barangay centers. It’s a good idea […]