Healthy Holidays

with Lynn Drab, M.D., Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Columbia St. Mary’s

Posted: Dec. 1, 2004

Consulting a doctor to determine what you should get yourself for Christmas might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you sit down to write your holiday wish list. But Dr. Lynn Drab, an internist and pediatrician with Columbia St. Mary’s, has a recommendation, and you don’t even have to wrap it.

“The best gift you can give,” she said, “is to take care of yourself.”

If you do that, you probably won’t be seeing her – or any other doctor – in January. It’s then that her office fills up with patients who may or may not be sick of Christmas, but who, most likely, are sick from Christmas.

Lynn Drab, M.D., Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Columbia St. Mary's "Instead of having to buy the ultimate present or provide the biggest holiday spread for your family, take a big, deep breath and appreciate what the holiday is really about."

“Certain groups of patients will come in with unique problems,” she said, citing those who’ve become more susceptible to viruses because of exhaustion and stress from too much activity the month before, diabetics who’ve eaten too many Christmas cookies or other holiday treats, and heart patients who’ve overdone the salted ham and turkey stuffing.

Holiday tips for your health
While each patient has a unique situation, Dr. Drab has a general list of pointers she shares with patients in advance of December about maintaining their physical and emotional health over the holiday season.

The most useful thing, she said, is to remember the purpose of the season. “Relieve yourself of the stress of meeting somebody else’s expectations.”

If you can accomplish that, the rest of her instructions should be easy to follow.

Topping that list is getting enough sleep. Between holiday parties, late nights shopping at the mall and juggling all the non-holiday obligations that continue, schedules can become erratic.

“Not getting enough rest will have some big effects on your immune system,” she said. “If your immune system is depressed, you become much more susceptible to all the little viruses your children, nieces and nephews, grandchildren or other visitors bring with them.”

Everyone knows to watch their diets during the season, but the annual barrage of tantalizing sugar bombs and artery-cloggers makes it hard to maintain resolve. Dr. Drab acknowledges this reality, advocating for reasonable indulgence.

“It’s hard for people not to partake overly of the rich types of foods we tend to eat from Thanksgiving on through the new year, whether you have high cholesterol or diabetes or just want to continue fitting into your clothes,” she said.

“Everybody knows you’re going to have some times when you need to break away, but it’s going to be much better if you try to maintain your normal diet and avoid excessive alcohol.”

The late nights and overabundance of feasts can also wreak havoc with another important routine, Dr. Drab said. People who are used to taking their pills with meals or at bedtime can easily walk out the door without their medicine, or come home and fall into bed, too tired to remember to take their bedtime doses. It’s important to maintain your regular medication schedule, she explained.

“A lot of patients have worked very hard to maintain where they’re at and get their conditions under control,” she said. “They live the most normal lifestyle they can. Then the holidays come and the types of food change. Alcohol is more prevalent because of the parties, and they get caught up in a social situation or family situation where they can’t decline a forbidden food that may be the only item on the menu, and they end up with problems.”

The bottom line, whether you’re a guest or a host, is to keep expectations realistic, Dr. Drab said.

“Sometimes people think they’re expected to perform, when a lot of times all your family and friends want is the pleasure of your company.” Besides, she added, “The ultimate Christmas present doesn’t come at the holiday season. It’s the little things you do all year long to improve the lives of the people you love.”

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