Christmas health risks

CEBU, Philippines - In a country where the Christmas season starts as soon as the name of months begin to end in "-ber," everyone is absolutely ready for Christmas by now. In fact, if anyone is asked whether he or she is already all set for Christmas, the most probable answer would be: "Why, it's Christmas already!"

The Christmas tree has been decorated. The Christmas presents have all been wrapped. And the menu for the Christmas dinner has been planned, and reviewed many times over.

For all intents and purposes, Christmas is here already. The series of holiday parties has long since started, one after the other or even simultaneously.  But, okay, while everyone is getting deeper and deeper into the celebrations, there is still time to think things over and brace oneself for certain risks that come with the merrymaking.

With all the eating and the drinking that are necessary parts of the celebrations, there are potential dangers that lurk everywhere. It really takes conscious effort to keep well amid the many temptations to indulge to excess. Fergus Walsh, at the website www.bbc.com, cites several health risks that go with the Christmas celebrations:

1. Not so porky

Lechon is probably the biggest thing that goes into the Christmas dinner, what else? Anyone may enjoy it; it's Christmas after all. But those that have health issues that might be triggered by too much consumption of this fat-rich dish must be careful. Many heart and blood-pressure attacks occur from the holiday dinners.

2. High lights, low lights

It may look festive but dragging a tree - plastic or wooden - into the living room and covering it with electric lights and tiny glass baubles is asking for trouble! Many people encounter accidents with their Christmas tree and problems with Christmas lights. Old Christmas lights must be checked thoroughly before reusing them - of better, a new set with corresponding PS mark shall be used. And Christmas lights must be turned off at bedtime or at times when there's no one at home.

 3. Up in smoke

That line of tea lights flickering on the window ledge won't seem such a good idea if they set the curtains ablaze. Candles cause house fires and several deaths every year. Fairy lights, decorations and even Christmas cards are also a fire hazard. A person is 50 percent more likely to die in a house fire at Christmas than any other time. Many house fires start in the kitchen.

4. Mind your step

There are more accidental falls and traffic accidents in December with the damp weather and the dim days both playing a part. Slippery grounds can be a lethal opponent to even the fittest individual and the best drivers.  More so if one's sense of vision and balance has been muddled by a few drinks.

 5. Eye on the kids

Christmas offers a whole variety of choking hazards from Christmas tree bulbs to decorations. Christmas presents shall be appropriate for the age of the recipient. Grownups shall watch out for small items that could be swallowed by toddlers.

6. Too much to bear

Most people will eat too much over Christmas. That's not a problem if it's a one-off, but two out of three adults are overweight or obese. Health experts say that Christmas lunch alone can provide more calories than are needed in an entire day. One shall take every possible way to reduce fat and calorie consumption, such as removing skin from chicken, limiting lechon consumption, and eating slowly.

7. Alcohol hazards

Whereas eating too much will simply harm your own waistline, excess alcohol can ruin the lives of others too. Assaults - many fuelled by alcohol - and drunk driving both rise over Christmas and New Year. There is also a rise in alcohol poisoning.

8. Holiday fevers

The damp December weather brings on not only the season of cheers - but flu, and respiratory and circulatory ailments as well. There cases of pneumonia often increase at the onset of the cold days. Often, the weather also triggers a rise in asthma attacks. Colds, sore throats and painful joints are all more prevalent, too. Certain things can be done in order to minimize these risks, such as having a flu jab, keeping warm and washing hands regularly.

9. The season of ill will

It's a common experience that family arguments flare up as family member gather together at Christmas. One way to avoid it and spoiling the Christmas spirit at home is for family members to exert utmost effort not to play the blame game with one another. Instead, they may try fun games together; delegate and share responsibilities, and, if really necessary, talk irritants over - confront the issue and not each other and avoid sarcasm. It pays to keep in mind the old saying: "Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days."

10. Lonely at Christmas

There's only one thing worse than being surrounded by relatives at Christmas and that's not being surrounded by them. Research findings reveal that Christmas being the busiest time of year is something of a myth; there is a fall in suicides during the Christmas period, although an increase follows just after the New Year. Ironically, loneliness is one of many problems people face in the merry season. In the New Year particularly, many people get depressed as the bills from the yuletide spending begin to pour in. For example, many couples get into heated arguments that often end in marital breakdown. (FREEMAN)