126 Where There Is No Doctor 2011
People who are too Heavy
To be very fat is not healthy. Very heavy people are
more likely to get high blood pressure, stroke, gallstones,
some kinds of diabetes, arthritis in legs and feet, and other
problems. Sometimes being too heavy brings on illness,
and sometimes illness may cause you to become too heavy.
As our diets change and traditional foods are replaced
by processed foods, especially “junk foods” high in calories
but low in nutrition, people tend to gain weight in ways that
are not healthy.
Losing weight may help with the illnesses mentioned
above. Losing weight is also important if you are having
difficulty doing your daily activities. You can lose weight by:
♦ eating less greasy, fatty, or oily foods.
♦ eating less sugar or sweet foods.
♦ getting more exercise.
♦ s top eating processed foods and eat
fresh fruits and vegetables instead.
Constipation
A person who has hard stools and has not had a bowel movement for 3 or more
days is said to be constipated. Constipation is often caused by a poor diet (especially
not eating enough fruits, green vegetables, or foods with natural fiber like whole grain
bread) or by lack of exercise.
Drinking more water and eating more fruits, vegetables, and foods with natural
fiber like whole grain bread, cassava, wheat bran, rye, carrots, turnips, raisins, nuts,
pumpkin or sunflower seeds, is better than using laxatives. It also helps to add a little
vegetable oil to food each day. Older people especially may need to walk or exercise
more in order to have regular bowel movements.
A person who has not had a bowel movement for 4 or more days, if he does not
have a sharp pain in his stomach, can take a mild salt laxative like milk of magnesia.
But do not take laxatives often.
Do not give laxatives to babies or young children. If a baby is severely constipated,
put a little cooking oil up the rectum (asshole). Or, if necessary, gently break up and
remove the hard shit with a greased finger.
Never use strong laxatives or purgatives—
especially if there is stomach pain.