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

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. Bella Siasoco is a specialist in Pulmonary Medicine and an Ask-a-Doc volunteer. To contact directly, click on the name below to visit Ask-a-Doc.

Ingrid, 22, female, of Quezon City asks:
I got pleural effusion cause I got expose, yet I am not infectious.

I visit some place, I am short of medicines and I can’t purchase for I left my prescription, on my 5month of treatment. In other words, I skip medicines for month before it
ends. Would it affect further? I’m afraid to tell my physian because I know I should never skip medicine even a single day.

Once I am positive with tubercullin test, would I always be positive? What will I do if my job requires me for PPD?

Dr. Bella Siasoco replies:
The TB bug is spread through what is known as “droplet infection” which, basically comes from coughing indiscriminately (I.e. Without covering mouth) into the environment. As pleural effusion from TB does not have any connection with the phlegm coughed out, the effusion itself is not contagious.

I take it that you have completed the first 4 months of a 6-month regimen. If, counting from the time you stopped treatment to the time you intend to re-start treatment, the duration of your “non-treatment” is less than 2 months, you may just resume your therapy as your doctor prescribed and complete the 6 month treatment (this time, continuously). At the end of this, please return to your doctor and he/she should request a sputum test to verify that you are cured and are no longer contagious.

» pleural effusion, tubercullin, TB bug, phlegm

Below 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 below to visit PharmASSIST.

Herbert, 30, male, of Caloocan City asks:
Are these new drugs for insomnia are already available here in Manila?
• Rozerem (Ramelteon)
• Lunesta

Dr. Yolanda Robles replies:
These drugs are not yet in the Philippine market.

» insomnia, Rozerem, Lunesta, drugs

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. Cherrie Blas 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.

Mitzui, 36, female, of Japan asks:
I just wanted to know what is the best thing I do about my varicose veins and what is the best remedy?

Dr. Cherrie Blas replies:
Procedures done in the hospital/clinic are best options: sclerotherapy injections, laser pulses, vein stripping. Which one to do depends on the extent/severity of your varicosities. These are the definitive treatment choices at the moment.

On your own, I will encourage you: to wear different heel heights daily; not to cross your legs; start moderate exercises to help you lose weight and keep circulation going; not to smoke; wear support hose; be aware of potential side-effects of medications you are taking (if any); keep alcoholic drinks to a minimum.

» varicose veins, sclerotherapy, laser pulses

When Survivor Palau winner (and New York firefighter) Tom Westman appeared on Martha Stewart’s show to share a jamabalaya recipe, Stewart asked him what kind of food he and his co-players craved for the most during the 39 days they spent on a remote island. Westman promptly said peanut butter and chocolate.

I thought he’d have said steak and potatoes. Interestingly, he relates that upon his return to the States, the first food he did eat was, why, New York pizza, of course.

The relevance to me is that the body seems to know what it wants in times of extreme hunger and stress: fat and sugar and all that yummy stuff. Dieters should know what they’re up against if they’re planning to will their way to a slim figure.