Blog # 3 Self-Assessment

Read the self-assessment on pg 57.  How would you rate your "preventive practices?"  What are some ways in which you can improve your health?  What preventative practices do you already implement?

If I took the test on page 57 of the book one year ago, some of the answer would be “no”. I started to take better care of my self during my pregnancy after I found out I have gestational diabetes.  Having gestational diabetes during pregnancy can increase the risk of having diabetes later in life. Uncontrolled gestational diabetes can be harmful to babies, babies can be born very large, they can have low blood sugar after birth and breathing problems can occur (http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/gestational/).  After knowing the effect of gestational diabetes I started to take better care of myself.  First, I had to educate myself for what is a healthy diet and, what physical activity will be best for me. Then, I had to implement all my knowledge on keeping a low blood sugar level. I increased my intake of vegetables and fruits.  I switched to whole grain, nonfat milk, olive oil and low fat/no sugar/low calorie products. Now, I am taking good care of myself by proper nutrition, regular physical activity and avoiding everything that is harmful to my body. 

Many women with gestational diabetes develop diabetes within 5 - 10 years after delivery. My mother had gestational diabetes and now she is diabetic. She has to maintain a balance diet to maintain normal blood sugar level and, maintaining that balance require great deal of work. She has to take diabetic medications which help the body process sugar. She has to watch what she eats all the time. Her diet  has fit in a category of no sugar, no carb and no fat. She has to monitor her sugar level three times a day (by poking her fingers). I certainly don’t want all of this for myself so I am disciplining myself now to live a healthier lifestyle.

Preventive care can also be influence by different factors. Being a Muslim we are forbidden to use alcohol and drugs, it impairs the judgment of the person consuming it. So, being a true follower, never in my life I have used drugs or alcohol. Islam teaches it follower discipline and self-restraint. Muslims once a year, irrespective of the weather, fast during the holy month of Ramadan. Fasting teaches self-discipline and restraint, and is also good for one’s physical health. In order to fast one has to be healthy. World Health Organization (WHO) give definition of health; “health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity".  People who are sick are not allowed to fast. This year for the first time I truly realized the physical and mental benefits of fasting. The heat and thirst did made me realized that I am blessed with the a lot, and made me realize the suffering and pain people are going through in this world due to disease, hunger, flood and other disasters. So, some of the preventive care question listed in the book can be answered “yes” because of the teaching of Islam.

Few years ago I didn’t take care of my health. I was eating lots of junk food, barely ate fruits and vegetables and, exercised few times a month. Due to that habit I had to suffer the consequences and had to learn the hard way about healthier lifestyle. After some challenges and other factors influencing my life I am living a healthier life and I would rate my preventive care 10 out of 10.

Preventive care can be implemented but one has to discipline themselves. To begin a better healthier life we need to control our eating habits, do regular physical activity and avoid alcohol, drugs, tobacco and stress.  Unhealthy food can be very tempting but know this when you give in to your temptations you will be responsible for the outcome. Beginning a healthy lifestyle can be challenging and, requires small changes in taking positive action on your health, diet, relationship and exercise.