As we transition from fall to winter, does the change in seasons impact your health?
1) Daylight savings time was just this weekend. Pushing the clocks back an hour doesn’t really matter. FICTION
Gaining that one hour of sleep may not feel like a lot, but it can change your sleep schedule, especially if you already have a hard time falling and staying asleep. Those changes can last for 5-7 days, so you need to be aware of your own body.
There is also research showing changing the time can also impact your chance of getting into a car crash. The change in sleep patterns, plus the difference in light (where is the sun shining on your drive down I-70), can also increase car crashes. It's not a huge increase in the number of accidents, but still important to take into consideration, especially since it may be dark now on your way home
2) Weather changes can trigger certain conditions. FACT
Yes indeed. Researchers have found that the number of heart attacks go up in the winter, likely from the cold weather increasing your heart rate and blood pressures, and causing those blood vessels to narrow. Weather changes are also a big trigger for migraines, asthma and emphysema.
Now that we are headed indoors, people’s allergies can also start to worsen as they are exposed to indoor allergens like dander, fur, carpets and dust.
As we head indoors for the winter, we start to spend more time with our closest friends, co-workers and colleagues. Being indoors lets you share quality time and germs, so we see a rise in fly and upper respiratory illnesses.
3) The sunset now happens at about 4:52 p.m. in Denver. This doesn’t really impact us all that much. FICTION
Millions of people have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which can cause people to go into a deep depression.
Others may also just experience the “winter blues,” now that the sun is setting earlier. This can be caused by your internal body clock and the sun rise and sunset being out of sync.
Researchers are not sure why people develop SAD, but think it may be related to sunlight exposure, melatonin and serotonin levels going down.
There are a lot more stressors during the winter, such as the holidays and family get-togethers. This may be contributing to how you are feeling. But, if you are feeling depressed, you should see your healthcare provider.
Follow 9NEWS Medical Expert Dr. Comilla Sasson on Facebook and Twitter. Have a question for Dr. Comilla? Email her at c.sasson@9news.com
