Heartburn does not have to ruin your holiday meal
Newswise — Heartburn does not have to be on the menu along with turkey and dressing this holiday season.
"The turkey, dressing (as long as it is cooked outside the turkey), green beans and sweet potatoes by themselves will not cause heartburn because they are not high in acid or fat," said Dr. Gulchin Ergun, a gastroenterologist with The Methodist Hospital in Houston. "It's the high fat items we put on them such as gravy, butter, sour cream, and a variety of cheeses that cause the problems."
Ergun says everyone has heartburn issues from time to time. If the problem persists after the holiday season; and you have trouble swallowing, nausea or vomiting on a regular basis, Ergun says you should see a physician before these problems turn into more serious medical concerns." Deep vein thrombosis can block holiday fun
When traveling long distances this holiday season, take heed to the dangers of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition that can result in stroke, organ damage, or even death.
DVT is a condition where blood clots form in the deep veins of the lower legs and thighs. Sitting for long periods of time, either in an airplane or in a car can limit circulation in the legs, leading to a blood clot forming in the vein. The clot can travel unnoticed through the blood stream; and lodge in the brain, lungs, heart or other areas causing severe damage to organs, and in some cases, death.
"The last thing we think about when we are taking a long trip to a fun destination or to see family for the holidays is DVT," said Dr. Alan Lumsden, a vascular surgeon with the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center in Houston. "However, it is a serious condition that can be avoided if you simply get up and move around during your flight or long car ride."
If the person has the ability to get up every couple of hours and walk around, the following exercises can be done while sitting down: "¢ Extend both legs and move both feet back and forth in a circular motion. "¢ Move the knee up to the chest and hold the stretch for at least 15 seconds
Morning jolt of caffeine might be masking serious sleep problems
With the holiday season hustle and bustle in full swing, most of us will race to our favorite coffee shop to get that caffeine boost of energy to make it through the day. However, that daily jolt that we crave might be masking serious problems with sleep. Heavy doses of caffeine (between 500 and 600 milligrams or about four to seven cups) will cause difficulty sleeping, but can also increase your heart rate, cause muscle tremors; and headaches.
Dr. Joshua Septimus, an internist with The Methodist Hospital in Houston recommends drinking no more than 200 milligrams of caffeine (about two cups of regular coffee) a day.
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