Health
'Holiday shopping wipes me out, how can I keep up my stamina?': Ask a doctor
Black Friday is behind us, but holiday shopping season is still in full swing.
Winter holiday spending is expected to grow between 2.5% and 3.5% compared to 2023, according to the National Retail Federation.
“That equates to between $979.5 billion and $989 billion in total holiday spending in November and December, compared with $955.6 billion during the same timeframe last year,” the same source said.
In addition to having to navigate crowds, consumers can face some health challenges during the hectic retail season.
6 WAYS TO PREVENT HOLIDAY ILLNESS: ASK A DOCTOR
To help ensure safety during long shopping stints, Fox News Digital asked a medical doctor for tips on shopping without dropping. Here are six.
1. Eat before you go
It’s never a good idea to go anywhere when you’re hungry, and Christmas shopping is no exception. Experts recommend packing some healthy snacks to sustain your energy.
Winter holiday spending is expected to grow between 2.5% and 3.5% compared to 2023, according to the National Retail Federation. (iStock)
If you don’t eat something a few hours after your last meal, energy levels and blood glucose levels could dip, according to Harvard University.
“I always recommend a combination of nuts, seeds and fruit as snacks, since they are filling and healthy for everybody,” Matthew Badgett, M.D., a primary care physician at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, told Fox News Digital.
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“Also, plan to also eat a healthy meal before you hit the road.”
Packing healthy snacks is a better option than grabbing fast food at the food court, he said.
If you plan to take a break during shopping to grab lunch or dinner, Badgett recommends planning ahead to explore eating options and possibly making a reservation.
2. Know your physical limits
If you aren’t accustomed to being on your feet for extended periods of time, a long shopping trip could prove to be strenuous.
Packing healthy snacks is a better option than grabbing fast food at the food court, one expert said. (iStock)
“If you aren’t regularly on your feet, limit how long you are walking — otherwise you could find yourself quite sore the next morning,” Badgett said.
“If you normally only walk 3,000 to 4,000 steps per day, I wouldn’t walk more than 10,000 steps in a day of shopping.”
3. Refrain from lugging packages
Carrying a few packages is OK, but lugging around several heavy packages is not advised.
“Don’t carry too much weight and injure yourself,” Badgett warned.
“If you normally only walk 3,000 to 4,000 steps per day, I wouldn’t walk more than 10,000 steps in a day of shopping.”
Some stores may have shopping carts to reduce the load.
Yet if that’s not an option, it’s worth heading back to the car or even home to drop off some of the weight, he recommended.
It’s recommended to stay up to date on vaccines and wear a mask if you are in a high-risk group, a doctor advised. (iStock)
“Carrying too much, especially when you aren’t used to it, can place a strain on the arms, shoulders, neck and back and lead to injuries,” the doctor said.
“Try to carry manageable weights, balanced between both arms, and take breaks and drop off stuff as needed.”
4. Take proactive health measures
It’s recommended to stay up to date on vaccines and wear a mask if you are in a high-risk group.
“I recommend N-95 masks over surgical masks, as they are better at preventing germs from getting through,” Badgett told Fox News Digital.
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For those who are sick, the doctor recommends staying home or wearing a mask while out in public.
Use hand sanitizer, try to social distance and wash hands as needed, experts advise.
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Some of the germiest spots at shopping venues include elevator buttons, handrails, escalators, public water fountains, ATMs, shopping carts, door knobs and the restroom, according to WebMD.
5. Dress appropriately
Experts caution against wearing a heavy coat and accessories while shopping indoors.
Overdressing is “uncomfortable and sweaty,” a doctor told Fox News Digital. Instead, dress in layers to stay as comfortable as possible while shopping. (iStock)
Overdressing is “uncomfortable and sweaty,” Badgett told Fox News Digital. He recommends dressing in layers to stay as comfortable as possible while shopping.
6. Limit the duration of shopping trips
Breaking up shopping over multiple sessions may be better in terms of health outcomes, Badgett said.
Not only will this allow you to maintain better stamina, but you can also take your time shopping and enjoy the experience more.
Overdoing it is a bad idea, said Badgett, “since many of us are not used to this much carrying and walking around.”
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Health
Parasitic infection causing ‘explosive’ stomach illness exceeds 1,000 cases in northern state
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Cases of cyclosporiasis infections are rising across America, with more than 1,000 people diagnosed in Michigan and more than 500 in Ohio.
This is the largest outbreak of its kind in Michigan’s history and one of the country’s largest in years, according to the Associated Press.
The parasitic infection can cause weeks of watery diarrhea. The source of the infections has not been identified and no deaths have been reported.
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Michigan officials announced the outbreak last week following the identification of more than 170 cases since June 22 in the southeastern part of the state. Typically, only about 50 cases are identified in Michigan each year, according to AP.
A cyclospora infection often causes watery, “explosive” diarrhea that can last for weeks or even months if left untreated, the CDC says. (iStock)
Similar illnesses have been reported in 28 other states, including neighboring Ohio, where diagnoses have popped up across the Michigan border.
Cases have been climbing since the CDC identified an uptick in infections in mid-June, with illnesses now reported in dozens of states.
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Michigan has now reported more than 1,200 cases and at least 40 hospitalizations. In Ohio, northwest counties have identified more than 500 cases, including at least 306 in Lucas County, according to the latest available local figures.
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Texas has reported at least 48 cases, and illnesses have been identified in numerous other states as health officials investigate the source.
The hallmark symptom of a cyclospora infection is watery, often “explosive” diarrhea that can last for weeks or even months if left untreated, the CDC says.
Other symptoms of cyclosporiasis include severe abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue and significant weight loss. (iStock)
Other symptoms include severe abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, fatigue and significant weight loss.
The official outbreak season for the parasite runs from May 1 through Aug. 31, a window where warmer temperatures historically coincide with a spike in infections, according to the CDC.
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While the infection can sometimes clear up on its own, it frequently requires antibiotics. The CDC advises anyone experiencing symptoms of cyclosporiasis to contact a healthcare provider for testing and treatment.
The CDC, alongside the Food and Drug Administration and state health officials, is actively investigating several multistate clusters, but they have yet to find a cause behind the spread.
Fresh produce should be washed thoroughly before eating, although this may not eliminate the risk of infection, the AP noted. (iStock)
Past infections have reportedly been linked to consuming contamined fruits or vegetables, or being exposed to contaminated irrigation water.
Fresh produce should be washed thoroughly before being eaten, although this may not eliminate the risk of infection, the AP noted.
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Michigan officials recommend purchasing salad mixes or whole heads of lettuce instead of pre-washed, bagged lettuce. Remove two to three leaves from the outer layer of the lettuce head before washing and cook vegetables when possible.
Fox News Digital’s Khloe Quill contributed to this report.
Health
Dr Oz links obesity to chronic disease surge, says GLP-1s can ‘jumpstart’ better health
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Washington, DC – GLP-1 weight-loss drugs have become a prevalent part of American healthcare, and the current administration is getting behind the movement.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital at the Great American State Fair in the nation’s capital on July 6, CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz voiced his support for the use of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) medications, such as Ozempic, for appropriate uses.
“I’m a fan of GLP-1 drugs when used correctly,” he said. “They do help people who are overweight lose weight quite effectively. They’re not a replacement for diet and exercise, but they might jumpstart the system so it’s easier for you to use healthier tactics.”
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This is especially helpful for those who may have trouble moving due to joint pain or are experiencing internal dysfunction, Oz said.
Certain GLP-1 drugs are covered by Medicare for overweight candidates with certain conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, and Oz projected the benefits will continue to benefit taxpayers.
Dr. Mehmet Oz is pictured in Washington, D.C., at the Great American State Fair, where he spoke about federal health policy. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)
“We believe these are so effective in reducing conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes that they’ll actually save money for the federal taxpayer, because [they’re] going to make you healthy enough that you don’t have to consume health services,” Oz said.
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“We think about 70% of all the money we spend on healthcare is caused by chronic conditions, and obesity is the No. 1 driver of all that, so it’s a smart decision.”
Oz recently announced the launch of the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program, which will allow more seniors to access GLP-1 drugs for only $50 a month if they meet qualifying health criteria and receive prior authorization from a doctor.
The doctor expressed support for broadening affordable access to GLP-1 medications for Americans. (iStock)
“There are a lot of overweight people who don’t have high blood pressure, diabetes or other conditions, so they don’t get access to the drug normally,” he said. “We want them to have the ability to use it as well.”
Although these access shifts could boost Americans’ overall health — and in some cases could be lifesaving — Oz noted that there is “no silver bullet” when it comes to these medications.
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“I love the fact that the innovation that’s coming out of pharmaceutical companies is allowing us to save lives and make lives better,” he said. “But the real secret to longevity is eating right, exercising, sleeping, dealing with the stress of your life, finding some purpose in your existence [and] realizing you have agency over the future.”
“These are things that your mom would have told you [and that] you don’t need a doctor to be emphasizing.”
Medicating appropriately, combined with eating right, exercising and staying connected with others, can help make health goals attainable, the doctor said. (iStock)
While GLP-1s may not be a fix-all, combining these medications with foundational health practices “makes a lot of sense,” Oz said.
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“I don’t want people being fat-shamed … I don’t want you feeling guilty that you’re gaining weight even though everyone else around you seems to have figured it out,” he said. “It’s not that simple — our set points for hunger are different. We have different things going on in our lives.”
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“But if you realize how precious you are — the temple of the soul is so valuable. It’s the greatest gift your parents ever gave you, and you take advantage of every tool out there to make it work … which includes using medications when appropriate. That, to me, is MAHA.”
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