Ksenia Fedorova, a therapist and physiotherapist at the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center under Russia's Ministry of Health, said the change of season is often behind the fatigue, low mood and flare-ups of long-term illness that many people notice in autumn. She discussed the issue in an interview with Weather.Mail, the weather and lifestyle section of the Russian portal Mail.ru.
Fedorova said this is the period when bronchial asthma, stomach and duodenal ulcers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiac conditions tend to resurface, often alongside a rise in seasonal respiratory infections such as colds and flu.
Chronic conditions to watch
Bronchial asthma is a long-term condition that inflames and narrows the airways, causing wheezing and shortness of breath. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, describes a group of lung diseases that block airflow and make breathing progressively harder. Peptic ulcers are open sores that form in the lining of the stomach or the duodenum, the first section of the small intestine.
Doctors commonly note that shifts in temperature and humidity in autumn can narrow blood vessels and airways, which is one reason respiratory and cardiovascular patients often notice their symptoms worsening at this time of year.
Preparing for the season change
Fedorova said it makes sense to put together a personal medicine cabinet ahead of time and, after consulting a doctor, to take a preventive course of medication. She said diet deserves particular attention, since early autumn still offers a good supply of fruit and vegetables, but the vitamin and mineral content of produce gradually declines as the season goes on.
She added that autumn gives the body time to adjust before the cold weather sets in, which she said makes the transition gentler than a sudden shift in climate would be.
Sleep and evening habits
Fedorova stressed the importance of getting at least eight hours of sleep a night, avoiding gadgets for an hour before bed and building an evening routine, such as reading or drinking tea made with mint and lemon balm.
To help with falling asleep, she recommended placing a cotton pad scented with orange or lavender essential oil near the bed, along with taking a relaxing bath in the evening.
Earlier warning on fallen leaves
Allergist Oleg Krivtsun previously warned people with allergies that fallen leaves pose a risk in autumn, since they provide an ideal environment for mould to multiply. Mould spores are a common allergen and can trigger allergic and asthmatic reactions in sensitive people.
