Driving, Food Preparation, Overeating... Beware of 'Joint Disorders' and 'Digestive Problems' During Holidays

Importance of 'Proper Posture' During Long-Distance Driving... Keep Hips Close
Recommended to Eat Vegetables and Greens First... Light Walk Also Helpful
Using Cushions While Preparing Food Helps... Apply Cold Packs for Pain

Although the holiday is a welcome occasion to reunite with family after a long time, unexpected 'holiday illnesses' should be watched out for if you have to prepare food and drive long distances. This is because driving home and preparing traditional holiday dishes can cause stiffness and pain in the muscles around the neck and spine, putting strain on the spinal joints.

'Holiday syndrome,' a broad range of symptoms triggered during the holiday period, is characterized by the difficulty in identifying a specific cause and its wide spectrum of manifestations. Most symptoms naturally disappear after the holiday, but some may develop into specific diseases, requiring caution.

The group most vulnerable to holiday syndrome is housewives. The areas they frequently complain about are the wrists and knees. Preparing and serving food puts strain on the wrist and knee joints, but much of the pain can be alleviated simply by resting and stretching. Slowly opening and closing a clenched fist also helps. Applying warm compresses for about 20 minutes is another way to relieve fatigue.

Preparing food for long hours in a hunched posture can strain the spine and worsen joint pain by causing blood circulation problems and increasing joint burden. In such cases, using cushions and floor chairs to frequently relax the back is helpful. If there is pain, cold compresses should be applied to the affected area.

Yoon Hyung-jo, an orthopedic specialist at H Plus Yangji Hospital, said, "Middle-aged women are at a stage where osteoporosis gradually progresses, so overexertion while preparing holiday dishes can cause overload and pain in the neck and lower back." He added, "If there is a history of spinal diseases such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis, recurrence or worsening may occur, so caution is necessary." He further emphasized, "Especially for middle-aged people in their 50s and 60s, where muscle and joint degeneration intensifies, it is important to carefully monitor movement and lifestyle patterns to prevent progression to severe diseases."

Long-distance driving also puts strain on the lower back, which can cause back pain. Sitting posture concentrates body weight on the lower back instead of distributing it to the lower body, placing about 1.5 to 2 times more burden on the back than standing. Muscle stiffness during driving can also cause acute sprains and tension-type muscle pain. When driving, it is important to set the seat angle to about 110 degrees and sit with the hips pressed as far back into the seat as possible to maintain proper posture.

Another common ailment during the holidays is digestive disorders. Enjoying greasy foods often leads to stomach upset and indigestion. In such cases, drinking barley tea and warm water, and soothing the stomach with light foods like porridge and gruel is recommended. Symptoms usually improve within a day or two, but if diarrhea occurs more than five times a day or if there is a high fever, medical attention should be sought.

When eating, consuming vegetables and seasoned greens first, followed by meat, pancakes, and fried foods, can reduce the burden on the stomach and help prevent digestive problems. Light walks after meals are also recommended as they aid digestion.

Park Jae-seok, director of the Gastroenterology Department at H Plus Yangji Hospital, advised, "Even during the holidays, it is important to maintain usual lifestyle habits. Excessive intake of greasy foods can reduce digestive capacity and prolong digestion time, potentially causing gastroesophageal reflux. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome should be especially careful as it can trigger stomach upset and diarrhea."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.