Maintaining good health should not take a holiday at Christmas

Christmas is frequently referred to as the most wonderful time of the year. The excitement associated with this holy season is not only omnipresent, it is often contagious. Unfortunately, contiguously, there is also the tendency for many to toss caution to the wind concerning their health, which can feed into a range of health-related issues.

Matters of the heart

A study published in the internationally acclaimed medical journal Circulation reports that in the USA the incidence of fatal heart attacks, and heart rhythm disorders (aka Holiday heart syndrome) is significantly higher on Christmas, Boxing, and New Year days, respectively, when compared to any other day of the year. The reasons for this include binge drinking, excessive consumption of unhealthy foods, stress, depression, anxiety, and postponement in seeking medical care.

Respiratory tract infections

Huddling with friends and family, especially those who have recently arrived or returned from overseas, increases the chances of contracting the common cold, sinusitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. These may be caused by parainfluenza, the flu, RSV, mycoplasma pneumonia, COVID-19, and other infectious agents. To reduce your chances of getting a respiratory tract infection, avoid touching your face with unwashed or unsanitized hands. Avoid sharing eating and drinking utensils, and towels.

You are what you eat

While overeating may only result in abdominal discomfort for most, however, this can be significantly consequential for the pre-diabetic, diabetics, hypertensives, and those with dyslipidemia. In such persons, overeating can result in a significant spike in their blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood fat levels, respectively. Over the season one should prioritize the consumption of pigeon peas dishes, boiled corn, corn soup, breadfruit, sweet potato and cassava pies, madongo dumplings/ bakes, ground provisions, callaloo, dhal, fish, chicken/ turkey (without skin), salads, vegetables, conkies/ pastelles, and unsalted nuts. Go easy on the rice, macaroni pie, white potatoes, banana/ pumpkin fritters, ducana, fried foods, ham, curry goat, pork, beef, oxtail, pigtail, saltfish, stuffing, pudding, gravy, sorrel, sugar-sweetened mauby, rum punch, Ponche Creme, eggnog, ginger beer, black/ fruit cake, sweet bread, ice cream, and limit your portion size.

Control alcohol intake

In numerous cultures, including ours, the Christmas season is synonymous with binge drinking. In addition to heart attacks and strokes, this may also lead to motor vehicle accidents, domestic violence, falls, injuries, homicides, suicides, and risky sexual behaviour. The latter can increase the chances of unwanted pregnancies or the contraction of STDs.

Food poisoning

Many households prepare a plethora of dishes for the “big day”. Unfortunately, these dishes are often left out for quite a while at room temperature, where bacteria thrive and multiply, before they’re placed in the fridge. To reduce the risk of food poisoning, food should be refrigerated within two hours of initially being served.

Holiday blues

The prevalence of depression increases over the holidays. For many, Christmas serves to rekindle and heighten our sense of loss of loved ones. Other reasons for depression include financial challenges, falling short in meeting others’ expectations, fatigue, loneliness, the over-commercialization of Christmas, and stressful (family) gatherings. Minimizing intake of or avoiding alcohol reduces the risk of depression. Spending some time outside in the sun, instead of being cooped up indoors, exercising, getting 7-8 hours of sleep, and healthy eating all help mitigate depression. Let family and friends know how you are feeling if you feel overwhelmed by depression and loneliness.

Asthma/ Allergies

Real Christmas trees can harbour pollen which can exacerbate asthma as well as bring on sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, runny noses, sore throats, and fatigue in susceptible individuals. The latter collection of symptoms is often called the Christmas Tree Syndrome. You can minimize such by hosing the tree outside before bringing it indoors. Alternatively, an artificial tree can be used.

Christmas choking hazards

Choking is most common in children under the age of three. Unfortunately, some of us do not take into consideration the potential choking hazards of allowing young children to play with small toys, parts, and balloons. Sweets can also cause choking when given to our little ones. As a general rule, we should not allow children to play with any object that is small enough to fit into their mouth. Intoxicated adults are at risk for choking on meats, hot dogs, fruit, cheese, nuts, and popcorn.

Injuries/ Electrical Shocks

Persons can be injured due to falls from heights while hanging decorations and or lights, especially in hard-to-reach places. Glass decorations can cause cuts. Broken and exposed wires can result in electrical shocks. Exercise great caution regarding the aforementioned. Always keep in mind that when one goes beyond moderation, in most instances, delightful and minimally hazardous things cease to be enjoyable and safe. Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed, healthy, cheerful, and safe Christmas and beyond. Please find some time to spread the Christmas joy to others who are less fortunate. Merry Christmas.

Author: Dr. C. Malcolm Grant – Family Physician, c/o Family Care Clinic, Arnos Vale. Former tutor, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados. For appointments: clinic@familycaresvg.com, 1(784)570-9300, (Office), 1(784)455-0376 (WhatsApp)

Disclaimer: The information provided in the above article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.
Dr. C. Malcolm Grant, Family Care Clinic or The Searchlight Newspaper, or their associates, respectively, are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information provided above.