Cholesterol
Written by: Waheeda Sabir
Cholesterol is a fat that humans take through daily foods due to their body need but getting these foods varies in different stages of life. In the old age in which physical activities reduce, taking some foods may be harmful to them and might cause some health problems.
AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some high cholesterol patients and a physician about this disease.
Pashtana, a resident of Nangarhar province says: “I am suffering from high cholesterol. Once it goes up to 360 mg/dl. I was very dizzy and I thought that I was dying.”
Khanumgul, a resident of Kabul city says: “when I feel a stinging pain in my temples, I know that my cholesterol is high than the normal range.”
Gul Muhammad, a resident of Kunar province says: “my cholesterol is higher than the normal range. I suffer from eyes irritation; difficulty in breathing and high cholesterol caused me diabetes too.”
Doctor Ziaulhaq Haqmal, an internist in one of Nangarhar’s hospitals says: Often, there are no symptoms that specifically relate to high cholesterol. If you develop symptoms of heart disease, stroke, or atherosclerosis in other blood vessels, such as left-sided chest pain, pressure, or fullness; dizziness; unsteady gait; slurred speech; or pain in the lower legs, your blood cholesterol might be higher than the normal range, if not treated on time, it might take your life.”
What do people think about the causes of high cholesterol?
Pashtana says: “once I was injured in a car accident and my family was giving me cow feet and fried chickens and those foods caused me high cholesterol.”
Iqbaljan, a resident of Logar province says: “eating more mutton, eating more foods in dinner and not have exercises cause to increase cholesterol.”
Marzia, a resident of Kabul city says: “Any food I eat, I think it's bad for my cholesterol but I do not know the real cause of high cholesterol yet.”
Doctor Haqmal says: “those who consume a lot of beef, mutton, dairy products; the use of sugar-rich substances, more rice; fried foods like French fries, burgers, Bolanis, and so on might suffer from cholesterol.”
Which foods are good to reduce high cholesterol?
Gulnar, a resident of Shakardara district, Kabul province says: “I drink a glass of boiled barley and eat a little cinnamon every day and I feel better.”
Pashatana says: “eating more walnut, almond, peanut in the breakfast caused to lower my cholesterol.”
Sharifa, a resident of Kabul city says: “I eat soaked barberry and reduced salt and fat in my daily foods and I am better than before.”
Doctor Haqmal says: “reduce animal fat and eating more vegetables such as cauliflower and cabbage, citrus and other fresh and dried fruits are useful for the patients of high cholesterol. Reducing weight, increasing physical exercises, walking in the open air, riding the bicycle, quitting smoking and drinking alcohol are also advised for the prevention of high cholesterol.”