MediCard PH Debuts MediCard Talks?

A web series dedicated to helping everyone maintain overall health and well-being

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Your wellness journey amid the health crisis

Maintaining proper oral care and dental hygiene

Makati City, Philippines – August 12, 2022 – After more than two years of living under different quarantine restrictions, the world has slowly permitted everyone to reopen and reconnect. While this is a piece of good news, many of us are still feeling anxious about the future. Whether you are worried about contracting the virus, distressed about going back to work, or fearful of that ‘revenge travel,’ it is crucial to find ways to care for your health.

Celebrating its 35th year, MediCard, the first and leading Health and Maintenance Organization (HMO) in the Philippines, recently debuted MediCard Talks to help people navigate these unchartered waters. It is a web series dedicated to helping everyone maintain their overall health and well-being, especially amid the global health crisis.

Your wellness journey amid the health crisis

Without a doubt, the health crisis has impacted our health. In the first episode of the MediCard Talks, Dr. Lissa Theresa Resurreccion, company physician and resource speaker for occupational health and health promotion services, shared five factors to achieving a wellness journey even at home.

“Lockdowns caused us to be stuck in our homes, leading to a lack of physical activities. Our homes were also not ready to be workstations. As a result, many people experience musculoskeletal disorders due to poor posture, while gadgets compromise our eyesight. In addition, the pandemic has greatly affected our mental health as we faced uncertainties and anxieties and had difficulty delineating work from responsibilities at home,” she explained.

During her talk, Dr. Resurreccion highlighted the five factors to prioritize well-being amid the health crisis. The wellness journey starts with eating a well-balanced diet, followed by regular physical exercise that promotes physical and emotional soundness. People must better have personal hygiene, regular checkups with doctors, and know how to manage stress.

And just like any other parts of the body, Dr. Resurreccion reminded everyone to take care of their mental health through her H-A-P-Y acronyms. It means first to check your feelings by asking yourself, ‘How am I?’ Then, remind yourself with ‘affirming words.’ Next is to give oneself a ‘pat on the back,’ practicing mental stillness. Lastly is to celebrate every day with a ‘yey.’

Combatting diabetic eye disease

One out of 14 Filipino adults battles diabetes in the country. Among its several health complications is eye blindness. In the second episode, Dr. Joel Perez, DPBO, Consultant, Medical Retina, MediCard Lifestyle Center, discussed the alarming effect of diabetes on eye health.

“Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes. It is the leading cause of blurred vision among working-age adults. Diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina, which are the light-sensitive tissues at the back of the eye. The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you will develop diabetic retinopathy. And if left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause vision loss,” Dr. Perez emphasized.

According to him, diabetic retinopathy can damage the eyes even before a patient sees changes in their vision. While there are no early warning signs, a dilated eye exam from a healthcare provider can see the complications and help a patient get treated.

As he shared his expert tips, Dr. Perez reminded everyone to attend diabetic eye screening appointments every year. He also advised that it is vital for every person with diabetes to keep blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol at safe levels, eat a healthy and balanced diet, maintain an ideal weight, and take prescribed medications.

“Diabetes is a life-long disease that needs long-term treatment. It can lead to blindness if left untreated or neglected. So, even if there are no signs and your eyes can clearly see, you must get an eye checkup with your doctor and not just change your glasses,” Dr. Perez advised.

Maintaining proper oral care and dental hygiene

Aside from taking care of the eyes, MediCard Talks delved into oral care and dental hygiene. Dr. Audrey Rufino, dental consultant and administrator of MediCard Philippines, communicated the value of oral health and shared different dental problems, such as dental caries, gum diseases, bad breath, sensitivity, receding gums, root infection, dry mouth, tooth abrasion, and teeth grinding.

“Oral health is connected to a person’s general health. It is linked to heart disease and stroke, respiratory disease, arthritis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disease, and pre-term low birth weight for babies. It also affects the everyday quality of life as it impacts a person’s ability to smile, speak, taste, and digest proper nutrition,” Dr. Rufino said.

In the end, Dr. Rufino shared the main steps to becoming a champion of oral health. That includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes, including the tongue. She also added to remember to floss daily, rinse with mouthwash to kill harmful bacteria, change your toothbrush every three months, stay hydrated, eat healthy food, and visit a dentist regularly.

The importance of skincare

Clear, smooth, Korean-glass skin? In the fourth episode of MediCard Talks, Dr. Bootsie Alejandrino, head consultant at MediCard Skin and Body, talked about the skin’s anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, psychology, structure, functions, diseases, treatments, and causality. She also shared insightful tips for choosing the right products, treatments, and regimens suitable to every skin type.