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Preventing heart attacks, nutrition, fire safety and mental health at Christmas

The Christmas season is a time of joy for many, but it also brings with it certain health risks. For example, the risk of a heart attack is highest on Christmas Eve throughout the year, as Danish researchers showed in a study a few years ago. Risk factors such as stress, fatty food and little exercise play a role here, which can easily be avoided. However, burns and psychological problems also occur more frequently during the Christmas period.

Preventing heart attacks

"Many risk factors for a heart attack often come together at Christmas: Stress or great joy, heavy food, little exercise and excessive alcohol consumption," says Prof. Dr. Dirk Westermann, Medical Director of the Department of Cardiology and Angiology at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. On the positive side, many people are often together at Christmas and can call for help in an emergency. "If there are any signs of a heart attack, call 112 immediately," emphasizes Westermann. Typical signs are pain in the chest, often radiating to the left arm, shoulder, jaw or upper abdomen. Women often show non-specific symptoms such as upper abdominal or back pain and nausea with a pronounced feeling of weakness.

Exercise helps with digestion

In around three out of four households in Germany, roast duck, goose or raclette is served at Christmas. A feeling of fullness and tiredness are inevitable. Does something high-proof help? "There is no scientific evidence that schnapps improves digestion," says Prof. Dr. Tobias Böttler, Senior Physicianat the Department of Medicine II at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. It is possible that the relaxing effect is due to the fact that the nerves in the stomach are slightly anaesthetized. "Light exercise after eating is much more effective and healthier: as a walk or simply by moving around the house or apartment."

And if the scales show too many kilos after the festive period, that's no reason to panic, but it is a reason to get active. "Use the time between the years for long walks or other forms of exercise. And plates of cookies and other sweets should become the exception again," says Böttler.

Take care when handling hot liquids and candles

The Christmas season also increases the risk of burns from candles, hot fat, burning pastes and the like. Prof. Dr. Steffen Eisenhardt, Medical Director of the Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, warns: "Burns are very painful and can lead to long-term complaints. That's why quick action is required in an emergency."

Burns that are smaller than the palm of the affected person's hand should be cooled immediately with lukewarm running water. Larger burns should not be cooled in order to avoid hypothermia in the affected person. Substances stuck to the skin must not be removed and burn blisters must not be opened. Burns must be covered in an aseptic manner. "In the event of burns to the face, hands, eyes and joints, as well as major burns, relatives should call the emergency services immediately," adds Eisenhardt.

Mental health during the holidays

The Christmas period can also be a challenge for mental well-being. For some it means stress, for others loneliness. "If the stress becomes too great, those affected should ask themselves: what is necessary, what can I leave out, what can others do?" says Prof. Dr. Claas Lahmann, Medical Director of the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy. At the same time, people suffer particularly from loneliness and mild depression during the festive season. "It is important to take these feelings seriously. This can mean specifically looking for events on these days and putting together a personal program for yourself. At the same time, you should say goodbye to exaggerated expectations, even if it is sometimes difficult," says Lahmann.