Sawbones Classic: Santa is Sick

This podcast episode explores the topic of Santa Claus's health from a medical perspective. The hosts examine his age, disposition, and cognitive abilities, noting his positive attitude despite potential health risks. Santa's anatomy, lifestyle, diet, and interactions with children are analyzed for potential health concerns, including issues with his lungs, heart, and cognitive function. The podcast also highlights Santa's remarkable abilities such as his memory and attention to detail. Additionally, the positive impact of Santa's reindeer companions and the benefits of pets on mental wellbeing are discussed. While health risks are acknowledged, the focus remains on Santa's unique role in bringing joy to children worldwide. Takeaways • The hosts discuss Santa Claus's age, describing him as about 550 infinite and eternal years old. • Santa's disposition is cheery, joyful, and jolly, which is associated with lower blood pressure and general well-being. • Potential health risks for Santa include chronic lung problems from exposure to chimney smoke and sleep apnea due to his obesity. • Santa's heart is described as huge and capable of accommodating all the children in the world, raising concerns about cardiomegaly and coronary artery disease. • Santa's cognitive abilities, particularly his memory and list-making habits, are examined, with potential concerns about memory problems and mental health conditions like dementia and OCD. • Santa's diet, specifically his consumption of milk and cookies, is briefly discussed for its potential negative effects. • Santa's interactions with children raise concerns about infectious diseases, but the hosts conclude that the contact is minimal and not a major concern. • The health benefits of Santa's longstanding marriage to Mrs. Claus are highlighted. • Santa's reindeer companions are explored for their potential positive effects on his mental well-being, blood pressure, and overall happiness. • The hosts mention the low risk of zoonotic diseases transmission from reindeer to Santa, although they humorously discuss diseases with alternative names. • The possibility of Santa having inflammatory conditions such as rosacea or rhinophyma is briefly touched upon.