Cristina D. Roldan, MD - Internal Medicine - Pulmonology

20/05/2026

Breathe free. Live active. 💙

Asthma is more than “just wheezing.” It is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that can affect daily activities, sleep, work, and quality of life. With proper treatment and prevention, asthma can be well-controlled and exacerbations can be reduced.

Here are important reminders for people living with asthma:
✅ Take your maintenance inhalers regularly as prescribed
✅ Avoid known triggers such as smoke, dust, pollution, and respiratory infections
✅ Always keep your reliever inhaler accessible
✅ Follow up regularly with your doctor

One of the most important ways to prevent asthma flare-ups is getting your yearly flu vaccine. Influenza infection can trigger severe asthma exacerbations, leading to emergency room visits, hospitalization, and missed work or school days.

💉 The flu vaccine helps:
• Reduce the risk of respiratory infections
• Lower chances of asthma attacks triggered by flu
• Protect vulnerable family members at home
• Keep lungs healthier during flu season

Asthma control is not only about treatment — prevention matters too.

Talk to your doctor today about your asthma action plan and annual flu vaccination.

07/05/2026

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is a viral disease that spreads through infected mice and rats. It can damage your organs and be fatal. Early symptoms are similar to the flu. As it spreads, it can cause a rapid heartbeat and trouble breathing. It usually requires treatment in the intensive care unit.

Learn more: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17897-hantavirus-pulmonary-syndrome

14/04/2026

Flu season is here—are you protected? 💉

Influenza (flu) is more than just a “common cold.” It can lead to serious complications like pneumonia, especially in young children, older adults, and those with chronic illnesses.

The good news? The flu vaccine is your best protection.

✔️ Reduces your risk of getting sick
✔️ Lessens severity if you do get infected
✔️ Helps protect your family and community

Who should get vaccinated?
👉 Everyone 6 months and older (especially high-risk individuals)
👉 Healthcare workers and caregivers
👉 People with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or weakened immunity

When is the best time?
📅 Ideally before flu season peaks—before June in the Philippines

Let’s work together to keep our lungs healthy and our communities safe.

Talk to your doctor today about getting your flu shot. 💙

29/03/2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr17uLzn0_0

Maraming sakit ang maaaring makuha dahil sa init ng panahon tulad ng heatstroke, sore eyes, trangkaso, measels, rabies, at sunburn, ayon kay Department of He...

25/08/2025

Happy National Heroes Day! 🇵🇭

Today, we honor not only the great men and women in our history who fought for our freedom, but also the everyday heroes who continue to shape our nation with courage and compassion.

To our nurses and doctors, who dedicate their lives to saving others.
To our mothers and parents, whose quiet sacrifices nurture the future.
To all who show kindness, resilience, and service in their own ways—
you are our modern-day heroes.

May this day remind us that heroism is not only found in history books, but also in the everyday acts of love, sacrifice, and service that make our country stronger.

🇵🇭 Mabuhay ang ating mga Bayani!

31/07/2025

🫁🌍 World Lung Cancer Day – Agosto 1
Ngayong Agosto 1, ipinagdiriwang natin ang World Lung Cancer Day bilang paalala na ang kanser sa baga ay isang seryosong sakit na patuloy na kumikitil ng milyon-milyong buhay sa buong mundo. Sa araw na ito, sama-sama tayong tumitindig upang maghatid ng kaalaman, suporta, at pag-asa sa mga pasyente, pamilya, at buong komunidad.

🔍 Ano ang Kanser sa Baga?
Ang kanser sa baga ay isang uri ng sakit kung saan may abnormal na paglaki ng cells sa baga. Kadalasang nauugnay ito sa paninigarilyo, pero maaari rin itong mangyari sa mga taong hindi naninigarilyo.

📌 Sintomas na Dapat Bantayan:
▪️ Matagal na ubo na hindi gumagaling
▪️ Pag-ubo ng dugo
▪️ Pananakit ng dibdib
▪️ Hirap sa paghinga
▪️ Biglaang pagbaba ng timbang
▪️ Panghihina at pananamlay

🚭 Paano Maiiwasan?
✅ Iwasan ang paninigarilyo at paglanghap ng usok ng sigarilyo (secondhand smoke)
✅ Iwasan ang exposure sa mga kemikal o polusyon sa hangin
✅ Panatilihing malusog ang katawan sa pamamagitan ng tamang pagkain at ehersisyo
✅ Magpatingin agad kung may nararamdamang sintomas

💡 Mahalaga ang Maagang Pagsusuri
Kapag maagang natukoy ang kanser sa baga, mas mataas ang tsansa ng matagumpay na gamutan. Huwag balewalain ang mga babala ng katawan. Magpatingin sa inyong doktor at magpasuri.

🤝 Para sa mga Pasyente at Pamilya
Alam naming mahirap at nakakatakot ang pagharap sa kanser. Pero hindi kayo nag-iisa. Maraming mga grupo at institusyon ang handang tumulong at gumabay sa inyo. May pag-asa. May lunas. May komunidad na handang sumuporta.

📣 Sa paggunita ng World Lung Cancer Day, nawa’y mas maging mulat tayo sa kahalagahan ng malusog na baga at tamang impormasyon. Maging bahagi ng pagbabago—ipasa ang kaalaman, alagaan ang sarili, at magmalasakit sa iba.

🫁 Baga mo, Buhay mo. Alagaan mo.

27/07/2025

🫁 ALAMIN: Ano ang Kanser sa Baga?
📅

Ang kanser sa baga ay isa sa mga pangunahing sanhi ng pagkamatay sa Pilipinas. Kadalasan, huli na ito natutuklasan dahil tahimik ang sintomas sa simula.

💡 Mga Karaniwang Sintomas:
❗ Matagal at hindi gumagaling na ubo
❗ Pag-ubo ng dugo
❗ Pananakit ng dibdib
❗ Panghihina at mabilis mapagod
❗ Biglaang pagbabawas ng timbang
❗ Hirap sa paghinga

🚭 Pangunahing Sanhi:
🔸 Paninigarilyo
🔸 Secondhand smoke
🔸 Exposure sa polusyon, kemikal (asbestos, radon)
🔸 Family history ng kanser

✅ Paano Maiiwasan:
✔ Iwasan ang paninigarilyo
✔ Magpa-check up kung may sintomas
✔ Kumain ng masustansya
✔ Iwasan ang exposure sa toxins
✔ Suportahan ang mga kampanya laban sa paninigarilyo

📣 Mensahe:
Hindi ito simpleng ubo lang. Kung may sintomas, huwag ipagwalang-bahala. Maagang pag-konsulta ay mahalaga.

💙 Para sa sarili at sa pamilya — alamin, kumilos, at magpatingin.

24/03/2025

🚨 Workplace TB: What Employers and Employees Should Do 🚨

Did you know that tuberculosis (TB) can spread in the workplace if not properly managed? Since TB is airborne, crowded and poorly ventilated workspaces can increase the risk of transmission. But the good news is: TB is preventable and curable! ✅

🔍 What Employers Should Do:
👨‍⚕️ Promote TB screening – Encourage employees to get checked, especially if they have a persistent cough (2+ weeks), fever, night sweats, or weight loss.
🌬 Improve workplace ventilation – Open windows, use fans, and maintain proper air circulation.
🏥 Support TB-positive employees – TB treatment is FREE in government health centers. Allow medical leave and ensure confidentiality.
📢 Educate employees about TB – Conduct awareness sessions to reduce stigma and misinformation.

👩‍💼 What Employees Can Do:
😷 Cover coughs & sneezes – Use a tissue or your elbow to prevent airborne spread.
🩺 Seek early medical advice – If you have TB symptoms, visit a health center for testing.
💊 Complete TB treatment – Stopping medication early can cause drug-resistant TB. Stay committed to your full treatment course.
💡 Encourage a healthy workplace – Advocate for wellness programs that include TB awareness and support.

TB does not discriminate, and neither should we. A safe and informed workplace is key to ending TB! 🛑

📢 Share this post to spread awareness!

21/03/2025

⚠️ Why You Should NOT Stop TB Treatment Early! ⚠️

Many people stop taking their TB medicines as soon as they start feeling better. DON’T MAKE THIS MISTAKE! ❌

Here’s why completing your TB treatment is CRUCIAL:

💊 TB bacteria die slowly – Even if symptoms disappear, the bacteria are still in your body. Stopping early allows them to come back stronger!

🦠 Stopping treatment causes Drug-Resistant TB – If TB bacteria survive, they become resistant to medicines. MDR-TB (Multi-Drug Resistant TB) is much harder and more expensive to treat.

🤧 You remain contagious – Incomplete treatment means TB can spread to your family, friends, and coworkers.

⏳ Treatment works ONLY if completed – Standard TB treatment takes at least 6 months. Stick to your doctor’s instructions to fully recover!

✅ REMEMBER:
1️⃣ Take your medications EVERY DAY as prescribed.
2️⃣ Do NOT skip doses, even if you feel fine.
3️⃣ Visit your health center for regular check-ups.
4️⃣ Encourage others to finish their TB treatment too!

TB is curable, but only if you COMPLETE the treatment! Let’s stop TB together. 💙

📢 Tag someone who needs to see this & share to spread awareness!

18/03/2025

🛑 Myths vs. Facts: Debunking Common Misconceptions About TB 🛑

Did you know that tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading infectious diseases in the Philippines? Unfortunately, misinformation still spreads faster than the disease itself! Let’s set the record straight. 👇

❌ Myth #1: TB is hereditary.
✅ Fact: TB is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis), not genetics. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.

❌ Myth #2: Only poor people get TB.
✅ Fact: TB can affect anyone, regardless of socioeconomic status. However, crowded living conditions and poor ventilation can increase the risk of transmission.

❌ Myth #3: If you have TB, you should be isolated for life.
✅ Fact: TB is curable with proper treatment. After 2-3 weeks of medication, most patients are no longer contagious and can safely be around others.

❌ Myth #4: If you feel better, you can stop taking TB meds.
✅ Fact: Stopping TB treatment early can lead to drug-resistant TB, which is harder and more expensive to treat. Always complete your 6-month treatment as prescribed.

❌ Myth #5: BCG vaccination guarantees lifelong protection.
✅ Fact: BCG helps protect young children from extrapulmonary forms of TB, but it does not provide lifelong immunity. Adults can still get TB, so awareness and early detection are key.

🔎 Early detection + proper treatment = TB-free future!
If you or someone you know has symptoms like a persistent cough for more than 2 weeks, weight loss, fever, or night sweats, visit your nearest health center for a check-up. 💙

📢 Help spread awareness, not TB! Share this post and let’s fight misinformation together! 💪