How to survive a spring flare

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Why, in the first warm months, some experience a surge of strength, while others fall out of hand.

What is it and why does it arise

Spring exacerbation is a collective term for changes in the body during the first warm months. There is no such concept in medical reference books: an exacerbation is usually understood as a complex of symptoms such as mood swings, drowsiness and depression.

Mood swings occur due to the fact that the body gets very tired during the winter: as a rule, we do not get enough sunlight, and our food is not particularly rich in vitamins. With the arrival of heat, the body, exhausted by the cold, is exposed to additional stress and begins to urgently adapt to new environmental conditions: an increase in temperature, a change in pressure and an increase in daylight hours. This process can be far from easy.

This is what can cause seasonal flare-ups.

Changes in melatonin production

Melatonin is a hormone that controls our circadian rhythm, that is, it synchronizes the body's work with the time of day. When sunlight hits the retina, the production of melatonin decreases and increases in the dark. This gives the body a signal that it is time to sleep.

With the arrival of spring, daylight hours become longer, the amount of melatonin decreases, and we tend to fall asleep much less. Changes in the biorhythm and adaptation of the body to the new regime lead to problems with sleep and provoke poor health - the internal clock takes time to get used to new conditions.

Lack of vitamins and minerals

After a long winter, we often have a deficiency of vitamins and minerals, because in the cold season we tend to lean on heavy carbohydrate foods. In addition, the selection of vegetables and fruits in winter is rather scarce. Therefore, we meet spring with weakened immunity, and it is more difficult for the body to adapt to the changing seasons.

What symptoms should you pay attention to?

You experience a breakdown, become irritable, get tired quickly. I constantly want to sleep, apathy appears. Headaches or dizziness occur. All these are the consequences of body fatigue after a long winter and adaptation to new weather conditions.

But sometimes the cause of feeling unwell is much more serious: all these signs can indicate a special type of depression, seasonal affective disorder Seasonal affective disorder. The disease usually manifests itself in the autumn-winter period, but can be exacerbated in the spring.

Seasonal depression differs from spring flare in that it is much more severe. Symptoms include:

• depressed state for a long time;
• loss of interest in things and activities that were previously enjoyable;
• lack of energy;
• irritability and tearfulness;
• difficulty concentrating.

In addition, insomnia, loss of appetite, weight loss, and increased anxiety can indicate seasonal affective disorder.

Who is at risk

If you belong to one of these categories, be especially attentive to your condition.

People with chronic illnesses

In the spring, it is much more difficult to resist pathogenic bacteria due to a decrease in the body's defenses, a lack of vitamins and minerals, and mood swings. All this causes exacerbation of chronic diseases, such as sinusitis or cystitis. Allergy sufferers should be singled out separately - spring is especially difficult for them.

Emotionally unstable people

If you know firsthand what burnout and frequent mood swings are, be careful - these conditions can worsen in the spring.

People with mental illness

This can be both a manifestation of seasonal depression and an exacerbation of other diseases, such as bipolar disorder.

How to ease this period

If you are in the category of people who have a tough spring, try the following methods.

Observe your sleep patterns

With the arrival of spring, you may suffer from insomnia or, conversely, excessive sleepiness. Therefore, it is very important to establish your regime: proper sleep will help to put in order the nervous system and adapt to a longer daylight hours.

Be outdoors more often

Due to the fact that in the spring we receive more sunlight, more vitamin D is synthesized in our body. It strengthens the immune system and helps to fight the Effects of vitamin D with depression - what is needed in the spring.

Don't forget about physical activity

Exercising regularly can reduce stress levels and improve mood.

See a doctor in time

If you notice that your condition has worsened and symptoms of spring flare-up or seasonal depression interfere with your usual lifestyle, go to the doctor right away. Only he can choose the right treatment and help you get back on your feet.