Euro Fever (And Other Ailments)

Following the dramatic Euro 2020 victory over Denmark, the unthinkable has happened - England have secured a place in the final of a major international football tournament for the first time in more than 50 years.

While the opportunity to watch England take part in such a huge match is certainly something to celebrate, over-excitement among fans combined with the relief that 18-months of lockdown are finally coming to an end are likely to lead to a host of ailments come Monday morning.

So, whether you'll be cheering The Three Lions on or hoping they fall at the final hurdle, these are the most common ailments to be aware of and how you can overcome them.

Hangovers

Let's face it, there are going to be sore heads on Monday morning regardless of the result. The most effective way to avoid a hangover is to limit your alcohol intake, although for England fans looking forward to a first major final since 1966, this will be easier said than done.

If you're going to drink alcohol on Sunday, try to drink water at regular intervals too, and especially before bed to help prevent dehydration. If you wake up feeling worse for wear on Monday, drink plenty of water as soon as possible and use over the counter medications such as paracetamol to relieve headaches. If you've planned ahead and booked the day off work, focusing on rest and recuperation will help you recover quickly - this is especially important if you're also sleep deprived. 

Indigestion 

In addition to plenty of drinking, Sunday's final is also likely to lead to excessive eating among football fans.

With snacks like crisps and nuts par for the course when watching football at home, and many pubs and football parks selling cooked food and hosting barbecues, indigestion caused by excessive burger and sausage consumption is likely to be a common issue once the final whistle blows.

To reduce your risk of suffering indigestion, keep an eye on what you're eating, how much you're eating and how quickly you're eating. Try not to eat more than you would normally and remember to eat slowly, as guzzling down meals can lead to extremely uncomfortable indigestion. If possible, try to break up meat-heavy meals with foods which aid digestion, such as salad or vegetables. Taking a quick walk after eating will stop you from feeling bloated the next morning, so try to eat before kick-off and get a few steps in at half-time. A walk after the match has finished will also help - but try to avoid any fast-food vans along the way.

Sprains

Excessive alcohol intake affects your balance, increasing your risk of suffering a trip or fall, which can lead to a variety of injuries, with sprained wrists and ankles particularly common. If you suffer a sprain, it's important to reduce the swelling as quickly as possible, so elevate the injured body part, treat it with ice and try to rest it for as long as possible. Using a tubular bandage will help compress and limit the movement of the injury site, preventing further damage and minimising swelling, while medications like ibuprofen will help reduce any pain.

If you suspect you may have a more serious injury, such as a broken bone, visit a doctor as soon as possible.

Unprotected Sex

The combination of alcohol and a nationwide party atmosphere might mean you need to access emergency contraception.

Easily available from any pharmacy, emergency contraception comes in two forms: the Morning After Pill, which can be effective up to three days after having unprotected sex; and an emergency IUD, also known as a coil, which can be effective up to five days after unprotected sex. A doctor or pharmacist can advise you on the most suitable method for your needs.

Smoking 

Despite widespread awareness of the dangers of smoking, both regular and social smokers can find themselves smoking more than they'd like when watching major sporting events in a crowded environment fuelled by alcohol.

If you want to stop smoking, speak to a pharmacist about nicotine replacement products, or visit a free, local Stop Smoking Service for expert advice, support and encouragement.

At Oxford Online Pharmacy, we offer a range of indigestion remedies and treatments to help stop smoking. You can also contact us to discuss any other issues here.

Photo by Emilio Garcia on Unsplash