January Health Check: Why Some Health Issues Show Up After the Holidays

January is when a lot of people finally slow down enough to notice something isn’t quite right. The holidays are over, routines come back, and symptoms that were easy to ignore in December suddenly feel harder to push aside.

In healthcare, we see this every year. People show up with breathing problems that started weeks ago, infections that never fully cleared, chest discomfort they brushed off during travel, or fatigue that’s gone on longer than expected. It doesn’t mean anyone did something “wrong.” It’s just how busy seasons work.

Some common things we see in January include:

• Lingering coughs or shortness of breath after flu, RSV, or COVID

• Dehydration from travel, alcohol, or just forgetting to drink water

• Worsening asthma or lung symptoms after cold weather exposure

• Blood pressure or heart symptoms that surface once stress levels change

• People realizing they’ve been “pushing through” longer than they should have

For most people, a reset helps. Getting back to regular sleep, eating actual meals, hydrating, and giving your body a little recovery time can make a big difference. If you’re getting better week by week, that’s usually a good sign.

At home, helpful basics include:

• Prioritizing sleep (more than usual, if you’re recovering)

• Drinking fluids consistently throughout the day

• Light movement instead of jumping straight back into intense workouts

• Paying attention to trends, not just one bad day

That said, January is also when some people realize they need medical care. You should consider urgent evaluation if you notice:

• Shortness of breath that’s new or worsening

• Chest pain or pressure

• Dizziness, fainting, or confusion

• Persistent high fevers

• Symptoms that suddenly escalate instead of improving

• A general sense that “something isn’t right,” especially if it’s getting worse

When hospitals decide a patient needs a higher level of care, critical care transport teams help bridge that gap. Whether by ground or air, the goal is the same: getting patients safely to the facility best equipped to help them recover.

January isn’t about perfection or big resolutions. It’s about paying attention. Listening to your body early often prevents bigger problems later.