6 Serious Medical Symptoms

I find this medical article from WebMD to be quite informative and could serve as a good reminders to us.

Some medical symptoms are warnings that you need immediate care. Learn to recognize these "six flags" -- six medical symptoms -- you should keep in mind:

1. If you have unexplained weight loss and/or loss of appetite , you may have a serious underlying medical illness.

"If you're on a diet, you're expecting this to happen. But if you're eating the same way -- and now have to adjust your belt a few notches tighter -- you could have a serious problem,"  says Neil Shulman, MD, a professor of internal medicine at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, and has authored numerous medical books and scientific papers. .

        "With ovarian cancer , the opposite is true," he says. "Fluid builds in the abdomen, and women think they are gaining weight. But if you have been         at the same weight range for years, and doing nothing different, see a doctor."

2. Slurred speech, paralysis, weakness, tingling, burning pains, numbness, and confusion are signs of a stroke , and you should get to an appropriate emergency center immediately. Early treatment may prevent permanent damage to the brain or even save your life.

        Slurred speech can often go unnoticed, says Shulman. However, you might have a blood clot in a blood vessel in the brain or bleeding of a blood         vessel.

3. Black, tarry stools may indicate a hemorrhage from an ulcer of the stomach or the small intestine. It is important to stop the bleeding and to rule out cancer as a cause.

        What you eat changes the color of stools. But black, tarry stools mean there may be bleeding higher in the digestive tract.   It could be a sign of a         bleeding ulcer or cancer.

4. A headache accompanied by a stiff neck and fever is an indicator of a serious infection called meningitis .

        In fact, if you can't put your chin on your chest, that's a sign you may have bacterial meningitis, says Shulman. With bacterial meningitis, you need         antibiotics immediately to kill the bacteria before it infects and scars the brain.

5. A sudden, agonizing headache, more severe than any you have felt before, could mean you are bleeding in the brain. Go to an emergency room immediately.

        A brain aneurysm is rare, but it can happen -- even in people under 40. "It can be very disastrous if it's not treated," says Shulman.    If you have a         severe,         crushing headache, you may have an aneurysm, which is a blood-filled pouch bulging out from a weak spot in the wall of a brain artery. If         treated         before it bursts, it could save your life.

6a. For women: Vaginal bleeding after menopause is a warning sign of possible cancer.

        Some women are in denial when they discover postmenopausal bleeding. "Others think it's a little cut, or something in their urine," says Shulman .          But bleeding after menopause is a symptom of uterine cancer , which is treatable if caught early.

6b. For men: A lump in your testicle with or without a small lump in the groin could be serious. Testicular cancer is more commonly found in testicles that did not naturally descend from the abdomen to the scrotum.

        Guys, when you take a shower, check yourself, says Shulman. "That doesn't mean you have to do it every day, but once in awhile. It's so simple,         simpler than washing your hair. It becomes an automatic thing, then it's easier to remember. If you know what 'normal' feels like, then you'll know         when it feels abnormal."

SOURCES: Shulman, N. Your Body's Red Light Warning Signals, Dell, April 13, 1999. Neil Shulman, MD, professor of internal medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta.
Web Source : http://women.webmd.com/features/6-serious-medical-symptoms

Autism - Checking for Symptons

Here are 7 questions parents with children three years or younger are often asked during checks for signs of autism.  Replies must be one of the following four choices :
a.  Never,
b.  Rarely
c.  Sometimes
d.  Often

1.  Does your child take an interest in other children ?

2.  Does your child ever pretend, for example, to talk on the phone or take care of dolls, or pretend other things

3.  Does your child ever use his/her index finger to point , to indicate interest in something ?

4.  Does your child ever bring objects over to you (parent) to show you something ?

5.  Does your child imitate you ?  (eg. you make a face, will your child imitate ?)

6.  If you point at a toy across the room, does your child look at it ?

7.  Does your child look at your face to check your reaction when face with something unfamiliar ?

If two or more of the answers are never, your child has an inclination towards autism.

Source : HK University Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine


See also related posts :
Autism: A gift of hope, courage and inspiration
Autism - Checking for Symptons
Light at the end of the tunnel
Autism : Brief List of Where to Begin
Autism (part 2): Signs of Autism
Raising a Child with ADHD
Autism Resources for English speakers in Hong Kong

To All Filipinos Everywhere

To All Filipinos Everywhere
By Gemma Santos Dimaculangan

I used to think that corruption and criminality in the Philippines were caused by poverty. But recent events tell me this isn't true. It is one thing to see people turn into drug addicts, prostitutes, thieves and murderers because of hunger and poverty, but what excuse do these rich, educated people have that could possibly explain their bizarre behavior? And to think I was always so relieved when petty snatchers got caught and locked away in jail because I never fully realized that the big time thieves were out there, making the laws and running our country.

Can it get any worse than this?

Every night, I come home and am compelled to turn on my tv to watch the latest turn of events. I am mesmerized by these characters. They are not men. They are caricatures of men - too unreal to be believable and too bad to be real. To see these "honorable" crooks lambast each other, call each one names, look each other in the eye and accuse the other of committing the very same crimes that they themselves are guilty of, is so comical and apalling that I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It is entertainment at its worst!

I have never seen so many criminals roaming around unfettered and looking smug until now. These criminals wear suits and barongs, strutaround with the confidence of the rich and famous, inspire fear andawe from the very citizens who voted them to power, bear titles like Honorable", "Senator", "Justice", "General" and worse, "President". Ironically, these lawless individuals practice law, make our laws,enforce the law. And we wonder why our policemen act the way they do!These are their leaders, and the leaders of this nation � RobinHoodlum and his band of money men.

Their motto? "Rob the poor, moderate the greed of the rich."

It makes me wonder where on earth these people came from, and what kind of upbringing they had to make them act the way they do for allthe world to see. It makes me wonder what kind of schools they went to, what kind of teachers they had, what kind of environment would produce such creatures who can lie, cheat and steal from an already indebted country and from the impoverished people they had vowed to serve. It makes me wonder what their children and grandchildren think of them, and if they are breeding a whole new generation of improved Filipino crooks and liars with maybe a tad more style but equally negligible conscience. Heavenforbid!

I am an ordinary citizen and taxpayer. I am blessed to have a job that pays for my needs and those of my family's, even though 30% of my earnings go to the nation's coffers. Just like others in my lot, I have complained time and again because our government could not provide enough of the basic services that I expect and deserve. Rutty roads, poor educational system, poor social services, poor healthservices, poor everything. But I have always thought that was what all third world countries were all about, and my complaints never amounted to anything more.

And then this. Scandalous Government Deals.

• Plundering presidents pointing fingers.
• Senators who are crooks.
• Congressmen who accept bribes.
• Big time lawyers on the side of injustice.

De Venecia ratting on his boss only after his interminable term has ended, Enrile inquiring about someone's morality! The already filthy rich Abalos andArroyo wanting more money than they or their great grandchildren couldever spend in a lifetime. Joker caught red-handed. Defensor rendered defenseless. Gen. Razon involved in kidnapping. Security men providing anything but a sense of security. And it's all about money, money,money that the average Juan de la Cruz could not even imagine in his dreams. Is it any wonder why our few remaining decent and hardworking citizens are leaving to go work in other countries?

And worst of all, we are once again saddled with a power-hungry president whose addiction has her clinging on to it like barnacle on arusty ship. "Love (of power) is blind" takes a whole new meaning when PGMA time and again turns a blind eye on her husband's shady financial deals. And still blinded with all that is happening, she opts to traipse around the world with her cohorts in tow while her country is in shambles.

They say the few stupid ones like me who remain in the Philippines are no longer capable of showing disgust. I don't agree. Many like me feel anger at the brazenness of men we call our leaders, embarrassment to share the same nationality with them, frustration for our nation and helplessness at my own ineffectuality. It is not that I won't make a stand. It is just that I am afraid my actions would only be futile. After all, these monsters are capable of anything. They can hurt me and my family. They already have, though I may not yet feel it.

But I am writing this because I need to do something concrete. I need to let others know that ordinary citizens like me do not remain lukewarm to issues that would later affect me and my children. I want to make it known that there are also Filipinos who dream of something better for the Philippines . I want them to know that my country is not filled with scalawags and crooks in every corner, and that there are citizens left who believe in decency, fairness, a right to speak,a right to voice out ideas, a right to tell the people we have trusted to lead us that they have abused their power and that it is time for them to step down. I refuse to let this country go to hell because it is the only country I call mine and it is my responsibility to make sure I have done what I could for it.

Those of us who do not have the wealth, power or position it needs to battle the evil crime lords in the government can summon the power ofgood. We can pray. We can do this with our families every night. We can ask others to pray, too, including relatives and friends here and overseas, just so we get the message to Him of our desperation inridding our nation of these vermin. After all, they cannot be more powerful than God!

I implore mothers out there to raise your children the best way youc an. Do not smother, pamper, or lavish them with too much of the material comforts of life even if you can well afford them. Teach them that there are more important things in this world.

I beg all fathers to spend time with their children, to teach them the virtues of hardwork, honesty, fair play, sharing, dignity and compassion � right from the sandbox till they are old enough to go on their own. Not just in your homes, but at work, in school, everywhere you go. Be good role models. Be shining examples for your children so they will learn to be responsible adults who will carry and pass on your family name with pride and honor.

I call on educators and teachers � we always underestimate the power of your influence on the minds of our youth. Encourage them to beaware of what is happening in their surroundings. Instill in them a love of their country, inculcate in them the value of perseverance in order to gain real, worthwhile knowledge, help us mold our children into honorable men and women. Encourage our graduates, our best and brightest, to do what they can to lift this country from the mire our traditional politicians have sunk us into.

The youth is our future �and it would be largely because of you, our educators, that we will be able to repopulate the seats of power with good leaders, presidents, senators, congressmen, justices, lawmakers, law enforcers and lawful citizens.

I ask all students, young people and young professionals everywhere tolook around and get involved in what is happening. Do not let your youth be an excuse for failure to concern yourselves with the harsh realities you see. But neither let this make you cynical, because we need your idealism and fresh perspective just as you need the wisdom of your elders.

YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU!

Let your voices be heard. Do what you can for this land that gave you your ancestors and yourheritage. Use technology and all available resources at hand to spread good. Text meaningful messages to awaken social conscience. Try your best to fight moral decay because I promise you will not regret it when you become parents yourselves. You will look back at your past misdeeds and pray that your children will do better than you did.

Remember that there are a few handful who are capable of running this country. You can join their ranks and make their numbers greater. Weare tired of the old trapos. We need brave idealistic leaders who will think of the greater good before anything else. Do your utmost to excel in your chosen field. Be good lawyers, civil servants, accountants, computer techs, engineers, doctors, military men so that when you are called to serve in government, you will have credibility and a record that can speak for itself.

For love of this country, for the future of our children, for the many who have sacrificed and died to uphold our rights and ideals, I urge you to do what you can. As ordinary citizens, we can do much more for the Philippines than sit around and let crooks lead us to perdition. We owe ourselves this. And we owe our country even more.

Procedures and Requirements in Renewing Professional ID

Procedures in Renewing your Professional ID at PRC

Step 1. Present duly accomplished Application for Professional ID form together with the requirements at:
Unit A - Window 16
Unit B - Window 19
Unit C - Window 30

Step 2. Pay prescribed fees at the Cashier

Unit A - Window 15
Unit B - Window 22
Unit C - Window 26

Step 3. Get your claim slip at the adjacent window.

Step 4. Claim your professional license as scheduled. Please refer to your claim slip for further instructions.

Requirements for Renewing Professional ID
1.        Duly accomplished form
2.        Two (2) pcs. passport size picture: close-up, colored, plain white background, with complete name tag
3.        Photo/Xerox copy of recent professional ID card
4.        In case of LOST professional ID card which is still current, the applicant shall submit a notarized affidavit of Loss
5.        In case of DESTROYED professional ID card, the applicant shall surrender the destroyed card.

Note: Representatives filing the application and claiming the professional ID in behalf of the professional must present Special Power of Attorney and valid identification of the professional and the representative. PRC-registered professional acting as representatives may transact with PRC upon presentation of Authorization Letter and his/her professional ID.

Procedures and Requirements for Initial Professional Licence Registration at PRC

Instructions

Initial registrants should go personally to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Central Office or to the nearest Regional PRC Office to file his/her application for registration and to affix his/her signature in the registry book.

All Registration Certificates shall be claimed by the licensee personally at the Central Office or at the Regional Office where the application for the same has been filed. If there is an unavoidable need for a representative, he must present his/her identification paper with picture and a letter of authority from the registrant/licensee.

Requirements
1.        Duly accomplished Oath Form or Panunumpa ng Propesyonal
2.        Current Community Tax Certificate (cedula)
3.        Two pcs. passport size pictures with name tag (for Oath Form and Certificate of Registration)
4.        One pc. 1"x1" picture in plain background with complete name tag (for Registry of Professionals)
5.        Two sets of metered documentary stamps (for Oath Form and Certificate of Registration)
6.        One (1) short brown envelope with name and profession

DFA PASSPORT APPOINTMENT SYSTEM BY INTERNET

Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs had launched of the DFA Passport Appointment System by Internet last 14 January 2008.

Under the DFA's new system, passport applicants can set an appointment with the DFA-Passport Office for the filing of their passport applications.


Initially the DFA Passport Appointment System will be open to the following passport applicants:
a. Those whose passports have already expired;
b. Those whose passport will be expiring within the next one year;
c. Senior citizens (More than 60 years old)

The DFA Passport Appointment System will be expanded to cover all passport applicants in due time.


Procedure:
1. Qualified passport applicants may avail of the DFA Passport Appointment System by sending their request via internet, email address: appointment@dfa.gov.ph

2. Passport applicants applying for appointment must provide the following information:

a. Full name of applicant (first name, middle name and surname);
b. Date of birth;
c. Place of birth;
d. Latest Passport Number and Date of Issuance

3 Application for Appointment must be made one, week before the proposed date of appointment.

4. Applicant must wait for the confirmation of the proposed appointment and take note of the reference number that will be provided by DFA-Passport Office before proceeding to the DFA for the filing of the passport application.

5. Applicant must be at the DFA Passport Office (Special Area for those with appointments) at the confirmed designated date and time for the filing of the passport application.

REMINDERS:
The DFA Passport Appointment System by Internet is currently available only for the DFA Passport in Manila.

To access the system, pls click this link DFA Passport Appointment System