A DIFFERENT KIND OF SURVIVAL BOOK

BELIEVE it or not, fever is your friend. And like any close friend, fever tells you a couple of things that you may not like but that you need to know. First, fever is an early warning sign that a viral or bacterial infection has invaded your body. Second, it lets you know your body's defenses are vigorously resisting that invasion.



But more important, fever itself is part of that defensive struggle. When a virus or bacterial infection snakes into your body, your white blood cells release substances called endogenous pyrogens. These pyrogens stimulate a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which raises your body's internal temperature, causing a fever. That fever may speed your recovery.



However, if fever is accompanied by other symptoms (like difficulty of breathing or having air hunger; presence of gum bleeding, nose bleeding, black stools; having low blood pressure and weak pulse; feeling very sick), doctors are advised to refer that patient immediately to an emergency room or an outpatient clinic.



"The most common causes of fever are the common cold and the flu," explains Dr. Willie T. Ong, a physician, columnist and author of several books. "These conditions occur normally about three times a year and are usually benign. However, a fever of more than seven days in duration should be carefully investigated."



Fever is just one of the common health complaints that Dr. Ong discussed in his 240-page book, "Survival Guide for Doctors (And Non-Doctors, Too).' The book also offers guide what to do with patients having abdominal pain, chest pain or discomfort, cough, diarrhea, difficulty of breathing, dizziness, headache, leg swelling, loss of consciousness, and yellowing of eyes.



These can all be read in Survival Tools II of the book. The said "tool" likewise shares how to help patients save hospital bills (both for hospital-confined and out-patients) and how to handle difficult out-patient cases and hospitalized patients. It also reveals some short-cuts to the history and physical examination.



"Around 20 percent of the book is purely for doctors," Dr. Ong said. "But 80 percent of the contents can be understood by everybody." Whether you are a journalist searching for some ideas to write, a person looking for a life partner, a student who wants to boost his or memory, a chief executive officer trying to find ways to handle criticisms and intrigues, or having a problem whether you want to stay in the Philippines or live in a foreign land, this book has something for you.



Dr. Ong calls it "five books in one." The first one discusses how you can become successful in your career (whether you are a doctor or non-doctor). The second "book," as you may know it already, deals on diagnosis of common health problems. The third "tool," as he terms it in his book, gives ideas on how to understand Philippine health issues. The fourth one discloses secrets on how to lobby and network for a cause while the final "tool" emphasis on how to seek help from Someone Up There.





The book is easy to read. No frails and direct to the point. In some instances, anecdotes were included to fully explain a case or two. Personal experiences were written to drive a point. Quotable quotes abound. In 'The Art and Science of Medicine,' Dr. Ong quoted Dr. Albert Schweitzer: "It is our duty to remember at all times and anew that medicine is not only a science, but also the art of letting our own individuality interacts with the individuality of the patient."



Dr. Ong co-authored the book with his wife, Dr. Anna Liza R. Ong and Dr. Enrico Paolo Banzuela. Television host Boy Abunda wrote the foreword of this book published by Co Tec Tai Medical Museum.



Since the book was written with doctors in mind, Dr. Ong � who works as cardiologist at Manila Doctors Hospital � gives 10 reasons why a person should chooses to become a doctor. Among these are: prestige and respect, power and influence, service to fellowmen, lots of friends (and admirers), and money.



According to Dr. Ong, there are four stages in a doctor's life. The studying age is usually from age 20 to 30 years old ("At this stage, books are your life"). The next is called the earning age, usually from 31 to 49 years old ("Don't get obsessed with earning" or "you might jeopardize your chances of moving into the next stage"). Then, comes the prestige age when the doctor is 50 to 64 years old ("Focus more on real helping than on fame"). And finally, the legacy stage or when the doctor reaches the age of 65 and above ("Write a book, bind your memoir, put your collection in a library, or entrust your valuable to some foundation that will ensure your legacy").



But the book is not only for medical practitioners. Even for those who want to get hitch. For ladies who are in love, the book suggests that they should not show their IQ to their prospects. "Guys admire smart girls but they don't marry them," it says. "If your boyfriend's car broke down and you repaired it, then that's a bow to his ego. Guys are also secretly afraid that they can't get away with their vices with a very smart girl."



Another tip: smile. Studies have shown that the most effective way of attracting the opposite sex is by smiling. In a study of 750 encounters between men and women, 56%of conversations were initiated by smiling.



There are even survival notes for those who want to be successful public speakers. "Public speaking is an essential component for success in whatever field you choose." The book gives nine timely tips: (1) know your audience and setting; (2) what's in it for the audience; (3) what's in it for you; (4) emotions keep the audience glued; (5) personal storylines to hook your audience; (6) techniques to overcome nervous jitters; (7) tips for advanced speakers; (8) end your speech with a call to action; and (9) forget yourself.



However, the real purpose why Dr. Ong wrote the book was to help those engaged in medical profession. "We wanted to help our struggling health workers who are wavering from leaving or staying in the country," he pointed out. In other words, surviving in the Philippines with what it can offer, financially, morally, and socially.



Every year, about 2,000 doctors leave the country for good. "The figures came as a shock to me," said Dr. Ong, who was featured in Everyday Heroes column of 'Reader's Digest.' He was concerned that the brain drain would leave the country's millions of poor with no one to turn to for medical treatment.



His concern made him to do something: ask new medical graduates to sign a Doctor's Covenant pledging to practice in the country for at least three years and dedicate some time to treating the nation's poor. "We should focus on the poor who have no-one to turn to," he told them. "The rich can see any doctor � they can even travel abroad � but the poor have nowhere to go."



If Dr. Ong sounds like a preacher, it's because he follows what the Holy Book teaches. "The Bible says that we should help the lowly and the poor," he pointed out. "For in giving we shall receive. Jesus says that those who want to be the first will be last, and that those who agree to be last will become the first. These are spiritual truths I have found to be effective and practical."



A special bonus of the book is the complete guide to the Philippines' Physician Licensure Examination (more popularly known as the "Boards"), which is given twice a year (February and August) usually during four consecutive weekends (Saturday and Sunday) in six sites (three in Manila and three in Cebu).



"Every medical graduate who as finished his internship in the Philippines needs to pass it in order to obtain his medical license and practice medicine in the country," said Dr. Banzuela, who wrote the special appendix.



The survival book is available at any National Bookstores nationwide for only P150 a copy. -- ###
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