The winter holidays are fast approaching, promising decadent meals, family time, and rest \u2013 but the season can also come with health risks that often fly under the radar.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe festive season is a time to come together, share traditions, and make lasting memories,\u201d said Dr Alison Cave, chief safety officer at the UK\u2019s drug regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).<\/p>\n
But \u201cit\u2019s important we don\u2019t forget safety \u2013 especially around medicines and medical products,\u201d she added in a statement.<\/p>\n
As the festive season begins, health officials across Europe are offering tips to stay well amid the revelry. Here are five of their best.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t mix medicines with alcohol or certain foods<\/p>\n
Alcohol can interact with medicines in \u201cdangerous ways,\u201d the MHRA said, raising the risk of dizziness, drowsiness, and accidents. Be especially careful if you plan to drive or if you use a powered wheelchair or scooter.<\/p>\n
Beyond alcohol, some festive foods also aren\u2019t suitable if you are taking certain medications.<\/p>\n
For example, people taking warfarin to prevent or treat blood clots should avoid cranberries, the MHRA said, while aged cheeses and dark chocolate are rich in tyramine, which can pose a problem for those taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, a type of antidepressant.<\/p>\n
Prevent infections from spreading at Christmas markets<\/p>\n
The number of visitors swarming Christmas markets this month gives viruses an opportunity to spread, according to officials from the Czech Republic, which is grappling with a major outbreak of hepatitis A<\/a>.<\/p>\n Hepatitis A mainly spreads through close contact with an infected person or contaminated food, water, or surfaces \u2013 so even though Christmas markets are often outdoors, people can still get sick.<\/p>\n Health officials recommend that people regularly wash their hands and disinfect surfaces, even while out and about celebrating the holiday season.<\/p>\n Take care of your fireplace to ensure good air quality<\/p>\n Many households enjoy sitting by the fire during the winter months \u2013 but poorly managed, it can put them at higher risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES).<\/p>\n Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, a fast heartbeat, chest pain, and even seizures.<\/p>\n This can happen when people improperly adjust appliances connected to a flue \u2013 such as fireplaces, water heaters, or boilers \u2013 or appliances that use fuels such as wood, coal, or gas.<\/p>\n ANSES recommends getting your chimney checked once per year, only keeping portable heaters on for two hours at a time, and ventilating rooms for at least 10 minutes per day, even when it\u2019s cold.<\/p>\n Know that skin creams may raise fire risks<\/p>\n People with eczema or dry or itchy skin may use moisturising creams \u2013 but clothing or bedding can absorb residue from these creams, making them more flammable, the MHRA warned.<\/p>\n These fabrics can catch fire and \u201cburn quickly\u201d if someone around them smokes, uses a candle, or sits near an open flame, the agency said.<\/p>\n People who use these creams should regularly wash their bedding and clothing at high temperatures in order to remove as much residue as possible, the agency advised. They should also ensure the creams do not dry on sofa cushions or other fabrics.<\/p>\n Get your flu vaccine ahead of family gatherings<\/p>\n The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) recommends that people get vaccinated against influenza as soon as possible<\/a>, given the virus has been spreading unusually early this season.<\/p>\n