Tooth and ENT Doctor

Another common problem I see in my daily practice is headache. Young and old alike present with this condition and sometimes, I get 'headache' as well in trying to figure out their headache. Let's learn together the nature of this common problem. This will be a series. Headache is defined as pain in the head that is located above the eyes or the ears, behind the head (occipital), or in the back of the upper neck. Headache, like chest pain or dizziness, has many causes. There are two types of headaches: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Primary headaches are not associated with (or caused by) other diseases. Examples of primary headaches are migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by associated disease. The associated disease may be minor or serious and life threatening. Tension headaches are the most common type of primary headache; as many as 90% of adults have had or will have tension headach...

If there's one motivational speaker I truly admire, he's Mr. Francis Kong. I have heard him talk several times and he's really brilliant and inspiring. He delivers his message clearly and powerfully. I made it a point to read his column in the Philippine Star everyday and it's been a continuing learning experience. I am posting one of his articles to prove my point that this guy is really blessed by God to inspire and motivate every brethren. It’s a digital world. Everything is going digital. Every time I get to speak to bankers all over the country I would chide them and poke them with this provoking thought. Straight into their eyes this is what I say: “You guys boast of your excellent service. Your TV ads show your tellers transacting with a smile. But every time I call up your bank I never get a chance to talk to a human being. I get to talk to an answering machine.” Why? Because everything is digital these days. My friends have installed answering ...

Being a primary care physician, I get to see different medical problems affecting the entire age range. Lately, I noticed that I am seeing more and more cases of adult onset diabetes. This prompted this post for the information of everyone. We all have occasional episodes of high blood sugar. The most common culprits include: Eating too much Exercising less than you planned to Physical stress, such as a cold, infection or the flu Emotional stress, such as family conflict or workplace challenges These bouts of hyperglycemia however should be temporary and should not cause symptoms that will become persistent. These symptoms include: Frequent urination Increased thirst Dry mouth Blurred vision Fatigue Nausea If these are felt, a fasting blood sugar (FBS) should be taken. The normal reference values are 3.89 – 5.84 mmol/l or 70 – 105 mg/dl. If the FBS is high, we need to have an action plan to get it down. If we think the high level is because we ate ...

Here's hoping that things change for us all. By now, everybody knows of Elmer Jacinto--the February medical boards topnotcher who publicly announced his plans to work in the US as a nurse. I was in Zamboanga City visiting my parents when that news broke out. A topnotcher from Lamitan, Basilan hit close to home and I showed the article to my brother. His only question was, "Why? Doesn't he have any offers?" I could only laugh and muster a short, "No, I don't think so." Elmer Jacinto's situation and the reactions from various sectors are both funny and sad. I can only think of my brother's question and wonder: What can the country offer its best and brightest in the medical profession? The short answer is none. Unlike the legal profession, of which the medical profession is often compared to, there are no offers made to topnotchers. We've read news of bar topnotchers invited to join prestigious law firms. Top law graduates are employ...

A 34-year-old man came in for consult the other day because of a progressive swelling on the right side of his nasomaxillary area (the pink area on the picture above). He apparently noticed that this side of his nose started to swell about 2 weeks ago. No pain and no other associated symptoms. Rhinoscopy was unremarkable. He had a previous history of nasal bone trauma one year ago but apparently, no consult was sought. Waters' view x-ray showed a circumscribed radioluscent lesion in the right nasal bone. My impression was Hemorrhagic Bone cyst of the Nasal Bone, Right. We sometimes suffer bumps to the nose that we neglect to have it checked by a doctor. We often dismiss it as nothing serious especially if we don’t see any deformity or if there was no nosebleed. Most of the time, if there were internal injuries, it will just heal by itself. On rare occasions though, an unusual bone lesion arises, especially those injuries involving the nasal bone. Hemorrhagic bone cyst or...

Last week was supposedly my ‘birthday week’. But instead of celebrating, I was on a ‘down’ mood. A lot of things surrounding my present job are not sinking well with me. I feel I don’t deserve the unwarranted thrashing I am getting. I just want to do my job But it seems it’s being tainted by intrigues and gossips. Worst, trust was put in question. My mind had full of thoughts The reason for the previous post I wanted to fight back My anger consumed me I thought of quitting... Then I read this story It brought me back to my senses I remembered the power that is within me is far stronger than that which is within them! I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. "God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?" His answer surprised me... "Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?" "Yes", I replied. "When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I to...

T he most obvious component of desire is thought. Desire is a thought. It is the thought: “I want….” But it is also more than just this thought. It is a special kind of thought that has the power to move us because it becomes associated with emotions, the second component of desire, and finally with drive, the third component, which has the potential to result in action. Desire is a particular kind of thought that is more compelling than most other thoughts because it has emotions and drive attached to it. To the ego, success is satisfaction of its desires. Being able to make life comply with its desires is its strongest desire and its biggest fantasy. It doesn’t seem to notice that life rarely does conform to our desires, even when we do everything that is supposed to bring us what we desire. That doesn’t keep the ego from desiring and pursuing what it desires. Desires structure most people’s lives because most people listen to their thoughts and act on their desires, most o...

Dear God, T hank you for the gift of life For the blessing to be among those Whom I love and love you. Thank you for the gift of sight That lets me see the wondrous things You made for me and for everyone To help me see beyond my sight. Thank you for my heart In which you placed amazing seeds of mercy and grace That draw me forever to your love. Thank you for my mind In which you placed unending thoughts and wisdom That appreciates your sovereignty. Thank you for my body Which was created in your likeness That sings and dances to give you glory. I know you hold me forever in the palm of your hand And shield me with Your Holy Face. That even as I turn another year older I will never be worried of how my life will turn out. Dear God, When this life is finally over, Let me enter Your Heavenly Home To receive your final gift of grace To be near you forever And look upon the divine countenance of Your Holy Face. Amen.