Healt

Consumer Health h 
Sources of Health information and Products
Reliable
1. licensed medical professional
2. allied medical professionals
CONSUMER HEALTH
 refers to the decisions you make about the purchase 3. health books
of product and use of health information and 4. accredited online sources
services that will have direct effect on your health.
 Unreliable
HEALTH CONSUMER 1. people who are not experts in this field
a. quack doctors
 those who use health information, products and
b. traditional doctors
services. This includes the well, the sick, the
young, the middle aged, the rich and the poor.
HEALTH PRODUCTS
Refers to materials, devices, or items that an individual
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONSUMER
purchases to improve health. It may be purchased from
HEALTH AND HEALTH CONSUMER: various places like supermarkets, pharmacies, and hospitals.
 Health consumer is one who needs health care and
health products and uses money to acquire them. Examples: food, health electronics, shampoo, appliances,
 Consumer health is concerned with how healthy medicines, grooming aids, car, etc.
and active consumers are in general, on a day-to-
day basis.
HEALTH SERVICES
Refer to the furnishing of medicines, medical or surgical
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A treatments, nursing, hospital service, dental service,
PRODUCT: optometric service, and complementary health services.
1. Quality
2. Price Are often connected to healthcare. It aims to appraise the
3. Manufacturing date / expiration date of the product health conditions of individuals through screening and
4. Nutritional value examinations, cure and treat disorders, prevent and control
5. Health benefits the spread of diseases, provide safety, emergency care, and
first aid, and ensure a follow-up program for individuals
COMPONENTS OF CONSUMER HEALTH who have undergone treatments.
1. Health Information
2. Health Products Examples: medical and dental consultation and treatment,
3. Health Services services from beauty parlors and barber shops, etc.

Health Information Guidelines on the Purchase of Goods and Services

- Any concept, idea, data or advice that various sources give 1. Evaluate which products and services will be beneficial,
to aid the health status of an individual. harmful, or useless.
2. Know the local laws and regulations that protect
- The type of information varies depending on diseases, consumers.
sexual health, weight loss/gain, drugs and alcohol, eating 3. Locate dependable medical, dental, and nursing services.
disorders and health conditions of a person. 4. Apply knowledge acquired with respect to personal and
environmental health in the purchase of personal goods and
- Is critical as it may alter the health condition of a person. services
And it is continuously and rapidly changing.
Health services are usually offered by healthcare providers.
- It should be timely, relevant, appropriate, accessible and Healthcare provider is a trained professional who provides
delivered in a relevant format. people with healthcare.

- There is a great need to update oneself regarding current There are three types of Healthcare Provider:
research and evidence available in the field.
1. Health Professionals.
- All information about the health products is included in - These are individuals who are licensed to practice
this area. It gives the materials used in manufacturing the medicine and other allied health programs and work in the
product, date, uses, expirations, and even cautions. medical profession.
Examples: doctors, nurses, nutritionists, etc.

Different types of physicians based on their area of

specialization.

Arsheil Lavein R. Mendoza 10 - Martinelli

a. Pediatrician – specializes in children’s health care and
treatment of diseases.

b. Psychiatrist – specializes in the diagnosis and treatment Two Classifications of Hospitals:

of mental disorders. 1 General hospitals - have complete medical,
surgical, and maternal care facilities.
c. Obstetrician – specializes in the care of women during
pregnancy and childbirth. 2. Specialty hospitals handle a particular disease or
condition or deal with only one type of patient.
d. Ophthalmologist – specializes in the diagnosis and
treatment of eye diseases and disorders. b. Walk-In Surgery Center
- It is a facility that offers surgery without being admitted to
e. Anesthesiologist – specializes in administering various the hospital.
anesthetics to assure proper operative procedures.
c. Health Center
f. Dermatologist – specializes in the diagnosis and treatment - It is a facility that caters to a specific population with
of skin diseases. various health needs.

g. Cardiologist – specializes in the diagnosis and treatment d. Extended Healthcare Facility

of the heart and blood vessels. - A facility that provides treatment, nursing care, and
residential services to patients, often the elderly.
h. Allergist – specializes in diagnosing and treating body
reactions
resulting from unusual sensitivity to food, medicine, dust, 3. Health Insurance
and other - It is a financial agreement between an insurance company
substances. and an individual or group for the payment of healthcare
costs.
i. Pulmonologist - specializes in diseases of the lungs and
respiratory tract. It offers various types of coverage:
1.Medical
j. Neurologist – specializes in providing diagnosis and 2.Major medical
surgical 3.Hospitalization
treatment of diseases of the nervous system. 3.Surgical
4. Disability
k. Gastroenterologist – specializes in the diagnosis and
treatment of It may be sourced from both public and private companies.
diseases in the gastrointestinal system.
Example of public health insurance:
l. Geriatrician – specializes in the care of the elderly and the PHILHEALTH (mandated by law) – it requires a monthly
diseases that affect them. contribution from its members.

m. Surgeon – specializes in performing a surgical operation Example of private health insurance

in treating diseases, injuries, and deformities. HMO – offers medical services that are availed through a
prepaid amount of money. It is a business that requires a
n. Urologist – specializes in diseases and abnormalities of relatively reduced monthly fee from subscribers.
the
genitourinary tract.
Consumer act of the Philippines
o. Gynecologist – specializes in diseases and care of the - law that protects the interest of the consumer, promotes
female general welfare, and establishes standards of conduct for
reproductive organs.in analyzing images such as X-rays, to business and industry.
help
diagnose, monitor, and treat various conditions or injuries. Below are their functions relative to consumer protection.
A. Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD)
1. serves as DOH key regulatory agency and implementer of
2. Healthcare Facilities the country’s food control system
– These are places or institutions that offer healthcare 2. ensures safe and good quality processed food, drug, and
services. cosmetics
3. regulates production, sale, and traffic of food, drug, and
cosmetics
Following types of healthcare facilities:
4. protects the health of the consumers and handles
a. Hospital
consumer complaints
- It is an institution where people undergo medical
diagnosis, care, and treatment. In the Philippines,
B. Department of Health (DOH)

Arsheil Lavein R. Mendoza 10 - Martinelli

1. provides national policy direction and develops national - The right to express consumer interests in the making and
plans, technical standards, and guidelines in health execution of government policies.
2. regulates all health services and products
3. inspects establishments that dispense food 6. Right to Redress
4. adopts measures to ensure the quality of meat, milk - The right to be compensated for misrepresentation, shoddy
products, cosmetics, and other consumer goods goods or unsatisfactory services.

C. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)

1. serves as the primary coordinative, promotive, facilitative, 7. Right to Consumer Education
and regulatory arm of the government for the country’s - The right to acquire knowledge and skills necessary to be
trade, industry, and investment activities an informed customer.
2. ensures the quality and safety of products
3. checks the warranty and price tags of products 8. Right to a Healthy Environment
4. monitors advertisements and retail ways to prevent any - The right to live and work in an environment which is
deception of the consumer neither threatening nor dangerous and which permits a life
5. guarantees consumer welfare and protection of dignity and well-being.

Below are some international organizations relevant to Some Tips on How to be a Wise Consumer
consumer protection 1. Gather correct and sufficient information – get as much
A. International Food Protection Institute (IFPI) ensures information by reading the details critically on the
food protection through policies and practices for a safer nutritional quality of the food. Be aware that being
global food supply. knowledgeable of the laws will protect you as a consumer.
B. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) protects and
promotes public health through control and supervision of
food safety. 2. Compare and contrast details of available products –
C. World Health Organization (WHO) directs international compare and contrast the products and services available
health within the United Nation’s System and leads partners before you purchase. Judge for yourself which among the
and global health responses. products are most effective. You can use the questions in
assessing the health information as your initial guide.

Consumer Protection Act, 1986 3. Inquire for more and review if possible – ask direct
- Consumer Protection means safeguarding the interest and questions from sales personnel if things about the product
rights of consumers. In other words, it refers to the measures are not clear to you before buying it. Clarifying things will
adopted foe the protection of consumers from unscrupulous make you more confident as a consumer. You can also get
and unethical malpractices by the business and to provide some information from other consumers regarding the
them speedy redressal of their grievances. product.

Consumer’s Welfare and Protection

- Laws that protect the Consumer’s Welfare
Herbal Medicine
8 Basic Rights of a Consumer Complementary and alternative medicines are treatments
1. Right to Basic Needs that are applied along with typical and accepted medical
- Which guarantees survival, adequate food, clothing, treatments but are not considered standard. These include
shelter, health care, education, and sanitation. With this herbal medicine, magnetic fields, nutrition therapy,
right, consumers can look forward to the availability of basic acupressure, movement therapy, mental exercises, etc.
and prime commodities at affordable prices and good
quality. four major domains of complementary and
2. Right to Safety
alternative medicine:
1. biology-based practices
- The consumer should be protected against the marketing of
Ex: taking herbal medicine
goods or the provision of services that are hazardous to
health and life.
2. energy medicine
- uses magnetic fields of biofields.
3. Right to Information
- The consumer should be protected against dishonest or
3. manipulative and body-based practices,
misleading advertising or labeling and has the right to be
- body-kinesthetic are concerned with movement therapy.
given the facts and information needed to make an informed
choice.
4. mind-body medicine
- uses mental exercises in the belief that the brain is central
4. Right to Choose
to health.
- The consumer has the right to choose from among various
products at competitive prices with an assurance of
satisfactory quality. Herbal Medicine
As part of primary health care and because of the increasing
5. Right to Representation cost of drugs, the use of locally available medical plants and
herbs in the Philippine backyard and field have been found

Arsheil Lavein R. Mendoza 10 - Martinelli

to be effective in the treatment of common ailments as 4. Tsaang Gubat / Scientific Name: Carmona retusa
attested to by the National Science Development Board, - Forest Tea or Wild Tea
other government and private - shrub with small, shiny nice-looking leaves that grows in
agencies / persons engaged in wild uncultivated areas and forests.
research.
Uses and Preparation:
Diarrhea
- Boil the following number of chopped leaves in 2 glasses
of water for 15 minutes or until amount of water goes down
to 1 glass. Cool and strain.
10 Herbal Medicines
Stomach ache
Approved by the DOH - wash leaves and chop. Boil chopped leaves in 1 glass of
1. Sambong / Scientific Name: Blumea balsamifera water for 15 minutes. Cool and filter / strain and drink.
- 1 ½ to 3 meters in height with rough hairy leaves.
- Young plants around mother plant may be separated when 5. Ampalaya / Scientific Name: Momordica charantia
they have three or more leaves. - Bitter Gourd or Bitter melon
- Climbing vine with tendrils that grow up
Uses: to 20 cms long.
 Anti-edema - Leaves are heart shaped, which are to 10
 Diuretic cms in diameter.
 Anti-urolithiasis - Fruits have ribbed and wrinkled surface
that are fleshy green with pointed ends at
Preparation: length and has a bitter taste.
- Boil chopped leaves in water for 15
minutes until one glassful remains. Cool Uses:
and strain. Lowers blood sugar levels
- Divide decoction into 3 parts. Drink one part 3 times a day. Diabetes Mellitus (mild-non insulin dependent)

2. Akapulko / Scientific Name: Cassia alata Preparation:

- Ringworm Bush - Gather and wash young leaves very well. Chop. Boil 6
-Bayas-bayasan tablespoon in two glassful of water for 15 minutes under low
- 1 to 2 meter tall fire. Do not cover pot. Cool and Strain. Take one third cup 3
- The leaves are embraced with 8 to 10 oblong elliptical times a day after meals.
shaped leaflets. It has flowers with oblong sepals.
6. Lagundi / Scientific
Uses: Name: Vitex negundo
 Antifungal: Tinea Flava, - 5 leaved-Chaste Tree
Ringworm, Athlete’s Foot - shrub growing wild in
and Scabies vacant lots and waste land
- matured branches are
Preparation: planted
- Fresh, matured leaves are pounded. - the flowers are blue and
- Apply as a soap to the affected part bell shaped
1 to 1 times a day. - the small fruits turn black when ripe. It is better to collect
the leaves when are in bloom.
3. Niyug-niyogan / Scientific Name: Quisqualis Indica L
- Chinese Honey Suckle Uses:
- Vine which bears tiny fruit and grows wild in backyard Asthma and cough
- the seed must come from mature, dried but newly opened Fever, Dysentery, Colds and Pain
fruits. Skin diseases and wounds
-Propagated through stem cuttings about 20cm in height. Headache
Rheumatism, sprain, contusion, insect bites
Uses: Aromatic bath for sick patients
 Anti-helmintic (used to expel parasitic worms)
Preparation:
Preparation: - For Asthma, cough and fever, boil chopped raw fruits or
- Seed of niyug-niyogan are eaten raw leaves in 2 glasses of water, left for 15 minutes until the
two hours before the patient’s last water left is only 1 glass (decoction). Strain.
meal of the day. - For Dysentery, colds and pain, boil a handful of leaves and
- Adults may take 10 seed; children 2 flowers in water to produce a glass full of decoction 3 times
to 7 years of age may eat up to four a day.
seeds only; ages 8 to 9 may take six seed and seven seeds - For skin diseases (dermatitis, scabies, ulcer, ecze ma) and
may be eaten by 10 to 12 years old. wounds, prepare a decoction of the leaves. Wash and clean
- Not to be given to children below four years old. the skin/wound with the decoction.

Arsheil Lavein R. Mendoza 10 - Martinelli

- For headache, crushed leaves may be applied on the minutes at low fire. Do not cover pot. Cool and strain before
forehead. use.
- For rheumatism, sprain,
contusions and insect bites, pound 10. Yerba Buena / Scientific Name: Mentha cordifelia
the leaves and apply on affected - peppermint
part. - a small multi-branching aromatic herb. The leaves are
small, elliptical and with toothed margin.
7. Ulasimang Bato / Scentific -the stem creeps to the ground, and develop roots.
Name: Peperomia pellucida
- Silver bush or Shiny bush Uses:
- Pansit-pansitan - pain in different parts of the body as headache, stomach
- A weed with heart shaped leaves ache
that grow in shady parts of the - Rheumatism. Arthritis and headache
garden and yard. - cough and cols
- swollen gums and toothache
USES: - menstrual and gas pain
Lowers uric acid (Rheumatism and Gout) - Nausea and fainting
- insect bites and pruritus
PREPARATION: Preparation:
- Wash the leaves well. One and a half cup leaves are boiled - pain in different part of the body, boil chopped leaves in 2
in two glassfuls of water over low fire. Do not cover pot. glasses of water for 15 minutes. Cool and strain.
Cool and strain. Divide into three parts and drink each part 3 - For rheumatism, arthritis and headache, crush the fresh
times a day a day. leaves, and squeeze sap. Massage sap on painful parts with
- May also be eaten s salad. Wash the leaves well. Prepare eucalyptus.
one and a half cups of leaves (not closely packed). Divide - For cough and cold, get about 10 fresh leaves and soak in a
into three parts and take as salad 3 times a day. glass of hot water. Drink as tea. Acts as an expectorant.
- For toothache, cut fresh plant and squeeze sap. Soak a
8. Bawang / Scientific Name: piece of cotton in the sap and insert this in aching tooth
Allium sativum cavity. Mouth should be rinsed by gargling salt solution
- garlic before inserting the cotton.
- low herb grows up to sixty cms To prepare salt solution: add 5g of table salt to one glass of
high water.
- leaves are flat and linear - For Menstrual pain and gas pain, soak a handful of leaves
- Bulbs consist of several tubers in a glass of boiling water. Drink infusion. It induces
menstrual flow and sweating.
Uses: - For nausea and fainting, crush leaves and apply at nostrils
- hypertension of patient.
- Toothache - For insect bites, crush leaves and apply juice on affected
- lower cholesterol levels in the blood part or pound leaves until paste-like and rub this on the
affected part
Preparation:
- may be fried, roasted, soaked in vinegar for 30 minutes, or
balanced in boiled water for 5 minutes. Take two pieces Alternative Medicines
three times a day after meals. ACUPUNCTURE. It is a form of energy medicine where
- for toothache, pound a small piece and apply to affected long thin
part. needles are inserted to specific parts of the body to affect the
energy flow. Acupuncture is believed to treat
Caution: Take on full stomach to prevent stomach and musculoskeletal dysfunctions.
intestinal ulcer.
REFLEXOLOGY. Similar to acupuncture, reflexology
9. Bayabas / Scientific Name: focuses on
Psidium guajava treating specific disorders through massaging the palms of
- guava the hand and soles of the feet.
- tree about 4 to 5 meters high
with tiny white flowers with NUTRITION THERAPY. Nutrition therapy approaches the
round or oval fruits that are eaten raw. treatment of a medical condition by providing a tailored diet
for the
Uses: patient.
- washing wounds
- toothache ACUPRESSURE. Acupressure uses the same technique as
- diarrhea that of
acupuncture. The only difference is that acupressure does
Preparation: not use needles but hands to apply pressure on specific
- warm decoction is used for gargle points of the body.
- freshly pounded leaves are used for toothache. Guava
leaves are to be washed well and chopped. Boil for 15

Arsheil Lavein R. Mendoza 10 - Martinelli

VENTOSA CUPPING MASSAGE THERAPY. This 2. It multiplies and spreads fast. It is progressive.
procedure is done by 3. It is claimed that it is for incurable conditions.
placing inverted glasses with flames from burning cotton on
specific points in the body. It is believed to relieve muscle Forms of Quackery
and joint pains. - Device
- Food
- Drug
REMINDERS ON THE USE OF HERBAL MEDICINE - Cosmetics
- Avoid the use of insecticides as these may leave poison on
plants. Three Forms of Quackery
- In the preparation of herbal medicine, use a clay pot and 1. Medical quackery - includes cures, treatments, and
remove cover while boiling at low heat. remedies of various health conditions that are drugless or
- Use only the part of the plant being advocate. bloodless in nature.
- Follow accurate dose of suggested preparation.
- use only one kind of herbal plant for each type of 2. Nutrition quackery - involves the promotion of food fads
symptoms or sickness. and other nutritional practices that claim to be all-natural.
- use only half the dosage prescribed for fresh parts like These are believed to have beneficial properties of multiple
leaves when using dried parts. plants in one product.
- Decoctions loose potency after some time. Dispose of
decoction after one day. To keep fresh during the day, keep 3. Device quackery - makes use of miraculous gadgets (such
lukewarm in a flask or thermos. as dials, gauges, electrodes, magnets, and blinkers) that are
- leaves, fruits, flowers or nuts must be mature before believed to cure certain health conditions.
harvesting. Less medicinal substances are found on young
parts. Warning Signs
- stop giving the herbal medication in case untoward • One product cure all – “miracle” drug or treatment
reaction such as allergy occurs. • Personal Testimonials – cannot be proven
- if signs and symptoms are not relieved after 2 or 3 doses of • Quick fixes – “in no time at all” “instant”
herbal medication, consult a doctor. • Bloodless or painless surgery
• Natural, Organic – not always better than synthetic
• Time-tested – old remedy “new discovery”
LAWS THAT CAN PROTECT YOU AND HELP YOU IN “breakthrough” “exclusive”
YOUR SPEEDY RECOVERY IF YOU ARE ILL. • Satisfaction guaranteed
• Paranoid accusations - underrating traditional medical
Traditional and Alternative Medicines Act (TAMA) /
practice, “doctors don’t want you to know” “doctors don’t
Republic Act 8423
know it yet”
- provides for the improvement of quality and delivery of
• Meaningless medical jargon – common terms in medicine
healthcare services in the country through the development
of traditional and alternative healthcare and its integration
into the healthcare system. Possible Effects of Quackery
1. Taking a quack “cure” may delay or lose the chance to be
Consumer Act of the Philippines or RA 7394 healed.
- protects the interest of consumers and promotes their 2. The person may experience a placebo effect – that he/she
general welfare. It also establishes standards of conduct for improves for natural reasons and not because of the
business and industry. substance that the quack provides.
3. Loss of money
Cheaper Medicines Act or RA 9502 4. Giving false hopes to the sick person and the family
- intended to achieve universally accessible and cheaper and 5. The actual damage done to the individual by using fake
quality medicines by pursuing an effective competition products and services
policy in the pharmaceutical sector. 6. It may cause overdose and over medicines.

Quackery
Quackery - form of a health fraud, any advertisement,
promotion, or sale of products and services that have not
been scientifically proven safe and effective. It is being
operated by a quack, a person who dishonestly pretends to
have medical skills or knowledge.

Quack - individual that has little or no professional

qualification to practice medicine. He / She also
pretentiously uses meaningless medical jargon and relies on
scare tactics, paranoid accusations, and quick fixes.

Three Major Characteristics of Quackery

1. It is a big business.

Arsheil Lavein R. Mendoza 10 - Martinelli

Arsheil Lavein R. Mendoza 10 - Martinelli