I am about to open a Botika Ng Bayan. This is my first venture into the medicine/pharmaceutical business, and was hoping that you could give me some advice as to what medicine to stock up on?

Which ones usually sell well and during which season?(Asked by Kate, 22, female, of Quezon City)

Dr. Yolanda Robles replies:
You will be needing a registered pharmacist to handle the drug supply management of your botika as required by the Bureau of Food and Drugs. For you to know which to prioritize in your purchase of stocks, you need to do a little survey of health care facilities around your drugstore. Try to talk with doctors and also those who manage clinics and hospital outpatient departments.

The reason for this is, the need for drugs varies for different locations and it would be good if you are addressing their need for medicines. You may also look at the website of Department of Health to find out information on common diseases as well as chronic diseases affecting Filipinos.

» medicine, pharmacist, chronic diseases, pharmaceutical

Above is an excerpt from PharmASSIST, a public information service in the RxPinoy Medication Guide that allows visitors to inquire about drugs and medications. Dr. Yolanda Robles is Dean of the UP College of Pharmacy and RxPinoy Medication Guide volunteer. To contact her directly, click on her name above to visit PharmASSIST.

My father was recently diagnosed for having the following: 1) non-hodgkins lymphoma, diffuse, mixed / small and large cell type (intermediate grade) - colon, cecum levels 20, 60, 70 2) non-specific chronic inflammation (gastric biopsy).

What does that actually mean? At what stage could his cancer be in? After undergoing surgery and chemo, is there a great chance that he will be 100% OK and cancer-free?

Moreover, what does this mean: malignant lymphoproliferative neoplasm diffusely infiltrating the colonic mucosa and extending into the muscularis mucosae. The tumor cells are composed of small and large lymphocytes replacing the colonic glands. Some neoplastic cellls are seen within the glandular epithelium. Foci of
superficial necrosis are present.(Asked by Janine, 35, female, of Manila)

Dr. Ramy Roxas replies:
Non-Hodgkins lymphoma is a malignancy involving the lymph nodes involving one or more organs in the body. The main treatment is chemotherapy. Surgery is also indicated if it is isolated to just one organ that is amenable for excision, or if it is causing symptoms like obstruction, bleeding and the like.

The pathology report of your father states that the tumor is involving the superficial layer of the colon. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough information to see whether it is involving other organs. It is very important to stage the disease because stage will dictate treatment, as well as determine prognosis and over-all survival.

After chemotherapy and surgery, a cancer may be completely eradicated, or may be residual and therefore incurable. And even in the event of complete eradication, cancer may recur, particularly when the stage is a little more advanced when first seen. We usually label a patient as cured if he remains disease-free after 5 years. For these reasons, full compliance with recommended treatment and regular follow-up are important.

» non-hodgkins lymphoma, colon, lymphocytes, chemotherapy

Above is an excerpt from RxPinoy Ask-a-Doc, a public information service that allows visitors to inquire about medical and dental specialties, so they can make an informed decision on what kind of expert to consult. Dr. Ramy Roxas is a specialist in Colorectal Surgery and an Ask-a-Doc volunteer. To contact directly, click on the name above to visit Ask-a-Doc.

I have corns on my 4 toes of my right foot. I also have tried using salicylic acid. I am regularly cutting the excess skin, but as what is expected, it keeps on coming back.

Before, only 1 of my toe is affected, but I was surprised when it just got worse. Because I can’t expose my feet, I always wear close shoes to cover my ugly feet. But I know in one way or another it is just making my problem worse. It’s really depressing for me not being able to wear flip-flops w/o getting conscious. I would normally put a band-aid to the affected area to hide it, but I can no longer do that now when almost all of my toes are affected.

And so, I decided that I have to seek professional assistance. I really want my feet to look normal. Is it possible? Because my toes are really red due to the constant shaving of the skin. I just want my “old toes” back.(Asked by Aliyah, 20, female, of Manila)

Dr. Maria Cecilia Garcia replies:
As you probably know from experience and from your readings, corns are due to ill-fitting shoes and expecially because of inherent problems in your feet themselves. Unfortunately, cornpads are temporary fixes that get tiring in time, nor do they address the true problems which your feet may have. The corns do not develop overnight and as such do not get treated just as instantaneously. You may expect a long term treatment since corns are actually bony deformities as well as soft tissue problems.

Treatments range from palliative (which means conservative) to surgical, depending on how advanced the problem might be.

» corns, salicylic acid, skin

Above is an excerpt from RxPinoy Ask-a-Doc, a public information service that allows visitors to inquire about medical and dental specialties, so they can make an informed decision on what kind of expert to consult. Dr. Maria Cecilia Garcia is a specialist in Podiatry and an Ask-a-Doc volunteer. To contact directly, click on the name above to visit Ask-a-Doc.

I just want to ask if there is a chance that my jaw and teeth could be fixed in a short period of time? Well we don’t have enough money and I don’t want to waste them on braces for I know that it wouldn’t fix my jaw. I need orthognathic surgery, I’m just wondering if I took orthognathic surgery, will that fix my teeth also or only my jaw? (Asked by Rino, 16, male, of Las Piñas City)

Dr. Glenda H. De Villa replies:
Each case varies and it is hard to answer your question without any diagnostic matierials. Orthognathic surgery and orthodontics usually go together, although in some cases it is possible to do only orthognathic surgery. From the way you describe your teeth, it sounds like it might be possible to corect with orthodontics alone if all you have is an open bite.

If you have any x-rays or casts and could send them to me, it would help me answer your question better.

» jaw, Orthognatic surgery, teeth, braces

Above is an excerpt from RxPinoy Ask-a-Doc, a public information service that allows visitors to inquire about medical and dental specialties, so they can make an informed decision on what kind of expert to consult. Dr. Glenda H. De Villa is a specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and an Ask-a-Doc volunteer. To contact directly, click on the name above to visit Ask-a-Doc.

I need your professional advice how to stop my kids from using feeding bottle every time they drink .

My kids are running 6 and 5 years old, boy and girl. I had some advice from folks, putting chills to nipple tips, but it’s too harsh for kids.(Asked by Brix, 40, male, of Thailand)

Dr. Nina Halili-Jao replies:
I suggest that you invite over some kids of the same age who drink milk from the glass. Seeing their peers drinking from the glass will motivate your kids to do the same.

» milk, feeding bottle, nipple tips, peers

Above is an excerpt from RxPinoy Ask-a-Doc, a public information service that allows visitors to inquire about medical and dental specialties, so they can make an informed decision on what kind of expert to consult. Dr. Nina Halili-Jao is a specialist in adult and child psychiatry and an Ask-a-Doc volunteer. To contact directly, click on the name above to visit Ask-a-Doc.

At 43, I’m still having periods which is cumbersome at times. I just read an Associated Press article that menstruation can now be prevented through contraceptives such as Seasonale, Seasonique, Lybrel, Implanon (arm implant for 3 years), Mirena (intraunterine device). Will this be effective to all women? What are the side effects? I’m not under medication nor am I taking contraceptives.

What bothers me though is that I thought we should let nature take course. Now, even doctors say menstruation has been ‘romanticised’. One can have the option to skip or block it. I’m just worried with its complications if there are any.(Asked by Isabel, 43, female, of Indonesia)

Dr. Elsa Aquino replies:
These newer birth control techniques are not yet widely accepted. Basically Seasonale and Seasonique reduce menses from 13/year to 4/year because of extended use of the pill from 21 days to 84 days (followed by the same 7-day pill free period), giving women the convenience of less menstrual cycles plus contraception. Worst side effects: blood clots, stroke, heart attack. Avoid cigarette smoking while taking these pills, especially if you are above 35 years old. Lybrel on the other hand is taken daily, so one might altogether have no menses. This contraception probably is best for women who have menstruation-related disorders like endometriosis, painful dysmenorrhea, uterine fibroids and heavy menstrual bleeding. Implanon is a small plastic rod containing progestogen,inserted at the upper inner arm usually, protects against pregnancy for a period of 3 years. Side effects: headaches, irregular bleeding, and other usual side effects of the pill. Finally, the Mirena is an IUD, which may stop menstruation, too. Some may have initial spotting or heavy bleeding in the first 3-6 months then complete cessation of menses after a year of use. This may also be beneficial for those with menstruation-related problems.

Like you, I believe that unless menstruation is debilitating, we should let nature take its course. Our monthly cycles are something that make us women unique. A few days of bleeding shouldn’t be considered a hassle; it must be viewed as something natural that our body must undergo.

At 43 years old, you might first want to read more on these newer generation contraceptions before trying them out. There are a lot of available material in the net for interested parties. There are also a lot of safer contraceptive alternatives.

» menstruation, contraceptives, Seasonale, Lybrel, Implanon, Mirena

Above is an excerpt from RxPinoy Ask-a-Doc, a public information service that allows visitors to inquire about medical and dental specialties, so they can make an informed decision on what kind of expert to consult. Dr. Elsa Aquino is a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology and an Ask-a-Doc volunteer. To contact directly, click on the name above to visit Ask-a-Doc.

Below is an excerpt from RxPinoy Ask-a-Doc, a public information service that allows visitors to inquire about medical and dental specialties, so they can make an informed decision on what kind of expert to consult. Dr. Ma. Katherina Lat-Herrin is a board-certified dermatologist in Quezon City and Ask-a-Doc volunteer. To contact her directly, click on her name below to visit her Ask-a-Doc page.

Thea, 15, female, of Makati City asks:
Is it dangerous or cancerous for me to use a cream given to me by a derma containing 10% hydroquinone? Can I use this for long term?

Dr. Ma. Katherina Lat-Herrin replies:
10% hydroquinone is too high a concentration for it to be considered safe.

Nowadays, the safety limit of hydroquinone concentration is up to 4% only. Higher concentrations may be used but only for a very very limited amount of time.

» hydroquinone, cancerous, cream

Below is an excerpt from RxPinoy Ask-a-Doc, a public information service that allows visitors to inquire about medical and dental specialties, so they can make an informed decision on what kind of expert to consult. Dr. Marlon Moldez is an orthodontist and Ask-a-Doc volunteer. To contact directly, click on the name below to visit Ask-a-Doc.

Lei, 28, female, of Cagayan de Oro City asks:
I have a TMJ since I was in elementary and I haven’t really thought of going for a check up but I want to go to the best, reliable, and experienced Filipino doctor for this kind of ailment.

I’m just wondering how much it will cost me to have it done? I mean please give me the approximate package.

Dr.Marlon Moldez replies:
Your first step is to visit a dentist who is able to diagnose your TMJ problems. Without a detailed diagnosis of your condition, it is impossible to determine a package for you.

The next step is understanding your treatment options to wisely decide on a treatment package. However, if an aggressive and/or irreversible treatment is offered (e.g., orthodontics and/or jacket crowns, onlays etc.), please seek a second opinion as TMD is self-limiting and only 5% of the population is known to have TMD severe enough to require treatment other than supportive/palliative management.

» TMJ, dentist, jacket crowns, treatment

Below is an excerpt from RxPinoy Ask-a-Doc, a public information service that allows visitors to inquire about medical and dental specialties, so they can make an informed decision on what kind of expert to consult. Dr. Charm Bernardo is a specialist in Psychiatry and Toxicology and an Ask-a-Doc volunteer. To contact directly, click on the name below to visit Ask-a-Doc.

Clyde, 30, male, of Quezon City asks:
Can you please give me some knowledge in kerosene ingestion?

Dr. Charm Bernardo replies:
What kind of information do you need? What are your concerns regarding kerosene ingestion?

One of the organs affected by kerosene ingestion is the lungs, especially if the person who ingested the kerosene vomited right after.

» kerosene, organs, lungs

Below is an excerpt from RxPinoy Ask-a-Doc, a public information service that allows visitors to inquire about medical and dental specialties, so they can make an informed decision on what kind of expert to consult. Dr. Ramil Asuncion is a specialist in orthodontic dentistry, and is an Ask-a-Doc volunteer. To contact directly, click on the name below to visit Ask-a-Doc.

Lyn, 37, female, of Lipa City asks:
My ten year old son has very protruded ugly duckling teeth, what would be the remedy for his case?

Dr. Ramil Asuncion replies:
You should bring your son for evaluation by an orthodontist because by this age most if not all of the permanent teeth are present. It is only when he is evaluated that an appropriate treatment plan can be given to him.

You can have several consultation so that you can be sure that the best treatment plan will be given to your son.

» protruded, teeth, orthodontist