Category Archives: Blog

Why Don't Patients Take Their Meds

On: July 17, 2013 By: Danielle Ofri, MD, PhD Posted in Blog, Health

A good chunk of every medical visit is spent writing prescriptions. Before we had an electronic medical record, this was often an arduous task, leading to serious writer’s cramp. Now the computer makes it easier on the doctor, but it doesn’t seem to have much effect on the patient. An article in the Journal of General Internal Medicine highlighted what most doctors have suspected all along, that a good chunk for these beautifully printed, fully legible prescriptions never make it to the drug store to be converted into actual pills. The study utilized an electronic system to trace nearly 200,000 » » » [Read more]

Delay Cord Cutting in Newborns

On: July 15, 2013 By: Toni Brayer, MD Posted in Blog, Health, News

A new study has shown that delaying cutting the cord in a newborn baby is associated with better health for the baby because more blood (hemoglobin) passes from the mother to the baby as the cord is still attached.

What Are The Types Of Repetitive Stress Injury?

On: July 14, 2013 By: robsem Posted in Blog, Health

As most cases, repetitive stress injury is classified into two respective types. Below is the explanation of each type and how they differ from each other. Type-1 Repetitive Stress Injury Repetitive stress injury that fall in this category are based on one thing, it can be diagnosed by a physician through its recognized signs and symptoms. These symptoms usually involve inflammation and swelling of soft tissues like tendons or muscles affected by stress. Some of the signs and symptoms that are clinically seen on an Repetitive Stress Injury case Bursitis Bursitis is defined as the inflammation of the bursa. Bursa » » » [Read more]

Diabetic Ketoacidosis In A Patient With Thyroid Storm: A Case Report

On: July 10, 2013 By: Odessa Wilson, MD, FPCP Posted in Blog, Medical Journals

M.K., a 25 year-old female, Filipina-Japanese, presented at the Emergency Room due to abdominal pain. Her aunt stated that she had been noted to be very irritable for the past week before consult but attributed it to stress from the patient’s new job. She had been complaining of epigastric pain but only took AlMgOH, an antacid, which provided slight relief. The patient also claimed that she had been having nausea and had poor appetite, hence did not inject insulin for the past 2 days. She also experienced palpitation, heat intolerance, hyperdefecation and lightheadedness. The patient is a diagnosed case of » » » [Read more]

Why Is Obesity A Problem

On: July 9, 2013 By: Odessa Wilson, MD, FPCP Posted in Blog, Fitness, Health

Obesity is a multifactorial problem. It does not only result from overeating and sedentary lifestyles but as well as cultural attitudes, genetic predisposition and lack of proper knowledge on nutrition. With the rising economy and advancing technology, people tend to depend on fast food and ready-to-eat pre-packed easy-to-prepare frozen food to beat their hunger and allot more time for other activities like surfing the internet, working on the computer, or simply watching TV after work. Combined with the advancement in technologies which gives us the accessibility of cars for transportation to go to places, even just the near ones like » » » [Read more]

Tendonitis

On: July 6, 2013 By: robsem Posted in Blog, Health

So, you have been diagnosed with wrist tendonitis, or fear you might develop it, and it is time to look at treatments. Preventative methods for tendonitis of the wrist are part of a comprehensive treatment program and should be exercised during and after recovery. Tendonitis can be caused by repetitive or acute trauma or a combination of the two. Treatment for tendonitis is the same whether it developed as a repetitive stress injury or not. Finding the Cause of Tendonitis The first step in treating and preventing wrist tendonitis is understanding what caused it. Many general causes of repetitive stress » » » [Read more]

Underactive Thyroid

On: July 3, 2013 By: Odessa Wilson, MD, FPCP Posted in Blog, Health

The condition of having an underactive thyroid is called hypothyroidism. This is a state of thyroid hormone deficiency or lack of thyroid hormones. It may be caused by an abnormality in the thyroid gland itself which is called primary hypothyroidism or by an insufficient level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) causing under stimulation of the thyroid gland resulting to low thyroid hormone production. Underactive Thyroid Symptoms Signs and symptoms of thyroid hormone deficiency reflect the need for thyroid hormones in metabolism and its effect on all organs. Patients present with thickened features and puffy appearance. Swelling around the eyes and » » » [Read more]

A Comparative Study of the Effect of Vildagliptin and Glimepiride on Glucose Variability in Type 2 Diabetic Patients With Inadequate Glycemic Control on Metformin

On: July 1, 2013 By: Odessa Wilson, MD, FPCP Posted in Blog, Medical Journals

Authors: Odessa G. Tolentino-Wilson, M.D., FPCP Augusto D. Litonjua, M.D., FPCP, FPSEM, FACE Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism Makati Medical Center INTRODUCTION: Vildagliptin is a member of the dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor (DPP-IV inhibitor) class of drugs. These drugs are believed to improve glucose variability by restoring the physiologic pattern of insulin secretion. Vildagliptin improves glycemia by improving beta and alpha cells’ sensitivity to glucose.1 This addresses the impaired glucose-mediated suppression of glucagon secretion in diabetes that results in increased hepatic glucose output and subsequently hyperglycemia.2 In a study that compared the effect of vildagliptin and glimepiride on prandial glucagon » » » [Read more]

What is Ergonomics?

On: June 29, 2013 By: robsem Posted in Blog, Health

Ergonomics is a term thrown around by health professionals and marketing mavens with a cavalier attitude. For some it has a very specific meaning. For others it covers everything under the sun. With all this different verbiage flying at you, you are probably starting to wonder, “What is Ergonomics?” Definition of Ergonomics Ergonomics derives from two Greek words: ergon, meaning work, and nomoi, meaning natural laws, to create a word that means the science of work and a person’s relationship to that work. The International Ergonomics Association has adopted this technical definition: ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline » » » [Read more]

Overactive Thyroid

On: June 27, 2013 By: Odessa Wilson, MD, FPCP Posted in Blog, Health

Excessive production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland causes the state of a hyperactive thyroid known as hyperthyroidism and usually is associated by diffuse thyroid gland enlargement. One cause of hyperthyroidism is a condition known as Graves’ disease. It is often associated with enlargement of the eyes known as Graves’ ophthalmopathy and sometime associated with abnormality in the bone around the eyes, the orbit, known as Graves’ orbitopathy. It is believed that Graves’ disease is a result of an immunologic process. Pregnancy has an important association with the development of Graves’ disease (hyperthyroidism). Some patients who were previously normal » » » [Read more]