Diplomate, Board Certification of Emergency Medicine
Chairman, Department of Emergency Medicine Ma'ayenei
Hayeshua Hospital
We like to think that the things that I am about to
discuss do not exist in our community, but once we
realize that habits are hard to break, we will become
more sympathetic. Our subject, therefore, is "bad
habits."
Probably, the most common bad habit is obesity. Being
overweight is very dangerous, and increases the
incidence of heart disease, diabetes, uterine and chest
cancer, and gall bladder disorders. Dieting is the
usual answer, but the results are disconcerting. Most
people who do succeed have regained their previous
weight within two years. Most of this is due to poor
eating habits as a child -- a fat kid at age eight will
remain this way for life.
What helps? Nursing a child will result in a slimmer
kid because the amount he eats is controlled by the
work he expends at nursing -- something that doesn't
happen with a bottle. It also helps Mommy lose weight.
Simply not buying snacks for the house helps -- keep a
salad ready at all times. Eat frequent small meals and
put the fork down between each bite. Still, there may
be a genetic basis for being overweight, and this is a
losing battle. Surgery has been the most successful
technique of late and does work to a degree. Exercise
is very important.
Smoking is a bad habit, and increases the incidence of
heart disease, birth defects, lung disease and many
cancers. It may also have a basis in genetics, but
mostly kids who smoke had parents who smoked. Smoke
from smokers can damage also the nonsmokers in the
house, especially children.
Now all Kupot have programs to help. Zyban, our sponsor
Glaxo's drug, is very effective, and I have mentioned
many times how happy I am that this has come to this
country. Combining it with patches on the gum may make
it even more effective. Psychological programs help
this as well as all our bad habits. Best bet: don't
start.
Alcohol abuse is rarely recognized but is a danger for
birth defects, cancer, heart disease, and liver and
pancreas problems. This is most definitely genetic, but
psychological help and some medications do help.
Alcohol, smoking and drug abuse all pretty much are the
same pattern of addiction and require serious
counselling, with low but not negligible success rates.
Caffeine abuse is very common, but safer than all of
the above. It is also easier to break this habit but it
requires motivation.
Any abuse of a child or a spouse -- physical or
emotional, or even neglect -- is a horrible habit that
requires help immediately. This does not get better by
itself no matter how bad the batterer feels about it
afterward. Help is available in the frum community and
it can save lives that would be ruined otherwise.
Breaking all bad habits take much will power. Success
is difficult, but you can succeed. The first step is
always realizing you have a problem and getting help.
Do not let bad habits ruin your life or the life of
those who are close to you. Write me in care of the
Yated.
