Health Post-Holidays: Essential Medical Checks and Returning to Routine
Medical experts recommend checking basic health metrics, blood pressure, and routine lab tests after the holiday season to address weight gain, nutrition changes, and mental adjustment.
The holiday season is often characterized by significant changes in eating and activity habits: more family meals, foods rich in salt, fat, and sugar, increased alcohol consumption, and sometimes less physical activity. Therefore, returning to routine is a good opportunity not only to get back to regular menus and activities, but also to pause and check basic health metrics.
Weight and Blood Pressure: Starting with Basics
Weight gain during holidays is not necessarily a problem in itself, but if it is significant and persists after returning to routine, it can contribute over time to elevated blood pressure, impaired blood sugar balance, and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Consuming foods rich in salt can also cause a temporary rise in blood pressure and fluid retention. Therefore, individuals suffering from high blood pressure or at risk are advised to measure their blood pressure at home after the holidays and ensure it returns to normal values.
"Returning to routine after a period of holidays and vacations is an opportunity to check basic health metrics and ensure everything is on track."
Sugar, Cholesterol, and Organ Health
For people with diabetes, pre-diabetes, overweight, or additional risk factors, the holiday period can make it difficult to balance blood sugar levels. If the balance that was stable before the holidays has changed, it is advisable to perform a glucose test and sometimes HbA1c, depending on medical condition and the timing of the previous test.
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Lipid profile: Cholesterol and triglycerides may be relevant, especially for those with cardiovascular risk factors.
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Liver function: Increased alcohol consumption combined with excess calories can contribute to fatty liver disease.
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Kidney function: Chronic kidney patients should monitor protein, salt, and fluid intake closely after heavy holiday meals.
Mental Health and Youth Checkups
Returning to routine can also be complex mentally, sometimes accompanied by lowered mood, fatigue, sleep disturbances, or exacerbated anxiety and depression. If symptoms persist beyond a few days of adjustment, it is advisable to consult a physician.
Young adults aged 20 to 40 should also begin health monitoring. Early detection of high blood pressure, overweight, lipid disorders, pre-diabetes, and lifestyle factors is crucial for long-term health, as explained by Dr. Dana Florentin, a family medicine specialist at Clalit in the Dan-Petah Tikva district.
