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 Intake
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-balunan
High-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, alimango
Drinks 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) for 7 days (minimum 3 days) until BP is consistently controlled (below 130/80).
• Once consistently controlled, monitoring frequency may be reduced to weekly or monthly checks, or 7-day monitoring sessions every 3 months and prior to clinic visits, to confirm BP control.
• Bring blood pressure record on follow-up.

BPMorningEveningNotes
Day / DateBP, PulseBP, Pulse 
Sa 0106140/90, 60130/90, 99 
Su 0107110/60, 60120/80, 70 
M 0108150/90, 105120/80, 70exercise
T 0109120/80, 60110/80, 70 
W 0110129/79, 90110/60, 70coffee
Th 0111120/80, 60120/70, 80 
F 0112120/80, 60110/60, 60 

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 4 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.

CBGBreakfastLunchDinner
0Fasting | PostPre | PostPre | Bedtime
M 0101801300000 180
W 0103901400000 200
F 01051400000 2000000 1800000 160
Sa 010680160100
Su 01069013080 00160

Capillary blood glucose goals

PatientFasting/before meals2 hours after meals
Adult (not pregnant)80-130 mg/dL<180 mg/dL
Elderly / Higher risk adult90-140 mg/dL<200 mg/dL

Hemoglobin A1c goals

PatientHbA1c
Most adults<7%
Elderly / Higher risk adults<7.5-8%

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

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 each night. Manage stress with effective relaxation techniques. Avoid smoking, vaping, energy drinks, and alcohol.

Cancer Screening

TypeAge to startMethod & intervalNotes
BreastWomen 40-74Mammogram every 1-2 yearsConsider earlier screening for high-risk (e.g. strong family history, or known genetic mutations)
CervicalWomen 21-65Pap smear every 3 years or HPV testing every 5 years (ages 30+)Stop after 65 if adequately screened and low risk
ColorectalAdults 45-75Annual FOBT/FIT or Colonoscopy every 10 yearsChoice of test depends on patient preference, risk level, and test availability
LungAdults 50-80 with ≥20 pack-year smoking historyAnnual low-dose CT scanDiscontinue once patient has not smoked for 15 years or health limits benefit
ProstateMen 50+ (or 45 if high-risk)PSA blood test, discuss risks/benefits of screening with your physicianIndividualized due to risk of overdiagnosis

Adult Vaccination

VaccineIndicationSchedule
InfluenzaAll adults1 dose annually
Tetanus, Diphtheria (Td/Tdap)All adults1 dose Tdap, followed by Td booster every 10 years
COVID-19All adults1 or more doses of updated vaccines
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)Adults born 1957 or later without immunity1–2 doses
Varicella (Chickenpox)Adults without history of chickenpox or vaccination2 doses
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)Adults up to 26 (or up to 45 for some)2–3 doses depending on age
Hepatitis BAll adults <59, or older adults at risk3 doses over 6 months
Hepatitis AAdults at risk or seeking protection2 doses, 6 months apart
PneumococcalAdults ≥65, or younger adults with health risks1 dose PCV15 or PCV20; PPSV23 if indicated
Herpes Zoster (Shingles)Adults ≥502 doses, 2–6 months apart
Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib)Adults with specific medical conditions (e.g., immunocompromised, asplenia)1–3 doses depending on risk
MeningococcalAt-risk adults (e.g., certain conditions, military, students, travelers)1 or more doses depending on risk
RabiesAdults at occupational or travel risk (e.g., veterinarians, animal handlers, travelers to endemic areas)Pre-exposure: 2–3 doses; Post-exposure: 4–5 doses depending on prior vaccination
Travel Vaccines (e.g., Typhoid, Cholera)Adults traveling to high-risk areasVaries by destination

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