Holiday Health Risks: Seasonal Triggers that Spike Emergency Room Visits

When you imagine the holidays, you envision yourself surrounded by friends and loved ones, cheerful celebrations, and having time to reflect on what matters most.

But of all the festivities and meaningful moments you might imagine, being in the emergency room certainly isn’t one of them. The truth is, at Adventist Health Glendale, we often witness an influx of patient visits to the emergency room during this time of year.

In fact, we typically see a 26% overall increase in emergency visits in the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year. Why is this?

Here are the three most common issues that create a spike in holiday traffic to the Emergency Department.

1. Colds and Flu

Seasonal illnesses, such as influenza, colds, and respiratory infections, peak during this time. As cooler weather settles in, people often spend more time indoors, creating an environment conducive to spreading viruses. This increased proximity among individuals, especially during holiday gatherings, facilitates the transmission of contagious diseases, resulting in a surge of patients seeking medical attention.

"If you feel ill, resist the urge to gather with friends and loved ones,” expressed Dr. Anthony Cardillo, managing partner of the Adventist Health Glendale's emergency physician group. “Missing out is better than spreading germs and risking the health of others.”

2. Heart issues and strokes

"Every year, we see up to a 30-35% increase in patients experiencing chest pain during the holidays," expressed Dr. Cardillo. "This is a fun and festive time for families and our community, but the holidays can also trigger stress, anxiety, and depression for some. Understandably, this can raise risks for patients with heart disease, hypertension, or other underlying concerns.”

“We see more strokes and heart attacks in December and January than any other time of the year,” Dr. Cardillo added. “Please listen to your body and pay attention to warning signs. Don’t ignore symptoms just because you don’t want to spoil the holidays.”

Dr. Cardillo also encourages being mindful and keep eating, exercise and sleep routines as regular as possible.

3. Digestive Distress

Gastrointestinal symptoms often arise during the holiday stretch, including vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. The rapid transmission of digestive viruses can lead to familial or workplace outbreaks, prompting a spike in hospital visits as individuals seek relief from severe symptoms or dehydration.

In addition to viruses, overindulgence of holiday foods and treats, especially if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or other cardiovascular disease, might earn you a trip to the emergency room.

“Many of our favorite seasonal snacks and meals are loaded with high salt or sugar content," cautioned Dr. Cardillo. “It's easy to overdo it during the holidays but remember that a little goes a long way.”

While there are other reasons why Emergency Department traffic is higher this time of year -- injuries from traffic collisions, cooking accidents, and decorating mishaps -- The most common issues discussed here can be avoided if individuals use caution and take the necessary preventable measures. Even just practicing good hygiene and safe food handling, such as frequent handwashing and proper sanitation, can be crucial preventive measures.

Prevent Common Holiday Medical Emergencies

Tips from Emergency Physician Antony Cardillo

1. Stick to the routine

Try to follow normal sleep, diet and exercise habits

2. Practice mindfulness

• Avoid repeated overindulgence of foods with high fat, sodium, and sugar
• Manage stress levels – allow extra travel time and time for relaxation
• Slow down, resist the urge to multi-task, and focus on one priority at a time

3. Listen to your body

• Know your health risks and warning signs (stroke,heart attack,anxiety, etc.)
• Seek medical attention right away – Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen.

4. Practice good hygiene + food handling

• Wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• Wash hands before, during, and after preparing food
• Refrigerate or freeze perishable food and leftovers within 2 hours

5. Stay home if you feel ill

• Avoid close contact with others
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces