Category Archives: Diseases

Children Expose the Harms of Tobacco Using Art

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Twelve Filipino child artists were awarded on Thursday by children’s rights groups in a poster-making competition aimed to demonstrate the dangers of tobacco companies and their products. 

The competition ‘Sigarilyo: Panganib sa Bayan Ko’ (‘Cigarettes: Danger to My Nation’) was launched by Child Rights Network (CRN) Philippines, Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), Gitib, Inc., and ImagineLaw this August. The said competition received more than 200 entries from age groups 10-14 years old and 15-17 years old for both digital and traditional poster-making categories. 

‘Paralyzing Addiction’ by 12-year-old Kaye Sarmiento of Cavite wins first place in a digital poster-making competition by children’s rights groups to illustrate the death caused by the tobacco industry. 

Twelve-year-old Kaye Sarmiento won first place in her age group in the digital category for ‘Paralyzing Addiction’. Jun Ivanne Dalman’s digital poster ‘Tobacco Destroys, Destroy Tobacco’ placed first in his age group. 

In the traditional poster-making category that allowed the use of physical materials such as watercolor and acrylic, 12-year-old John Henry Luna Jr.’s poster ‘Mulat na Bulag’ won first place in the 10-14-year-old age group while Errol Caringal’s ‘The Outturns of Ash’ gained the top prize in the 15-17 age group.  

“Tobacco companies are targeting children and young people as the next generation of consumers of their deadly products to sustain their business,” said Romeo Dongeto, executive director of PLCPD and co-convener of CRN Philippines. 

“These artworks remind us to take time and listen to children and young people in their clamor for a  tobacco-free future,” he added. 

“We have to remind grown-ups constantly: there are 117,000 deaths every year due to tobacco-related illnesses in the Philippines, 269 billion pesos in annual socio-economic losses, 12.5% student-smokers as of 2019, and 23.8% adult smokers,” said ImagineLaw Executive Director Atty. Sophia San Luis.

‘Mulat na Bulag’ by 12-year-old John Henry Luna, Jr. of Quezon City exposes the harms caused by the tobacco industry.

“Children can reduce complex problems into the simplest truths: tobacco companies are harmful and deadly. Tobacco companies are neither friends nor allies,” she also said. 

The other finalists in the traditional poster-making category are the following: Second Place, 10-14-year-old Age Group: ‘Pag-iwas sa Mapanganib na Sigarilyo, Isang Babala para sa Sambayanang Pilipino’ by Elyzza Jane V. Caringal (13 years old) of Batangas; Third Place, 10-14-year-old Age Group: ‘Nagkakaisang Kabataan upang Sigarilyo ay Wakasan’ by Kyle Brondial Espinosa (13 years old) of Bataan; Second Place, 15-17-year-old Age Group: ‘Don’t Let Tobacco Burn Your Future Into Ashes by John Estrael J. Ballera (17 years old) from San Pedro City, Laguna; and Third Place, 15-17-year-old Age Group: ‘Deadly stick’ by Zara Gen G. Velasco (16 years old) from Nueva Ecija.

The other finalists in the digital poster-making category are the following: Second Place, 10-14-year-old Age Group: ‘Sigarilyo ay huwag susubukan dahil ito ay magdadala ng kadiliman sa sarili at sa bayan’ by Bai Alija Zacaria (14 years old) of North Cotabato; Third Place, 10-14-year-old Age Group: ‘Ill Effects of Cigarettes’ by Gerald Timothy M. Cruz (11 years old) of Zamboanga City; Second Place, 15-17-year-old Age Group: ‘Ang Industriya ng Tobacco’ by Lander John Salango (17 years old) of Cavite; and Third Place, 15-17-year-old Age Group: ‘Cremation’ by Imma Christel Ehlan Carranza Quimbo (16 years old) of Cavite. 

Winners received cash prizes and certificates.

Understanding Epilepsy Treatment

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According the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 3.4 million Americans suffer from active epilepsy. This means that about one percent of the population currently control their seizures through the use of medicine. Arising from different causes, each impacted person may display their condition in different manners. Some many lose control, falling to the ground or shaking; others may begin to stare into space, losing the ability to speak and focus. A complex illness, it does require professional medical attention. Here are three important things to know about the affliction. 

Photo by Sergey Fokin on Unsplash

How Does It Develop?

Many times this is a genetic condition; however, some may acquire the disease through lifestyle choices. Head injuries, stroke and heart attacks can impact the brain, leading to these spells. Thus, people should continue to eat healthy, protect their head during outside activities and remain vigilant about safety.

What Are Common Symptoms?

While the most significant indication is frequent seizures, there are other signs of the condition. These are rarer and often occur during lapse time, but people should pay attention to them, listening closely to changes in the body. Speak with your doctor if you notice development of any of the following:

  • Muscle contractions
  • Fainting
  • Prickling sensations (as if you’re on pins and needles)
  • Exhaustion
  • Anxiety
  • Headaches

How Is It Treated?

Patients learn to manage their pain and seizures through the use of medication and routine visits with their specialist. Pain can be associated, so some people may look into medical marijuana st augustine fl to allow for more comfort in day to day activities. In addition, it’s best to exercise regularly, eat a well balanced diet and remain in contact with others. Leading a positive life focused on wellness could ward off future onsets or complications.

Don’t allow epilepsy to go untreated. Work with medical professionals to diagnosis it properly and then develop a personal treatment plan.

What You Need to Know About Face Mask

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Curious about the right fit and quality of the face mask you need to protect yourself against Covid19? Check on the image to see how each face mask serves a purpose.

The image is taken from Facebook. Right-click on the image to view a larger version

Our family uses a surgical mask when going out for an errand and going to the office (for hubby). We were able to stash a few surgical masks since January when Taal Volcano spewed ashes (caused by the phreatomagmatic eruption) across Calabarzon, Metro Manila, some parts of Central Luzon, and the Ilocos Region.

We also have two N95 masks at home, but they are too uncomfortable to use. It makes breathing difficult, according to hubby.

More people are using washable cloth mask because it’s accessible and cheaper than a surgical mask that you can use only once.

Whatever mask we are wearing, what is important, is we (must) exercise social distancing, wash hands frequently. And if you have no business to go out, stay at home to protect yourself and others from catching and spreading COVID19.