06/02/2025
๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ง'๐ญ
While doing my OPD consult, a lola came in for a check-up โnot for any specific complaint, but to ask for a prescription for an herbal capsule she had been taking for MALASAKIT claims. She had been using it for two months, convinced by a radio advertisement that it could cure almost everythingโ hypertension, diabetes, ulcers, hepatitis, pneumonia, kidney problems, and even HIV.
She confidently told me:
"๐พ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐, ๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐-๐๐๐๐ก ๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฆ."
"๐๐๐ ๐๐ข-๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐, ๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐๐๐."
She truly believed she had found a safer, more effective alternative to multiple medications. But when I checked her vitals, her blood pressure was 190/100, worse, she already had signs of end-organ damage.
I gently explained to her:
๐. ๐๐ฒ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ซ. Left uncontrolled, it damages the kidneys, heart, and blood vessels, leading to complications like stroke and heart failure.
๐. ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ง๐จ "๐จ๐ง๐-๐ฌ๐ข๐ณ๐-๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ-๐๐ฅ๐ฅ" ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐. Chronic diseases require a personalized, evidence-based approach, including proper medications, lifestyle changes, and regular monitoring.
๐. ๐๐จ๐ญ ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ "๐ง๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฅ" ๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐. Many herbal supplements lack scientific validation and can even worsen certain conditions.
The Philippines is seeing a rise in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), with hypertension and diabetes as the leading causes. Many patients, like lola, prefer herbal supplements, believing them to be safe and kidney-friendly. Unfortunately, this belief delays proper treatment, often leading to irreversible kidney damage and, eventually, dialysis.
Here are my take-aways:
๐. ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ. Testimonials and advertisements can be powerful influencers, often more persuasive than science.
๐. ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ค๐๐ฒ. Patients deserve clear, compassionate, and evidence-based explanations to help them make informed decisions.
๐. ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฒ, ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐๐ฎ๐ญ. There is no magic pill, but there are proven strategies that can help people live longer and healthier lives.
As she left, I could see hesitation in her eyesโbut also a spark of understanding. Hopefully, it was the first step toward real healing.
