Walang Pasma! – Stop patients (and doctors) from spreading the old myth

Zero MD, East Bajac Bajac Health Center - I have, for a very long time, heard this term “pasma” frequently from old doctors. I do not try and correct them. It’s their style and it works. And until recently, I have learned that some actually teach them to new students of medicine. “Wag nyu po paliguan yung bata baka mapasma,” mused one newly graduate. (Translation: Don’t bathe the child, he might have ‘pasma.’) Its nice to know Filipino folk beliefs but they need to die a very fast death.

We are now living  in the new millenium with fast-paced technology giving us access to a wealth of information. The trend is evidence-based medicine. Cold water or cold air cannot by itself cause sickness. Some doctors teach that cold temperatures decreases the activity of the immune systems. This may only be true in extreme temperatures but cold water from the fridge or cold air from the aircon cannot produce sickness on their own. Infection causes sickness. You can get infection from a virulent organism such as a virus, protozoan, or bacteria from another person, environment or a vector. This is infectious disease 101.

The only reason the child suddenly has a fever after taking a bath is due to the fact that it is easier to perceive febrile skin after it becomes cool due to evaporated water. Water or in simple chemical terms, H2O, is a simple molecule that is very important to our well-being. Please do not restrict your patients from it (with exception to  renal cases where water intake is closely monitored).

Only recently, a patient of mine, 16 year-old female was attributing his illness to increased perspiration of the legs. She ascribed ‘pasma’ as the leading cause of her ailments: principally cough, coryza and fever. They abhorred  my explanation that pasma is nonexistent and that she has an Acute Nasopharyngitis probably due to a bacterial infection. They took my prescription but was not impressed with me.

This has to stop. Please stop using pasma and agreeing with patients regarding this folklore. The rest of the  medical world is moving ahead and disregarding the ‘pasma’ explanation. There is no such thing. If you are one of the Filipino doctors who believe in it, either you put up an evidence for all the world to see or shut up because you are doing more harm than good. Sure, the patient will be impressed with you but you are making idiots out of your patient. Let me emphasize, Doctor in latin means to teach. Don’t teach stuff that is not worth its weight in gold.

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Serving Champions – Milo Marathon Qualifiers in Olongapo City

City Health Office, Olongapo City – The recently concluded Olongapo City Milo Marathon qualifier round featured a lot of runners probably in the thousands. Most of the competitors are mainly in it for the  fun to jog or run along with peers from school or work. Some are more than enthusiasts and are vying for a slot in the Nationals to be held on December 11 at SM Mall of Asia.

Volunteers from the City Health Office, led by Dr. Zero Mella and Dra. Elizabeth Carillo, served on the first aid station. They were  accompanied by Jaime Elcaño, Maricor Bernardo, Ariel Acayan, and Perla Canya.

Since the run was conducted in the early hours of the morning, there were no reported heat strokes or any heat related problems. Most of the patients they saw were due to exhaustion. Patients presented with palpitations, hypertension, shortness of breath; and some had minor abrasions which were easily treated.

Medical supplies were rummaged from the city health office. Tournament organizers failed to supply the team with bandages, antiseptics, pain medications and even a supply of water. We noted that the drinking water supply for the runners was empty even before the 21K runners hit the finish line. There was a massive number of runners with an age range of 4 years to 70 years old on the contest grounds. This probably contributed to the shortage of drinks. But despite this limitations, no runners were seriously injured.

The qualifier was a success. You can see in each competitor’s face that they do not regret joining the competition. Each one is a champion in their own right as each one contributed a big favor to their health. Running is a cardio exercise that, done in a regular fashion, can prevent major ailments as arthritis, obesity, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Awareness to the sport’s benefits was positively brought out to the crowd.

A cheerdancing competition concluded the event. Proceeds of the event will fund Milo’s initiative to provide 10,000 shoes to needy children. Runners in the 21K and 10K category that finished the time limit will get a chance to compete in the 35th Milo Marathon Nationals.