Staying Healthy During the Festive Season: Expert Tips
The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but it can also bring health risks that are often overlooked. Here's how to stay healthy during the festivities, according to experts across Europe.
Don't Neglect Safety, Especially with Medicines
The festive season is all about coming together, sharing traditions, and creating lasting memories. However, it's crucial to prioritize safety, especially when it comes to medicines and medical products, as Dr. Alison Cave, chief safety officer at the UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), reminds us.
The MHRA warns against mixing medicines with alcohol or certain foods, as these combinations can lead to dangerous interactions. Alcohol, for instance, can increase the risk of dizziness, drowsiness, and accidents, especially if you plan to drive or operate a powered wheelchair or scooter.
Additionally, some festive foods may not be suitable for individuals taking specific medications. For example, those on warfarin for blood clot prevention or treatment should avoid cranberries, while aged cheeses and dark chocolate, rich in tyramine, can be problematic for those on monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, a type of antidepressant.
Prevent Infections at Christmas Markets
With the influx of visitors at Christmas markets this month, health officials are concerned about the spread of viruses. The Czech Republic, currently battling a significant hepatitis A outbreak, serves as a cautionary tale.
Hepatitis A spreads through close contact with infected individuals, contaminated food, water, or surfaces. Even though Christmas markets are often outdoors, the risk of infection remains. Health officials recommend regular handwashing and surface disinfection, even during holiday celebrations.
Fireplace Safety for Optimal Air Quality
Many households enjoy cozying up by the fireplace during winter. However, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) warns that improper management can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, a fast heartbeat, chest pain, and seizures. This can occur when people improperly adjust appliances connected to a flue, such as fireplaces, water heaters, or boilers, or when using fuels like wood, coal, or gas.
ANSES recommends annual chimney inspections, limiting portable heater usage to two-hour intervals, and ventilating rooms for at least 10 minutes daily, even in cold weather.
Fire Risks from Skin Creams
Individuals with eczema or dry, itchy skin may use moisturizing creams, but the MHRA warns of potential fire hazards. Clothing and bedding can absorb cream residue, making them more flammable.
These fabrics can catch fire quickly if someone smokes, uses a candle, or sits near an open flame. To mitigate this risk, the MHRA advises regular high-temperature washing of bedding and clothing to remove cream residue and ensuring creams don't dry on sofa cushions or other fabrics.
Flu Vaccine: A Precautionary Measure
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) strongly recommends getting vaccinated against influenza as soon as possible, especially given the early spread of the virus this season.
It takes about two weeks for the body to develop flu protection after vaccination. Therefore, it's best to get vaccinated well before holiday gatherings, especially if you'll be around vulnerable individuals like pregnant women, the elderly, or young children.
If you start feeling unwell, the French public health agency suggests wearing a mask, frequent handwashing, and room ventilation if you experience a cough, fever, and runny nose.
