- Details
- Category: Region 9
Overweight and obesity are defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a medical condition that occurs when there is an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a health risk. It is often a major risk factor for the development of potentially serious health problems such as type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, cancer of the uterus, cervix, endometrium, ovary, breast, colon, rectum, esophagus, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidney, and prostate, renal diseases, degenerative arthritis, infertility among women and erectile dysfunction among men. Non-communicable diseases were the leading causes of mortality, morbidity and disability in the Philippines today.
Read more: Overweight and Obesity Remain a Serious Health Concern in the Philippines
- Details
- Category: Region 9
“Malnutrisyon patuloy na labanan, First 1000 days tutukan!” is the approved theme for this year’s Nutrition Month campaign. This was approved by the National Nutrition Council Technical Committee during its online meeting on 5 March 2021 with the following considerations: a) limited awareness of the first 1000 days strategy at 11.2% which was based on the NNC Message Recall Survey in 2021, and b) implementation of RA 11148 or the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag Nanay Act requires mobilization for scaling up of nutrition in the First 1000 Days.
By virtue of Presidential Decree No. 491 signed on June 25, 1974 by then President Ferdinand Marcos, Nutrition Month is observed every July. The same decree also created the National Nutrition Council (NNC) which is mandated to be the highest policy-making and coordinating body on nutrition.
- Details
- Category: Region 9
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the Philippines. It occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is blocked and blood vessels are ruptured. This blockage or rupture prevents the brain from getting oxygen and nutrients in the blood. As a result, parts of the brain become damaged and brain cells will die within a few minutes.
Ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, and transient ischemic attack are the three main types of stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs when there is a blockage in the artery that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the brain. On the other hand, a hemorrhagic stroke happens when an artery in the brain ruptures. Too much pressure from the leaked blood causes damage to the brain. Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is also known as “mini-stroke.” Unlike ischemic and hemorrhagic, the transient ischemic attack happens when the blood flow to the brain is blocked for a short period. It usually lasted no more than 5 minutes. This type of stroke is a warning sign for a future major stroke. To prevent this from happening, people can take steps by seeking immediate medical attention.
- Details
- Category: Region 9
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can range from mild to severe. It happens when an infection causes the air sacs in your lungs to fill with fluid or pus and may cause difficulty in breathing. Infants and people aged 65 years old and above are at higher risk of acquiring this infection. Its causes include viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Lifestyle factors can increase your risk of pneumonia such as cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. People that are hospitalized, especially in intensive care units, have chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, liver diseases, heart conditions and asthma, and weak immune system have greater risk of pneumonia.
As we mentioned earlier, pneumonia can be caused by organisms such as a virus. This lung infection can be acquired when respiratory droplets containing the virus such as SARS-CoV-2 enter the upper respiratory tract. As the virus multiplies, it can damage the alveoli and its surrounding tissues. As the immune system fights the virus, inflammation can occur and cause the buildup of fluids in the lungs. This will interfere with the transfer of oxygen and may cause difficulty in breathing in persons with pneumonia.
Read more: What to Know About COVID-19 Pneumonia and its Symptoms
- Details
- Category: Region 9
Through the years hunger has been one of the concerns of the government and it alarms the country as it has an impact on the overall welfare and the future of our country. There were programs implemented to alleviate the hunger status in the country but due to the entrant of COVID-19 in the Philippines, food insecurity has been recorded to spike. This current pandemic has dragged us to be more food insecure from 8.8% pre-pandemic to 16% during the pandemic as stated by Cabinet Secretary Nograles (the chair of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger). Many of us strive to provide food on the table for our families; safe water and food are the basic necessities to survive. In times of pandemic, we need food for nutrients that boost our immune system to combat the virus.
Read more: Food Security through Hydroponics: The Modern Backyard Planting
- Details
- Category: Region 9
Undeniably, mothers are superwomen. They may not have those superpowers that we see in fictional movies, but they are equipped with natural skills of loving wholeheartedly and taking care of their family. This women’s month, we would also like to celebrate the existence of our mothers, who are doing everything and anything they can with their sacrifices incomparable just to provide for their family.
From the very beginning of their early motherhood while being pregnant, they already experience a variety of changes. Their body may experience a lot of physical changes during pregnancy. They will probably have emotional ups and downs or may experience morning sickness which may be nausea or actual vomiting. More often than not, their usual activities of daily living may also be altered due to experiences of back pains, tiredness, and a need to urinate frequently due to the pressure compression to their urinary bladder with the growing fetus.
