The other side of the merry season

CEBU, Philippines - Christmas is popularly the happiest time of the year. It is a season of merrymaking, of gifts and good cheers. The company of dear family and friends is so reassuring that everyone is often prompted to throw their cares away.

The Christmas feasts mainly consist of rich foods. The drinking among friends is usually taken to excess. And, when there's drinking, almost always there's smoking too.

Likewise, there's the number of things to do or look after, all at the same time. There's also the polluted air from the smokers and the firecracker explosions. And there's the December weather to contend with.

The merry celebrations are just one side to the Christmas experience. There's another side to the merry season - the risk of various ailments from stress and overindulging.  Many people feel poorly over the festive season.

It's not only ill health that people should watch out for. Physical injuries and even death are risks, too. Firecracker explosions have cost the limbs of many people. And stray bullets from New Year's Day firearm firings have claimed lives these past couple of years.

The website www.msn.com notes that people are also more likely to suffer from falls, choking, burns, traffic incidents, and domestic violence during the holidays. The website lists some of the common ailments that people fall prey to at this time of year:

Colds and flu

Colds and flu are the bane of the cold months. It's thought that the immune system is compromised by cold weather so wrapping up warm is essential. Asthmatic people need to take extra care.

Health experts suggest "keeping yourself warm [as this] is essential to staying healthy, especially for the very young, older people or those with a chronic illness." Eating fresh produce and taking Echinacea, zinc and vitamin C supplements may help fight off cold viruses, while keeping hydrated will boost that all-important nasal mucous. However, the best way to evade a cold is to wash hands regularly to get rid of germs and avoid close contact with people who are ill.

The same tactics work to minimize the chances of catching flu. However, as flu is more serious (symptoms include a high fever, sore throat and aches as well as a cough and runny nose), flu jabs may be necessary for vulnerable people. Although the vaccine doesn't offer protection from all flu strains, it's still an effective form of protection.

Back pain

Back trouble is major cause of pain among adults and Christmas is a prime time for injury. Heavy shopping, decorating the home and tree, playing with the kids, drinking more alcohol than usual, eating rich and sugary foods, getting stressed, and even lifting heaps of dishes on to the dining table can damage one's back.

To prevent back pain over the festive season, one may ask for help in moving heavy items; bend the knees and keep the back straight when lifting; use a stepladder to decorate so as not to stretch oneself at funny angles; take a trolley or an extra pair of hands when shopping; and sit down while preparing food.

Limiting intake of inflammatory fare such as booze and sugar, doing some morning stretches, and taking a daily walk also work wonders.

Cold sores

Cold sores tend to occur when people are run down or stressed, though weather changes and certain foods may also trigger these. Caused by the Herpes Simplex virus, these are uncomfortable and unsightly blisters that appear around the mouth. Cold sores can be treated with over-the-counter anti-viral creams but usually go away on their own.

As cold sores are very infectious, those infected shall avoid close contact with others, especially babies and people with weak immune systems, and shall not share cups, cutlery and towels until the blisters have healed. The best way to prevent cold stores is to not get stressed (although it's easier said than done). Alternatively, some people swear by lysine supplements or by avoiding foods containing arginine - chocolate, nuts, whole grains - or acidic foods; both of which nurture the herpes virus.

Dry skin

The cold weather conditions can be miserable for those with dry skin conditions already. A combination of cold, dry weather and a lack of sunlight can play havoc with the skin. To treat it, one shall regularly apply moisturizer to seal in the skin's own moisture - the best time is after a warm (not hot) bath or shower, and before bed. Other ways to reduce skin discomfort is to invest in a humidifier, and wear a cotton layer underneath wool clothing or wear fleeces, which are softer fabrics.

If suffering from chapped lips, skincare experts recommend not using long-wearing lipsticks or lip plumpers in the cold months as these can irritate. Instead, investing in a high SPF sunblock; and replacing the current lip balm for a natural, perfume- and fragrance-free one. It's also worth getting checked for vitamin deficiencies, which can cause the mouth corners to crack. Most importantly, one must resist the temptation to lick the lips - instead, to regularly apply a barrier ointment.

Hangovers

It's believed that people tend to drink more in December. And when to topic of drinking comes up, the inevitable hangover that follows a heavy night comes to mind. The surest way to avoid a hangover is to avoid alcohol.

There are ways to make drinking a safer and more pleasurable experience, however. Firstly, experts recommend not drinking on an empty stomach - one must eat a carbohydrate-rich or fatty meal beforehand, and then match each drink taken with a glass of water. It's advisable, too, to drink a pint of water before sleep - as most of a hangover's symptoms are the result of dehydration. If the damage has been done and one wakes up with a sore head and a sickly stomach, paracetamol and sugary or isotonic drinks can help, as can light soups or plain rice-greasy foods will only make one feel worse.

The liver will need time to recover, which is why doctors recommend at least a night off (preferably two) between drinking sessions.

Heart attacks

The risk of a heart attack increases in cold months; perhaps because in cold weather the heart has to work harder to maintain body heat. This can elevate blood pressure, putting the heart under strain, so it's important to keep warm. According to health experts, there are a range of health problems associated with cold weather, but in particular a cold indoor or outdoor environment can make heart and respiratory problems worse, and can be fatal.

Stomach ache and indigestion

Festive indigestion and tummy aches tend to be self-inflicted. Higher-than-usual amounts of sugar, fat and alcohol take a toll on the digestive system. Peppermint tea, activated charcoal and probiotics can all help.

Stress

The festive season can be a period of intense stress. In the midst of various tasks to do, tempers can grow volatile.  Families have disagreements over Christmas; while after the holidays, arguments and money worries cause relationships to implode.

These other sides to Christmas are good to bear in mind as one dives into the celebrations. "To be forewarned is to be forearmed." It really helps to have an idea of what to be careful with or avoid altogether - in order to make sure that discomforts don't get in the way of the merrymaking. (FREEMAN)