See your doctor after holidays, Pinoys urged

See your doctor after the holidays.

Filipinos were advised to have a general checkup after two weeks of Christmas and New Year feasting to assess the "damage" fatty foods have wrought on their health.

Dr. Abe Gibeily, an international diabetes specialist, said it was wise to have a medical checkup after the holidays so one could immediately find out if overeating, staying up late, and drinking too much alcohol had affected his body.

"Early detection of ailments gives a person a stronger chances at treatment of most sickness," he said. "A visit to one’s doctor is very wise. It is the first strp to disease prevention. "

Gibeily said diabetes is a "killer" disease that is most worrying for Filipinos because of our carbohydrate-rich diet which is based on rice.

"Filipinos also have a sweet tooth or a love for sweets," he said.

Gibeily also stressed the importance of exercise as an important factor to counter the tendency of Filipinos to indulge in food and alcohol during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

"Jogging and briskwalking are one of the best ways to get back in shape and regain one’s health," he said.– Rainier Allan Ronda