Should I or shouldn't I? That is the question

   ♪A Comer pasteles a comer lechón arroz con gandulez y a beber ron…♪ That’s just a verse of one of the many songs I grew up with that describes the festive overindulgance of the Christmas spirit. When it comes to health and the festivities we have to always think of the bigger picture.

   Carpe diem, or like this new generation likes to call it, YOLO, is not necessarily the best choice for your health. Carpe diem doesn't mean to do things without thinking of the consequences but instead taking the opportunities as they present because you don’t know when everything is going to fall into place. That version I can work with as a physician.

   Sharing the special dishes and drink of the season as we gather with our loved ones invites over indulging. However, if you suffer from chronic conditions as diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure among others, but this one time that overdoing it can be deadly. Excessive amounts of food, salt, alcohol among other things can be easily reversed in healthy individuals but for uncontrolled diabetics, heart patients or immunosuppressed individuals it can be a one-way ticket to the afterlife.

   When it comes to parties and reunions talk with your primary care physician and discuss what are the do’s and don’ts according to your conditions and your medications. It might be ok to have a glass of wine, a cocktail or some sweets, but make sure the portions are ok according to your health risks and conditions. We can all have fun, just responsibly, after all we only live once and we have to make the best out of it.

Author

Jax Lopez MD Doctor by trade, Dr Lopez likes to think himself as a traditionally outside the box type of individual. He enjoys taking his time to get to know his patients and his goal is for them to feel at ease and trust him. When he is not busy working you can find him riding his bicycle, at the gym or at your nearest pizza parlor.