Geriatrics is a practice in medicine that is not familiar to people. Opposite Pediatrics, Geriatrics is the field of medicine that focuses on the health concerns of people starting age 40. Geriatricians are responsible in assisting their patients acknowledge aging specially the possible diseases that go with it like hypertension, diabetes, heart problems and erectile dysfunction for men.
Dr. Gary Sy, Diplomate in Geriatrics and Gerontology, takes an initiative to be of service to all patients through his radio program "Gabay Kalusugan on Radio" aired over DZMM every Sunday, 11 a.m. to 12 noon.
The program aims to make the complex topic of health more comprehensible to all. With live on-air lecture, letter sending and live phone queries, Dr. Sy hopes to provide light to his listeners’ health concerns.
As a medical practitioner, Dr. Sy takes it as his responsibility to reach out to patients and help educate them with their health problems. More than the numerous lab tests and medications being prescribed to patients, it is the medical guidance that is most needed.
An injury which required him to have six-month therapy exposed him the feelings of older patients who feel that doctors just see them as one of the usual cases. "It has started to become an impersonal relationship between doctors and patients. My heart feels for them. I believe as a doctor, I am here to hold their hands as they go through this stage of their lives. Changes occur as we age and I feel it is our responsibility to help them understand and cope well," Dr. Sy says.
"Every patient’s concern varies that’s why I make it a point to talk to them to understand their situation. Know the root of the problem, whether a bad habit or emotional problem. Rather than treating the disease from the surface, I believe it is always best to trace the root and eliminate it. This way, we will determine the best way to approach the treatment. Furthermore, there will be a thin chance for the disease from recurring after the treatment," he explains.
Through "Gabay Kalusugan on Radio," patients now have a venue to be more health-educated. According to Dr. Sy, patients need to understand and be aware of the proper treatment, their options, the pros and cons for them to be able to fight, help cure and avoid the disease.
"Gabay Kalusugan on Radio" is the spin-off of his book called "Gabay sa Kalusugan." It is compilation of Dr. Sy’s articles published in Manila Bulletin. The book, available in all Mercury Drugstores nationwide, discusses diseases from arthritis to varicose veins to heart problems.
