Summary

Myth 1: Bata pa ako, hindi ako apektado ng breast cancer

Fact: Breast cancer can affect women in their 20s and 30s

Breast cancer is not a condition that only people in their 50s and up experience. Younger patients tend to have more aggressive and faster-growing cancer cells. That’s why, early awareness is a must to know your baseline or normal body condition.

If there’s a significant difference, this will prompt you to seek medical help. Thus, allowing oncologists – breast cancer specialists to verify whether or not you have breast cancer.

Myth 2: Wala naman breast cancer sa family namin, kaya hindi ako magkaka-cancer

Fact: 85% of cases have no family history

Despite not having breast cancer in the family’s medical history, experts found out that 85% of people still developed this type of cancer. At the same time, having a family history doesn’t automatically put you at risk. 

“Most breast cancers are considered sporadic, meaning they occur in people even without a known inherited genetic cause.” – Dr. Gwendolyn Tattao, MD, MHM, MBA, FPCS, FPSGS, FPSBS, FPSUS

Aside from that, studies prove that females have a higher risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. Family history is just one factor, and there are other factors you need to consider to determine if you have breast cancer.

So, early assessment and screening is a must. Screening tests may include a mammogram and breast ultrasound. 

Myth 3: Pag may na-feel akong bukol, sigurado cancer na yan

Fact: Most lumps are benign, but persistent lumps deserves a doctor check-up

A lump in the breast doesn’t automatically equate to a breast cancer lump. Most lumps are considered benign, like breast cysts, fibroadenomas, fibrocystic changes, etc. So, if you found a lump, it should prompt you to seek help to identify whether it is benign or malignant.

Doctors can immediately tell what the lump is once the result of your screening test is available.

• For younger patients – breast ultrasound
• For adult patients – mammogram

Myth 4: Self-exam lang enough na, di na kailangan magpa-doktor

Fact: Self-exam is the start and should not be used for diagnosis. Clinical screening tests are still a must (ultrasound and mammogram)

Self-examination is helpful so you know your normal health. It allows you to be aware of new lumps and detect changes, which you can know if you’ve done a self exam before. However, that is not enough as it cannot detect small breast cysts. Screening imaging like breast ultrasound and mammogram can do that.

In short, a self-exam is helpful, but you shouldn’t miss the clinical breast exams by a doctor.

Myth 5: Trauma or injury to the breast will cause cancer

Fact: There’s no medical evidence that proves a trauma can cause breast cancer

This is a common misconception from people where a trauma can lead to lumps. Reality is, there’s no medical evidence of trauma as a cause of breast cancer. Although, trauma can cause swelling, bruising, and fat necrosis (benign lumps). Still, those are not equivalent to malignant cancer cells in the breast area.

If there’s a noticeable change, and you suspect it is breast cancer, visiting a doctor is the best option. That way, your fear of developing the disease can be verified by a specialist immediately.

Myth 6: Hindi nagkakaroon ng breast cancer ang mga lalaki

Fact: All genders can develop breast cancer, especially if they have high-risk factors

Although it is rare, males can also develop breast cancer. Since they have breast hormones and tissues, it is not impossible for them to get breast cancer. 

Males are at a higher risk if they have the following:

• genetic mutations
• hormonal condition
• undergoing medical treatments
• older age

If you notice changes in the nipple area and other parts of the breast, that should compel you to visit a doctor for a medical screening. 

How to Properly Do A Self-Examination

If you’re planning to do a self-exam during your menstrual period, it’s best to do it during the mid-cycle. This is the time where the breast is least tender and lumpy. 

Besides that, if you have irregular periods or have hormonal problems, the best option is to do it consistently every month. In short, just select 1 date per month for your annual breast self-exam to be familiar with your normal breast’s look and shape. Thus, allowing you to easily notice changes.

• Visual Inspection – Checking if there are swelling, redness, dimpling, eczematization of the nipples & areola.
• Palpation or Manual Inspection – Using the pads of your 3 fingers, you check for lumps with a circular or up and down motion.

Read this related article to understand more about lump in breast and self-examination.

Listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Resources Mentioned

• Oncologist – Breast Cancer doctor mentioned in the story – Book a doctor consultation with Dr. Gwendolyn Tattao, MD, MHM, MBA, FPCS, FPSGS, FPSBS, FPSUS
• NowServing App for Online and In-person doctor consultation – Download the app to your device!
• Mammogram screening test – Schedule an appointment on NowServing

Final Takeaway

Everyone can develop lumps in their breasts, but that doesn’t automatically mean that they have breast cancer. These lumps are mostly benign, while others can be malignant. That’s why being aware of these lumps matter, and what you do next becomes your most crucial decision. 

Determine whether or not you have a benign or malignant lump in your breast through a clinical assessment. Book a consultation with an oncologist – breast cancer doctor on NowServing!

The post Bukol sa Dibdib, Cancer Agad? | Breast Cancer Specialist Busts Myths appeared first on NowServing Health.

Summary

Myth 1: Stress lang yan, kayang tiisin

Fact: Chronic stress and burnout are clinical conditions. Hindi dapat ito tinitiis.

Stress is a normal part of life, but it’s essential to know what type of stress you have, especially if it becomes unmanageable. One’s stress can be short term, while others can have chronic or prolonged stress. With prolonged stress, it can lead to burnout, which should not be endured without proper management. 

Furthermore, it is crucial to know when to stop and rest. Ask the right questions like what Doc Jannah mentioned:

“Pagod lang ba ako or matagal ko nang pinipilit ang sarili ko beyond sa what I can sustainably handle?”

In short, stress and burnout doesn’t equate to just being physically tired, it’s a sign that you need rest in both mind, body, and emotional aspect. So the phrase “tiisin mo lang” should not be an automatic response.

Myth 2: Mahina ka lang kaya ka na-burnout

Fact: Burnout, anxiety, and depression are health conditions, not moral failure

Burnout stems from an exceeding demand, and your resources, support, and recovery can’t catch up. It becomes too overwhelming, leading to burnout. Furthermore, people suffering from mental health conditions like anxiety and depression may also experience burnout. These are mental health conditions, and must be dealt with proper assessment from mental health experts. That’s why it is not right to conclude a person is weak or strong because of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. 

Myth 3: Hindi naman ako “baliw”, bakit ako pupunta sa psychiatrist

Fact: Consultation with a psychiatrist is a medical care to address potential mental health crisis

This is the most common misconception of people about consulting with a mental health doctor like psychiatrists and psychologists. Booking a doctor consultation with a mental health expert is the same as when you consult with a high blood pressure doctor. That’s because your goal is to avoid potential crises by managing the symptoms early. 

In short, that should also be your goal when you have mental health symptoms like stress and burnout. Seek help to get psychological assessment, and get diagnosed for early management and prevention.

Myth 4: Basta makapag-pahinga ako sa weekend, okay na ulit

Fact: If there’s no recovery after resting, seeking help is a m

Resting as a stress relief is important to replenish your energy. However, if there’s a noticeable tiredness even after resting or dreading what’s to come in the week, there might be an underlying cause here. It could already be a burnout affecting your functionality as a stress response.

Some cases of burnout might have already developed into anxiety and depression, and you haven’t noticed it yet. In that case, rest is not the answer to your burnout. In that case, seeking help to your family members and to a mental health doctor is a must.

Five Ds to Watch Out For

An effective way to determine if what you have is short-term stress or chronic stress is by checking if you have the following:

• Distress: difficulty in coping up
• Deviance: changes in behavior and physical activity
• Dysfunction: daily functionality affected  
• Danger: thoughts of harming yourself or suicidal thoughts
• Duration: extended period of stress symptoms even after resting

Each of the Ds are already a red flag, especially if there’s passive or active suicidal ideation.Learn more about suicidal ideation and its types in this guide. 

Listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Resources Mentioned

• Psychologist and Psychometrician mentioned in the story – Book a doctor consultation with Jannah Trixie Cuevas, RPsy, RPM
• NowServing App for Online and In-person doctor consultation – Download the app to your device!
• NowServing Care Gift Cards for mental health consultations – Learn more how you can help someone to seek help from experts.
• National Center for Mental Health crisis hotlines – Call local 1553 or 0919-057-1553 for SMART/TNT or 0919-057-1553 or 0917-899-8727 & 0966-351-4518 for GLOBE/TM 

It’s Not too Late to Seek Help

Stress is common, but when it becomes unmanageable, it can affect your daily functioning due to exhaustion or burnout. When that feeling is constant you haven’t taken an action to manage it, it can result in the development of mental health conditions.

If you feel an overwhelming stress that doesn’t go away, that’s already a sign that it’s not just a normal stress. Seek help from your loved ones and consult with a mental health doctor as early as possible.

Ready to address your stress and burnout, and start stress management? Book a consultation with a psychiatrist, psychologist, and other mental health professionals on NowServing!

The post Kaya Mo ‘Yan, Pero Paano Kung Hindi Na? | A Psychologist on Burnout and Asking for Help appeared first on NowServing Health.

Summary

Myth 1: Walang sakit at healthy, pwede na sumubok magka-anak

Fact: Feeling healthy does not equate to ready to conceive a baby

A person’s health can be affected by factors like stress, sleep, and what we eat. Thus, not making it the solely reference when starting a family. It’s best to book a consultation with an OBGYN for a preconception counseling to see the couple’s baseline health. This step allows the couples to identify their risk factors that can affect conceiving the baby and the pregnancy itself (e.g., thyroid problem, hypertension, diabetes, PCOS/PMOS, penile dysfunction, etc.).

Learn what is the normal blood pressure for pregnant women in this guide.

In short, both maternal health and paternal health will be checked to begin family planning. Doctors recommend to undergo preconception counseling 3 months before the actual plan of conceiving.

Myth 2: Babae lang ang dapat magpa-check up

Fact: Fertility is not just a female issue, it’s a couple’s issue

Fertility problem consists of a 50/50 equation from the mother and the father. Common problems that men face is the health of their sperm, whether their motility, shape, and count are viable to fertilize the female egg.

At the same time, their overall lifestyle choices can alter their chances of starting a family. It’s best to stop any vices like drinking and smoking to keep the quality of their sperm. Likewise for females, their menstrual cycle, uterine lining, and egg health should be checked to ensure a successful conception.

Furthermore, the couple need to consider the entirety of child health. The child’s genes will come from both the mother and father. The long-term health of the baby will be based on how healthy the parents are.

“Filipino male partners are statistically underchecked, and it’s time to change that.” – Angeli Anne C. Ang, MD, FPOGS, DSGOP, DPSCPC

Myth 3: Folic Acid ay para sa buntis lamang

Fact: Folic Acid prevents neural tube defects and helps with sperm quality

Neural tube defects are detected in the early stage of pregnancy around 3 to 4 weeks. Folic acid is recommended by the OBGYN for the mothers for at least 3 months before trying to conceive.

Meanwhile for the fathers, folic acid can also help with the sperm quality. So it’s not just for the females.

Still, proper diet and lifestyle changes are the best recommendations for fathers, instead of taking folic acid.

Myth 4: Bahala na si Lord kaysa mag family planning

Fact: Family planning is an open-choice for couples, and they can also try natural family planning

Everyone is entitled to their reproductive choices, especially if it involves their beliefs. That’s why they can still try the Natural Family Planning Method.

This method can be more tedious than having a consultation with a doctor as it involves understanding one’s body health and tracking everything. Also, there’s still planning involved here, but becomes more individualistic as it depends on the health of the mothers.

What to check:

• Menstrual cycles (full cycle can be 28 days, can be longer or shorter depending on the patient)
• Reproductive health conditions like PCOS/PMOS, endometriosis, etc.
• Other chronic conditions like mental health illnesses, hypertension, diabetes, etc.
• Ovulation tracking for high chance of pregnancy (around day 14 of your 28-day cycle)

Whichever method the couple chooses, the important thing is that they should be prepared. Building a family requires planning.

Myth 5: Fertility is unlimited until menopause

Fact: Fertility of women starts decreasing when they reach mid-30s

Women can get pregnant when they still have their menstruation period, but their fertility gradually decreases in their mid-30s. Furthermore, as they grow older, risk factors during pregnancy also manifests, like preeclampsia, diabetes, hypertension, etc.

Read this related article about diabetes and how it affects the mother’s health during pregnancy.

That’s why preconception counseling is important to check these risk factors. Thus, ensuring a safe pregnancy and protecting the mother and baby’s health.

Listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Resources Mentioned

• OBGYN and Gynecologic Oncologist doctor mentioned in the story – Book a doctor consultation with Angeli Anne C. Ang, MD, FPOGS, DSGOP, DPSCPC
• NowServing App for Online and In-person doctor consultation – Download the app to your device!
• NowServing Care Gift Card – Send a gift card for mental health consultations using the NowServing app.

Final Takeaway

When you build a family, it requires a thorough planning, not only for the mothers and fathers health, but also the baby’s health. The preconception check-up helps with the preparation, allowing the couples to go the right path towards a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

No matter what method you choose, planning is key for building a family. Book a family planning doctor on NowServing today!

Visit NowExpress for doctor-reviewed birth control, delivered discreetly.

The post Family Planning, Bahala Na? – Fertility, Myths, and Getting Ready for Pregnancy appeared first on NowServing Health.

Summary

• Myth 1: Basta busog, malusog is commonly perceived as a natural choice when preparing meals in a Filipino home. However, lacking of nutrients in meals can lead to malnutrition and other health conditions like anemia. A dish consisting of protein, carbohydrates, and produce works better for a nutritious and filling meal.
• Myth 2: Bawal ang kanin kapag gustong pumayat, another common misconception when it comes to losing weight. Kanin culture is real in the Philippines, and it’s one of the top source of energy for people. Removing rice in your meals is not sustainable, and without substitution, it can lead to low energy. Rice is not the enemy, it’s how you control the portion of carbohydrates in a meal, and not consuming a well-balanced plate.
• Myth 3: Pwede akong kumain ng kahit ano basta uminom ako ng vitamins, is not an ideal option for body health. Vitamin toxicity can happen if you’ve consumed more than the recommended limit of vitamins per day. It can lead to symptoms like vomiting, nausea, and blurry vision. That’s why it’s better to reach the number of vitamins and nutrients through whole foods, than relying solely on supplements. Supplements are supplements, ‘pandagdag hindi pampalit.’
• Myth 4: Kapag nagskip ako ng meal, papayat ako is a diet hack that most people do. However, unguided skipping of meals often backfires. It often leads to binge eating due to suppressed hunger, which feels more like a punishment than weight management. Experts commonly suggest to try small frequent meals, than instant cutting off of meals in a day. That way, your body can still receive the nutrients needed for the day.

Listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Resources Mentioned

• Pinggang Pinoy by FNRI-DOST – Learn more about the ideal portion per meal in the Pinggang Pinoy, which was released in 2016.
• Diet and Nutrition doctor mentioned in the story – Book a doctor consultation with Patricia Nicole Delos Santos, RND
• NowServing App for Online and In-person doctor consultation – Download the app to your device!

Final Takeaway

Several myths about food often mislead people when it comes to weight management. That’s why people have an unhealthy relationship with food, which leads to nutrient deficiency and crash diet.

Consulting with registered nutritionist-dietitian works best than self-treatment if you want to lose weight the correct way. Book a diet and nutrition doctor on NowServing today!

The post Busog Ka, Pero Nourished Ka Ba? The Truth About Rice, Supplements, and Skipping Meals appeared first on NowServing Health.

Key Takeaways:

• Why is it called NowServing? – Before COVID, NowServing was initially built to help doctors better inform patients regarding their appointments as well as be a facility to communicate.
• Common beliefs in local culture – People don’t go see their doctor as regularly because of various reasons, one of which is the fear of finding something especially when they are not (yet) feeling any symptoms.
• Toughing things out might not always be the right solution – Every person goes through different things in life. We are all unique in that sense and a lot of us are brought up to toughen it out. Getting professional help though, is something you really should consider to help you navigate and move forward in life with a health body and mind.
• It’s important to go see a doctor – Many look at one’s own health as not an investment but more of an expense. Healthcare should be prioritized and you deserve it.

Resources Mentioned:

• Book a consult with a doctor in the Philippines here – https://nowserving.ph/
• ENT doctor mentioned in the story – https://seriousmd.com/doc/jrclaridad

Transcript:

Chelsea: Hey everyone. This is our very first episode, so let’s clap to that. Clap. Clap. Clap. Yay. Insert noise clapping right now. We’re going to first talk about NowServing what it’s about.

Okay, so what is NowServing about? How about you, Dee? What do you think about when you hear the word NowServing?

Dee: When I hear the term NowServing is, something that can cater right away that we don’t have to like, wait. I guess. That’s my initial thought of it.

Chelsea: Yeah, that makes sense. I mean, for me, when I think of NowServing I, it’s actually interesting that’s the name of the app because I think it was originally created for a different purpose. So, right. Dennis?

Dennis: That is correct. Okay, so this was born in our office around 7:00 PM trying to figure out how we’re gonna name the app. An app for patients that we’re finally gonna do. This was pre-covid. They were asking me for a name that’s different from SeriousMD because SeriousMD kind of scared patients because it was serious and they feel like it’s coming from the doctor. It’s intimidating. Maybe it’s scary and the patient might think “there’s something wrong with me.” That’s why my doctor is texting me. Because it’s “serious” – So that’s why we decided to change it up, named it NowServing because at that point, we were focused on the doctor’s queue. When you go to the clinic, you have to queue up, you have to go to the secretary, ask, right? It’s your turn, so it’s your “NowServing”.

So, that was the initial idea for that. And, you know, a month and a half later, COVID happened and there wasn’t enough time to change the name. So it’s been like that ever since.

Chelsea: Wait, SeriousMD were doctors not scared by the term “SeriousMD” since you said patients were scared of the name, I’m just curious.

Dennis: Oh yeah, they were not. We learned about patients getting scared because we sent reminders to patients and the sender’s name is SeriousMD on the text message, and we got feedback from their patients that they got scared, so that’s why we opted for a different name.

Dee: Something a bit more lighter, I guess. Kase, I feel like if it was to be named or retained to be SeriousMD, it might not also feel like it’s a welcoming tool or application or anything for patients. Um-umm. Parang ako mismo matatakot eh.

Chelsea: No, I’m fearless. No, I’m kidding. I’m kidding. Okay, so before it used to just be for queuing lang?

Dennis: That is correct. It’s just for queuing, knowing patients in front of you so you can go around, you know, loiter around the hospital until it was time to go back. We can go to this cafe at the ground floor, hang out there and go back to the clinic when it’s almost your turn. It’s still there inside the current NowServing app, but you know, we built a ton of other things.

Chelsea: Yeah. Like there’s so much other stuff like, uh, ikaw Dee, like what, what services do you like to use most sa NowServing?

Dee: Well, I do the online consultations, parang naging habit ko na sya. I mean, not to be biased, but you know, we’re not getting any younger, Like I just turned 30 and I feel like my body is changing quite fast.

Sometimes I’m confused, and I also have asthma and I have PCOS also, so these are like things that I need to be aware of for myself. And it’s convenient for me, you know, it kind of lessens my worries at times and I can reach my doctor whenever and  wherever. Kahit sa bahay lang ako di ko na kailangan bumyahe, di ko na kailangan isipin yung waiting masyado, I can just wait at home.

Chelsea: Yeah, for sure. So the main service offering, is that you can book a doctor, whether for face to face or online. So I guess the question now is, do you really need to see a doctor?

Dennis: So that’s our topic for today?

Chelsea: Yes. Oh, that is the longest segue ever and that is the topic. OK, so do you really need to see a doctor? How about you, Dennis? Do you believe?

Dennis: Well, personally, I don’t do that, you know. I would assume it’s better to be safe syempre, prevention is always better, right? BUT I guess locally, with the culture here, hindi sya as uso tulad sa ibang bansa, na you could, like, okay, just get regular checkups, go to a doctor. If I feel something, you just go to a doctor as often as you’d like. People would like just tough it out and just see and you know, but in my case kasi, parang ganon din.

I guess, in my household growing up, medyo ganon (toughing it out) but you know, as I got older, you kind of realize and understand that there are more important things in life and that’s the time you have to reflect and maybe, kailangan ko na nga yata mag pa-annual checkup. (which my wife already helped me schedule to do regularly)

So yes, I guess it’s a culture rin eh. It’s not as accepted, right? Is that the term?

Chelsea: As normal? It’s not as normal for everyone to just like go to the hospital and get a check up for no reason at all. Wherein it should actually be normal. You know, that’s interesting that you said that it’s something that they’re used to. It’s not like something that they have to think about pa, parang dito like, uhmm, are we gonna go to the doctor nahhh, wag na. Ganon, so, I mean, for me, one main reason why I used to not go see a doctor is money. But you know, now that I’m a little bit older, I’m starting to become strong, independent woman who cares about her health. So I do go see the doctor often. You know, actually I remember my dad telling me that he is scared of, well, he doesn’t like going to the dentist, for example, cuz he’s scared of seeing the dentist.

So I think that’s one reason why people also don’t go see the doctor, I mean, like getting an injection, mga ganon.

Dennis: I know some people that are scared of those things and it does prevent them from going to the doctor. Sometimes they would say na, baka may mahanap pa, baka may makita pa.

Chelsea: Actually di ko nga gets yon eh, bat ganon?

Dennis: Well, the doctor doesn’t know you, right? Even if the doctor knows you, the doctor won’t know the workings inside your body, so they’ll get you tested and stuff like that, and that’s where prevention comes in, right? Because if may mahanap sila don and maagapan.

So, yun yung kinakatakutan ng iba, na feeling nila wala silang nararamdaman but, yun pala meron palang something, ayaw nila malaman.

Chelsea: I really don’t get that. Kasi ako like, I wanna know. I wanna know. I really wanna know.

Dee: Sa amin it’s common though. Kasi sa amin, konting ubo lang, “ay hinde ubo lang yan..”

So parang papalagpasin na let’s say days or weeks. Pero nacu-cure naman sya, nawawala naman.  But if you know, may mga current occasions, nagiging recent na, nagiging madalas na sya, and then syempre ang common iisipin, “hala..”, deep inside kahit hindi mo ipakita, nakakatakot sya baka hindi lang pala ubo to, pero hindi.. ubo lang to.

Parang in denial kame palagi na hindi ubo lang to, sipon lang yan, lagnat lang yan.

So, hindi na, hindi na papa-check up, ganyan.

Pero, there are times na wherein, just for the peace of mind lang talaga and para alam narin kung ano yung kailangan gawin, is to really see a doctor

Kasi ayaw naman naten na umasa kay doctor Google … palagi na ano ba kailangan or what do I need to take, what do I need to drink for this? Or what are like the home remedies? I’m very much guilty of home remedies sa Google curing like my cough or anything. Tapos, when I went to the doctor, apparently I have asthma .

So don ko nalaman na may asthma pala ulit ako kasi the last time I had asthma was when I was young pa. So kaya pala ako inu-ubo not because of the weather or kasi inuubo ako, it’s because my asthma pala ulit ako. So that’s when I kind of figured out, now you know what. Yeah, this is important.

Chelsea: Okay. I wanna share two things. Okay. I forgot the other one, but I’ll share the other one. Dee, kasi, you mentioned you will not go and see the doctor talaga, like, it’ll be like, “ubo lang yan..” I’ll tell you a perfect example of the time that I really didn’t go to the doctor, even though I knew I had to. So a couple of years ago, back in, I think, 2019. I booked a spontaneous flight to Palawan with a friend, and then literally the day before my flight, I started vomiting like crazy. As in, as in everything I ate, I vomited. Kahit tubig, sinusuka ko talaga, as in.

Hindi parang tubig tas alam mo yung It’s like you’re drunk na parang direcho lang. (vomitting sound) I felt so bad talaga and my friend was like, “Ano, magho-hospital tayo?” sabi ko, “No!”. I have to go to Palawan. Cause it was a spontaneous trip. I’ve never been to the E.R., at that time, that’s for another story. So like I really didn’t go, honestly, this is such a Filipino thing, pero feeling ko, kinulam talaga ako (laughing) kaya, kaya ako nagka-ganon, as in sobrang weird talaga, ‘tas the next day I was so okay, like nothing happened.

Anyway, so going back to the whole story, I didn’t go to the doctor even though I had to, so I, I just drunk like electrolytes, Pocari Sweat, Gatorade lang yung sinabi saken. yun yung sinabi saken ng friend ko na doctor. Doctor naman. So I did get help from a doctor, but I just didn’t go to the E.R. It’s fine. I’m not dead. I mean, I’m here now doing this podcast.

Dee: Wag tularan! (lauging)

Chelsea: Since then, I don’t go see a doctor often, until I started working in SeriousMD. Ever since then, it’s like I made up for all the years I never went to see a doctor. As in grabe ang dami kong nalaman, I have super clean ears. Like I don’t, I was so sad that I didn’t have to do the vacuum set.

Dee: You wanted to do that?

Chelsea: Yeah, it was my dream.

Dennis: Nagawa sa akin yun recently. Si doc nasa SeriousMD! (Link in the resources area of this post)

Chelsea: The HARD SELL! Naririnig mo yung vacuum sa tenga mo? How was your hearing like, mas malinaw after?

Dennis: Yeah. kasi wala nakong naririning nung time na yon eh.

Chelsea: Whoa. That’s so cool.

Dennis: My ears like ear wax is like different, like it’s the wet type, hindi sya yung dry type. It’s like, you know, pag nagluto ka ng sugar, tas tinunaw mo, tapos tumigas.

Dee: What is this visual guys?

Chelsea: That’s gross (laughing) honestly. I can’t believe you use sugar. I mean, that’s like a really intense visual. Like we can literally imagine.

Yeah, but that’s not, I mean, that’s like a really intense visual. Like we can literally imagine,

Dennis: Parang candy, parang banana-cue.

Chelsea: Oh my god, you know what, naisip ko tuloy, have you ever tried eating your.. (laughing)

Chelsea: When was the last time? You saw an ENT before you got your ear waxed?

Dennis: Four years ago.

Chelsea: Okay, so I think you should see your doctor every year.

Dennis: Correct!

Chelsea: I mean, not necessarily for ENT, but I think in general, you need to see your doctor every year.

Dee: Yeah, yeah, definitely.

Dennis: Nagka-covid kasi eh, kaya, actually every two years ako. Nagkaroon ng Covid, so I opted not to and mas nag build up young ear wax during that time. Let’s get an ENT on board for an episode.

Chelsea: Oh yeah, for sure, for sure. I wanna know all about that. Well, there’s so many perks to, seeing or having your own doctor besides, I mean like a GP or an internist or a primary care physician. Like what are other perks that you think of that you’re thinking of?

Dee: Probably perks of having like a primary care physician would be to know your body more also on a regular basis to catch up on things, because we’re not getting any younger, sadly, and we need to take care of our health and our bodies and we need to take it seriously.

Dennis: Well, until people hear this podcast episode.

Chelsea: Honestly, we’re we’re just a bunch of real people who get sick once in a while who like to see the doctor who feel very refreshed after going. I mean, me, I love seeing my doctor. It’s a good feeling when you know that you’re healthy. Tapos pag binibigyan ako ng medicine, ang saya kasi parang, it’s like something I have to maintain. Okay. I know I’m weird, like kahit Vitamin C, like, oh, I’m gonna take some vitamins today.

Dee: I’m healthy. Look at me.

Chelsea: Oh, Tapos yung ano, meron akong eye drops. Oohh, my eyes are getting refreshed. So the point is, go see a doctor. It’ll be good for you.

Dee: It might be frightening. Parang it might be scary, you know, to think about it kasi baka isipin mo, or pumasok sa isip mo na, “hala baka may makita na ayoko pang malaman”, you know, but honestly, I feel like you have to know. I mean if not now, then when? When it’s too late? We don’t want that to happen. Wow, naging serious bigla?

Dennis: I have a friend, like over the pandemic, nag-try lang sya, para magamit nya yung HMO nya, so nag-try sya and may hanap sa chest nya. Pwedeng maging cancer kase, so yeah, surgery agad sila para maagapan nga, and you know, he’s back to hundred percent. Okay. That’s my story. So anyway, ano nga ba ang reason aside from, you mentioned, monetary, right? Because it’s one of the things na, that scares people or not scares, prevents people from actually going to the doctor. Bakit nga ba? Bakit nga ba.. So bakit nga ba hindi cheaper yung healthcare kasi here in the Philippines in the first place. Well, there’s a lot of factors, right? So yung doctors, first of all, kulang, right? Kulang pa tayo ng doctors. Public hospitals naten, medyo kulang rin, right? So magkakaroon ng UHC, Universal Healthcare coming up. I’m not sure when yet, but that should potentially make it cheaper. There’s still a lot of drawbacks. I think they are still ironing it out. So if you make it cheaper, people will eventually accept na, “Oh, it’s better to get a checkup!”.

Private hospitals kasi here in the country, that’s like 60% of all hospitals are private hospitals and syempre the doctors that would try want to try to make a living and do their own practices, they’ll be in the private hospitals and they’ll need to be able to charge and you know, may ROI eh. So understandable na why healthcare is more expensive.

Dee: … but not accessible.

Dennis: Yeah. But eventually we’ll get there, right? Yeah.

Chelsea: So to wrap it up, long story short is yes, go see your doctor now.

Dennis: How?

Chelsea: By booking, through NowServing. You may go to NOWSERVING.PH, or you may download the NowServing app available on PlayStore and App Store.

Dee: Dang! That should be like a, like a recorded sequence.

Chelsea: All right guys, we’re, we’re gonna wrap it up here. I hope you enjoyed this episode. It’s our first. It’s, it’s rough, but you like it rough, right? I just had to, I just had to.

We have fun. Yeah, we’re healthy and we have fun. Okay. So that’s it for now. Take it away, Dee. Where can they follow us or check us out?

We have fun. Yeah, we’re healthy and we have fun. Mm-hmm. . Okay. So that’s it for now. Take it away, Dee. Where can they follow us or check us out?

Dee: So for all social media platforms, you can just check us out @NowServingPH (Instagram/Twitter/Tiktok/Facebook) and yeah, so we’ll be releasing new episodes every other Wednesday, so might as well check it out, few weeks from now and just hit us up. If you guys have any thoughts or suggestions or any topics that you kind of want us to talk about, we’re all ears for you guys, so yeah.

Chelsea: All right. Bye guys. Stay safe and healthy. Bye bye! (laughing)

The post Why People Don’t Like Going to the Doctor (But You ACTUALLY SHOULD) appeared first on NowServing Health.