The bites and burns, the cuts and bruises, the itches and sneezes and the bulging waist lines.
The festive season is filled with both big and small health hazards that
could set back the healthiest of bodies
and diets.
While it may be tempting to ditch your diet, or throw caution to the wind and hit the beach without sunscreen or first-aid essentials, Essential Med’s Sister Diana Sharp has compiled a few holiday survival tips to make sure you make it to the new year in good health and shape.
For the weight-watchers
“Once you’re at a holiday meal or party, overeating is pretty easy to do, especially as the rest of the guests are often overindulging. However, you shouldn’t
let yourself lose control,” Sharp says, adding: “Before a party, eat a high-protein snack such as a non-fat yoghurt and a piece of fruit. The protein will give you sustainable energy and make it easier to pass up party foods that are high in saturated fat and salt.”
For those with chronic
illnesses such as diabetes OR cardiac problems
Sharp says: “Every person is different. You need to figure out the balance of different foods that work for you. You should have a general sense of what combinations of carbohydrates, fats and fibre work, and how they affect you and your illness.
“Try to anticipate the kind of food that you’ll encounter at a party. For instance, if you know that your mom is making a favourite pie for dessert, plan your meals and medication during the day so that you can have a slice. You don’t have to deny yourself if you think ahead.”
If it’s more than just an
itchy bite
“That incessant buzzing at 3am is part of the holidays. But while a mozzie bite won’t kill you, a snake or spider might. Snakes are common along the coast - they love sun, too. If you’re bitten by one of these crawling creatures, don’t hang around - phone an ambulance or get to the nearest emergency room on the double.”
For those burns
“With the mercury melting under the strain of the midday sun, severe sunburn is a real possibility for everyone in the family. Extended periods of exposure to high temperatures could lead to heat stroke, hypothermia, dehydration and hospitalisation.
“After-sun won’t do. If you experience thirst, reduced urine and dizziness, hot-foot it to the nearest emergency room for assessment and appropriate treatment,” Sharp says.
Hazards of the sea
“Water is a magnet for holiday makers, but poses a number of threats. Boogie board crashes, poisonous jellyfish and bluebottles are just a few to be aware of. If you do get stung, dousing the affected area with hot water is first prize, but some ice works almost as well,” says Sharp.