Wednesday, November 9, 2011

What is Pneumonia ??

Sickness strikes again on my baby! Apparently, pneumonia seems to be the culprit; good thing we had him checked by his pedia early. I wonder what is pneumonia and what causes it. I have browsed the internet and saw this article of wikipedia:

Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs (alveoli)—associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space (consolidation) on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes. Infectious agents include: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

Typical symptoms include cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. Diagnostic tools include x-rays and examination of the sputum. Vaccines to prevent certain types of pneumonia are available. Treatment depends on the underlying cause with presumed bacterial pneumonia being treated with antibiotics.

Although pneumonia was regarded by William Osler in the 19th century as "the captain of the men of death", the advent of antibiotic therapy and vaccines in the 20th century have seen radical improvements in survival outcomes. Nevertheless, in the third world, and among the very old, the very young and the chronically ill, pneumonia remains a leading cause of death.

Signs and Symptoms

People with infectious pneumonia often have a productive cough, fever accompanied by shaking chills, shortness of breath, sharp or stabbing chest pain during deep breaths, confusion, and an increased respiratory rate. In the elderly, confusion may be the most prominent symptom. The typical symptoms in children under five are fever, cough, and fast or difficult breathing. Fever, however, is not very specific, as it occurs in many other common illnesses, and may be absent in those with severe disease or malnutrition. Additionally, a cough is frequently absent in children less than 2 months old. More severe symptoms may include: central cyanosis, decreased thirst, convulsions, persistent vomiting, or a decreased level of consciousness.

Symptoms frequency in pneumonia
Symptom Frequency
Cough
79–91%
Fatigue
90%
Fever
71–75%
Shortness of breath
67–75%
Sputum
60–65%
Chest pain
39–49%

Some causes of pneumonia are associated with classic, but non-specific, clinical characteristics. Pneumonia caused by Legionella may occur with abdominal pain, diarrhea, or confusion, while pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is associated with rusty colored sputum, and pneumonia caused by Klebsiella may have bloody sputum often described as "currant jelly".

Physical examination may sometimes reveal low blood pressure, a high heart rate, or a low oxygen saturation. Examination of the chest may be normal, but may show decreased chest expansion on the affected side. Harsh breath sounds from the larger airways that are transmitted through the inflamed lung are termed bronchial breathing, and are heard on auscultation with a stethoscope. Rales (or crackles) may be heard over the affected area during inspiration. Percussion may be dulled over the affected lung, and increased, rather than decreased, vocal resonance distinguishes pneumonia from a pleural effusion. Struggling to breathe, confusion, and blue-tinged skin are signs of a medical emergency.

Cause

Pneumonia is primarily due to infections, with less common causes including irritants and the unknown. Although more than one hundred strains of micro organisms can cause pneumonia, only a few are responsible for most cases. The most common types of infectious are viruses and bacteria with it being less commonly due to fungi or parasites. Mixed infections with both viruses and bacterial may occur in up to 45% of infections in children and 15% of infections in adults. A causative agent is not isolated in approximately half of cases despite careful testing. The term pneumonia is sometimes more broadly applied to inflammation of the lung (for example caused by autoimmune disease, chemical burns or drug reactions), however this is more accurately referred to as pneumonitis.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Credit Card Freebies

Credit cards are not bad at all if you use them wisely. You must be responsible in managing your cards and it takes discipline also. You must pay your card as it comes due (straight payment) in order not to overspend. If there are available zero percent purchase items grab them; this is the only time that you will make your instalment payments. There are a lot of freebies offered by the credit card companies just to attract cardholders to swipe their cards. I’ll share with you the freebies we already enjoyed with our credit cards. With HSBC, you will get a free any Starbucks drinks (tall) for purchases worth Php2,000, redemption must be claimed within a month after the purchase date. Another is the HSBC Mabuhay Miles Program where you can convert your card points into miles to avail of the free air fare from the Philippine Airlines (PAL), you need 8000 miles to have a round trip domestic fare per individual. There are other HSBC reward programs like rebates at Caltex, zero percent plans and a lot more.

While in BPI Credit Cards, you’ll get free meals at Jollibee for purchases worth Php2,000, Php6,000 and Php12,000. There are also a lot of gift certificates if you claim your card points.


Saturday, November 5, 2011

Tour at one of the New 7 Wonders of the World -- Underground River Puerto Princesa, Philippines

I had a great weekend last three weeks ago with hubby because we had our very first trip ever as a couple; a trip to the capital of the Palawan Island, Puerto Princesa.

We had our complimentary air fares from Philippine Airlines as a reward by HSBC thru its Mabuhay Miles promo. The flight to Puerto Princesa has lesser turbulence than the return to Manila. The view at the plane’s window is captivating not to mention it’s my first airplane ride! You’ll see the Taal Volcano passing through the Batangas province. It’s a nice experience at the plane.

We had our accommodation at the Microtel Resort Hotel which is 20-30 minutes away from the Puerto Princesa airport. The resort is very nice! It’s clean, the staffs are helpful and kind, the beach view is relaxing! The rooms are very comforting too. The white sand beach is quite unusual for me because there are Mangroves in it. It’s not the swimming type though if you’re courageous you can swim through it at few meters more. The resort has its own pool and restaurant.

Hotel Lobby


On our first day, we had the Underground River tour and it took us two hours or more to reach the Sabang beach. There is one stopover along the way if you need to pee or have a snack; there are also some views to see -- the traditional dwellings of their natives and the Carst Mountain. Upon arrival at the Sabang beach, we had our buffet lunch which is inclusive in the tour package. The food is good. The beach has white sand and the waves are huge. We took a lot of pictures there. After an hour of rest, we headed at the Sabang pier which just 5 mins from the lunch venue. From the pier, it took us 20-30 mins boat ride to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean National Park which is the entrance to the Underground River. From the shoreline, it will take another 10-15mins trek to see the mouth of the river. Just be careful with the monkeys along the trek. There are lots of tourists when we arrived there; 10 boats passed by before our turn. We were geared with life vest and helmet. It’s very dark inside the Underground River; we only have the spotlight as a source of light. There are bats flying around inside the river which might cause the foul odor. The view inside the cave is amazing; it’s huge! You’ll be amazed with God’s creation! It’s definitely a new wonder of the world; so register your vote now at www.new7wonders.com or text PPUR at 2861.

above: Sabang Beach

above: mouth of the Underground River


After that long trip, we had our first dinner at the resort’s resto and we ordered Charcoal Grilled Suran and Garlic rice. I love the Suran, it’s a new fish meal discovery!

On the following day, we explored the city’s tourist spots. We went to the following: Puerto Princesa Bay, Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, Plaza Cuertal where the 143 American soldiers were burned by the Japanese colony, Tiangge-tiangge where you can shop for souvenir items, Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center where you can see the crocodile farm and the Nature Park where you can experience the wildlife, Mitra’s Ranch where you can see the landscape of Puerto Princesa, Baker’s Hill which is known for its freshly pastries and breads, and lastly, the Binuatan Creation Showroom where you can experience handloom weaving.

Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral


Plaza Cuertal


view at Mitra's Ranch


We definitely enjoyed our stay in Palawan and a chance to encounter with its priceless nature!

What is Pneumonia ??

Sickness strikes again on my baby! Apparently, pneumonia seems to be the culprit; good thing we had him checked by his pedia early. I wonder what is pneumonia and what causes it. I have browsed the internet and saw this article of wikipedia:

Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs (alveoli)—associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space (consolidation) on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes. Infectious agents include: bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

Typical symptoms include cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. Diagnostic tools include x-rays and examination of the sputum. Vaccines to prevent certain types of pneumonia are available. Treatment depends on the underlying cause with presumed bacterial pneumonia being treated with antibiotics.

Although pneumonia was regarded by William Osler in the 19th century as "the captain of the men of death", the advent of antibiotic therapy and vaccines in the 20th century have seen radical improvements in survival outcomes. Nevertheless, in the third world, and among the very old, the very young and the chronically ill, pneumonia remains a leading cause of death.

Signs and Symptoms

People with infectious pneumonia often have a productive cough, fever accompanied by shaking chills, shortness of breath, sharp or stabbing chest pain during deep breaths, confusion, and an increased respiratory rate. In the elderly, confusion may be the most prominent symptom. The typical symptoms in children under five are fever, cough, and fast or difficult breathing. Fever, however, is not very specific, as it occurs in many other common illnesses, and may be absent in those with severe disease or malnutrition. Additionally, a cough is frequently absent in children less than 2 months old. More severe symptoms may include: central cyanosis, decreased thirst, convulsions, persistent vomiting, or a decreased level of consciousness.

Symptoms frequency in pneumonia
Symptom Frequency
Cough
79–91%
Fatigue
90%
Fever
71–75%
Shortness of breath
67–75%
Sputum
60–65%
Chest pain
39–49%

Some causes of pneumonia are associated with classic, but non-specific, clinical characteristics. Pneumonia caused by Legionella may occur with abdominal pain, diarrhea, or confusion, while pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is associated with rusty colored sputum, and pneumonia caused by Klebsiella may have bloody sputum often described as "currant jelly".

Physical examination may sometimes reveal low blood pressure, a high heart rate, or a low oxygen saturation. Examination of the chest may be normal, but may show decreased chest expansion on the affected side. Harsh breath sounds from the larger airways that are transmitted through the inflamed lung are termed bronchial breathing, and are heard on auscultation with a stethoscope. Rales (or crackles) may be heard over the affected area during inspiration. Percussion may be dulled over the affected lung, and increased, rather than decreased, vocal resonance distinguishes pneumonia from a pleural effusion. Struggling to breathe, confusion, and blue-tinged skin are signs of a medical emergency.

Cause

Pneumonia is primarily due to infections, with less common causes including irritants and the unknown. Although more than one hundred strains of micro organisms can cause pneumonia, only a few are responsible for most cases. The most common types of infectious are viruses and bacteria with it being less commonly due to fungi or parasites. Mixed infections with both viruses and bacterial may occur in up to 45% of infections in children and 15% of infections in adults. A causative agent is not isolated in approximately half of cases despite careful testing. The term pneumonia is sometimes more broadly applied to inflammation of the lung (for example caused by autoimmune disease, chemical burns or drug reactions), however this is more accurately referred to as pneumonitis.

Credit Card Freebies

  • Posted: 8:47 AM
  • |
  • Author: SHARQUE
  • |
  • Filed under: Credit Cards

Credit cards are not bad at all if you use them wisely. You must be responsible in managing your cards and it takes discipline also. You must pay your card as it comes due (straight payment) in order not to overspend. If there are available zero percent purchase items grab them; this is the only time that you will make your instalment payments. There are a lot of freebies offered by the credit card companies just to attract cardholders to swipe their cards. I’ll share with you the freebies we already enjoyed with our credit cards. With HSBC, you will get a free any Starbucks drinks (tall) for purchases worth Php2,000, redemption must be claimed within a month after the purchase date. Another is the HSBC Mabuhay Miles Program where you can convert your card points into miles to avail of the free air fare from the Philippine Airlines (PAL), you need 8000 miles to have a round trip domestic fare per individual. There are other HSBC reward programs like rebates at Caltex, zero percent plans and a lot more.

While in BPI Credit Cards, you’ll get free meals at Jollibee for purchases worth Php2,000, Php6,000 and Php12,000. There are also a lot of gift certificates if you claim your card points.


Tour at one of the New 7 Wonders of the World -- Underground River Puerto Princesa, Philippines

  • Posted: 10:00 AM
  • |
  • Author: SHARQUE
  • |
  • Filed under: Escapades

I had a great weekend last three weeks ago with hubby because we had our very first trip ever as a couple; a trip to the capital of the Palawan Island, Puerto Princesa.

We had our complimentary air fares from Philippine Airlines as a reward by HSBC thru its Mabuhay Miles promo. The flight to Puerto Princesa has lesser turbulence than the return to Manila. The view at the plane’s window is captivating not to mention it’s my first airplane ride! You’ll see the Taal Volcano passing through the Batangas province. It’s a nice experience at the plane.

We had our accommodation at the Microtel Resort Hotel which is 20-30 minutes away from the Puerto Princesa airport. The resort is very nice! It’s clean, the staffs are helpful and kind, the beach view is relaxing! The rooms are very comforting too. The white sand beach is quite unusual for me because there are Mangroves in it. It’s not the swimming type though if you’re courageous you can swim through it at few meters more. The resort has its own pool and restaurant.

Hotel Lobby


On our first day, we had the Underground River tour and it took us two hours or more to reach the Sabang beach. There is one stopover along the way if you need to pee or have a snack; there are also some views to see -- the traditional dwellings of their natives and the Carst Mountain. Upon arrival at the Sabang beach, we had our buffet lunch which is inclusive in the tour package. The food is good. The beach has white sand and the waves are huge. We took a lot of pictures there. After an hour of rest, we headed at the Sabang pier which just 5 mins from the lunch venue. From the pier, it took us 20-30 mins boat ride to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean National Park which is the entrance to the Underground River. From the shoreline, it will take another 10-15mins trek to see the mouth of the river. Just be careful with the monkeys along the trek. There are lots of tourists when we arrived there; 10 boats passed by before our turn. We were geared with life vest and helmet. It’s very dark inside the Underground River; we only have the spotlight as a source of light. There are bats flying around inside the river which might cause the foul odor. The view inside the cave is amazing; it’s huge! You’ll be amazed with God’s creation! It’s definitely a new wonder of the world; so register your vote now at www.new7wonders.com or text PPUR at 2861.

above: Sabang Beach

above: mouth of the Underground River


After that long trip, we had our first dinner at the resort’s resto and we ordered Charcoal Grilled Suran and Garlic rice. I love the Suran, it’s a new fish meal discovery!

On the following day, we explored the city’s tourist spots. We went to the following: Puerto Princesa Bay, Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, Plaza Cuertal where the 143 American soldiers were burned by the Japanese colony, Tiangge-tiangge where you can shop for souvenir items, Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center where you can see the crocodile farm and the Nature Park where you can experience the wildlife, Mitra’s Ranch where you can see the landscape of Puerto Princesa, Baker’s Hill which is known for its freshly pastries and breads, and lastly, the Binuatan Creation Showroom where you can experience handloom weaving.

Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral


Plaza Cuertal


view at Mitra's Ranch


We definitely enjoyed our stay in Palawan and a chance to encounter with its priceless nature!