Dr. Curtis McElroy

Category: Internal Medicine

  • Boost Your Energy with a Crisp, Autumn Stroll

    Re-energize with a Crisp, Autumn Stroll

    For many, the season for long summer days and sweltering heat has passed. The days are becoming shorter and the temperatures are dropping. As you wind down from a busy summer you almost instantly have to gear up for the holidays. It can be exhausting! A crisp, autumn stroll is a great ways to catch your breath and re-energize.

    Perhaps you live in a part of the country where the summer temperatures were oppressive. You’re looking forward to the cooler breezes that arrive with autumn. You may also be eager to see the beautiful changes in the foliage and the knowledge that soon the holidays will be here.

    Now is the perfect time to get back on track with your health goals that were set aside for the warmer months. You’re back to a routine now that school has started back, isn’t it time to get back outdoors and take care of you without waiting for the New Year? You can do that now by enjoying reinvigorating walks in the crisp, autumn breeze.

    Take advantage of the new season by making new goals that can have a huge impact on the remainder of your year.

    Recommit, re-energize and refocus with the following steps:

    • Make a decision to spend time outdoors this fall. Get the family together at least once a week to go for a stroll at a local park. You can also look for hiking trails which will enable you to get more of a workout than simply walking. Don’t let excuses get in your way. Make a commitment to spend time exercising out in nature and stick to it.
    • Begin now to set in motion specific habits that can carry you through the holidays. If you start walking now, you can also start being more careful about what you eat. And, even though the holidays will soon be here, you can be strong and choose healthy foods rather than the normal foods served during that time.
    • Enjoy your time in nature. Cooler temperatures make it easier to enjoy yourself. Kick up the leaves and listen to them crunch under your feet. Feel the crisp, cool air that can make you feel more alive and energized than you may have felt in a while.
    • Take a camera along with you to take pictures as you stroll through the park. The scenery in the fall is breathtaking with the leaves turning from green to gold, orange and red. Of course, the weather in the fall is unpredictable so it is best to be prepared.

    If you feel like you’re stuck in a rut, the fall months are the perfect time to get out of it. Not only will you feel refreshed, you can greatly influence the rest of your year. Make the choice to spend as much time outdoors as you can. Find a park to stroll through or hiking paths that will be more challenging. The point is to get into nature and feel re-energized with a crisp, autumn stroll.

  • Taking Control of Fall Allergies

    Taking Control of Fall Allergies

    Are you one of the millions affected by allergies? Do they seem to get worse in the autumn months? If so, it’s time to taking control of fall allergies so you can enjoy the season like everyone else.

    Common fall allergy symptoms include:
    • Sneezing
    • Coughing
    • Itchy or watery eyes
    • Runny nose

    One of the first things you’ll want to do is determine what allergens cause the most problems.

    For many, the biggest allergy trigger is ragweed. Ragweed affects close to ¾ of those who suffer from fall allergies. While mold is another fall weather allergen, the dreaded dust mites affect millions of sufferers each year. Once you know what causes the symptoms, it is much easier to combat it.

    To determine which allergen affects you most, a trip to the doctor or an allergist is warranted. They can often discover your allergy triggers by asking questions and getting a medical history for you and your immediate family. In some cases, they may order a skin test which means they will do a scratch test with a small amount of the allergen or inject a small amount of the allergen under the skin. They will be able to tell exactly what affects you because the body will produce antibodies which cause the skin to itch and turn red. A blood test called radioallergosorbent test (RAST) can detect even small amounts of antibody levels to allergens.

    In many cases, doctors will recommend over-the-counter medications. Antihistamines and decongestants will often help those suffering from seasonal allergies. Others, however, will require prescription corticosteroids. Your doctor will be able to determine which course of action will be most effective for you.

    You obviously want to try to avoid what triggers your fall allergies. If your allergy is ragweed or pollen, try to stay indoors when you know they will be worst. Most often pollen is at its peak between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Weather reports often list the expected pollen counts for the day so they can help you make plans for the day.

    If you must go outdoors when pollen is at its worst, use a face mask which will keep you from inhaling mold or other allergens. You may think you look silly, but it is better to look silly than to be miserable because your allergies are acting up.

    Use an air filter in your home or at least in the rooms where you spend the most time. High Efficiency Particulate Arresting (HEPA) filters can be used to remove pollen and mold from the air. They are so effective that they are used by the National Aeronautics and Aerospace Agency (NASA) for their clean room environments. This type of filter catches 99.97% of particles which pass through them which are .3 microns or larger.

    Clean the heating ducts and change out the filter in your heater before you turn it on for the first time each season. You want to be sure you’re not spreading any mold or other allergens which may have been trapped in the heating system during the summer months.

    No one denies that having allergies can affect your life, how you feel and what you feel you can do during the autumn months. When you take positive steps to control your allergies, you are empowered to make a huge difference in your quality of life.

  • 5 Quick Pick Me Ups for the Fall Season

    5 Quick Pick-Me-Ups for the Fall Season

    Summertime is the time of year people are on the go. There are outdoor sports, cookouts to attend and plenty of activities to keep you busy. By summer’s end, you may feel overwhelmed and worn out. You may feel like your get-up-and-go got up and went.

    Try these five quick pick-me-ups for the fall season to recharge your batteries:

    1. Drink plenty of water. Many people don’t realize that dehydration can cause them to feel sluggish or have less energy. Pay attention to how much water you get throughout the day. This is especially important when you work in an office which is closed off, stuffy and crowded. It is likely you will feel better after you drink a glass of water. To make it even better, add a squirt of fresh lemon or lime juice.

    2. Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Taking several deep breaths can give you a chance to refocus your attention and adjust your perspective. To increase the benefit of these deep breaths, light a scented candle. Juniper, jasmine, lavender and chamomile are scents which are known to affect emotions.

    3. Take a “power” nap, if possible. You don’t have to take a long nap to benefit from it. In fact, a nap less than thirty minutes is often just what you need. Find a place that is quiet and dark for the best results. Be sure you don’t sleep for more than an hour or it could adversely affect your ability to sleep that night.

    4. Get up and move. Your body is meant to move and many people spend eight or more hours a day sitting in an office chair. Since your body needs to move to stay healthy, get up and move around for five minutes every hour. This could be as simple as marching in place, taking a brisk walk to your car and back, or taking time for a quick stretch. Not only will you give your body the break it needs, taking this time gives your mind a break, as well. You should notice even a five minute break will help you feel more energetic and focused.

    5. Take a snack break. Some people head to the vending machines in the afternoon because they feel want a quick pick-me-up. Unfortunately, most of the foods you’ll find in a vending machine will only give you short burst of energy before you start feeling even more sluggish. Fresh fruit is a good alternative to vending machine food as is a serving of cottage cheese. You may also want to keep raw almonds available. These snacks, as opposed to a candy bar or cake, will provide the lasting energy you need while being a healthy snack choice.

    Even though you may feel the need for a quick pick-me-up in the fall months, you can use these five at any time of the year. If you change up your schedule, choose healthy snacks, get moving, take a power nap or stay hydrated, you will find your have more energy and are ready to face your day again.

Copyright @ 2017 DrCurtisMcElroy