Have a healthy, happy festival (From Halesowen News)

Have a healthy, happy festival

7:00am Saturday 27th June 2009

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Festival's might be fun, but the noise, the mud, the booze, and being packed in with thousands of other festivalgoers can all take a toll on your health. We have put together a health survival kit so your outing's a success and not marred by ailments.

By Gabrielle Fagan.

Music festivals are firmly established as one of the highlights of the British summer. But all that roughing it, barely sleeping and dining on festival fast food can wreak havoc with your health.

"Festivals are great occasions," says Dr Chris Howes, medical director of Festival Medical Services, which provides support at some of the UK's largest festivals.

"But people should be aware that with a huge mass of people gathered together and only basic facilities there can be health risks."

Many festival-goers are totally unprepared for the challenges of living outdoors. They throw themselves into energetic dancing, snatch some sleep on damp, hard ground, and take part in risky festival rituals such as "crowd surfing" where individuals are passed over the heads of the crowd.

It can all have medical consequences ranging from food poisoning, exhaustion, back and neck problems, through to serious injuries.

"Many injuries and health complaints could be avoided with sensible planning and being realistic about your physical limitations, for instance a bad back," says Dr Howes.

He suggests instead that simple, sensible precautions - such as ensuring camping kit includes sufficient medication for an existing condition such as asthma as well as supportive camping mats or chairs - could mean many festival-goers take home only good memories rather than aches, pains or lingering injuries.

To make sure that the festival ends on a high rather than in tears, follow this "survival guide".

:: When you arrive.

Locate medical centres as soon as you arrive, and make yourself known to the staff if you have an existing medical condition.

Dr Howes says: "If you're pregnant and near your due date, definitely let medical staff know on arrival. Asthmatics should bring inhalers and spare cartridges and hayfever sufferers enough antihistamines for the stay. Take a basic first aid kit."

:: Alcohol awareness.

If you're drinking alcohol, take it easy.

Dr Howes, who gives festival health guidance on NHS Choices (www.nhs.uk), says: "A combination of heat, dancing and alcohol can quickly dehydrate you and make you thirsty.

"This is often why many people unwisely and sometimes unwittingly end up consuming a lot more alcohol than they normally would."

Drink plenty of water - many festivals supply free fresh water - and keep a bottle with you at all times. Try to ensure every other drink is water or a soft drink and eat regularly. If you're tired, alcohol hits your system harder and faster.

:: Crowd surfing.

Crowd surfing, "moshing" and headbanging are traditional but extremely risky festival rituals.

Chartered physiotherapist Sammy Margo warns: "We don't recommend taking part in any of these. The injuries suffered are on a par with an extreme sport.

"If a surfer gets dropped they can get whiplash-type injuries, resulting in muscle spasms in the neck and lower back, leg injuries and bruising.

"Those taking part in the crowd can also be vulnerable to head and neck injuries."

Moshing - where people shove and push others in the area in front of the stage called the "mosh pit" - can result in bruising, concussion and whiplash.

Headbanging, or violently rocking the head back and forth to loud music, may, according to a Australian study, cause long-term head and neck pain, and at worst "mild traumatic brain injury".

Margo advises: "Take precautions if you do take part. For instance, if you're being surfed over the crowd and realise you're being accidentally dropped, relax into the fall instead of tensing up.

"You're liable to be more supple, and less likely to injury from falling awkwardly."

Also, remove jewellery and piercings so they can't get ripped off in the mayhem. Don't wear shoes with heels, studs or steel caps.

If you're moshing, Keep arms at your side to avoid inadvertently punching someone as you get shoved from person to person.

For more guidance check out: www.nhs.uk :: Trench foot.

Trench foot - experienced by soldiers in the muddy, flooded trenches during the First World War - is a common peril at festivals.

"It's an infection of the feet due to prolonged exposure to cold, wet, insanitary conditions," explains Dr Howes.

"The feet gradually go numb, swell and start turning red or blue, and it can lead to sores and blisters with a potential for infection.

"The only way to prevent trench foot is to keep your feet dry which will also help you avoid other fungal infections."

Take waterproof wellies and dry cotton socks to change into, and try to wash and dry feet regularly. If possible, take shoes and socks off at night.

Flip-flops are not suitable festival wear. Trainers are a better option as they are supportive and may also help to avoid strain and injury from dancing sessions on hard ground, as well as keeping you stable on wet ground.

:: Safe sex.

Having sex without a condom increases the chance of pregnancy or catching a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea or syphilis.

Emergency contraception and sexual health advice is generally available at on site medical centres.

"If you have unprotected sex and need emergency contraception, go to the medical centre. The quicker you get it, the more effective it is," says Dr Howes.

:: Protect your hearing.

Damaged hearing can be an unwanted souvenir from a music festival.

Volumes of 137 decibels have been recorded near music stages at some festivals, and this is only a few decibels lower than being next to a jet plane taking off.

A survey last year of nearly 3,000 festival-goers reported that 84% experienced dullness of hearing or ringing in the ears.

Donna Tipping of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), which commissioned the study, says: "These are the first signs of hearing damage. Next morning or a couple of days later, your hearing may gradually return to normal but over time, with continued exposure, there can be permanent, irreversible damage."

Tipping says: "Be aware of risks. For instance if you can't talk to someone two metres away without shouting, the noise level could be damaging."

Wear special earplugs, used by many DJs and musicians, stand away from speakers and take regular breaks from the loudest areas.

:: Sun care.

Hours can fly by when you're in the zone with the music, and it's easy to suffer sunburn or sunstroke.

Boots pharmacist Angela Chalmers advises: "It doesn't take much sun to get severely burned or have sunstroke."

Apply suncream with a minimum factor of 30. Chalmers adds: "Take breaks in the shade away from direct sun, avoid the hottest sun between 11am and 3pm, and wear a hat. Sip water throughout the day to avoid dehydration."

Sunstroke symptoms may include dizziness, nausea, delirium and slurred speech, and the condition needs prompt medical attention.

:: Drug sense.

Don't feel under pressure to try anything: remember you don't know what you're getting, drugs are illegal and may be harmful.

Make yourself aware of drugs and their risks before you attend a festival. One helpful source could be Government drug information service FRANK on 0800 77 66 00 or at www.talktofrank.com "Try not to mix drugs and drink as it will make you sick," said Dr Howes. "If you're a regular drug user, don't take more than you're used to."

If you do decide to take something, stay with your friends and tell them what you think you've taken.

Beware of drink-spiking. Don't accept alcoholic drinks from people you don't know and don't let your drink out of your sight.

:: Avoid burns.

Camping gas accidents are the most common cause of serious burns at festivals.

Safety experts warn that gas canisters should never be changed in or near a tent. It's essential to check that a canister is threaded properly before lighting.

Similarly, barbecues should be sited a safe distance from tents, and only lit with recognised firelighters or starter fuel, NOT petrol, and then only on cold coals.

Illegal flares are another hazard, as they may spit, run, and cause wax burns.

"Every year, unapproved flares and candles cause very nasty, sight-threatening eye injuries. You should only buy from authorised dealers," says Dr Howes.

:: Hypothermia.

Waterproof and warm clothing is essential as hypothermia, where body temperature drops, is a risk when the temperature falls at night, especially if clothes are damp with sweat.

Mild symptoms can include shivering, feeling cold, low energy, and cold, pale skin.

These can escalate to moderate symptoms including violent, uncontrollable shivering, inability to think or pay attention to events, difficulty moving around or stumbling, and feeling fearful.

Medical attention should be sought promptly.

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