health

A. CULTURE SPECIFIC
SYNDROME OR FOLK-
ILLNESS
- is a combination of Psychiatric
and Somatic symptoms that are
considered to be a recognizable
disease only within specific
society or culture.
HEALTH
a combination of maturative
processes or development in
correspondence to the ability to
function properly, to be active.
Illness

a single instance of
“being sick”
 a specific condition
that prevents your body
or mind from working
normally.
sakit
In Philippine society, only one word
exists to describe such phenomena –
SAKIT
The term sakit is closer to the meaning
of illness than to disease
In many cases, ailments or illnesses are
culture-specific.
◦Ex. Usug, Bangungot (Western:
nightmare death syndrome)
 SAKIT = Pain
Western medicine – pain as a symptom
Filipino medicine – sakit = pain in several
contexts (ex. sakit ng ulo, sakit ng tiyan)
◦ Sakit also has different degrees (ex. hapdi for a
stinging type; kirot for a sharp, recurrent type; antak
for internal, continuous stinging type)
Sakit = illness
◦ Diagnosis involves the culmination of a process of
observing signs and eliciting symptoms that are
graded in terms of seriousness
 KINDS OF CULTURE
SPECIFIC SYNDROME AND
ILLNESS
NAMAMANA OR “NASA LAHI”
•Filipino actual belief since it provides a glimpse
on the understanding of Genetic Inheritance.
Ex. “Lihi” – refers to the Maternal cravings and
this usually occurs during the first trimester of
pregnancy.
• “Pasma” – roughly defined as exposure illness
which occurs when a condition considered to be hot
is attacked by cold element and vice versa.
• “Sumpa” and “Gaba” – pertains to a curse.
Gaba or “ bad karma” - the curse is inflicted by a
divine being to a person because she/he committed a
social sin.
Sumpa- the curse is inflicted by human being.
• Namaligno- a Filipino belief that a disease is caused
by an intervention or a mystical being.
 • Bughat – kind of sickness which results
from leaving a sick bed or rising from child
birth to early, or from the return of a
disease.(nabinat)
• Buyag- or ward of an evil eye after praising
something or someone. People say “Purya
buyag” or “Puera Usog” to avoid
misfortune on the praise one.
(nabati/nakasagi)
• Kulam- the practice of folk Filipino using
black magic for punishment or cursing.
B. System of
Diagnosis,
Prevention
and Healing
Philippine folk medicine
• TRADITIONAL
• Healing powers comes from God
HEALING PRACTICES
• Filled with prayer
• Religious rituals
• Performed through Holy Spirit
• Albularyo – referred to as general practitioner
• Has hand-me-down knowledge
• Method of healing is through prayers, bulong,
orasyon, pulse-taking and herbal plants.

• Manghihilot
• Applicable to injuries, fractures and
muscuskeletal conditions.
• Theraphy massage
• Uses medicinal plants, banana leaves and
herbs
Medico
•Traditional healer yet gives prescription
of medicines.
•Do not have formal education

Magtatawas
•Ritual is called “tawas”
•Provides does to the nature and cause
of illness.
WESTERN WAY OF
HEALING

• Involves scientifc process

• Relies more on Industrial-
produced medications.
Radiologists
• Practitioner of radiology
• Uses medical imaging techniques (x-ray) to
diagnose and treat disease
Surgeon
• Practitioner of surgery
• Involves cutting into one’s body either to repair
or remove damaged or diseased parts.
Physical therapists
• Practitioner of physical theraphy
• Treats or manages physical disability,
malfunction or pain by exercise.
Chemotherapists - Practitioner of
chemotheraphy
•Treatment of disease through chemicals which have
a toxic effects upon the please.
Alternative Healing
•Not recognize by the western medicine or
conservative medicine.
•Practiced by majority of Doctors today.
Acupuncturist - Practitioner acupuncture
•Uses fine needles stimulate disperse and regulate
the flow of vital energy and restore a health energy
balance.
Acupressurist
Practitioner of acupressure
For tension and stress, aches and pains,
menstrual cramps, arthritis.
Aroma therapists
Uses essential oils distilled from plants
which are massaged to slain.
To treat emotional disorders (stress)
 C. HEALTH AS HUMAN
RIGHTS
“Everyone has the right to a standard
of living adequate for the health and
well-being of himself and of his family
including food, clothing, housing and
medical care and necessary social
services.”
-Article 25 of United Nations Universal
declaration of Human Rights 1998
The human right to health means that
everyone has the right to the highest
attainable standard of:

• Physical and mental health

• Access to all medical services
• Adequate food sanitation
• Decent nursing
• Healthy working conditions and clean
environment
The 1987 Constitutional provisions on Health
Any Questions?

Thank You