A Girl’s Notebook :)

Since I learned that I have asthma, too, I have read different pamphlets on how I can prevent getting an asthma attack. Actually I have been reading different materials to help my daughter as well. I admit that one of the triggers of asthma is the allergen from pets. But, not all people who has asthma can be affected with the same allergen. That is why I am also studying the different triggers, which could cause asthma attack. I got this information from a pamphlet given from Medical City and I hope this would help a lot of asthmatic out there.

Here are some common triggers and some ways to help control them at home.  (Source: The Medical City)

Tobacco Smoke – Smoking should not be allowed in the home. Ask family members and friends to smoke outdoors. Ask your Lung Association how you can help.

Wood Smoke – Wood smoke is a problem for children and adults with asthma and allergies. Avoid wood stoves and fireplaces.

Pets – Almost all pets can cause allergies, including dogs, cats, and small animals like birds, hamsters, and guinea pigs. All pets should be removed from home if they trigger asthma and allergy symptoms. Pet allergen may stay in the home for months after the pet is gone because it remains in house dust. Allergy and asthma symptoms may take some time to get better.

If pet stays in the home, keep it out of the bedroom of anyone with asthma or allergies, weekly pet baths may help cut down the amount of pet saliva and dander in the home.

Sometimes you hear that certain cats or dogs are “non-allergenic.” There is no such thing as a “non-allergenic” furry pet. Tropical fish may be a good substitute.

Cockroaches – Cockroaches can be a big problem for some people with asthma. Tiny pieces of dead roaches and roach droppings end up in house dust and the air you breathe.

Like people, roaches need food and water a place to live. Help keep your home roach-free by storing food in sealable containers and keeping crumbs, dirty dishes and other sources of food waste cleaned up; fixing leaks and wiping up standing water; cleaning up clutter where roaches find shelter. If you still have a problem and you choose to use a pesticide, be sure to use it safely, and as directed on the label. Baits are less likely than sprays or foggers to harm your lungs.

Mold and Mildew – When moisture in the air is high, mold and mildew can be a problem in bathrooms, kitchens and basements. Make sure there areas have good air circulation and are cleaned often. The basement in particular may need a fan or a dehumidifier. Remember – the water that collects in the dehumidifier must be emptied and the container cleaned often to prevent growing mildew.

Mold may grow on foam pillow when you perspire. Wash pillow cases every week, dry thoroughly and make sure to change it every week. You may change to a fiber-filled pillow. Mold also grow in the soil of houseplants, so check them often. You may have to keep all plants outdoors.

Dust Mites – Dust mites are tiny, microscopic animals usually found in house dust. Several thousand mites can be found in a pinch of dust. Mites are one of the major triggers for people with allergies and asthma. They are one of the most difficult triggers to get rid of.

Hope this helps!

Ciao!

While I am dusting our the frame of our family picture, I cannot help but miss my father. He’s been gone for 3 years now yet I still cry whenever I remember him. He may not be the perfect father and husband in the world, but he had loved us so much.

I remember when he was still alive; he loved playing Monopoly with us. And, he took the game seriously! He also loved singing the songs of Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck. His favorite song is Delilah of Tom Jones. There was a time that I got irritated because he was singing Delilah on top of his voice, and I was just starting to get a good sleep from a night shift. Another thing that I will not forget about him was his many attempts to grow his hair. And, the I guess the most effective way he tried as hair loss treatment was using aloe vera leaves.

Aloe Vera

I know papa is happy with God now. Even if he’s not around anymore, his love for us will continue to live on.

Ciao!

I fell asleep last night while in front of the PC! My mother then woke up and asked me to transfer to bed so I can have a comfortable sleep. Anyway, it’s a brand new morning. A fine Sunday morning! I am still sleepy though. My mother told me that I should have take advantage the “evening sleep” since it is my off from work. She said that the best way from different acne solutions is getting enough sleep.

Well, she’s actually right. I noticed that when I didn’t go to work last week, I noticed that my pimples are lessened.

It’s Sunday today, don’t forget to go to mass. Whatever religion you are part with, what matters is the faith that you have in one true God.

Ciao!

I mentioned in my previous post that I wasn’t able to report for work for 4 days last week. I experienced difficulty in breathing and I usually end up catching my breath especially when climbing up a staircase or a footbrigde. I went to see a pulmonary doctor last Wednesday and he advised me to undergo Pulmonary Function Test. I went to Medical City last Sunday to undergo the test.

Well, the test has not been that easy. The following day, I went back to my doctor and he explained to me the result. He said that I am asthmatic, too. Anyway, asthma runs in our family. He said that I have it all along, I just ignore or I was able to tolerate it then. I told him that I volunteered in PAWS and we have cats at home. He said that he will not stop me from volunteering and from taking care of my pets, because he can that those are my happiness. The catch there is, I will be on medication for 3 months. Every month he will re-assess me.

I am just praying that I will not have any serious attack. Please pray for me. Thank you.

Ciao!

Stretch marks have been a dilemma not only of pregnant women but the ones who just gave birth as well. I must admit that I went through this problem as well. I was just talking to my friend who just gave birth and she is so worried about the stretch marks she has. I told her that there are a lot of stretch marks cream available in the market that will solve her problem. There are different manufacturers who offer good deals and dependable products.

Judy told me as well that as per pharmacist view, stretch marks can actually be prevented by the usage of moisturizers especially with cocoa butter. She said that, that is the active ingredient of most lotions that claim to have the capability of preventing stretch marks. Thanks for that info Judy!

And, you must be very patient and never forget to apply cream or moisturize. Always remember that patience is a virtue.

Ciao!

I wasn’t able to come to work for the last 3 days for I need to take care of Nonet and myself. Due to the dry weather brought about by El Niño, Nonet has experienced dermatitis. Well, Nonet is an asthmatic girl. Aside from bronchial asthma, she has skin asthma, too. She was diagnosed to have asthma when she was only 4 months old. She doesn’t have any maintenance medicine though, but she has a maintenance lotion (which makes my pocket cry..).

On the same day, I had difficulty in breathing so I decided to see a doctor as well. The doctor didn’t hear any abnormalities in my heart beat. The prognosis was I am asthmatic, too.

Asthma runs in my paternal family’s blood. My father’s two older brothers died because of asthma. His maternal aunt also died of asthma. My two sisters, Patty and Pau are asthmatic, too. Pauline actually has maintenance for her asthma. While Patty occasionally has an attack especially when she is exposed to dust and fur. She said that it is really possible that I too have an asthma.

We know that cat’s fur and saliva are triggers of asthma. But, because we really love cats (and dogs actually), we cannot help not to have one. We also know that prevention is better than cure. We love our pets that much, and we will just do all the necessary precautions to prevent any asthma attacks.

Tonight I will be reporting to work. I just hope that my team manager will not be mad at me. Hopefully..

Ciao!

We experienced an unusual cold weather during the last few weeks of January. I am complaining to my mother that my knees are aching. Oh my! Is it a sign of aging?!? I guess not really though. I used to wash my feet and take a bath when I arrived home from work. I know that it is not a good practice. Aside from that, I hope not to spend the rest of my life living with rheumatoid arthritis.

Although sometimes I still cannot help to go directly to the john when I arrived home. ? What I do is apply alcohol on my legs, feet, arms and hands. I also apply some muscle relaxant cream before I go to bed. But I still advise you guys to rest for about 15-30 minutes before washing your feet after removing your shoes or sandals.

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Ciao!

I have always love watching and reading out of this world mysteries. Oh yes that really interest me! I believe I have mentioned in one of my posts that there was a time in my life when I have wanted to be a private investigator. Well, I done sleuthing before but that concerns, ney. I guess it is normal for any women who feel that their behalf is doing something strange to sleuth.

In any case, just recently channel 2 launched another interesting Sunday afternoon series; My Last Romance. It stars Toni Gonzaga and Luis Manzano. When we first saw it in the commercial, we thought that Toni is kinda a vampire. It happens that Toni has a rare genetics condition, wherein her cells are too mighty to resist even aging. Last Sunday, she revealed to Luis that she does not grow old. She said that she lived during the Spanish regime and she’s about 150 years old already.

She currently works in the genetics field trying to find a cure to her illness. When I was taking a shower, I am actually thinking about it. If a person like her did exist or existing, I believe that it is God’s blessing to those have terminal diseases. I believe that from her blood, she can create an antigen (I hope I used the right term) or a medicine that will help fight cancer cells.

God has blessed a lot of people in the medical field to produce medicines for mankind. I have read about hgh supplement, a supplement that promotes growth and cell reproduction. Well, that is only one of the millions supplements that have been produced for human’s health.

If Toni’s condition in My Last Romance is real, it may be strange though but on the positive side, it would help a lot specially people who is suffering from Cancer. Forgive me if my medical terms are so shallow, I am not really a “medical person”.

Ciao!

While I am arranging my “anik-anik”, I found this piece of paper that really caught my attention. It says: 8 Easy Ways to Lose Weight! I have been struggling with my appetite for years. I have been longing to have my old size back. Well, I really gained a lot after giving birth! I know that it is not only me who is wanting to have my old waistline back. I know that there are many people out there wanting to lose weight as easy as possible. So, aside from taking in a diet pill for fast weight loss, let me share these easy ways to lose weight. Hopefully it will work for all of us.

1. Learn to Read Labels

To lose weight is essential to pay attention to food labels. Counting calories is impossible without this skill. You should know how to find a food’s caloric content and it’s serving size. Comparing labels among different foods and beverages is crucial for making the healthier choices required to lose weight.

2. Snack Smart

You can help prevent overeating and maintain blood sugar levels by eating something about every three hours. Getting too hungry will backfire on your efforts to eat healthy and practice portion control. Aim for a healthful, satisfying snack, such as an apple and some reduced-fat cheddar cheese.  Eating more may seem counterintuitive, but smart snacking will help you lose weight.

3. Eat More Grains and Produce

Whole grains and fruits and veggies do more than provide nutrients that improve your health and reduce disease-risk; they can also help you lose weight. They’re naturally low in calories, so you can eat more of them and have less room in your diet for less-than-healthful foods. Plus, the fiber in whole-grain foods and produce will help you feel fuller and longer (which helps you control portions and avoid overeating) and a result, lose weight.

4. Eat enough, Often Enough

One of the worst ways to lose weight is meal skipping.  Many people think that skipping meals is a great way to cut calories, but in the end, they fail to lose weight. You’ll be more likely to over eat or even binge (when you finally do eat) if you do not eat regular meals. Plus your body may go into starvation mode if you don’t eat enough, causing you to maintain (or even gain) rather than lose weight!

5. Drink Plenty of Water

Water helps you lose weight in several ways. If you tend to have a problem with water weight, drinking more water can help alleviate bloating. Replacing high-cal drinks such as soda with water cuts hundreds of calories. You shouldn’t wait until you’re feeling thirsty to drink water; thirst can be mistaken for hunger,  causing you to over eat. Proper hydration improves your sense of well-being, which will keep up your motivation to lose weight.

6. Get Moving

It is virtually impossible to lose weight and keep it off without exercising regularly. Start out today by taking a brisk walk or riding a bike. Work your way up from 10 minutes to 30-40 minutes a day, most days a week, and you could reap healthy benefits and weight loss results in a matter of weeks. Plus exercise boosts your metabolism, making it even easier to lose weight.

7. Practice Portion Control

Measuring food may seem like a drudgery, but it will prove invaluable in your efforts to lose weight. Start out by comparing a measured standard serving of food to your typical helping. You may find you usually consume two or even three times the recommended serving. In time you will reprogram your brain to eyeball portion sizes, a key skill for losing weight.

8. Write It Down

What’s the first thing I think anyone who wants to lose weight should do? Keep a food diary. All you have to do is jot down what, when and how much you eat in a notebook. A food diary will give you a clear picture of your current eating habits so you can identify the changes you need to make to lose weight.

Source: Internet

Hope this tips will help us. I must say that discipline should still be top on the list!

Ciao!

I didn’t bring my daughter to hear mass with us yesterday because she has fever and cough. I told her that she would be coming with us next week. She just needs to get well, first. I promised her that I would pray for her quick recovery to Jesus and to Mama Mary. She agreed to be looked after by her Tita Joy.

Before we leave for church, she asked me to get the box of pictures we have. She loved looking at her baby pictures. Oh, she never gets tired of looking at them! As I looked through our old pictures, I saw a picture of my mom’s birthday. I don’t remember what year it was. My father was still living then. I showed the picture to my mother and told her that papa was with us still.

It has been almost 3 years since my father died of lymphoma. His case was like of the late actor Johnny Delgado. His illness was similar to Colon cancer. Both affect the large intestines.

Up to this day, I still feel sad whenever I remember my father. I must admit that I miss him. I miss him especially during the days when my daughter is looking for a father figure and her own daddy is not around. My father has been a very loving and caring grandfather to my daughter. Though they spent less than 2 years only, my daughter enjoyed the company of my father. She called her Papa and remembered him up to this day.

Since his death, we had been aware of lymphoma and colon cancer. I hope that cancer is not hereditary but we see to it that we keep our body as healthy as possible. We read a lot of colon cleanse review to prevent us from getting that kind of illness. Of course, we never failed to pray for God to bless us with good health.

I know that when my daughter grows up, she would still ask for her maternal grandfather. It’s a good thing though, that we keep our pictures secured for her to look at once more, someday.

Ciao!

Talking about insurances, I am planning to get my mother a Medicare supplement insurance. Although, my civil status is single, since I have a daughter already, my dependent for my health card is either my mother or my daughter. My mother told me to give the health card for my daughter instead. She said that my daughter would need it more than she would. Well, my baby is 4 years old now and so far she’s been utilizing the health card ever since.

My mother is not as young as she was, so I am thinking of getting a health card for her as well. I still have to ask my younger sister, Patty, if she can make our mother her dependent. I am sure she can.

Our mom is the only parent we have since our father died in 2007. I always pray to God to keep her safe and to bless her with good health and long life, because, I cannot really afford to lose her.

Ciao!

It’s Sunday today. I didn’t notice that I have been working on my blog for 7 hours now since 12midnight last night. Of course, I take a break every time I get hungry. My youngest sister Pau is already awake and so is my mother. They are actually arguing on what music to listen. My mother enjoys the oldies every Sunday. My sister on the other hand, wants to do some dancing and twisting as form of exercise.

She told our mother that she and I need to lose weight because we are really getting big. Though we cannot discipline ourselves from eating, at least we work out. We have few exercise equipment to use. Actually, it should been easy for me to lose weight after I gave birth. I just lack perseverance and discipline!

Well, since my mother wanted us to lose some unwanted fat, she gave way to my sister!

I will take a break for a while. And, I will join my sister do some twist. Hope you enjoy reading through the rest of my post. Don’t forget to go church today.

‘til my next post!

Ciao!