SITTING IN THE OFFICE ALL DAY? THE HEALTH HAZARDS OF A NO-EXERCISE LIFE

SITTING IN THE OFFICE ALL DAY? THE HEALTH HAZARDS OF A NO-EXERCISE LIFE

 

Back in the old days when men were tasked to work that involved a lot of physical activity: hunting, fishing, and carpentry, to name a few. That’s why if you look at men from older decades, they looked buff, strong, and ultimately, healthy! They didn’t need medicines for diabetes or other life-threatening diseases. These people were in the pink of health.

But in recent years, most workers are now assigned to desk jobs because of the rise of industrialization and computers. Now instead of exercising our entire bodies, our backs remain steady on our chairs for hours as our fingers furiously type away on our keyboards. It’s become a norm, but in reality, this causes us more harm than good. That’s not what our body’s made for. Our bodies were made for physical activity. Today, we’ll look at the health hazards of a no-exercise life due to sitting on our chairs the whole day.

Electrical leg activity shuts down

Okay, you won’t go limp because of this, but this is bad because your calorie-burning capabilities drop to only 1 per minute. This is because the major muscles aren’t moving. Ergo, the body doesn’t sense the need to burn anything because there is little to no muscle activity.

Not only that, it leads to a much greater physical risk: Remaining in a seated position for an entire day leads to a 40% reduction of insulin production, which greatly decreases your body’s capability to process glucose, leading to type 2 diabetes. Yikes!

You get fat

If your metabolism lowers, then you can expect to get chunkier and chunkier until you’re obese. Yep, that’s right. You can get obese… just by sitting down.

Your heart is at risk

Studies have shown that men who live a primarily sedentary lifestyle were 64% more likely to suffer from heart disease. If you want to live longer and see your great grandkids, get off your butt and do some mild walking.

Your whole body goes into shutdown

There’s a reason why your metabolic rate goes down and muscles atrophy when they aren’t used as much as they should be. According to research, when physical activity is very, very limited, your entire body, organs and their functions, shut down. Simply put, our bodies were not created to be immobile for long periods of time.

You lose a couple of years in your lifespan

If you sit for more than 6 hours a day for 10-20 years, you can kiss 7 years from your lifespan goodbye. Also, you’ve just made yourself more prone prostate or breast cancer by about 30%. Are you motivated to get off your chair now? No? Okay. Then just keep on reading.

Now that you’ve read about the health hazards of sitting down too long, we hope you take this article seriously and incorporate some physical exercises into your daily schedule to combat these negative effects. 

If there are questions and concerns call us at 0925-567-5329 • 0908-865-5662 • 0917-566-1932 • 458-0717 and schedule a consultation today.

A PROBLEM THAT’S GETTING BIGGER: WHY OBESITY’S PREVALENCE IS RISING

 

Over the course of a few decades, the world’s population has grown at a staggering rate—in numbers and in size. Obesity, the gaining of excess body fat to the point of being detriment to a person’s well-being, has become an unprecedented global epidemic. This disorder can cause you a host of different health complications, making you needmedicine for diabetes, heart problems, as well as other conditions.

There are many reasons why there has been a great rise of this worldwide health problem in recent years. The following are just a few of them.

Unhealthy Food

 

We can’t deny that there are more processed and artificial food out there than natural ones now-a-days. We have chips, candies, fast foods, and sodas just to name a few. As tasty as these may seem, these chemically prepared foods are loaded with more unhealthy and unnecessary calories, saturated fats, and preservatives as compared to fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood. With those unhealthy compounds practically oozing out of our food, no wonder why many of us put on a lot of weight!

Poor Eating Habits

 

And it’s not only what you eat that can cause you to become obese, but also the way you do. Overeating, eating when bored, eating when stressed, eating in-between meals, taking midnight snacks—these are but some of the few eating habits you can develop over time. So if you want to start losing weight and regaining your slim figure, then you’d better work hard on breaking these habits.

Laid-back Lifestyle

 

Before the invention of computers, automated machinery, and robots, we had to do the heavy lifting ourselves. Even when it comes to entertainment since back then TV, video games, and touch-screen devices don’t exist and we had to get up and go out in order to have a good time. Thanks to all these new technologies and innovations, though, we can do these things from the comfort of our seats or even our beds. Sounds awesome, right?

Well, yes—and no! These new stuff did help mankind a lot, but it reduced our lifestyle from a hard-working one to a laid-back one. This means we do less activity than before, and our bodies stop burning calories the way it used to. And the more calories you take in, the more extra pounds and inches you’ll have! Given time these additional weight will be too much for you to handle, giving you serious and, in some cases, life-threatening complications.

Lack of Exercise

 

Even with our laid-back lifestyle, we’re still busier than ever before. Thanks to our demanding schedules, we’re hard pressed to exercise our bodies let alone find time to do so. And the fact that a lot of us prefer pastimes that hardly involve any physical effort can only make things much worse!

So now that you know why obesity is on the rise; you can do something to avoid being part of this trendy worldwide epidemic. After all, if being unhealthy is in, it’s better to be out!

 If there are questions and concerns call us at 0925-567-5329 • 0908-865-5662 • 0917-566-1932 • 458-0717 and schedule a consultation today.

TONSILITIS 101

As children, one of the most common complaints we had was a sore throat. This excused us from a day of school and gave us a day of rest. But then you feel something hard just near your throat that makes it very painful to swallow. Wait… this is not normal! You complain to your mother, knowing that what you have is no ordinary sore throat. She gives you medicine for cough and cold and tells you not to worry. It is just tonsillitis.

What is tonsillitis? Does it have something to do with those hard things near your throat? Let us find out!

Overview

 

Your tonsils are a pair of tissue masses located at the back of your throat. Their purpose is to stop any infection that enters your body via your nose and mouth from getting to the rest of your body. But there are times when an infection can be too much to handle and the tonsils do become infected which leads to their swelling. This condition is now called tonsillitis. Although it affects any age group, children are more prone to getting this infection.

Causes

Tonsilitis can be caused by any number of bacteria or viruses. One of the most common causes of tonsillitis is the same bacteria that cause strep throat, which is Streptococcus pyogenes. Other viruses that can cause tonsillitis are adenovirus and rhinovirus, while when it comes to bacteria,  Chlamydia pneumonia and Bordetella pertussis may also cause the infection.

Symptoms

The symptoms of tonsillitis are very easy to spot. But do note not all of the symptoms may show up on the patients. The symptoms are:

• Painful or difficulty swallowing
• The back of the throat is red (or sore throat)
• Fever
• Shivering
• Irritability
• Ear ache
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Stomach pain
• Stiff neck
• Foul smelling breath
• Throaty or muffled voice
• Tonsils with white spots
• Tonsils that are very swollen

Treatment

Mild cases of tonsillitis can be taken care of at home. The patient will be required to rake antibiotics to combat the infection and medicine for fever to combat the fever. Hydration and rest are the keys to getting better. The patient can also gargle a solution of warm water with salt three to five times a day. Throat lozenges are also recommended although do remember that they must not be given to very young children as they may be a choking hazard.

The last resort will be a tonsillectomy or the removal of the tonsils. This will only be recommended for severe cases such as tonsillitis causes infection, numerous cases of tonsillitis in a year, breathing difficulty, or tonsillitis that isn’t reacting to treatment. It is done in 30-45 minutes and the patient can go home in 4 hours. Recovery time can be 10-14 days.

Prevention

Remember that tonsillitis is a highly contagious illness. Even sharing the same cup may lead to an infection. To lessen your chances of being infected, do not share food,  utensils or cutlery with people who are sick as this may lead to you getting infected as well. Practice good hygiene by washing your hands (especially after contact with someone sick or coming from the restroom) and bringing a small bottle of alcohol with you at all times. If you are the patient, do the rest of the world a favor by staying at home and getting well to avoid the spread of infection.

If there are questions and concerns call us at 0925-567-5329 • 0908-865-5662 • 0917-566-1932 • 458-0717 and schedule a consultation today.

4 TIPS TO KEEP YOURSELF HEALTHY

TRAVELLING TO THE PHILIPPINES THIS RAINY SEASON? 4 TIPS TO KEEP YOURSELF HEALTHY

 

Is it the famous white sands of Boracay? Perhaps it’s the mystic wonders of the Underground River in Palawan? Or maybe the magnificent Rice Terraces in Banaue? The Baroque Churches? … Whatever pulled you to the Philippines, I’m glad you’re finally making the trip. But let me just give you a heads-up because it’s rainy season. And if you want to climb mountains, dive off of cliffs, or swim with whale sharks — then you better be fit as a fiddle.

As the flu season descends upon the Philippines, we’re giving you 4 tips as precautions so that you don’t have to binge on medicine for cough and cold just to make it to the next island adventure. There’s so much to see in the Philippines, I’d hate for your trip to be sabotaged by a flu, or another affliction.

So, when you’re in the Philippines:

1. Make alcohol your bestfriend — rubbing alcohol, I mean!

One of the reasons why a lot of people catch a cold during the wet/rainy season is because a lot of diseases get air-borne traction. Also, because people tend to stay inside and stay together a lot (because of the cold), it’s faster for viruses or bacteria to spread through human contact. An effective precaution against this is to have rubbing alcohol by your side — always!

Always sanitize your hands, and try as much as possible to avoid touching your face. Most flu viruses infect our body through the eyes, nose and mouth.

2. Get a flu shot + hepatitis A & B vaccine before your trip

 

Obviously, one of the best ways to avoid catching a flu is by getting a flu shot. Please do so about a month before your trip. Flu vaccines develop antibodies in our body two weeks after getting the shot.

It is also important to get vaccinated against Hepatitis A & B. You’ll stumble upon a lot of scrumptious street foods in the Philippines like: fishballs, kikiam, qwek-qwek, isaw, betamax and much much more. I’d recommend that you try some because it’s part of the experience, but I’ll be honest, it is risky — but hey, that’s what the vaccines are for. If, however, you decide to not get vaccinated, I recommend that you avoid eating street foods during your stay.

3. Always have mosquito repellent handy

Dengue is quite a threat to the Filipinos during the rainy season — mostly in areas with poor sanitation. When out on your adventures, don’t forget to rub on some mosquito repellent on exposed areas. If you’re sleeping on a hotel maybe you can get away without rubbing some before bed time, but if you’re staying in a motel or small inn, do rub some on. This is important because if you get infected, Dengue will ruin your trip 100%.

4. Always drink bottled water

In any country that you’re unfamiliar with, don’t assume that tap water is potable. Always drink bottled water. Not so scare you, but there are a couple of water-borne diseases in the Philippines such as cholera, typhoid and other diarrhea diseases.

There you have it. 4 tips to you should keep in mind before and during your stay in the Philippines. 

If there are questions and concerns call us at 0925-567-5329 • 0908-865-5662 • 0917-566-1932 • 458-0717 and schedule a consultation today.

 

9 REASONS WHY IT’S NECESSARY FOR EVERYONE TO TAKE FOOD SUPPLEMENTS

 

 

1. The quality of our food today has been tampered due to preservatives. The use of these fillers has flushed out the healthy nutrients found in our meals. Supplements give you the vitamins you need that are lost in our food today.

2. They are healthy for your body. Vitamin B aids your metabolism; Vitamin D helps your body with calcium absorption for bone strength (important most especially for infants); Vitamins C & E keep the body’s cells strong and healthy.

3. Food, no matter how healthy, sometimes does not provide the nutrients needed by the body. This is where supplements/vitamins bridge the gap.

4. Taking food supplements can prevent vitamin deficiency, especially for those who have food allergies, are highly selective with the food they eat, or those who are following strict diets such as vegetarians or pescetarians.

5. Food supplements are necessary for women who are able to bear children (ages 14-50). Iron and folic acid replenish red blood cells that are lost during their monthly menstrual cycle. In addition, folic acid also prevents neural tube defects among infants. Neural tube defects refer to deficiencies in the development of a child’s spine, brain, or spinal cord.

6. If you get your hands on whole food supplements, these provide your body with well-rounded nutrients it otherwise wouldn’t normally get from your balanced diet.

7. Ingesting food supplements increases prevention to diseases. As an example, taking healthy doses of vitamins C & E increases resistance to Alzheimer’s. Wonder if food supplements are a good replacement for medicine for diabetes…

8. All-natural multivitamins and whole natural supplements have nutrients that are easily absorbed by the body. For the latter, the nutrients are broken down via enzymatic fermentation process.

9. Food supplements like omega 3 fatty acids keep your ticker in good condition. It prevents various diseases such as a stroke or heart attack. This is one fat you’d want to continuously feed your body with.

If you are looking for a HEALTHY FOOD SUPPLEMENT.

Visit us at BRITANNIA MEDICAL CENTER - The Enclave
Enclave Complex, Fil-Am Friendship Road, Angeles City.
0925-567-5329 • 0908-865-5662 • 0917-566-1932 • 458-0717
britanniamed@gmail.com || www.britanniamedicalcenter.ph

TUBERCULOSIS: EARLY SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

 

Although more widespread in the past, tuberculosis still remains as deadly and contagious as ever in the present world. While campaigns that aim to educate about the disease have been successful, eradicating it altogether has become a struggle.

For an illness like this, it’s not enough to have medicine for cough and cold; you also need to be armed with the knowledge about it. For you to be prepared, here is a list of early symptoms to watch out for.

Coughing for three weeks or more

A cough is a natural reaction of the lungs from irritants or infection, as the organ tries to expel the unwanted occupant. This is why people who have colds, influenza, and other respiratory diseases, as well as those who are regularly exposed to smoke, dust, and other foreign particles cough a lot, which is normal. But when a person has been coughing for three weeks or more, he or she may have tuberculosis. While not exactly a conclusive symptom, it’s best to have a physician check you up nonetheless.

Night sweats

Sleep hyperhidrosis, or night sweats in layman’s terms, is the excessive sweating during sleep. This symptom can be so severe that it can drench the person’s clothes and sheets. However, it can only be considered as sleep hyperhidrosis if the sweating is not caused by a hot environment, or an excessive number of bed covers or clothing, but instead of an underlying medical condition or infection. In this case, tuberculosis.

Shortness of breath and chest pain

Those with tuberculosis also have shortness of breath and chest pain, especially when breathing, just like most respiratory diseases. Because of the invasion of bacteria in the space between the lungs and the chest wall. This increases the amount of fluid, compressing the lung, and in the end causes pain.

Fever and chills

A common sign of infection, it’s no surprise that those with tuberculosis have fever. Aside from that, a person with the disease also gets chills. While there are a lot of infections that have both of these symptoms, the key difference is that the fever and chills from tuberculosis is almost of unknown origin.

Loss of appetite and weight loss

If someone has a persistent cough for three weeks or more and has suddenly had a loss of appetite, then it’s quite likely that he or she has tuberculosis. This loss of appetite, coupled with night sweats, could cause weight loss – one of the hallmark symptoms of the disease. So if you or someone you know has this set of symptoms, it’s best to consult a pulmonologist or a specialist in infectious diseases.

Productive cough with blood

While a lot of respiratory infections cause productive cough – a cough that produces sputum; tuberculosis is one of the few that causes the infected to cough blood, which also is known as hemoptysis. This is perhaps the most well-known symptom of tuberculosis; should you have this symptom or know of anyone who does, please consult the doctor.

Just because tuberculosis is no longer as common as before doesn’t mean you should be cautious about it. And just like all diseases, prevention is always better than cure.

If there are questions and concerns  call us at 0925-567-5329 • 0908-865-5662 • 0917-566-1932 • 458-0717 and schedule a consultation today.

WHY AN ANNUAL CHECK-UP IS IMPORTANT (AND WHY YOU SHOULD HAVE YOU IF YOU HAVEN’T)

 

Most people don’t see the doctor if they’re not coming down with an illness. You’re probably one of them: people who just stack on medicine for cough and colds and only consult a physician when they have an ailment that can’t be treated by such drugs. If the previous sentence was spot-on for you, then you should change your ways. You should pay the doctor a visit, even just on a yearly basis.

If you’re not convinced, here are a few reasons why an apple a day shouldn’t keep you away from the doctor every year.

Even healthy people get sick

Just because you’re in top physical condition doesn’t mean nothing wrong is brewing underneath the pinkness of your health. In this stressful, fast-paced, and polluted present-day world, it’s easy to encounter factors that can negatively affect your health no matter how good you are at taking good care of it. And if self-effort isn’t enough, then you’re going to need help – that of a doctor.

You have unhealthy practices

You may be feeling fine and dandy, but the way you live your life isn’t. You get stressed out, you sleep late, you either eat too little or too much, you don’t exercise at all, and you have vices. All these things you do cause a lot of harm on your body; just because you don’t feel their ravages doesn’t mean you’re unaffected by them. If left unchecked, you could have a health problem in the long run, so it’s best to see an expert before the detrimental things you’ve done in the past catch up and overrun you.

Your family has medical conditions

If your parents, uncles, and siblings share a particular disease or two, it’s more than likely that you have it as well. Don’t disregard that risk; see a doctor. By doing so, you will know how you can adjust the way you live to avoid such health problems from developing.

Prevention is better than cure

It is always better to find out about your current medical condition and potential problems than to not know at all. That is because by having the knowledge about your physical shape, you can adjust your lifestyle accordingly to prevent the medical problems you are at risk for. Also, through an annual checkup, you can find out which unpreventable diseases you should be preparing for.

Changes happen in your life

You may be healthy and strictly observant of healthy practices now, but that doesn’t mean it would still be the case in the future. The only constant in life is change, and change prompts people to modify their lifestyle, which includes diet, physical activity, sleep, and other factors that affect health, for better or worse. In order to assess what these constant changes do to your health and how you can act accordingly in response to them, an annual checkup is in order.

There’s nothing wrong with visiting the doctor yearly even though nothing seems wrong with you. In fact, it’s the right thing to do. After all, it’s better to rely on sound medical advice than be complacent with what you’re feeling.

  If there are questions and concerns  call us at 0925-567-5329 • 0908-865-5662 • 0917-566-1932 • 458-0717 and schedule a consultation today.