Author: Tristenne Ocampo

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder affecting mainly the central face – nose, chin, cheeks and forehead. The neck, chest, scalp and ears are less often involved. It is characterised by facial redness with visible blood vessels, and small red bumps or pus-filled pimples. Often under-diagnosed because people mistake it for a healthy blush, learn more about rosacea: symptoms, triggers & management, by reading on. Rosacea cycles between flares lasting for weeks or months, and remissions. If left untreated, the nose may become bumpy and swollen from excess tissue (rhinophyma). In half of the patients, Ocular Rosacea develops…

Having an alcoholic drink or two is often unavoidable in social settings, or simply as a means to unwind and relax. While heavy consumption is known to cause dependency, liver damage and increased risk for heart disease and stroke, some studies have suggested health benefits of alcohol when taken in moderation. Also, which is better? Read on to find out the sobering truth about the nutritional value of the various alcoholic beverages. Beer Beer is easily a staple in any occasion as it caters to many drinkers. It can be lager beers, ales, wheat beers, or fruit beers. A serving…

Just like other mental disorders, individuals who have bipolar disorder (BD) are often misunderstood, isolated, and unaware. BD affects their thought processes, activity levels, perception, and their relationships. Individuals with BD need counselling, a supportive social environment, and sometimes pharmacological management. In this article, we break up the key components of the condition in attempts at defining bipolar disorder. BD is a mood disorder that may present with the following hallmarks: Episodes of mania that may last up to one week One or more episodes of severe depression that last two or more weeks Experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviours Defining…

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of people have overlooked other conditions that still contribute to daily mortality and hospitalisation all over the world. One is Tuberculosis, of which, Asia is burdened by almost half of the cases occurring worldwide. Compared to 2019, preliminary data from the Word Health Organisation reported that there has been a relative reduction in care given for TB patients in 2020. The countries with the biggest relative gaps belonged to those in Asia: Indonesia (42%), Philippines (37%) and India (25%). On a global scale, it may look like a half more million people have…

Children with Down syndrome have been portrayed differently by the media over the years. This article captures the essence of the condition, as well as their abilities, proving that they are more than their physical characteristics. What is it? Down syndrome is one of the most commonly occurring chromosomal anomalies in infants. Typically, a baby is born with 46 chromosomes. However babies with Down syndrome have an extra 21st chromosome, otherwise known as ‘Trisomy 21’. Down’s can be diagnosed during pregnancy through prenatal screening or diagnostic tests. A diagnosis can also be made after the baby is born through physical…

600,000 doses of China-donated Sinovac vaccine arrived in the Philippines last Monday, March 1, 2021. This was the first launch to cover 100 million citizens. Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, director of the state hospital Philippine General Hospital (PGH) was the first to be inoculated as seen on national television. The event was meant to raise confidence in the vaccine. But it continued to cast doubts amongst Filipinos, especially health care workers. Already being one of the last to receive the vaccine in the region and with one of the longest lockdown streaks in the world, Filipinos demand that the government agencies…

Previously called social phobia, Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is the fear of social situations. Appearing as shyness or introversion at first, understanding Social Anxiety Disorder is not easy. Those affected tend to avoids crowds, not initiate conversations, and say no to all social gatherings. In school or in the workplace, it may be identifiable as someone who is very hesitant in presenting in front of an audience. This is despite being prepared and qualified. SAD can be disabling to those who suffer from it, and it is important to look beyond what the person is exhibiting.  Causes of Social Anxiety…

Smoking increases the risk of cancer, heart disease, organ failure, and infections. With education, came the gradual decline of the prevalence of smoking in adults globally. But, it is no doubt, still one of the world’s leading health problems. Asia is home to the largest tobacco-producing companies and tobacco use is a major public health problem. However, some Asian nations have seen reduced tobacco use amongst their citizens, especially in Japan and Singapore, with the aid of legislation. Japan effectively banned smoking indoors since April last year. And Singapore just increased their minimum legal age for smoking to 21 years…

Abortion, otherwise known as pregnancy termination, is a medical procedure to remove a foetus and placenta from the uterus. This may be a necessary medical procedure for various reasons. They include: saving the mother’s life, in sensitive instances such as rape, or due to foetal impairment issues. Especially in Asia, abortion is still highly stigmatised and controversial. Philippines and Laos are still criminalising abortion entirely without discretion, while Myanmar and Bangladesh allow it only if the mother’s life is threatened.  However, how it is done, is still important for mothers to know, as an integral part of informed decision making.  …

“I had fever, could not taste, nor smell anything, and had difficulty breathing – it felt like I was underwater”, said Kenneth, 32, a Singaporean, recounting his first COVID-19 infection back in early September 2020. Imagine his shock when he received the results of his positive PCR test just about 120 days shy of his recovery. He got COVID-19 for the second time. It was a routine test done on 29 January 2021, upon completion of his 2 week quarantine after returning from Myanmar for work. In his electronic correspondence with Medical Channel Asia on how he was feeling this…