Many people complain that “something happens to them” in November. Apathy, fatigue, lack of willingness to live, work, or even everything, makes us worry about our health. On the one hand, it is a completely natural state: autumn is the time when the world around us calms down and goes to rest, and we along with it. On the other hand, the increasingly shorter days cause a feeling of regret for the sun, summer, and a sense of loss. The northern peoples, who are subject to the rhythms of a colder climate, have even developed certain rituals that involve staying in community and worshiping fire as a symbol of light, well-being and safety. Therefore, if there is a lack of daylight in autumn – and this begins to happen in November – the body begins to work slower thanks to its internal clock. All life processes slow down and the organs produce fewer substances (including the hormones serotonin and dopamine), which has a direct impact on our mood. However, nature had its own purpose…
Long November evenings and gray outside are an opportunity to relax in warm slippers, to reflect, to regenerate the body, and maybe even to catch up in various areas?
In addition, there are several ways to improve your well-being: regular physical activity outdoors, proper diet, giving up stimulants and supplementing with preparations that will improve our psychophysical condition. These are important actions because the psyche, tormented by melancholy, affects the physical body, which does not even “want to” defend itself against seasonal infections. Hence the “rash” of colds in autumn. Bacteria and viruses most often attack when it is cool and humid – these are ideal conditions for microorganisms.
In these cold seasons, the body is least resistant to infections, and frequent changes in temperature (e.g. when entering a warm house from the street) adversely affect the condition of the mucous membrane of the nose and throat. Low air temperature reduces blood flow through the respiratory tract. Our “gates” (mouth, nose) become open.
War in the throat
The nose, mouth, throat and larynx are lined with a mucous membrane containing a dense network of blood vessels. When microorganisms appear in the mucous membrane, our body starts a fight, which results in the discomfort we experience. The mucous membrane becomes swollen – that's why we have a feeling of a stuffy nose and a “cactus” in the throat. The mucous membrane begins to produce increased amounts of mucus, because bacteria and viruses should be removed along with it. That's why we cough and sneeze to get rid of this mucus.
These reflexes are theoretically desirable, but when they are very bothersome, we have to use over-the-counter medications to combat the symptoms. The therapy of inflammation of the throat mucosa is largely based on local action – drugs in the form of lozenges and lozenges, sprays and throat gargles.
Persistent runny nose?
Persistent runny nose and watery eyes usually accompany flu and cold infections (both are of viral origin). If the runny nose is prolonged and the symptoms are much more severe, bacterial superinfection, sinusitis or allergic rhinitis should be taken into account. In the treatment of a runny nose, drugs that decongest the vessels of the mucous membrane are used, which quickly unblock the nasal passages. However, these drugs should not be used for longer than 5-7 days because they may cause serious side effects such as atrophic rhinitis. In case of a runny nose, it is safer to use preparations with sea water or physiological saline, which naturally cleanse the nose, unblock it and help relieve runny symptoms. They can also be used “after a runny nose” – for daily nasal hygiene.
Warm
The essence of this disease lies in the name of the cold itself. This is excessive cooling of the body, leading to a weakening of the immune system. Circulation slows down, so the mucous membranes are less resistant to attacks by bacteria and viruses.
Therefore, in the cold season, you should dress warmly, remembering to have good ventilation in your shoes and under several layers of clothes. Just 30 minutes of daily walking is enough for our system to gain the condition that viruses will fear… You can also warm up after returning home by taking a hot bath, putting on warm woolen socks, and warm yourself from the inside with tea with lemon and honey.
We have two options: either watch the leaves fall from the trees and accept the loss of energy, loss of health and good mood, or increase our vitality, e.g. by taking a daily walk among the falling leaves, which will toughen us up against depression and seasonal infections…
