The holidays bring family, food, and- for many consumers- gastrointestinal upset that accompanies seasonal foodstuffs.
The stretch from Thanksgiving to Christmas sees a rise in diet-related trips to the doctor. Even in the absence of a quick trip to the ER or urgent care, it’s not unlikely you’ll be googling quick relief for heartburn, nausea, or gas. The greasy, sugary, and otherwise indulgent nature leaves many consumers prone to overindulging and reaping the consequences for a little too much time at the buffet table.
Whether you’ve eaten a few too many cookies, a bit of spoiled potatoes, or one too many glasses of champagne, our handy guide will have you feeling better in no time. From gas to gut aches, we’ve got you covered.
Nausea
Symptoms of nausea are hard to mistake and even harder to ignore. While passing nausea is common with overeating and seasonal nerves, prolonged nausea- either accompanied by or in the absence of vomiting- is a more uncomfortable and complicated escapade. Most commonly, nausea can be attributed to a gastrointestinal bug or seasonal stomach flu. Nausea that comes on very quickly, however, may be caused by food poisoning.
If you or a loved one experiences nausea or vomiting, take care to avoid consuming food or liquid until symptoms have past. Consumers with Type II Diabetes or other preexisting medical condition should take extreme care around incidents of vomiting, as vomiting negatively impacts blood sugar.
As you begin to feel ill, lie down and breathe evenly to dispel any passing discomfort. If you begin to experience dizziness or rapid heartbeat, contact a physician or nurse. Take care to not lie children, infants, or other vulnerable adults or individuals on their back, as they may aspirate vomit. These individuals should be placed on their side or otherwise attended until nausea or vomiting has abated. Do not leave children or vulnerable individuals unattended.
As nausea begins to abate, consume small amounts of clear fluid and very small portions of bland foods. Dry toast, bananas, applesauce, or crackers are all good options in the hours following an incident of nausea or vomiting.
If you suspect food poisoning, be on the lookout for more extreme symptoms, any of which may require a trip to the emergency room: hives, wheezing, itching, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or fainting.
Heartburn
The terms “heartburn” and “acid reflux” are often used interchangeably to refer to the discomforting, burning sensation that occurs when stomach acid splashes from the stomach into the esophagus. A common condition, more than 60 million Americans experience acid reflux at least once per month. The symptoms of acid reflux can be painful, discomforting, and worrisome, often mimicking the symptoms of a heart attack.
Symptoms of reflux include pain and/or burning in the chest, back, or shoulder, burping, gastrointestinal upset, feelings of regurgitation, and a sour or bitter taste in the mouth. Symptoms often occur after meals or after lying down. While it can be tempting to wave off symptoms, any chest, back, neck, or shoulder pain should be assessed by a doctor or nurse, even if you already suspect reflux.
If you’re familiar with reflux and have before experienced the symptoms of heartburn, following a doctor’s protocol will help ease symptoms. Most often, treatment involves antacid medications (such as tums) and avoiding trigger foods. Trigger foods are those that irritate the lining of the stomach or esophageal sphincter, leading the sphincter to relax and acid to leach upward into the esophagus. Common triggers include spicy foods, alcohol, carbonated beverages, caffeine, and greasy or fatty foods.
If you are experiencing reflux, consume tums or another antacid and avoid lying down, which may make symptoms worse. If you have already consulted a physician and been provided a plan to combat your reflux, follow the advice of your practitioner, and contact your practitioner if symptoms do not abate.
Diarrhea
Symptoms of diarrhea are hard to ignore, painful, and embarrassing: when you’re at a holiday get together, the last thing you want to do is barricade yourself in the bathroom.
Like other types of gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea has many causes. Stress, food poisoning, stomach bugs, and food intolerance are all common culprits. If you’re experiencing diarrhea in the absence of other cold or flu-like symptoms, your tummy troubles may be due to something you are, or general stress of the holiday season.
If you suspect that something you ate may be behind your frequent trips to the bathroom, steer clear of the offending food: spicy foods, highly caffeinated foods, and greasy foods often trigger symptoms of diarrhea. Often, food intolerances and GI conditions manifest during the holiday season, when cheese platters or greasy dishes cue symptoms of lactose intolerance or IBS.
Prolonged diarrhea can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, so do your best to remain hydrated, and consume an electrolyte beverage if necessary (such as powerade or powerade zero). Individuals with preexisting medical conditions (such as Type II diabetes) are especially vulnerable to episodes of vomiting and diarrhea, as are children and the elderly. Never hesitate to contact a physician or nurse if you suspect food poisoning, or are experiencing severe upset.
Hangover
Anyone who’s ever gotten a little too friendly at the holiday drink table knows that food isn’t the only overindulgence of the holiday season. Between wine, beer, champagne, and spiked eggnog, it’s easy to get more than your fill of holiday cheer. What’s left over isn’t nearly so merry.
While hangover symptoms themselves are typically not dangerous, drinking too much can be harmful or even fatal. Most consumers consistently underestimate the amount of alcohol in a single drink, often over-pouring and over-consuming. Regardless of the occasion, always drink slowly, and never drink on an empty stomach. Limit yourself to a single drink- it’s all too likely that that glass of wine is really more like 1.5-2 drinks, thanks to heavy-handed relatives. Jubilant occasions are meant to be enjoyed- not regretted the next day.
If you’re already suffering from a seasonal slip-up, hydrate, and take a single dose of ibuprofen to ease any headache symptoms. Symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea should be treated as indicated above. Take care to not over-hydrate; while hydration is important, attempts to “flush” alcohol from your system can lead to overhydration (also known as hypothermia), which can be dangerous or even fatal.
If a friend or loved one has overindulged, make sure they do not attempt to operate a vehicle, even if they insist they are fine to drive. If a partygoer dozes off, do not leave them unattended, and always consult a physician if you suspect that an evening has taken a turn for the worst.
Food Allergies
Feeling itchy after the appetizer course? From nuts to shellfish, seasonal meals and buffets are a minefield of allergens. Food allergies are common culprits behind holiday trips to the ER, with hosts and chefs preparing dishes for the masses, many of which come to the party with unannounced or diagnosed food allergies. Come dessert, some may be feeling a little wheezy, itchy, or swollen.
While allergy symptoms vary depending on the severity of the allergy, common symptoms include itching, sneezing, coughing, hives, nausea, dizziness, and fainting. If you suspect an allergy, contact a physician immediately, and consume Benadryl or other antihistamine and head to the ER.
Food allergies can be serious or even life-threatening. If you’re the host, take care to ask guests with food allergies the do’s and don’ts of preparation. If you’re a partygoer with a diagnosed food allergy, be your own advocate, and speak up: while you shouldn’t request a menu formatted to your exact specifications, you should let your host know ahead of time if your food allergy is serious or highly exclusionary. Offer to bring a dish to help supplement what’s already on the menu, and always ask the ingredients of a dish if you’re in a situation where you’re not sure what’s safe and what’s off-limits.
Gas
A normal product of metabolism, gas can cause a not-so-silent night. Produced in the stomach and intestinal tract as your body breaks down food, gas can cause belly distention and embarrassing flatulence. Odor and sound aside, gas is typically harmless.
Certain foods tend to trigger gas production, with certain individuals more prone to gas than others. Common trigger foods include high-fiber foods, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, etc), spicy foods, fried foods, sugar substitutes, carbonated beverages, and dairy products.
If you’re experiencing discomfort from excess gas, consider taking Beano or Gas-X, both of which can reduce flatulence by reducing the amount of gas produced in the breakdown of food, or dissolving gas bubbles once they have formed. Beano is taken immediately before eating, while Gas-X can be taken after eating to relieve symptoms of gas, including pressure, bloating, and flatulence.
*Always consult a physician or nurse if symptoms of any food-related upset last longer than anticipated, if you have a preexisting medical condition, or if you experience high fever, dizziness, or symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.
The stretch from Thanksgiving to Christmas sees a rise in diet-related trips to the doctor. Even in the absence of a quick trip to the ER or urgent care, it’s not unlikely you’ll be googling quick relief for heartburn, nausea, or gas. The greasy, sugary, and otherwise indulgent nature leaves many consumers prone to overindulging and reaping the consequences for a little too much time at the buffet table.
Whether you’ve eaten a few too many cookies, a bit of spoiled potatoes, or one too many glasses of champagne, our handy guide will have you feeling better in no time. From gas to gut aches, we’ve got you covered.
Nausea
Symptoms of nausea are hard to mistake and even harder to ignore. While passing nausea is common with overeating and seasonal nerves, prolonged nausea- either accompanied by or in the absence of vomiting- is a more uncomfortable and complicated escapade. Most commonly, nausea can be attributed to a gastrointestinal bug or seasonal stomach flu. Nausea that comes on very quickly, however, may be caused by food poisoning.
If you or a loved one experiences nausea or vomiting, take care to avoid consuming food or liquid until symptoms have past. Consumers with Type II Diabetes or other preexisting medical condition should take extreme care around incidents of vomiting, as vomiting negatively impacts blood sugar.
As you begin to feel ill, lie down and breathe evenly to dispel any passing discomfort. If you begin to experience dizziness or rapid heartbeat, contact a physician or nurse. Take care to not lie children, infants, or other vulnerable adults or individuals on their back, as they may aspirate vomit. These individuals should be placed on their side or otherwise attended until nausea or vomiting has abated. Do not leave children or vulnerable individuals unattended.
As nausea begins to abate, consume small amounts of clear fluid and very small portions of bland foods. Dry toast, bananas, applesauce, or crackers are all good options in the hours following an incident of nausea or vomiting.
If you suspect food poisoning, be on the lookout for more extreme symptoms, any of which may require a trip to the emergency room: hives, wheezing, itching, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or fainting.
Heartburn
The terms “heartburn” and “acid reflux” are often used interchangeably to refer to the discomforting, burning sensation that occurs when stomach acid splashes from the stomach into the esophagus. A common condition, more than 60 million Americans experience acid reflux at least once per month. The symptoms of acid reflux can be painful, discomforting, and worrisome, often mimicking the symptoms of a heart attack.
Symptoms of reflux include pain and/or burning in the chest, back, or shoulder, burping, gastrointestinal upset, feelings of regurgitation, and a sour or bitter taste in the mouth. Symptoms often occur after meals or after lying down. While it can be tempting to wave off symptoms, any chest, back, neck, or shoulder pain should be assessed by a doctor or nurse, even if you already suspect reflux.
If you’re familiar with reflux and have before experienced the symptoms of heartburn, following a doctor’s protocol will help ease symptoms. Most often, treatment involves antacid medications (such as tums) and avoiding trigger foods. Trigger foods are those that irritate the lining of the stomach or esophageal sphincter, leading the sphincter to relax and acid to leach upward into the esophagus. Common triggers include spicy foods, alcohol, carbonated beverages, caffeine, and greasy or fatty foods.
If you are experiencing reflux, consume tums or another antacid and avoid lying down, which may make symptoms worse. If you have already consulted a physician and been provided a plan to combat your reflux, follow the advice of your practitioner, and contact your practitioner if symptoms do not abate.
Diarrhea
Symptoms of diarrhea are hard to ignore, painful, and embarrassing: when you’re at a holiday get together, the last thing you want to do is barricade yourself in the bathroom.
Like other types of gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea has many causes. Stress, food poisoning, stomach bugs, and food intolerance are all common culprits. If you’re experiencing diarrhea in the absence of other cold or flu-like symptoms, your tummy troubles may be due to something you are, or general stress of the holiday season.
If you suspect that something you ate may be behind your frequent trips to the bathroom, steer clear of the offending food: spicy foods, highly caffeinated foods, and greasy foods often trigger symptoms of diarrhea. Often, food intolerances and GI conditions manifest during the holiday season, when cheese platters or greasy dishes cue symptoms of lactose intolerance or IBS.
Prolonged diarrhea can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, so do your best to remain hydrated, and consume an electrolyte beverage if necessary (such as powerade or powerade zero). Individuals with preexisting medical conditions (such as Type II diabetes) are especially vulnerable to episodes of vomiting and diarrhea, as are children and the elderly. Never hesitate to contact a physician or nurse if you suspect food poisoning, or are experiencing severe upset.
Hangover
Anyone who’s ever gotten a little too friendly at the holiday drink table knows that food isn’t the only overindulgence of the holiday season. Between wine, beer, champagne, and spiked eggnog, it’s easy to get more than your fill of holiday cheer. What’s left over isn’t nearly so merry.
While hangover symptoms themselves are typically not dangerous, drinking too much can be harmful or even fatal. Most consumers consistently underestimate the amount of alcohol in a single drink, often over-pouring and over-consuming. Regardless of the occasion, always drink slowly, and never drink on an empty stomach. Limit yourself to a single drink- it’s all too likely that that glass of wine is really more like 1.5-2 drinks, thanks to heavy-handed relatives. Jubilant occasions are meant to be enjoyed- not regretted the next day.
If you’re already suffering from a seasonal slip-up, hydrate, and take a single dose of ibuprofen to ease any headache symptoms. Symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea should be treated as indicated above. Take care to not over-hydrate; while hydration is important, attempts to “flush” alcohol from your system can lead to overhydration (also known as hypothermia), which can be dangerous or even fatal.
If a friend or loved one has overindulged, make sure they do not attempt to operate a vehicle, even if they insist they are fine to drive. If a partygoer dozes off, do not leave them unattended, and always consult a physician if you suspect that an evening has taken a turn for the worst.
Food Allergies
Feeling itchy after the appetizer course? From nuts to shellfish, seasonal meals and buffets are a minefield of allergens. Food allergies are common culprits behind holiday trips to the ER, with hosts and chefs preparing dishes for the masses, many of which come to the party with unannounced or diagnosed food allergies. Come dessert, some may be feeling a little wheezy, itchy, or swollen.
While allergy symptoms vary depending on the severity of the allergy, common symptoms include itching, sneezing, coughing, hives, nausea, dizziness, and fainting. If you suspect an allergy, contact a physician immediately, and consume Benadryl or other antihistamine and head to the ER.
Food allergies can be serious or even life-threatening. If you’re the host, take care to ask guests with food allergies the do’s and don’ts of preparation. If you’re a partygoer with a diagnosed food allergy, be your own advocate, and speak up: while you shouldn’t request a menu formatted to your exact specifications, you should let your host know ahead of time if your food allergy is serious or highly exclusionary. Offer to bring a dish to help supplement what’s already on the menu, and always ask the ingredients of a dish if you’re in a situation where you’re not sure what’s safe and what’s off-limits.
Gas
A normal product of metabolism, gas can cause a not-so-silent night. Produced in the stomach and intestinal tract as your body breaks down food, gas can cause belly distention and embarrassing flatulence. Odor and sound aside, gas is typically harmless.
Certain foods tend to trigger gas production, with certain individuals more prone to gas than others. Common trigger foods include high-fiber foods, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, etc), spicy foods, fried foods, sugar substitutes, carbonated beverages, and dairy products.
If you’re experiencing discomfort from excess gas, consider taking Beano or Gas-X, both of which can reduce flatulence by reducing the amount of gas produced in the breakdown of food, or dissolving gas bubbles once they have formed. Beano is taken immediately before eating, while Gas-X can be taken after eating to relieve symptoms of gas, including pressure, bloating, and flatulence.
*Always consult a physician or nurse if symptoms of any food-related upset last longer than anticipated, if you have a preexisting medical condition, or if you experience high fever, dizziness, or symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.
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