Holiday Health Hazards: 7 Most Common Yuletide Reasons for Visiting Urgent Care

Christmas is a time of joy and giving . However, you’d be surprised to learn just how many people spend their holidays injured or sick because of preventable causes.

At Mercy Medical Urgent Care, Dr. Bilal Khoder and our staff understand that you’d rather not see us during the Christmas season, but we want you to know we’re here every day, even Christmas, in case something unforeseen happens.

7 most common yuletide reasons people visit urgent care

To help you enjoy your holiday time, here are seven of the most common preventable reasons that people visit urgent care on Christmas.

1. Falls

It may be a tradition to hang lights and ornaments inside and out for Christmas, but it’s a dangerous one. 

The most obvious problem is falling off the ladder or roof, which can result in sprains, fractures, or even a concussion. You can also throw out your back trying to reach up high, or blow out your knee from climbing.

Opting for lower-hanging lights and ornaments, or letting someone younger climb up high, can help prevent a trip to urgent care.

2. Lacerations

You probably wouldn’t think it were so, but wrapping and unwrapping gifts is a major cause of injury around Christmas, especially on Christmas Day. 

Knives, scissors, and box cutters are sharp and can easily slip, resulting in lacerations. Even clamshell plastic cases pose a risk, because the edges can be sharp.

Lacerations are common in the kitchen, as people rush from one dish to the other or enlist the aid of someone not used to chopping vegetables. Even slicing the turkey or ham can cause an injury if you’re not paying attention.

3. Burns

Burns from kitchen-related tasks can happen because of splattered oil or gravy, brushing up against a hot pan, or from a fire caused by a dangling sleeve that got too close to a glowing stove.

4. Heartburn and indigestion

Traditional Christmas dishes contain lots of fats, oils, sugars, spices, and other GI irritants, which can lead to gastrointestinal distress, including bloating, heartburn, and constipation. 

It doesn’t help that there’s usually a huge amount of different kinds of foods, and many people attempt to try them all, overindulging to the point their stomachs ache with distress.

Eating large quantities, and eating them too fast, can produce GI symptoms that mimic those of a heart attack, sending people right to urgent care.

5. Food poisoning

The holidays are notorious for cases of food poisoning. This often occurs due to undercooked meat, which harbors salmonella, or dishes left at room temperature for too long. The classic signs of food poisoning, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever, send many people to urgent care each year.

6. Flu and colds

The flu virus starts circulating in earnest in early November, so it’s in full bloom by Christmas when the whole family, including those who are sick, gather together. 

The problem is compounded by the stress and travel of the holiday, which weakens people’s immune systems. If one person gets the flu, you can bet they’ll spread it to others.

Do yourself and your family a favor – if you’re sick, skip the gathering, or you might end up at urgent care.

7. Depression

The holidays are supposed to be a festive time, but for those who don’t have friends or family nearby, it can be a lonely and depressing time of year. Many people who become depressed over the situation end up at urgent care for help with their mental health.

Our providers at Mercy Medical Urgent Care hope you have a healthy and safe holiday season, but if something happens and you need help, we’re here for you, even on the holidays. Walk in, or give us a call at 386-758-2944 to schedule.