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Recently my 64 year old grandfather was diagnosed with a vascular disease. Within twelve hours the veins in his legs collapsed and he had to go through three surgeries. I’m sure that you can guess that this kind of stress reeks havoc on the body. Either way, here is why this was an “Eye Opening Experience” for me.

I was in the middle of work when I received the phone call that my grandfather was not doing well. Because of his bad habits when he was younger the veins in his legs clogged with cholesterol and could no longer take it. They collapsed and put him where he is right now.

While I was in the hospital I thought of it to be a good learning experience. I asked the nurse what had caused this type of disease. What she said, although common sense, shocked me. Here was her insight.

1.) Smoking

No big shocker here. She stated that smoking was a large cause of his disease. Although he had quit smoking fifteen years before, the twenty plus years he smoked before hand did its damage. Personally I used to smoke about five cigarettes a week. I considered myself a social smoker and whenever there was a get together you could bet I had a cigarette in my hand. Within the last five hours I have sworn to myself never to smoke again. That did it for me. Not to say that smoking was the only cause for his disease, but if it was a factor that was one less thing to knock off the list.

2.) Diabetes

Because of the foods that he ate the doctors diagnosed him with diabetes a few years ago. This played a large role in his vascular disease. I am not a doctor but I can bet due to his high blood sugar his body had a hard time fighting the cholesterol in his legs. From what I now know, diabetes runs in the family and mind my words I will begin watching what I eat.

3.) Over Weight

Being over weight has its side effects as it is. If you add diabetes and smoking on top of that, no wonder his arteries were clogged. Combined with the foods that he ate and his smoking habit, was surely the answer for his health problems.

Thinking back, if he would have exercised a few hours a week or ate less sugary foods I wonder where his health would be right now. He might not be as well off as most 65 year olds, but I can bet he would not be in the hospital. I can thank my grandfather for many things he has taught me, but if there is one thing that sticks out it was his lesson on health. Seeing him like that opened my eyes wide. From now on I will make sure I cherish my health and my ability to walk.

If you have ever been in a situation like this please leave a reply. Myself and others would love to hear what you have to say.

Also Check Out:

Eye Opening Experience #2: Stress Can Kill You

M.B.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 31st, 2007 at 6:33 pm and is filed under Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.