WHAT is a stomach ulcer? A stomach ulcer, also known as a gastric ulcer or peptic ulcer, as the second part of the name suggests, is a “wound, an open…

The holidays may be behind us but their physical effects, among others, will linger for a while. Medically speaking, it is actually a time for “damage control” for those of…

MEN’S sweat is good for women Don’t laugh. This is true. Biologists at the University of Pennsylvania found that men’s perspiration has beneficial effects on women’s mood, reduces stress and…

I CAN never quell a stir of fascination, dread and longing, when the house lights dim and the curtain parts in every Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO’s) gentle riot. It…

IN this day and age of health consciousness and the appreciation of the value and role of weight on longevity, interest in weight control and dieting is greater than ever,…

What is anorexia nervosa? This is a “psychological” disorder where the person has a disturbed sense of body image. He/she has a morbid fear of obesity, refuse to maintain a…

All of us want to live a long and healthy life. The search for the Fountain of Youth has been an obsession of man from time immemorial. More than ever…

What is an allergy? An allergy is a condition where the body overreacts following  “contact” with an allergen (dust, molds, pollen, flower, dander, fur, animal protein from hair, perfume, cosmetics,…

What is calcium? Calcium is a hard, silvery metallic element with an atomic number of 20 and an atomic weight of 40.078. It is a mineral found in bones, teeth…

IF you are, hold that glass and do not say “cheers or ganbei” yet until you read the information on urine therapy in this column. Informational technology is a wonderful…

As a common presumption goes, “One isolated incident of bad breath, like a first time thief who is caught, permanently tarnishes the reputation, and the condemnation sticks for life.” What…

How do we know when our heart is failing? This condition could be in its early stage that the individual may not even have enough symptoms to know he/she has…

Is exercise really essential to health? Yes, very much so, especially in lowering the risk for diseases, as shown in the recently published studies discussed below. To illustrate a point,…

WHAT children eat greatly determines their growth and development, the integrity of their immune system, their body’s ability to ward off infections and diseases, and their morbidity and longevity. The…

Almost 4 million people in the United States alone have undiagnosed heart disease. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 735,000 Americans have a heart attack…

THE glutathione craze seems to have spread to various countries, including the Philippines, inspired mostly by the desire for a fairer complexion and quest for the fountain of health and…

Is there a vaccine that prevents cancer? Yes, there is. It’s called Gardasil, a vaccine that prevents cervical cancer, found to be “effective 100 percent, in the short term, at…

Acid reducers and their side effects Preliminary studies suspect Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) and H2 Blockers, which reduce the secretion of stomach acid used by millions to treat gastro-esophageal reflux…

WHAT is the hardening of the artery? The hardening of the artery, medically known as arteriosclerosis, is a condition that starts very early in life, where blood clots and cholesterol…

PANCREATIC cancer is one of the deadliest and fastest killers in our society today. Because of the deeper anatomical location of the pancreas, cancer of this organ is most often…

A CLINICAL study of 3.9 million adults in 189 countries, published in the medical journal Lancet, revealed that our risk for illness (like hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and…

THE epidemic of childhood obesity, which obviously parallels the incidence among adults, have contributed to the explosion of metabolic syndrome, the most common cause of major illnesses our society faces…

“MOST American adults sleep poorly,” according to a study by the National Sleep Foundation. The findings from 1,506 adults are obviously applicable to most of us in general. The lack…

WHAT we eat and drink affects our health. The relevance of this association is even more significant among those who have pre-diabetes and those who actually have diabetes. Soft drinks—diet…

What is Barrett’s esophagus? Barrett’s esophagus is a condition where the normal cell lining (stratified squamous epithelium) of the food pipe (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach),…

What is Barrett’s esophagus? Barrett’s esophagus is a condition where the normal cell lining (stratified squamous epithelium) of the food pipe (the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach),…

What is gluten? Gluten is protein substance found in cereal grains, barley, rye, and triticale, especially wheat, which is responsible for the elastic texture of dough, an ingredient that “glues”…

Acid reducers and their side-effects Preliminary studies suspect Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) and H2 Blockers, which reduce the secretion of stomach acid used by millions to treat gastro-esophageal reflux “heartburns,”…

MINI robot retriever  In the United States alone, more than 3,500 persons accidentally swallow button batteries, which are used in toys, watches and hearing aids. In most cases, they are…

THE glutathione craze seems to have spread to various countries, including the Philippines, inspired mostly by women’s desire for a fairer complexion and people’s quest for the fountain of health…