Consumer Health

Objectives of the Lesson

At the end of the presentation, you are expected to...

• define reliable and unreliable health information, products, and
services.
• explain the guidelines and the criteria in the selection and evaluation
of health information, products, and services.
 Consumer health is not just about buying
health products and services. It also involves the
facts and understanding that enable the people to
make wise choices.
Health information, health products, and
health services are all related to bringing
consumer health. Health information is important
to decide what health products and health services
to acquire. Health service personnel are also
sources of health information.

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What is consumer health?

Four important
factors to consider in
consumer health:
1. Health Consumer
2. Health Information
3. Health Products
4. Health Services
 • is someone who examines health information
in products and services. The consumer is the
one who purchases and utilizes the goods and
services.

Health Consumer
Health Information

• is everything that is seen, read, or heard in

relation to human and community health.
Knowing them helps in choosing which can be
trusted, which is fake, or which advertisement is
risky.

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Sources of Trusted Health Sources of Risky Health
Information Information

Family or school doctor

Outdated culture and traditions
Medical specialists referred by doctors
Personal options and incomplete
Health workers and health teachers
information
Bureau of Food and Drugs
Unreliable media and testimonials
Philippine National Red Cross
Quack or pseudo healers
Department of Health
Health magazines and reliable
readings.
Health Products

• it includes medicines, medical equipment, and

related devices. Some Filipinos spend a lot of
money each year on health products ranging
from over-the-counter drugs (OTC) to
cosmetics. Health products help relieve
symptoms, aid in curing illness, and provide
cosmetic effects. Sadly, many of these are not
needed, do not provide the advertised effect, and
have the potential harm to health.

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC.

 • over half a million OTC health care products
are available, varying from mouthwashes to
pain relievers. Even some of the most
beneficial OTC drugs can be unsafe.

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A. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs

The following are some of
the examples of the risk of
using these drugs:
• Pain relievers like aspirin and ibuprofen can harm the stomach lining and lead to
ulcers, while large dosages can bring kidney damage.
• Acetaminophen, used for fever and pain reliever for children, if taken in heavy
doses can cause bleeding and liver pain. These pain relievers should be taken with
food and a glass of water to avoid irritation to the stomach lining.
• Prolonged use of nasal sprays that relieve congestion can cause blood vessels in
the nose to swell and can worsen congestion. This is called the rebound effect. It
can result in bleeding and loss of sense of smell.
• Frequent use of laxatives destroys flora in the intestinal tract, making constipation
even worse. Exercise and a high-fiber diet are safer alternatives for promoting
normal defecation.

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Cosmetic Products

• many health care products are intended for external use. Some have little
effect but due to advertising campaigns and misconceptions, they are
extensively used.
Some of the Cosmetics Products
• Skin Care Products - OTC skin rejuvenators have never shown efficacy in changing skin properties. Moisturizers
prevent skin from drying for only a limited period of time. Deodorants and antiperspirants control body odor but no
product can prevent sweating in extremely hot weather or during exercise. Sweating is the primary means of cooling
the body. Regular washing is essential if the bacteria and other odor-causing substances are to be removed.
• Hair Care Products - several products are designed to remove hair, like shaving. Tweezers used to pick unwanted
hair might present some danger of infection when the adjacent skin is not clean. Chemical products are usually safe
but there is always a possibility of skin reactions, irritations, and infections. A dermatologist should always be
consulted whenever symptoms appear.
• Oral Care Products - includes toothpaste, mouthwashes, and gargles. Water supply with fluoride also helps prevent
dental cavities. it is unwise to buy toothpaste with whiteners because they contain abrasive elements that damage
the teeth. Excessive use of mouthwash can dry the mucous membrane, making the throat even more irritated.
When you buy products and availing of health services, answering
"Yes" to the following questions means that you need to be more
suspicious and cautious before buying health products and availing of
health services.

1. Does a health product and a health service claim to be a scientific breakthrough, to

have a secret ingredient/procedure, or to be a miraculous cure or an ancient
remedy/practices?
2. Does a health product or a health service claim to cure a multiple of a wide-ranged of
illness?
3. Does a health product or a health service use impressive-sounding medical terms?
4. Does a health product or a health service offer anecdotes or case histories of people
who experienced amazing results?
5. Is a health product or a health service available only from one person as to its sole
source or does it need an advance payment or "money-back" guarantee schemes?
6. Is a health product or a health service advertised via the internet without including on
their website the company's name, address, phone number, and other important
information?
End of Topic