health in peru Archives - Samantha Bangayan

Health or Happiness: Is It Time to Go Home?

June 21, 2011
111 Comments

When I spent the last week in extreme pain from stomach cramps and a potential infection, people back home asked me: “When is it enough? Huancayo isn’t cut out for you.” There was the implication that I should move back to Canada.

Parásitos Gusanos — They think that my severe stomach cramps last week are from parasites. I'm still waiting for the results.

Here’s the medical history of my time in Huancayo since 2008:

A biopsy to diagnose a chronic rash on my forehead caused by the burning heat of the sun at this altitude.
Over five cases of allergic reactions to mites and the hassle of fumigating the apartment each time.
Recurring bacterial infections, strep throat and a yellow tongue.
Allergic reaction to antibiotics.
The myriad of negative side effects from different medications.
Tummy troubles from the change in food quality.
Parasites.

It’s difficult for my body to adjust to a new environment. In fact, there’s no promise that my body will ever adjust. Doctors take a trial-and-error approach to treating me because they don’t know what medications may be too strong for my body.

My good blogging friend and favorite shrink, Hajra Khatoon, helped me brainstorm through the predicament with the following questions:

Will you move because of your health – is it that bad that you need to move?
Do you enjoy living there?
Do you enjoy the career you are pursuing right now?
Are you happier here or will be happier back home or anywhere else?
Are you enjoying the experience the stay is offering you — personally, professionally, emotionally?

Comida de la Calle en Huancayo — I'm more likely to get sick from street food in Peru.

It’s easier to be happy when you’re feeling healthy, but happiness can also predict health. At the very least, the simpler and relaxing lifestyle I sought and found here in Huancayo helps me manage the pain by making it all worthwhile. Happiness may decrease my chances of getting worse illnesses and may decrease the time I feel under the weather when I do end up getting sick.

Despite the struggles, I’m not ready to go back to Canada.

What’s more important to you — health or happiness?

Health or Warmth: A Case of Mites

May 10, 2011
57 Comments

Mites are microscopic creepy crawlies that tunnel underneath the skin. Sometimes, you can see a thin, gray line on the surface of the skin where female mites have burrowed. The most uncomfortable symptom is the itchy mosquito-bite-like bumps you get all over your body. I should know because I’ve caught scabies — an infestation of mites — over five different times here in Peru.

Un Ácaro Microscópico © Erbe, Pooley: USDA, ARS, EMU — Mites are near impossible to see. These little bugs can leave you itchy for weeks if the scabies is left untreated.

You can get scabies from prolonged, direct skin contact, but mites can live off of their host for up to three days. People who have a weak immune system can get crusted scabies, which is especially contagious. Although they say it’s uncommon, I suspect that I’ve picked up mites during the classic Peruvian greeting of a kiss on the cheek, from sitting on a chair of someone infected or through giving a warm hug. Doctors tell me that the infection is more likely to happen in crowded places and in the rural communities around Huancayo where people have weaker immune systems from malnutrition.

I have become an expert when it comes to scabies treatment. To begin with, I put on permethrin lotion, which is an insecticide. As the permethrin is working its effects, we set the apartment up for fumigation and pull the tab on the can of Raid that will thoroughly clean out our small home. We then take Fénix the kitty out for the afternoon, until the apartment has finished fumigating.

Fiestas Patrias en Sicaya — Crowded celebrations are typical in the Mantaro Valley. I may pick up mites during these kinds of events.

I’m no hypochondriac, but it’s annoying to get itchy bumps all over my body; when I have scabies, I’ve had over 20 bumps appear in one night. I probably shouldn’t be using such a strong insecticide on my body so often because permethrin is known to be a carcinogen in high doses, but the weaker cream I tried didn’t work. It’s also a hassle to fumigate the apartment and I’m down to the last Raid can I brought here from Canada.

I’m no Mother Theresa, but I consider myself a warm and caring person. I learned early that touch is one of most powerful ways humans can communicate with each other and that a single hug, handshake, hand on the shoulder and linking of the fingers can often mean so much more than what can be expressed by words. I believe that the world lacks the warmth of touch between people and one of the reasons I love the lifestyle here in Peru is because people are less afraid to show affection through touch.

Some friends and family have advised me to stop hugging people.

Have you ever hugged someone that others wouldn’t expect you to? Maybe a homeless person? What do you value more — health or warmth?

Tag: health in peru

Health or Happiness: Is It Time to Go Home?

Health or Warmth: A Case of Mites