Seasonal Allergies

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Tips for Dealing with Spring Allergies

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  • Avoid being outside during high pollen count hours – Pollen count is usually at its highest between 10am and 4pm
  • Use an HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter on your furnace and air conditioner
  • Download the free pollen.com app for your iPhone so you can check what the pollen count is wherever you are
  • If you have pets, wipe their fur and paws after they have been outside to prevent them from tracking pollen into your home.
  • If staying indoors isn’t enough to prevent your allergy symptoms – try taking over the counter allergy medications, such as Claritin, Zyrtec, Allergra, etc.
  • If over the counter medications don’t help relieve your allergy symptoms – consider seeing an allergist who can better help treat your symptoms

Source: www.familydoctor.org, www.pollen.com

Sports and Concussions

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footballbrainThe arrival of spring brings more opportunities for outdoor youth sporting events and activities. Young athletes on the field frequently sustain minor injuries such as cuts, bumps, and bruises. Sometimes, when athletes fall or collide with other players, head injuries occur.  More serious head injuries that affect the brain are known as concussions.

A concussion occurs when an impact causes the brain to move back and forth within the skull. This movement can cause bruising of the brain itself or stretching, tearing or bleeding in the tissues and blood vessels that surround the brain. Patients who have suffered even a mild concussion should be monitored closely as it may take several hours, even days to determine the full effects of a concussion.

After any head injury, observe the individual closely, looking for the following:

  • Any loss of consciousness
  • Impaired physical functioning
  • Behavioral, mood, and personality changes
  • Confusion
  • Forgetfulness or difficulty remembering recent events

Seek immediate medical care for the following signs or symptoms:

  • Dilated pupils
  • Worsening headache
  • Increased drowsiness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Slurred speech
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • Significant memory problems or atypical behavior
  • If the athlete “just does not feel right”

An athlete with a concussion needs time to heal and must refrain from sports activities until he or she is fully recovered and symptom free. Injured athletes should be evaluated and cleared to resume their sport by a medical provider.  Repeat concussions can result in long-term problems in an athlete, including permanent brain damage.

To enjoy a safe spring sporting season, young athletes should always wear appropriate safety gear, follow the rules of the game, and avoid reckless or dangerous play.

Benefits of Kite Flying

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kiteKite flying is a great way to clear your mind, have fun, and has several health benefits.

1. Eye stimulation – With our constant use of mobile phones and computer screens, our eyes can get tired and unfocused.  Focusing on a distant object against a soothing blue sky can reduce eye strain caused by ever present technology.

2. Neck/Shoulder Exercise – Sitting at a desk doesn’t promote good posture; flying a kite allows us to stretch our neck and shoulder muscles.

3. Stress Reliever – Flying a kite is relaxing.  When watching a kite drift across an open, blue sky, one focuses on the moment, not on the daily stresses of life.

4. Connect to Nature – Being outdoors provides an opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty present in the sky and in surrounding landscapes that is sometimes taken for granted.

5. Fresh Air – Filling your lungs with fresh air can revitalize and refresh.