The weather is cooling down, and as the seasons change, so do the factors that influence your well-being. From seasonal allergies to things like the common cold and viruses circulating, it’s essential to ensure you stay on top of your health.
“There are many things we look forward to each Fall, like pumpkin spice lattes and football season, but the season also has drawbacks such as decreased daylight and poor weather preventing our time spent outside. Good or bad, changing seasons can and will impact your health,” warned Dr. Ethan Walker.
Mercy Health outlines some of the most common fall health risks along with some tips on ensuring you and your family stay safe while enjoying the season.
Injuries from Seasonal Activities:
Autumn marks the beginning of beautiful colors and leaf-peeping adventures, but that also leads to lots of raking and a common hazard of the season. Wet leaves can create slippery surfaces, leading to slip-and-fall accidents. Repetitive motions such as twisting and bending can also lead to strains and sprains. Sometimes, a little ice is all you need to soothe the aches and pains, but more serious injuries may require an X-ray.
With Halloween right around the corner, many people will also take part in traditions such as pumpkin carving. Still, it can lead to severe injuries that cut into your holiday fun if you aren’t careful. This season often sees a spike in the number of people treated for hand injuries due to slips and stabs. Use extra caution when carving to avoid an unexpected trip to the emergency room or urgent care for stitches.
Insect Bites and Stings:
Bees and wasps tend to be more active in the Fall as it becomes harder for them to find resources and food. So be on the lookout when outdoors to avoid stings and bites. What can be just an itchy irritation for some may turn into a severe allergic reaction for others. If you are unsure if you’re allergic or start to experience symptoms beyond mild irritation, it’s essential to get checked out.
Seasonal Allergies:
From watery eyes to an itchy throat, avoiding allergy-inducing triggers is essential. Ragweed is one of the top culprits during the autumn season. If you’re affected, try to avoid piles of wet leaves or other damp areas where ragweed tends to grow more commonly.
Don’t forget about inside areas, too. Air conditioning filters can play a large role in causing allergies – and replacing them can help rid your house of dust mites and other factors that are making your allergies go wild.
Joint Pain:
If you struggle with arthritis, you may notice a big difference between the hot summer and cooler fall/winter months. The change in barometric pressure can cause an increase in aches and pains, slow blood circulation, and cause muscle spasms.
“One of the biggest tips I have for someone who struggles with arthritis is to take preventative measures,” Dr. Walker advises. “Exercise daily – walking and strength training are super important to keep up with. Also, dressing in layers to stay warm without getting overheated and keeping a heating pad around can be beneficial, too.”
Flu and Other Illnesses:
The best thing you can do to avoid illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 is to be prepared. Go ahead and get your flu shot, and make sure you have the most updated COVID-19 booster. Not only are they easy to get, but they provide excellent prevention.
Washing your hands regularly is always important. Using soap and water for at least 20 seconds can help kill the germs that make you sick. Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces regularly are also important for your protection, as germs can survive on surfaces for days.
Holiday Pitfalls:
“We naturally stay indoors more during the cooler months, and it’s easy to become less active. That means we need fewer calories, but comfort food is synonymous with cooler temps, and these dishes can often pack in more calories. So, this time of year – especially with the holidays – it can be tricky trying to maintain a healthy balance,” said Walker.
The holidays can also lead to feelings of sadness or loneliness for some. Regularly communicating with friends and family and waking up earlier to have more hours of sunlight can also help keep spirits high. Try to get outside in the sunlight for 15 minutes daily to get your daily dose of Vitamin D. Most importantly, talk openly about your mental health with others and don’t be afraid to admit if you need help from a health care professional.
“As we head into the cooler months, my biggest piece of advice for staying healthy is to take care of yourself and those around you. Take your daily vitamins, eat fruits and veggies, and get your heart pumping.”
If you missed scheduling an important health screening due to the busy summer season or you need to see your primary care provider for your annual visit before the end of the year, Mercy Health is making it easy. Head to mercy.com for more information about services available or use our Find a Doctor tool to find a provider near you.
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About Mercy Health—Paducah
Mercy Health—Paducah is part of Bon Secours Mercy Health, one of the 20 largest health systems in the United States and the fifth-largest Catholic health system in the country. The ministry’s quality, compassionate care is provided by over 60,000 associates serving communities in Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, and throughout Ireland. Mercy Health— Lourdes Hospital is a 359-licensed-bed facility accredited by The Joint Commission and was named a Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission. Mercy Health—Paducah is home to the region’s largest multi-specialty physician network, Mercy Health Physicians-KY, which consists of more than 150 providers serving in over 25 locations throughout Kentucky. Consistent with its commitment to serving each patient with dignity, BSMH provided more than 600 million dollars in community investments across five states in 2023, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to health care for our patients in need. In addition to charity care, BSMH invests in programs that address chronic illness, affordable housing, access to healthy food, education and wellness programs, transportation, workforce development, and other social determinants of health that directly affect the communities we serve. The mission of Mercy Health – Paducah is to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of our communities and bringing good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying, and underserved. For more information, visit www.mercy.com.