La Salle Green Hills opens doors to health workers of Medical City

MANILA -- Health workers of The Medical City have found temporary shelter in La Salle Green Hills (LSGH), which launched its Safe Shelter project on Friday. 

In a Facebook post, LSGH thanked all those that helped them make this possible, while calling for more donations to sustain their project for frontliners.

The school, located in Mandaluyong City, also shared photos of their converted spaces, such as classrooms turned into sleeping areas.

"Continuing to do all our actions for the love of God, LSGH opens its doors for the health workers of The Medical City today," LSGH said. 

"Welcome, dear guests! We hope you find in our school, a refuge, a safe shelter," it added.

Late last month, De La Salle University and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde welcomed the homeless to stay inside their campuses during the coronavirus-induced lockdown.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

How Pope Francis lives with one lung

MANILA -- A geriatric doctor on Monday explained how Pope Francis lives with only one lung.

In an interview on dzMM's "Magandang Gabi Dok," Dr. Marc Evans Abat of the Center for Healthy Aging at The Medical City explained that the right attitude can play a big role in maintaining a person's health.

"Attitude ang isa sa mga main reasons diyan eh. Hindi lang siya physical. You can always have 'yung physical attributes na 'yun eh, maaring malusog ka, pero kung wala sa isip mo ang mabuhay ng aktibo, sayang ang kalusugan mo. Whereas kahit may sakit ka, nama-manage mo ang sakit mo, at the same time, aktibo ang isip mo and gusto mong mabuhay, at gusto mo mabuhay ng aktibo, magagawa mo ang gusto mo," Abat told host Nina Corpuz.

Pope Francis lost one of his lungs due to an infection when he was a teenager.

For Abat, the pontiff's attitude and good disposition helped him maintain good health.

"Mas mababa ang capacity ng baga ni Pope Francis kaysa sa kaedad niya na dalawa ang baga," he added.

However, the elderly should also take additional precautions to protect themselves from infection, one of the most common afflictions that affect senior citizens.

"Habang tumatanda ka, dumadami ang risk factors sa pagkakasakit. Ang baga, nagkakaroon ng changes due to exposure to different things, o kaya kung naninigarilyo ka, magsusustain ka ng damage, o kaya pollution," Abat said.

Abat also advised those who have old relatives to watch out for symptoms of infections, since they are different from symptoms exhibited by young people.

"Ibang-iba ang representasyon ng sakit sa matatanda kaysa sa mga bata," he said, adding that old people tend to feel weak or lose their appetite when they are sick.

Pope Francis, at 78 years old, showed no signs of slowing down during his five-day apostolic visit to the Philippines.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How hormones raise risk of breast cancer

MANILA -- Heavy exposure to estrogen can increase a woman's risk of having breast cancer, an expert warned.

Dr. Pierrete Kaw, a breast surgeon at The Medical City, explained on Thursday's episode of the radio show "Magandang Gabi Dok" the different risk factors for breast cancer.

The risk factors are age of menstruation and menopause, weight, and family history.

Women who first had their menstruation younger than 12 years old or those who still have their period over the age of 55 have a higher risk of breast cancer.

Women who are overweight and those who often eat fatty food are also at high risk of the disease.

Kaw said prolonged exposure to estrogen can put women at higher risk of breast cancer.

"Yung mga pasyenteng hindi pa nabubuntis, exposed sa estrogen. Kapag kasi nabuntis, may ibang hormone, 'yung progesterone. Increased exposure to estrogen increases the risk," Kaw added.

Taking oral contraceptives and hormonal replacement pills continuously for at least 5 years also put women at higher risk of breast cancer.

"If you take pills, pwedeng putol-putol ang pag-inom. Mas maganda kung putol-putol, lalo na kung may family history [ng breast cancer]," Kaw advised.

The doctor also advised women to do a self-examination of the breast at least once a month.

"At the age of 20, dapat nagche-check na tayo ng sariling suso," Kaw said.

The self-examination should be done from the 7th to the 10th day after the period.

What to watch out for

Symptoms of breast cancer include painless lumps that grow in size, wounds and discoloration on the skin on the breast, blood on the nipples, and other skin abnormalities.

Breast lumps are usually hard to the touch, and are not painful.

However, Kaw clarified that not all lumps are signs of cancer.

"Kung may kinalaman sa period, kapag nawala ang period, nawawala yung bukol o 'yung pain," she added.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

What you need to know about sepsis

MANILA -- Are you worried you or someone you know might have sepsis? Here are ways to identify its symptoms.

Sepsis is a life-threatening complication caused by any kind of infection. Formerly referred to as blood infection, it became known in 2005 as the cause of death of Pope John Paul II.

In an interview on "Magandang Gabi Dok" on Thursday, Dr. Jose Emmanuel Palo of The Medical City explained how common infections can lead to sepsis.

"Ang sepsis ay reaction ng katawan sa isang infection," Palo said. "Hindi siya 'yung infection, separate po siya doon sa infection mismo. Kaya lang, 'yung reaction po na iyon, inherent po, nasa loob ng katawan natin. Minsan nakaka-damage po or nakakasama sa sariling mga organs or tissues po ng katawan natin."

Any kind of infection, whether caused by a virus, bacteria or fungus, may cause sepsis, Palo added.

Sepsis can also lead to death, especially in severe cases.

According to Palo, common symptoms of sepsis include fever, increase in pulse and heart rate, rapid breathing and a feeling of weakness.

Once it becomes severe, sepsis can also cause a person's blood pressure to drop.

"Kapag bumagsak na ang blood pressure ng isang taong may sepsis, tapos hindi na po mahabol using swero o fluids, nangangailangan na po ng special na medicines para mapaakyat ang blood pressure," Palo added.

Palo said it is important for people to immediately consult a doctor once they notice these symptoms.

"Ang importante siguro is kapag nandoon na ang mga symptoms or signs na 'yun at nararamdaman natin, the moment po na feeling natin kakaiba na po ang pakiramdam, nanghihina po, mas importante po siguro na i-check po kung nangyayari na ang sepsis."

Doctors can then check whether a person is suffering from sepsis through blood tests.

Palo also said people with prevailing illnesses like cancer, or those undergoing treatments like dialysis, are at high risk of sepsis.

This is also the reason why doctors and other hospital personnel should practice proper hygiene.

"Halimbawa may cancer. Habang nag-chemotherapy, habang ginagamot, bumabagsak ang immune system. Mas mataas ang chance na magkaroon ng sepsis," he added.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

What happens during a heart attack

MANILA -- Here's what happens when a person suffers from a heart attack.

On Thursday's episode of "Magandang Gabi Dok," Dr. Jose Paolo Prado, a cardiologist from The Medical City, explained how a person can suffer from heart attack.

More often than not, a heart attack is caused by clogged arteries or veins.

"Nagbabara ang mga ugat sa puso dahil sa cholesterol. Ito ay sakit ng mga may edad dahil over time, habang kumakain ng pagkaing may cholesterol, nagkakaroon ng deposito 'yung sides ng ugat," Prado said.

"Ito pong mga cholesterol deposits na 'to, pinapakipot niya yung lagusan ng dugo. Ang nangyayari dito, pinapakipot niya ang lagusan ng dugo kaya hindi nasusuplayan ng dugo 'yung heart muscle kaya ito ho ay nararamdaman bilang chest pain," he added.

Chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack, especially if it is felt after a strenuous activities, or extreme emotions.

"Kapag bumibilis ang tibok ng puso, kinakailangan ng oxygen."

Prado also explained that unlike other people, those suffering from diabetes do not feel chest pains.

Instead, they feel pain in other parts of their body, which makes it more difficult to determine whether they are suffering from a heart attack.

Those who feel sudden chest pains must immediately go to the hospital for immediate treatment.

"Ang pagpunta po sa ospital ay napakaimportante po kasi nagmamadali po kami kapag nagbabara 'yung ugat, kasi gusto namin mabuksan ulit 'yung nagbabarang ugat ng mabilisan," Prado said, adding that if possible, an emergency angioplasty should be performed on a patient within 90 minutes.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Mother Lily undergoes lung operation

MANILA, Philippines – Regal Films matriarch Lily Monteverde underwent an operation on Thursday morning to remove an abnormal growth in her lungs.



According to entertainment website Pep.ph, Monteverde went under the knife around 7 a.m. Thursday at The Medical City in Pasig.

Prior to Monteverde’s operation, a Mass was held for her speedy recovery at the Imperial Palace Suites in Quezon City, which was attended by Monteverde’s friends in and out of showbiz.

In an interview with Pep.ph, Monteverde's daughter Meme said their family was really concerned after they learned that there’s a two-centimeter mass growth in her mother’s lungs.

Despite this, Meme said their entire family was able to hold on because Monteverde herself is handling the situation very well.

“She’s really a strong woman. She’s really amazing. So, kami, ako, I just let her be. Kung ayaw niyang magpahinga, I let her because I also don’t want to keep reminding her of her condition. In fact, kagabi, nag-e-exercise pa siya. I just let her,” she said.

“It’s a good thing naikuha ko na siya ng medical insurance two years ago. So it’s taken cared of. Hindi na kami ma-i-stress sa bagay na ’yon. And we can just all focus on taking care of her,” she added.

Meme said their family decided to just have Monteverde’s operation in the Philippines and they are all hoping for the best.

Meanwhile, Monteverde’s daughter Roselle thanked those who are continuously praying for their mother.

"We're so thankful to all our friends and relatives for their support and prayers. They stood by Mother during the time she was diagnosed. She felt so much love and care which made her really strong and hopeful,” Roselle said in a statement.

Roselle said they also appreciate the gesture of President Benigno Aquino III and Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas when they paid her mother a visit days ahead of her operation.

“Mother was so enlightened upon knowing of the President's visit. She couldn't believe it that a person so powerful will have time to visit her,” she said.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Corona in ICU for possible heart attack - SC spokesman

Chief Justice Renato Corona has been admitted to the intensive care unit of The Medical City "for a possible heart attack," Supreme Court spokesman Midas Marquez said early Wednesday.

Corona was brought to the hospital Tuesday evening after complaining of dizziness during his impeachment trial earlier in the day.

In a telephone interview aired over ANC, Marquez said he had visited Corona late Tuesday and talked to the magistrate about the possibility of returning to the Senate for the continuation of his testimony on Wednesday. He said he was at the hospital until 11 p.m.

"When I got home, I received the disturbing news that he was wheeled to the ICU for a possible heart attack," Marquez said.

Defense lawyers earlier said that Corona, who has diabetes, had suffered from low blood sugar after giving an almost three-hour opening statement at his impeachment trial Tuesday afternoon.

Marquez said family members had informed him that Corona has had a previous double bypass and has weak kidneys, among other medical conditions.

He said Corona was under sedation when he arrived at the hospital and was "kinda groggy" when they talked earlier in the evening.

"He asked me about the hearing tomorrow. I told him if he's physically able to attend, it would be best because the senators are waiting for him," Marquez said.

"I thought he would be alright already," Marquez added.

Senate President and presiding officer Juan Ponce Enrile has warned the defense team that Corona's testimony would be stricken from the court records, and the senator-judges would make a decision on the basis of previous evidence if the magistrate does not return to the impeachment court on Wednesday for cross-examination.

Enrile was outraged when Corona capped his lengthy opening statement by saying, "And now the chief justice of the Republic of the Philippines wishes to be excused," before briskly walking out of the Senate hall despite the Senate President's appeal for him to come back because he had not yet been discharged.

Corona looked disheveled when he was brought back to the hall after an hour. He remained silent while Enrile was castigating lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas about the actions of his client.

Marquez said Corona's wife Cristina and their two children were at the hospital with the chief justice. A medical bulletin will be issued about Corona's condition at around 8 or 9 a.m. Wednesday, he added. - YA, GMA News

source:gmanetwork.com