The Big Game: Top Five Fan Injuries

On or off the field, doctors on Amwell are available 24/7 to help you tackle a number of ailments, including:

Injury #1: The flu can be an unwanted catch
A new study out of Tulane University shows the football parties you go to this weekend will increase your chance of getting the flu. Close quarters and the sharing of food are a great combination for flu transmission. Some easy tips to avoid spreading the virus around a football party would be to get a flu shot beforehand, wash hands while at the party and avoid double-dipping chips

Injury #2: Earache or headache from the loud cheers of your favorite team winning.
Yelling and overexerting yourself for an extended period of time --- such as screaming and cheering at a sporting event or celebrating after your favorite team wins can also trigger headaches. Try to take breaks in between your excitement and allow your body to relax and calm down. Your body tenses up from the cheering, which tightens the muscles in the head and neck and contribute to your head pain.

Injury #3: Nacho-induced indigestion
Football parties = lots of food and soda. Lots of people experience heartburn and indigestion from cheesy, greasy foods like nachos, chile, or anything deep fried. If you start to experience pain during the game, talk with a doctor about how to solve these issues. In the meantime, here's are some recipes that are good for your body and waistline.

Injury #4: Mouth Burns
Biting into a plate full of straight-from-the-oven chicken wings can lead to the dreaded burn on your tongue or roof of the mouth.  Avoid the dreaded burn and wait for the food to chill beforehand. If you do get a burn, drink a cool drink right away and take an over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to help ease the pain and inflammation. If that doesn’t help, call a doctor on Amwell for instant medical attention.

Injury #5: Trouble walking from being glued to your seat
Your body is designed for regular movement, but many of us will spend the bulk of the game sitting in a chair. While the game will get your blood pumping with all the excitement, try to active throughout the game and get your legs moving.