Archive for Friday, November 6, 2009
Doctors warn about game-day stress, as intrastate rivalry approaches
November 6, 2009, 12:00 a.m. Updated November 6, 2009, 10:10 a.m.
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On the street
How do you react when your favorite team wins or loses?
You applaud when they win, hang your head when they lose.
“He was out of bounds. Come on!”
“Are you kidding me? A fumble?!”
Welcome to Game Day, when fans tend to get a little — OK, very — fired up as they root for their team. Often, there’s cussing, throwing things, yelling, high-fives and jumping up and down.
Saturday’s football game against state rival Kansas State University will be no exception. In fact, it’s likely to ignite even more emotions.
Just don’t let your emotions get the best of you, doctors warn.
They say the high-energy — and often stressful — environment mixed with alcohol and salty snacks can be dangerous. So dangerous that fans can end up in Lawrence Memorial Hospital’s emergency room.
Charles Yockey
“We frequently see chest-pain patients and actually have seen some stroke patients from getting too excited from the games,” said Dr. Charles Yockey, LMH medical director of hospitalists. “Every home football game and every home basketball game, we have three or four ER visits from people who have health problems at the game.”
Warning signs of a heart attack or stroke include chest pain, shortness of breath, severe sudden headache, double vision, numbness or tingling in the body, and the inability to speak or walk.
Yockey said it’s important to get help right away. For example, a treatment that is given in the first three hours after a stroke can help diminish its long-term effects.
He said diehard fans have missed that window and others have paid the ultimate price.
“We’ve actually had people die watching the ball game because they had chest pain and didn’t want to leave,” he said. “People take these things very seriously.”
Yockey, a diehard Jayhawk fan, said he was no exception. He has made a friendly wager with K-State fan and fellow hospitalist Marc Scarbrough for the past three years over the football and basketball match-ups.
“I am confident that they are going to win and I am determined not to buy any breakfast for my partner this year,” he joked, adding he has only had to buy one. “I will be severely disappointed if they lose.”
He’s not alone.
Tom Marcellino
Dr. Tom Marcellino, of Mt. Oread Family Practice, said he gets pretty worked up when it comes to rooting for his beloved Jayhawks.
“During the last couple of weeks, there’s been some tense times,” he said. “I have some little kids, so sometimes my wife has to take them out of the room so I can calm down a little bit,” he said.
So, what’s his advice for doing just that?
“Deep breathing is a good way to calm down and realize that Coach Mangino has things under control,” he said with a chuckle. “Call a timeout just like the team does and maybe the leave the room for a while and go outside and take deep breaths.”
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Comments
consumer1 (anonymous) says…
I will be going to my first high school football game ever tonight. To watch the fireburds capture the W from the O easters.
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AreUNorml (anonymous) says…
If you're not a player or coach of one of these teams, and you're getting "stressed" over a game, you might have issues.
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kbritt (Karrey Britt) says…
It's the combination of alcohol, salty foods and stress — all are typically associated with games and all contribute to high blood pressure.
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puddleglum (anonymous) says…
dude, we are playing the kittykats. there shouldn't really be any stress at all.
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ralphralph (anonymous) says…
KU Football = Illusion (exposed)
It can be stressful realizing that the entire program is pretend.
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merrill (anonymous) says…
Karrey Britt,
Does the combination compound the situation?
Is it better to eat fruit and veggies with your alcohol?
Do some vitamins as well so that the body is producing the right chemicals?
Why not do a story on how to stay calm?
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jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
"KU Football = Illusion (exposed)
It can be stressful realizing that the entire program is pretend."
Like that pretend Orange Bowl Trophy. That's a Really strong hallucination. Pity all of us Lawrence K2heads.
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kbritt (Karrey Britt) says…
Merrill — I did ask the doctors the best way to stay calm. Their advice was to take deep breaths and walk away from the situation. Also, cut back on salt intake and alcohol, especially if you have problems with blood pressure.
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autie (anonymous) says…
In state? What about the Missouri game?
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beobachter (anonymous) says…
If you are stressed over a sports event, then you have some serious mental health issues.
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stjwildcat (anonymous) says…
Stress relief for K-Stater's is seeing Bill Snyder on sideline again!
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