Dr. Curtis McElroy

Author: docmac

  • 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.

  • The Health Benefits of Fall Weather

    Healthy Benefits of Fall Weather

    Everyone knows there are health benefits to the summer months because of the sunshine and all the fresh produce. But did you know there are also healthy benefits of fall weather, as well? You may be surprised to find that, even though there may be more allergens from weeds, autumn is a wonderful time of year to enjoy the outdoors and start new eating habits which lead to an improved lifestyle. Here are a few reasons why experts agree the autumn weather has healthy benefits, too.

    Cooler weather brings about higher levels of the hormone norepinephrine, or noradrenaline, in your body. Norepinephrine is associated with pain suppression as well as the fight or flight reflex which provides much needed energy during times of stress.

    You’ll also recognize the benefit of having fewer disease-carrying insects in the cooler temperatures. Mosquitoes and ticks will be dying out and you won’t have to deal with flies as often. With fewer insects, you can actually enjoy being outdoors without the use of harsh chemical sprays to keep them away.

    Did you know that people who work outdoors in the cooler temperatures have more brown fat than those who work indoors? What difference does it make what color fat is, you ask? Brown fat produces heat and, therefore, burns more calories than other fat. So, while you’re enjoying a brisk walk or playing outdoor games with the family, take comfort in knowing you’re using the brown fat and burning more calories.

    Being outdoors in the cooler weather can also help bring mental clarity. There’s something special about the crisp air of a fall morning. It wakes you up, invigorates you and makes you feel like you can take on the world. Use the early morning hours to exercise outdoors and you’ll have the benefit of calories and clearing your mind to help you have a great day!

    While some plants make people feel miserable due to allergies, they don’t have to keep you indoors. There are fewer allergens in the fall because there are fewer plants blooming. Most fall allergies are related to ragweed, pollen or mold. In most cases these can be treated with over-the-counter medications and shouldn’t keep you from spending time outdoors.

    You will also notice the array of fruits and vegetables that are available in the fall. Think about the different varieties of apples that you may not find during other times of the year. You will also find carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkins and seeds of all kinds available at either the farmer’s market or grocery store. It makes sense to stock up on root vegetables which are chock full of concentrated energy.

    There are plenty of reasons to enjoy the autumn months. There are fewer bugs to contend with, the weather is considerably cooler and there is a wide variety of great fall foods. If you haven’t found the perfect fall activity yet, there’s still time. You can spend time outdoors and enjoy the healthy benefits of fall weather.

Copyright @ 2017 DrCurtisMcElroy