Why are mosquitoes attracted to certain people? 

Scientists have proven that aside from genetics, certain elements in the body chemistry found in excess in the skin can make mosquitoes attracted to people. People with high cholesterol, lactic acid, and who emits more carbon dioxide can be mosquito magnets.

Despite keeping the surroundings free from the stagnant water where mosquitoes breed and maintaining a cleaner environment, it is inevitable that sometimes a few mosquitoes would still thrive and come from unseen sources. In order for susceptible individuals to be protected from being bitten by mosquitoes, one of the things that they should do is to use safe and effective insect repellent lotions or sprays. There are so many products that promise the best results but it also depends on the person's idiosyncrasy. In our case, we tried and tested too many brands in the past, both all-natural and the ones with DEET, but only one brand passed our standards. Since then, we make sure that we never run out of stock of that product at home especially during the rainy season when Dengue cases rise.

Paps, Bunso, and Kuya attract mosquitoes that's why for seven years, Green Cross Active Protect Insect Repellent Lotion (10 Hours), the variant that has a 10-hour effect is our reliable partner in repelling those pesky mosquitoes that may cause Dengue and another mosquito bite-related disease. 



Green Cross is the only one that we find very effective. What we like about it is that it's an anti-dengue and antibacterial protection in one. Its efficacy and continuous protection from day and night last up to 10 hours. We don't need to reapply often to keep ourselves protected. It provides 99.9% antibacterial protection for 10 hours without causing any irritation. It's cool and non-sticky to the skin, perfect for our active lifestyle. The formula smells great on the skin. It doesn't smell medicated or herbal. Only a small amount is needed to cover the exposed skin. It can be spread on skin evenly and easily. It's also reasonably priced, available in a sachet, small tube, and big tube, making it affordable for all. It's also available in leading drugstores and supermarkets where we can find and buy it conveniently. And also, it's made by Green Cross so we're sure that we are using a well-researched, tried and tested, and safe product.

When I was very young, I began to be conscious of my body image at age 10. I heard my friends talking about menstruation, baby bra, pubic hair (Yes, they were talking about it.), spray net, body mists, and deodorants. I was so hesitant to ask my mom about that stuff. All I remember was she taught me to use Avon's Feeling Fresh Deodorant after taking a bath or shower because I was complaining that "Tawas", the antiperspirant/deodorant recommended by my grandmother, made my armpits sweaty and sticky. "Feeling Fesh" became my best partner in keeping myself free from body and armpit odor aside from using an antibacterial soap, Safeguard, to wash my body, and Palmolive Shampoo to wash my hair. These three products worked for my body chemistry and helped me to become free from body odor especially armpit odor at a very young age. That's why when I became a mom, I did the same thing with my boys. Like my mom did, starting them young worked.

Kuya and Bunso would easily get sweaty and their armpits would smell stinky or "maasim" when they reached the age of three. Paps and I encouraged them to use Arm and Hammer Deodorant after taking a bath using Safeguard Pink because after trying and testing, we discovered that these two brands suited their body chemistry. They would always stay fresh for the whole day. During that time when Arm & Hammer Advance Original would easily go out of stock, I would let them use Milcu Underarm & Foot Deodorant Powder, which they would usually apply on their feet before putting their shoes on.

Preventing Armpit Odor

Our family uses Arm & Hammer Advance Original and Milcu Underarm & Foot Deodorant Powder as deodorants for years. Why? They are safe to use, easy to find (Arm & Hammer doesn't go out of stock anymore.), versatile, don't stain clothing, keep the armpits dry and fresh-smelling, and protects the armpits from bacteria build-up and odor for 24 hours.

Instilling good grooming and hygiene in all forms should be done during our kids' formative years. Reminding them constantly and teaching by example are two of the best means to educate kids on practicing good grooming and hygiene. In doing so, they can never forget the importance of keeping themselves clean, neat, and well-groomed. Forming a habit can lead to better body image projection and not feeling inferior.

*****
The contents of this article were lifted from my messages to two teenage boys who asked me about my recommended deodorant brands a few years ago. To know some details about it, you may visit #AskAAPM for details.

When considering cosmetic surgery, insurance coverage is one of the most common concerns and is often the deciding factor in choosing whether or not to undergo surgery. If you want a breast reduction surgery, you're probably wondering whether your healthcare providers will cover the procedure. 

Cosmetic vs Medically Necessary Breast Reduction

Most health insurance plans don't cover any cosmetic surgeries, but they will cover reconstructive surgeries and medically necessary procedures. In some cases, a breast reduction is done for cosmetic purposes. You may feel self-conscious about your breast size and choose to undergo a reduction to increase your confidence in your figure. 

In other cases, breast size is linked to physical health issues, and surgery may be necessary to fix these problems. Many women have chronic back and neck pain because of their overly large breasts. Chronic pain can limit your mobility and seriously impact your quality of life. Large breasts often lead to poor posture, and this combined with the weight of the breasts can cause nerve damage, leading to numbness in the arms, hands, and fingers. 

Another common problem is rashes, infections, or inflammation underneath the breasts. Large breasts tend to trap moisture and heat, which can cause painful skin issues. Some women also develop permanent shoulder grooves where their bra straps sit because their breasts are too heavy for a bra to fully support. 

Other serious issues associated with a large breast size include exercise intolerance, shortness of breath, and chronic headaches. If you experience these symptoms, it's clear that a breast reduction is necessary to restore your health. Most insurance plans use these symptoms to differentiate between cosmetic and medically necessary breast reductions. However, it can still be complicated to have the surgery covered. 

How to Know If Your Insurance Will Cover Your Breast Reduction

The first thing you need to do is check if your health insurance lists breast reduction as an exclusion. If it does, your insurance will not cover the surgery. Fortunately, most insurance plans do not have an exclusion for breast reduction. This doesn't mean that they'll cover all breast reduction surgeries, but you have a chance of getting the procedure covered. 

Most insurance plans require that a certain amount of tissue be removed for the surgery to be covered. If less than this specified amount is removed, they believe that the breasts were not large enough to cause pain or health problems and that the surgery was only done for cosmetic purposes. 

The amount of tissue that needs to be removed varies based on the insurance company and plan. Some plans take your height and weight into consideration, and some specify an exact amount for everyone. Many insurance companies require that the surgery remove at least 500 grams of tissue to be covered. 

How to Get Your Breast Reduction Covered

If you believe that your insurance might cover your breast reduction, there are a few steps you should take. First, start documenting your symptoms. If you experience back or neck pain, posture issues, numbness, skin irritation, or any other problems because of your breast size, you should record when the symptoms started and whether they've progressed over time. 

If you've seen other medical professionals for these problems, try to get documentation of your visit. This includes massage therapists, physical therapists, and chiropractors. You should also document other treatments you've tried for the health problems. Many insurance plans require that you try other treatments before surgery, so keeping track of everything you've tried to reduce your pain will be very helpful. 

Once you have some documentation of your symptoms, it's time to schedule a consultation with a cosmetic surgeon. Your surgeon can identify posture issues or other problems and may diagnose you with symptomatic macromastia, which is the medical term for overly large breasts that cause chronic pain and other problems. This diagnosis is key for getting your insurance to cover the surgery. 

If your surgeon believes that your breasts are affecting your health, you can then reach out to your insurance company and request coverage. You and your surgeon will fill out paperwork and submit it to your insurance company, and they will hopefully approve the surgery. If they deny coverage, you can make an appeal. During this process, you'll have to supply extra documentation to your insurance company. You can get letters of support from other medical professionals, and your surgeon can give more information to your provider. 

All insurance plans are different, and some will cover breast reduction more willingly than others. If you want the surgery only for cosmetic reasons, it's unlikely that it will be covered. If you have documented health problems resulting from your breast size, you have a better chance. It can be time-consuming work to convince your insurance company to cover the surgery, but it's worth it to improve your quality of life. 

The doctors at the Plastic Surgery Institute of Miami provide breast reduction along with a wide variety of other procedures. Dr. Altman completed the prestigious Jerome P. Weber Fellowship before founding the Plastic Surgery Institute. Dr. Ghersi served as a faculty member in the plastic surgery department of the renowned Cleveland Clinic and completed an exclusive fellowship at the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital. Dr. Oeltjen was an Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University of Miami before entering private practice. You can learn more about these doctors and their services here: www.psimiami.com.

This is a guest post.

Weight loss is hard, and it often takes months, if not years, to achieve your desired physique through diet and exercise. And even for the most strong-willed of people, the constant effort that weight loss entails often becomes taxing. For this reason, many people who want to lose weight are tempted by liposuction. But is liposuction a viable replacement for weight loss? First, it's necessary to examine some of the important differences between the two procedures. 

How Does Liposuction Differ From Weight Loss?

Often, people who work on losing weight talk about losing fat. While fat mass is technically lost when you lose weight, what many people don't realize is that you don't actually lose the fat cells themselves. The fat loss that happens when we restrict calories and/or exercise more involves lipolysis, or fat cells opening up and essentially spilling their contents. This is how your body accesses the energy stored in fat cells. When you don't eat enough calories to power yourself through the day, your body must turn to its energy stores--to fat--in order to get the energy it needs. 

While the fat cells stay put, once they have had their contents used by your body, they flatten. So while they still remain present, they take up significantly less space. This is how progressive fat loss over time makes you look smaller. 

Liposuction also can help you look smaller than you are, but the process is fundamentally different. Liposuction involves taking a thin tube, called a cannula, and inserting it under the skin. The cannula then "vacuums" fat from under the skin. Unlike in weight loss, this removes the fat cells themselves, which do not typically grow back. Thus, you might think of liposuction as a more permanent form of weight loss. 

Can I Just Get Liposuction Instead of Losing Weight?

It seems like a great idea--you could just undergo a brief surgical procedure and save yourself the effort and pain of weight loss, right? While this might sound plausible in theory, the reality is that liposuction is best reserved for target areas. For one, full-body liposuction, even if one could theoretically afford it, would cause too much tissue trauma. 

The majority of plastic surgeons advise patients to be at or near target weight before undergoing liposuction. For many, even when you're at your target weight, "problem areas" still persist. The best way to go about weight loss and liposuction is to lose what you can on your own and then use liposuction to reduce stubborn fat. For many people, this stubborn fat is on their stomachs, love handles, or upper arms. 

You might wonder whether you can simply get liposuction on known problem areas before losing weight. This is theoretically possible, but undergoing liposuction would first create an unbalanced and unnatural-looking physique. And if your doctor can't see the proportions of your ideal physique, he or she may over- or underestimate the amount of fat they need to remove. 

Of course, if you think you are close to your ideal physique and are ready to undergo liposuction, having a consultation with a plastic surgeon can help you determine whether or not you have lost enough fat to be a great candidate. Plastic surgeons take great pride in their work, and they also are committed to helping you become more confident, so chances are good that they'll be honest with you. Your surgeon might say you're ready for a procedure, or they may recommend you lose a little more fat on your own before undergoing liposuction. 

How Do You Know If You're a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

As noted above, the best candidates for liposuction are typically at their target weight (or close to it). However, there are some other considerations to bear in mind, too. It's vitally important that you have realistic expectations about the procedure and what it can do for you. Many plastic surgery practices offer visualizations--these technologies take a photo of you and then show you the estimated result of your plastic surgery. While the result may not be exact, it should give you a general idea of what to expect. 

Of course, if you are planning on undergoing a liposuction, being in good general health is a must, as is understanding the healing process. Because of the initial swelling after the procedure, some patients panic and worry the procedure didn't work. However, particularly if you are committed to icing and resting the area, as well as wearing compression gear if needed, the swelling will usually go down sooner. 

In your initial surgical consultation, make sure that you are honest with your surgeon when it comes to your expectations for the procedure. Your surgeon can explain to you whether your expectations can be realistically addressed with your chosen procedure, and he or she also can answer any questions you have. Plastic surgery is often a collaborative experience, so having an open dialogue with your surgeon is a must. 

Ready to Get Started?

If you have never had a cosmetic procedure done before--or even if you have--making the decision to undergo a liposuction procedure might seem like a daunting one. However, for many, this is a decision that helped them become happier and more confident. If you are looking into liposuction and are in or near New York or Chicago, Doctors Plastic Surgery may be the practice for you. This practice has the benefit of being staffed by a team of surgeons so you can find a doctor who specializes in the type of surgery you need. And since Doctors Plastic Surgery is committed to helping everyone achieve the body they want, this practice offers affordable prices for high-quality procedures. 

This practice offers periodic specials, and they also offer financing, which can save you from putting your procedure on a high-interest credit card. If you are ready to schedule a consultation, or if you just want to know more about the practice, visit their site today at www.doctorsplasticsurgery.com.

This is a guest post.

Do you have balance problems, or suffer from dizziness? Do you feel extreme nausea or an aversion to bright lights? These could be symptoms of labyrinthitis, an inner ear infection that can be severely debilitating and can even lead to hearing loss. If you think that you may have labyrinthitis, it's important that you seek expert medical help at the earliest opportunity. This can alleviate the symptoms, and lead to a quicker recovery. Here are four facts about labyrinthitis:

What is Labyrinthitis?

Labyrinthitis is so called because it is a condition that causes inflammation of the inner ear canal, an area of the body known as the labyrinth. Because the labyrinth is inflamed, it can't function as it usually would. As one of the labyrinth's duties is to regulate balance, it typically produces a lack of balance or coordination, along with severe and prolonged spells of dizziness.

The Causes of Labyrinthitis

The most common cause of labyrinthitis is an infection – usually viral. It can also occur as the result of a head trauma, an allergy or reaction to medicine, or as a side effect of extreme stress. It is often the case that labyrinthitis follows an upper respiratory tract infection or flu. As the early symptoms of labyrinthitis can be flu-like, some patient may think that they are still suffering from that initial condition.

Sufferers of labyrinthitis may feel very ill and have difficulty in carrying out their everyday functions. Appearance-wise, however, they may not look any different, except when their balance problems become apparent. It is effectively an invisible illness, and this can bring added difficulties to the sufferer. Some people have difficulty in perceiving that an invisible illness can be severe, so sufferers may be made to feel that they are making the illness up or exaggerating the effects of their condition. This can result in sufferers feeling isolated or even more stressed. A doctor who specializes in the treatment of labyrinthitis can provide support and information that will help you cope with this. 

Labyrinthitis may resolve spontaneously after a few weeks, but it may also linger or re-occur for long periods afterward. This is one reason that it's essential to get expert medical help. There is also the possibility that the condition can cause long-term or permanent damage to the balance and auditory system.

One form of treatment is designed to restore balance control, this is known as vestibular rehabilitation therapy. The sufferer will follow a series of carefully implemented exercise, designed to retrain the brain's balance function. These can include concentrating on a fixed point while moving the head from side to side, or movements that are designed to create dizziness and eventually reduce the negative vestibular reactions that they would usually cause.

Antibiotics can also be prescribed to fight any infection or virus that is causing the labyrinthitis, whilst other drugs can prove useful if administered early enough. If you have any symptoms of labyrinthitis, you should contact your ear, nose and throat doctor today.

Vertigo, dizziness, or a spinning sensation can be very frightening. If you have been suffering from disorders of the hearing and balance system, the professionals at the Becker Ear, Nose & Throat Center can provide specialized care that is tailored for you. Get the help you need, visit their website now at https://www.beckerent.com.

This is a guest post.

If having a sickly family member or a loved-one being admitted in the hospital is unusual, I guarantee that if it happens all of a sudden, it can cause panic especially if you don't have someone to depend on. Preparing for the things to bring can take time if you are not used to it. As an experienced hospital companion of a sickly family member, preparing for it takes me less than thirty minutes. My mom would always say whenever it happens, "Anak, kabisado mo na lahat ng dadalin, ha?"

Indeed, packing for things to bring in the hospital is quick and easy for me and it's not easier said than done unlike to some people. To help you ease your worries as you plan to admit a sick family member in the hospital, I have here a Hospital Bag Checklist for an Adult Patient.

• Patient's Valid ID
• Philhealth Card
• HMO card
• Cash
• ATM card

Make sure to bring your very own IDs and cash too. Unlike before, the hospital billing section will not ask you to acquire Philhealth's Membership Data Record (MDR), a form that shows your number of contributions from your employer. It is already available online. If you are employed, just in case that the record shows that your employer is non-compliant in remitting your Philhealth contributions, the hospital is going to ask you to acquire a Claim Signature Form (CSF) to be accomplished by your employer's Human Resource Department with an attached Certification of Philhealth Contribution. Hope and pray that your employer is compliant so that it will be less hassle for you.

• Pen
• A pair of scissors or Swiss knife

It pays to be ready when you need to fill-up or cut something.

• Bath soap
• Shampoo
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Tissue Paper
• Wet wipes
• Cotton buds
• Shaver
• Nail cutter
• Comb or hairbrush
• Foot powder/spray (to keep your feet dry and non-sweaty)
• Deodorant
• Rubbing alcohol
• Facial wash (optional)
• Baby Oil (optional)

• Moisturizer
• Lotion
• Lipbalm

Staying in an air-conditioned room for a long time makes your skin and lips dry. Keeping them moisturized all the time is a must.

• Feminine wash, sanitary pads, and panty liners 
• Small makeup kit

If you and the patient are females, sickness or taking care of the patient should not hinder both of you to look good and fresh during the entire stay. Your makeup kit must have the basics: tinted lip balm, moisturizing lipstick, tinted moisturizer or pressed powder, brow comb, facial skin care aids, etc.

• Medicine kit (multivitamins, any existing maintenance medications) including a thermometer

• Hot pack
• Urinal or bedpan (if you already kept the one you purchased from a previous hospitalization)
• Small basin 
• Extra blanket or pillow (if the hospital allows)

Bring your own so that you avoid paying an extra charge. If the patient is under a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), miscellaneous items are not included in your privileges.

• Electric kettle 

It's very useful especially when the room bathroom has no heater. You can also heat water for the hot pack.

• Hand Soap preferably liquid soap with dispenser
• Dishwashing Liquid and sponge
• Detergent

• Lysol/Disinfectant 

This is very important when the patient is highly contagious. You may use this to disinfect your bathroom/toilet/sink.

• Towels (2pieces) 
• Face Towels (2 pieces)
• Hand Towel
• Kitchen towel (to dry the dishes)

I recommend AquaZorb or microfiber towels because they are absorbent and very easy to dry. You may wash them with detergent at night and hang them to dry inside the hospital room and surely they become dry overnight.

• At least four sets of comfy clothes (basic cotton shirt without buttons or embellishments, underwear, trousers/pants/shorts)

Bringing four sets of comfy clothes for you and the patient is already good for a week or less. Just in case that you stay in the hospital for too long, most hospital peripheries have coin-operated laundromats where you can load, leave, and get your clothes for washing for at least one and a half hours. Why do I recommend bringing a basic cotton shirt without buttons or embellishments? Aside from being cool and comfy, x-ray machines detect buttons and embellishments. The radiological technologist will not instruct the patient to take off his or her shirt when he or she is wearing a basic cotton shirt without buttons or embellishments.

• Slippers

Use slippers while staying inside the hospital room and your shoes when you go out. It lessens the possibility of acquiring nosocomial infection and bringing in more dirt and germs from the outside.

• Plate, fork, spoon, bowl, cup, reusable food container with a lid (at least 2)

Bringing your own reusable food containers, plates, and utensils are handy for leftovers or when you order food from the hospital canteen or nearby food stores to lessen waste disposal.

• Crackers
• Bread
• Granola bars
• Fruits
• Potable Water

You will become very busy as the patient is admitted. Having your own food (those who doesn't stale easily) and water with you at the moment can keep you nourished and hydrated. Most hospitals have their own hot and cold water dispensers in their respective nurse's stations but it is best to have your own potable water with you. I don't recommend that you bring energy drinks, coffee or caffeinated drinks to keep you awake. Drink lots of water instead or do some stretching exercises when you feel lethargic. Please refrain from bringing salty, too sweet, or junk food. You have to keep yourself healthy by eating the right food and rest while the patient is resting or sleeping to regain your strength.

• Cellphones
• Chargers
• Powerbank
• Extra prepaid load 

Means of communication must be ready all the time.

To organize your things per category, you may use pouches or zip locks to locate them easily. For bulky items that won't fit pouches and zip locks, you may place them in huge eco or reusable bags. Place all these except IDs and other personal items (make-up kit, tissue, wet wipes, cash, ATM) in one to two huge bags. Refrain from bringing a lot of small bags to carry because you are assisting a patient. Bring two extra eco or reusable bags to have something to use to place your dirty clothes, even if you plan to have them laundered in the nearby laundry shop or just to store them, and items when you have a quick trip to the supermarket, drugstore, or market when you already lack supplies. 

Take note:

• Bringing travel-sized items saves you from carrying bulky and heavy bags. 

• It is expensive to attend to a sick relative or family member but doesn't ever, ever settle for anything less. Buy food from a reputable source and liters of purified water from the nearby convenience store or supermarket to avoid getting sick too and creating more problems.

• Purchase medicine from a reliable drugstore in case that the hospital doesn't carry the specific brand that the doctor prescribed. If you are under an HMO, request for a "special purchase" because all the medicines prescribed except multivitamins which to be consumed within the patient's period of confinement is shouldered by the HMO. It saves you from spending more.

• The tips that I've mentioned above is made specifically for patient companions who have no relatives or someone to depend on. Like for example, your husband gets hospitalized, you have a very young child to take care of and nobody is going to do that for you, make sure to bring his clothes and needs, a few of his favorite toys or books to keep him busy while you do your wife duties.