Super Bowl health hazards: More than just calories
When it comes to health during the Super Bowl, the message often focuses on the amount of fat and calories we're putting in our bodies. However, the big game can also bring about other major health risks that people may not even think about.
Dr. Abigail Balger, emergency medicine physician at Sparrow Hospital and St. Lawrence Medical Center in Lansing, Mich., is here to help. She says people may find themselves in need of emergency care if they go all out at a Super Bowl party.
"I think the big take-home message is moderation," Balger told CBSNews.com. "Know your limits, don't overdo it."
From Dr. Balger, here are some health risks you might face from the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl health hazards: More than just calories
Drunk driving
"Beware of the half-time beer run," warns Balger.
A common situation occurs when hosts have more guests than previously anticipated at their Super Bowl party and send someone out to get some more drinks, she notes. The combination of alcohol and rushing back home in time for the second half of the game results in heavy traffic in the emergency room.
The Super Bowl is right up there with other major holidays when it comes to drunk driving risk. On Super Bowl Sunday alone, 36 percent of all fatal motor vehicle accidents were connected to alcohol, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
"People don't think of it as a major holiday, but really, it is," said Balger.
The NHTSA recommends designating a sober driver or asking a sober friend for a ride home, calling a cab and being vigilant and never let friends leave your sight if you think they are going to get behind the wheel.
"Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you served ends up in a drunk-driving crash," according to the agency.
Super Bowl health hazards: More than just calories
Food-related pains
Super Bowl fans often overdo it on wings and other spicy foods, resulting in acid reflux, indigestion and serious heartburn, according to Balger. A common -- and incorrect -- self-diagnosis people make is a heart attack. However, a single episode of heartburn itself is not dangerous, although it can be very uncomfortable.
That's not the only risk though. People can experience severe pain in the upper abdomen from eating fatty spicy foods in the form of gallbladder attacks, according to Balger.
She says fans should pace themselves on the barbeque sauce and other acidic foods.
Super Bowl health hazards: More than just calories
Game-day jitters
Super Bowl stress can impact the heart and cardiac health, with the release of hormones and adrenaline that occurs when a person is invested in a game. Having stress over a long period of time can cause health problems, says Balger. People who are high-risk because they're overweight or have high blood pressure can actually trigger a heart attack from stress.
While she admits she hasn't seen a patient come to the ER with a heart attack following a sporting event, she often sees people experience heart attacks after stressful arguments with family members.
A 2011 study that analyzed death records following the 1980 and 1985 Super Bowls reported increases in heart attack rates following those games, Health.com reported.
Super Bowl health hazards: More than just calories
Texting at the wheel
The Super Bowl is a multimedia experience these days. People aren't just watching the TV anymore, but are glued to their tablets and mobile devices throughout. However, this could be a problem if you happen to be driving for a snack run during halftime or happen to be on the road during the game.
Balger warns texting and driving is similar to drinking and driving. Research has suggested that people have worse reaction times when texting.
One 2011 study found texting while driving doubled a driver's reaction time, making them less likely to respond to sudden roadway dangers.
"We're seeing lots of accidents caused by people texting," said Balger.
Super Bowl health hazards: More than just calories
Binge drinking
Drunk driving isn't the only risk from a night of binging. Balger says she's seen it all since she practices emergency medicine in a college town. A night of drinking games or heavy boozing can lead to health hazards such as alcohol poisoning, heavy vomiting, breathing problems, broken bones or worse from falls and injuries caused by violence.
With alcohol impairing judgment, even close friends at a Super Bowl party can fight.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines binge drinking as having four or more alcoholic drinks on one occasion. Of course if you binge drink, you could also face the health risk on the next slide...
Super Bowl health hazards: More than just calories
Hangovers
A Sunday night game could make for a nasty Monday morning hangover. In the emergency room, Balger frequently sees people present after a night of drinking because they can't stop throwing up. They may require medical treatment with IV fluids and electrolytes, often staying in the emergency department for several hours, she said.
To prevent a hangover, Balger recommends -- besides limiting the amount of booze you drink -- having one to two glasses of water after each alcoholic drink. She also said medications that coat the stomach, including Pepto-Bismol, gas and heartburn meds could be taken to person from feeling worse.
Super Bowl health hazards: More than just calories
Stomach discomfort
While overindulging can cause heartburn and stomach pain, Balger notes that simply stuffing yourself with foods your body isn't used to can make for a rough aftermath to a Super Bowl party.
"We're eating a bunch of unhealthy foods or things we don't usually eat, like fatty dips, chips, etc.," says Balger. That could lead to constipation and diarrhea that while not necessarily dangerous, can still be incredibly uncomfortable.
Super Bowl health hazards: More than just calories
Taking home more than leftovers
As with any gathering, a Super Bowl party could be a place where friends and families spread germs, often by sharing finger foods.
"First of all if you're sick, don't go to the party," Balger recommends.
If you're going to be around a lot of people for the Super Bowl, wash your hands frequently, especially before you eat. If you have a cough, cough into your elbow instead of your hand to avoid the spread of germs. Some people should even wear a mask if they have a really bad cough, she recommends.
"Influenza is very prevalent this year, a lot of it could be prevented," she said.
But that's not the only risk. People can experience food poisoning from undercooked meats or other items that contain germs and bacteria. She said the biggest culprits at parties are foods that are made in advance, like potato salad.
Super Bowl health hazards: More than just calories
Worsening your health conditions
If you have a preexisting medical condition, splurging on the Super Bowl may not be the best idea. People with previous health conditions can eat their ways into serious health problems, particularly for diabetics, cardiac patients, and patients with GERD. For example, in the hour after eating a big meal, the risk of having a heart attack jumps 10 times, risk that is much higher for people who had heart disease, according to Balger.
That's because after a large meal, a significant portion of blood goes to the gut to aid digestion. This blood has to come from another place, so if you have narrowing blood vessels or problems with blood flow, that could precipitate a heart attack.