How to be ready for the season change! 4 tips for what we are seeing now in the DMV
It is that time of year in the DMV! The weather is beginning to warm and we are seeing increases in common ailments. Here are a few tips to be ready based on what we are seeing the most in the community right now. Stomach flu and seasonal allergies.
STOMACH FLU:
I am sure you have seen the news about increasing norovirus. Stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis) causes vomiting and diarrhea in children and adults alike and can be caused by multiple viruses.
Make sure to have high quality probiotics on hand for the adults and children in your home. At the first sign of symptoms, consider starting probiotics for everyone in your household.
Wash everyone’s hands frequently with soap and water. Hand sanitizer does not work for stomach bugs because of the protective capsules these viruses have on them, but washing them away with soap and water does work! Every time your child has a bout of vomiting or diarrhea, make sure to wash their hands and yours.
Use gloves and plastic bags to immediately remove soiled clothing and bedding to be washed with hot water. Also use gloves and antibacterial wipes to clean any hard surfaces.
Increase the frequency of small amounts of liquids. For babies, breast milk or formula and for older children coconut water, tea, or sports drinks can be really helpful. Small amounts more frequently helps avoid dehydration while also helping to not stretch the stomach and cause more vomiting.
SEASONAL ALLERGIES:
Just last week, the sneezing began in our household and I saw that flowering trees in our neighborhood had begun to bloom.
Make sure to change out your home air filters. Lots of dust and allergens are trapped in the dry air circulated during the winter.
Make sure to check in with your doctor and consider my go to products: saline spray every night to flush out the allergens you are exposed to during the day, fluticasone over the counter nose spray to help with inflammation, and over the counter cetirizine or loratadine especially when pollen counts are up.
Make sure to do an allergy and asthma check in with your doctor to review medications if Spring is a particularly tough season change for you. I schedule every 3 month telephone check ins for my patients with asthma and allergies as it is really important to review symptoms and consider decreasing or increasing medication at regular intervals.
Consider raw, local honey and other natural immune boosters.
Hope this is helpful. Here’s to your health, happiness, and peace!