Facts on Asthma

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by inflamed, swollen and narrowed airways, making breathing difficult. Although no cure has been found for asthma, it can be controlled.

If you are asthmatic, you have sensitive airways that react to certain factors such as stress, infection (flu, common colds), dust, mites, feathers, cigarette smoke, and changes in the weather. These can trigger the swelling and the narrowing of your airways.

What causes Asthma?

No one really knows exactly what causes asthma. In asthma, the irritation of your ultra sensitive airways results to the three changes:

• cells in your air passages produce excessively thick and sticky mucus that tends to clog your airways
• your air passages swell or become inflamed
• the muscles in your airways constrict and tighten

These changes cause your air passages to narrow or constrict, causing difficulty in breathing, wheezing, and tightness in the chest.

What do you do in case of asthma attack?

• take only asthma medications prescribed by your doctor
• do not take cough medicines
• if your attack is caused by a bacterial infection, take the appropriate antibiotics prescribed by your doctor.
• if your symptoms persist, or you are experiencing a moderate attack or a severe one, get emergency help right away.

What to do to minimize or prevent an asthma attack?

• take controllers (as prescribed by physician)
• know the signs and symptoms of an incoming acute asthma attack
• know what trigger your asthma attack
• avoid triggers

What are the sign and symptoms of an incoming acute asthma attack?

• coughing a lot during exercise or even during rest after exercising
• shortness of breath
• wheezing when breathing
• tightening of the chest

What triggers an asthmatic attack?

There are numerous causes that "trigger" your asthma attack. However, these can be divided into three major groups:

Allergens - the largest group includes common "triggers" like pollen, molds, mildew, cockroaches, feathers, and dust mites.

Irritants - this group are found in common household items such as acrosol sprays, cleaning products, and perfumes. Tobacco smoke, air pollution and industrial chemicals also belong to this group.

Physical Conditions - this group includes exercise, weather changes and emotional stress. It also includes viral infections like common cold and flu.

How do you know you are having an asthma attack?

Asthma attacks may start suddenly, or may take days to develop. Attacks range from mild, moderate to severe.

Mild-to-moderate attacks - are more common. There is a feeling of tightness in your chest and you may start coughing and spitting out mucus or phlegm. You may also feel restless or irritable and have difficulty sleeping. You oftentimes make a whistling or wheezing sound when you are breathing air in and out, which may be due to narrowed air tubes.

Several Attacks - during severe attacks you may become breathless and may have difficulty talking. Your neck muscles become tight as you breathe. Your lips and fingernails may have a grayish and bluish color. Your breathing becomes more forceful, usually accompanied by the upward movements of your chest.

Source: Department of Health

Dealing with Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a general term that refers to an infection of the lungs, which can be caused by a variety of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

Often pneumonia begins after an upper respiratory tract infection (an infection of the nose and throat). When this happens, symptoms of pneumonia begin after 2 or 3 days of a cold or sore throat.

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of pneumonia vary, depending on the age of the child and the cause of the pneumonia. Common symptoms include:

• fever
• chills
• cough
• unusually rapid breathing
• breathing with grunting or wheezing sounds
• labored breathing that makes a child's rib muscles retract (when muscles under the rib cage or between ribs draw inward with each breath)
• vomiting
• chest pain
• abdominal pain
• decreased activity
• loss of appetite (in older kids) or poor feeding (in infants)
• in extreme cases, bluish or gray color of the lips and fingernails

Sometimes a child's only symptom is rapid breathing. Sometimes when the pneumonia is in the lower part of the lungs near the abdomen, there may be no breathing problems, but there may be fever and abdominal pain or vomiting.

When pneumonia is caused by bacteria, an infected child usually becomes sick relatively quickly and experiences the sudden onset of high fever and unusually rapid breathing. When pneumonia is caused by viruses, symptoms tend to appear more gradually and are often less severe than in bacterial pneumonia. Wheezing may be more common in viral pneumonia.

Some types of pneumonia cause symptoms that give important clues about which germ is causing the illness. For example, in older kids and adolescents, pneumonia due to Mycoplasma (also called walking pneumonia) is notorious for causing a sore throat and headache in addition to the usual symptoms of pneumonia.

In infants, pneumonia due to chlamydia may cause conjunctivitis (pinkeye) with only mild illness and no fever. When pneumonia is due to whooping cough (pertussis), the child may have long coughing spells, turn blue from lack of air, or make a classic "whoop" sound when trying to take a breath.

Description

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by different types of germs, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Although different types of pneumonia tend to affect children in different age groups, pneumonia is most commonly caused by viruses. Viruses that cause pneumonia include adenoviruses, rhinovirus, influenza virus (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and parainfluenza virus (which causes croup).

Incubation

The incubation period for pneumonia varies, depending on the type of virus or bacteria causing the infection (for instance, respiratory syncytial virus, 4 to 6 days; influenza, 18 to 72 hours).

Duration

With treatment, most types of bacterial pneumonia can be cured within 1 to 2 weeks. Viral pneumonia may last longer. Mycoplasmal pneumonia may take 4 to 6 weeks to resolve completely.

Contagiousness

The viruses and bacteria that cause pneumonia are contagious and are usually found in fluid from the mouth or nose of an infected person. Illness can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes on a person, by sharing drinking glasses and eating utensils, and when a person touches the used tissues or handkerchiefs of an infected person.

Prevention

Vaccines can prevent infections by viruses or bacteria that cause some types of pneumonia. Kids usually receive routine immunizations against Haemophilus influenzae and pertussis (whooping cough) beginning at 2 months of age. (The pertussis immunization is the "P" part of the routine DTaP injection.) Vaccines are now also given against the pneumococcus organism (PCV), a common cause of bacterial pneumonia.

Children with chronic illnesses, who are at special risk for other types of pneumonia, may receive additional vaccines or protective immune medication. The flu vaccine is strongly recommended for kids with chronic illnesses such as chronic heart or lung disorders or asthma, as well as otherwise healthy children ages 6 months through 19 years.

Because they're at higher risk for serious complications, infants who were born prematurely may be given treatments that temporarily protect against RSV, which can lead to pneumonia in younger children.

Doctors may give prophylactic (disease-preventing) antibiotics to prevent pneumonia in kids who have been exposed to someone with certain types of pneumonia, such as pertussis.

Antiviral medication is now available, too, and can be used to prevent some types of viral pneumonia or to make symptoms less severe.

In addition, regular tuberculosis screening is performed yearly in some high-risk areas because early detection will prevent active tuberculosis infection including pneumonia.

In general, pneumonia is not contagious, but the upper respiratory viruses that lead to it are, so it is best to keep your child away from anyone who has an upper respiratory tract infection. If someone in your home has a respiratory infection or throat infection, keep his or her drinking glass and eating utensils separate from those of other family members, and wash your hands frequently, especially if you are handling used tissues or dirty handkerchiefs.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your doctor immediately if your child has any of the signs and symptoms of pneumonia, but especially if your child:

• is having trouble breathing or is breathing abnormally fast
• has a bluish or gray color to the fingernails or lips
• has a fever of 102° Fahrenheit (38.9° Celsius), or above 100.4° Fahrenheit (38° Celsius) in infants under 6 months of age

Professional Treatment

Doctors usually make the diagnosis of pneumonia after a physical examination. The doctor may possibly use a chest X-ray, blood tests, and (sometimes) bacterial cultures of mucus produced by coughing when making a diagnosis.

In most cases, pneumonia can be treated with oral antibiotics given to your child at home. The type of antibiotic used depends on the type of pneumonia.

Children may be hospitalized for treatment if they have pneumonia caused by pertussis or other bacterial pneumonia that causes high fevers and respiratory distress. They may also be hospitalized if:

• supplemental oxygen is needed
• they have lung infections that may have spread into the bloodstream
• they have chronic illnesses that affect the immune system
• they are vomiting so much that they cannot take medicine by mouth
• if they have recurrent episodes of pneumonia

Home Treatment

If your doctor has prescribed antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia, give the medicine on schedule for as long as directed. This will help your child recover faster and will decrease the chance that infection will spread to other household members.

Don't force a child who's not feeling well to eat, but encourage drinking of fluids, especially if fever is present. Ask the doctor before you use a medicine to treat your child's cough because cough suppressants stop the lungs from clearing mucus, which may not be helpful in some types of pneumonia.

If your child has chest pain, try a heating pad or warm compress on the chest area. Take your child's temperature at least once each morning and each evening, and call the doctor if it goes above 102° Fahrenheit (38.9° Celsius) in an older infant or child, or above 100.4° Fahrenheit (38° Celsius) in an infant under 6 months of age.

Check your child's lips and fingernails to make sure that they are rosy and pink, not bluish or gray, which is a sign that the lungs are not getting enough oxygen.

Source: kidshealth.org

Belo Services and Fees

A few months ago, I was curious on how much Dra. Belo charges for the various services she offers on her clinic. I've only tried (several times) their facial treatment at Forever Flawless. So I emailed them and asked for different procedures and fees. Actually my kid has a scar on her back from a major operation when she was barely a year old. The scar is growing as she grows. It's below her nape. I'm kinda' worried that it would affect the skin on her back. Anyway, here's the reply on my queries.

Cost information on AQUA LIPO:

Upper Abdomen= Php 33,600.00
Abdomen= Php 33,600.00
Waist= Php 33,600.00
Hips- Php 33,600.00
Arms= Php 44,800.00(both arms included)
Wings= Php 16,800.00
Back= Php 33,600.00
Chin= Php 28,000.00
Inner Thigh= Php 33,600.00 (both thighs included)
Outer Thigh= Php 33,600.00
Anterior Thigh= Php 33,600.00
Buttocks= Php 33,600.00

Others:
Armpit= Php 22,400.00
Chest= Php 33,600.00
Breast = Php 33,600.00
Knees= Php 16,800.00
Calves= Php 33,600.00

{Additional 20% for professional fee of Dr. Belo}

Smartlipo for the face=Php56,000
+ Anaesthesia= Php 11,200
+ Binder= Php 5,600

Cost information on SMART LIPO:
Upper Abdomen= Php 33,600.00
Abdomen= Php 33,600.00
Waist= Php 33,600.00
Hips- Php 33,600.00
Arms= Php 44,800.00(both arms included)
Wings= Php 16,800.00
Back= Php 33,600.00
Chin= Php 28,000.00
Inner Thigh= Php 33,600.00 (both thighs included)
Outer Thigh= Php 33,600.00
Anterior Thigh= Php 33,600.00
Buttocks= Php 33,600.00

Others:
Armpit= Php 22,400.00
Chest= Php 33,600.00
Breast = Php 33,600.00
Knees= Php 16,800.00
Calves= Php 33,600.00

Smartlipo for the face=Php56,000
+ Anaesthesia= Php 11,200
+ Binder= Php 5,600

Laser Hair Removal
Beard & Mustache- Doctor's Discretion with regards to pricing
Upper lip: PhP2,800
Armpit: PhP5,600
Bikini: PhP5,600
Face:PhP 8,400.00
Lower leg: PhP13,440
Nipple: PhP2,800.00
Others: PhP2,800.00
Whole leg: PhP22,400.00

Waxing:

Armpit: PhP 425.60
Bikini: PhP 560.00
Bikini (Brazilian): Php 952.00
Upper lip: Php 280.00
Eyebrow: Php 425.60
Half Leg: Php 739.20
Full Leg: Php 952.00

THERMAGE- Only available in Medical Plaza- Makati & Tomas Morato Q.C

Face- Php 112,000.00
Neck- Php 39,200.00
Forehead- Php 39,200.00
Eye area- Php 67,200.00 plus Php 5,600 for the anaesthesia
Face and Eye- Php 184,800.00 plus php 11,200 for the anaesthesia

BODY SCRUB WITH BLEACH - Php2,240.00 per session- (for women only)

A combination of sea salt, honey and almond scrub gently removes dead, dry,
rough skin leaving skin, baby soft and smooth, followed by an application of
a natural bleaching agent made from grapeseed extract, AHA and licorice to
whiten the skin naturally. The procedure takes 45 minutes and can be done as
often as one to three times a week. This treatment, when done regularly,
will help even out skin color all over the body and improve skin texture
giving it a natural glow.

POWER PEEL/MEGA PEEL Php 2,800 per session

Scar lightener:

For scars, especially keloids, it would be best if you visit one of our
clinics so that the proper assessment can be done.

For versapulse laser:
PhP6,720 depending on the size and deepness of the scars.

V-Beam- for red raised scars that are often caused by surgery, trauma, or
burns (hypertropic scars and keloids). Minimum price is Php7,840 and is
available only in Makati branch only.

Consultation with Dr. Belo is Php896 and with her associate doctors, Php448.
For active consultants (for blepharoplasty, rhinoplasty, breast
augmentation and tummy tuck),Php560.

Note: This is not a paid post.

For more queries, visit the Belo Medical Group

Doctor, Doctor We Are Sick...

A week ago, me and my kids are all sick. Blame it on the weather, too much heat in the morning 'til afternoon, then, it rains by night time. My kids had asthma attacks, the youngest got dehydrated, and I had a bad cold which triggers my migraine too. We went to see a doctor, had our laboratory tests (CBC, urinalysis, X-ray) and bought medicines at the Mercury Drugstore. I also surfed the net for "2nd opinion".

I took Sinutab for my colds, Norgesic for my migraine and Vitamin C & E. While my kids had Neozep Syrup (for colds), Biogesic syrup (for fever), Ambroxol (for cough), Pedialyte (for dehydration) and Asmalin (Salbutamol) nebule for their nebulization. Kids are also taking Ceelin and Appebon with Iron as their vitamins. We all drank gallons of fruit juice, ate veggies and slept almost the whole day for one week. I didn't send my kids to school so they can rest.

Thank God, we're all ok now.

Is Your Headache Giving You A Headache?

If you've noticed I've been re-printing and posting articles from newspapers which I think would be useful to me, to my friends or to some readers who have health problems. Like this article on headaches, I've been having migraine attacks once or twice a month ever since I was in college. The pain is so unbearable that I sometimes think of banging my head on the wall. I would take meds only when I cannot take the pain anymore. On worst times, I would make bilin to my hubby on what to do with my kids like a last will. Call me OA, but I did that. You can just imagine me, my kids and hubby praying the rosary during such attacks. I didn't bother to see a neurologist either, I just leave it all to God. And thankfully, last month I didn't have one. Because I try not to be so stressed out, I control myself more so as not to get angry on some matters in the household or in business and I avoid thinking of negative thoughts and stay away from negative people. Lastly I asked and prayed to God to give me more patience. There, my simple tips.

On the other hand, below are tips/ advice from a doctor which I saved on my files last March. Hope this article helps.

Is your headache giving you a headache?
AN APPLE A DAY By Tyrone M. Reyes, M.D.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Philippine Star

If you have an occasional headache, you’re far from alone. During the past year, nearly 90 percent of men and 95 percent of women have had at least one headache, according to the American Council for Headache Education.

Headaches come in several varieties. “The types of headache include tension headache, sinus headache, migraine headache, and cluster headache,” says Camelia Davtyan, MD, associate professor and internist at UCLA Medical Center.

Here’s an overview of causes, symptoms, and treatment options for different types of headache.

• Tension headache. The most common headache is a tension headache, which often results from muscle tension and stress in the neck and shoulders, and may last for several hours. The dull, constant pain is sometimes described as feeling like a tight band being squeezed around the head. Noise, glare or fatigue can intensify the pain. “Eye strain can cause a variant of tension headache, which resolves if the eye problem is corrected,” notes Dr. Davtyan.

Many get complete relief from over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Dr. Davtyan suggests applying moist heat and/or massaging tense neck and shoulder muscles, as well as utilizing relaxation and deep-breathing exercises, getting adequate sleep, and engaging in regular physical exercise to reduce the pain and prevent recurrence of a tension headache. For some, physical therapy or acupuncture can bring relief.

• Sinus headache. A sinus headache occurs when the sinuses are inflamed or congested. Pain or pressure is felt in the forehead or around the eyes and cheeks, and may be accompanied by tender skin and bones near the eyes.

“Sinus headaches are usually associated with infections and allergies, so the patient’s physician should decide if an antibiotic is needed,” says Dr. Davtyan. “Antihistamines and nasal corticosteroid sprays can help with an allergic cause.”

• Cluster headache. Pain from a cluster headache is severe, localized around one eye, and can last from minutes to hours. They occur at the same time each day for a period of days or weeks, until the “cluster” ends. Treatment with prescription medicine is often necessary. The cause of cluster headaches has not yet been identified.

• Migraine headache. Migraine affects up to 17 percent of women and six percent of men. For some, migraines are infrequent. For others, they recur frequently and become debilitating. Fortunately, progress is being made in migraine management. Although an individualized treatment approach is often necessary, most people can be helped.

During a migraine attack, throbbing (pulse) pain may occur on one side of the head and gradually spread, but it’s not uncommon to have pain on both sides of the head. Nausea with or without vomiting may occur. A migraine may last anywhere from a few hours to several days. The pain of a migraine may be aggravated by light, sounds, odors, exercise, and even routine physical activities. Some people experience a visual distortion (aura) — such as blurred vision, sparkling flashes or jagged lines — or localized numbness just before migraine pain. Sometimes, an aura occurs during a migraine, and occasionally, auras may occur without headache pain.

The cause of migraines isn’t fully understood. However, migraines often run in families, so it’s generally thought that genetic predisposition likely plays a big role. Women are three times more likely to have migraines than are men.

Determining a treatment route depends on the characteristics and frequency of your migraines. Medications for migraine generally fall into two classes. There are drugs to prevent migraines and drugs for pain relief (acute treatment). Your doctor may recommend preventive medications if you have two or more debilitating attacks in a month, if you use pain-relieving medications more than twice a week, if those medications aren’t helping, or if you have uncommon migraine attacks that include prolonged aura or numbness on one side of the body. Preventive medications typically are taken at regular intervals, often daily, whether you have a headache or not. Among the medications that may be considered for preventive use are:

• Cardiovascular drugs. Beta blockers, such as propanolol (Inderal) and metoprolol (Betaloc and others), are commonly used. The calcium channel blocker verapamil (Verelan, Isoptin) may help. And one study has suggested an angiotension receptor blocker (ARB) — candesartan (Blopress) — may be beneficial in preventing migraine.

• Antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, and protriptyline may be particularly helpful.

• Anti-seizure drugs. Some of these — divalproex sodium (Depakote), gabapentin (Neurontin), and topiramate (Topamax) — seem to prevent migraine, although the reason is unclear.

Infrequently, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — such as ibuprofen or naproxen — may be tried as migraine preventive, and are also used to treat migraines when they occur.

Pain relief drugs for migraines are to be taken as soon as you experience signs and symptoms of a migraine. However, the overuse of pain relief drugs may interfere with migraine therapy. A good rule of thumb is to limit their use to no more than two days a week. Your doctor can help tailor a treatment plan to your situation and may recommend one or a combination of the following drugs to treat your acute migraine:

• NSAIDs. A mild migraine may respond to ibuprofen or aspirin. A moderate migraine may respond better to nonprescription combination drug containing acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. Your doctor may prescribe stronger NSAIDs at times, if needed.

• Triptans. Sumatriptans (Imigran) was the first drug specifically developed to treat migraine by mimicking the action of a brain chemical called serotonin. Relief with this drug usually occurs within two hours of taking it. Some triptans are available as nasal sprays, orally disintegrating tablets, or injection and may work faster.

Triptans generally aren’t an option if you have cardiovascular problems or known cardiovascular risks. Side effects may include nausea, dizziness, and muscle weakness. A recent study has found that combining a single dose of sumatriptan with naproxen helped relieve migraine symptoms more effectively than did either medication taken alone.

• Anti-nausea (anti-emetics) and related drugs. If your migraine attacks typically include nausea and vomiting, anti-emetics taken early on with your headache medication may be helpful. Metoclopramide (Plasil, Reglan, and others) can help nausea and vomiting.

• Ergots. Ergotamine was used for decades before the release of triptans. Today, an ergot may be used if triptans aren’t helpful. Side effects may include anxiety, nausea, and vomiting. As with triptans, ergots generally aren’t prescribed if you have known cardiovascular risks or problems.

In addition to medical treatments, you may find relief from alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, massage, and biofeedback. The National Institutes of Health concluded that acupuncture can play a role in containing headaches. Biofeedback may also be useful in helping you to understand how your body reacts during times of stress and then how to mentally “dial down” that stress.

Some have found meditation and yoga helpful. A study in the May 2007 issue of the journal Headache showed that a combination of yoga, breathing exercises, and relaxation reduced migraine frequency and pain among adults with migraine. Some find benefit from herbal remedies, such as butterbur, which appears relatively safe if taken for a short period of time. In addition, the supplement coenzyme Q10 appears to reduce migraine frequency for some.

Certain vitamins and minerals may also have a place in migraine treatment. Taken over time, riboflavin — vitamin B2 — may help prevent migraine. Studies suggest maintaining an adequate amount of magnesium levels may also prevent migraines. When considering these and other alternative migraine remedies, consult your doctor first about the pros and cons, and how to prevent possible drug interactions.

There is help available for headaches!

PMS

My daughter is asking me to help her do a research on the above-stated topic for her homework, she can't find any article on the magazine (our old cosmo, good housekeeping & working mom mags). We surfed the net and found this at ivillage.com. Since I have so many friends who have the pms, I thought of posting this in my blog.

PRE MENSTRUAL SYNDROME
Millions of women experience symptoms such as bloating, fatigue and breast tenderness during the days before their period. If these symptoms sound familiar, you could be suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The following overview should help you better understand PMS.

Premenstrual syndrome is a term used to describe a wide range of symptoms that might occur in the two weeks before a woman's menstrual period. These physical, emotional and behavioral symptoms usually stop when a woman's menstrual period begins, or shortly thereafter.

PMS can appear at any time between puberty and menopause. A woman's symptoms usually recur in a predictable pattern but may worsen with age or stress. It is also common for PMS to increase during times of hormonal instability, such as puberty, the time after childbirth and the period after a miscarriage or an abortion. Changes in contraception may worsen PMS as well.
Most women experience some of the symptoms associated with PMS at some point in their lives, but not all women have the syndrome. While the exact number of women who have the condition is debatable, the National Institutes of Health estimates that 75 percent of menstruating women experience some form of PMS.

Some women have pre menstrual symptoms that are so severe that it disrupts their daily lives. This more severe condition is called premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Patients with PMDD are diagnosed under strict guidelines issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). While the symptoms are similar, PMDD is considered a separate disorder from PMS.

Causes of premenstrual syndrome

Although PMS was first identified more than 70 years ago, not much is known about the condition. While its exact cause isn't known, experts have identified several factors that may cause or contribute to PMS. They are:

Hormonal changes. During the second half of your menstrual cycle (the last 14 days of a 28-day cycle), levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone increase until approximately day 21 and then begin to fall. Tissues throughout your body are sensitive to these changes.

Chemical changes. Fluctuations in the levels of serotonin, a brain chemical linked to mood states, may be a cause. Insufficient serotonin levels have been linked to depression, while excess levels have been linked to anxiety.

Diet. Some PMS symptoms have been linked to deficiencies in calcium and vitamins A, E and B (which helps to produce serotonin). Certain foods and drinks have also been identified as possible contributors to PMS, including:

Salt. Eating salty foods can cause you to retain fluid.

Alcohol or caffeine. Drinking beverages containing alcohol or caffeine may cause changes in your mood or energy level.

Although stress has been credited with aggravating some symptoms of PMS, it isn't considered a cause. Researchers have also been able to identify a number of factors that might put you at higher risk for PMS. They include:

Depression. Women with a history of depression or postpartum depression have a higher incidence of PMS.

Heredity. Women with a family history of PMS are more likely to have PMS.

Children. Women with more children are more likely to experience more severe symptoms than women with fewer children.

Physical activity. Inactive women are at a higher risk for PMS than those that exercise regularly.

A Burning Warning...

I have a very stubborn neighbor, who always burn their discards such as old notebooks, dirty rags, diapers, food wrappers, milk cartons, cans, plastic bags, old tires and even fallen leaves.

Came upon an article in The Philippine Star, have it printed. I gave it to my neighbor this morning. I really cannot stand the smoke from the burning trash plus the fact that all my kids have asthma. Don't want them to get sick again.

Here's the edited article-

A burning warning: Don’t play with fire
CONSUMERLINE By Ching M. Alano
The Philippine Star

"Don’t play with fire. Burning trash is dangerous to public health and the environment." EcoWaste joins the Bureau of Fire Protection in raising public awareness and action to prevent fires. The environmental group particularly draws attention to the hazards of open burning and the availability of ecological alternatives to burning trash, according to Rei Panaligan, EcoWaste Coalition coordinator. Open burning (when was the last time you burned garbage and assorted leaves in your backyard?) remains a serious public health and environmental threat in both urban and rural communities, despite the fact that it is outlawed by Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000.

According to EcoWaste, open burning goes unchecked in dumpsites, farmlands, backyards, and even in street parks. You may not know it but the deliberate or spontaneous burning of discards is a "silent killer," discharging minuscule pollutants that can trigger headaches; irritate the eyes, throat, and skin; impair respiratory functions; and even cause cancers. Some of the toxins discharged from burning commonly discarded household items were identified by the EcoWaste Coalition. Burning plastics and chlorinated papers, for instance, releases dioxins, halogenated carbons, and volatile organic compounds. Burning batteries discharges heavy metals like cadmium, lead, and mercury, while burning leaves emits hazardous carbon monoxide and benzopyrene.

There are at least five good reasons why the public should not burn their discards. The waste and pollution campaign network enumerates them, as follows: 1. Open burning is unlawful. R.A. 9003 prohibits the open burning of waste and requires the ecological management of discards that will not harm the environment. Violators can be fined from P300 to P1,000, or imprisoned from one to 15 days, or both. Republic Act 8749 or the Clean Air Act of 1999 likewise bans and penalizes the incineration of municipal, biomedical, and hazardous wastes. 2. Open burning is toxic. Burning trash releases a cocktail of toxic chemicals, some of which are targeted for global elimination under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) such as dioxins and furans. Burning plastics can be very problematic, with PVC plastic specifically contributing to high emissions of dioxin, a proven human carcinogen according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. By-product smoke, filth, and ash from open burning are known to contain particulate matters and harmful substances. 3. Open burning pollutes the food supply. Dioxins and other chemicals released when trash is burned are deposited on leafy plants that are eaten by farm animals and ingested by fish. Studies show that dioxin accumulates in fatty tissue and is passed to humans through our consumption of dairy products, eggs, meat, and fish. 4. Open burning wastes resources. By setting discards ablaze, we squander valuable resources that could have been repaired, reused, recycled or composted. Fallen leaves and yard trimmings, for instance, could be turned into compost to nourish depleted soils. 5. Open burning causes fires. Open burning can cause residential, forest and brush fires, especially during the scorching summer days.

And here are 10 alternatives to the harmful practice of burning trash, as prescribed by EcoWaste, which emphasizes the need to consume responsibly, waste less, and recycle even more. • Reduce your waste, prevent noxious odors, and keep flies, roaches, and rodents under control by not mixing discards. • Reuse and recycle non-biodegradable discards such as papers, bottles, and cans as many times as you can. • Turn your biodegradable discards, such as kitchen and garden trimmings, into compost that can enhance soil fertility and health. • Use second-hand, repaired, and recycled products whenever available. • Check for things that can be repaired or reused before deciding to purchase new ones. • Bring bayong or other reusable carry bags when you shop; refuse plastic bags. • Reduce unnecessary packaging by buying in bulk or choosing items with the least packaging. • Avoid throw-away items. Choose products that can be washed, stored, and used again. • Repair rather than throw or replace broken things. • Give away unwanted stuff to neighbors or charities (what’s your favorite charity?) instead of putting them into the waste bins. Finally, this eco-friendly reminder from EcoWaste that comes like a breath of fresh air in the middle of a hot summer day: "For healthier neighborhoods, let us not litter, burn or dump our trash. Let us rekindle the bayanihan (communal spirit) to build Zero Waste communities."