How's your heart? DOH says take care

MANILA, Philippines - Matters of the heart take center stage this February. Not only will Filipinos celebrate Valentine's Day on the 14th, February is Heart Month as well.

Presidential Decree No. 1096, which was signed in 1973, coincides a national effort to increase awareness about the physical condition of the heart with all the romantic trappings during the season of the heart.

After all, the top 2 killer diseases among Filipinos are diseases of the heart and vascular system, according to Health Secretary Enrique T. Ona.

About 90% of Filipinos have one or more risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, he said.

Among these risk factors are physical inactivity, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. These triggers can be managed, unlike age and hereditary risks, which are a given.

The health chief, thus, reminded Filipinos to take care of their hearts, to adopt a healthy lifestyle, and avoid vices to lessen their risk of getting heart diseases.

Prevention is better than cure

Ona also said prevention is the most cost-effective way to reduce the rising trend of morbidities and mortalities arising from heart diseases and diseases of the vascular system.

And prevention should start early.

Eat more fruits and vegetables to have a healthy heart.

"While still young, our children should be encouraged to be more active and practice a healthy lifestyle in order for them to develop the habit and lead a more productive life when they grow old," Ona said.

A healthy lifestyle, he added, can help prevent increased blood pressure, blood glucose count, abnormal blood lipid, and obesity or being overweight.

Among the ways Filipinos can adopt to achieve a healthy lifestyle concern diet (eat fruits and vegetables, reduce intake of salty and fatty foods), exercise (do it regularly), shunning of vices (avoid smoking, drink alcohol moderately), and stress management through relaxation.

The Philippine Heart Association leads efforts in observing Heart Month yearly. The association partners with the DOH, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, non-government agencies, medical societies, and pharmaceutical companies in mapping out activities to increase awareness about the importance of caring for one's heart and overall health.

Drug for pain relief listed as 'dangerous'

MANILA, Philippines – A synthetic opioid used for pain relief has been added to the list of dangerous drugs based on regulations issued by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DBB).

According to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Undersecretary Jose Gutierrez, the DDB issued last December 16, 2010 Regulation Number 1, series of 2010 that classified Nalbuphine Hydrochloride as a dangerous drug effective January 28, 2011.

PDEA said Nalbuphine Hydrochloride’s analgesic potency and characteristics are similar to that of Morphine, Demerol, Pethidine or Codeine.

PDEA reminded all importers, manufacturers, wholesalers/distributors/traders and retailers of the drug to register and apply for license with the Compliance Service (CS), the regulatory arm of the agency.

Only practitioners with valid S-2 License can prescribe the said pharmaceutical product through DOH-prescribed "yellow prescription" for a maximum of only 40 milligrams per prescription. Importation, likewise, requires an import permit duly approved by the agency.

The PDEA chief said that based on the foregoing DDB Regulations, PDEA, as the lead anti-drug agency in partnership with the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Customs and other instrumentalities in the field of drug law enforcement, will include this substance in their close monitoring and will apprehend offenders of the law.

DOH records at least 50 firecracker injuries

MANILA, Philippines - More than 50 people have been rushed to hospitals due to firecracker injuries, the Department of Health (DOH) said Saturday.

Dr. Eric Tayag, chief of the DOH's epidemiology center, said a total of 55 cases of firecracker-related injuries have been recorded as of December 26.

"Wala pa namang napuputulan (Fortunately, nobody has been amputated)," Tayag told radio dzMM.

The DOH started its anti-firecracker campaign before December, showing gory pictures of blasted hands and amputated body parts caused by firecrackers.

Tayag said Filipinos should welcome the New Year "silently" to avoid being hurt by firecrackers.

A radio dzMM report, meanwhile, said 2 persons, including a 9-month-old baby have been rushed to the Amang Rodriguez Hospital in Rizal province due to firecracker injuries.

The radio report said Gorcella Bongoy, 23 of Sitio Silangan, Barangay Dela Paz, Antipolo City and 9-month-old baby Perez. of Molave Street, Barangay Parang in Marikina City were rushed to hospital on Friday.

The 2 sustained injuries in the legs and hands after being hit by a "Boga," a bazooka-like cannon, and a firecracker called Piccolo.

The victims have been discharged from the hospital.