WHILE not discounting the possible healing effects of herbal medicines, a prominent doctor in Pangasinan has advised the public to take caution when taking processed herbal products.

Dr. Arthur Pitargue, president of the Philippine College of Physicians, said herbal medicines might contain components that can actually cure diseases, but at the same time have other components that can adversely affect the body.

Speaking during the Monthly Health Pro Kapihan of the Pangasinan Press Club’s Media in Action forum last week, Pitargue said herbal medicines sold as capsules or tea are not purified and thus contain impurities.

He stressed that synthetic medicines, on the other hand, undergo clinical studies before they are released to the market.

But due to the culture of traditional healing, especially in Asian countries including the Philippines, the synthetic medicines are believed by medical practitioners to have harmful effects on internal organs.

Meanwhile, the use of herbal supplements, known as nutraceutical medicine, is rooted from the tradition of several Asian countries, including the Philippines.

“All medicines, whether they are synthetic or natural, have specific side effects,” Pitargue said noting that synthetic drugs are immediately recalled from the market once their side effects have been established to be harmful enough.

Herbal medicine manufacturers, on the other hand, only discuss the good side of their products, he added.

Meanwhile, Pitargue also cautioned against the use of herbal supplements, also known as nutraceutical medicine, which he acknowledged is also part of Asian cultural tradition.

Medical professionals, he said, are now moving to change the “No Approved Therapeutic Claims” in herbal supplement packages into Filipino to make it more understandable to the public. (PIA-Pangasinan/ RRF)

Hypertension symptoms appear at age 6

Meanwhile, hypertension may be a disease of middle or old age, but factors leading to it could start early in life.

Dr. Pitargue said atherosclerosis, or the thickening of the walls of the arteries due to the accumulation of fats, starts as early as age six.

Atherosclerosis then leads to hypertension, or high blood pressure, which is defined as exceeding the 140/90 level.

Pitargue said hypertension can lead to several complications such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and some kidney diseases.

The four major causes of hypertension are genetic (hereditary), diabetes (also a hereditary disease), smoking, and consumption of foods that are high in cholesterol.

About 30 percent of all people with diabetes also have high blood pressure, he added.

Other minor factors that increase the risk of developing hypertension include an unhealthy lifestyle and diet, anger, stress and the menopausal stage for women.

He advised those diagnosed of the disease to reduce their consumption of fatty foods and alcohol, listen to quiet music, watch feel-good films, and to avoid situations that would elicit strong emotions.

As smoking and drinking contribute to the potential development of hypertension, the medical society is also supporting the proposed Sin Tax Bill (House Bill No. 5727), which aims to restrict the sales of wines and cigarettes in retail and to increase the taxes levied on these products. (PIA-Pangasinan/RRF)

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