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These medications can help recovering alcoholics

October 9th, 2019 by Content Editor

If an addict tries to recover on their own without help, they’re likely to relapse from withdrawal symptoms. This is why treatment is necessary.

Common treatments may include:

Therapy

This helps you identify the root of your addiction, to learn healthy coping techniques and repair your relationships. Therapy could be individual therapy, group therapy or family therapy.

Residential treatment

This kind involves living at a treatment facility while undergoing intensive treatment during the day. This residency usually lasts between 30-90 days, depending on the severity of your addiction.

Partial hospitalisation

If your living condition is stable but you need to be monitored, then you may need to meet your doctor at the hospital. You would have to go in about three to five days per week for about four to six hours per day.

Intensive outpatient programs

This treatment focuses on preventing a relapse and can be scheduled around work or school.

Some treatments include medication that can help manage symptoms of withdrawal and cravings that could lead to a relapse. Medication may not be the ultimate cure for alcoholism or other addictions, but it plays a role in the long-term success of an addict’s recovery.

There are different kinds of medication that should be used at the different stages of your recovery. The medication should be taken exactly as it’s prescribed. If you take them at the wrong time or take a wrong dosage, you could experience painful side-effects.

Here are a few of the common medications used in alcohol recovery and how they may help.

Acamprosate

Once your body is free from alcohol; acamprosate is used to help fight the urge to drink. It’s easy to become addicted to alcohol because it releases feel-good hormones called endorphins. Acamprosate helps your brain to become independent of alcohol again by blocking the positive feelings that come with drinking. Although this doesn’t take away symptoms of withdrawal, it lowers the chance of a relapse.

Common side-effects include:

  • Diarrhoea.
  • Upset stomach.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Dizziness.
  • Itching.
  • Weakness.
  • Nausea.
  • Anxiety.
  • Difficulty falling or staying asleep.
  • Sweating.

Disulfiram

This medication is also prescribed only once your body has been emptied of alcohol. Disulfiram reacts to anything that contains alcohol. This includes household products like mouthwash and even paint. It causes negative reactions that will make an addict averse to alcohol.

Reactions include:

  • Chest pain.
  • Confusion.
  • Dizziness or fainting.
  • A pounding heartbeat.
  • Flushing of the face.
  • Sweating.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Throbbing headache.
  • Trouble breathing.
  • Weakness.

The effects of taking Disulfiram continue for up to 14 days. This means it will continue to help an addict to quit in the long run.

Benzodiazepines

Commonly used as a sedative, benzodiazepine is an anti-anxiety medication commonly used to relieve symptoms of withdrawal. This medication affects the same parts of the brain that alcohol does. As it reduces some withdrawal symptoms like seizures and hallucinations, it allows your body to continue purging alcohol while still feeling at peace. Once the most severe withdrawal symptoms are over, you need to stop using this particular medication immediately as it can become addictive.

Naltrexone

Like acamprosate, naltrexone blocks the good feelings that come with drinking alcohol. Taking this medication regularly can also help if you relapse. Over time, naltrexone dissociates the “high feeling” with alcohol. Although this medication is not addictive, there are side-effects.

This may include:

  • Stomach pain.
  • Anxiety, nervousness, restlessness, or trouble sleeping.
  • Headache.
  • Joint or muscle pain.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Lethargy.

Good to know

If you experience other or more severe side-effects from any of these medications, talk to your doctor. He will advise you to stop or take a different treatment course. All of these medications are prescribed. Don’t take any of them without your doctor’s advice.

References:

Foetal alcohol syndrome 101

May 3rd, 2019 by The Hello Doctor Team

You’re pregnant and your doctor has advised you steer clear of alcohol. But it can’t be such a big deal, right? Surely the odd glass of wine won’t do much damage? Wrong.

Rather safe than sorry!

If you drink during your pregnancy, there’s a high risk that your baby could be born with foetal alcohol syndrome. Here’s what you need to know about this serious condition, and what you can do to prevent it.

What is Foetal Alcohol Syndrome? (FAS)

FAS is a pattern of mental, physical and behavioural problems that range from mild to severe.

These problems could include:

  • Poor growth in the womb, resulting in low birth weight and/or small head size.
  • Delayed development (i.e. your child doesn’t reach his developmental milestones).
  • Heart abnormalities.
  • Vision and/or hearing problems.
  • Language and speech delays.
  • Neurological problems.
  • Memory problems.
  • Learning disorders.
  • Psychological problems.
  • Behavioural problems.

Children with FAS usually have abnormal facial features. These include small eyes, a thin upper lip, and a smooth skin surface between the nose and upper lip.

What causes FAS?

FAS is caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Even small amounts of alcohol can pass across the placenta to your growing foetus, where it can damage your child’s brain, central nervous system and organs.

Your foetus processes alcohol much slower than you do. Because of this, the alcohol may prevent oxygen and other nutrients from reaching your baby.

How can FAS be prevented?

FAS is completely preventable if you avoid drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Remember that no amount of alcohol is safe: even low levels of alcohol during pregnancy can lead to brain dysfunction and behavioural problems in children.

If you find it hard to stop drinking before or during your pregnancy, it’s important to talk to your doctor. The most damage to the foetus occurs during the first trimester.

How is FAS diagnosed?

If you used alcohol during pregnancy, and you’re worried that your child’s health may be affected, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis from a doctor.

Your doctor will base the diagnosis of FAS on the following features:

  • Poor growth during and after pregnancy.
  • Abnormal facial features (as mentioned above).
  • Central nervous system problems.
  • Neurobehavioral disabilities.

How can FAS be managed?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure for FAS. If your child has the condition, your doctor will focus on managing the following:

  • The conditions that tend to occur with FAS (e.g. eye, ear and dental problems).
  • Your child’s nutrient intake (many children with FAS don’t get enough fibre, calcium, or vitamins D, E and K through their diet).
  • Behavioural and learning problems (e.g. temper tantrums, hyperactivity, and difficulty paying attention).

References:

How to party with no regrets

November 30th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

When you’re about to paint the town red with your mates, safety and preventing a hangover are probably the last things on your mind. But, who wants to wake up feeling terrible and blanking out on last night’s events?

Partying sober is the trendiest thing to do, and your health will thank you for it.

Sober is still trending

Generation Z, born between the mid-1990s and early 2000s, is rejecting alcoholic beverages and opting for clean-living alternatives. Rather than hanging out at bars and nightclubs, Generation Z can be found attending juice crawls (a healthy-living social event) and silent discos, or even staying in and playing board games with friends at home.

A study by researchers at San Diego State University and Bryn Mawr College found that Generation Z is growing up slower and is more responsible than previous generations.

According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics, there’s been a significant decline in alcohol consumption amongst the 16-24 age group over the last 10 years. The percentage of young people who don’t drink any alcohol at all has risen by 32%.

Clean living

Aside from alcohol being pricey, a key reason as to why this generation is saying no to alcoholic drinks is due to the growing health and wellness movement. Young adults are concerned with their health and more so, the long-term effects of their beverage choices. Other motivations for abstaining from alcohol include religious and cultural reasons. Juice bars, dry dinners and sober day parties are the new ways to have a good time. Here’s some breaking news: partying without the need for alcohol is possible and fun.

Join the party

Who needs alcohol to unleash the fun? Not you. If you’re hosting, set up an enticing drinks trolley of virgin mixes, paired with filling and tasty finger foods. Make sure you have entertainment on offer to keep the party going.

Your menu can include an assortment of decadent mocktails like a fruit punch, sparkling mint ice tea, and mocktail mojitos. Even water can be refreshing and just the drink for that thirst, when it’s infused with raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, cucumber or mint and floral ice cubes. Get extra festive and throw in fun paper umbrellas for decoration.

Your music playlist and board games can make or break your party, so ensure its engaging and involves everyone. This way, people get to mingle and get to know each other better. Something interactive and upbeat like karaoke is always a fun activity that gets everyone to loosen up.

References:

What is pancreatitis?

July 16th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Your pancreas is the organ that sits just behind the lower part of your stomach. When it’s inflamed you have what is called pancreatitis.

The main function of the pancreas is to produce and discharge hormones and enzymes that help with digestion and regulate your blood sugar (glucose).

How does this happen?

Digestive enzymes are released through the pancreatic duct into the small intestine where they’re activated to help break down fats and proteins.

Digestive hormones produced by the pancreas are released into the blood stream where they help regulate blood sugar levels.

What is pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis can either be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).

Acute pancreatitis usually lasts a few days to weeks and can be easily treated with medication.

Chronic pancreatitis typically develops after several episodes of acute pancreatitis. It’s a long-term condition that can last for months or even several years.

What are the causes?

Most cases of acute pancreatitis are brought on either by alcohol abuse or gallstones. Other causes may be from trauma or surgery on the stomach, prescribed medications, or having an abnormal pancreas or intestine. In rare cases, the disease may stem from infections like mumps.

Symptoms

Pancreatitis usually begins with severe pain in the upper stomach that may last for a few days. The pain reaches to the back and other areas. It could be sudden and intense, or a mild pain that’s triggered by eating, and slowly grows worse.

The stomach may be swollen and very tender. Other symptoms include:

  • Nausea and vomitting
  • Chills and fever
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Raised blood pressure
  • Dehydration
  • Internal bleeding
  • Increased heart and breathing rate
  • Weight loss and loss of appetite

Pancreatic function tests can help your doctor decide if your pancreas can still make enough digestive enzymes. This can be done with different scans that will show the characteristics of the condition.

In more advanced stages of the disease, your doctor can use blood, urine, and stool tests to help with diagnosis.

Treatment

In the case of acute pancreatitis, treatment depends on whether the condition is mild and not likely to cause complications or be severe.

Prevention

While pancreatitis is still not fully understood, you can try to prevent it from developing:

If the condition is caused by gallstones and your gallbladder hasn’t been removed, avoid fatty and fried foods, butter, full-fat dairy products and animal fats. Include wholegrains and fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet. Eat smaller and more frequent meals to help prevent aggravating the pancreas.

If the cause is alcohol, stop drinking. Stick to your doctor’s orders and recommended diet. Take your medication to limit the attacks.

References

“Ouch! My toe!” What you need to know about Gout

October 14th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Gout is a kind of arthritis in which crystals of sodium urate produced by your body forms inside joints. You may suffer attacks of sudden burning pain, swelling and stiffness in a joint, and these attacks can happen over and over unless gout is treated. Left unattended over time, gout attacks can harm your joints, tendons, and other tissues. Gout is most common in men, and the joint usually affected is usually a big toe.

Causes

Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. Having too much uric acid is not generally harmful, but when uric acid levels in the blood are too high, the uric acid may form hard crystals in your joints.

  • Medications which affect kidney function
  • Low-dose aspirin can raise your blood uric acid levels
  • Obesity, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes and hyperlipidaemia (high blood fats)
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Joint injury, surgical stress, acute medical illness
  • Fad diets, fasting, and dehydration
  • Body temperature (gout tends to form in colder body parts)

Foods that are high in a substance called purines can raise the uric acid level in your blood – this includes seafood like sardines, mussels, anchovies, and salmon; organ meats like liver; and even some vegetables such as spinach. Eating just one of these foods or several of them together, can cause a gout flare.

Alcohol such as spirits and beer carry a double risk: they can raise the uric acid level in the blood and can make you dehydrated – both common gout triggers.

Symptoms

A common sign of gout is an attack of swelling, redness, tenderness, and sharp pain in your big toe at night, but you can also suffer a gout attack in your foot, ankle, or knee. The attacks can last a few days or many weeks before the pain goes away. Another attack may not happen for months or years.

If you are experiencing gout symptoms, see your doctor – even if you aren’t in pain right now. It’s important to discuss treatment and lifestyle changes as uric acid build-up can still harm your joints.

Tests & Examinations

For people with an acutely swollen, red, painful big toe, where it is often hard to obtain joint fluid, a diagnosis can be made by the presence of a high blood uric acid level, but the only certain way to diagnose gout is to have a joint fluid analysis (arthrocentesis) test to see whether uric acid crystals are present.

The following examinations and tests help to diagnose gout:

  • Medical history and physical examination
  • Test to measure levels of uric acid in urine
  • Test to measure levels of uric acid in blood

While X-rays of hands and feet can be useful in the late stages of the disease, X-rays are not usually helpful in the early diagnosis of gout. When gout is in a late stage nodules, or even worn away or eroded areas of bone near joints may be seen. The pain of gout often causes people to seek medical attention before any long-term changes can be seen on an X-ray. But X-rays may help to rule out other causes of arthritis.

Treatment 

Initial treatment goals for gout are rapid pain relief and prevention of future gout attacks and long-term complications, such as joint destruction and kidney damage. Treatment includes medication and lifestyle changes to prevent future attacks.

To reduce the swelling, redness and pain of affected joints in a gout attack:

  • Rest the affected joint.
  • Take medication prescribed by your doctor.

Preventing recurrent attacks

Take a medicine that reduces uric acid levels in the blood, which reduces the risk of future attacks.

Take steps to reduce the risk of future attacks, such as controlling your weight, limiting your alcohol intake, as well as meat and seafood, and following a moderate exercise programme.

Sources: NHS, WebMD, Health.com

Uppers and downers – get high the healthy way

August 31st, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

You’re struggling to keep up with your assignments, exams and part-time job. You’re in desperate need of a jolt to your system or something to help you unwind, so you turn to your favourite upper or downer.

It may help in the moment, but how much do you know about that stuff you’re swallowing, sniffing or smoking?

First you’re up…

Uppers are drugs known for their physically and mentally stimulating effects. They affect most of the basic processes in your body including your temperature, heart rate and breathing. They also stimulate the reward centres in your brain.

Uppers flood your central nervous system with dopamine and noradrenaline, the happy messengers of the brain. This boosts your alertness, mood and energy levels. Unfortunately, this effect is temporary and once it wears off, you’re left feeling exhausted and depressed. You may feel listless and disconnected.

Uppers can cause your body to produce less dopamine and noradrenaline naturally, which can feed the need to keep using them, just so you can feel “normal”.

Uppers include:

  • Caffeine
  • Nicotine
  • Cocaine
  • Alcohol (although this can also be used as a downer)

Then you’re down…

Downers are drugs that slow or inhibit natural bodily functions, causing you to feel relaxed and impulsive. There are two major classes of downers: opiates and sedative-hypnotics.

Opiates include drugs like heroin, morphine, and other powerful pain medications. They increase the levels of dopamine you produce, heightening those feelings of pleasure and relaxation. If opiates are used too often and for too long, you may feel detached and depressed.

Sedative-hypnotic downers are drugs used to make you sleep. This can include medications to treat insomnia and sedation during medical procedures. Sedative-hypnotics can make you feel drowsy and euphoric, and inhibit your movement and speech.

Downers include:

  • Muscle relaxants
  • Antihistamines
  • Alcohol

The dark side of uppers and downers

Both uppers and downers have a high potential for addiction. They have a high risk of overdose, and can be dangerous and even lethal if misused and abused.

Research published in Substance Abuse Treatment for Persons with Co-occurring Disorders, says that these drugs can cause a substance-induced mood disorder. “Substance-induced disorders are distinct from independent co-occurring mental disorders in that all or most of the psychiatric symptoms are the direct result of substance use.”

Make your mood work for you

Forget the drugs. Try these natural, pill-free ways to:

Boost your energy levels:

  • Work up a sweat. Exercise sends oxygen and nutrients to your body’s cells. This helps your heart and lungs work more efficiently, which can give you more energy.
  • Iron up. Iron is essential for carrying oxygen to your body’s cells, where it can be used to produce energy. Munch on dried fruit or nuts the next time you need a quick pick-me-up.

Feel happier:

  • Sing your heart out. Singing releases endorphins, the feelgood chemicals in the brain, which can make you feel happier in an instant.
  • Soak up some sun. Your body makes Vitamin D when it’s exposed to the sun. Vitamin D encourages your body to produce serotonin, the hormone that makes you feel happy.

Relax:

  • Have a cup of chamomile tea. Chamomile is known to calm your mind and body, ease stress and anxiety, and help you sleep better.
  • Laugh out loud. It’s a great way to release tension and stress. Watch a good comedy or check out funny clips on YouTube. You’ll be amazed at how relaxed you feel after a good laugh.

References

Could alcohol help you live longer?

August 14th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

“Light to moderate drinking can lower your overall risk of premature death”
“Alcohol could decrease your odds of dying from heart disease”
“Even moderate drinking is linked to pathological changes in the brain”.

Confused much? Headlines like these have been doing rounds in the last couple of weeks. It can be so frustrating, leaving you with a general feeling of  “just make up your minds!”.

So, what does the science say?

Drinking patterns matter

What is clear from the research is that light to moderate drinking has a very different impact on the body, and health, than heavy drinking. Despite what the headlines would have you believe, both studies found a very fine line between alcohol’s protective and harmful effects.

Weighing up the benefits versus the risks

Amount matters
In the old days, alcohol was used for almost anything: in place of safe drinking water, as a preservative or even medicine! These days, however, we know that there is a clear “dose-response” relationship between health and alcohol. More alcohol = more health risks!

Studies show several health benefits associated with drinking moderate amounts of alcohol. Alcohol has been shown to improve the types of fats floating around in your blood, which lowers your risk of getting clots and blockages in your arteries.

Age matters
To complicate things a bit more, you age also counts, as well as the stage of life you’re in. For example:

  • For a 30-year-old man, the increased risk of alcohol-related accidents outweigh the heart-related benefits of moderate alcohol consumption.
  • For a 60-year-old man, a drink a day may help protect against heart disease.

Other factors:

Beyond age, there are other factors that may change the risks for you specifically, such as:

  • A pregnant woman: even moderate alcohol can create problems for her unborn child.
  • A recovering alcoholic can never have alcohol again: not even a little.
  • A person with liver disease: alcohol is processed by your liver, which means even if you drink a little, the effect of alcohol can be the same as drinking a lot.
  • People taking one or more medications that interact with alcohol.

Should you start drinking alcohol to live longer?

It’s safe to say that alcohol is both a tonic and a poison. The difference lies mostly in the dosage. If you want to know the exact dose that is safe for you, take a look at this article.

The real take home message here is that you can’t always believe what a headline tells you. You need to dig a bit deeper and do your own investigation. Choose reliable sources and always read the full article! If that sounds too technical, there is an easier option…. Call one of our doctors who have already done the research and are on hand to guide you through the confusion!

References

http://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j2645
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318942.php
http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/human-brain/alcoholism4.htm

Read more below…


Your best night out: hangover-free!

It’s the weekend, and you want to go out with your friends. You don’t want a hangover, but you also don’t want to be the one who orders soft drinks all night. You want a good time, without the down-time tomorrow.

Does your friend have a secret drinking problem?

June 21st, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Did you know, that the average South African drinks about 20 liters of alcohol each year!? It us equivalent to 196 six packs of beer, 62 bottles of spirits, and 220 bottles of wine! That means that some people drink more than that, and some less. So, we drink a lot of booze as a country – but how much is too much?

People with drinking problems often don’t realise it: they think they’re in control, while their life slowly spins out of control. They need a friend – like you – to help them see the light.

According to the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, you may have a problem if:

  1. You don’t stick to the recommended alcohol limit of one unit per day for women and two units per day for men. One unit is equal to a 120ml glass of wine or 340ml beer/cider or one tot of spirits.
  2. You’ve increased your alcohol intake over the past few months.
  3. You’ve changed your alcohol brand to one with a higher alcohol volume.
  4. You drink at every occasion and create opportunities to drink.
  5. You drink when you’re angry, sad or stressed.
  6. You drink in secret or alone at times.
  7. You’ve stayed out of work after a drinking episode.
  8. You’ve lost jobs because of your alcohol use.
  9. You spend more than 10 percent of your salary on alcohol every month.
  10. Your family and friends have complained about your drinking.
  11. You’ve done things you’re not proud of while under the influence.
  12. You experience memory lapses.
  13. You have health issues because of your drinking habits.
  14. You drink and drive.
  15. You’ve been arrested for being over the limit.

The ugly side of alcohol
 So, what exactly gives alcohol such a bad rep?

It starts in the brain and central nervous system. Excessive drinking can cause slurred speech and weaken your coordination, balance, and judgement. It can also affect your ability to think clearly and form memories. In the long run, heavy drinking can even shrink your brain and cause permanent brain damage.

Your heart takes a beating too. Chronic drinking can increase the size of your heart muscle, making it more difficult to pump blood. This can cause problems like irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart failure, and stroke.

Boozing can also cause stomach ulcers, acid reflux, and inflammation of the pancreas, and may increase your risk for mouth, throat, and colon cancer.

Research also shows that chronic drinkers are more likely to get pneumonia and tuberculosis. Alcohol can also slow your body’s ability to fight off infections and viruses.

So, what do you do, if you or a friend may be tipping over a few too many tequilas?

Sip safely

  • Stay within the drinking limit.
  • Always eat before you drink. Drinking on an empty stomach speeds up the rate at which alcohol is absorbed.
  • Find an alcoholic drink that agrees with you, and doesn’t make you feel like death the next day.
  • Don’t mix your drinks.
  • Pace yourself. Sip your drinks instead of gulping them.
  • Have one drink every hour as this is how long the liver takes to metabolise alcohol.
  • Add lots of ice to your drink to water it down.
  • Drink juice or water in between alcoholic beverages.
  • Avoid drinking games.
  • Don’t drink and drive, even if you’ve had one drink. Make sure you have a designated driver when you go out.

And, if you or one of your friends are struggling to stick to these rules, you may need some support. Contact Alcoholics Anonymous. You don’t have to feel like an “alcoholic” to reach out to them – and they can help you in the right direction.


References:

Boozing: how much is too much?

November 24th, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

Alcohol can be enjoyable and get a good buzz going, especially when the festive season arrives. When you’re having a great time, it’s difficult to keep track of the amount of booze you’re throwing back, but it’s important to protect your health. And, to do this, you need to know your drinking limits.

Continue reading “Boozing: how much is too much?”

10 ways to prep for festival season

October 19th, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

Whether you’re into ground-vibrating trance music or soulful jazz, festival season has something for everyone.  To enjoy it to its full potential, keep your health in check for the party ahead.

1. Stay hydrated

You may think booze in paper cups and the occasional caffeine run will be enough to keep you going on your festival weekend, but water will keep you buzzing more than any beer can. Dehydration causes dizziness, headaches and in some cases, loss of consciousness, so if you want to continue jumping around to your favourite tunes without a hiccough, pack plenty of water and suss out the closest water stops.

2. Fuel up

The food that you eat amounts to the total of energy you will have for your fun weekend ahead, so munch wisely. Bring your own food options along to ensure that your digestion and energy levels are kept in check. Great options are nuts, oats and dried fruit. Tinned foods are great because they come with a container to eat from. Use cooler bags to pack in fruits, veggies and other fresh foods.

3. Catch some Zs

You might feel vibrant and alive while you’re belting it out with everyone else to that song that touches your soul but if you don’t get enough sleep you’ll be burnt out before the next track. Bring along earplugs to ensure that you can grab a few hours of sleep to reboot for the next jam session and resist the temptation to party all night long.

4. Grab some shade

Everyone loves a golden summer tan, but getting roasted is not the best idea. Bring along a good hat, sunscreen and appropriate clothes for different heat levels. Besides sunburn, you should also keep the danger of heat stroke in mind, so keep a hat or umbrella close at all times.

5. Pop your pills

It’s easy to forget to take your prescription pills in between partying, so set up schedules for yourself to follow.  Set an alarm, write it on your arm or ask your friends to remind you.

6. Watch the booze

You can have great time without alcohol, but if you want a drink, try to limit yourself.  Excessive drinking of alcohol and caffeine may increase your anxiety levels and dehydration – not what you want at a festival!

7. Stay regular

Your favourite feel-good jams are playing and the atmosphere is magical, as everyone sways their arms in the air. You would be having the time of your life, if you weren’t suffering from indigestion, courtesy of that oily burger you had for lunch, as well as standing in bathroom queues. Snack on prunes and chia seeds, drink apple and orange juice and use the bathroom when you need to, to keep your tummy happy.

8. Take a break

Being in a crowd full of people, with loud music and incessant excitement can be draining for most people. Be sure to sneak in a break between the partying. Sit alone under a tree, take a nap in your tent or lay on the grass and cloud gaze.

9. Make friends

If your friends aren’t into the festival scene, strike up a conversation with some of your fellow music enthusiasts to make a festival buddy. Making friends will not only mean your experience is more enjoyable, but if anything happens concerning your health or safety, you are better off in numbers.

10. Map it out

Before you start your music adventure, study your surroundings. Research the available food stands, find the bathrooms, performance areas and spots for tents. Use a map if it is available or walk around to form a map in your head.

Worried about the signs of skin cancer? Log in about the signs and symptoms, and how to prevent it. If you’re not a member yet, why not sign up now? Our doctors are available around the clock, with advice you can trust!

References:
http://thechalkboardmag.com/how-to-stay-healthy-at-a-festival
http://www.fashionmagazine.com/beauty/health/2016/04/14/festival-season-health-guide/http://www.gigwise.com/features/91179/15-ways-to-physically-and-mentally-prepare-for-festival-season

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