Armenian-American health professionals hold diabetes forum

by Florence Avakian

Published: Wednesday December 16, 2009

A panel of physicians organized by AAHPO discusses diabetes. The event took place at the Hovnanian School.

New Milford, N.J. - Prevention and early detection of diabetes for children and adults were the main focuses of an important medical forum with twelve Armenian specialists, on Sunday afternoon, November 22, at the Hovnanian Armenian School.

"Medical care is the right of every individual", stated Armenian American Health Professional (AAHPO) President Dr. Larry Najarian, in welcoming the attendees. "The AAHPO's mission is to improve healthcare awareness, increase disease prevention and early detection, and provide medical support and education to Armenians in the tri-state area as well as those in our homeland," said Dr. Najarian.

Dennis McNeary, the highest elected official in Bergen County, NJ, listed the many grants that have been initiated for the county's one million residents. These include the senior drug program; an expanded Meals on Wheels, as well as nursing home and human services department programs; and a 21 percent increase in health care in Bergen County in the last two years.

He also related that the county boasts several social programs such as an environmental center; six municipal golf courses; a nine-mile biking and walking trail; a zoo; and a ski center. Among the county's 12 monuments is one dedicated to the victims of the 1915 Genocide.

In skillfully moderating the 12-doctor panel, Dr. Ohan Karatoprak, in family practice and geriatrics, began by stating that diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. A staggering 23.6 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes, and almost a quarter of a million people die from the disease every year.

Participating in the forum were pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Levon Agdere, endocrinologist Dr. Ara Apelian, pediatrician Dr. Garbis Baydar, psychiatrist Dr. Haikaz Grigorian, nutritionist Dr. Knarig Khachadourian, dentist Dr. Arthur Kubikian, ophthalmologist Dr. Larry Najarian, pharmacist Dr. Khoren Nalbandian, ophthalmologist Dr. Kirk Tchorbadjian, and pedorphist Mario Yazidjian.

Genetic and environmental factors

Illustrating their talk with power point and diagram presentations, the doctors pointed out that Type I diabetes in children (up to age 20) from genetic causes is heaviest in the United States and the Scandinavian countries. Symptoms include extreme thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, high blood sugar. Treatments involve the reduction of blood sugar, injections, and exercise. Complications of the disease can be severe including poor circulation, bad teeth, gums, skin, liver, heart, kidneys, leaky eye vessels, and even coma and death.

Type 2 diabetes which occurs in adults, the doctors continued, is evidenced by an extended abdomen, and obesity which affects the heart, blood pressure, gallbladder, and can lead to stroke, heart attacks, cancers, and sleep apnea. Fat cells produce hormones which lead to these problems, and inflammation is the precursor of all diseases, it was stressed.

It is crucial that waist size be kept normal, 37 inches or less for men, and 32 inches or less for women, and weight be increased by muscle, not fat. Where fat is deposited is crucial. The worst areas are the abdomen, around the heart, liver and intestines. The specialists emphasized that longevity comes with excess muscle. Towns in Italy, Greece and Japan were known as the world's longevity centers.

Delineating a preferred diet, they pointed out that it should include 40–45 percentage carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables, whole grains); 30–35 percent protein (legumes, beans, nuts, seeds, lentils, chickpeas, etc.); 20–25 percent fat (olive oil, omega 3 fish oil, canola oil).

In concluding the informative program, Dr. Najarian paid special tribute to Dr. Arthur Kubikian for his unique impetus and vision, as well as to the Armenian Presbyterian Church, the Friends of the Armenian Home – Bertha Vaniskhian, the Hovnanian School PTO – Taleen Gergerian and Karen Nargizian (PTO Chair), St. Leons Armenian Church – Margherita Oscherician, and the St. Vartanantz Armenian Church.