To enjoy a Merry Christmas, one must pay attention to their health.
With Christmas just nine days away, spending happy moments with loved ones, family, and friends is wonderful. However, if you’re feeling unwell, it can turn into a disaster.
Here are some health issues to keep in mind for a joyful Christmas.
Avoid Excessive Drinking
During Christmas, people consume more alcohol, such as wine and whiskey, at meals and parties. However, drinking excessively in cold weather can harm your health and potentially lead to life-threatening conditions like heart attacks.
Overindulgence in alcohol can cause digestive issues, weight gain, and liver damage. Instead of relying on alcohol to relieve stress, it’s healthier to maintain good eating habits and get adequate sleep to manage stress. Hydrating with water can help detoxify your body and boost your metabolism.
Protect Yourself from the Cold
Christmas is always the coldest day of the year, on December 25. When engaging in outdoor activities, be cautious of hypothermia and cold-related illnesses. Notably, this year has seen fatalities from cold-related conditions.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) emphasizes the need for special precautions for the elderly, infants, and individuals with chronic illnesses. Seniors and children are particularly vulnerable due to weakened autonomic nervous system functions and reduced vascular defenses.
People with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and hypertension face increased risks. Rapid temperature changes can cause blood vessels to constrict and blood pressure to spike, worsening their symptoms.
Cold-related illnesses have warning signs. Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature drops below 95°F (35°C). When the temperature falls from 93°F to 95°F (34°C to 35°C), severe shivering may occur. This shivering is far more intense than cold; it can become so severe that you may struggle to walk.
If the body temperature drops to 91°F (33°C), the muscles stiffen, and shivering decreases. A significant drop in pulse and breathing can lead to a critical situation. At this point, calling an ambulance for immediate medical assistance is essential. Impaired consciousness occurs at 88°F (31°C), while cardiac arrest can follow at 82°F (28°C).
Avoid strenuous activities and prolonged exposure to cold temperatures to prevent cold-related illnesses. When engaging in outdoor activities, take regular breaks in a warm place. Also, ensure you consume enough nutrients, stay hydrated, and maintain your body temperature.
Special Caution for Those with Pre-existing Conditions
Treats like cakes and cookies high in sugar and fat become popular during Christmas. Patients suffering from chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension need to be particularly cautious, as their health could deteriorate.
People with diabetes should avoid overeating rich, calorie-dense foods. Experts warn that overeating can cause blood sugar levels to spike and excess nutrients to be stored as fat, which negatively affects blood sugar control.
People with diabetes should be cautious when consuming high-sugar fruits. The recommended serving size for people with diabetes is half an apple or a third of a pear. They should avoid consuming fruits larger than the size of their first.
Those with hypertension also need to monitor their food intake. Overeating can sharply raise blood pressure, and consuming excessive cholesterol can worsen hypertension symptoms.
Patients with kidney disease must be cautious with their diet, as failure to do so can lead to symptoms like hyperkalemia, respiratory failure, and arrhythmias.
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