Ophthalmologist Calls For Caution When Popping Bottles Of Bubbly This Holiday Season

For many, celebrating the holidays calls for a champagne toast. But for some people popping a bottle of bubbly can be dangerous to your health. “Eye injuries from flying champagne corks, especially around the holidays, are fairly common,” said Mark Melson, M.D., assistant professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute. “Champagne is part of the holidays, but opening the bottles properly might save some folks a trip to the emergency room or a visit to their eye doctor…

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A Cork In The Eye Is No Way To Spend The Holiday

For many, the countdown on New Year’s Eve is a time to celebrate with friends and family and pop open a bottle of bubbly, but for others, it could mean getting hit in the eye with a champagne cork that could lead to a trip to the emergency room and even permanent vision loss. “Champagne cork eye injuries can have a devastating impact on your vision,” said Kuldev Singh, M.D., M.P.H., clinical correspondent for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Professor of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine…

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Poll: Forty Percent Of Americans Will Change Holiday Plans Due To H1N1 Virus

Forty percent of U.S. adults intend to change their holiday plans due to the risk of being exposed to the H1N1 flu virus, according to a nationwide survey commissioned by JohnsonDiversey, a global leader in the commercial cleaning and sanitizing industry. The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive® between Nov. 20 and Nov. 23, 2009, asked a random sample of 1,002 adults how concern over H1N1 virus would affect their holiday plans. In addition to the 40 percent who will alter plans, the survey reveals: – 10 percent of U.S…

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5 big, fat holiday health lies

True or false: Sugar makes kids crazy and most people pack on an average of five pounds during the holidays.  Here’s the real story about some of the most common pervasive health misconceptions you might encounter this Christmas. Go to Source… Continue reading

‘Bah Humbug’ Alert: Holiday News You May or May Not Want to Avoid

You know that giant cupcake pan you’ve had your eye on? Don’t bother adding it to your holiday wish list – you’re not going to use it anyway. And you know good ol’ Saint Nick? He’s just a tubby binge-drinker who needs to hop onto a treadmill.
Sheesh.  Can you say, “bah humbug?”
Since it’s that time of the year, we’ve been seeing the usual holiday news stories. Last week, retailers’ sales were up 18% from the week before, the Snuggie is taking the world by storm, and since you’ll be partying it up in the coming week or so, remember that… Continue reading

The Holiday Rush Can Be A Pain

To most of us the holiday season is all about tradition, fun, and family, but if we’re not careful, the holidays can also be a pain in the neck-literally-says the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Typical holiday activities, such as shopping “till you drop,” lifting heavy boxes and presents, and countless hours of cooking and baking, can cause muscles to work harder than usual, many times resulting in neck, shoulder, and back pain…

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9 Tips For Healthy Holiday Eating

The holiday season is a time for festive gatherings with family and friends. It is also the time of year when we see tempting treats everywhere we turn. “Weight gained during the holidays often comes from eating foods that are high in sugar and fat. The good news is that you can still enjoy these special occasions as long as you use a bit of restraint and keep yourself from indulging too much,” says Joan Daniels, R.D., a dietitian at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. Daniels and fellow Cancer Center dietitian Nancy Burke, R.D…

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Heart Attacks Increase During The Holiday Season: Exposes The Need For Quicker Diagnosis

‘Tis the seasonâ�¦ for a heart attack? According to Dr. Keith Churchwell, associate director of the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a US database of 53 million deaths occurring between 1973 and 2001 reveals that deaths from heart disease peak in December and January, with spikes on Christmas and New Year’s Day. There are many theories as to why this is the case, ranging from the consumption of richer foods and more alcohol during this time of year, to the seasonal rise in emotional stress. Dr…

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Ask Pam: Handling Holiday Stress

Members: Join our team of experts as we talk about “Healthy Holiday Eating” at our next online meeting on Dec. 22, 2009 at 12 p.m. EST and 9 p.m. EST. How can I cope with all this holiday stress?The holiday season is filled with festivities and fun, but for many people the holidays can also be a stressful time. There are many reasons why you may feel stressed over the holidays, but the important thing is how you deal with your feelings. Don’t let stress force you to abandon your goal to achieve a healthier lifestyle. As with everything else… Continue reading

How to Survive Holiday Food Fests

Contrary to popular belief, most Americans don’t gain 7 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s – they gain 1 pound.  (Heavier people are at risk of gaining more.)
Sure, one pound doesn’t sound like much… unless it sticks around and invites its friends to visit.
It’s not just Thanksgiving and Christmas that are the problem – all those holiday parties take a toll, too. And for many of us, once we slip, a mentality of “well, I blew it – might as well start fresh in the new year” takes over.
So the trick is to keep holiday feasting under control while still… Continue reading