Ask a Health Advocate: What do I do if I’m sick on Christmas?

The holidays are often an enjoyable time with loved ones, enjoying good food, thoughtful gifts, and each other’s company. But the holidays may be less enjoyable if you’re sick. If you fall ill on a holiday, such as Christmas, chances are your doctor’s office isn’t open. In that case, who do you turn to when you’re sick?

Luckily, there are a few options for medical care during the holidays. Which one you choose should be determined by the type of medical issue you’re having. Read on to learn more about where to go and who to call if you’re sick on a holiday.

·         Call your doctor. But don’t hang up when you hear the recorded message! Most doctor’s offices have a way for you to reach the on-call doctor at that practice. Listen to the recorded message; it may direct you to call or be transferred to the practice’s answering service. The answering service can listen to your concern and reach out to the doctor on call, who will call you back shortly.

Calling your doctor may be the best option if:

o   Your doctor is already treating you for a condition, and your condition has worsened or you are having an adverse reaction to your prescribed medical treatment

o   You aren’t sure whether you should seek immediate help, and need professional advice about whether to visit the ER

·         Visit an urgent care center. Many urgent care centers are open 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Urgent care centers are staffed with nurses and doctors, take walk-ins, and have a shorter wait time than the emergency room (typically under an hour). Before heading out, check the hours for your local urgent care center, plus make sure they’re in-network with your insurance plan.

Going to an urgent care center may be your best option if you have:

o   Sprained ankle

o   Sinus infection

o   Sore throat

o   Urinary tract infection

·         Go to the emergency room. Emergency room (ER) visits should be for emergency-related, life-threatening events only.

You should go to the ER if you have:

o   Difficulty breathing

o   Uncontrollable bleeding

o   Prolonged vomiting

o   Badly broken bones

o   Chest pains

 
In these kinds of situations, have a friend or family member drive you to the ER, or call 9-1-1 for a medical team and ambulance to be dispatched to you.
 

Need more help figuring out where to go when you’re sick on a holiday? If you are a Health Advocate member, call us—you will speak to a Personal Health Advocate who can point you in the right direction.

From all of us at Health Advocate, we hope you have a healthy and enjoyable holiday!

Keep your pets safe this holiday season

Decorating your house is a great way to get into the holiday spirit, but many people don’t know that some common holiday plants and decorations contain toxins. Plants like mistletoe and holly berries, and decorations like tinsel and wire, can have harmful effects if ingested by pets (and children, too). Read on to learn more about which plants and decorations are potentially dangerous, and how to keep your pets out of the veterinary hospital this holiday season.

Harmful Plants

In general, you should keep all plants out of your pets’ reach. But if you do have these plants in your home, heed these safety tips:

Poinsettias: The thick sap inside the stem is toxic, and if ingested by your dog or cat, your pet may show symptoms like vomiting, lack of appetite, and depression. If your pet ingests part of a poinsettia, consider restricting their food and water for a few hours, as symptoms should only last an hour or two. If symptoms persist, consult your veterinarian.

Mistletoe: Mistletoe berries are the most toxic part of the plant, but its effects are fairly mild. If ingested, your pet may show similar symptoms as eating poinsettia, but the real risk is dehydration, so encourage your pet to drink water. If your pet won’t drink up, or if it is very young or very old, call your vet, as it may require medical treatment.

Holly: The spines on holly leaves are sharp and can cause injury to an animal’s mouth, tongue, and lips. Holly also has some chemical content that is toxic, and ingesting holly leaves can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea. Call your vet if your pet has eaten holly. 

Lilies: Lily plants can be toxic to cats, causing kidney injury with potentially devastating, even fatal, effects. Pet owners should seek veterinary attention immediately if their cat has ingested a lily plant.

Harmful Decorations

Tinsel can damage the intestines and cause severe injuries when ingested.

Pets often chew electric wires, like the ones used for holiday lights. They can look especially appetizing to younger animals. When chewed, electric wires can potentially shock, burn, or electrocute, causing harm to your pet. Unplug cords when they’re not in use, place them in cord protectors, or coat them with a non-toxic spray to deter chewing, which you can find at your local pet supply store.

Glass ornaments and ornament hooks are hazardous, too. Pets can ingest glass splinters or hooks, causing internal damage. Hang sharp and/or breakable ornaments higher on the tree, so they are out of reach of your pets. If you notice an ornament has fallen off the tree and broken, clean it up as soon as possible.

Make sure your Christmas tree is secure. Ensure that your pet can’t bump it and send it toppling over. Get a strong and unwavering base to hold the tree, and anchor the tree to the wall or ceiling. Also, choose a smart location for the tree—don’t place it near things that a pet can jump onto and use as a launch pad to then jump onto the tree.

Ensure holiday treats are out of reach of pets. If you are hosting friends and family, keep food platters on counters and tables that are difficult for pets to access. Remind your guests to please not feed “people food” to your pets—some foods can harm pets (for example, dogs can get sick from eating chocolate).

Also make sure that Christmas stockings are hung out of reach of curious pets, especially if your stockings contain treats or toiletries (like candy or toothpaste) that are attractive to pets, but that can harm them if ingested.

Safety Tips

Monitor your plants. Place plants out of reach, and check for any signs of chewed or missing leaves. If unsure about whether a plant could be harmful or not, look it up to check its toxicity (the ASPCA’s website provides helpful information on understanding what plants may be harmful to your pet). In many cases, the safest course of action for pet owners is to just not keep plants in your home.

Monitor your decorations. Decorations like bubble lights, tinsel, and ornaments can be very inviting to your pets. Make sure you place them out of reach, and consider avoiding tinsel altogether. 

Have the phone number of your veterinarian and the emergency vet number posted. Keep the poison center number handy, too. If you suspect a pet poisoning, do not wait to call. Prompt attention may make a crucial difference in your pet's health.

Be sure to let other fellow pet owners aware of potentially harmful holiday plants and décor to ensure a safe and happy holiday.

[Source: petpoisonhelpline.com, Dr. Lisa Murphy and Dr. Kenneth Drobatz of Penn Vet]

WOW –Workout of the Week: Mountain Climbers

Each Friday, we’ll have a new Workout of the Week (WOW) for you.  We hope you’ll try it out over the weekend and then build it into your daily routine Monday through Friday of the coming week.  These workout ideas will be simple, appropriate for people of various ages and abilities, and allow you to fit a little more physical activity into your week!

Mountain Climbers

No, you won’t need Mt. Everest to complete this exercise! In fact, you don’t need any equipment at all.  Mountain Climbers are a great plyometric exercise—plyometrics encourage muscles to exert maximum force in as short a time as possible—that works your quads, chest, hamstrings, shoulders, and your core muscle groups. Here’s how you do them:

·         Begin in a push-up position, keeping your back straight with your weight supported by your hands and toes.

·         Flexing the knee and hip, bring one leg forward until your knee is approximately under the hip.  This is the Mountain Climber starting position.

·         Next, tighten your abs and vigorously reverse the positions of your legs, extending the bent leg until the leg is straight and supported by the toe; flexing the knee, bring the opposite foot up towards your hip.

·         Repeatin an alternating fashion for 20-30 seconds.

For added difficulty, try doing multiple sets of 30 seconds, or doing them for longer intervals. Try adding 20 seconds onto your time each day this week! 

Want more fitness ideas?  If you’re a Health Advocate member with access to the Wellness Coaching program, reach out to your Wellness Coach for more healthy ideas to get—and stay—fit. And remember, talk to your doctor before beginning any new fitness regimen.

Fruits and Vegetables: What’s in Season During Winter?

‘Tis the season for delicious fruits and veggies! There is more fresh, seasonal produce available than you may expect, and so many healthy options to choose from. Try these nutritious ideas that feature seasonal food as the star of the dish!

Breakfast:

Tropical Fruit Salad: Peel and slice kiwi, papaya, and tangerines, all of which are currently in season. Mix in a bowl and enjoy!

Sweet Potato Pancakes with Apple-Walnut Topping: This twist on traditional pancakes is a hearty start to your day. 

Veggie Omelet: Instead of filling your omelet with meat, go veggie! Add some diced cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, and leeks, all of which are in season year-round, plus some frozen spinach to your omelet. Not only will it be healthy, it’ll be colorful, too!

Lunch:

Pear Bistro Salad: Pears are in season, and they are a fun, fresh addition to any salad! The walnuts and chicken breast in this salad provide protein, which can help you feel fuller.

Sweet Potato-Pear Soup: Sweet potatoes aren’t just for Thanksgiving dinner! Try them in this hearty, delicious soup that can perfectly complement a turkey sandwich or a salad.

Very Veggie Snack Pizza: These mini pizzas feature carrots, which are in season year-round, plus frozen broccoli. Use cherry tomatoes and whole grain English muffins.

Dinner:

Mushroom Bruschetta:This appetizer, featuring seasonal mushrooms, is a savory start to your meal.

Spaghetti (Squash) and Meatballs: Instead of using pasta for this dish, try using spaghetti squash! Here’s how to cook it.Top with your favorite tomato sauce and meatballs. For healthier meatballs, make them from turkey or lean ground beef.

Mushroom Steak Fajitas:This colorful meal features lots of vegetables, and the ones that aren’t in season, you can buy frozen. If you’re not a fan of red meat, swap out the steak for chicken.

Salmon Burgers and Sweet Potato Oven Fries: A healthier twist on a traditional burger ‘n fries meal! The salmon is a heart-healthy entrée, and the baked sweet potato wedges are healthier than their fried counterparts. Be sure to serve the salmon burger on a whole grain bun.

Some suggestions for healthy side dishes include Squash with Pecans and Cranberries and Maple-Glazed Turnips.

A few tips:

·         If a veggie or fruit you want to use is not in season, instead of using the fresh version, buy it frozen or canned in its own juice.

·         Avoid buying fruits and vegetables that have added sugar, are in syrup, or are mixed with buttery or creamy sauces.

·         Some canned vegetables (such as potatoes and tomatoes) are high in sodium. Look for low-salt or low-sodium versions whenever possible.

·         For a full list of fruits and vegetables that are in season during winter, click here. Plus, check out these fruits and veggies that are available year-round!

Looking for more healthy meal ideas or ways to enjoy seasonal produce? If you are a Health Advocate member with access to the Wellness Coaching program, call your Wellness Coach today for more great nutrition tips!