Autumn palette of ailments

Somehow, bad moods, accompanied by all sorts of psychoses, neuroses and depressions tend to catch up to us in the fall. During this time of year there is a serious restructuring happening in nature, and we are a part of it. The body tries to adjust to the cold, reduced daylight hours and the head is trying to get used to the idea that we will have to wait for warmer days for a long, long time. Many cannot stand it.

The body reacts to fall in different ways. Some want to hibernate, some - to cry, some lose sleep and are angry at the whole world. Poets would say that this is in consonance with fading nature. Doctors use the term - neurotic (or gray), depression, and in the most severe cases it is called psychotic depression, or, in other words, “black melancholy.” The police add: the highest number of suicides happens in autumn.
But the impact of autumn is not limited only to nervous and mental disorders. Dank mood is slowly but surely eroding the entire body.

Food for thought
Statistics say that almost every person acquires a couple-three chronic diseases by the age of thirty. Though he or she is not always aware of that. Objective information about any illnesses can be obtained in the offseason, because the aggravation usually occurs at this particular time.

Even if we exclude from our list the solid block of chronic diseases of the “ear-nose-throat” nature, which also just love to appear in bad weather, the list of autumnal maladies goes on and on.
During the decrease of temperature the blood vessels tend to shrink, therefore our organs (stomach, heart, etc.) do not receive enough nutrition, and the secretion of gastric juice is also subject to change. So, the first ones to react to the autumn weather are gastritis and ulcers. To prevent the worsening of these diseases, it is recommended to keep to a diet and drink mineral water.

The basis of the diet are semifluid porridges and soups. Porridges are best prepared from oat flakes with water or with milk, adding a little sugar. Soups must be vegetarian, with carrots, potatoes, cauliflower or broccoli. You can eat boiled fish, boiled meat and shrimps without limiting yourself. The food can be seasoned with olive, or better - with linseed oil. You should drink weak tea without sugar and eat fresh fermented milk products. The best fruits to eat are bananas and baked apples. But a diet is still only a diet, and in case of serious ailments you should not put off a visit to the doctor.

The doctors are confident that the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract “trigger” neuro-psychological factors that influence our susceptibility to stress, under which many diseases simply cannot be avoided. For example, insomnia develops in the presence of stress (women (60%) have it more frequent than men (40%)) and is, in essence, a stress for the organism that leads to a chronic malnutrition.

Take care of your back and joints!

Osteochondrosis - almost every person after the age of 30 is predisposed to it. Supercooling in high humidity and sudden weather changes, a more sedentary lifestyle than in summer, all of this creates favorable grounds for the exacerbation.

Similar to osteochondrosis, rheumatoid arthritis becomes acute in this time of year. To prevent the worsening of the condition in the fall be sure to visit a rheumatologist. The doctor will adjust the dose of drugs and he will suggest a course of physiotherapy treatments. Joints often react to cold, humidity and wind. Therefore, dress warmer and try to use clothes that are made from natural fabrics. It is also useful to pay attention to therapeutic exercises. A complex of simple exercises can help to maintain joint mobility and the efficiency of muscles. The exercises should be done only in a warm room. The movements should not cause pain.

Help the Heart

In the autumn, due to abrupt changes in the temperature and atmospheric pressure, various heart problems begin to appear. The attacks of stenocardia and hypertensive crises become more frequent, ischemic heart disease becomes acute, and people suffering from heart disease may experience a lack of oxygen (hypoxia). Try to spend thirty or forty minutes outdoors every day, take walks more often. Take all medications that your doctor has prescribed, and in case of deterioration of health, call an ambulance.

Do not overuse smoked meat products

Piercing cold wind, slush, wet feet, “sedentary” work - all these seasonal attributes can trigger diseases such as prostatitis, cystitis, and urethritis.
You must pay attention to your diet.
Do not abuse smoked, salty and spicy foods.
Drink plenty of juices, mineral water and do not forget to exercise.
It is very useful to drink a decoction of parsley root and an infusion of herbs (bearberry, chamomile, field horsetail, St. John’s wort and plantain).

But at the same time, you should remember – in case of any discomfort in the urinary system, you should seek medical advice immediately. Self-medication in this case is unacceptable!
Despite the variety and differences of diseases that worsen in the fall, they have one thing in common: they are triggered by our weakness, mainly - the weakness of the nervous system and immunity, but also foolishness, which prevents us from behaving correctly in the autumn. Scientists also blame the head: they assume that the reason for seasonal exacerbations of chronic diseases in humans is disorder of concentration of melatonin - a hormone secreted by the epiphysis - a small piece of iron, hidden deep within the brain.

Autumn Tips

1. To support the nervous system, to release the head from sad thoughts and have good sleep, you should drink a soothing tea in the evening, turn on soft music and take a bath. Also, as a preventive method, it is healthy to eat special natural products that support your nervous system.
2. Do not experiment. During the exacerbation of ulcer disease the pain can be removed by a glass of milk with a pinch of baking soda. But keep in mind - this is an emergency measure, and it has nothing to do with the treatment. Moreover, it is much more useful not to treat (to eliminate the consequences of exacerbation), but to prevent a relapse. Two or three weeks before the anticipated exacerbation take specially designed preventive medicine.
3. Protect your joints. If seasonal joint pain appears, take B group vitamins that improve the nutrition of nerve roots and the cartilage surfaces of joints, as well as calcium supplements.
4. Pamper yourself. If signs of an autumn mood come unexpectedly, quickly start to please yourself with all sorts of nice little things so that the positive emotions push back the negative ones.

If the depressed state, aggravated by the approach of winter, is familiar to you already - plan your vacation for the fall, do not neglect health-resort treatment, because who would know how to deal with the “awakened” ailments better then the specialists.