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| Santa Clause Cartoon |
This universal question is probably the most popular this time of the year. The next appropriate follow up question is, IS IT TRUE?
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| Typical Filipino Lechon |
The answer is yes and no. WHY? Let us discuss some basic details and I am sure you will agree.
Our diet plays an important role in our overall health, the body needs sustainance for growth and repair, eating is natures way of providing us with the necessary nutrients to survive. Raw materials that should be in proper proportions and amounts must be met. Diet which includes meat, fish and vegetables in adequate amounts will suffice.
The above mentioned question is very specific, FOR HEART ATTACK AND STROKE ONLY.
Heart attack and Stroke are diseases with multifactorial causes, and they do not just simply happen without established risk factors. THE MOST COMMON RISK FACTOR is still the numero uno, the champion, the star...... HYPERTENSION....
The exact cause of hypertension is still unknown, but it is established that this disease if left untreated for years will cause target organ complications, like renal failure, Heart Attack, Stroke, etc...
What about eating lechon, fruit salad, pancit, barbeques, soft drinks, hamon etc. during holidays? Will that cause a heart attack and stroke? Evidence is lacking but analysis of basic current data on human physiology and pathophysiology suggest no immediate direct correlation.
Eating a diet high on calories and fat can cause disease if it is sustained for the long term and not just a couple of weeks. Heart attack and Stroke are target organ complications of several risk factors like hypertension, diabetes etc.. uncontrolled for years.
Then, why are there stories of patients dying during the holidays?
Alcohol consumption can be linked with this phenomenon, alcohol even in small amounts can cause elevations in blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, etc.. which may trigger a catastrophic event to individuals with chronic hypertension and diabetes. It is true that binge drinking sprees which is common during this season can cause fatal outcomes... however, this may not hold true to lechon and fruit salad...
Going back to the original question... The answer is also YES, YES for alcohol consumption to patients with established risk factors for HEART ATTACK AND STROKE....
OUR CONCLUSION:
There is increased incidence of Stroke and Heart Attack during holidays mainly due to alcohol consumption, and affected patients are most probably hypertensives and diabetics which includes undiagnosed cases. It is fair to say that Eating too much with the exception of alcohol during the holidays may not cause a stroke or a heart attack among normal individuals.
Consult your internist for more info....
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