During the Spring Festival, besides the long holiday, there are also gatherings with family and friends, and "feasting on meat and drinking heavily," as if only this can reflect the festive atmosphere. However, experts also remind everyone that while celebrating and reuniting, only by maintaining a disciplined diet and regular routine can one have a healthy and happy Spring Festival.
Gastrointestinal diseases and colds account for 60%
"Every Spring Festival, the emergency department is always full of patients." Ji Hong, head nurse of the emergency department at Qianfoshan Hospital in Shandong Province, told reporters that due to irregular diet and routines during the festival, patients with colds, fevers, and gastrointestinal diseases are the majority. "During last year's Spring Festival, the hospital's emergency department treated nearly a thousand patients, among whom respiratory and digestive diseases were the most common, accounting for about 60% of the total emergency cases."
"Acute gastroenteritis is usually characterized by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, etc. In severe cases, dehydration and shock may also occur. Generally, patients with acute gastroenteritis experience nausea and vomiting first, followed by diarrhea, with diarrhea occurring 3-5 times a day or even dozens of times." Ji Hong explained that once the above symptoms appear, one should try to rest in bed and drink oral glucose-electrolyte solutions or sugar-salt water to replenish lost fluids. If vomiting persists or diarrhea is severe, one should go to the hospital immediately.
In addition, if one has a history of peptic ulcers, overeating during the holiday can easily induce ulcer perforation. Typical symptoms include sudden, severe upper abdominal pain, abdominal muscle tension, obvious tenderness and rebound tenderness, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting, and some people may also go into shock. If the above symptoms appear, one should seek medical attention promptly, and surgical treatment may be necessary if required.
Honey water to sober up
During the Spring Festival, when family and friends gather, it's inevitable to have a few drinks. Some citizens even try to increase their alcohol tolerance temporarily with "hangover cures."
However, experts suggest that for health reasons, alcohol consumption should still be limited. People with high uric acid should especially avoid drinking. Ethanol can increase lactic acid in the body, and lactic acid can inhibit the excretion of uric acid by the renal tubules. At the same time, ethanol can also promote the breakdown of purines, directly raising blood uric acid. Furthermore, alcoholic beverages themselves can provide purine raw materials; for example, beer, made from fermented malt, has a very high purine content.
"From a medical perspective, there is currently no drug that can sober you up. The hangover cures on the market are basically useless." Dr. Liu Feng, from the Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology at the Second Hospital of Shandong University, explained. "To sober up, you need 'alcohol dehydrogenase' and 'aldehyde dehydrogenase.' These two substances are secreted by our bodies, and the amount depends on individual constitution and genetics, which cannot be supplemented from the outside."
Although everyone knows that drinking too much is not good, some people still have to drink. Liu suggests drinking some milk or yogurt before drinking, as this can have a certain protective effect on the gastric mucosa. This is because after drinking, the alcohol is digested and absorbed in the stomach, which can damage the gastric mucosa.
Experts also advise against drinking on an empty stomach. It's best to eat some staple food before starting to drink. Also, don't drink too quickly, as fast drinking increases the burden on the liver. "For those who have drunk too much, they can drink some honey water. This method not only helps to sober up but is also very effective in relieving headaches after intoxication," Liu said. In addition, fruits rich in special fructose, like tomatoes, can also promote the breakdown of alcohol.