The Christmas season is upon us once again and all over the world hospital A & E departments will be on full alert for their seasonal rise in patient admissions. Emergency services will be permanently busy and private health insurance claims will possibly see a peak in the New Year due to the fact that this time of year often brings about an increased number of accidents, illnesses and injuries.
Stress levels naturally rise at this time of year, vast amounts of alcohol are consumed in the name of celebration and the roads are at their busiest. This will lead to many alcohol related incidents – whether they be over consumption, road traffic accidents, or general tomfoolery that leads to accidents.
Stress at this time of year often brings to light underlying heart problems that had so far gone undetected. Heart attacks and strokes are more common and can be down to anything from alcohol, stress or over-indulgence of food. In fact, out of 158 patients studied by Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, 25 had been found to have consumed a large meal just before suffering a heart attack. So, how can we look after ourselves over the festive season and still enjoy ourselves?
Well, for a start we can watch what we eat. Not to excess but the old adage that a little of what you fancy does you good still holds true. A little alcohol can leave you merry, a lot can leave you dead. A little of the rich foods that accompany Christmas can be enjoyed – a lot, particularly the ones loaded with salt, could leave you at the very least hospitalised with heart attack or stroke.
Plan ahead to keep stress levels to a minimum – this reduces the chances of blood pressure rising suddenly. A lack of money can cause people a great deal of stress at this time of year but there is no shame in doing things on a smaller scale to fit in with your budget. Christmas is more about catching up with family and friends than how much you spend on them.
One of the biggest causes of A & E departments being so stretched is alcohol. Over consumption leads to heart problems as well as alcohol poisoning, accidents and injuries, not to mention drink driving related incidents. If you think you may need to drive at any point, avoid alcohol altogether. If you have had a heavy night on the alcohol, think twice before picking up those car keys the next morning. If at all possible, keep a close eye on how much you drink and be reasonable.
For those with private health insurance, make sure all premiums are up to date – you never know when you’re going to need it. So, all in all, Christmas is the time of year when we can afford to let down our hair, enjoy a good break from work and indulge, just a little, in the things we enjoy. All we need to do is make sure we don’t overdo it, after all, who wants to spend their holiday in hospital?
Shaun Parker is a leading health expert with many years of experience in the cardiac field. Find out more about private health insurance at http://www.health-on-line.co.uk
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