CONSUMER HEALTH
Ø Consumer health is not just about buying health products and services. It also involves the facts and understanding that enable the people to make wise choices.
Ø Health information, health products, and health services are all related to bringing consumer health. Health information is important to decide what health products and health services to acquire. Health service personnel are also sources of health information.
FOUR IMPORTANT FACTORS IN CONSUMER HEALTH
1. HEALTH CONSUMER
2. HEALTH INFORMATION
3. HEALTH PRODUCTS
4. HEALTH SERVICES
HEALTH CONSUMER
Ø Someone who examines health information in products and services. The consumer is the one who purchases and utilizes the goods and services.
HEALTH INFORMATION
Ø Everything that is seen, read, or heard in relation to human and community health.
Knowing them helps in choosing which can be trusted, which is fake, or which advertisement is risky.
HEALTH PRODUCTS
Ø Includes medicines, medical equipment, and related devices. Some Filipinos spend a lot of money each year on health products ranging from over-the-counter drugs (OTC) to cosmetics. Health products help relieve symptoms, aid in curing illness, and provide cosmetic effects. Sadly, many of these are not needed, do not provide the advertised effect, and have the potential harm to health.
A. OVER THE COUNTER (OTC) DRUGS
Ø over half a million OTC health care products are available, varying from mouthwashes to pain relievers. Even
some of the most beneficial OTC drugs can be unsafe.
B. COSMETIC PRODUCTS
Ø many health care products are intended for external use. Some have little effect but due to advertising campaigns and misconceptions, they are extensively used.
EXAMPLES AND RISKS OF OTC DRUGS
o Pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen can harm the stomach lining and lead to ulcers, while large dosages can bring kidney damage.
o Acetaminophen, used for fever and pain reliever for children, if taken in heavy doses can cause bleeding and liver pain. These pain relievers should be taken with food and a glass of water to avoid irritation to the stomach lining.
o Prolonged use of nasal sprays that relieve congestion can cause blood vessels in the nose to swell and can worsen congestion. This is called the rebound effect. It can result in bleeding and loss of sense of smell.
o Frequent use of laxatives destroys flora in the intestinal tract, making constipation even worse. Exercise and a high-fiber diet are safer alternatives for promoting normal defecation.
EXAMPLES AND RISKS OF COSMETIC PRODUCTS
o Skin Care Products - OTC skin rejuvenators have never shown efficacy in changing skin properties. Moisturizers prevent skin from drying for only a limited period of time. Deodorants and antiperspirants control body odor but no product can prevent sweating in extremely hot weather or during exercise. Sweating is the primary means of cooling the body. Regular washing is essential if the bacteria and other odor-causing substances are to be removed.
o Hair Care Products - several products are designed to remove hair, like shaving. Tweezers used to pick unwanted hair might present some danger of infection when the adjacent skin is not clean. Chemical products are usually safe but there is always a possibility of skin reactions, irritations, and infections. A dermatologist should always be consulted whenever symptoms appear.
o Oral Care Product - includes toothpaste, mouthwashes, and gargles. Water supply with fluoride also helps prevent dental cavities. it is unwise to buy toothpaste with whiteners because they contain abrasive elements that damage the teeth. Excessive use of
mouthwash can dry the mucous membrane, making the throat even more irritated.
MAPEH 10
QUARTER 1, MODULE 1: HEALTH SERVICES AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
HEALTH SERVICES
Ø Activities that are done to assess, maintain, or improve the individual's health can be considered as health services.
Ø These also include the diagnosis and the treatment of injuries, illnesses, or disabilities.
HOW HEALTH SERVICES ARE EVALUATED
· Evaluation of health services is an important element in the definition of an adequate and affordable health care system. For a health care company, it is essential to understand how its consumers perceive and value its products. Every company should know how its image is perceived by potential consumers and, when necessary, redesign products and services according to this perception.
In evaluating health service, the consumer's preferences may be measured into these five attributes namely:
· location of service points;
· efiectiveness of doctors, clinics, and hospitals;
· promptness and kindness when caring for patients and family members;
· ease of access to the authorization forms for consultation;
· price and diversity of available doctors, clinics, and hospitals.
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING HEALTH SERVICES
1. Importance
- is the health service important and efficient?
2. Feasible
- are the actions and costs reasonable and realistic?
3. Scientifically Sound
- has the health service assessed by experts in the field?
4. Actionable
- can the information be translated to action?
The following are the criteria that need to be answered before availing of a health service.
HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Ø Medical specialists, dental specialists, nurses, mental health professionals are some of the health professionals who are engaged in providing solutions to health-related problems and care.
MEDICAL SPECIALISTS
1. Anesthesiologist
- administer anesthesia in surgery.
2. Cardiologist
- Specialized in coronary artery diseases or heart.
3. Dermatologist
- facilitate skincare.
4. Family practice physician
- general care doctor.
5. Gynecologist
- specializes in the female reproductive system.
6. Internist
- specializes in the treatment of adult diseases.
7. Obstetrician
- specializes in pregnancy, labor, and childbirth.
8. Ophthalmologist
- specializes in eye care and eye disease treatment.
9. Surgeon
- treats disease by surgery.
DENTAL SPECIALISTS
1. Dentist
- general care of the teeth and oral cavity.
2. Endodontist - disease of the tooth below the gum line and root canal.
3. Orthodontist
- specialized in teeth alignment, malocclusion - imperfect teeth alignment.
4. Pedodontics
- dental care for children.
5. Periodontist
- specialized in the periodontal disease and placement of dental implants.
6. Prosthodontist
- concerned with the design, manufacture, and fitting of artificial replacement replacements of teeth and other parts of the mouth.
MENTAL HEALTH PRACTIONERS
1. Psychologist - general care of mental and emotional wellness.
2. Psychiatrist - a specialist in mental and emotional problems.
3. The Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
- a specialist in children's mental and emotional health problems.
OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
1. Nurses
- general care for patients in clinics and hospitals,
2. Midwives
- Child delivery assistance.
HEALTH FACILITIES
o Hospitals
o Clinics
o Primary Care Centers
o Diagnostic Centers
o Rehabilitation Centers
o Nursing Homes
o Mental Health Facilities
o Pharmacies
o Home Healthcare Services
o Hospice and Palliative Care Facilities
o Community Health Centers
MAPEH 10
QUARTER 1, MODULE 1: ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Ø Alternative medicine includes herbal preparations, food supplements, massage therapy, and other medicines considered to complement regular medicine. They are not considered standard medical practices by experts in medicine; thus, alternative medicine can just excompony but not replace the regular medicine prescribed by the medial specialists.
HERBAL MEDICINE
Ø The word 'herb' refers to any plants and parts of a plant. Thus, herbal medicine refers to the use of plants or parts of the plant like stem, roots, barks, seeds, leaves, flowers, and fruits for medical purposes.
PHILIPPINE MEDICINAL PLANTS APPROVED BY THE DOH
VENTOSA
Ø It is an alternative medicine in which glasses are placed on some important points at the back of a person. This technique is effective in creating a kind of suction because of the vocuum inside the glass. The suction created by the glass and heat supports blood flow and thus, promotes healing of the body.
REFLEXOLOGY
Ø It is another type of olternative medicine done by applying pressure to the feet, ears, and hands using the thumb or a particular finger. The areas where pressure is put are also called reflex points. These reflex points are pressed because they are considered as corresponding to a person's major area of the body or human organ.
NATUROPATHY
Ø It is from the word 'nature' and thus, uses natural ways to treat a patient. The physion who employed this kind of treatment tries to restore the balance of the body and mind of the patients. They are more interested to treat not just physical causes of an illness but also mental and ensotional causes.
MASSAGE THERAPY
Ø It is another form of alternative medicine that is known to improve one's well-being. It is generally believed to result in a good circulation of blood. it also helps reduce muscle poin and stiffness. it also provides relief from stress. it is popular because of the relaxing effect.
QUACKERY
Ø QUACKERY IS THE PROMOTION OF FALSE AND
UNPROVEN HEALTH PRODUCTS AND HEALTH SERVICES FOR A PROFIT. IT IS A CONSUMER FRAUD THAT INVOLVES PRACTICES OF PROMOTING AND SELLING USELESS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.
SOME OF THE CLAIMS OF THESE HEALTH PRODUCTS ARE
1. a scientific breakthrough
2. to have a secret ingredient and procedure
3. being a miraculous cure or an ancient remedy or practice
4. cures multiple or a wide range of illnesses
QUACK
Ø A quack is a person or company involved in health fraud which usually tries hard to appear scientific. A quack may endorse products or services with a promise of quick cures, miracles, or unbelievable formulas. Quacks will tell people what they want to hear, they may sell door-to-door or by telephone rather than in conventional ways. They provide testimonials from other people who are believed to have been healed by particular products.
HEALTH FRAUD
Ø Health fraud is the advertising, promotion, and sale of products and services that have not been scientifically proven safe and effective.
USUAL VICTIMS OF HEALTH FRAUD
o Children and teenagers
o Elder individuals
o Poor Individuals
o Individuals with severe illnesses
HOW QUACKS ARE RECOGNIZED
1. Does the seller claim that the medical profession does not recognize this product and services?
2. Does the seller claim that the traditional medical treatment is more harmful rather than helpful?
3. Does the seller use scare tactics that play on fears and emotions?
4. Does the seller guarantee a quick cure or a cure for an incurable disease?
TYPES OF QUACKS
FOOD QUACKERY
- QUACK SELLS FOOD, IN WHICH INGREDIENTS DO NOT CONTAIN SUBSTANCES GOOD FOR THE BODY
AND MIGHT BE RISKY. THESE FOODS MAY OVERSUPPLY CERTAIN SUBSTANCES THAT MAY LEAD TO KIDNEY STONES DUE TO HIGH SALT CONTENT, HYPERTENSION DUE TO HIGH-PROTEIN CONTENT OR LACK OF IT LIKE GOITER, ANEMIA, ETC.
DEVICE QUACKERY
- Quacks in the Philippines use necklaces, pyramids, and toning water to
safely diagnose illness with these devices instead of medical equipment like an x-ray, electrocardiogram, and electroencephalogram.
BEAUTY QUACKERY
- Many individuals like to have a pleasing appearance. There are many quack products being sold pretending to give beautiful skin, reduce weight, streggthen hair, and do body parts enlargements. Effects would include skin infections and hair loss.
PSYCHOLOGICAL QUACKERY
- This quackery involves the abuse of minds. These include psychic healing like faith healers, psychic surgery, incompetent psycho-therapy. Patients have the risk of delaying medical attention and add up to present problems or illness.
BALDING QUACKERY
- Quack products in hair growth include pseudo hair growing shompoos, hair weavers, special tonics, suction devices, ond electri brushes.