‘Tis the season for holiday parties for family, friends and work, which means an abundance of mulled wine, spiked eggnog, champagne, beer and other spirits that always seems like a good idea – that is until “The Morning After” when you wake up looking about as pale as the snow thanks to a super-sized holiday hangover. Never fear, the doctor is IN and I’m here to share tips on how you can prepare and take care of your body before, during and after Christmas and New Year’s celebrations – including foods that actually help beat hangovers.

Consider Dr. V’s tips a Christmas present to your health and happiness! What to do Before, During & After you Head Out To Prevent a Wicked Holiday Hangover:

BEFORE:

• Plan ahead: This means hydrating before heading out and being sure you are hitting the parades and parties on a full stomach!

• Know how you’re getting home before you leave the house – have a plan that is safe and secure that you won’t have to think about while out celebrating. If you’re in a city that uses the Uber ride App get acquainted with it and get it on your phone prior to heading out to parties.

• Prepare for your arrival home and the morning after: eye cream and bottled water in fridge, alarm clock set for Monday!

• Avoid any holiday body glitter, hair color or anything else that will impress at a party but not the day or two after at the office.

DURING:

• Try to match each cocktail with a tall glass of water. An even more clever move is switching to soda water and lime (this way you don’t have to tell anyone it’s not a cocktail) which will allow you to feel festive while keeping yourself in check.

• Know what you’re drinking before you imbibe: some specialty drinks could be super tasty and also super alcoholic, something that could get you way too drunk before you know it!

• Be SURE you have a buddy system to keep you as well behaved as possible and to tend to you should you celebrate a bit too much – they can also make sure you have a safe trip home.

LATER THAT NIGHT:

• When you get home rehydrate with water or coconut water – get the Potassium, electrolytes and sodium back into your body!

• Prep your face for The Morning After – wash it, hydrate it, use your fabulous face creams!

• Sleep with an elevated pillow to relieve eye puffiness!

THE MORNING AFTER:

• More hydration, which includes water and also fruit juices like cranberry or apple juice to put some natural sugars back into your body.

• Eat a banana for a natural potassium boost!

• Wholegrain bread or toast is next – a great source of detoxifying B vitamins!

• Eggs for breakfast! When you drink too much, your body produces a toxic substance called acetaldehyde, which gives you hangover symptoms. Your body reacts by producing a counter-active chemical called glutathione. But that supply is quickly depleted. Eggs, however, are packed with cysteine (contained in glutathione), which can help to clean up leftover toxins in the process.

Happy Partying

XO

Dr. V

Healthcare is a hot topic this year. And come January 1st MYSELF and millions of other Americans will be dropped from their existing health insurance. Personally I find the whole situation of exploring insurance options overwhelming and it gives me a headache. And I have a medical degree and understand all the medical jargon the insurance companies use and make sure to ask a lot of questions most folks probably don’t think to ask. It’s a daunting process to be faced with finding new health coverage and a new doctor. And frankly, I am just too tired at the end of my day to wait while the healthcare.gov website spools and reloads for hours, or talk to someone on the phone from a health insurance company about the nuances of various plans. So my EZ fix solution will just be to get hitched. I told my boyfriend “Let’s get married Dec 31st so I can just get on your plan.” Just kidding …
Seriously though between today and Dec 31st if you are uninsured or underinsured here’s a couple tips to lower your healthcare costs while still getting the service and high quality care you need and deserve. There are several strategies that medical insiders know that can get you a significant reduction in the cost of everything from appointments to prescriptions! You may be able to reduce doctor’s appointment costs by up to 50%!? Hold onto your checkbooks and get ready to save money because the doctor is in! I’ve outlined some tips below that will keep your checkbook and wallet healthy!
Before I go any further I must say that prevention is the key component to maintaining best health, but here are a few tips to help you manage your healthcare costs because we never know what life is going to throw at us…
Tips:

1) Ask your doctor for a discount: That’s right! Like NIKE says, “Just do it!” ASK. It is often that simple, especially if you’re paying cash. This goes for labs and blood work as well. For uninsured or cash/self pay patients: Tell your doc you are paying out pocket. When you are not using insurance to pay the cost may be considerably less or you may be able to get on a payment plan. Discounts sometimes reach up to 50%!

2) Flexible Healthcare Spending account: This is an account where you designate a fixed amount of money to be taken from your paycheck every month pre-tax to be used throughout the year for medical expenses, i.e. eyeglasses, contacts, braces for your kid’s teeth, even a breast pump for a new mom. Sorry, ELECTIVE things like paying for Botox can’t be paid for using a Flexible Spending account though.

3) Discount Pharmacies:  Walmart, Costco, and Target are examples of places you can find free drugs, generics and lower cost presciptions. Check them out! Also many pharmacies have member rewards programs where after a certain number of prescriptions are filled or dollars spent you get a prescription for FREE!

4) Get prescriptions by mail-order in “bulk”: Buy a 3-month supply and you may only have to pay one co-pay. Often mail order offers more cost effective medications.

5) Ask for sample medications: If your doc wants to start you on a new medication ask if you could try some samples. This way before you pay for it you can see if it works for you, and also make sure you don’t have a reaction to it. Often your doctor may have samples available at the office free of charge. And also ask if they have any manufacturer’s coupons or discount card for the medication.

6) Don’t attend unnecessary office visits: Call your doctor if you have a minor ailment and ask if you really need to come back for follow-up – he/she may say no need and you’ve saved yourself an office visit charge. At the same time make sure you know your doctor’s cancellation policy and always abide by it. If you miss appointments, or show up too late the office may cancel your appointment AND charge you a no-show fee. Remember an appointment missed is a slot another sick person or patient couldn’t get.

7) Make use of your time and the doctor visit: Make a list of things you want to talk to your doctor about so when you come you make good use of time and also get all your questions answered. You want to use the 15-30 minutes you get wisely and get everything answered in order to avoid an appointment or charged call when you realize you forgot to ask about an ailment or health concern.

8) Workplace Prevention Programs: Check if your company offers free preventative care or gym membership, some even offer Weight Watchers programs from work!

9) Choose insurance coverage that is tiered for you: Customize your plan for things such as just getting hospital coverage or only using general medical insurance. Some plans such as Freelancers Union even let you mix and match options to find a plan that matches your need and budgets. That program is great for temps, freelancers, small biz owners and more! This is important especially for those shopping for health insurance in the new year.

10) Avoid the ER as much as possible: The EMERGENCY ROOM is for EMERGENCIES. Do not use it for primary care issues. That’s why you should have a primary care doctor – who knows your medical history and can get you into the office when issues arise. Substitute Urgent Care or local clinics and save on hefty emergency room bills and time spent waiting in the ER! Remember the ER handles sick patients – patients who have life threatening problems. If you’re going to the ER for a paper cut then you probably won’t be seen quickly.

It’s almost the end of the year. It’s time! If you have used up your deductible then GO and get your procedures and preventative care done. And if you’re looking for insurance keep me posted and let me know how your insurance hunt goes… I’m on the hunt for new insurance too.

XO

Dr. V