OTC Meds To Bring While Traveling

I am not an advocate of using over the counter medications on a regular basis but I do see the benefits of these medications while traveling as a tourist to certain destinations and giving the travelers much needed medical relief at least for the time being. But one thing that you should always keep in mind is that any medication that you'll be using whether prescription medication or over the counter still needs your doctor's advice. 

All the medications here are for generic symptoms. If the symptoms do persists, no matter where in the world you are, I strongly recommend to consult a medical specialist immediately. If you are on any special medication or have a special condition it is strongly advised to check with your specialist first. You might also need a letter with a copy of the prescription from your doctor if you need to bring your special medications along with you in your travels. 

While traveling here are the basic OTC medications that you should include in your medic pack:

Ibuprofen: is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. Ibuprofen is used to reduce fever and treat pain or inflammation caused by many conditions such as headache, toothache, back pain, arthritis, menstrual cramps, or minor injury..

Simethicone:  is used to relieve symptoms of extra gas such as belching, bloating, and feelings of pressure/discomfort in the stomach/gut. Simethicone helps break up gas bubbles in the gut.

Ranitidine: is used to treat ulcers; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which backward flow of acid from the stomach causes heartburn and injury of the food pipe (esophagus); and conditions where the stomach produces too much acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Over-the-counter ranitidine is used to prevent and treat symptoms of heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach. Ranitidine is in a class of medications called H₂ blockers. It decreases the amount of acid made in the stomach

Loperamide: is a medication that is used for the relief of acute diarrhea and the management of chronic diarrhea in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis). The effectiveness of loperamide is comparable to another anti-diarrheal, diphenoxylate (Lomotil)

Bisacodyl: is used on a short-term basis to treat constipation. It also is used to empty the bowels before surgery and certain medical procedures. Bisacodyl is in a class of medications called stimulant laxatives. It works by increasing activity of the intestines to cause a bowel movement.

Pseudoephedrine: is used to relieve nasal congestion caused by colds, allergies, and hay fever. It is also used to temporarily relieve sinus congestion and pressure. Pseudoephedrine will relieve symptoms but will not treat the cause of the symptoms or speed recovery. Pseudoephedrine is in a class of medications called nasal decongestants. It works by causing narrowing of the blood vessels in the nasal passages.

Diphenhydramine: is used to relieve red, irritated, itchy, watery eyes; sneezing; and runny nose caused by hay fever, allergies, or the common cold. Diphenhydramine is also used to relieve cough caused by minor throat or airway irritation. Diphenhydramine is also used to prevent and treat motion sickness, and to treat insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep). Diphenhydramine is also used to control abnormal movements in people who have early stage parkinsonian syndrome (a disorder of the nervous system that causes difficulties with movement, muscle control, and balance) or who are experiencing movement problems as a side effect of a medication.

Again, please consult with a medical professional before taking any medications. It is also important to take note that these OTC Medications are only recommended for Adults. 

I know that one would not wish to encounter any medical emergency of any sort while traveling, but it is still best to be quite prepared when you do travel for those just in case moments. These medications should be taken per symptom that you observe. Most of these symptoms should subside, but if it doesn't and if it gets worse, always make sure that you have the emergency numbers of the places you are visiting at hand. 

Again I strongly wish that all of you have a fun and healthy vacation experience.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

Philippine Salary and Taxes Calculator Application

If you are someone that wants to check out how much you'll be getting each paycheck after all the tax deductions check out this cool Tax Calculator application.

Tax Calculator is a useful tool for computing your monthly or semi-monthly tax of your salary. This tool also computes for your net salary as well as basic deductions. 

Based on experience it does pretty well and is only slightly off by a few pesos. It also is a pretty good tool to compute on how much you'll be getting if ever you are applying for a job and all they indicate is your gross salary. 

The Tax Calculator is pretty easy and straight forward to use. Simply plug in your salary and let it do the rest. 

Overall, I personally love the Tax Calculator application as it is straight forward and does exactly what it says it is meant to do. It simple and easy to use and it is pretty much accurate with the way it computes for your net salary. Not very many salary applications are out there that can do exactly what this can at least for those working in the Philippines. 

Till Next Time...

-Metz- 

Home Remedies to Help High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

High blood pressure is one of man's silent killers as it can creep up and cause so many internal organ issues such as heart disease, eye problems, renal failures and so much more. The reason why it is a silent killer is that many people don't know they have it until after they get through an annual physical exam and the initial blood test results show. The symptoms of high blood pressure can be quite negligible for some and even non-existent till it comes too late.

Once you have identified that you have high blood pressure, there are many things that you can do at home that'll help you manage your blood pressure. One very important thing to consider though is making drastic lifestyle changes can help you control and prevent high blood pressure. This is important even if you're taking blood pressure medication. It is still advisable to consult with your doctor to see if your medications may have any special requirements as certain foods and diets that are known to help blood pressure issues can unfortunately affect their effectivity.

Here are but a few of the things that you can do at home to help you manage your high blood pressure:

• Eat a diet that focuses on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. You'll need a diet that is rich in potassium which can help balance the salt in your body. Avoid saturated fat as much as possible. 
• Salt is one of the main culprits that can elevate a person's blood pressure. 1,500 mg a day is recommended for people that are above the age of 50. You should also take note of the salt content in processed food as many of those canned soups and instant noodles have a high spike in sodium and salt content. 
• Weight can put a strain on your heart and blood vessels. Losing just 5 pounds can help relieve your body of the unnecessary bodily stress that being overweight causes. 
• An increase in physical activity not only raises your energy levels but it helps you keep your weight under control. Best to try to be highly active for at least 30 minutes a day. 
• Alcohol can raise your blood pressure, though a wine a day is healthy, too much can and will raise your blood pressure drastically.
• Smoking is bad in every level. It causes your blood pressure to spike up, hardens the walls of your arteries and puts unnecessary stress to your internal organs. 
• Stress is good but too much stress can be unhealthy. Learn to manage stress through relaxation techniques and deep breathing exercices. Sleep can also help your body cope with stress better. 
• Once you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, it is imperative to keep a close watch on your blood pressure daily. This shall help you check if the medication is working and give insight to your doctor if anything is amiss. 

Aside from what was mentioned above, there are certain supplements that have proven to be quite effective at helping lower and manage blood pressure.

1. CoQ10 - also known as Coenzyme Q10 is very important for the body. It was discovered in 1957 and it is naturally present in foods like organ meats, and in small quantities in beef, peanuts and sardines. As people grow older, their CoQ10 levels go down making it important to take CoQ10 supplements that help in rebalancing their levels of this essential enzyme. Deficiency of this enzyme might cause heart problems and even severe metabolic dysfunctions

2. Garlic - It has allicin, which is broken down into the foul-smelling sulphur compounds which taint breath. These compounds react with red blood cells and produce hydrogen sulphide which relaxes the blood vessels, and keeps blood flowing easily.

3. Hawthorn - This herb dilates arteries and improves coronary blood flow reducing blood pressure. Can widen blood vessels, especially the coronary arteries. Some of the flavonoids in Hawthorn help prevent the narrowing of blood vessels. It also is a mild diuretic that reduces blood volume. Most patients who take hawthorn have a drop in blood pressure of 10 to 15 points over 8 weeks. Once blood pressure is down, you may be able to reduce the dosage to stop taking the herb altogether. Recently, hawthorn has been used mostly as a cardiotonic (to “strengthen” the heart muscle and promote more forceful contractions).

4. Fish Oil - Several studies have found that supplementation with large amounts of fish oil (5-15 grams/day) lowers blood pressure significantly in hypertensive individuals.

5. Folic Acid - B vitamins are essential for many aspects of metabolism.  These studies demonstrate a high level of importance for cardiovascular health.  B vitamins are depleted by stress, junk food diets, and exercise.  They are a basic supplement for maintaining your energy and mood.  If intake of them is maintained over the years they will help offset factors that contribute to cardiovascular wear and tear.

6. Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium - these minerals have shown to drastically tip the balance of sodium in the blood stream and help lower blood pressure. To get the right amounts in terms of dosages and food intake, it would be best to speak to a nutritionist.

Once you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure can be quite nerve wracking in itself, but with the help of your doctor, family and friends, this is something that can be managed quite easily. Changing a few things in your lifestyle can go a very long way. Taking the steps to living a healthier life is easy when you put your mind and heart into it. 

If you are reading this and want to know the different levels of blood pressure, here is a chart to help you out, but be reminded that it is still best to go visit your doctor for further advice:

If you know of other home remedies or dietary supplements that can help reduce and manage high blood pressure, please do share it with us here. Simply leave your suggestions via the comments field.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

Should you Trade in your HTC One X for the HTC ONE

With the launch of the HTC One, many owners of the HTC One X and HTC One X+ are asking the question as to whether or not it would be advisable for them to go for an upgrade and replace their units to the HTC One.

The HTC One as compared to the HTC ONE X have a lot of similarities as the HTC One does take its roots from the HTC One X's success. Both are running Android's latest OS Jelly Bean (HTC One X got upgraded via OTA from ICS to Jelly Bean) and they both have 4.7-inch displays and are both quad core powerhouses (The US version of the HTC One X is dual core. But the similarities end there.

The HTC One is using a 1080p display, as compared to the 720p display on the One X and One X+. The One also is equipped with a faster processor and double the RAM. They also give buyers a choice of a larger internal storage, 32/64 GB variants, and the latest version of Sense (reports though indicate that the HTC One X and One X+ shall be getting the same Sense via OTA in the coming months) user interface. 

The HTC One also has a 2300 mAh battery as compared to the 1800 mAh  and 2100mAh battery in the One X and One X+ respectively. HTC One has a made significant sound enhancements called BoomSound which includes amplified dual-front facing speakers along with an HDR microphone and Sense Voice. The HTC One also has Zoe and BlinkFeed (speculations also indicate that these might be included in the next sense update that shall be rolling out OTA to the HTC One Series units).

Camera is also another feature that has been indicated as an improvement as the HTC One now uses a 4 Ultrapixel Camera that is said to rival those sporting 8MP and 13MP cameras. Though in terms of picture quality shows a slight advantage in low light situations versus that of the HTC One X series. 

With these notable consideration, the HTC One is definitely a nice upgrade for those who are using the HTC One X Series. But in terms of end user experience, the HTC One X series units do present a lot of value in terms of what they bring to the table, and unless you really want to ahead of the game on a yearly basis and dishing out a bit more extra in terms of cash, then the HTC One is your best bet. However, if budget is a concern and you still want to experience the best that HTC has to offer, the HTC One X series is your best bet and from personal experience it is sure to keep you happy and satisfied, just watch the battery consumption which can be improved though with applications such as Juice Defender. 

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

List of Rules and Regulations to Observe in Boracay

With the Island of Boracay being named as a top summer and beach destination, there are many tourists now flocking to get a taste of the white sandy beaches and wickedly amazing parties that Boracay has to offer. One thing that many do tend to over look though are the ordinances that have been placed and are being enforced in the Island of Boracay to help keep the place clean, safe and well preserved. Below is the list of the those particular ordinances/rules that both locals and tourists should abide by:

Malay Municipal Ordinance for Boracay Island Beach

* Municipal Ordinance No. 100, series of 1996 (anti-smoking) - There are designated smoking areas that you should go to if ever you have the need to smoke. 

* Municipal Ordinance No. 272, series of 2009 (no smoking by the beach)

* Municipal Ordinance No. 2001-141 (anti-extraction of sand and pebbles) - There is a Php 2,500 fine for first time offenders. 

* Municipal Ordinance No. 98-116 (no urinating and defecating on the beach)

* Municipal Ordinance Nos. 182-2003 and 92-1996 (no pets are allowed by the beachfront)

* Municipal Ordinance No. 132-2000 (no eating and drinking of liquor by the beach) 

Failure to follow any of these ordinances will have its equivalent penalties which can vary from a fine of around Php 2,500 for first time offenders to mandatory jail time. 

It are these things that if followed strictly by everyone, shall ensure that the beauty of Boracay is well preserved for generations to come. I personally believe that it is very important that we abide by these rules and help enforce them as the the Island of Boracay is definitely something that we can truly say is proudly Pinoy. 

Other things that you can do to also help out in preserving this pristine tourist destination:

• Use fewer disposable and non-biodegradable products. This could be as simple as drinking tap water instead of bottled water. Remember—the plastic bottle that you use for just a short while will be around for a very long time.
  
• Dispose of your trash in the right way. Do not litter. It might end up in our oceans.
  
• Recycle. It helps keep garbage such as glass, plastic and metal out of our beaches

Boracay has been getting international awards and is continuously recognized as a top tourist destination globally. It is important that we take measures to ensure that it stays that way for a very long time.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

Staying Healthy During Your Trip in Asia

I have been doing a lot of traveling lately and one thing that I do notice is that many travelers like me would tend to overlook a couple of things that would particularly affect their health. Getting sick during your vacation can become quite a nightmare. To help you prepare, I have enumerated below some tips on what you'll need to stay healthy and more during your trips.

Prevent Insect Bites

Many diseases, like malaria and dengue, are spread through insect bites. One of the best protections is to prevent insect bites by:

• Using insect repellent (bug spray) with 30%-50% DEET. Picaridin, available in 7% and 15% concentrations, needs more frequent application. There is less information available on how effective picaridin is at protecting against all of the types of mosquitoes that transmit malaria.
• Wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a hat outdoors.
• Remaining indoors in a screened or air-conditioned area during the peak biting period for malaria (dusk and dawn).
• Sleeping in beds covered by nets treated with permethrin, if not sleeping in an air-conditioned or well-screened room.
• Spraying rooms with products effective against flying insects, such as those containing pyrethroid.

Prevent Animal Bites and Scratches

Direct contact with animals can spread diseases like rabies or cause serious injury or illness. It is important to prevent animal bites and scratches.

• Be sure you are up to date with tetanus vaccination.
• Do not touch or feed any animals, including dogs and cats. Even animals that look like healthy pets can have rabies or other diseases.
• Help children stay safe by supervising them carefully around all animals.
• If you are bitten or scratched, wash the wound well with soap and water and go to a doctor right away. 
• After your trip, be sure to tell your doctor or state health department if you were bitten or scratched during travel.

Be Careful about Food and Water

Diseases from food and water are the leading cause of illness in travelers. Follow these tips for safe eating and drinking:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before eating.  If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel (with at least 60% alcohol).
• Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles.  Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes. 
• Do not eat food purchased from street vendors.
• Make sure food is fully cooked.
• Avoid dairy products, unless you know they have been pasteurized.

Diseases from food and water often cause vomiting and diarrhea. Make sure to bring diarrhea medicine with you so that you can treat mild cases yourself.

Avoid Injuries

Car crashes are a leading cause of injury among travelers. Protect yourself from these injuries by:

• Not drinking and driving.
• Wearing your seat belt and using car seats or booster seats in the backseat for children.
• Following local traffic laws.
• Wearing helmets when you ride bikes, motorcycles, and motor bikes.
• Not getting on an overloaded bus or mini-bus.
• Hiring a local driver, when possible.
• Avoiding night driving.

Other Health Tips

• To avoid infections such as HIV and viral hepatitis do not share needles for tattoos, body piercing, or injections.
• To reduce the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases always use latex condoms.
• To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet clean and dry, and do not go barefoot, especially on beaches where animals may have defecated.

After You Return Home

If you are not feeling well, you should see your doctor and mention that you have recently traveled. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If you have visited a malaria-risk area, continue taking your antimalarial drug for 4 weeks (doxycycline or mefloquine) or seven days (atovaquone/proguanil) after leaving the risk area.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever or flu-like illness either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the physician your travel history.

Important Note: This document is not a complete medical guide for travelers. Consult with your doctor for specific information related to your needs and your medical history; recommendations may differ for pregnant women, young children, and persons who have chronic medical conditions.

I hope that many of you find this article helpful in your preparation for your travel. Nothing is more important than ensuring that you maintain good health and know what to do in order to keep it that way. If you have any other health tips that you would feel can and will be useful for other travelers please don't hesitate to share it with us here.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

Budget Table to Beat: Cherry Fusion Bolt Lives Up to Its Name

Cherry Mobile has just launched their very first quad-core powered 7-inch tablet called Fusion Bolt. The specs are quite similar to that of the Ainol Novo 7 Venus tablet with a slight difference in build quality. The display resolution is also quite good at a 1280 x 800 and uses an IPS panel for a 178° visibility angle. What was eye catching though was its ridiculously low price of 3, 999

Equipped with a 1GHz quad-core processor with 1GB RAM and 8GB internal storage. The processor is exactly the same as that of the Ainol Novo 7 Venus which is advertised at 1.5GHz, though the Cherry Mobile Fusion Bolt has it underclocked at 1.1Ghz.

The one thing I did notice was that going through the UI, there is a negligible amount of lag from time to time considering that it is running on a quad core processor. Temple Run 2 type games run quite smoothly on the device, but Contract Killer Zombies 2 tends to lag a bit. 

The 8GB memory was used to cut down on cost however this shouldn't a problem as the Cherry Mobile Fusion Bolt tablet has a swappable microSD slot anyway. Other slots include a microUSB slot which they said can run 3G dongles, and a mini-HDMI port.

Rear camera is limited at just 2-megapixel and the front one is a 0.3-megapixel affair. This is something that one shouldn't put too much interest in as it tends to be quite grainy and performs quite poorly in low light situations. Considering the price tag this can be a forgivable thing. The Front Camera though performs quite well, just ensure you are in a well lit room lest you want your webcam image to look like a silhouette.  Battery is 4000mAh which should last the device roughly about 5 hours of heavy usage considering that it is running an IPS Screen and is running on quad core tech,

Overall, the device is a good device for people that want the best of quad core technology but are only willing to dish out Php 4,000 pesos. I can see though the educational benefits that this device can bring to families that want to have their kids to experience the full privileges of modern technology without having to dig deep into your pockets. 

Cherry Mobile Fusion Bolt Specs:

7-inch IPS LCD HD display (1280 × 800 resolution), 216ppi

5-point multitouch display

1.0GHz quad-core Actions Semiconductor ATM7029 processor

Vivante GC1000+ GPU

1GB RAM, 8GB internal storage, microSD up to 32GB

WiFi 802.11 b/g/n

2MP rear camera

0.3MP front camera

Supports external 3G dongle

miniHDMI

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

4,000mAh Li-Ion battery

186.2mm x 126.9mm x 10.8mm

320 grams

SRP: Php3,999 Till Next Time... -Metz-