in this article we are discussing what are the effect of increase blood pressure ( a common health issue that can be easily managed in most cases )
Shish Kebob and Vodka
It is still debatable as to who created the shish kebob?
Of course we Armenians think we did. Hey, let’s face it, the proof is very obvious. Who else loves to eat Shish Kebob as much as we do?
And who takes as much pride in making shish kebob as we do?
The answer is very clear. We are the winners.
Well it is not all glory; there are some consequences.
Our lifestyles have been modified without modifying our eating/diet habits. It all worked very well for us back in the old country and during the old times, but with modernization must come modification.
We the Armenians love and enjoy food. Let’s face the fact, we do have a lot of delicious foods, but the root for our obsession is multi-factorial including psychological, social, financial and cultural. What is important is it’s impact on our health.
Eating is a learned behavior. We have trained/conditioned our senses to feel full (atchkuh bedk ah luts vee). The result of this is that obesity is a major problem in our community with devastating consequences such as Diabetes Mellitus (DM).
What is DM?
It is a disorder where there is a minimal production of Insulin by the pancreas or a resistance of body cells to insulin effect (decreased efficiency).
What does insulin do anyway?
Insulin assists in the breakdown of the food (Metabolism) and marinating a steady balanced level of sugar in our blood. This is imperative to control the sugar level in the blood (sugar is the fuel of our body) to avoid serious health consequences of Hyperglycemia (above normal sugar level) or Hypoglycemia (below normal sugar level).
What might cause DM?
Actual causes are unknown and in some cases are multi-factorial. However, Obesity, reduced physical activity, and poor eating habits increase the risk of DM, especially Type II.
How many types are there? I’m glad you asked.
1-Type I (Insulin Dependent): Occurs before the age of 30 due to family history (hereditary), viral infection or autoimmune disease (the body turns on itself).
2-Type II (Non-Insulin Dependent): more prevalent in people over 65 (effecting over 18%) due to Family history, certain medications and psychological stress.
3-Gestational Diabetes: Occurs during pregnancy.
How can I prevent it?
Control your body weight (Shish Kebob) will reduce the risk of DM II.
How do I know if I have it?
Well, you have to monitor your own health. In any onset of a disease the body will manifest it through certain signs and symptoms (S/S). For DM, it could be one or more of the following:
Increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue, nausea, frequent infection of the urinary tract, blurred vision, confusion, breath odor, skin changes especially on legs and feet, pain or numbness.
As you can see, there are a lot of S/S associated with the onset of DM. That is why it is very essential to consult a doctor when those S/S get presented.
How else other than the doctor can confirm my worries?
The doctor will run multiple tests to confirm the disease. Tests such as urine analysis, glucose (sugar) tolerance test, fasting blood glucose test and Glycosylated hemoglobin test (Hb A1).
It is important to notice S/S early since they might be vague in the beginning. The earlier the intervention, the disease will be controlled better which will result in fewer complications.
What are the treatment plans?
The initial treatment consists of nutritional and exercise therapy (lifestyle modifications alone can control the blood glucose level in 15% of people with DM II).
Another type of treatment method is using oral and diabetic agents or insulin, depending on the type of DM.
Prevention is the best weapon and by paying attention to the risk factors and reducing them will increase the chances of having a healthier life. The body should not be abused so that it will last healthier and longer. However, in a lot of cases we have no control over what disease we might encounter, but we can alter or control the progress and the prognosis of the disease. After all, any disease is an unfortunate event that has to be dealt with caution since in many cases it does not entirely go away. Yes, it is kind of a harsh reality which needs to be dealt with.
Here is the part where the vodka comes in. When you are enjoying a delicious meal of shish Kebob, and you are feeling proud, go ahead and have a shot of vodka (One shot only).
DisclaimerJ: Please do not drink and drive, do not drink if contra indicated due to health condition or medicine.
Dr.Hzor , Gary / Hzor Adult Day healthcare Center –Pasadena:626-345-1240