-An interview with Hansel Furtado.
Ever wondered living a sporty & healthy life along with multiple illnesses, in the simplest ways? Sharing one such story of an Individual who has battled life-threatening illnesses, and continues to do so by developing the best healthy version he can bring of himself daily. Hansel Furtado, a young HR Professional residing in Mumbai has his life in a case shared in the dialogue below,
Riddhi: Tell me something about your journey in life so far?
Hansel: As a young enthusiast, my journey has been on similar grounds as to anyone else, voyaging through life’s battle. However the major challenges faced have always been related to my health, I suffer from Asthma, Seizures & I am Food Sensitive (mainly Vegetarian Food).
Riddhi: How is it that you have been Food Sensitive specifically to Vegetarian Food?
Hansel: The thought even puts me into a turmoil, but the reality is that it is.
Riddhi: What would happen if in case you had a Vegetarian Dish, for instance, Dal Curry, Chole, Sabudana, Samosa, Vada Pav, Bhajiya OR any Vegetarian Dish?
Hansel: Let me clear a point that I have been sensitive to a certain variety of dishes & some have been non-vegetarian too. And, if had any of the above dishes mentioned the following is a series of symptoms that would arise,
- First, I would begin to have severe Body Allergy (a badly running nose, cold, complete body itching/prickling, and breathlessness).
- If not controlled earlier, the breathlessness would lead me to having Wheezing / Asthma attacks.
- With all of this at the start, if not cured/controlled, due to panic, there would be a possibility of having an Epilepsy (Seizures).
- And, if not cured/controlled at this point, along with all the above mentioned if suffered together, it would be hard to say what the next stage would be.
Riddhi: So, how have these various illnesses affected your living?
Hansel: The effect of these has been a lot. While as shared above, these being the symptoms & the possible Illnesses that would follow, it has been a challenge to live across regions where the cuisine has been completely Vegetarian food. Another point to share, that my allergy has not been to Vegetarian food but to the way how the dish is being prepared. There have been instances, recalling from my childhood, where eating a Non-Vegetarian dish like the famous ‘Chicken Lollipop and Chicken Hariyali also caused me to have an Allergy. The best I could draw is that being cautious at all times is the best remedy.
Riddhi: What would you suggest one should do if ever an encounter like these happen to anyone?
Hansel: Well first, the best measure that I suggest is to avoid the allergen. Be cautious while consuming foods of the family that have created health issues.
If you happen to get any sort of allergic reaction, stay calm, be patient & have mild breathing exercises. Keeping calm especially in case of a Wheezing/Asthma attack OR in case of any allergy helps. Keeping the body calm would assist in bringing the malady down & in most of the minor cases, this serves to be the best first-hand remedy.
Second, try having your required set of antidotes/medicines immediately OR as prescribed by a doctor. And always make sure you have them with you at all possible times should you need them.
If this is your first experience, rush to a nearby doctor to look for a possible cure, immediately. Avoid getting yourself into a zone that could put your health conditions in a state of Jeopardy.
Riddhi (to the readers): Along with the tips shared by Hansel, below are a few doctor-approved treatments for mild to moderate allergies.
Anti-histamines: Antihistamines will facilitate relief from most minor allergies despite the cause. These medicines cut back the body’s production of histamine, which reduces all symptoms like watering eyes, nose and skin reactions. These medicines are available in various forms like oral pills, nasal drops, eye drops, and lotions.
NSAIDs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, help in reducing symptoms like swelling, redness, and pain caused due to allergy.
Topical corticosteroids: For most symptoms of skin allergies, this serves as a good first-line treatment option. These creams help in reducing redness, swelling, and itching.
For severe forms of allergies, you need to visit a professional and plan out a long-term treatment plan. Back to our interview,
Riddhi: Have any of these stood as a barrier to your aspirations?
Hansel: Yes, they did & do stand as a barrier to many of my aspirations, even when I was a kid. Today, post immense treatment & the continuous support extended to me by my family I am able to achieve many of the dreams I once had as a kid. To share my cycling ability, my top speed has been approx. 27 km/ hour & I’m able to cover a km distance in mere 110-130 seconds. I also was able to play club cricket in my late teens & secure the ‘Best Cricketer’s Medal’ for the record camp. Currently, I aspire to play Badminton more than ever & I’m glad to have secured the Silver Medal spot in Badminton (Mixed Doubles) towards the end of my bachelor’s degree.
Riddhi: What would you suggest to have a healthy life, in spite of these difficulties?
Hansel: Eat Healthily, Exercise Well & Enjoy Life in positivity, in every manner. Having a positive nature & being positive to come what may, is the best thing to do for every experience lived daily.
