Category: Articles

Ulcers can last for a week

It appears having an ulcer is not a short-term ordeal. According to Westlake Medical Center gastroenterologist Dr. Jerome Torres, ulcers can usually last for two to four weeks.

“Ulcer, which is commonly caused by the helicobacter pylori bacteria, is a condition in which the lining of the stomach or intestines has a sore like a mouth sore,” he explains. The length of the condition varies from patient to patient.

Ulcer symptoms include stomach pain (regardless whether it’s related to food or not), heartburn, stomach ache, and vomiting.

Those who think they display any of those symptoms can get tested for ulcer by undergoing upper endoscopy or EGD, typically an outpatient procedure that allows doctors to examine the esophagus and stomach using a small camera tube placed inside the mouth. If a doctor finds an abnormality, a biopsy may be required.

The treatment of choice for ulcers are proton pump inhibitors, medicines that help reduce the amount of acid made by the stomach. Antacids can also be a treatment option. However, when ulcers are left untreated and get worse, they can lead to the perforation of the stomach and intestines.

“To prevent having ulcers, observe proper handwashing, eat properly cooked foods, have a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and adopt a healthy lifestyle,” Dr. Torres says.

“Those already with ulcers should eat a high-fiber diet, avoid fatty and oily foods, and give up smoking and any other kind of vice.”

If you’re manifesting symptoms of ulcer or want to know more about the condition, you can visit Westlake Medical Center. To get expert medical advice regularly, follow Westlake Medical Center at https://www.facebook.com/WestlakeMedCenterPH/ and at https://www.tiktok.com/@wmctiktok.

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Chili foods causes Ulcer? Chill!

If you like your food covered in chili or you regularly forget to eat on time, you might be glad to know that your routine, though it can appear quite risky, will not lead to ulcers.

Dr. Jerome Torres, a gastroenterologist at Westlake Medical Center, says that there is no truth in the belief that spicy food can cause ulcers. However, he added, it can cause the lining of the stomach and intestines to become sensitive and eventually bring pain.

To those who can’t avoid missing normal meal times, Dr. Torres suggests they take small amounts of food frequently throughout the day to avoid increased sensitivity of the stomach.

“Ulcer is a condition in which the lining of the stomach or intestines has a sore like a mouth sore,” he explains. Signs of ulcers include stomach pain (regardless whether it’s related to food or not), heartburn, stomach ache, and vomiting.

The most common cause of ulcer is the helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that’s also responsible for stomach cancer. Other causes include nonsteroidal medications, anti-inflammatory medications, and pain relievers. When ulcers get worse, they can lead to the perforation of the stomach and intestines.

To prevent ulcers, Dr. Torres recommends proper handwashing, eating properly cooked meals, adopting a healthy diet that’s rich in fruits and vegetables, and leading a healthy lifestyle.

“When you already have ulcers, have a high-fiber diet, consume plenty of fruits and vegetables, avoid oily and fatty food, and quit smoking and drinking. And of course, follow the advice of your doctor and take your medicines on time.”

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Ants in urine? Might be Diabetes

If you see ants congregating around your urine, it likely means you have too much sugar in your system. Is it a definite sign of diabetes? Not necessarily.

“Not everyone who has ants in their urine is automatically diabetic,” notes Westlake Medical Center endocrinologist Dr. Andres Ebison Jr. “But when this happens it means the sugar level in the blood is already too high that it’s already spilling into the urine.” It might or might not be a sign of diabetes, so it’s best to consult a doctor right away.

Weight loss and numbing limbs

There are other signs to look out for to know if you have diabetes.

“These symptoms include excessive weight loss or unexplainable weight drop, excessive thirst or hunger, and uncontrollable urination, especially at night,” Dr. Ebison says. “They also include extreme fatigue after doing very little and having infections in various parts of the body.”

To those already living with diabetes, there are symptoms that might indicate they need to take care of themselves better or they need to seek medical attention.

Prickly sensation on the foot, and numbness of the legs and hands can be complications of diabetes, or what’s called diabetic neuropathy where sugar gradually damages the body’s nerves. To reduce symptoms of neuropathy, patients need to take their medicine on schedule, keep their blood sugar at target level, and regularly meet their doctor.

Affects the young and old

Diabetes is classified into three groups. Type 1 diabetes is the result of a damaged pancreas, the body’s main source of insulin. Type 2 diabetes, the most prevalent diabetes in the world, results when the pancreas is unable to sufficiently produce insulin or the body is unable to use insulin effectively. Gestational diabetes results when sugar levels increase among pregnant women. Once they give birth, the condition is expected to disappear.

“Diabetes doesn’t choose age. It can affect anyone, even children or newborns,” Dr. Ebison notes. “Children often get Type 1 diabetes, so they have to take medication, particularly insulin, for their entire life.”

If you’re manifesting symptoms of diabetes or want to know more about the disease, you can visit Westlake Medical Center. To get expert medical advice regularly, follow Westlake Medical Center at https://www.facebook.com/WestlakeMedCenterPH/ and at https://www.tiktok.com/@wmctiktok

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Diabetes management? “Apat dapat”!

Unsure of how to manage diabetes? Just keep in mind the “apat dapat” rule.

“First, modify your lifestyle. Second, exercise or engage in physical activity regularly. Third, take your medicine and insulin as prescribed. And fourth, meet your doctor and undergo laboratory tests if needed,” Westlake Medical Center endocrinologist Dr. Andres Ebison Jr. explains.

Among the four, lifestyle modification is the most important, according to Dr. Ebison. It includes having a proper diet, not smoking, and avoiding excessive alcohol drinking. He adds, “Patients also need to move often because they need to burn the food they eat.”

Pinggang Pinoy

While there is no perfect diet for people with diabetes, a good guide is the Department of Health’s “Pinggang Pinoy” which promotes proper food proportions. This prescribes that half portion of a 9-inch plate is filled with vegetables, 1/4 portion with meat serving, and the remaining 1/4 portion for rice or a carbohydrate source.

Diabetic patients can also have sugar-free foods or food products that won’t raise their blood sugar level. However, Dr. Ebison warns that just because something is branded as sugar-free doesn’t mean it’s okay to have it in excessive amounts.

“Consume them in moderation because some sugar-free products use sweeteners or sugar substitutes that can cause obesity and can lead to other health problems,” he says.

Meds are not enough

Medicines are important in treating diabetes, but they’re not enough. Regular monitoring of their blood sugar levels is also important. “Doctors use blood sugar levels as a basis for determining if a person has diabetes. Sugar levels also help us determine what kind of medicine to prescribe, or if we gave the patient the right medication dosage,” Dr. Ebison notes.

He added that a non-diabetic person should expect their fasting blood sugar to be less than 100 mg/dL while a diabetic patient who’s already taking medication should expect it to be 80 to 130 mg/dL. However, these targets depend on the age and health condition of a patient.

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Masakit ang batok: Does it automatically mean high blood?

You’ve probably heard it one too many times — when your nape hurts, it most likely means your blood pressure is on the rise.

It’s not necessarily always true.

In a recent interview, Dr. Raulito Co, a cardiologist at Westlake Medical Center, said that such discomfort, even vertigo, another possible sign of hypertension, could be the result of fatigue or something else entirely.

“One can’t quickly conclude they’re on the verge of developing hypertension with these supposed symptoms unless they have their blood pressure checked,” he added.

“Consulting a doctor remains the best way to know the real cause of your discomfort and to get the right treatment for it.”

However, Dr. Co, warns that consuming fatty, salty, and high-cholesterol foods can shoot one’s blood pressure up and trigger that sharp pain behind the neck. This is especially true for people already living with hypertension or high cholesterol.

“To maintain a normal blood pressure, people with hypertension should consistently take their medication and have a healthy diet,” he said. “They should also make it a habit to exercise regularly and have follow up check ups with their doctor.”

If you’re manifesting symptoms of hypertension or want to know more about the disease, you can visit Westlake Medical Center. To get expert medical advice regularly, follow Westlake Medical Center at https://www.facebook.com/WestlakeMedCenterPH/ and at https://www.tiktok.com/@westlakemedicalcenter.

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Hypertension: The inheritance nobody wants

Yes, hypertension can be inherited from parents.

That’s what Dr. Raulito Co, a cardiologist at Westlake Medical Center, noted in a recent interview.

Dr. Co stressed the importance of consulting a doctor, especially when hypertension symptoms begin to manifest. He said that the condition, if left untreated, can lead to many kinds of illnesses like heart disease, stroke, and kidney ailments.

He suggested that anyone who has a family history of hypertension and wants to lower their risk of contracting it should start leading a healthy lifestyle by eating right and engaging in proper exercise.

Simple activities like brisk walking and jogging, done for thirty minutes to an hour, are already very good for the heart, Dr. Co pointed out. He also noted that a healthy diet entails more than just consuming adequate amounts of vegetables. It’s also avoiding foods that are fatty, oily, and high in sodium.

He added that people already diagnosed with hypertension should take their prescribed medicines daily and lead a healthy lifestyle to maintain a normal blood pressure. They should also visit their doctor regularly for possible prescription adjustment or laboratory requests in case their cholesterol level needs checking.

Dr. Co encourages hypertensive women who saw their blood pressure spike during and after pregnancy to consult their doctor as their medication may need adjusting.

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