Holiday Health 101: Avoiding Common Risks and Knowing When to Get Medical Care

The holidays are meant to be a time of joy and togetherness, but let's face it- unexpected health issues have a way of putting a damper on even your most festive plans. 

Whether it's a sudden stomach ache that won't quit or an injury from hauling those heavy holiday decorations, knowing what to watch out for and when to seek help can make all the difference. Here are some practical tips and advice from our Archbold team to help you stay healthy and keep the holidays merry and bright. 

Tips for a Health Holiday Season

While it's true that some health issues, like appendicitis or accidental injuries, can't always be prevented, there are proactive steps you can take to lower your risk of experiencing common holiday-related health problems. By making small adjustments to your routine and staying mindful of your health, you can enjoy the season to its fullest without necessary interruptions. 

• Eat Mindfully: Enjoy holiday treats in moderation and balance heavy meals with lighter options to reduce stress on your digestive system. 
   
• Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water aids digestion and can prevent dehydration-related issues, especially when consuming salty or sugary foods. 
   
• Stay Active Safely: Engage in physical activities like walking, but avoid overexertion, especially when lifting heavy objects or participating in winter sports. 
   
• Use a Spotter: When decorating, especially when climbing ladders or reaching high places, have someone nearby to provide assistance and ensure your safety. 
   
• Listen to Your Body: Don't ignore persistent or unusual pain. Early detection can prevent a minor issue from becoming a major health concern. 
   
• Medication Management: Keep your prescriptions up to date and carry any necessary medications with you, especially when traveling. 
   
• Routine Check-Ups: If you have a chronic condition or recent health concerns, check in with your doctor before the holiday season to ensure you're in good health. 

Common Holiday-Related Medical Issues

From indulging in festive meals to engaging in strenuous activities like decorating or traveling, the combination of dietary changes, increased physical exertion, and busy schedules can create a perfect storm for certain medical conditions. Unfortunately, some of these issues may require immediate surgical intervention to prevent serious complications. 

Here are a few conditions requiring surgery that tend to spike during this time of year:

Gallbladder Attacks

The holidays are notorious for rich, high-fat meals that can overwork the gallbladder. This organ, responsible for helping digest fats, can become inflamed or obstructed if gallstones are present, leading to sudden, severe pain and nausea. 

• Trigger: Consuming fatty, greasy foods in larger quantities. 
• At Risk: Individuals with a history of gallstones or gallbladder disease. 
• Potential Intervention: Gallbladder removal surgery (cholecystectomy) if symptoms become severe or recurrent. 

Appendicitis

Appendicitis doesn't follow a schedule and can strike anyone at any time, including during the holidays. This condition occurs when the appendix becomes inflamed and infected, often requiring emergency surgery to prevent it from rupturing. 

• Trigger: There is no clear cause, but some theories suggest blockage or infection. 
• At Risk: Anyone, though it is most common in individuals aged 10-30. 
• Potential Intervention: Appendectomy to remove the inflamed appendix and prevent complications. 

Hernias

Holiday activities like lifting heavy boxes of decorations, hauling luggage, or overeating can place added pressure on the abdominal wall, exacerbating existing hernias or causing new ones to become symptomatic. 

• Trigger: Strain from physical activity or increased abdominal pressure. 
• At Risk: Individuals with a pre-existing hernia or a history of abdominal surgeries. 
• Potential Intervention: Hernia repair surgery, particularly if the hernia becomes strangulated or incarcerated (trapping tissue or cutting off blood supply).

Injuries from Falls

Icy sidewalks, ladders for holiday decorating, and cluttered indoor spaces can all contribute to slips, trips, and falls. These accidents can result in fractures, dislocations, or other injuries that might require surgical attention. 

• Trigger: Poor weather conditions, unsafe decorating practices, or physical overexertion. 
• At Risk: Older adults, those decorating outdoors, or anyone in icy or wet conditions. 
• Potential Intervention: Surgical repair of fractures or other injuries, depending on severity. 

Be Prepared for Emergencies

Being prepared for medical emergencies, especially during the holidays, can save valuable time and reduce stress if unexpected health issues arise. 

Here's how to ensure you're ready:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention
   For severe, persistent, or worsening symptoms, visit the nearest Archcbold Emergency Department. Our Emergency Departments are open around the clock, even during the holidays. remember, delaying care can lead to complications that make treatment more difficult. For emergencies, it's always best to seek the advice of a trained medical professional right away. 
    
2. Avoid Self-Treatment
   While rest and over-the-counter medications may help alleviate mild symptoms, they are not a substitute for medical evaluation if symptoms are severe and persistent. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or head to the nearest emergency room. If you feel your symptoms need urgent attention but aren't of an emergency nature, call your primary care provider for guidance or visit Archbold's Urgent Care Center in Thomasville. 
    
3. Prepare for Emergencies
   If you're visiting family or traveling, take note of local hospitals and their emergency department phone numbers. Consider using GPS or saving the addresses in your smartphone for quick access in an urgent situation. 
    
4. Keep Important Medical Information Handy
   Having critical health information readily available can make a significant difference in how quickly and effectively healthcare providers can treat you. 
   
   Ensure you have the following with you at all times:

• A list of current medications, including dosages and the times you take them.
• A record of allergies, especially to medications or foods, and the type of reactions you experience.
• A brief medical history, including any chronic conditions, past surgeries, or hospitalizations. 
• Contact information for your primary care provider or specialist, as well as any other relevant healthcare professionals. 
• Details of your health insurance, including policy numbers and contact information for your insurance company. 
  
  
  5. Communication with Loved Ones
  Make sure someone close to you knows about your pre-existing medical conditions or any new symptoms you are having. It's also important that your loved ones know where to find your health information in an emergency. If you're traveling with others, discuss an emergency plan so everyone knows what to do and where to go if urgent or emergency care is needed. 

Know When to Seek Help

Knowing when to seek medical attention can make all the difference. Here are some warning signs that it's time to visit the nearest Archbold Emergency Department:

• Sudden, severe abdominal pain that doesn't subside
• Pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or fever
• Persistent swelling or a bulge in the abdomen that is tender to the touch
• Difficulty moving or functioning due to an injury

Archbold: Here When You Need Us

At Archbold, we know that emergencies don't wait for convenient times, and neither do we. Our Emergency Department and Archbold South Georgia Surgical team are available 24/7, ensuring you have access to exceptional care when you need it most. 

With advanced technology, compassionate staff, and experienced surgeons, we're ready to help you navigate unexpected health challenges, even during the holidays.