After a dry, cold winter, it is good to feel the advent of spring? Yet while enjoying the warm sunshine of the spring, take care to protect yourself from the elements. Although the spring is a welcome relief from the harshness of winter, it also comes with some health risks.
Allergies
Those suffering allergies need to take special care during this season, as mites breed rapidly in the humidity and flower pollen is carried everywhere in the fresh breezes. Both of these factors can cause an outbreak of bronchial asthma and skin inflammation.
?Allergic people should try to stay away from flowers and crowded places as the unclear air breeds more mites? Jiang Youqian, doctor from Shuguang Hospital, said.
?Exercising is also very important as it can improve people?s physique to better resist the fungus.
Fighting the flu
Most patients being seen by doctors during this time are those suffering from the flu.
?This is a time when the weather is very changeable due to the transition from winter to spring, Jiang said.
The immune system can only form antibodies in cold weather, so if the weather suddenly drops from 20 degrees centigrade to 3 or 4 degrees, the flu virus can attack before the anti-body is formed.
Those with weak health can easily contract the flu during this season.
In China, there is a saying that people should always keep themselves warm and refrain from changing from warm clothes too quickly during this season.
Sleepy
Spring is a season when people often feel sleepy.
According to Western medicine, the warmth and humidity of spring affects people?s pituitary body, a part of the brain that controls sleep and mood, which results in the sleepiness.
Here is a small tip to drive away the drowsiness: Frequently change your body postures: do not sit or stand for too long, and alternate between activities.
Light food is the best choice in this season. Forget eating greasy or raw food during this season. What?s more, spring is not a season fit for eating nourishing food.
( Shanghai Star March 7, 2002)
