Drink milk to combat heartburn
Why is heartburn so much more of a problem this time of year?
This is partly because fatty meals – roast meat, potatoes cooked in goose fat, brandy butter – delay gastric emptying. As a result, the stomach becomes fuller, stomach acid builds up and is more likely to rise up into the esophagus, causing heartburn, a burning sensation behind the breastbone.
'If you've never had chest pain before, you might worry it's a heart attack,' says Peter Whorwell, professor of gastroenterology at the University of Manchester.
'But heart attacks cause crushing pain that can radiate to the arms, especially the left arm or neck. If you experience this type of pain, seek emergency medical attention.”
Over-the-counter medicines such as Gaviscon contain chemicals, including sodium alginate and potassium hydrogen carbonate, that coat the esophagus to prevent acid irritation; they also form a gel on top of the stomach fluid to prevent more acid from entering the throat and neutralize acid.
Why is heartburn so much more of a problem this time of year?
Although these remedies are very effective, if you don't have any heartburn remedies at home, you can try drinking milk for temporary relief from symptoms (stock image)
Although these remedies are 'very effective, if you don't have any heartburn medicine at home, you can try drinking milk for temporary relief from symptoms: it will act as a buffer against the acid,' adds Professor Whorwell.
Drinking fruit juices can make heartburn worse because it is acidic, he says. “Potent peppermint teas and preparations can also worsen heartburn, although they are sometimes recommended to soothe the stomach and aid digestion.” This is because they relax the valve between the top of the stomach and the esophagus. Professor Whorwell says: 'If your symptoms last for more than two to three weeks, see your doctor to check there is no underlying cause.'
Could a hangover supplement help?
The splitting headaches, nausea and fatigue of a hangover are due to dehydration; alcohol suppresses a hormone called vasopressin, which sends signals to the kidneys, causing them to retain fluid.
This increases urine production and excessive fluid loss, which causes thirst, headaches and fatigue.
Alcohol also irritates the stomach lining and increases acid release, causing nausea and stomach pain.
Dr. Ann Nainan, a GP in London, says: 'It can take up to 24 hours for the body to clear the toxic by-products of alcohol metabolism. To rehydrate, drink one glass of water before going to bed, another glass of water when you wake up, and then eight to 10 cups throughout the day.
'You can also try rehydration salts, taking paracetamol or ibuprofen (if safe for you) and eating a healthy breakfast, such as porridge or eggs and toast, to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels.'
The splitting headache, nausea and fatigue of a hangover are due to dehydration (stock image)
One of the liver's jobs is to help release glucose from the cells for energy. But when you drink alcohol, you prioritize breaking it down. This can lead to low blood sugar, with symptoms such as headache, nausea, shakiness and confusion.
Avoid fatty foods, such as frying, as these can put a strain on your digestive system by slowing stomach emptying.
You could try a supplement: A study of 19 men published in the journal Alcohol and Alcoholism in 2020 found that those who took a supplement of the amino acid L-cysteine (1,200 mg dose) suffered fewer headaches and alcohol addiction had related nausea. .
The compound is thought to help neutralize acetaldehyde, the toxic byproduct of alcohol.
The researchers concluded that L-cysteine's effects were unique and “appear to have a future in preventing or alleviating these harmful symptoms.”
'Despite the very small scale of the study, the intriguing findings could be a promising avenue to explore further for alleviating alcohol-related hangover symptoms,' says Dr Nainan.
L-cysteine is also found in eggs, turkey and yogurt.
Open windows for seasonal sniffs
If you've developed a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing, it may not be a cold, but an allergic reaction to your Christmas tree – or more accurately, to mold on it.
A small study published in the journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology found that a small sample of trees from the US harbored fifty species of fungi, two-thirds of which cause hay fever symptoms.
About one in ten people have an allergy to mold, says Dr Helen Evans-Howells, GP and allergy specialist (and trustee of Anaphylaxis UK) – and pine trees are known to contain mold spores.
“Mold spores from the tree multiply indoors in warm conditions and cause allergic symptoms,” she says.
'Some people think they have a cold and it's not until they put the tree outside after Christmas that they realize it's causing their symptoms.
If you've developed a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing, it may not be a cold but an allergic reaction to your Christmas tree – or more accurately, to mold (stock image)
'For most people the symptoms are quite mild, although in people who have the condition the mold spores can be a trigger for an asthma attack.
'An artificial tree can harbor dust mites if it is in an attic or shed, causing similar symptoms, especially if you decorate it with dusty decorations.' Dr. Evans-Howells recommends treating symptoms by opening windows to ventilate the room, having someone else clean up the dust, taking antihistamines and using nasal steroid spray before putting up the tree and while it is in the house.
Get rid of that bloated feeling after lunch
Walking after meals improves digestion because it stimulates the intestines and increases blood flow to all muscles, including those in the digestive system, so food moves through the body more quickly.
Peppermint oil capsules may help with bloating by relaxing the intestinal wall, and drinking chamomile tea may help break down gas in the digestive tract, but evidence for the latter is lacking.
Massaging your abdomen from right to left can also help release stuck wind as it follows the path of the colon.
Walking after meals improves digestion because it stimulates the intestines and increases blood flow to all muscles, including those in the digestive system, so food moves through the body more quickly (stock image)
Beat the festive blues
It's normal to feel overwhelmed around Christmas/New Year, says clinical psychologist Dr Roderick Orner, visiting professor of primary and pre-hospital care at Lincoln University.
In a 2021 survey of 2,000 people by Skipton Building Society, three in 10 claimed their mental health takes a 'dive' over Christmas. Dr. Orner says: 'What we all need is a period without stress, and that is exactly what we are not getting at the moment: rest is important to recover from physical exhaustion, but also from psychological stress.
'Spend time with people who support you: you can tolerate a lot of unpleasantness if you know that you also see or hear others who appreciate you. Try to make time for yourself to do something you enjoy and spend time outdoors to combat stress.'
Dr. Gayle Watts, a clinical psychologist at Turning Tides Psychology, says we all have three emotional regulation systems: threat, drive and calming.
'At Christmas our drive system is often activated as we rush to do things and see people, and our threat system is often activated by all the stress and anxiety that Christmas can bring. Our calming system is often overlooked, so make sure you spend time activating this system by doing things that are calming and relaxing. Take the time to slow things down and “just be.”'
And if you get the winter coot disease…
Norovirus infections are common during the holidays and can spread quickly through households.
This is because the virus is transmitted both through the air and via the faecal-oral route due to lack of hand washing after using the toilet, says gastroentreologist Professor Peter Whorwell.
'Symptoms include projectile vomiting and diarrhea, plus loss of appetite. You will normally get better within 48 hours and up to three days, but the biggest danger is dehydration, especially in the elderly and children. If your urine turns dark, seek medical advice.'
He recommends using rehydration saline solutions. 'If you don't have one, you can try plain lemonade (not diet lemonade), because the sugar in it will keep you from secreting as much fluid in your intestines. I recommend that patients with infectious diarrhea not use the diarrhea treatment loperamide because although it stops the diarrhea, it may take longer to flush the virus from your system.”
Clean up the vomit immediately, dispose of it outside, and clean hard surfaces with diluted bleach. Discard uncovered food in a room where someone has vomited, clean toothbrushes in bathrooms with boiling water and store them in plastic bags.
Professor Whorwell added: 'My tip for avoiding food poisoning bugs is to wash your hands after handling raw meat – I do this after I put the turkey in the oven. Other than that, just concentrate on enjoying Christmas.”