Essential Health Guides

• Healthy Lifestyle

• Blood Sugar

• Blood Pressure

• Low-Purine Diet

• Cancer Screening

• Vaccination

• Fasting Preparation

• Weight Management

Fasting Preparation

Blood Chemistry
ALP, BUA, FBS, GGT, Lipid Panel, TPAG
Fasting Duration: 8-12 hours
Instructions: Eat dinner at 6 PM, then have a light snack (e.g., 1 glass of milk or 1 sandwich) at 10 PM. Do not consume any food or beverages (other than water) in the morning. Drinking water is encouraged to maintain hydration. You may continue your maintenance medications (e.g., antihypertensives) unless otherwise advised by your physician. Blood samples should be collected between 6 and 10 AM.Abdominal and Pelvic Imaging
CT, Endoscopy, Ultrasound, MRI
Fasting Duration: 4-8 hours
Instructions: Avoid solid foods during the fasting period. Clear liquids are allowed.
Purpose: Fasting improves image clarity and helps reduce the risk of complications.

Avoid High-Purine Foods
for patients with gout and high uric acid

Meat and Organ Meats
Red meats and processed foods: beef, pork, longganisa, hotdog
Organ meats: liver, kidney, heart (pork, chicken, or beef), brain, intestines, isaw, balun-balunanHigh-Purine Dishes
Bulalo (especially bone marrow)
Dinuguan, batchoy, papaitan
Instant noodles or broth cubes (contain meat extracts)
Paksiw na isda (especially sardines, mackerel, tulingan)
Sinigang na baboy (when made with fatty cuts or organ meats)Fish and Seafood to Avoid
Sardines (tamban, tuloy, tawilis), mackerel (anduhaw, hasa-hasa, galunggong), anchovies (dilis), and tuna (tambakol)
Dried or smoked fish: tuyo, daing, tinapa
Sardines (canned or fresh)
Shellfish: tahong, talaba, halaan, sugpo, alimasag, alimangoDrinks to Avoid
Alcohol: beer (very high in purines), gin, basi, lambanog, brandy, and other hard liquors
Sugary drinks: soft drinks, powdered juices (high in fructose, which increases uric acid levels)

Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
for patients with hypertension

• Measure resting blood pressure twice daily (morning and evening) until consistently controlled (below 130/80).
• Once consistently controlled, monitoring frequency may be adjusted to weekly or monthly checks, or 7-day monitoring every 3 months and prior to clinic visits. Bring record on follow-up.

*Controlled hypertension <130/80 mmHg
**Normal blood pressure <120/80 mmHg

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BP timing

• Morning: Within 1 hour of waking, after emptying your bladder, but before breakfast and blood pressure medications.
• Evening: Ideally before dinner and before taking evening medications.
• Preparation: Sit quietly for 5 minutes with your back supported and feet flat on the floor before taking any readings. Avoid smoking, exercise, caffeine, or alcohol for at least 30 minutes prior to measuring.

Capillary Blood Glucose Monitoring
for patients with diabetes

• Monitor capillary blood glucose levels 2 to 6 times daily. Record readings and bring them on follow-ups.
• It is recommended to measure Hemoglobin A1c every 3 to 6 months to evaluate overall glucose control.
Sample: Check glucose on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Test before meals, 2 hours after meals, and before bedtime.

Capillary blood glucose goals

*Time in range (70-180 mg/dL) should be >70% of readings for most adults and >50% of readings for elderly or frail individuals while avoiding hypoglycemia.

Hemoglobin A1c goals

**HbA1c and CBG goals for diabetics may vary with age and comorbidities. Consult your doctor for personalized goals.

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Weight Management

Calorie deficit
For safe and effective weight loss, aim to reduce your daily intake by approximately 500 calories. For example, if you consume 2000 calories per day, reducing that to 1500 calories creates a 500-calorie deficit, which can lead to a gradual weight loss of 1-2 pounds per week.Balanced diet
Focus on a variety of whole, nutrient-rich foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins, so that the body receives essential nutrients while managing calorie intake.Regular physical activity
Include both aerobic exercises (brisk walking, cycling, jogging, swimming) and strength training in your routine. These activities help build and maintain muscle mass, support fat loss, and promote healthy metabolism.

Healthy Lifestyle

Physical activity
Aim at least 30-60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise daily, 4-5 days a week (150-300 minutes weekly), including muscle training at least 2 days a week to maintain strength, and metabolism.Nutrition
Focus on portion control and a variety of whole, nutrient-rich foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins. Limit ultra-processed foods. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.Well-being practices
Maintain a healthy weight (BMI between 18.5-22.9).
Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per day. Manage stress with effective relaxation techniques. Avoid smoking, vaping, energy drinks, and alcohol.
Practice regular hand washing with soap and water to prevent infections.

Cancer Screening

Adult Vaccination

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