Beware of These Holiday Health Risks

Follow these physician tips to avoid an emergency room visit this season

When you imagine the holidays, you envision yourself surrounded by friends and loved ones, cheerful celebrations, with 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, Adventist Health hospitals often witness an influx of patient visits to the emergency room during this time of year.

In fact, at Adventist Health Glendale, we typically see a 26% overall increase in emergency visits in the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year’s. Why is this? We asked Anthony Cardillo, MD, an emergency room physician at Adventist Health Glendale.

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

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,” says Dr. Cardillo. “Missing out is better than spreading germs and risking the health of others.”

Heart issues and strokes

"Every year, we see up to a 30 – 35% increase in patients experiencing chest pain during the holidays," expresses 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.”

Dr. Cardillo encourages being mindful and keep eating, exercise and sleep routines as regular as possible to lower your risk.

“We see more strokes and heart attacks in December and January than any other time of the year,” Dr. Cardillo adds. “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.”

Read More: What’s the Difference Between a Heart Attack and a Stroke?

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," cautions Dr. Cardillo. “It's easy to overdo it during the holidays but remember that a little goes a long way.”

Read More: Gut-Healthy Foods: Eating for Your Digestive Health

Prevent Common Holiday Medical Emergencies

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 outlined above 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.

Here are Dr. Cardillo’s top five tips to stay healthy this holiday season:

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.

Read More: Finding Your Happy Place: Coping with Holiday Stress

3. Listen to your body

• Know your health risks and warning signs for conditions like stroke, heart attack, anxiety and more.
• Seek medical attention right away — don’t wait for symptoms to worsen.

4. Practice good hygiene and 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.

A sick visit with your Adventist Health primary care provider can help you get better faster and avoid the emergency room.Find a primary care providerand book online.