The number of emergency room visits is rising during the Lunar New Year holiday as people consume greasy foods and excessive alcohol. Medical professionals are urging caution as many cases initially dismissed as simple indigestion turn out to be acute cholecystitis or pancreatitis.
According to the medical community on the 17th, numerous patients visiting hospitals for digestive issues during the holiday period are being diagnosed with acute cholecystitis or pancreatitis. Delaying treatment by mistaking symptoms for simple indigestion can lead to complications or surgery.
"Mild indigestion can improve with fasting and hydration, but persistent severe abdominal pain or vomiting may indicate acute cholecystitis or pancreatitis rather than simple indigestion," said Yoon Kyung-sung, professor of emergency medicine at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital. "For patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, metabolic stress from overeating and drinking further increases the risk of complications."
Acute cholecystitis is considered the most concerning condition during the holiday period. The gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver and aids in fat digestion. Excessive consumption of high-fat foods causes the gallbladder to contract forcefully to release bile, and if gallstones block the bile duct during this process, acute cholecystitis can develop.
The hallmark symptom of acute cholecystitis is severe pain below the right ribcage or in the upper abdomen. The pain often radiates to the back or right shoulder, persists for several hours, and frequently does not respond to painkillers. If accompanied by fever, chills, and vomiting, immediate medical attention is required. Left untreated, the condition can progress to gallbladder necrosis or peritonitis.
Airway obstruction is another common holiday emergency. Choking on rice cakes or tough meat can become life-threatening within minutes. If a person suddenly cannot speak, clutches their throat, and cannot breathe, call 119 immediately and perform the Heimlich maneuver. This involves standing behind the patient, wrapping your arms around their waist, and thrusting upward below the sternum with a fist to expel the foreign object. If the patient loses consciousness, CPR should be initiated immediately.
"Even if the foreign object is removed on site, risks of organ damage from strong compression or aspiration pneumonia may remain," Professor Yoon advised. "A follow-up examination at the emergency room is essential."