Healthy Drinking, Happy New Year
Medical experts remind us that overindulging in food and excessive drinking during the holiday season can easily lead to various "holiday illnesses," such as acute pancreatitis and alcoholic liver disease, which can be fatal in severe cases. Drinking strong tea to sober up is like "adding fuel to the fire," but chrysanthemum tea can provide some relief.
During the Spring Festival, families reunite in joy, frequently attending banquets with toasts and drinks. However, medical experts offer a friendly reminder: we need not only to enjoy the festival but also to stay healthy and happy. Overindulging in food and excessive drinking during the holidays will lead to various "holiday illnesses," such as acute pancreatitis and alcoholic liver disease, which can be fatal in severe cases.
For Acute Illnesses: Eat One Bite Less, Drink One Cup Less
According to Liu Qingquan, Director of the Emergency Department at Dongzhimen Hospital, the number of cases of acute pancreatitis, cholecystitis, and cardiovascular diseases admitted to the emergency department during the Spring Festival increases significantly compared to normal times. The main reasons for this increase are uncontrolled diet, irregular lifestyle, and emotional instability. It is understood that the period before the Spring Festival is often a peak time for overtime work. This prolonged overtime leaves many people in a state of physical exhaustion and low immunity. During the festival, uncontrolled eating, drinking, and playing add a heavy burden to an already overworked body, making acute illnesses very likely to occur.
In this regard, a Deputy Chief Physician from the Nutrition Department at Peking Union Medical College Hospital believes that while it is difficult for many people to control their diet during the Spring Festival, they should at least have the awareness to "eat one bite less and drink one cup less." They can regulate total energy intake by reducing the amount of staple food and eating smaller, more frequent meals to reduce the body's load and avoid acute digestive system illnesses.
For Chronic Illnesses: Don't Forget Moderate Exercise and Medication on Time
The Spring Festival is also a "dangerous time" for chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. This is mainly because the festival brings various temptations, including delicious food, fine wine, and entertainment. However, these chronic diseases require patients to stay away from such a tempting lifestyle. Many patients with chronic diseases are unwilling to "eat alone" or "go to bed early" during this time and don't want to be treated as patients.
A Deputy Director of the Endocrinology Department at Guang'anmen Hospital believes that in this situation, in addition to patients with chronic diseases like diabetes needing to improve their medication compliance and dietary self-control, family members should also take care of them. For example, they can proactively adjust and expand food choices, increase participation in physical exercise, and strengthen health monitoring. This is not only beneficial for controlling the patient's chronic disease but is also harmless to their overall health.
■ The Vanguard
Acute Alcohol Poisoning: Improper Drinking Can Be Fatal
Hazard Level: Acute alcohol poisoning, or "drunkenness," can cause perceptual and memory impairment, blurred vision, loss of balance; dizziness, double vision, decreased muscle coordination, slurred speech; coma, lack of sensation, decreased hearing and touch, and can also lead to respiratory center paralysis, circulatory failure, and death. Excessive drinking can also damage the liver, irritate the gastric mucosa, and induce serious diseases such as alcoholic fatty liver and alcoholic cardiomyopathy.
At-Risk Individuals: Those with alcohol intolerance are prone to acute alcohol poisoning; women are more likely to have a deficiency in aldehyde dehydrogenase than men, making them more susceptible to alcohol's effects; drinking alcohol by minors can affect physical development; the elderly are also not suitable for drinking because the body's tolerance to alcohol decreases with age.
Eat lean meat and eggs before drinking, don't drink on an empty stomach
Xu Huafeng, Secretary-General of the China Health Care Association, believes that a small amount of correct alcohol consumption is beneficial to the human body, so one should drink healthily according to their own physical condition.
Drinking Time: Various enzymes in the body are generally more active in the afternoon, so drinking a moderate amount of alcohol before dinner can cause less damage to the body.
Drinking Method: It is advisable to drink small amounts slowly; avoid showing off and drinking too quickly. Do not smoke while drinking, as this will increase the harm to the body. It is better to drink with food. Before or while drinking, eat protein-rich foods such as eggs, beans, and lean meats, as well as fresh vegetables. Food in the stomach will delay alcohol absorption, reduce the absorption rate, and provide some protection for the gastric mucosa. It is best to drink a small amount when in a good mood, as the body's ability to break down alcohol is relatively strong when in a good state of mind. Avoid drinking when feeling irritable, depressed, or lonely.
Drinking Amount: Under normal circumstances, it is considered safe for men to consume no more than 20-40 grams of pure alcohol per day, which is equivalent to about 50-100ML of 42-degree liquor, 70-150ML of 35-degree health wine, 200-400ML of wine, or 500-1000ML of beer.
Acute Pancreatitis: Overindulgence is the "Main Culprit"
Hazard Level: Acute pancreatitis is one of the common acute abdominal diseases. It is an acute inflammation caused by the pancreas's digestive enzymes digesting itself, due to obstruction of the pancreatic duct, a sudden increase in pressure within the duct, and disorders of the pancreatic blood and lymphatic circulation. When it occurs, there is knife-like pain in the upper left abdomen or a girdle-like sensation, accompanied by frequent vomiting. The mortality rate for necrotizing pancreatitis is high.
At-Risk Individuals: People who drink excessively are prone to acute pancreatitis because alcohol has a direct toxic effect and local irritation on the pancreas. People who overeat are also prone to it, as a large meal can cause a large secretion of pancreatic juice, a sudden increase in intraductal pressure, and induce the disease. Statistics show that about 20%-60% of acute pancreatitis cases occur after excessive drinking. Patients with biliary system diseases are also more likely to develop acute pancreatitis and should pay special attention to their diet.
Never Substitute Alcohol for a Meal
According to a Chief Physician from the Surgery Department at Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acute pancreatitis is closely related to heavy drinking. Therefore, during the Spring Festival, one must not overindulge in alcohol, drink on an empty stomach, or use alcohol as a substitute for a meal. If you must drink, it is recommended to choose low-alcohol liquor, red wine, or yellow wine. Acute pancreatitis is also closely related to overeating, so diet should be as regular as usual, and one should not eat too much, especially at night. The diet should not be too greasy. During holiday gatherings, fresh vegetables and fruits should be paired as much as possible to reduce the intake of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods. Many people tend to skip staple foods and mainly eat meat during the Spring Festival, which can easily lead to excessive intake of high-fat and high-protein foods. It is important to ensure adequate intake of staple foods. Patients with chronic pancreatitis should eat smaller, more frequent meals, reduce their food intake per meal, avoid greasy foods, and quit smoking and alcohol.
Acute Cholecystitis: Reduce Intake of High-Fat Foods
Hazard Level: Acute cholecystitis is an inflammation caused by obstruction of the cystic duct combined with a bacterial infection. Symptoms include pain in the upper right abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and fever, often accompanied by pain in the right shoulder and back. The pain is initially very similar to biliary colic, but the pain from acute cholecystitis often lasts longer, and breathing or changing position can often worsen the pain.
At-Risk Individuals: People with a history of biliary diseases should be careful as diet can induce acute cholecystitis. Middle-aged obese women have a higher risk coefficient for acute cholecystitis.
Eat Less Spicy and Irritating Food
Peng Bo introduced that to prevent an acute attack of cholecystitis during the Spring Festival, special attention should be paid to diet. The diet should be based on low-fat, low-cholesterol foods, reducing the intake of fatty meat and fried foods. When cooking, more vegetable oil can be used and less animal oil. Alcohol and spicy, irritating foods can cause acute attacks of cholecystitis and should be eaten as little as possible; hot pot should also be chosen with caution. Snacks like walnuts, peanuts, and cashews, which are often eaten while watching TV or entertaining during the festival, are high in oil and should not be consumed in large quantities. Eat more high-fiber foods to keep bowel movements smooth, ensure adequate water intake, engage in appropriate physical labor and exercise to avoid gallstones. At the same time, the elderly should pay attention to maintaining emotional stability during the Spring Festival. If chronic cholecystitis acutely flares up, one should rest in bed and fast.
■ The Chronic Condition
Diabetes: Diet and Daily Routine Must Not Be Chaotic
Diabetes is a chronic disease that is difficult to treat and has a long treatment cycle, with very strict requirements for diet, daily life, and exercise level.
Doctors remind us that controlling diabetes is not easy. One must not indulge oneself because of the holiday. Once the condition relapses, it becomes very difficult to get back on track. During the Spring Festival, "diabetic friends" should maintain their established diet and daily routines, control their intake of staple foods. Diabetics with hypertension or heart disease should limit their salt intake and try to avoid pickled products such as salted fish, cured meat, and pickles.
It is best for "diabetic friends" to eat fruit on an empty stomach or between meals. Diabetics with hypertension should avoid emotional fluctuations. Those with cardiovascular diseases should carry emergency medicines such as Suxiao Jiuxin Wan or nitroglycerin for unexpected situations. Daily blood sugar and blood pressure monitoring should be strengthened to adjust diet and medication in a timely manner to prevent large fluctuations in blood sugar and worsen the condition.
Hypertension: Quit Smoking and Alcohol, Control Body Weight
Hypertension often becomes a "party spoiler" during the holidays. An internist said that patients with hypertension must pay attention to their health during the Spring Festival: First, do not smoke because of persuasion from friends and family, as tobacco can cause vascular spasms and lead to abnormal blood pressure.
Second, the amount of alcohol consumed should be strictly controlled. Alcohol can irritate the body and interfere with fat metabolism.
Third, it is important to control body weight. Do not relax exercise or overeat just because it's the Spring Festival. Eat foods that are low in fat and cholesterol, and avoid seafood and egg yolks. Maintain appropriate daily exercise, with the heart rate kept at 60%-85% of the maximum heart rate. You can choose jogging, brisk walking, or Tai Chi, and exercise for 30-60 minutes every day.
Fourth, pay attention to sodium intake and try to reduce salt in the diet. Eat more foods high in potassium, such as oranges, bananas, and green leafy vegetables.
Fifth, during the holiday season, patients with hypertension must not forget to take their medication on time and in the correct dosage. Currently, many patients use a combination of five medications, which leads to poor compliance. Failing to take medication on time can worsen the condition.
■ The Food Guide
4 Tips to Let Food Boost Your Health
Yu Kang, a Deputy Chief Physician from the Nutrition Department at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, said that during the Spring Festival, food should boost your health, not drag it down:
Control Oil in the New Year's Eve Dinner
Many people prefer heavy flavors when cooking at home, which is not good for health. In the preparation of dishes, special attention should be paid to the intake of salt and oil. The daily salt intake per person should not exceed 4 grams, and the amount of soy sauce, pickled mustard tuber, and yellow bean sauce should also be limited. The daily oil intake should not exceed 30 grams. During the Spring Festival, olive oil and tea oil can be used as the main oils, and different oils can be used alternately. At the same time, pay attention to controlling the oil temperature, as excessively high temperatures can destroy the nutritional components of the oil and produce various peroxides. For families who eat out for their New Year's Eve dinner, choose fewer greasy and fried dishes and reduce the intake of animal offal. Choose leaner options like chicken, fish, duck, soy products, and shrimp. Restaurants often use more oil and salt, which is beyond personal control. Even vegetables can be oily, so you can order more cold-mixed vegetables or use a dish of vinegar to remove excess oil from the vegetables.
Eat Less Glutinous Rice for Midnight Snacks
During the Spring Festival, staying up late has become the norm, and midnight snacks have become one of the night's companions. A moderate amount of midnight snacks is necessary to effectively replenish consumed energy, but several points should be noted: First, the total amount of midnight snacks and dinner should not exceed the limit. Many people eat a large dinner and then add a midnight snack, making it easy for total energy to be excessive. Therefore, dinner should be lighter and smaller in portion, and the reduced energy can be shifted to the midnight snack. Second, prevent indigestion when eating midnight snacks. Try to avoid using fried foods, high-sugar cakes, and very sticky glutinous rice as midnight snacks, as these foods can easily cause total caloric intake to exceed the limit and also easily trigger gastroesophageal reflux, especially in middle-aged and elderly people. Midnight snacks can be congee, low-sugar fruits, low-fat soda crackers, or toasted bread slices.
Don't Treat French Fries and Peanuts as Snacks
During the Spring Festival, snacks are also an important food source. Because meals during the festival are often larger and higher in energy than usual, you can choose a "3+3" eating method: 3 regular meals plus 3 additional snacks, which includes the intake of snacks. The time for eating snacks should not be too close to the three main meals; it can generally be chosen at 10 AM, 3-4 PM, or during the midnight snack time. Avoid choosing overly sweet foods to affect appetite. Obese people and those with diabetes, hyperlipidemia should avoid choosing French fries, peanuts, etc., as snacks.
It's Best to Eat Fruit Before Meals
Most people prefer to eat fruit after a meal. However, food accumulates in the stomach after a meal, which seriously affects the digestion and absorption of fruit. Therefore, it is best to eat fruit before meals. The daily fruit intake should be 2-3 portions, not too much. For people with high blood sugar and diabetes, you can choose low-sugar fruits: one slice of watermelon, half an apple, half a pear, kiwi, strawberries, pomelo, etc. High-sugar fruits like bananas, grapes, lychees, sugarcane, pineapple, and red dates should be avoided.
■ The Art of Sobering Up
Mastering some correct methods of sobering up can reduce the harm caused by drunkenness. During the Spring Festival, food should boost your health, not drag it down.
7 Great Methods to Help You Sober Up
Although many people know that excessive drinking is harmful to health, on good occasions, with fine wine and family around, or due to social pressure, it's often hard to control the amount of alcohol consumed, leading to heavy drunkenness. Therefore, mastering some correct methods of sobering up can also reduce the harm caused by drunkenness.
Here are several proven methods of sobering up:
● Vinegar and Sugar Sobering-Up Formula: 60ml of vinegar, 20g of sugar, add a small amount of boiling water, stir well, and drink it all at once. Folk remedies include rice vinegar, wheat vinegar, and jujube vinegar, with rice vinegar being the best. Suitable for sobering up in the early stages of drunkenness.
● Vinegar, Brown Sugar, and Ginger Sobering-Up Formula: 60ml of vinegar, 20g of brown sugar, 6g of ginger, add an appropriate amount of water, simmer, and then consume. It has the effects of astringent detoxification, stopping vomiting, and relieving urgency. Suitable for drunk people to sober up.
● Pickled Cabbage with Vinegar Formula: An appropriate amount of cabbage, vinegar, and sugar. Wash the cabbage, cut it into thin shreds, add vinegar and sugar, mix well, and marinate for about 10 minutes before eating. It has a sweet and sour taste and a sobering-up effect.
● Fresh Orange Peel and Salt Formula: Boil fresh orange peel in water, then add a little fine salt and mix well to drink. It promotes saliva production, quenches thirst, harmonizes the stomach, moistens the lungs, and has a sobering-up effect. Suitable for drunk people to sober up.
● Grapefruit Juice Sobering-Up Formula: 1 grapefruit, 5 slices of ginger. First, peel the grapefruit and squeeze the juice. Then squeeze the ginger juice and drip it into the grapefruit juice to drink. It has the effects of promoting saliva production, harmonizing the stomach, stopping vomiting, and sobering up.
● Tamarind Paste: 250g of tamarind, 250g of sugar. First, boil the tamarind to extract the juice, concentrate it, add an equal amount of sugar, mix well, bring to a boil, and let it cool for later use. Take 1 tablespoon at a time, dissolved in boiling water. For drunkenness, use 3 tablespoons dissolved in boiling water.
● Pear Paste Sobering-Up Formula: 2000g of fresh pears, 3000g of honey. Wash the pears, chop and mash them, and squeeze out the juice (or boil to extract the juice). Simmer over low heat until thick, add honey, mix well, and simmer over low heat until it comes to a boil. Let it cool. Take 1-2 tablespoons, or 3-4 tablespoons, and dissolve in warm water. If pear paste is not available, fresh pear juice or eating a raw pear can also help sober up.
2 Common Mistakes to Avoid
A reminder for drinkers: some traditional methods of sobering up have误区 and should be chosen carefully to avoid worsening the degree of alcohol poisoning.
Drinking Tea or Coffee After Alcohol Tea and coffee are common choices for many people to sober up after drinking. In fact, alcohol should not be consumed with tea or coffee. Both alcohol and tea/coffee have stimulating effects. If consumed together, it's like