Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (1:00) is in the downloads at the end of the post. Please "Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

Most people expect the holidays to be a happy, jolly time. But that doesn't match reality for everyone.

"Maybe your relatives aren't showing up for dinner. Or you are estranged from a family member. Or there are financial concerns," says Fuehrer. "And it's not fitting with the way the holidays are supposed to be."

She says people are bombarded by the media during the holidays with expectations of having the next best thing. And that can make you feel depressed because nothing is good enough.

"At that point, it's time to switch to gratefulness and connections with other people," says Fuehrer.

For example, take time every day to share a treasure with someone.

"The treasure could be a funny story, a kind story, something new you've learned or something beautiful in nature," says Fuehrer.

And try lowering your anxiety by being mindful.

"[Pay] attention to your senses," she says. "What do you hear, smell, see, taste and touch?"

And pay it forward with random acts of kindness. It will brighten your day and someone else's, too.

The post Mayo Clinic Minute: Tips to beat holiday depression appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (1:00) is in the downloads at the end of the post.
Please ‘Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network.’ Read the script.

Most people expect the holidays to be a happy, jolly time. But that doesn't match reality for everyone.

"Maybe your relatives aren't showing up for dinner. Or you are estranged from a family member. Or there are financial concerns," says Fuehrer. "And it's not fitting with the way the holidays are supposed to be."

She says people are bombarded by the media during the holidays with expectations of having the next best thing. And that can make you feel depressed because nothing is good enough.

"At that point, it's time to switch to gratefulness and connections with other people," says Fuehrer.

For example, take time every day to share a treasure with someone.

"The treasure could be a funny story, a kind story, something new you've learned or something beautiful in nature," says Fuehrer.

And try lowering your anxiety by being mindful.

"[Pay] attention to your senses," she says. "What do you hear, smell, see, taste and touch?"

And pay it forward with random acts of kindness. It will brighten your day and someone else's, too.

The post Mayo Clinic Minute: 3 tips to keep the holidays from being depressing appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

“A person who is allergic needs to be an advocate for himself, because it’s always better to be safe than sorry,” says Dr. Rohit Divekar, a Mayo Clinic allergic diseases specialist.

You can make it easier for someone with allergies by being aware of some common holiday triggers.

Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (0:59) is in the downloads. Read the script.

Often the center of the celebration, the Christmas tree can also be the reason for your sneezing.

"You can get runny nose, congestion," explains Dr. Divekar.

That's because holiday trees can carry allergens like mold and dust.

"You can also have lower respiratory symptoms," adds Dr. Divekar. "And these can manifest in wheezing, cough, chest tightness – especially if you have asthma."

The smoke from a crackling fire can cause similar problems for a person with asthma. Even scented holiday candles can make some people uncomfortable.

"And it does trigger symptoms, although not necessarily allergic in nature," explains Dr. Divekar.

On the other hand, nuts and other ingredients baked into holiday treats can cause a serious reaction for a person with a food allergy.

Dr. Divekar recommends updating prescriptions during the holidays, especially rescue medications.

"Be a little more careful as to what you eat or what you’re exposed to, and that will go a long way in making sure your holidays are full of fun and happiness," says Dr. Divekar.

The post Mayo Clinic Minute: Holiday allergy triggers appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Celebrating the holidays safely

The end of the year is meant to be a festive time, with music, decorations and family and friends gathering to celebrate the various winter holidays. But, invariably, it is also a time when visits to the emergency department rise.

“We see a significant increase in ED visits on the days leading up and after the holidays, in part due to holiday-specific activities that people don’t routinely do on a daily basis,” says Dr. Michael Boniface, emergency medicine physician at Mayo Clinic.

Decking the halls ─ safely

While climbing ladders to decorate the outside of the house with lights may be commonplace in November and December, it contributes to an increased number of falls.

“Falls from heights of greater than 3-5 feet, depending on how you land, can result in hip fractures, internal bleeding, and head injuries and concussions,” says Dr. Boniface.

Safety is just as important inside the house, whether trimming the tree and adding other holiday adornment inside your home.

“It’s a fun time of year, but keep safety in mind, especially if you have children. We know they have a tendency to put things in their mouths, chew on them, eat them. This can be electrical extension cords going to your Christmas tree, garland or tinsel they find lying around. This can be small, little ornaments or decorations that they could lodge up their nose or aspirate into their lungs,” Dr. Boniface explains.

If you light candles, Dr. Boniface says keep them out of reach of children and animals that may knock them over. And never leave them burning unattended or go to sleep with flames still lit.

Watch: Dr. Boniface discusses holiday injuries.

Journalists: Broadcast-quality sound bites with Dr. Boniface are in the downloads.

Dr. Boniface also cautions that shrubs and plants, such as poinsettia and mistletoe, should be kept out of reach.  Call Poison Control if you suspect ingestion.

“Regardless of where you are in the U.S., the phone number for Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222 (toll-free). You can call from anywhere in the country, and you’ll be connected to the local Poison Center,” he says Dr. Boniface.

Cooking-related injuries also increase in the winter months.

“A lot of times around the holidays, we may get more bumps, bruises, sprains and, particularly, cuts, burns and lacerations than we would other times,” says Dr. Boniface. “Although these may not seem serious at the time – and there’s a tendency to ignore certain injuries, because you don’t want to disrupt the holiday setting – I would urge you to seek medical attention, especially for cuts that don’t stop bleeding or deep lacerations. Delaying treatment of a laceration, for instance, by more than six hours greatly increases the chance of infection.” 

O’er the hills and through the woods 

Dr. Boniface says injuries resulting from car accidents increase during the holidays. “There is a big spike in motor vehicle-related injuries during the holidays – up to five times what we might normally see. Many people travel during the holidays and travel by car greater distances to see family members and friends. It’s best to ensure everyone is buckled up and any children are properly secured in child safety seats.”

Of course, he adds, “You should never drink and drive. Or text and drive.”

Sentimental feelings 

The holidays often provide an opportunity to see family members whom we may not have seen in a long time. That brings two issues, he says.

“Very commonly, I see someone whose family brought them into the emergency department because they say they’re not really acting the same way or how we remember, although it may have been one, two, even more years since they’d last seen each other,” says Dr. Boniface.

“Certainly, if things aren’t quite the way they were one year ago, maybe some lapses in memory, maybe some confusion, that definitely still needs an evaluation but may be more appropriate to follow up with their primary doctor,” he adds.

Conversely, Dr. Boniface says seek immediate medical attention if you or a loved one is exhibiting signs or symptoms of heart attack, stroke or seizure.

“Many times, people tend to ignore their symptoms, because they don’t want to bring attention to themselves or disrupt the festivities with all their family around.  But time is of the essence when it comes to treatment of certain conditions,” he says.

Symptoms that warrant immediate medical attention include:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Facial droop
• Sudden visual changes
• Sudden onset of confusion
• Fainting or seizure

The post Safety reminders to help you avoid holiday mishaps appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

“You shouldn’t have to connect every dot,” says Dr. Amit Sood, a Mayo Clinic resiliency expert. “Holidays should be about recovering from weeks and months of stress ─ not about packing in so much stuff.”

In this Mayo Clinic Minute, Dr. Sood offers some tips to make the holiday season wonderful again.

Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (0:59) is in the downloads. Read the script.

'Tis the season to be busy. If too much hustle and bustle has you stressed, this Mayo Clinic doctor says: Get some sleep.

"In my order of priorities, sleep is like No. 1, No.2, No.3, No.4," says Dr. Sood, author of The Mayo Clinic Guide to Stress-Free Living. He says a little shut-eye will go a long way.

"Most of the patients I see, they're behind on sleep. So if you can catch extra time, take a one-hour nap."

Then, Dr. Sood says, take a pen to your to-do list.

"Make a 'not-to-do list' — not a to-do list. Because I have no doubt in my mind you're doing stuff that you don't need to do, which is crowding your life."

Dr. Sood says a "not-to-do list" creates the gift of time in your holiday schedule — time for experiences and for being grateful.

"Between Thanksgiving and New Year, that is the time when gratitude is in the air. This is a time of reflection. This is a time of rejuvenation. And that's what we should focus on."

The post Mayo Clinic Minute: How to find more holiday joy appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

This time of year, the songs of the season are everywhere: at the mall, in elevators, on TV and in the earbuds of many personal audio devices. Why is holiday music so beloved? Mayo Clinic experts say music can benefit your health physically and emotionally.

In this Mayo Clinic Minute, reporter Vivien Williams hears about the positive power of music from Mayo Clinic experts and Chip Davis, composer for, and founder of, Mannheim Steamroller.

Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (0:59) is in the downloads. Read the script.

The post Mayo Clinic Minute: How holiday music may help your health appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

The post FRIDAY MYTH OR MATTER-OF-FACT appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

As an intern with Public Affairs, I recently helped organize an interview between one of Mayo Clinic’s Emergency Medicine physicians, Gretchen Lipke, M.D., and a local radio station. Dr. Lipke was sharing information about the rise in holiday-time heart attacks and stroke.

This is a time of year when people tend to stray from daily routines. They delay exercise and go off their diets. Those with health problems may shy away from seeing a doctor because they don’t want to disrupt the festivities. But sometimes, the problems can't be ignored.

Dr. Lipke mentioned several studies that report more people suffer from heart attacks and strokes during the holidays than any other time throughout the year. The biggest spikes are seen on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

With all of the holiday parties and family gatherings, people tend to have more alcoholic beverages than normal. This can lead to "Holiday Heart"  a condition that may result in atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heart rhythm that can be spurred by binge drinking. Dr. Lipke told about a patient who was brought to Mayo Clinic's Emergency Department with chest pain after drinking three glasses of wine at an office party.

After hearing Dr. Lipke speak of these issues, I began to think that I could unknowingly become a victim of holiday heart. Perhaps some lifestyle changes were necessary.

I have a family history of cardiovascular disease. My maternal grandfather died at age 47 from a heart attack. And I was diagnosed with a heart murmur a few years ago. Although I try to watch my diet and exercise regularly, I still indulge in a glass of wine (or two or three) on occasion. I admit to taking it easy with the dieting and exercising during the holidays, too.

After listening to Dr. Lipke, I know I need to remain conscious of my diet and cut back on the alcohol. I like Dr. Lipke, but I don't want to ring in the New Year with her at the hospital.

For more on heart attack signs and symptoms of stroke, visit www.mayoclinic.org.

As Dr. Lipke advises, don't hesitate to call 911 or get medical attention if you have chest pain, arm pain or trouble swallowing or seeing. It's worth your life to interrupt the party.

The following was written by Cody DeSaulniers, an intern in the Public Affairs Department at Mayo Clinic's Florida campus.

The post Happy Holidays, Happy Heart appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.