Philippine News

When people decide to change their habits and set a health goal, they often try to achieve a healthy weight, but let’s pause for a second and ask, what is a healthy weight? Is it a number? A feeling? Is there even a “right weight”? Each person’s body is unique, and a healthy weight depends on that person’s size, lifestyle and goals. For a more accurate determination of what a healthy weight is, use the Body Mass Index (BMI). ​What Is Body Mass Index (BMI)? ​Body Mass Index i

The wet season signals the start of colder, rainy weather and or even flooding. With all the changes in the weather, we usually see a spike in the prevalence of certain conditions too. In the Philippines, we have to be careful for a handful of rainy season illnesses such as water-borne diseases, dengue, influenza, and leptospirosis. To keep yourself and your loved ones safe against these conditions during the wet months, here are a few preventive steps you can take. Practice

Blood is essential to one’s survival, acting as a way for oxygen and essential nutrients to reach different organs in the body. This is why healthcare institutions are always in need of blood to give a lifeline to patients with serious medical conditions or to nurse them back to health. The Philippine Red Cross estimates that more than 2,000 blood units [JAG1] are being transfused to patients all over the country every day. You also cannot discount the possibility that someon

Any type of transportation might cause motion sickness. Feeling ill while in motion can strike suddenly, often beginning with a general feeling of discomfort. Symptoms may worsen to a cold sweat, dizziness and vomiting. Many people feel better as soon as the motion stops. The more you travel, the more easily you may adjust to being in motion. Treatment Treatments for motion sickness include certain techniques, supplements and medicines. These tips may help relieve motion sick

The only way to know for sure if you have HIV is to get tested. You can’t rely on symptoms to tell whether you have HIV. Knowing your HIV status gives you powerful information so you can take steps to keep yourself and your partner(s) healthy: If you test positive, you can take medicine to treat HIV. People with HIV who take HIV medicine (called antiretroviral therapy or ART) as prescribed and get and keep an undetectable viral load can live long and healthy lives and will no

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that is usually seen in children between 10-15 years of age during the growth spurt just prior to the onset of puberty. About 2-4% of people in the US are affected by this condition. Scoliosis Awareness Month is celebrated in the month of June to help raise awareness regarding the diagnosis and treatment of scoliosis. Here are 5 interesting facts about scoliosis: Scoliosis is not caused due to bad posture. The most common type o

90% of food, fuel, raw materials and finished goods in the world are delivered by sea. For this reason, the safety of seafarers is a very important issue in the maritime industry. Let’s take a look at Seafarers Safety in details. Shipping is one of the biggest and risky sectors of international trade in the world. Transporting cargo between oceans involves physical and financial risks. Every part of the transport business has strict rules.The first rule is “security and safet

Ebola disease is caused by a group of viruses, known as orthoebolaviruses (formerly ebolavirus)1. These viruses can cause serious illness that, without treatment, can cause death. Orthoebolaviruses were discovered in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and are found primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. Types There are 4 types of orthoebolaviruses that cause illness in people: • Ebola virus (species Orthoebolavirus zairense) causes Ebola virus disease. • Sudan virus (spec

A cruise ship is currently stranded off the coast of West Africa after a suspected hantavirus outbreak killed three people and made several others very sick. Health officials have found a small number of confirmed and suspected cases of this rare virus on board. What is hantavirus? This class of virus was first identified in the Hantaan River area in Korea. Mice and other rodents often carry the hantavirus. Humans can contract the disease when they come into contact with infe

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. While medication is often necessary for managing severe cases, dietary changes can play a significant role in reducing blood pressure naturally. One of the most well-researched and effective dietary strategies for hypertension is the DASH diet — Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Alec Kherlopian, MD, a cardiologist supportive of the DASH diet and director of the hypertension cli

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is often called the "silent killer" because many people do not exhibit symptoms until the condition becomes severe or causes complications, including heart disease, stroke, and irreversible kidney damage. Understanding the dangers of hypertension Blood pressure measures the force exerted by circulating blood on the walls of the body's arteries. It’s usually described by two numbers: systolic pressure over diastolic pressure (i.e., 120/80). S

Work stress affects us all; however, when stress from work begins to affect other areas of your life, it’s time to take action. For example, a recent study revealed that 7 in 10 adults reported that workplace stress affects personal relationships. A survey reported that a shocking 91% of respondents said that feeling overwhelmingly stressed negatively affects the quality of their work. Most of us have to face complex problem-solving at work in some capacity, mix in deadlines,

About Stress Awareness Month 2026 Stress Awareness Month, observed every April since 1992, is a crucial initiative aimed at raising public awareness about the causes, effects, and management of stress. In our increasingly fast-paced world, stress has become a common part of everyday life, yet it remains a topic often overlooked or misunderstood. Stress Awareness Month provides an important opportunity to break the stigma around mental health, promote stress management strateg

Life at sea is demanding. Long hours, isolation, fatigue, and high responsibility create a unique environment where unhealthy coping mechanisms, like smoking, can thrive. However, smoking is not just a personal habit but a serious risk in the environment onboard vessels. Smoking remains one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide. For seafarers, the risks are even greater due to limited access to medical care while onboard. Conditions such as heart disease, respi

After a heart attack, a stroke, a diagnosis of heart failure or a heart procedure, people are often leery about exercising. They may wonder: Can I? Should I? Will I risk another heart event? Yes, you can—and should—be physically active in all these cases, says Johns Hopkins cardiologist Bill McEvoy, M.B., B.Ch. “It’s a no-brainer,” he says. “After a heart problem, once people are able to get up a flight of stairs without symptoms, they can resume mild to moderate exercise.” J

How Homeowners Can Prevent Electrical Fires Electrical fires are among the most common risks in Philippine households. Homeowners should schedule regular electrical inspections to ensure wiring is safe and compliant with standards. Avoid overloading outlets and never use multiple devices on a single socket, including “octopus connections.” Using certified electrical equipment reduces the risk of short circuits and sparks, making this a key step in fire prevention tips for hom

Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. For many women, mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat. Mammograms can find cancer before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. Symptoms There are different symptoms of breast cancer, and some people have no symptoms at all. Symptoms can include: Any change in the size or the shape of the breast. Pain in any area of the breast. Nipple discharge other

How Common Are Fire Incidents in the Philippines? Fire incidents remain a serious concern across the Philippines, with thousands of cases reported each year. According to the Bureau of Fire Protection, residential fires, small business fires, and community incidents account for the majority of fire-related emergencies. These incidents often lead to significant property damage and economic losses, affecting both homeowners and business owners. Implementing proper fire preventi

Every year during March, Fire Prevention Month in the Philippines is observed to raise awareness about the dangers of fire and the importance of safety preparedness. This nationwide campaign encourages individuals, families, and businesses to learn practical ways to prevent fires and respond properly during emergencies. Through public education and safety programs, Fire Prevention Month highlights simple but effective fire safety tips residents can apply in their daily lives.

High blood pressure significantly increases the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. High blood pressure is not usually something that you can feel or notice, and it can go undiagnosed because there are usually no symptoms. Regardless, high blood pressure can lead to kidney damage, stroke or a heart attack. Therefore, it's important you get your blood pressure checked regularly. Check with your GP or nurse how often to get it checked. 1. Regular physical