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The popular White Rabbit from China is banned.

Lab tests show traces of melamine in the manufacture of the candy.

For this reason, White Rabbit candies are ordered withdrawn from the market.

That is, Hongkong and China markets.

But not in the Philippines. White Rabbit is still available in the local market.

* * *

Is White Rabbit safe for human consumption?

The only way to determine that is thru lab testing. Authorities in Hongkong have already determined that it is not safe.

How about our local White Rabbit?

As they say, better safe than sorry.

Or, better still, eat at your own risk.

* * *

Back in my college days, I was fond of the “imported” White Rabbit. This is the one with the “edible wrapper” and the candy is soft. The “local” variety is hard and does not have “edible wrapper.”

It was only when my pockets were suffering from “ulcer” did I turn to the local variety.

But even then, one could really enjoy, as I once did, the sweet and rich-tasting flavor of the White Rabbit.

Back then, who would have known that this popular candy would use milk spiked with the deadly industrial chemical melamine just to fool the food inspectors as to their nutritional content.

* * *

Accordingly, the most immediate victim of melamine are infants who are fed with melamine-laced milk and milk products. Because milk is their chief food, they keep on drinking milk. This is the reason why the infants are the most immediate victims.

But it doesn’t mean that adults are immune from its deadly effects.

According to Dr. Wenceslao Kiat, a toxicologist at the St. Luke's Medical Center in Manila, the biggest problem in taking milk laced with melamine is that one doesn’t see the effect overnight.

The reason for this is the lack of medical lab background on the effects of melamine on humans.

Animal tests have revealed that melamine could cause urinary bladder stones, and even kidney stones.

* * *

Talking about kidney ailment is never nice.

I just lost a friend due to multiple organ failure, and triggered by his kidney problem.

He planned for a kidney transplant next year as soon as he received his retirement benefits.

But he died last week. His body could not wait any longer. The malady attacking his kidney was already spreading and fast.

Doctors even tried immediate dialysis treatment but it was all futile. His body refused to accept the relief sought.

* * *

So what are kidney stones?

Kidney stones, one of the most painful of the urologic disorders, have beset humans for centuries. Kidney stones are one of the most common disorders of the urinary tract.

The urinary tract, or system, consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located below the ribs toward the middle of the back, one on each side of the spine.

The kidneys remove extra water and wastes from the blood, producing urine. They also keep a stable balance of salts and other substances in the blood. The kidneys produce hormones that help build strong bones and form red blood cells.

Narrow tubes called ureters carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder, an oval-shaped chamber in the lower abdomen. Like a balloon, the bladder’s elastic walls stretch and expand to store urine. They flatten together when urine is emptied through the urethra to outside the body.

* * *

A kidney stone is a hard mass developed from crystals that separate from the urine within the urinary tract. Normally, urine contains chemicals that prevent or inhibit the crystals from forming. These inhibitors do not seem to work for everyone, however, so some people form stones.

If the crystals remain tiny enough, they will travel through the urinary tract and pass out of the body in the urine without being noticed.

Kidney stones may contain various combinations of chemicals. The most common type of stone contains calcium in combination with either oxalate or phosphate. These chemicals are part of a person’s normal diet and make up important parts of the body, such as bones and muscles.

A less common type of stone is caused by infection in the urinary tract. This type of stone is called a struvite or infection stone. Another type of stone, uric acid stones, are a bit less common, and cystine stones are rare.

Stones occur more frequently in men. The prevalence of kidney stones rises dramatically as men enter their 40s and continues to rise into their 70s. For women, the prevalence of kidney stones peaks in their 50s. Once a person gets more than one stone, other stones are likely to develop.

Doctors do not always know what causes a stone to form. While certain foods may promote stone formation in people who are susceptible, scientists do not believe that eating any specific food causes stones to form in people who are not susceptible.

A person with a family history of kidney stones may be more likely to develop stones. Urinary tract infections, kidney disorders such as cystic kidney diseases, and certain metabolic disorders such as hyperparathyroidism are also linked to stone formation.

* * *

Kidney stones often do not cause any symptoms.

Usually, the first symptom of a kidney stone is extreme pain, which begins suddenly when a stone moves in the urinary tract and blocks the flow of urine. Typically, a person feels a sharp, cramping pain in the back and side in the area of the kidney or in the lower abdomen. Sometimes nausea and vomiting occur. Later, pain may spread to the groin.

If the stone is too large to pass easily, pain continues as the muscles in the wall of the narrow ureter try to squeeze the stone into the bladder. As the stone moves and the body tries to push it out, blood may appear in the urine, making the urine pink. As the stone moves down the ureter, closer to the bladder, a person may feel the need to urinate more often or feel a burning sensation during urination.

If fever and chills accompany any of these symptoms, an infection may be present. In this case, a person should contact a doctor immediately.

* * *

And the treatment required?

Fortunately, surgery is not usually necessary. Most kidney stones can pass through the urinary system with plenty of water—2 to 3 quarts or about 4 liters a day—to help move the stone along. Often, the patient can stay home during this process, drinking fluids and taking pain medication as needed. The doctor usually asks the patient to save the passed stone(s) for testing. It can be caught in a cup or tea strainer used only for this purpose.

A simple and most important lifestyle change to prevent stones is to drink more liquids—water is best. Someone who tends to form stones should try to drink enough liquids throughout the day to produce at least 2 quarts of urine in every 24-hour period.

In the past, people who form calcium stones were told to avoid dairy products and other foods with high calcium content. Recent studies have shown that foods high in calcium, including dairy products, may help prevent calcium stones.

Taking calcium in pill form, however, may increase the risk of developing stones.

Patients may be told to avoid food with added vitamin D and certain types of antacids that have a calcium base. Someone who has highly acidic urine may need to eat less meat, fish, and poultry. These foods increase the amount of acid in the urine.

To prevent cystine stones, a person should drink enough water each day to dilute the concentration of cystine that escapes into the urine, which may be difficult.

More than a gallon of water may be needed every 24 hours, and a third of that must be drunk during the night.

A gallon of water, no problem.

* * *

Is Erap running for president?

Son Jinggoy told us weeks back that Erap running for president in 2010 is a possibility if the opposition will not be able to pick a common candidate.

Which is understandable. A fragmented opposition is a weak opposition. Erap does not want that.

He wants an opposition to sit in Malacanang after the 2010 elections.

* * *

The situation in the province is ripe for the picking. For the opposition, that is.

The guv is on his last term. Either he’s running back in the 2nd district or he will seek an appointive position. He’s a workaholic, I cannot imagine him staying in the house in Calcita doing consultancy job.

He’s also used to the limelight. I cannot imagine him being delegated to the far corners of the society pages.

And the congressional race in 2010 in the 2nd district is piece of cake for the guv.

As an aside, I am wondering what arrangements there will be between guv and Boy or Roygie Jumamoy of Inabanga if this scenario pushes through.

Boy Jumamoy once told me that Roygie is definitely running for congress in 2010. And he’s prepared to meet Cong. Ondoy Cajes head on if Ondoy decides to field his wife Bebe Cajes.

This development bears watching.

With the guv out, V-Gov Julius Caesar Herrera is definitely a shoo-in for the administration.

Julius is brutally frank in declaring his governatorial ambitions in every forum there is in town.

But there’s a problem.

Cong. Edgar Chatto, a last termer, is also another shoo-in for the administration. He has no less than GMA as his guardian angel. With GMA, Edgar does not need Lakas because he can very well get Kampi.

And still another complication.

Congressman Ondoy is also on his last term. I cannot also imagine him staying on the political sideline. And he’s already used to hobnobbing with powerful figures in the country.

So he will be another shoo-in for governatorial bout in 2010.

And if Edgar has GMA, Ondoy has FG kuno.

Why FG?

Because FG was grateful kuno with the way Ondoy handled the expose of Allan Peter Cayetano implicating FG with deposits in Germany.

That makes 3 strong and powerful contenders.

But that’s not all.

There is also Cesar Montano who is also interested for the position. If the 3 politikos will decide to cross swords for the governatorial bout, then Cesar has a good chance of beating them all.

Somebody from the opposition with good credentials (and a lot of money) to lead the fight in Bohol should make Erap very happy.

More when we return, stay tuned for more. Comments, suggestions, write to salvadiputado@yahoo.com

 

Labels: china, erap, kidney, melamine