Don't fall victim to fall-maxxing: Houston Methodist physicians share tips on keeping spooky season safe
With Autumn in full effect, everyone is fall-maxxing their calendars, yard decorations and lattes. It's hard to know when it's too much until a broken bone or candy-induced nausea squashes the fun.
With Halloween almost here, Houston Methodist experts are available to share health and safety tips to keep the season frighteningly festive.
Cardiology
Fear and your heart: Ever wonder why your heart races during a scary movie? Houston Methodist cardiovascular experts are available to explain what happens inside the body during moments of extreme fright, including symptoms which could signal an underlying heart condition.
Emergency medicine
No tricks, just tips on avoiding the ER: Dr. Anh Nguyen and Houston Methodist The Woodlands’ Dr. Michael Nguyen can share some frighteningly simple ways to ensure common injuries and illnesses remain a figment of your imagination this spooky season.
Ear, nose and throat
When seasonal allergies feel like a scary movie: Dr. Masayoshi Takashima is available to discuss how to cope with fall allergy triggers.
Gastroenterology
When does a treat become a trick? Dr. Kashif Khan with Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital can share how overindulgence in fall treats, including everyone’s favorite pumpkin spice, could potentially disrupt the GI tract.
Neuroscience
The psychology of fear: Dr. Phil Horner can explain what happens in the brain when people get scared, distinct types of fear and why people either love or hate watching scary movies. Listen to a Houston Methodist On Health podcast on this topic featuring Horner.
Orthopedics and sport medicine
Hidden injury risks lurking in the dark: Dr. Larry Balle and Dr. Robert Flannery can discuss common injury risks at fall attractions, from trips and falls to sprains and strains, and how visitors can stay safe while enjoying the scares.
The Walking Dead: Drs. Balle and Flannery can also discuss how long nights of trick-or-treating can affect the feet, ankles, knees and muscles, and the ways to prevent and manage soreness.
Pumpkin-carving ergonomics: Dr. Korsh Jafarnia with Houston Methodist West Hospital can discuss how to prevent hand, wrist and finger injuries while carving pumpkins, including proper ergonomics and tools and when a cut or possible tendon injury requires medical attention.
A whole new skeleton: Dr. Scott Rand with Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital can discuss how bones remodel themselves constantly, resulting in a new skeleton every 10 years.
Primary care
Falling victim to fall-maxxing: Dr. Olivia Tomasco with Houston Methodist West Hospital is available to discuss potential health effects of fall scents like pumpkin spice and apple cider. Dr. Michael Allen with Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital can share tips for not overindulging in Halloween candy.
To schedule an interview with any of these subject matter experts, contact Amy McCaig, manager of public relations at Houston Methodist, at 217.417.2901 or almccaig@houstonmethodist.org
With Halloween almost here, Houston Methodist experts are available to share health and safety tips to keep the season frighteningly festive.
Cardiology
Fear and your heart: Ever wonder why your heart races during a scary movie? Houston Methodist cardiovascular experts are available to explain what happens inside the body during moments of extreme fright, including symptoms which could signal an underlying heart condition.
Emergency medicine
No tricks, just tips on avoiding the ER: Dr. Anh Nguyen and Houston Methodist The Woodlands’ Dr. Michael Nguyen can share some frighteningly simple ways to ensure common injuries and illnesses remain a figment of your imagination this spooky season.
Ear, nose and throat
When seasonal allergies feel like a scary movie: Dr. Masayoshi Takashima is available to discuss how to cope with fall allergy triggers.
Gastroenterology
When does a treat become a trick? Dr. Kashif Khan with Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital can share how overindulgence in fall treats, including everyone’s favorite pumpkin spice, could potentially disrupt the GI tract.
Neuroscience
The psychology of fear: Dr. Phil Horner can explain what happens in the brain when people get scared, distinct types of fear and why people either love or hate watching scary movies. Listen to a Houston Methodist On Health podcast on this topic featuring Horner.
Orthopedics and sport medicine
Hidden injury risks lurking in the dark: Dr. Larry Balle and Dr. Robert Flannery can discuss common injury risks at fall attractions, from trips and falls to sprains and strains, and how visitors can stay safe while enjoying the scares.
The Walking Dead: Drs. Balle and Flannery can also discuss how long nights of trick-or-treating can affect the feet, ankles, knees and muscles, and the ways to prevent and manage soreness.
Pumpkin-carving ergonomics: Dr. Korsh Jafarnia with Houston Methodist West Hospital can discuss how to prevent hand, wrist and finger injuries while carving pumpkins, including proper ergonomics and tools and when a cut or possible tendon injury requires medical attention.
A whole new skeleton: Dr. Scott Rand with Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital can discuss how bones remodel themselves constantly, resulting in a new skeleton every 10 years.
Primary care
Falling victim to fall-maxxing: Dr. Olivia Tomasco with Houston Methodist West Hospital is available to discuss potential health effects of fall scents like pumpkin spice and apple cider. Dr. Michael Allen with Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital can share tips for not overindulging in Halloween candy.
To schedule an interview with any of these subject matter experts, contact Amy McCaig, manager of public relations at Houston Methodist, at 217.417.2901 or almccaig@houstonmethodist.org