5 Autumn Ailments to Be Aware Of

Gone are the dog days of summer, and in are the chilly brisk days of fall. Along with pumpkin spice lattes and apple goodies, the season of autumn is known for one not-so-pleasant thing — sickness. Temperature changes can compromise your immune system, causing you to seek out a walk-in urgent care center more often than you’d like. In order to prevent suffering from those itchy eyes, sore throats, and chest colds, it is important to be aware of what germs are floating around and how to prevent getting sick.

Here are the most common illnesses that flourish during the autumn season.

The Flu

Flu season and cold weather go hand and hand. Down comes the temperature, and up goes your fever, sore throat, cough, and runny nose. One way to prevent the flu from taking you down is to get a flu shot at the beginning of each cold season; your immune system will thank you.

Outdoor Allergies

Allergies worsen in autumn, as leaves are falling to the ground and pollen is everywhere. If you suffer from allergies, doctors recommend staying inside during the mornings when it is the worst. Feel free to ask for daily medications that can lessen your symptoms as well.

Hypothermia

The problem with fall is that it often looks warmer outside than it really is. Failure to bundle up and protect yourself in the chillier temperatures could result in hypothermia, and can cause complications for those living with heart disease.

Arthritis Flare-Ups

Many arthritis sufferers claim that damp, cold weather causes their symptoms to increase. To receive proper pain management, make sure to discuss your symptoms with your doctor when the temperatures first drop.

Sinus Headaches​

Sinusitis is more common in the fall weather, and the pain that comes with sinus headaches is said to worsen with damp weather. Simply using a nasal spray to keep your nasal passages lubricated will help you breathe easier.

If you ever fall victim to one of these common autumn ailments, make sure to head to a walk-in urgent care clinic right away. These locations offer convenient, fast service, with an urgent care physician seeing on average 4.5 patients per hour.

Don’t compromise your health; when you start to feel the signs of these sicknesses forming, visit Legacy as soon as possible.