Injection Nation
I have been quoted in the dandy press that the GCC countries are globally competitive in two areas: world class airlines and diabetes.
Unfortunately, in addition to the twin pandemics of obesity and diabetes, the GCC is slowly becoming a world leader when it comes to needle therapy — specifically Growth Hormone in young local men and Botox in young women — top that off with the all too prevalent injectable insulin…we have truly become an Injection Nation.
The Giants of Growth Hormone
A cardiologist friend of mine at one of the top heart centers in Kuwait (ground zero of the GCC GH pandemic) continues to shock me with stories about men as young as 22 years of age coming in complaining of SOB and chest pains. It seems that we have some of the youngest heart patients in the GCC and there is no doubt that there is a strong correlation between becoming a juice monkey and suffering from cardiovascular challenges. The alarming part is that even after close counseling and beta blocker prescriptions (provided free of charge by the state of course) these muscle men continue to live their living la vie da loca life style.
ابي اجسم الحين
For the strongest of the selfie generation, their spornosexual self-image in its immediacy seems to be paramount to their overall health in the long term. After all, their arms need to look good in those V-necks. Instant gratification trumps the delayed variety. Why work hard when you can work smart. Steroid smart.
These addictions to quick fix injections are further compounded by the high level of smoking in our region, especially amongst males with surprisingly high levels of popularity amongst the gym rat variety. We have some of the youngest smokers (as young as eight years of age) who regularly smoke a pack of 1) cigarettes (why wouldn’t you when most packs cost less than $5, and that’s after the recent 100% GCC tobacco tax), 2) sheesha (the hubbly bubbly hookah water pipe) and 3) the new e-cigarettes (or e-sheeshas even) where one smoky serving is equivalent to a pack of cigarettes in terms of carcinogenic catastrophe. And…let’s not forget the fast food.
The GH pandemic is so bad here in Kuwait that I regularly crunch empty syringes and skip over needles in the parking lot of my local gym (BTBF — some of these syringes are also used for Insulin).
The Beauty of Botox
Of the ~300 private clinics in Kuwait, the vast majority offer Botox injections and other cosmetic surgery services which can range from the seemingly timid ‘laser’ hair removal all the way to bodacious breast/buttocks augmentations. In our FSS (fee-for-service) driven healthcare system, most investors and many doctopreneurs prefer to sharpen their clinical business models with the scalpel of conceitedness. I personally know many doctors (from dermatologists to plasticologists) that have decided to cave into the mob of materialism by choosing to go down this Dantean path; frequently cajoling girls as young as 22 into getting Botulinum toxin injected into their face. Yes, Botox is short for Botulinum toxin, a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and significant side effects include potential facial paralysis, muscle weakness, and dysphagia (trouble swallowing). Other side effects that are not limited to direct paralysis can also include headaches, flu-like symptoms, and allergic reactions. As the spidery saying goes, with great power (outward beauty) comes great responsability (inward stupidity).
If indeed beauty is in the eye of the (credit card) beholder, shouldn’t the protectors of the Hippocratic Oath be held to a higher standard? Or is it their societal obligation to feed the beast of outward beauty. Then again, the world does need more fashionistas than doctors. Society suggests so.
Little wonder that VainTech companies empowering duck puck faced women are so highly valued by petrochemical investment shoppes.
