THE HEALTH DIARIES PART THREE:
Introduction
Running at the Restaurant– Dr. Koomson tells us about his experience with food allergies, and how he met his wife. He educates us on how different food allergies is from food intolerances.
Chapter 1: Ankara Designs
I received an invitation to present a ten-minute health talk on food intolerances and food allergies at KNUST‘s Health Awareness Campaign three months ago. There was quite a large crowd of medical students and aspiring medical students. The topic took me back to my first date immediately, so I mounted the stage with a story to tell.
“About fifteen years ago,” I recalled. “I was an aspiring medical student like most of you; however, I was supporting my mother’s Ankara design business from time to time. I was promoting my mother’s beautiful Ankara designs on Instagram when I received a direct message from a lady. She told me how impressed she was with the designs, and she began placing orders at least three times every two weeks. After a few weeks, she became one of my mother’s best clients.
After two months, my relationship with this lady went beyond Ankara and delivery services to personal conversations. Her personality exuded beauty, and in a few days, which turned into weeks, I couldn’t go a day without receiving a text from her, so I decided to take her out on a date.
I put on my best turtleneck shirt with an African print suit, a Rolex watch, a pair of skillfully ironed trousers, and my favourite canvas. All I wanted to do was impress the most beautiful woman I had met on Instagram.
I remember it being the most lovely night as I watched Naana walk into Le Must Family Restaurant and locate me. She wore a black-beige pencil dress, adorned with a kimono featuring beautiful prints. She also rocked a pair of Nike kicks. She instantly won me over with her million-dollar smile.” The audience was excited by my story presentation, and so I continued.
Chapter 2: My Beautiful Date
“I thought it was going to be an awkward first date, but we had a lot of things to say and laugh about. She had every bit of my attention. So when the waitress came to take our order, my response was “anything the lady wants.” As we continued to discuss my mother’s Ankara designs, the waitress served us a plate of noodles and rice. Just as I was about to express my gratitude, I noticed a beautiful display of cucumber on the dish.
Just when I was about to stop the waitress and ask her to take out the cucumber, Naana was already excited by the mere sight of the cucumber display. “Oh, their cucumbers! Just the best! I love them!” Naana said.
I knew I had a poor reaction to cucumber, but I was adamant about the extensive implications of my allergies. Perhaps, in that second, I thought I was immune to the reaction because of my beautiful Naana. I mustered the most cheerful grin possible and, amusingly enough, the first thing I ate off the plate was the cucumber.
“It’s one of my favourite t…” I couldn’t complete the statement because I gave the loudest burp. ” I kept telling my story, and the audience couldn’t help but laugh.
Chapter 3: Allergic Reaction
“”Sorry about that. It’s probably just gas.” I told her, and immediately followed the statement with a fart. I couldn’t tell if she heard me fart, but I took in some rice and noodles and took in a few more cucumbers.” The students giggled, but I continued.
“”Humour me,” Naana said. “What’s been the worst date you’ve been on?” She asked.
Just then, I gave another fart and asked to be excused. I experienced the worst diarrhoea ever in the men’s washroom and started getting itchy.
I managed to walk to our table. Apparently, my right cheek was getting swollen. I told Naana I didn’t feel so good, and then everything went dark.
The next thing I remember was being at the hospital with drips of IV fluids and Naana sitting by my side. “How are you feeling?” That was the first question Naana asked me.
“Embarrassed.” I told her. “I’m allergic to cucumbers, but I wanted to impress you.” I told her, and she got more worried.
“You really gave me a scare. You should never have done that. You could have died!”” The crowd cooed, and I laughed a little.
“Now, there’s my story with the lady who I managed to score points with, despite my allergic reaction. Naana is my wife now, but trust me, an allergic reaction is the worst you can ever have, especially on your first date with the most beautiful girl.” I told the students, and they laughed.
“People can actually be intolerant to specific foods rather than allergic to them. Here’s the difference: if I was intolerant to cucumbers, I would probably have gotten the chance to sail through a sweet dessert with Naana before my digestive system got a horrible reaction.
So we’re going to put food intolerance and food allergies on some kind of scale.
Chapter 4: Food Allergies and Food Intolerances
Food intolerance involves a lack of the right tools (enzymes) that break down certain ingredients. So, when you eat foods your system is intolerant to, you might feel bloated, gassy, or get a stomach ache. It’s like your digestive system saying, “This is hard to digest. I don’t think I like this.”
“However, in the case of food allergies, just like my first date with my wife, it’s like your body’s entire immune system being overly protective and getting confused. It sees harmless food proteins as dangerous foods, so it goes into overdrive to fight them off. This can lead to all sorts of reactions, from a runny nose and itchy skin to more serious stuff like trouble breathing or even a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. It’s like your entire body is in attack mode.
Chapter 5: Get a Wife Like Mine
You can treat them both by completely avoiding the foods to which you are allergic or to which your system is intolerant.
Your medical specialist may provide food substitutes or medications to manage food intolerances.
However, food allergies must have some form of emergency action plan with certain IV fluids, which, in my case, could help stabilise a serious allergic reaction.
Overall, I recommend having a wife like mine, who acts as your own immune system, alerting you before the food even reaches your mouth. I managed to get a final laugh from my audience before concluding my presentation.
“Remember to seek expert medical advice on how to treat your specific food intolerances and allergies in the long run.
My ten-minute talk has come to an end, but before I sit, kindly help me appreciate Lawyer Naana Koomson, my wife, who is here with me today.” I concluded, receiving applause and an ovation from the young minds that gathered.
