2024-04-16 19:16:03
This is especially felt by patients with diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as joint, respiratory and nervous system diseases. Specialists advise which signals of the body it is important to pay attention to and how to reduce the impact of seasonal changes on health.
“Such sharp temperature fluctuations, when the temperature barely rises above zero at night, and sometimes exceeds twenty degrees during the day, are the result of greater solar activity. As a result, not only magnetic storms are more common in spring, but also magnetic field fluctuations.
During magnetic storms, pressure also often changes, so more sensitive people with chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, feel worse. Such patients often complain of headaches, insomnia, and blood pressure jumps. Their blood can thicken, their metabolism can slow down,” says Teresa Čiuplinskienė, a cardiologist at the “Antėja” medical center.
Seasonal changes exacerbate ailments
The doctor emphasizes that weather changes do not make a person sick, but only exacerbate existing health problems, which are determined by the physiological characteristics of the body.
“We are part of living nature, so it’s natural that weather changes affect our well-being. Most of our body is made up of water, so those body organs that contain liquid – circulatory system, joints, brain – react most sensitively to changes in air temperature or atmospheric pressure. For example, when the pressure changes suddenly, when the temperature increases or decreases by 10 degrees, the cerebral circulation reacts particularly sensitively”, says T. Čiuplinskienė.
The cardiologist also draws attention to the fact that spring is generally a difficult time for the body. Its enjoyment is usually hindered by body fatigue accumulated during the cold season.
“In winter, the body usually does not get enough vitamins, we move too little, get up and return home in the dark. We probably fell ill with various viral diseases more than once, which is why we are weaker and more vulnerable in the spring. During this period, blood pressure often becomes unbalanced, immunity weakens, we become more sensitive and nervous,” the doctor notes.
According to T. Čiuplinskienė, at the beginning of spring, especially in cities, during the cleaning of the streets from the sand scattered in the winter, pollution with solid particles usually increases. Such air pollution has a significant impact on both the heart and lungs.
“Air pollution with solid particles has a rather large impact on morbidity, especially exacerbations of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. “Due to a high concentration of nitrogen oxide, the sensitivity of the lungs increases, lung activity becomes more difficult, and their function weakens, which can lead to heart rhythm disturbances and exacerbation of other diseases of the cardiovascular system,” says the cardiologist.
A change of one hour is detrimental to health
According to T. Čiuplinskienė, heart health in spring is also affected by the introduction of summer time, when at the end of March we turn the clocks one hour forward.
“In the spring, when we switch to daylight saving time, we lose an hour of sleep. The mismatch of the biological clock with the new time is a strong stress for the body. Due to the changed daily rhythm and shortened sleep duration, cardiovascular diseases may worsen, mood swings, and lack of concentration may occur,” the doctor notes.
She is seconded by BENU pharmacist Inga Norkienė, according to whom, it is the spring rather than the autumn turning of the clocks that affects our body and health more, because the so-called sleep debt becomes a significant problem.
“It is especially important whether we gain or lose an hour by turning back the clock. If we lose and according to the natural biological clock we have to get up an hour earlier, the body is under a lot of stress, we feel the consequences of lack of sleep. The change in sleep – the rhythm of waking and sleep duration – affects us more than the change in the amount of natural light received per hour in autumn”, says I. Norkienė.
According to the pharmacist, the spring adjustment of the body’s biological clocks to the changed time takes about two weeks on average, but this adaptation is difficult and even dangerous for some people.
“Due to the inferiority of sleep, complaints about various disorders of the cardiovascular system increase. And if a person also suffers from chronic diseases, for example, he has high blood pressure, the rhythm of his medication use becomes unbalanced, because the body has to reorient itself to the new time. Suppose such a patient took his medicine at 7 o’clock. morning
If he goes back in time, he will take these drugs at a different time, which may affect his well-being. It is not uncommon for people who are restless and out of balance to forget to take these medicines altogether. Meanwhile, in the case of chronic diseases, it is especially important for their control that the prescribed medicines are taken regularly and at the scheduled time”, emphasizes I. Norkienė.
Identified essential factors for maintaining good health
According to the pharmacist, people with an alert nature also often make high demands on themselves, so they experience a lot of stress when they are unable to fulfill these obligations.
“Obviously, the pace of life accelerates in the spring, physical exertion also increases, while the body has not yet adapted to it. Therefore, although you should be in the open air longer and more often, it should be regular, measured, gradually increasing physical exertion.
For example, at least three times a week for half an hour, you can walk so fast that you can still talk, but you can no longer sing. Such activities can bring positive results to our vascular system, help the heart find the right rhythm”, recommends I. Norkienė.
According to the pharmacist, when the seasons change, the essential factors in achieving good health are sufficient physical activity, a complete balanced diet and quality rest.
“In order to be fresh and energetic in the spring, it is important to eat as many vegetables as possible – they should occupy at least half of the plate. Additionally, in the spring, the body can be strengthened with omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil, which are especially important for maintaining normal heart function, as well as B group vitamins, folic acid, and magnesium. Equally important is a balanced regime of work and rest.
For example, at least one hour before going to bed, do not use screens – TV, phone, computer, because both positive and negative information actively stimulate the nervous system and emotions, which can become an obstacle to quality sleep,” says the pharmacist.
The pharmacist also advises preventive health check-ups, blood tests and after evaluating the obtained data together with the family doctor, take the necessary measures to strengthen health.
2024-04-16 19:16:03