Joseph Reuel Cruz, RMT, MD

10/05/2023

Some fun facts about Vitamin B12.

Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) is a crystalline cobalt complex and it has a cyanide group attached hence its complex molecular structure.

Vitamin B12 is synthesized by bacteria that inhabit the gut of animals and is present in animal foods. These bacteria are not found in fruits, grains or vegetables which is why vegans are generally advised to take a supplement.

It has cobalt, cyanide, and it is produced by animal bacteria living in their gut.
Sounds scary, right? But that's wrong to think about.

You see, both cobalt and cyanide causes poisoning in their crude forms but in the form of Cyanocobalamin, it is not poisonous but an essential vitamin in your diet. Vitamin B12 is essential in red blood cell production, DNA synthesis and nerve function. :)

Payo ni Doc:
Uminom ng multivitamin supplements ayon sa reseta ng doktor. Mapatingin o magpa-konsulta kung may katanungan patungkol sa bitamina at minerals na iniinom.

Vitamin B12 has the most complex structure of all vitamins. It was elucidated by Nobel Prize laureate and crystallography pioneer Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin.

Crowfoot Hodgkin was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1964 "for her determinations by X-ray techniques of the structures of important biochemical substances."

Image: Detail from a model of the crystal structure of vitamin B12

14/02/2023

There is a disease caused by thread-like worms which is called 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐬 or 𝐋𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐬 (from the words "fila ria" in latin of "threads-like things").
Mayroon nito sa Pilipinas.

The parasites blocks the lymphatics and overwhelms the lymph nodes causing lymphedema (swelling due to accumulation of lymph) and elephantiasis (skin and tissue thickening in the lower extremities likened to an elephant's feet).

Yung itsura ni Sam Smith sa larawang ito ay hawig sa isang taong may Elephantiasis.

Ano ang payo ni Doc?
1.) Iwasang makagat ng lamok sa mga "filaria-infested locations" gaya ng Timog Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro, Palawan, Samar, Leyte, Sorsogon at Bohol.

2.) Mag-linis ng kapaligiran. Itapon ang mga breeding grounds ng lamok. Kontrolin ang pamamahayan ng lamok sa mga taniman at sakahan.

3.) Kumonsulta sa inyong doktor para sa mga payong medikal at sa mga gamot na inyong iinumin. Magpatingin kung mayroong paunang sintomas ng Filariasis tulad ng lagnat, ginaw, sakit sa kalamnan at mga lumalaking kulani sa katawan.

12/02/2023

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲, 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡.
𝑨𝒍𝒂𝒎 𝒎𝒐 𝒃𝒂 𝒏𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒐𝒈 𝒏𝒂 𝒃𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒈 𝒂𝒚 𝒑𝒘𝒆𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒂𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒐𝒈 𝒏𝒂 𝒑𝒖𝒔𝒐?

Ayon sa isang malakihang pag-aaral, nakitaan ng pagkakaugnay ang mga sakit sa gilagid at bibig sa pagkakaroon ng sakit sa puso.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29461088/

Mayroong sa mga mikrobyo sa bibig na nagiging sanhi ng sakit sa puso, mga ugat sa puso, at iba pang ugat sa ating katawan na dinadaluyan ng dugo gaya ng 𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘱𝘺𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴, 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘴, 𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴, 𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘺𝘤𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘴, 𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘢, at 𝘛𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘢.

Nakita sa mga pag-aaral na mula sa may-sakit na bibig, pumapasok ang mga mikrobyo sa ating katawan mula sa ating dugo.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3734880/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425394/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27836917/
https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/rheumatic-fever.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3084572/

PAALALA NI DOK:
Alagaan ang ating mga puso sa pag-aalaga sa ating mga bibig. Use your mouth to spread love and make others feel loved.
🤓❤️

Iba pang babasahin na may kaugnay sa artikulo:
https://www.colgate.com/en-ph/oral-health/heart-disease/how-oral-health-and-heart-disease-are-connected-0115
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/microbiologists-discover-how-cavity-causing-microbes-invade-heart
https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/gum-disease-and-the-connection-to-heart-disease

16/08/2022

Medical advice lang po para sa lahat.

Payo ni Doc:
Kumunsulta po sa inyong doktor kung iinom ng gamot o vitamin supplements.

✓ Kung hindi po ninyo kailangan o hindi sigurado sa epekto ng food supplement na iinumin, mabuti po na magtanong sa inyong doktor.

Kapag nakita ang "NO APPROVED THERAPEUTIC CLAIMS" ang ibig sabihin nito sa Filipino, "HINDI NAKAKAGALING SA ANUMANG URI NG SAKIT" ang food supplement na iniinom.

Sa inyong pinapanood, sa Filipino:
“Mahalagang paalala: Ang (name of product) ay hindi gamot at hindi dapat gamiting panggamot sa anumang uri ng sakit."

Kapag isinalin sa Ingles:
"Important reminder: This is not a medicinal drug and should not be used to treat the symptoms of any disease.”

✓ Hindi nirerekomenda na uminom ng vitamin supplements na hihigit sa inyong pang araw-araw na pangangailangan batay sa Recommend Dietary Allowance (RDA).

Halimbawa, kahit pa ibinibenta ang 1000mg/tablet na Vitamin C, hindi po 'yun rekomendado na araw-arawin ninyo kung wala kayong sakit na Scurvy o kakulangan sa Vitamin C.

✓ Huwag pong gumamit ng natirang antibiotic mula sa ibang pasyente na hindi inireseta para sa inyo ng doktor.

HINDI PO LAHAT NG ANTIBIOTICS AY NILALAGAY SA SUGAT O PWEDENG INUMIN PARA SA MGA IMPEKSYON.
May kanya-kanyang gamit po ang bawat preparasyon at dosage ng antibiotics.

✓ Kahit na non-Rx o hindi kailangang kumuha ng prescription sa isang gamot, mas mabuti na magtanong para sa tamang kaalaman at pag-inom sa inyong mga binibili sa botika.

Kumunsulta po sa inyong doktor para sa tama at ligtas na payong medikal. (Y)

03/05/2022

Your s*xual activities may have risks. Your s*xual habits affects your body in ways that you probably don't anticipate or know.

Payo ni Doc:
Tatlo lang po ang gagawin at siguraduhin natin.

(1) Practice safe s*x.
Maging maingat sa pakikipagtalik.

(2) Be cautious about over experimentation in your s*xual activities.
Maging maingat sa pagsubok sa iba't ibang paraan o position sa pakikipagtalik.

(3) Consult your doctor.
Ang inyong mga doktor ay nagbibigay ng payong medikal at sekswal na makakatulong sa inyo na maging maingat at ligtas sa pakikipagtalik.

In this case report published in the New England Journal of Medicine, a 24-year-old woman was diagnosed with Gonococcal Keratoconjunctivitis (Ocular Gonorrhea).
It is caused by Neisseria gonorrhea, a s*xually-transmissible bacteria.

How did the bacteria got in her left eye?
Again, your s*xual activities may have risks.

A 24-year-old woman presented with pain, yellow discharge, and blurry vision in the left eye. On examination, she could not open the eye. https://nej.md/3vdN5Aw

04/02/2022

Be connected with Dr. Joseph Reuel Cruz on LinkedIn.
Professional profile and curriculum vitae available upon request.

Tingnan ang profile ni Joseph Reuel Cruz, RMT, MD sa LinkedIn, ang pinakamalaking komunidad ng propesyunal sa buong mundo. Joseph Reuel ay mayroong 1 trabaho na nakalista sa kanilang profile. Makita ang kompletong profile sa LinkedIn at matuklasan Joseph Reuel ang mga koneksyon at trabaho sa kapareh...

18/01/2022

Good day!

Please be advised that morning (AM) telemedicine consultation schedules today, January 19, 2022 are tentatively on-hold as per advance advice from the attending physician.
This is to accommodate for a Level 1 emergency case that Dr. Cruz is attending currently.

Please check your email for more information if your schedule is affected and shifted to another time. We ask for your kind understanding on the matter.

Thank you for entrusting your healthcare with us.

-Clinic Administrator 2

13/01/2022

Thank you PPD (The Filipino Doctor) for supporting your doctor-partners.
Thank you for the partnership freebies! ❤️

Joseph Reuel Cruz, RMT, MD is a PPD doctor-partner!
You can have your online consultation and prescriptions at your fingertips.

Download the Android app via Google Play Store!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ppd.patient&hl=en&gl=US

Download the Apple app via Apple App Store!
https://apps.apple.com/ph/app/ppd-for-patients/id1480487188

Scan the QR code for Dr. Joseph Reuel Cruz or search the name using the app! Set-up a quick appointment using the link:
https://patients.ppd.ph/doctor/joseph-reuel-cruz

*Referral as doctor-partner is also welcomed. Have your online clinic, doctors!
Message the page to learn more and state that Joseph Reuel Cruz, RMT, MD referred you on licensing and verification procedures.

13/01/2022

Let's start the day by grinding with our telemedicine consultation.
The doctor is IN!

12/01/2022

Joseph Reuel Cruz, RMT, MD is a PPD doctor!
You can have your online consultation and prescriptions at your fingertips.

Download the Android app via Google Play Store!
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ppd.patient&hl=en&gl=US

Download the Apple app via Apple App Store!
https://apps.apple.com/ph/app/ppd-for-patients/id1480487188

Scan the QR code for Dr. Joseph Reuel Cruz or search the name using the app! Set-up a quick appointment using the link:
https://patients.ppd.ph/doctor/joseph-reuel-cruz

Message the page to learn more.

Joseph Reuel Cruz, RMT, MD is also now on PPD (The Filipino Doctor)

Follow the step-by-step guide using PPD for Patients App now available in Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Scan the doctor QR code to check the physician's profile and book an online consultation now!

You can also view the doctor's profile online:
https://patients.ppd.ph/doctor/joseph-reuel-cruz

*Physician referrals to the PPD Clinic app are also welcome!
Message my page for more details and guides to the app. Avail the latest PPD drug handbook and be part of PPD physicians.

08/01/2022

Joseph Reuel Cruz, RMT, MD is also now on PPD (The Filipino Doctor)

Follow the step-by-step guide using PPD for Patients App now available in Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Scan the doctor QR code to check the physician's profile and book an online consultation now!

You can also view the doctor's profile online:
https://patients.ppd.ph/doctor/joseph-reuel-cruz

*Physician referrals to the PPD Clinic app are also welcome!
Message my page for more details and guides to the app. Avail the latest PPD drug handbook and be part of PPD physicians.

07/01/2022

BEWARE OF FAKE PARACETAMOL!

Notice these features when you buy Paracetamol from a specific brand. It was reported that a counterfeit version of the drug is spreading.

Follow Joseph Reuel Cruz, RMT, MD for more medical "payo" and tips.

05/01/2022

"Doc, walang available na [medicine brand]. Anong gagawin namin?"

Ano ang payo ni Doc:
Your prescription have generic name, the preparation, and the strength of your medication. That's your prescription's inscription.
Find the inscription in your prescription.

1.)
Buy generic medicine with the same generic name, preparation and formulation strength (basically the same inscription). You can disregard the recommended brand of your physician if the preferred brand (enclosed with parenthesis in your prescription) is unavailable.

When your physician is issuing the prescription, ask your doctor:
"Doc, may generic ba nito? Ano po ang generic name nito? Pakilagay naman po ang generic."
Huwag mahihiyang magtanong.
*Also, know that issuing medicines based on their generic name is required under Section 6 of RA 6675 or Generics Act of 1988.

2.)
Buy only FDA-approved generic medicines with the same inscription with your FDA-licensed and legitimate drugstores having their own pharmacists. Ask their licenses. Ask if what you're buying is the original one. Have doubts if the retail price of your generic medicine is far from the suggested retail price.
Again, huwag mahihiyang magtanong.

3.)
Gamitin ang drug database nang inyong suking botika.
Mayroong database ng mga available na gamot ang inyong drugstores na naka-konekta sa iba nilang mga branches.

Pakiusapan ang pharmacist o pharmacy assistant:
"Ma'am/Sir baka po pwedeng pakihanap sa database ninyo kung saang branch ng botika makikita ang gamot na ito?"
They would gladly look at their database to assist you.

You have your options. Options, options, options!
Makaka-tipid ka na, available pa!
Huwag mahihiyang magtanong kung may generic ba ang gamot mo.

Follow Joseph Reuel Cruz, RMT, MD page for more medical "payo" from your Medtek-Doctor. 👌

05/01/2022

Know your COVID-19 vaccines.

05/01/2022

"Doc, ano ba yung Omicron variant ng COVID-19?"

Nakikita ninyo sa balita sa telebisyon, naririnig sa radyo, nababasa sa dyaryo pero ano ba talaga ang Omicron variant ng COVID-19?
Why are medical scientists and physicians cautiously worrying about the Omicron variant of COVID-19? Bakit ba ito nakikita sa balita ngayon at bakit ba kami nagpapa-alala sa inyo pagdating dito?
*Look at the picture. That red (encircled) branch in the phylogenetic tree represents the Omicron variant.
Diyan magsisimula ang usapan natin.

Two reasons:
First, it’s spreading fast, and taking over very quickly in terms of infectivity from the Delta variant.

Second, unlike Delta and other variants, Omicron has evolved a whole suite of mutations that are thought to facilitate evasion of known antibodies, along with some mutations that may make it more transmissible.

In Filipino terms, "Kumakalat ng mabilis ang Omicron variant. Mas ibang anyo ang mutations ni Omicron variant kumpara sa ibang variants ng COVID-19."

Gaano kakaiba ang Omicron?
May 32 mutations sa spike protein 1 ang Omicron variant mula sa novel, wild-type virus. There are also three mutations at the furin cleavage site (also on the spike protein). That furin cleavage site is of interest because this part of the genome is essential to transmission and may be associated with increased transmissibility.

So what's the effect?
Your available vaccines were created from the wild-type, novel SARS-Cov-2 virus (known by its former name, nCov) spike protein as the target; that's from the original virus that caused the December 2019 outbreak in Wuhan, China. With the Omicron variant spreading fast, it may render our current vaccines insufficient to provide protection.

The worry is that thirty-two mutations is enough to make the Omicron variant of the spike protein look pretty different from the proteins that these vaccines were designed to target.
Dahil nagkakaroon ng virus variants (gaya ng Omicron), posibleng maging obsolete ang mga naunang bakuna at magiging hindi sapat ang proteksyon sa dumadaming kaso ng variants at magiging variants mula sa Omicron. Nagsasanga-sanga 'yang mga variants gaya ng nakikita ninyo sa picture ng phylogenetic tree ng COVID-19.
Posibleng mas nakakahawa kumpara sa ibang variants. Pwedeng makukulangan ng proteksyon mula sa mga bakuna.

LAMANG ANG MAY ALAM!
Tandaan, ang tanging solusyon upang hindi magkaroon ng variants kagaya ng Omicron ay matapos ang pandemya ng kakaunti ang mutations nito mula sa novel virus.

Magpabakuna!

04/01/2022

Good day!

Schedule for Medical Appointment under Dr. Joseph Reuel Cruz (General Medicine)
General Medicine Teleconsultation

Consult Schedule:
Mondays to Thursdays, 9:00AM - 8:00PM, NO HOLIDAY SCHEDULE, NO SAME DAY BOOKING.
*You will recieve a confirmation or reschedule email based on your preferred telemedicine schedule.

For Telemedicine scheduling, kindly use this Google Form link to register:
https://forms.gle/3DgENJ1XkoDVwfBz5

*Emergency and surgical cases are advised to seek hospital care immediately.

Schedule for Medical Appointment under Dr. Joseph Reuel Cruz (General Medicine) General Medicine Teleconsultation Consult Schedule: Mondays to Thursdays, 9:00AM - 8:00PM, NO HOLIDAY SCHEDULE