Respiratory Allergy Panel

Causes and Remedies of Spring Fatigue and Spring Allergy

Spring fatigue is a condition that many people complain about but whose cause is not exactly known. There are in fact many reasons for the drop in performance we experience after the winter season;

1. The scarcity of sunlight in the winter months has a negative effect on a person's mental and physical performance. When the days begin to lengthen, changes in our biorhythm can occur, and serious sleep problems can develop, especially with the switch from winter time to summer time. As the days get longer, our body gradually regains its balance, because our internal clock has to reset itself.
2. Likewise, frequent infections and unbalanced nutrition during the winter months lead to entering the spring months with a weak immune system.
3. The body needs about a month to get used to the changes in weather when moving from winter to summer. The constant warming and cooling of the air in the spring months can prolong this adjustment period. The changeability of the weather in spring causes an overload of the circulatory system, especially in people sensitive to the weather. This is because when temperatures rise, blood pressure drops as the blood vessels dilate, and when it gets colder the opposite happens. These changes can lead to headaches, dizziness and circulatory disorders.

Serotonin and Melatonin

1. Serotonin is necessary for the body to be active and for a good mood. This hormone is produced under the influence of light. The more and the longer our body is exposed to natural light, the more serotonin it can produce. The increased sunlight in spring boosts serotonin production.
2. At the same time as serotonin production increases, melatonin production is slowed. Melatonin (the sleep hormone), also called the "Dracula hormone" because it is secreted at night, provides quality (restful) sleep.
3. The production of both of these hormones in the body is largely regulated by the amount of light: in winter, because it gets dark early, the body is given a message to sleep, whereas with spring, the earlier brightening of the day gives a signal to wake up.

Get out in the sun, ground yourself, and walk outdoors!

It is in our hands to ease the complaints caused by spring fatigue through outdoor activity and proper nutrition;

1. Take advantage of the healing power of sunlight. Getting out in the sun is important for refilling your vitamin D stores, which were depleted during the winter months. If you will be in the sun for a long time, use shade, clothing and a sunscreen of at least SPF 30; consult a doctor in case of vitamin D deficiency.
2. Spend more time outdoors and go for walks. Walking, strolling and exercising outdoors stimulates the production of hormones that improve mood and speed up metabolism. In the open air, hydroxyl radicals, short-lived molecules constantly formed by the reaction between ozone and water in the atmosphere, have a germ-killing effect but are not harmful to humans. Ventilate your home often to bring the germ-killing and germ-cleansing effect of fresh air indoors.
3. Walking barefoot on grass allows us to ground ourselves by discharging the static electric charge in our body.
4. Alternately, stimulate your immune system and give your blood vessels a workout by taking showers that are hot/cold, not to excess but as much as you can tolerate. If you do not have a chronic illness, you can use a sauna after consulting your doctor.
5. End an active day with a calm evening. Declare your Sundays a social media holiday.
6. If you have fatigue and concentration problems, see your doctor.
7. Go to bed early in the evening and get up early in the morning.
8. Wear brightly colored clothes to stimulate your brain.

Beware of Allergies in the Spring Season!

Another issue to watch out for in the spring months is allergic complaints. With the arrival of spring, the increased pollen in the air causes symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose and cough, in addition to itching, stinging and watering of the eyes. If there is sinusitis, headache, fatigue and facial swelling may be seen. You can talk to your doctor about identifying the allergens you are sensitive to with allergy tests.

The pollens that begin to fly in the open air in April belong mostly to trees, cereal grasses and wild plants such as maple, birch, poplar, willow, linden, olive, elm, walnut, red oak, alder, hazelnut, cypress, beech, plane tree, cabbage, clover, English ryegrass, orchard grass, dog's tail grass, grape hyacinth, mugwort, bedstraw, plantain, goosefoot, sorrel, daffodil, barley, wheat, oats, rye and corn. In May, the pollen types in the air reach their peak. The pollen count, which falls in the summer months, decreases greatly by September. Early in spring, trees cause more allergy, and at the end of spring and the beginning of summer, grasses and weeds cause more. Weeds such as goosefoot, wild marigold and thistle can also cause hay fever in late summer and autumn.

The periods in which each plant produces pollen do not vary much from year to year or within the year, but weather conditions are an important factor controlling the amount of pollen in the air at a given time.

The weather is closely related to allergy symptoms. Allergy symptoms are usually very mild on rainy and windless days, when pollen does not fly in the air and settles on the ground. In contrast, symptoms increase in hot, dry and windy weather. People with allergies need to follow pollen reports along with weather forecasts. For that reason, pollen reports should be provided in addition to weather forecasts.

Here are the tips for reducing the risk of allergy in the spring months;

1. Wash your hair at the end of every day to get rid of pollen. This way, you will not transfer pollen to your pillow.
2. Pollen is abundant in hot, dry weather and very low in rainy weather. If you have a pollen allergy, prefer to go out in the afternoon or in rainy weather.
3. Do a spring clean and regularly clear your living areas of allergens such as dust, mites and animal secretions.
4. Change your ventilation filters during the allergy season
5. Clean your pets that you take outdoors, because animals can also bring pollen into the house.
6. For your upholstery, prefer lint-free carpets or laminate flooring.
7. Prefer synthetic pillows and mattresses to feather or wool ones, and use allergen-proof covers.
8. If allergy symptoms persist, be sure to see a specialist for the necessary treatment.
9. Especially if you are an expectant mother, observe yourself carefully and share your observations with your doctor. This is because pre-existing allergic conditions may ease during pregnancy but may also get worse, or allergic conditions that did not exist before may appear for the first time during pregnancy.
10. Since many factors such as social life in childhood, living environment and constant changes of living environment cause allergic rhinitis, try to keep your child away from environments where they would be exposed to allergens.
11. During pollen season, keep windows closed and use an air conditioner with a clean filter; ventilate when the pollen count is low.
12. Try as far as possible to avoid outdoor activities in the morning hours, when pollen is dense.

With the special "Respiratory Allergy" panel that we have created in our laboratories specifically to reveal spring allergies, you can determine your allergic status against the allergens listed below.

*Grass (early), grass (late)(gs15), cereal pollen mix(gs21), cultivated rye(g12), tree (early)(ts23), tree (late)(ts24), olive tree(t9), mulberry tree(t70), weed mix 1(ws19), weed mix (ws20), dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (d1), dermatophagoides farinae(d2), cockroach(blattella germanica)(i6), feather mix (es2), caged birds 3 (es173), cat(e1), dog(e2), horse(e3), cow(e4), goat(e80), sheep(e81), hamster(e84), penicillium notatum(m1), cladosporium herbarum(m2), aspergillus fum.(m3), alternaria alternata(m6)

Health Check Before Physical Activity

1. See a doctor before starting sporting activities. Have it checked whether your heart, circulatory system and joints are ready for the strain.
2. Plan light-load training, warm-up movements and targeted gymnastic exercises before sporting activities. This way you can reduce sports-related tears, strains and injuries in the musculoskeletal system.
3. Take a break from the activity when you feel muscle and joint pain. Light stretching exercises or massages can relax strained muscles again. If the pains recur when you start training, stop training and call your doctor.
4. To feel better and gain vitality, drink at least two liters of water. Even with just a light walk, the body can lose close to one liter of fluid. Adequate fluid intake is essential for the kidneys to work properly and comfortably.
5. Physical activity also causes mineral loss. One liter of sweat contains approximately 35 mg of magnesium and 300 mg of potassium. Magnesium deficiency can cause muscle fatigue. Avocado is a rich source of magnesium and healthy fats. Bananas and apricots are foods rich in potassium.
6. Fresh fruits and vegetables give us a spring boost with their vitamin, enzyme, mineral and rich fiber content.
7. To increase the production of antibodies that strengthen the immune system, do not neglect protein intake. Also consider red meat alternatives such as turkey, fish, eggs and legumes as protein sources. You can strengthen your immune system with black seed oil supplementation. If you have diabetes or asthma, you can benefit from black seed after consulting your doctor.
8. For omega 3 support, make use of natural sources such as salmon, walnuts and flaxseed, and for iron, raisins and lentils.
9. For difficulty sleeping, eating a few raw almonds in the evening can be helpful.
10. Stay strictly away from fizzy and sugary drinks. Instead, prefer natural vegetable juices and herbal teas such as green tea.

To have your test done in Northern Cyprus, please contact our Nicosia or Kyrenia branch. We wish you good health!