No one likes to end up in a hospital emergency room, especially during the holiday season. But the fact is most ERs are 25 percent busier this time of year, so you can expect an even longer wait than usual if you have to visit one.

“Our busiest days are Dec. 26 and Jan. 1 or 2,” notes Dr. Max Lebow, medical director of the Los Angeles International Airport Medical Clinic.

Dr. Lebow, who also runs Reliant Immediate Care Medical Group and is a board-certified emergency care physician, is in charge of one of the largest Urgent Care Centers in California.

“Unfortunately the mortality rate during this time of the year is also higher,” he adds. “People can’t see their own physicians so they tend to wait if they have symptoms, or they may experience chest pain in the morning and decide to ride it out until after dinner. That’s when we get a deluge of patients.”

Holiday travel can also exacerbate underlying conditions, lower immune system defenses, and contribute to the spread of cold and flu viruses. The stress of getting to and from airports, visiting relatives, and increased exposure to infectious pathogens on planes and airports all create a perfect storm for a host of health conditions.

If you do need to visit an ER this holiday season — for yourself or a loved one — Dr. Lebow offers the following tips to improve your experience.

No. 1: First of all, decide if you really need to go to an ER or if an urgent care facility or minute clinic — with shorter wait times — will suffice. Such facilities are less crowded and tend to be cheaper than an ER. But such symptoms as chest pain, loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, or a high fever need to be treated seriously and warrant a trip to the ER.

No. 2: If you are out of town, check with your hotel, relatives, or call your insurance carrier for recommendations on the best medical facilities. A university hospital emergency department is always an option if you are concerned about quality. You can even use your smart phone for to find a facility.

No. 3: If possible, have your own physician call ahead. This can save valuable waiting time once you get to the ER.

No. 4: Be prepared to wait. With the increase in ER patients typically seen around the holidays, your wait might be longer than usual. But rest assured, says Dr. Lebow, if your condition is acute, you will be seen in a timely manner.

No. 5: Avoid peak times, if possible. During the holiday season, early morning and late evening are the busiest times. “People often arrive in the morning to find their elderly relatives in a terrible state after not seeing them for a period of time. They are often dehydrated or malnourished so the children bring them to us for rehydration. We call this Elderly Parent Syndrome. In the evening we get the alcohol- and food-related issues,” he says.

No. 6: Be prepared to be quizzed about drug use. “It’s a terrible problem today,” explains Dr. Lebow. “People come in saying they are in terrible pain, asking for specific kinds of drugs. We have one fellow who is able to dislocate his shoulder at will because he knows narcotics are part of the treatment. We can usually sniff out the drug seekers.”

No. 7: Don’t use your cell phone, unless it’s an emergency. “I get very annoyed when I am trying to treat 10 patients and one receives a phone call and starts having a conversation,” Dr. Lebow says. “That is a preventable distraction for the medical staff. Take the call if you must but say you’ll call them back.”

No. 8: Most of all, try to bring your holiday cheer. The ER staff also has family and has likely volunteered to take the holiday shift. “They are not immune to stressors so making a human connection with the staff will work in your favor,” says Dr. Lebow.