The Philippine National Dental Health Month is observed in our country every February. This observance started as National Dental Health Week in 1951, but was expanded into a month-long event in 2004 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 559 signed by then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Spearheaded by the Philippine Dental Association (PDA), this aims to raise public awareness on the importance of good oral hygiene.

Sadly, oral health seems to be a neglected aspect of health care among Filipinos. According to the National Monitoring and Evaluation Dental Survey conducted by the Department of Health in 2011, 77% or more than 7 out of 10 Filipinos have never even been to a dentist. It was also found that 87% of Filipinos (about 91 million) have tooth decay.

How do we maintain good oral hygiene? Here are some tips from the PDA:

Click here for the full report on Tooth Decay, Hindi Okay:

February is already here! Before you plan your surprises for your loved ones, checking the weather first is an absolute must. Here are the top three things you need to know about this month’s weather:

1. No goodbyes for Amihan yet.

Slightly colder weather will prevail in some parts of Luzon as the Northeast Monsoon, locally known as Amihan is expected to continue its peak. The surge of these winds usually occurs during January to February each year.

In history, the coldest day in February was experienced in Baguio City wherein a chilling 6.7 degrees Celsius was recorded on February 1, 1963.

However, due to the strong El Niño, the effect of Amihan this year may not be as dominant as the previous years.

Aside from lower temperatures, light rains may also occur, mostly in the northern provinces. Meanwhile, for small seacraft, venturing out into the sea may also be risky as strong to gale force winds associated with the Amihan may still be experienced.

2. Missing the rain

Based on the rainfall outlook, most parts of the Luzon, entire Visayas and several areas in Mindanao could receive a way-below normal amount of rain this month.

Dry conditions, dry spells and droughts are expected to prevail. These are the main challenges the agricultural sector faces.

3. There’s still a chance… for a weather disturbance.

Despite the occurring El Niño, our country is still not safe from a Tropical Cyclone or “bagyo”. PAGASA says that an average of 0 to 1 Tropical Cyclone may develop within or enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this February.

Other weather systems expected to affect the country include the Northeast Monsoon, Tail End of a Cold Front, Low Pressure Area, Ridge of High Pressure Area, and Trough of Low Pressure Area.

Because the Amihan is still the country’s dominant weather system, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains will be experienced in Batanes, Calayan and the Babuyan Group of Islands. Meanwhile, clear skies with a chance of isolated light rains are expected in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon. In Visayas and Minadao, generally fair weather is expected, but best to bring umbrellas for there is still a chance of isolated thunderstorms, usually during the afternoon or evening.

According to PAGASA Weather Forecaster Aldczar Aurelio, even though the Amihan has been weak the previous days, it might intensify by Thursday. This is because January until February is the peak of the Amihan season, where frost is usually experienced in Benguet. So, better get your jackets and sweaters ready; brace for cold mornings ahead!

February is indeed the month of romantic expression. Proof of which is the explosion of heart symbols everywhere you look. Fittingly enough, February is also considered as the Philippine Heart Month. This is by virtue of Proclamation No.1096 as declared by the national government in 1973. So, just like how we guard our hearts when falling in love, so must we learn how to keep our hearts healthy and disease-free.

The heart is a muscular organ located under the rib cage at the center of the chest. The muscular walls beat or contract, pumping and providing blood to each part of the body. This pumping motion creates heartbeats, which can be measured by counting the pulse felt through the arteries near the skin’s surface.

A healthy heart pumps blood normally, also ensuring the healthy of the different parts of our body. However, some factors could lead to coronary diseases, making the heart function improperly.

Several heart diseases are common around the world. One of these is the heart attack which, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is the number one cause of death in men and women in the United States. Heart attacks are often related to coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease, a condition in which plaque builds up within the arteries that supplies the blood to the heart. As a result, the heart muscle becomes blocked and can hardly get oxygen.

The Department of Health (DOH) says the risk factors of coronary heart disease include heredity, high levels of cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high-fat diet, lack of exercise and emotional stress.

Signs and symptoms that a person may have the disease include cardiac arrest and chest pain. Discomfort is usually felt over the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or the left side of the back. A patient may also experience shortness of breath, palpitations, irregular heartbeat and dizziness or fainting.

Medical treatments

With the help of technology, there are medical procedures that can be done to treat heart problems. According to NHLBI, two major treatments can be conducted to limit the harm of the damaged muscle: the clot-bust medicine and the coronary intervention. Thrombolytic medicines or clot busters are given to the patient to help dissolve blood clots in the arteries.

On the other hand, the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), also called coronary angioplasty is a nonsurgical procedure that unblocks the arteries using a thin, flexible tube threaded through a blood vessel.

DOH also recommends the coronary bypass operation in which a healthy vein or artery is removed from your body and is connected or grafted to the blocked coronary artery.

Cardiac Rehabilitation is also suggested. It is a medically supervised program that helps people with heart problems through exercise training, counseling and education.

Prevention

Go for a proper diet. A healthy diet is very effective in lowering the risk of heart disease. This includes fruits and vegetables, whole grain, lean meats, fish and fat-free or low-fat milk products. A healthy diet is low in saturated fats, trans-fats, cholesterol, sodium and sugar. Alcohol must also be omitted from the diet because it can also lead to high blood pressure, heart failure and increased caloric intake.

Bid smoking goodbye. Smoking affects almost every organ of the body. Chemicals in cigarettes and tobacco smoke can damage blood cells that could lead to the malfunctioning of blood vessels and the heart.

Lose it. Weight gain does not only raise your mass index but also raises your risk for coronary heart disease. Studies show that obesity can also lead to heart failure, a serious condition wherein the heart is unable to pump enough blood for the body’s needs.

Get moving. Regular exercise is a major component of weight loss. But beyond that, it also helps one’s fitness level and health. Being active is a vital factor in good blood flow and normal blood pressure.

Be stress-free. According to the World Heart Federation, a stressful life can generate bad habits like smoking and over-eating. Stress also affects blood flow and the heartbeat.

As the saying goes, you cannot give something you don’t have. So take care of your heart first before giving it away. Remember that your own heart deserves your love, too.

Sources:
Department of Health
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
World Heart Federation
http://www.gov.ph/1973/01/09/proclamation-no-1096-s-1973-2/