Panfilo Lacson

How to age gracefully? Dr. Padilla, Lacson share some healthful tips

May 1, 2022 People's Tonight 343 views

EVERYONE gets old eventually, but there are ways for people to slow down the aging process without sacrificing their health and their ability to still enjoy life even during late adulthood, according to presidential candidate Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson and senatorial aspirant Dr. Minguita Padilla.

The two candidates briefly deviated from discussing serious social and political issues to talk about personal health and wellness in a town hall meeting held at the ALDP Montevista covered court during their visit to Naga City, Camarines Sur last Friday (April 29).

One of the forum participants, an elderly woman, took the opportunity to ask the 62-year-old Dr. Padilla—a medical professional and public health advocate—how she could avoid getting afflicted with arthritis because she was already beginning to feel some pain in her knees.

Dr. Padilla explained there are different types of arthritis, which is one of the most common illnesses that a person can develop between early middle age to late adulthood. Symptoms include muscle weakness, limited mobility, stiffness, body pain and inflammation of the joints.

According to medical literature, two of the most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis or “rayuma” in Tagalog. Dr. Padilla said the latter can be treated through regular exercises, increased water intake, and different types of therapies.

“Ganito ho para maiwasan. One is huwag masyadong mataas ang takong ng mga babae after (a) certain age. Number two, mag-exercise po tayo, maglakad po tayo. That’s the best way talaga na maiwasan ‘yung masasakit na tuhod,” the veteran ophthalmologist and clinical professor advised.

“Kasi kung laging nakaupo ang hirap. Kasi para siyang mga makina na hindi mo madaanan ng grasa. Okay? So, iwasan po natin ‘yung masyadong sedentary tayo. Gumalaw po tayo kumilos po tayo. Huwag tayong maging sedentary,” Dr. Padilla explained.

The senatorial aspirant added that one of the fun ways to keep our bodies moving is through dancing. She likewise mentioned it would also help if people would be more conscious about what they eat and what they drink as they grow older.

“Kung pwede sumayaw, sumayaw—oo, totoo. Maglakad po tayo everyday para maiwasan ‘yung [rayuma]. Tapos huwag masyadong kumain ‘nung mga matataas sa uric acid. Huwag (din) iinom masyado, katamtaman lang,” Dr. Padilla said.

Lacson, in many interviews, attributed his good physical and mental health to his active lifestyle as well as keeping a positive outlook in life. He mentioned that he regularly undergoes a wellness exam as a way to prevent health problems.

“Alam niyo, nagpapa-wellness ako taun-taon. Nahinto lang itong pandemya. Alam mo (ano) sabi ‘nung executive director ‘nung wellness clinic noong makita niya ang findings? Kasi dumaan ako sa treadmill, lahat, kung anu-ano. Sabi sa akin ‘Amazing,’” said the 73-year-old statesman.

“Ang body age ko, sabi ng doktor, 51 years old. So, ganoon, maski 70 years old na kayo pero kaya ng inyong katawan, kaya ng inyong utak—utak ng 40-years-old, utak ng 45-years-old, utak ng 50-years-old—hindi kayo madi-discriminate,” Lacson added.

[My body age, according to the doctor, is 51 years old. So, just like that, even if you turn 70 years old but your body still keeps up, your mind can still keep up—a 40-year-old brain, 45-year-old brain, 50-year-old brain—you would not be discriminated against.]

The presidential candidate was responding to a question about the availability of social pension for senior citizens, which he also turned into a discussion about aging. He reiterated that under his presidency, he will enforce a policy against all kinds of discrimination, especially age discrimination.

AUTHOR PROFILE