Category: Carmie de Leon

More blood needed in preparation for natural disasters

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Every two seconds, a person in the United States will need blood to recover from serious injuries, major surgeries, or chronic illnesses. What happens when natural disasters arrive in the Philippines where blood donations are more in demand than ever?

A person who gets into a car accident may require up to 100 pints of blood to stay alive. According to the American Red Cross, only one pint of blood can be donated by a person during transfusion, highlighting the potential imbalance between the need and availability of blood in times of public crises.

“We’re no stranger to earthquakes,” said Carmie de Leon, vice president for sales and marketing of Healthway Medical. “The recent earthquake in Nepal curtailed the lives of more than 8,000 people, and required them to seek more blood to treat those who are terribly wounded.” She added, “The same episode may happen to the Philippines given that there’s a rising fear of the 7.6-magnitude strong earthquake.”

Metro Manila is prone to earthquakes since it is surrounded by active faults—the West Valley and East Valley Faults. According to the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), residents in Metro Manila and nearby provinces should prepare for the “mega earthquake” which could put the lives of thousands of people on the line.

One donor could actually help save the lives of three people who need to receive blood transfusion, according to the American Red Cross. But de Leon said that “before Filipinos start rolling up their sleeves to prepare for blood donation, they must first understand what the process means, what it is for, and how it will also benefit them in the long run.”

Blood transfusion is an indispensable component of healthcare where the donor’s blood is added to the recipient’s own blood. During the process, certain parts of the blood are delivered through an intravenous (IV) line that’s connected to one of the veins in the arm.

While blood donation has been considered as an important pillar in saving millions of lives around the world during natural disasters—especially during earthquakes—de Leon said that not everyone can freely submit themselves to healthcare institutions to donate blood.

A person’s age and weight is generally considered prior to being allowed to donate blood. Other factors include considerations regarding factors such as body temperature, history of hepatitis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, low and high blood pressure, and other blood related conditons.

The next step is to identify the donor’s blood type. Your blood will be tested to determine your blood type—A, B, AB or O—and your Rh factor. The Rh factor is identified by the presence (Rh positive) or absence (Rh negative) of a specific antigen in the blood. De Leon added, “In any emergency, people with type O negative red blood cells may transfer their blood to anyone especially during life-threatening situations.”

If you want to start donating blood, Healthway Medical—the most trusted and preferred mall-based clinic in the Philippines—offers laboratory blood tests to adults to help them identify if they are eligible for transfusion.

Donating blood is known for preserving cardiovascular health by reducing blood viscosity which eliminates the iron that possibly oxidizes in your blood, and minimizes the risk of acquiring cancer.

“The best way to guarantee that you are eligible to undergo blood transfusion is to keep a close watch of your health,” de Leon said. “This is why having enough sleep, eating right, exercising, and de-stressing (S.E.E.D.) is important. If you aim to give others the benefit to have a better quality of life, you also have to ensure your health round-the-clock.”

De Leon concluded, “When natural disasters take form in the Philippines, we’ve got no one else to hold on to but each other. While we still have time, we need to bank more safe blood from volunteers who have a strong commitment to save lives. And that person is you.”

More blood needed in preparation for natural disasters

PRNEWS Admin Leave a comment

Every two seconds, a person in the United States will need blood to recover from serious injuries, major surgeries, or chronic illnesses. What happens when natural disasters arrive in the Philippines where blood donations are more in demand than ever?

A person who gets into a car accident may require up to 100 pints of blood to stay alive. According to the American Red Cross, only one pint of blood can be donated by a person during transfusion, highlighting the potential imbalance between the need and availability of blood in times of public crises.

“We’re no stranger to earthquakes,” said Carmie de Leon, vice president for sales and marketing of Healthway Medical. “The recent earthquake in Nepal curtailed the lives of more than 8,000 people, and required them to seek more blood to treat those who are terribly wounded.” She added, “The same episode may happen to the Philippines given that there’s a rising fear of the 7.6-magnitude strong earthquake.”

Metro Manila is prone to earthquakes since it is surrounded by active faults—the West Valley and East Valley Faults. According to the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), residents in Metro Manila and nearby provinces should prepare for the “mega earthquake” which could put the lives of thousands of people on the line.

One donor could actually help save the lives of three people who need to receive blood transfusion, according to the American Red Cross. But de Leon said that “before Filipinos start rolling up their sleeves to prepare for blood donation, they must first understand what the process means, what it is for, and how it will also benefit them in the long run.”

Blood transfusion is an indispensable component of healthcare where the donor’s blood is added to the recipient’s own blood. During the process, certain parts of the blood are delivered through an intravenous (IV) line that’s connected to one of the veins in the arm.

While blood donation has been considered as an important pillar in saving millions of lives around the world during natural disasters—especially during earthquakes—de Leon said that not everyone can freely submit themselves to healthcare institutions to donate blood.

A person’s age and weight is generally considered prior to being allowed to donate blood. Other factors include considerations regarding factors such as body temperature, history of hepatitis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, low and high blood pressure, and other blood related conditons.

The next step is to identify the donor’s blood type. Your blood will be tested to determine your blood type—A, B, AB or O—and your Rh factor. The Rh factor is identified by the presence (Rh positive) or absence (Rh negative) of a specific antigen in the blood. De Leon added, “In any emergency, people with type O negative red blood cells may transfer their blood to anyone especially during life-threatening situations.”

If you want to start donating blood, Healthway Medical—the most trusted and preferred mall-based clinic in the Philippines—offers laboratory blood tests to adults to help them identify if they are eligible for transfusion.

Donating blood is known for preserving cardiovascular health by reducing blood viscosity which eliminates the iron that possibly oxidizes in your blood, and minimizes the risk of acquiring cancer.

“The best way to guarantee that you are eligible to undergo blood transfusion is to keep a close watch of your health,” de Leon said. “This is why having enough sleep, eating right, exercising, and de-stressing (S.E.E.D.) is important. If you aim to give others the benefit to have a better quality of life, you also have to ensure your health round-the-clock.”

De Leon concluded, “When natural disasters take form in the Philippines, we’ve got no one else to hold on to but each other. While we still have time, we need to bank more safe blood from volunteers who have a strong commitment to save lives. And that person is you.”

Daily food intake may pose serious oral health problems—expert says

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You heard how your daily food intake may affect your health. From obesity to various chronic diseases, your diet may take a toll at your overall wellness—and also your oral health. Maintaining a balanced diet is essential to healthy living, but indulging in foods rich in sugar will make you a candidate for tooth decay and gum disease.

According to Carmie de Leon, vice president for sales and marketing of Healthway Medical, sweet-toothed Filipinos should be aware that they not only increase their chances of acquiring type 1 or type 2 diabetes whenever they reach for a rich, chocolatey dessert or carbonated drinks. “What they don’t realize is that, when they expose their teeth to too much sugary foods from sugar-filled sodas, sweetened fruit drinks, or high-in-sugar desserts, they are giving permission to cavities to attack their teeth,” she said.

She added, “By eating foods rich in sugar content, they tend to invite more cavities, which cause the formation of plaque and eventually, tooth decay. But sugary foods are not the only culprit for teeth erosion. Even those rich in starch may contribute to tooth decay. In some instances, it may also cause periodontitis.”

Periodontitis, a severe gum disease, destroys the soft tissue and bone that serves as the backbone of your teeth. When left untreated, this serious infection could cause the gums to loosen the hold of the teeth, causing them to fall out.

“People who are most prone to periodontitis are those who have been diagnosed with diabetes since diabetes decreases the ability to resist infection and slows the healing process,” de Leon said. “If a person has this serious oral health condition, their blood sugar levels tend to rise, making diabetes more difficult to manage.”

Since food that contain sugars of any kind affects not only the oral health but the overall wellness of a person, Healthway Medical—the most trusted and preferred mall-based clinic in the Philippines—highlights the importance of proper nutrition to ensure that physical and emotional health are always in its best condition.

“You may be able to prevent two of the most common oral health conditions (tooth decay and periodontal disease) simply by improving your diet,” de Leon said. “But the challenging part comes in the choosing process, the moment when you’re locked up choosing which food groups are best for you,” de Leon said.

The Nutrition month comes with a full plate of health and wellness recommendations, but de Leon said that the first big step will start from the kitchen. “If you want to achieve optimum wellness from head to toe, you’ll need to check your fridge and swap your junk with foods that are actually good for you.”

De Leon said, “As for your oral health, you’ll need to practice good oral hygiene every day.” Brushing alone won’t keep bacteria at bay. To give your mouth the holistic dental care, you need to floss daily, maintain a balanced diet, replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if bristles are already frayed, and consult your dentist regularly. To help you address your dental health concerns, Healthway Medical ensures that every Filipino has control over his or her dental health by offering a wide-array of dental services.

“To win a confident smile, you’ll need to give regular attention to your mouth,” de Leon said. “It’s easy to smile painlessly throughout the day if you have the right attitude towards improving your overall wellness. For an optimum health security, you need to make sleeping, eating right, exercising, and de-stressing (S.E.E.D.) as part of your daily routine.”

De Leon concluded, “Every person needs a confidence-boosting teeth. In order to achieve this, you’ll need to give your teeth the right care it needs through good nutrition and unparalleled quality dental service.”

If you want to achieve a great-looking set of teeth, visit any Healthway Medical clinics at the Alabang Town Center, EdsaShangri-la, Market! Market!, Festival Mall, Healthway Manila, SM The Block and Greenbelt 5.

Healthway Medical introduces FIT, a test to detect food intolerance

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Reactions to certain foods are quite common. However, some reactions go unnoticed until certain abnormal manifestations occur – internally (physiological) or externally (physical, i.e. on skin).Where food ALLERGY has almost an immediate reaction, food INTOLERANCE, on the other hand, does not immediately manifest. Sometimes, it takes as much several months or as short as days for symptoms to be obvious.

“Not knowing where you’re intolerant to could lead to chronic diseases such as abdominal bloating and fluid retention, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine, and asthma,” said Carmie De Leon, vice president for sales and marketing of Healthway Medical. “This makes a Food Intolerance Test all the more important.”

Healthway Medical, the most trusted and preferred mall-based clinics in the Philippines, recommends every children and adult alike to undergo a Food Intolerance Test (FIT) or Food Print Test to identify which food groups are safe to eat.

FIT is the most advanced and comprehensive laboratory service that detects the presence of igG-food specific antibodies to a wide range of food people consume every day.

Healthway’s FIT is inclusive of a consultation with nutritionist to guide you through the FIT service and to explain the findings of the test.

“Not having your test now can be potentially dangerous since some people have high IgG levels but do not experience the symptoms,” De Leon said. “There are others whoeven feel better short after they eat food at which they are intolerant to, but continuing to take these food groups may re-grow the symptoms to much worse cases. Still, once symptoms occur, it is recommended to avoid all other members of that food group unless tested negatively.”

De Leon concluded, “Early detection of food intolerance will go a long way in ensuring one’s optimum health. If you want to achieve a quality life, make sure to add sleep, right food intake, exercise, and de-stressing as part of your daily routine. When you start living a healthy life, everything else will follow.”

The ‘dad bod’ signals more than what we see

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Recently, social media sites were bustling with the hashtag “dad bod,” which refers to women’s genuine interest in men over 25 years of age who have huge bellies. But this fad means so much more, and people—especially men—need to pay close attention.

Healthcare experts are starting to fret that men who frequented fitness centers might consider joining the squad of overweight and obese men.

According to the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB), there are 20.9 percent of obese males in the country, and this number might continue to rise if the ‘dad bod’ trend will continue to be rosy.

“Some men most probably rejoiced when they heard that women get attracted to men who are flabbier,” said Carmie de Leon, vice president for sales and marketing of Healthway Medical. “But this rings the bell for healthcare experts.”

In another note, Dr. Helen Dy-Eduvas of Healthway Medical said that a man’s belly bulge raises the white flag to good health, adding that “they become candidates for acquiring a heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and even cancer.”

If you want to keep yourself from acquiring these unwanted diseases, de Leon said that maintaining a ‘dad bod’ is not the way to go.

This Father’s Day, give yourself the advantage to feel good by ridding your unwanted belly fat—and no body shape is an exception.

With this, Healthway Medical—the most trusted and preferred mall-based clinics in the Philippines—encourages you to shed off your excess fat by choosing a healthier lifestyle.

De Leon said that for a more effective weight loss, it is important for you to make Sleep, Eat Right, Exercise, and De-stress (S.E.E.D.) as basis for jumpstarting the road to health and wellness.

“The secret is overall health through healthy and preventive lifestyle,” De Leon said. “If you want to be in good shape, you must keep portion sizes in check, sleep at least eight hours a day, and include simple exercises like brisk walking as part of your daily routine to beef up your metabolism.”

But to effectively realize your fitness goals, De Leon said that you need to undergo comprehensive examination first. “While moderate physical activities can help you control your weight, we suggest that you take HealthCheQ first especially if you are unaware of your health status.”

HealthCheQ is the premium executive checkup that responds to the immediate needs of individuals who put great value to their health and time. Its package includes complete laboratory and imaging studies, physical valuation, and special examinations.

“Through our HealthCheQ, we can closely monitor your health with an added convenience of an overnight hotel stay, gym membership, spa or massage treatments,” De Leon said.

Healthway Medical Clinics are located at Alabang Town Center, Edsa Shangri-la, Market! Market!, Festival Mall, Healthway Manila, SM The Block and Greenbelt 5. For inquiries, you can visit their website at www.healthway.com.ph.