A person is, first of all, a biological being and the vital activity of his body is subject to circadian rhythms. The change of day and night, seasons - affect the course of internal processes, including the mental activity of the human body.

Cyclicity of mental processes

The cyclical nature of the human psyche is observed not only normally, but also manifests itself in the form of exacerbation of various endogenous diseases. With the onset of cold weather and shortening daylight hours in the autumn, the number of mental patients in hospitals increases. Mental illnesses are chronic in nature, with phases of exacerbation in the autumn-spring period.

According to statistics, since the beginning of October the number of patients in psychiatric clinics has increased by a quarter. People with increased emotionality perceive more painfully the transition from hot weather to cold and rain, and a reduction in daylight hours. The autumn exacerbation of mental illness is also due to the fact that under the influence of sunlight, people produce serotonin (the pleasure hormone), and when cloudy days occur, the amount of serotonin decreases. Many people experience irritability and emotional instability. The bright colors of summer give way to gray shades, the heavy cloudy sky “presses”, changes in atmospheric pressure and daily rains lead to a person having a feeling of hopelessness, melancholy, and anxiety for his future.

Autumn is a season of exacerbation not only of mental illness, but also of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. Fluctuations in atmospheric pressure affect the human vascular system and the neurovegetative regulation of internal organs and systems. In autumn, diseases such as depression, schizophrenia, affective psychoses, and epilepsy worsen.

Seasonal relapse clinic

In the autumn period, not only the number of hospitalizations of patients with endogenous diseases increases, but also outpatient service doctors note an increase in the flow of patients. Some diseases that occurred in a hidden (latent) form, mental disorders manifest themselves fully in the fall. The economic crisis, analysts' forecasts that people's lives will worsen by the end of the year, and the risk of losing jobs and personal savings are causing a wave of mental disorders. Patients with neuroses and panic attacks feel their condition deteriorating, and seizures become more frequent in epileptics. Autumn “blues” are normal for all people; in mental patients, a depressive state can result in suicide.

Patients with depression and various types of psychosis can be dangerous during the autumn period of exacerbations not only for themselves, but also for others. Some patients have ideas that a great danger threatens the entire family or society as a whole. There have been cases in psychiatry where mentally ill mothers could harm their children.

Autumn exacerbation of schizophrenia occurs more often in men. Their productive symptoms—delusions and hallucinations—intensify. Considering that men drink alcohol more often and in larger doses, the exacerbation of mental illness in them is more pronounced. By their biological nature, men are more aggressive and therefore exacerbation of schizophrenia in the fall is associated with the commission of illegal acts and an increase in the number of traumatic brain injuries.

Some patients with schizophrenia complain to doctors in the autumn that they were attacked by alien voices. Police officers note an increase in citizens' complaints about “a UFO landing in the yard of a house” or “verbal contact with aliens.” It is mentally ill men who become active participants in various demonstrations, revolutions and coups in the country.

Relapse Prevention

The participation of loved ones and relatives in the life of a sick person plays a large role in the prevention of autumn exacerbations. People with mental illness cannot adequately assess their condition, some patients stop taking medications, and men with schizophrenia are prone to alcoholism, which worsens the course of the endogenous disease. Relatives of the patient should refer him for inpatient or outpatient treatment when the first signs of worsening of a chronic mental illness are detected.

Patients with depression, psychosis, and neuroses are often afraid to consult a psychiatrist and try to cope with the symptoms and signs of the disease on their own. Many patients self-medicate, take various medications that were recommended to them by friends or they read information on the Internet. The most important thing is to contact a specialist in a timely manner. Some patients require psychotherapeutic rather than medication assistance.

To prevent seasonal exacerbations of depression and psychosis, a person needs to adhere to a sleep and rest schedule, a balanced diet and take multivitamins. Moderate physical activity (running, swimming) and physiotherapy (relaxing baths, Charcot shower) are recommended. You should refrain from psychostimulating drinks - tea and coffee. The psychotherapist must convince the patient that a depressed state is simply the result of the influence of natural factors on the human body.

During the autumn period, it is recommended to spend more time in the fresh air, take a walk (if the weather permits), change the environment, leave the house more often, do not isolate yourself and your thoughts, go on a visit or to the theater. Chatting with friends and acquaintances will help distract you from negative thoughts. Some people escape from depressive autumn cities and buy a week-long trip to warm countries.

The psychotherapist must help the patient find a way to relax, switch to positive thoughts and active activity in the autumn period.

Rating:

Conditions of neurotic and schizophrenic psychoses, which are accompanied, occur in the autumn period and are temporary. Moreover, all these mental illnesses can last throughout the fall.

Fluctuations in mental state during the autumn exacerbation are due to biological factors. Solar activity decreases, daylight hours are shortened, and the physiological rhythm is disrupted, which affects the nervous system. The activity of the hormonal process decreases, the body's vulnerability increases, and it begins to malfunction.

Many chronic diseases, as well as a number of mental disorders, are characterized by seasonal outbreaks of symptoms. Psychotic disturbances and experiences, such as irrational ideas, lead to unpredictable behavior. Exacerbations are considered especially dangerous. Where the sick person is at this seasonal time does not matter. It is impossible to predict the course of the disease, since the patient’s condition is not static and varies.

Exposure to stress is the main reason for the increase in the number of mental disorders. The psyche is influenced by many factors, both external - military actions in the world, terrorist threats, unstable economy of the country, and internal - conflicts with others, fear of the future, anxiety, outbursts of anger (both obvious and hidden), which can lead to manifestation. Moreover, such an aggressive state negatively affects others and the patient himself.

Signs of mental disorders

The manifestations of symptoms of a mental disorder are varied and even individual. They can be identified by a person’s appearance and behavioral characteristics. It also happens that the condition does not manifest itself in any way, but at any moment a person can harm himself or others.

People suffering from mental illness cannot control their actions because they live in a world of their own images. Biochemical processes occurring in the brain do not change at the request of a person. The most difficult cases are when the patient hears a voice inside himself that pushes him to take wrong actions, and the person cannot resist obeying.

A clear sign of a change in mental health is a loss of understanding of reality. At these moments the person is not aware of the reality of what is happening. A rich imagination can form ideas and plans, the reality of which a person is unable to evaluate.

How should you react if a loved one begins a period of exacerbation?

Underestimating manifestations of inappropriate reasoning or beliefs is risky. If a person, for example, claims that “two times two equals five,” and begins to prove that he is right. In such a situation, you should not aggravate the conversation with clarifications, but you also cannot argue or change your mind. The optimal reaction is protective. In addition, you need to consult a doctor.

Some symptoms of mental health disorders are easy to identify for loved ones. But, unfortunately, relatives are not always sensitive enough to such human behavior. You need to respect your self-esteem, show care, love and understanding. The following changes in an individual's behavior should be a period of concern:

• if one of the family members has become self-absorbed;
• the person has lost his appetite;
• there were problems sleeping;
• the person stopped communicating with loved ones.

Prolonged self-absorption can cause a severe state of depression and lead to serious consequences.

If such behavior has been noticed, you need to try to attract the attention of this person, start a dialogue, and bring him back to reality. The biggest help will be if you convince the patient to visit a medical facility.

It is difficult for the brain to cope with weather changes. Exacerbations apply to patients regardless of gender. But women are more prone to emotions, which leads to the fact that representatives of the fairer sex endure this period more difficult. With age, blood vessels become clogged, brain activity is not as high, and character becomes sharper, which makes it more difficult for older people to tolerate seasonal exacerbations.

The body adjusts to cycles by day, season and year. Therefore, in any season the changes are different. In the spring, irritable emotions, fatigue, and decreased concentration appear. The accumulated exhaustion of the nervous system and physical exertion cause a sharp change in mood.

In winter, the sun rarely comes out, the weather is mostly cloudy, there is not enough sunlight, and the body suffers from vitamin deficiency.

On summer days, it is easy for the body to accumulate resources, but being at the peak of activity, it also quickly uses them up. With the onset of autumn, a person reacts to the gradual reduction of daylight hours, changes in nature, the body senses the onset of winter.

When the nervous system is exhausted, restorative drugs and special procedures help. You need multivitamins that contain a large amount of group B, nootopes, and also drugs that improve blood circulation. Tranquilizers and psychotropic drugs are prescribed by the doctor for irritability or anxiety. But not only pharmaceuticals have an effect. Relaxing massages, water procedures, and auto-training help a lot.

Aromatherapy and soothing herbal teas may also be helpful. Listening to music and watching positive films is a kind of therapy. During periods of exacerbation, it is worth excluding strong black tea and coffee from the diet.

It is recommended to create a daily routine in which to properly distribute work and rest time. But it makes no sense to talk about prevention to people who work irregular hours without breaks with endless rush jobs.

It is important to remember that being alone with problems is difficult even for a completely healthy person. Psychiatric specialists can help in difficult situations, and timely consultation with a doctor will prevent depression.

On autumn days, old people who have lost their minds hurry to leave home to visit their long-dead relatives. Schizophrenics stop taking their medications and soon relapse. What drives people crazy?

It is traditionally believed that there are two main reasons for autumn exacerbations. This is a lack of sunlight, due to which the body produces little melanin and a deficiency of vitamins. Almost everything is not so simple - the autumn exacerbation of depression and mental illness begins in September, when it is still quite light, fruits and vegetables are plentiful and cheap. Lack of melanin and vitamin deficiency should not be discounted, but it’s not just them.

Nowadays, the climate is changing; sharp weather changes, changes in atmospheric pressure, strong winds and rains are increasingly occurring at the boundaries of the seasons. Psychiatrists know that during a storm, thunderstorm, or cold snap, patients become more restless, experience anxiety and fear. With age, up to a third of the adult population begins to suffer from weather dependence - it is not surprising that they get worse in the fall.

The biological clock also plays a role - in the summer the body is in the active phase, storing nutrients, preparing for reproduction, in the winter it does its best to save resources so that it has enough strength to escape from cold and hunger. The transition from summer to winter is inevitably accompanied by hormonal changes, and any change in hormonal levels affects your mood. We should not forget that the cold itself has a depressing effect on a person.

If we consider the psychological aspects, autumn reminds people of approaching old age and inevitable death. Until recently, everything around was green, blooming and bearing fruit - and now, instead of a feast of colors, a dull slush sets in, the gentle warmth is replaced by a dank cold, and ahead is a “little death”, hibernation. Dull weather, bare tree branches, nasty rain - all this awakens a feeling of loneliness and hopelessness. But such an unbalanced state also has its strengths - for people of art, a certain imbalance of emotions leads to bursts of creative activity, and scientists, more often than usual, manage to look at a problem from an unexpected angle and make a discovery.

Who should be wary of autumn exacerbation, depression and blues? At risk are people suffering from weather sensitivity, vegetative-vascular dystonia, bipolar disorder, chronic depression, hysteria, those recovering from severe operations and illnesses, those who have recently suffered a severe concussion, meningitis, encephalitis, severe stress, the loss of a loved one, pregnant women, women in labor and breastfeeding. A slight “seasonal” decrease in mood can be observed in people with a melancholic temperament, asthenia, schizoid and epileptoid personality traits.

It is useless to fight autumn depression - you will only waste your energy. But, of course, you can protect yourself from troubles. The best medicines are warmth, light and bright colors. Try not to freeze, dress for the season, and don’t skimp on electricity for heaters. Fluffy shawls and blankets, soft sweaters and scarves, knitted granny socks and warm slippers are wonderful antidepressants. Cover the bed with a red blanket, place a yellow vase on the nightstand, hang garlands of peppers, colorful onions, and small pumpkins around the kitchen. Light candles in the evenings - our ancestors knew for sure that living fire drives away anxiety and fear.

Be sure to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner - no snacks. Strong coffee can be replaced with hot linden tea with honey and a sunny slice of lemon - the sweet smells will immediately remind you of summer. Fiery soups and borscht give strength and warm you in bad weather. Sea fish contains precious Omega-3 fatty acids - no blues are scary with them.

To find peace and confidence in the future, try to turn to the experience of your ancestors - start stocking up. Slowly, without rushing, cook several varieties of autumn jam and pour it into the bowl with your own hands. Preserve several jars of cucumbers or honey mushrooms, lay out mushrooms, apples or plums to dry, put a bag of selected potatoes in the pantry. This will create a feeling of security, the subconscious will no longer be afraid of hunger. And painstaking, meditative manual work will help you relax and take your mind off bad thoughts.

Try to provide yourself with as many positive emotions and vivid impressions as possible. In good weather, take a walk in the beautiful parks, admiring the rich colors of the foliage. Visit gyms and gyms, ride a bike, dance - movement stimulates the production of endorphins. Pet fluffy cats and shaggy dogs, ride a horse - communication with a horse, according to hippotherapists, stabilizes the psyche. Watch comedies and cartoons, good fairy tales with your children. Read good books, science fiction novels and funny detective stories. Go to the circus and admire real magic. Finally, try to turn autumn into Boldinskaya - write poems, stories, draw, compose music. Creativity will help you express your overwhelming feelings.

Avoid whiners, complainers, emotional vampires, insensitive and cold people. Avoid conflicts, especially with close friends, and sort out grievances and disappointments alone. Avoid idleness, aimless pastime, boring and lonely evenings. The more active you spend your days, the harder it is for the blues to get to you!

Read the questions and mark in each question which point you agree with.

1. I quarrel with friends, colleagues, relatives

a) never – I adore them!

c) almost every day;

d) several times a day.

a) small and restless;

b) 7-8 hours, no problem;

c) 6-7 hours, restless;

d) I feel either insomnia or drowsiness.

3. I have a hard time waking up in the morning and feel sad or angry.

a) never - I’m like a cucumber in the morning;

b) only on weekdays;

c) quite often;

d) I hate the morning!

4. While working (both in the office and at home), I get distracted by trifles and take unnecessary breaks.

a) why – it’s better to finish quickly;

b) happens if the work is boring;

c) I pull to the last;

d) I have already started to get into trouble because of such delays.

5. Lately I get tired easily

a) except to sit still;

b) no, everything is as usual;

d) I don’t have time to rest at all.

6. I have dark, heavy thoughts.

a) I only heard about them from whining friends;

b) occasionally, if there is a reason;

c) unfortunately, quite often;

7. Something hurts or aches – my head, stomach, back, joints

a) no, I’m not complaining about my health;

b) happens occasionally;

c) yes, it often hurts;

d) all the time he worries about one thing or another.

8. People around me think badly of me, discuss and judge me behind my back.

a) everyone thinks well of me;

c) noticed occasionally;

d) they constantly whisper behind my back.

9. I've been hearing voices in my head lately.

a) why are you asking about this?

c) no, but I am visited by obsessive, seemingly alien ideas;

10. From hopelessness and autumn melancholy I want to say goodbye to life

a) it is better to kill someone;

c) yes, such a desire arose;

d) often, I struggle with this.

6-15 points - you are completely healthy, the most you can face is a slight autumn blues.

16-24 – you have autumn depression. Consult a psychologist, especially if you scored high on questions 6-10.

25 or more – your mental health is in great danger. Be sure to consult a psychologist; you may need the help of a psychiatrist, sanatorium or medication treatment.

5 points or less - your optimism is impressive, but most likely you are in the manic phase of bipolar disorder - a person cannot be so happy without a reason. If you are not a newlywed or an enlightened monk, consult your doctor.

Seasonal exacerbations of psychiatric diseases

IsraClinic consultants will be happy to answer any questions on this topic.

Causes of autumn and spring exacerbations

Disease Prevention

Paranoia is a state of constant anxiety, suspicion, pathological jealousy, crazy ideas and hallucinations. The first signs of the disease are manifested by minor oddities in behavior, changes in character - the patient shows aggression towards others, spoils relationships with loved ones, begins to get carried away by unusual ideas and isolates himself from the whole world. Relatives of the patient turn to specialists when the symptoms become acute and the patient can harm himself and others.

The problem of children's fears is quite common; almost all parents face it. Fears can be real and groundless - a child can be influenced by environmental factors (family violence, difficult relationships with peers) and neurotic disorders (fears are free-form, arise without a real threat or preconditions). Experts note that if a child is afraid of something, it is important to consult a psychologist; ignoring the problem can subsequently lead to deviations.

Patients with borderline personality disorder quite often show a tendency towards deviant behavior and the use of alcoholic beverages and drugs. They are also prone to self-harm and may threaten suicide. It is necessary to understand that such a disorder cannot be cured in one session with a doctor - constant monitoring by a psychiatrist and the use of psychocorrective medications are necessary. Also, considerable importance should be given to psychotherapy. A psychiatrist selects pharmacological medications and prescribes psychotherapy depending on the current clinical picture.

Panic attacks can hardly be called a specific disease; it is rather a state of consciousness during which a person feels intense fear, anxiety and excitement. There are many methods to combat panic; home methods are also quite effective. In particular, it is recommended to take a contrast shower, engage in meditation, exercise, massages and practice proper breathing techniques. Healing herbal infusions, such as those made from chamomile, also have a good effect. It is advisable to exclude harmful foods and alcohol from the diet.

Causes and symptoms of exacerbation of schizophrenia

When schizophrenia worsens, characteristic symptoms appear. Often exacerbations are seasonal, but can also occur for other reasons. In this case, the patient should be hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital as soon as possible.

Schizophrenia: general information

Schizophrenia is a mental illness that is endogenous in nature. This means that certain internal reasons are a factor in its development.

This disease is characterized by a continuous or paroxysmal course, as a result of which a change in personality occurs.

The following symptoms are characteristic of this disease:

1. Positive. This group includes signs that are unique to a sick person. We are talking primarily about delusions and hallucinations.
2. Negative. This group includes signs that, on the contrary, are inherent in a healthy person, but are absent in the patient. These include emotional disorders (decrease or complete disappearance of emotions), lethargy, the desire to protect oneself from any contact with the outside world, loss of interest in life, mood swings, catatonic syndrome, indifference to one’s appearance, and inability to adapt to society.
3. Disorganized. This is the loss of the ability to think, act and speak logically. In patients, these signs manifest themselves in slow speech and movements, jumping from one topic to another in conversation, incoherent or meaningless thinking. Often a person does not understand the meaning of what he sees and hears every day and cannot make decisions.

Schizophrenia is the most common of all mental illnesses.

Period of exacerbation of schizophrenia

The exacerbation phase of the disease is marked by the entry of the sick person into a state of acute psychosis. In turn, psychosis is a sudden change in the emotional background (state) and behavior of the patient. These disorders are destructive, affecting not only the patient and his quality of life, but also the people around him. In a state of exacerbation of schizophrenia, patients:

• cannot adequately contact the outside world and themselves;
• lose touch with reality;
• do not understand what is happening around them;
• are not oriented in space and time;
• don't understand their place in the world.

In general, patients do not understand what is happening to them. The condition is aggravated by the inconsistency of emotions, delusions, and hallucinations, which are the patient’s guideline according to which he acts. It is also important that in a state of exacerbation all mental changes that occur with this disease intensify. A person becomes even more withdrawn, distrustful, suspicious, and absolutely loses the ability to critically evaluate what is happening, including to himself.

In this state, patients cannot make adequate decisions, so people from their immediate environment must take responsibility. They must respond adequately to the exacerbation of schizophrenia in the patient and hospitalize him in a psychiatric clinic as soon as possible. This is explained by the fact that in this state, patients pose a potential danger both to themselves and to the people around them, since they are even capable of antisocial actions.

Symptoms of exacerbation of schizophrenia

It is worth noting that in a state of psychosis, characteristic signs appear that make it possible to notice the onset of an exacerbation. These signs include:

1. Behavior change. The person behaves pretentiously and eccentrically, drawing attention to himself.
2. Hallucinations. Usually voices with a hint of criticism or commentary.
3. Closedness. The patient focuses only on himself and what is happening inside him.
4. Emotional background. On the one hand, a person experiences increased anxiety and helplessness. On the other hand, his emotions are mutually exclusive. The same goes for desires and actions.
5. Feeling of external influence. It seems to patients that someone is influencing their body, thoughts, and motives from the outside.

As a rule, the exacerbation phase begins with characteristic signs. The following symptoms will help recognize the onset of a relapse:

1. Emotions. The person feels anxious, restless, and suddenly begins to rush about.
2. Ignoring. The patient isolates himself from society, for example, locks himself in a room, does not react if other people approach him, etc.
3. Catatonic syndrome. The patient may freeze in unnatural and uncomfortable positions for a long time or, on the contrary, remain in a state of excitement.
4. Aggressiveness. A person becomes irritable, even the slightest reason can cause anger and aggression.
5. Sleep and appetite disturbances. The patient may suffer from insomnia, suffer from nightmares, and lose appetite.
6. Bad habits. If the patient smokes or drinks alcohol, these habits get worse. If they were not there before, a person may start drinking alcohol or smoking.
7. Speech activity. The patient begins to talk to himself and comes up with meaningless words. Speech becomes incoherent and illogical.

Patients during an exacerbation often feel that they are endowed with some kind of superpowers, for example, they can read minds, see the future, etc. They may also feel that they are in another world or dimension, ascribe to themselves a different social status; to feel that someone is following them, watching them, trying to do something bad.

Patients experience sudden mood swings. Anxiety can, for no reason, be replaced by unbridled fun and joy; feelings of omnipotence and chosenness can suddenly change to feelings of guilt, etc.

The duration of the exacerbation period is from 6 to 8 weeks, but can last longer. The sooner the patient receives qualified care in the hospital, the faster his condition will stabilize.

Causes of exacerbation of schizophrenia

Even the most insignificant cause can lead to a relapse of the disease. This is the difficulty of preventing exacerbation. Among the most common reasons, doctors identify the following:

• stress;
• conflict or instability in the family;
• alcohol abuse;
• external stimuli, for example, sharp sounds, too bright light.

That is, factors that a healthy person does not even pay attention to can seriously unsettle a patient. The disease can also worsen during pregnancy, due to hormonal changes in the body.

Another factor is seasonality. Medical statistics have already proven that in the autumn-spring period the number of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia in special medical institutions increases.

Patients with a fur coat-like or paroxysmal-progressive form of the disease are more susceptible to autumn and spring exacerbation. When the length of daylight changes, the body’s biorhythms and habitual way of life change. This reaction of the body of a sick person is explained by the fact that jet lag immediately affects the functioning of the central nervous system and the production of hormones that regulate the functioning of the entire body.

Even healthy people are susceptible to seasonal mood swings. The only difference is that a healthy person can control his emotions, switch to interesting activities, without allowing himself to become discouraged. Unlike healthy people, mentally ill people are not capable of this.

In autumn and spring, patients experience mood swings.

This is explained by the fact that fur coat-like schizophrenia is precisely characterized by a mood swing from a depressive to a manic state. The seasonal factor further enhances the manifestation of these conditions. In psychiatric practice, these seasonal changes are called seasonal affective disorder or SAD.

Why does mental illness worsen in the autumn-spring period?

A person is, first of all, a biological being and the vital activity of his body is subject to circadian rhythms. The change of day and night, seasons - affect the course of internal processes, including the mental activity of the human body.

Cyclicity of mental processes

The cyclical nature of the human psyche is observed not only normally, but also manifests itself in the form of exacerbation of various endogenous diseases. With the onset of cold weather and shortening daylight hours in the autumn, the number of mental patients in hospitals increases. Mental illnesses are chronic in nature, with phases of exacerbation in the autumn-spring period.

According to statistics, since the beginning of October the number of patients in psychiatric clinics has increased by a quarter. People with increased emotionality perceive more painfully the transition from hot weather to cold and rain, and a reduction in daylight hours. The autumn exacerbation of mental illness is also due to the fact that under the influence of sunlight, people produce serotonin (the pleasure hormone), and when cloudy days occur, the amount of serotonin decreases. Many people experience irritability and emotional instability. The bright colors of summer give way to gray shades, the heavy cloudy sky “presses”, changes in atmospheric pressure and daily rains lead to a person having a feeling of hopelessness, melancholy, and anxiety for his future.

Autumn is a season of exacerbation not only of mental illness, but also of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. Fluctuations in atmospheric pressure affect the human vascular system and the neurovegetative regulation of internal organs and systems. In autumn, diseases such as depression, schizophrenia, affective psychoses, and epilepsy worsen.

Seasonal relapse clinic

In the autumn period, not only the number of hospitalizations of patients with endogenous diseases increases, but also outpatient service doctors note an increase in the flow of patients. Some diseases that occurred in a hidden (latent) form, mental disorders manifest themselves fully in the fall. The economic crisis, analysts' forecasts that people's lives will worsen by the end of the year, and the risk of losing jobs and personal savings are causing a wave of mental disorders. Patients with neuroses and panic attacks feel their condition deteriorating, and seizures become more frequent in epileptics. Autumn “blues” are normal for all people; in mental patients, a depressive state can result in suicide.

Patients with depression and various types of psychosis can be dangerous during the autumn period of exacerbations not only for themselves, but also for others. Some patients have ideas that a great danger threatens the entire family or society as a whole. There have been cases in psychiatry where mentally ill mothers could harm their children.

Autumn exacerbation of schizophrenia occurs more often in men. Their productive symptoms increase - delusions and hallucinations. Considering that men drink alcohol more often and in larger doses, the exacerbation of mental illness in them is more pronounced. By their biological nature, men are more aggressive and therefore exacerbation of schizophrenia in the fall is associated with the commission of illegal acts and an increase in the number of traumatic brain injuries.

Some patients with schizophrenia complain to doctors in the autumn that they were attacked by alien voices. Police officers note an increase in citizens' complaints about “a UFO landing in the yard of a house” or “verbal contact with aliens.” It is mentally ill men who become active participants in various demonstrations, revolutions and coups in the country.

Relapse Prevention

The participation of loved ones and relatives in the life of a sick person plays a large role in the prevention of autumn exacerbations. People with mental illness cannot adequately assess their condition, some patients stop taking medications, and men with schizophrenia are prone to alcoholism, which worsens the course of the endogenous disease. Relatives of the patient should refer him for inpatient or outpatient treatment when the first signs of worsening of a chronic mental illness are detected.

Patients with depression, psychosis, and neuroses are often afraid to consult a psychiatrist and try to cope with the symptoms and signs of the disease on their own. Many patients self-medicate, take various medications that were recommended to them by friends or they read information on the Internet. The most important thing is to contact a specialist in a timely manner. Some patients require psychotherapeutic rather than medication assistance.

To prevent seasonal exacerbations of depression and psychosis, a person needs to adhere to a sleep and rest schedule, a balanced diet and take multivitamins. Moderate physical activity (running, swimming) and physiotherapy (relaxing baths, Charcot shower) are recommended. You should refrain from psychostimulating drinks - tea and coffee. The psychotherapist must convince the patient that a depressed state is simply the result of the influence of natural factors on the human body.

During the autumn period, it is recommended to spend more time in the fresh air, take a walk (if the weather permits), change the environment, leave the house more often, do not isolate yourself and your thoughts, go on a visit or to the theater. Chatting with friends and acquaintances will help distract you from negative thoughts. Some people escape from depressive autumn cities and buy a week-long trip to warm countries.

The psychotherapist must help the patient find a way to relax, switch to positive thoughts and active activity in the autumn period.

Why do mental illnesses worsen in the fall?

Doctors say that in the autumn months, especially people who are emotionally sensitive feel worse. Their psyche suffers from the fact that in nature there is a “change of scenery”: the days become cool and rainy, the weather becomes “capricious”. Mental illnesses worsen during this period, which is associated with biological factors.

Seasonal exacerbations: who is most prone to

Psychiatrists say: very emotional people of both sexes face this problem. It is generally accepted that ongoing stress is to blame for the increase in the incidence of mental illness. Many people are afraid of their future; their psyche has difficulty coping with thoughts about the precariousness of their financial situation, lack of stability in society, etc.

The cause of future problems can form in childhood, when a person suffered from an infectious disease, or even earlier - when he was injured during childbirth. In the future, he may be emotionally unbalanced. The psyche is also influenced by operations performed under general anesthesia. Generally speaking, a disruption of the blood supply to the brain of any nature can have such consequences as instability in the emotional sphere.

Why do we react to the changing seasons?

The emotional depression of patients, according to psychiatrists, is due to changes in the state of nature and the length of the day. Experiencing the influence of a number of factors, the nervous system becomes more sensitive. Decreased sun activity, shortened daylight hours, radiation, and changes in the magnetic field lead to poor health and hormonal processes being inhibited.

People's lives proceed in cycles - daily, seasonal, annual. In any case, they will somehow react to the change of seasons, regardless of whether they have mental problems. In the autumn months, the body seems to protest against the fact that there is less sun and more clouds, that nature is slowly dying. The person becomes more emotionally unstable and irritated.

Of course, much is determined by individual psychological traits. If a person has problems with self-esteem, then in the fall he may feel a worsening depression and perceive his life as gray and meaningless. However, even completely healthy and self-sufficient people at this time of year begin to feel anxiety and fear, apathy, and turn into more irritable and nervous individuals.

How to prevent exacerbations

An exacerbation of any mental illness is a classic “sign” of autumn. Patients with schizophrenia and manic-depressive psychosis can experience serious emotions, which sometimes lead to bad consequences. When the exacerbation phase begins, the course of the disease becomes so variable that the behavior of patients is practically impossible to predict. A considerable number of mental illnesses are accompanied by aggression. It can be hidden or open, directed towards oneself or to the outside world.

For preventive purposes, psychiatrists prescribe treatment. If someone close to you has borderline disorder, i.e. suffers from psychopathy or neuroses, diseases the cause of which lies in brain damage, then he should be given increased attention.

Qualified help comes first

If a person does not tell anyone about his problems, he will not be able to solve them. A psychiatrist should come to the rescue, whose task is first of all to establish an accurate diagnosis. Then treatment is prescribed, which is usually complex. Along with medications, procedures aimed at generally strengthening the nervous system and the body as a whole will alleviate the condition. Any contact with water, aromatherapy, massage course are useful. Any stimulating drinks, including black tea and coffee, are undesirable during an exacerbation. The daily routine should be orderly.

Autumn exacerbation of mental illness

Conditions of neurotic and schizophrenic psychoses, which are accompanied by aggression, occur in the autumn period and are temporary. Moreover, all these mental illnesses can last throughout the fall.

Fluctuations in mental state during the autumn exacerbation are due to biological factors. Solar activity decreases, daylight hours are shortened, and the physiological rhythm is disrupted, which affects the nervous system. The activity of the hormonal process decreases, the body's vulnerability increases, and it begins to malfunction.

Many chronic diseases, as well as a number of mental disorders, are characterized by seasonal outbreaks of symptoms. Psychotic disturbances, experiences such as hallucinations and irrational ideas lead to unpredictable behavior. Exacerbations are considered especially dangerous. Where the sick person is at this seasonal time does not matter. It is impossible to predict the course of the disease, since the patient’s condition is not static and varies.

Exposure to stress is the main reason for the increase in the number of mental disorders. The psyche is influenced by many factors, both external - aggression, military actions in the world, terrorist threats, unstable economy of the country, and internal - conflicts with others, fear of the future, anxiety, outbursts of anger (both obvious and hidden), which may lead to aggression. Moreover, such an aggressive state negatively affects others and the patient himself.

Signs of mental disorders

The manifestations of symptoms of a mental disorder are varied and even individual. They can be identified by a person’s appearance and behavioral characteristics. It also happens that the condition does not manifest itself in any way, but at any moment a person can harm himself or others.

People suffering from mental illness cannot control their actions because they live in a world of their own images. Biochemical processes occurring in the brain do not change at the request of a person. The most difficult cases are when the patient hears a voice inside himself that pushes him to take wrong actions, and the person cannot resist obeying.

A clear sign of a change in mental health is a loss of understanding of reality. At these moments the person is not aware of the reality of what is happening. A rich imagination can form ideas and plans, the reality of which a person is unable to evaluate.

How should you react if a loved one begins a period of exacerbation?

Underestimating manifestations of inappropriate reasoning or beliefs is risky. If a person, for example, claims that “two times two equals five,” and begins to prove that he is right. In such a situation, you should not aggravate the conversation with clarifications, but you also cannot argue or change your mind. The optimal reaction is protective. In addition, you need to consult a doctor.

Some symptoms of mental health disorders are easy to identify for loved ones. But, unfortunately, relatives are not always sensitive enough to such human behavior. You need to respect your self-esteem, show care, love and understanding. The following changes in an individual's behavior should be a period of concern:

• if one of the family members has become self-absorbed;
• the person has lost his appetite;
• there were problems sleeping;
• the person stopped communicating with loved ones.

Prolonged self-absorption can cause a severe state of depression and lead to serious consequences.

If such behavior has been noticed, you need to try to attract the attention of this person, start a dialogue, and bring him back to reality. The biggest help will be if you convince the patient to visit a medical facility.

What are the causes of seasonal exacerbations?

It is difficult for the brain to cope with weather changes. Exacerbations apply to patients regardless of gender. But women are more prone to emotions, which leads to the fact that representatives of the fairer sex endure this period more difficult. With age, blood vessels become clogged, brain activity is not as high, and character becomes sharper, which makes it more difficult for older people to tolerate seasonal exacerbations.

The body adjusts to cycles by day, season and year. Therefore, in any season the changes are different. In the spring, irritable emotions, fatigue, and decreased concentration appear. The accumulated exhaustion of the nervous system and physical exertion cause a sharp change in mood.

In winter, the sun rarely comes out, the weather is mostly cloudy, there is not enough sunlight, and the body suffers from vitamin deficiency.

On summer days, it is easy for the body to accumulate resources, but being at the peak of activity, it also quickly uses them up. With the onset of autumn, a person reacts to the gradual reduction of daylight hours, changes in nature, the body senses the onset of winter.

Preventive measures for seasonal exacerbation

When the nervous system is exhausted, restorative drugs and special procedures help. You need multivitamins that contain a large amount of group B, nootopes, and also drugs that improve blood circulation. Tranquilizers, antidepressants, and psychotropic drugs are prescribed by a doctor for irritability or anxiety. But not only pharmaceuticals have an effect. Relaxing massages, water procedures, and auto-training help a lot.

Aromatherapy and soothing herbal teas may also be helpful. Listening to music and watching positive films is a kind of therapy. During periods of exacerbation, it is worth excluding strong black tea and coffee from the diet.

It is recommended to create a daily routine in which to properly distribute work and rest time. But it makes no sense to talk about prevention to people who work irregular hours without breaks with endless rush jobs.

It is important to remember that being alone with problems is difficult even for a completely healthy person. Psychiatric specialists can help in difficult situations, and timely consultation with a doctor will prevent depression.

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Seasonal exacerbations

According to statistics cited by Komsomolskaya Pravda, a quarter of visitors to dating sites suffer from various mental illnesses. In the fall, during the period of seasonal exacerbation, these people throw out their depressive thoughts and negative emotions on others, and on the Internet it is much easier to do this and, in addition, remain anonymous. “Previously, in the fall, some of these patients would jump out of windows and throw themselves under wheels. Now these poor fellows are having virtual affairs,” says psychologist and sexologist Vladimir Shakhinjanyan.

Chronic diseases, including a whole group of mental disorders, tend to worsen. Psychotic experiences lead to dangerous behavior, especially during an exacerbation, and do not depend on the location of the sick person. These states can be compared to clouds in the sky, when their shape changes every moment. They vary significantly, so the course and prognosis are unpredictable.

The main reason for the increase in mental illness is constant stress. Fear of the future, difficult economic situation, terrorist attacks, wars, aggression from the surrounding world test the psyche, the most valuable property of a person. Every fourth Russian today needs psychiatric help. Anxiety, overt or hidden anger affect mood, the disorder of which is close to the manifestation of aggressiveness. Aggression can be directed both at oneself and at others.

For endogenous diseases, such as manic-depressive psychosis (MDP) and schizophrenia, seasonal exacerbations are common. I think many people have a story or two about meeting “strange types.” The attitude towards them is usually wary, and the first reaction upon direct contact is complete confusion. It is not clear what to do: either calm the person down, or run away, or immediately call an ambulance.

The fact that we do not know how to communicate with the mentally ill is easy to explain. Nobody taught us this. For centuries they were considered outcasts, subjected to lifelong isolation and even physical destruction. Only at the end of the last millennium the situation began to change for the better. At least in the West, mental patients are considered simply peculiar people, whose only problem is that their thinking and actions do not fit into generally accepted norms.

And yet it is not easy to change established opinions. Every crime committed by a mentally ill person causes wide public outcry. And if it is repeated, indignant cries are heard: “Why was such a dangerous psycho released into the wild?!” At the same time, the question of why a recidivist murderer who has served his sentence is released, does not arise in anyone’s mind. But the overwhelming majority of criminals and murderers are completely sane people, acting out of self-interest, envy, jealousy - in a word, proceeding from motives that are understandable to everyone. Most likely, the increased fear of mental patients is caused precisely by the fact that their actions are unpredictable, and their reaction to the world around them is often inadequate.

The symptoms of mental illness are varied. Sometimes you can immediately determine who you are dealing with by the strange or threatening appearance of the person or his behavior. But it also happens that a person does not show his condition in any way, but at any moment he can cause harm to himself or others. A mental patient cannot control himself, he lives in his own world, the biochemistry of his brain changes regardless of his desires. If he begins to hear voices urging him to kill, he has no choice but to comply. At what point this will happen and whether it will happen at all, no one knows. However, the most severe condition in such patients can last 3 to 4 months. After six months of hospital stay, the exacerbation is relieved, and it makes no sense to keep the person in the dispensary any longer. He goes out to people.

And yet, since no one is immune from meeting a mentally ill person, it would be a good idea to listen to the recommendations of specialists who will help you cope with the situation.

Remember that under no circumstances should the conflict be allowed to escalate. You need to behave calmly and kindly with the patient. People with serious mental illness are extremely sensitive to the emotional climate in their environment. Therefore, you need to pay attention to your behavior and gestures. Be respectful, try to be consistent and direct, maintain a friendly distance, take into account that the person is sick and attribute the symptoms not to him, but to the disease. This tactic is based on basic common sense. Shouting and swearing can drive even a healthy person to white heat.

Mentally ill people often take what they hear too literally. They may misinterpret a joke or evasive phrase and react accordingly.

One of the most pronounced signs of a mental disorder is the loss of the boundaries of reality, when a person cannot understand where he is, does not know who he is, and has poor orientation in space and time. This condition is typical for alcoholics who are in the stage of delirium tremens, and for people who have suffered a traumatic brain injury or have received organic brain damage. The more open and simple you are, the more accessible your explanations are, the better. True, this method may not work with alcoholics: in such a state they become anxious and aggressive, so in this case it is better to call a doctor.

Fluctuations in emotions are generally characteristic of people suffering from alcoholism. When they have a hangover, they experience so-called dysphoria: their mood fluctuates from tenderness (which, however, does not last long) to open malice. The main thing here is not to take the words or actions spoken personally. Consider that these are the person's own problems, offer to return to the conversation next time when he calms down.

Among people with a rich imagination, one can encounter such a phenomenon as fluctuation of intentions. They have a lot of ideas, plans and thoughts that they randomly grasp at, unable to assess whether the idea is real or whether they are building a castle in the sand. Try to be consistent, clearly outline your goals and objectives and stick to one plan, without letting the conversation jump from one topic to another.

Mental patients are very obsessive and affectionate. If you often receive calls from a person whose adequacy you doubt, ask directly if he is seeing a psychiatrist. Otherwise, you can become his regular listener. Keep clinical psychiatry phone numbers handy just in case.

If your interlocutor has difficulty concentrating, try to be brief and repeat what was said. If he is overexcited, a conversation with him will not work. You should limit the information, don't try to explain anything, keep it short, and don't escalate the discussion. “Uh-huh”, “yes”, “goodbye” - these are your tactics.

People often underestimate the danger when conditions such as poor judgment or delusional beliefs manifest themselves. Roughly speaking, they differ from each other in that in the first case a person is sure that “twice two is five,” and in the second he can, in addition, “explain” why this is exactly so. You should absolutely not keep up the conversation or indulge your curiosity: you are not a psychiatrist and you don’t know how a story about aliens or ghosts might end. Your reaction should be primarily protective. Do not argue with the patient, do not expect a rational discussion, but try to persuade him to wait for you and immediately call the “sixth team”. There are no more reliable options for ensuring your own safety.

Mental patients are prone to causeless anxiety and fears, sometimes turning into phobias. Having noted the anxiety of the interlocutor, give him the opportunity to interrupt the conversation and leave. If he experiences fear, you must first of all remain calm yourself.

By the way, all of the tips listed can be useful to you not only in extreme situations, but also in everyday life. Do you know what the doctors themselves say? “People are divided into registered patients, unregistered patients and psychiatrists.” Agree, there is some truth in this saying. And, it seems, quite a lot.

The joke about seasonal exacerbations is actually only part of the joke, the rest is true. Some experts are confident that seasonality can even serve as one of the diagnostic signs of a particular mental problem.

In both spring and autumn, exacerbations of diseases of the cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract are observed. Psychiatrists believe that this is secondary, since mental disorders are to blame for the surge in internal diseases. It is they that lead to the exacerbation of somatic, in other words, bodily diseases.

Do all mental illnesses become more severe in the fall?

All. If these are severe mental pathologies, for example, schizophrenia and manic-depressive psychosis, then, knowing about the seasonal danger, psychiatrists, in order to alleviate the next attack, try to provide preventive treatment to patients by this time. The same is done if a person has borderline disorders, such as neuroses, psychopathy and diseases based on brain damage.

What usually causes a generally non-sick person to react to the onset of the fall season?

There are many reasons. If a person suffered some kind of trauma during childbirth or in early childhood or suffered from an infectious disease (influenza, severe intestinal infection, chicken pox, measles), accompanied by delusions or hallucinations, then it is quite possible that in the future he will experience symptoms in the fall and spring. emotional imbalance. And not only infection or injury is fraught with such complications. The functioning of the brain, and therefore the nervous system, is affected by past operations under general anesthesia. And states of hypoxia after someone has burned out in a bathhouse may in the future remind of themselves with certain symptoms, including, for example, signs of vegetative-vascular dystonia.

In other words, everything that leads to disruption of the blood supply to the brain usually subsequently manifests itself as emotional and volitional instability and can lead to seasonal exacerbations. The reason is that the brain may not be able to cope with sudden changes in weather during the transition from one season to another.

How does all this affect a person’s life?

Like any psychological problems - first of all, they depend on communication. For example, depression manifests itself as a hidden refusal to live. And if we see a protesting, irritated person who does not control his emotions, this is nothing more than a nervous breakdown. Psychoanalysts call it clogging of communication channels. For people suffering from one or the other, the peak of exacerbation usually occurs in autumn and spring.

So, if a person suffered something in childhood that affected the functioning of the brain, he will suffer from emotional imbalance all his life in the fall?

Not at all necessary. The child's brain has great compensatory capabilities, and everything can return to normal. But if such emotional instability already exists, parents need to be very attentive to the child and help him.

Who is more susceptible to seasonal exacerbations: women or men, young or elderly?

Seasonal exacerbations do not depend on gender. But since emotional people often suffer from them, and there are more of them among women, it is more difficult for women. As for age, by old age the brain’s resources are exhausted, blood vessels change, and character traits become sharper. All this can lead to seasonal changes in health status.

What is the reason for this reaction of the human body to the change of seasons?

Man generally lives in cycles - daily, seasonal, annual. In this regard, each season should be discussed separately. In the spring, the school and work year ends, and fatigue accumulates. Children this season are affected by increased stress due to the end of their studies and passing exams. It doesn’t even matter whether the child has mental problems at all, his body still reacts to the season.

In winter, daylight hours are shortened, the weather is more often cloudy, and the lack of sunlight affects. The body is also not indifferent to the notorious vitamin deficiency. Spring is the time before the holidays. Irritability, fatigue, and emotional instability accumulated over the year are more common, and the ability to concentrate on something and cope with physical and emotional stress decreases. Nervous and physical exhaustion causes frequent mood swings. Negative thoughts prevail.

As for autumn, at this time, after the summer holiday, fatigue and vitamin deficiency are usually not observed. But in summer the body is at its peak of activity, and just as quickly as it accumulates resources, it also spends it quickly. When autumn comes, we react to even a barely noticeable shortening of daylight hours, to the withering of nature. And this is understandable: the body feels: winter is ahead...

How can a person with such a seasonal reaction manifest himself at home and at work?

It depends not only on certain existing psychological characteristics of the individual, but also on character and upbringing. If a person has low self-esteem and is susceptible to depressive reactions, then depression may begin in the spring and worsen even more by the fall. Emotional, unrestrained, intolerant of others, in the fall he becomes even sharper and more irritable, it is even more difficult for him to curb his emotions, he is even more easily offended, looks for those to blame, and is inclined to make claims to others. In autumn, fears, anxiety, and anticipation of something unpleasant, sometimes frightening, intensify.

I really want summer to never end.

How does all this affect your work?

There are times when performance decreases and even is completely lost. Do you know why most people plan their vacation for the so-called velvet season, late August - early September? This is nothing more than a desire... to prolong summer, to enjoy the sun and warmth.

Does this mean that the polar night increases emotional instability?

Without a doubt, the northerners have it the hardest. After all, the polar night does not have the best effect on health, including mental health. Many northerners try to relieve stress, anxiety and depression with alcohol. And it is no coincidence that in the north there are higher salaries and pensions and longer vacations.

Pills alone are not enough

How are seasonal exacerbations treated?

There are several approaches. If the nervous system is exhausted (in the spring, before the holidays), then restorative drugs and procedures will help. These are multivitamins with a high content of B vitamins; nootropics - facilitating the work of brain cells under hypoxic conditions: pirocetam (nootropil), glycine, picamilon, pantogam; drugs that improve cerebral circulation, such as Cavinton (vinpocetine), stugeron (cinnarizine). They are usually prescribed to the elderly and those who have had brain disorders.

But you shouldn’t limit yourself to medications. Massage and water procedures (underwater shower, Charcot shower, swimming) provide an excellent effect. Automotive training also helps. But it is better if a specialist chooses the self-hypnosis formulas. Aromatherapy using lavender and peppermint oils may be useful; baths with oils or herbs, soothing teas: with chamomile and mint. Listening to good music or a good movie is also a kind of therapy, especially if you watch it with the whole family.

During periods of exacerbation, stimulating drinks should be avoided: strong black tea and coffee.

It is recommended to adhere to the correct work and rest schedule. Work without emergency, with breaks, at the same time. If a person has gone two years without a vacation, then talking about any other prevention is almost pointless.

“The soul must be treated with feelings, and feelings with the soul”

Is it better to take all your vacation at once or split it into parts, vacationing twice a year?

It all depends on how you relax. If a woman, while on vacation, exhausts herself every day by preparing set meals, serving her husband, children and guests, then she will not rest. In addition, treatment of emotions must be emotional. It’s good to go out into nature or travel - see other cities, get vivid impressions. Several such days will help a tired body more than a monotonous long vacation. Even if you relax in nature on weekends and communicate with friends, you are already benefiting your health.

As for resting twice a year, it has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.

Don't be afraid, I'm with you!

What is the best way to relieve daily stress, stress and fatigue after a working day?

The same water procedures, walks, physical activity. Only walks and exercise should not be exhausting, but pleasant.

If one of your friends or colleagues suffers from emotional instability, how can you help them?

It is advisable to see them in the full sense of the sufferer, and not the attacker. Although it’s not easy when a person accuses you, makes claims, makes trouble. It’s good if others understand that even aggression usually comes from a feeling of one’s own discomfort. Move away from the person at the moment of an emotional outburst, wait until he calms down. Don't respond to insults. You also shouldn’t instruct a crying girl who is depressed and everything is falling out of her hands: “You shouldn’t cry! You have to pull yourself together! Be strong! Moscow does not believe in tears!"

It’s better to offer your help, say that together you can overcome everything, ask what worries her, let her talk it out.

Not everyone can find the right words at such a moment...

You can say: “No matter what happens, you can count on me” or “We will be together when things are difficult for you. I'm on your side (even if the person is wrong). I will protect you. We will find a way out." But you need to be careful when speaking to a person who is in a state of imbalance, so as not to offend him. We mentioned that nervous stress is a clogging of communication channels. Communication needs to be brought back to normal.

It’s not easy to help yourself and others in such a situation.

But that’s what specialists exist for: psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists. A good consultation can help in a difficult situation and get you out of a depressive state. Not all problems can be solved by being alone with them. It is usually more effective when the whole family is consulted. After all, the problems of children are connected with the problems of their parents, and the emotional difficulties of the husband aggravate the imbalance of the wife.

Good results are obtained from special classes in groups where people learn to communicate fully and effectively. We are going to organize such groups for children and teenagers in the new school year at the city gymnasium. There are many specialists in the city who could organize such courses for adults. But for someone to give you a helping hand, you need to show that you won’t push them away...

Spinal diseases are chronic diseases that tend to manifest themselves under certain conditions. Patients often notice a connection between changing weather conditions and the appearance of acute back pain.

Seasonal exacerbations of osteochondrosis in each case have an individual character; some notice a peak of pain in the autumn-spring period, others in the summer or winter.

Exacerbation of osteochondrosis depending on the season

In modern medicine, the dependence of the exacerbation of osteochondrosis of various parts of the spinal column in accordance with the change of season has been determined. The severity of symptoms will depend on the extent of the process.

Autumn period

Autumn is a time of exacerbation of cervical osteochondrosis.

The drop in temperature along with the prevalence of rainy days hits the upper back. In the fall, the number of calls for pain in the neck and upper thoracic region increases.

Winter and summer periods

At the peak of frosty or, on the contrary, hot weather, there is an aggravation of the lower part of the thoracic region, spreading to the interscapular region.

On the days of the lowest temperatures there is a peak in problems of the sacro-lumbar region, which can also make itself felt in the off-season with severe hypothermia of the legs.

Spring period

The spring thaw is characterized by exacerbations of the lumbar region and thoracic osteochondrosis in the lower sections. Persons with underlying damage to the urinary excretory system are especially affected.

Important. Exacerbation of osteochondrosis, regardless of location, requires a full range of treatment and rehabilitation measures; earlier provision of first aid and the prescription of full therapy facilitates the relief of the disease. Timely elimination of exacerbation is also the prevention of destructive changes

In spring, the percentage of exacerbations of osteochondrosis in the lumbar region increases.

The first signs of exacerbation of osteochondrosis

The most pronounced symptom of exacerbation of destructive lesions of the intervertebral discs is pain, but in addition to acute pain, the pathology can be recognized by a number of signs depending on the location of the source of destruction.

Cervical osteochondrosis

Damage to the cervical area at the time of exacerbation is manifested by the following set of unpleasant symptoms:

• lumbago is expressed in sharply appearing and long-lasting pain in the neck and occipital region;
• when the nerve roots of the cervical spine are pinched, the pain radiates to the scapula, collarbone or arm (depending on which area is innervated by the affected nerve);
• hypertension appears or worsens;
• a feeling of darkening in the eyes, a feeling of stuffiness in the ear;
• paresthesia of the cervical spine (feeling of numbness or goosebumps);
• during the inflammatory process, low-grade fever (up to 37.6 degrees) is possible.

The appearance of one or more symptoms, especially against the background of sleep disturbances, unreasonable feelings of fear or depression, should be a signal to visit a neurologist. It is not necessary to wait for the process to worsen and acute pain to appear, especially with a previously established diagnosis of osteochondrosis (or hernia) of the cervical localization

Thoracic osteochondrosis

Exacerbation of thoracic osteochondrosis has a clinical picture similar to various pathologies of internal organs (heart, stomach, lungs), which greatly complicates the timely detection of exacerbation.
The main complaints with GOX:

If discosis occurs (compression of nerve fibers in advanced stages of osteochondrosis), there may be a decrease in sensitivity and muscle tone of the arms and shoulder girdle, dizziness and headaches, and attacks of disorientation in space.

Lumbar osteochondrosis

Exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis is manifested by various symptoms, depending on the location of the discosis. Patients complain of:

• “lumbago” in the lower back. The pain spreads to 1 or 2 legs, down to the toes. Intensifies with bending, prolonged static (standing or sitting) or dynamic (movement) tension, coughing, emotional outburst;
• decreased tendon reflexes (determined by a doctor upon examination);
• change in sensitivity in the groin and along the inner surface of the thigh (less often the thighs);
• in advanced cases, with the development of intermittent claudication syndrome in the leg innervated by the affected nerve, chilliness and coldness of the skin are observed. change in skin tone and slight puffiness. With more severe malnutrition of the limb, trophic ulcers are observed;
• disruption of the pelvic organs is expressed in constipation or diarrhea, impaired urination, changes in the menstrual cycle in women and the development of potency in men.

Symptoms of exacerbation of destructive lesions of the intervertebral cartilage in pregnant women are similar to the described manifestations, with the exception of the intensity of pain. Pregnancy aggravates spinal diseases and requires a special approach to treatment due to the ban on the use of most medications.

How to act in case of exacerbation of back pathology

Seasonal exacerbation of osteochondrosis requires emergency assistance to relieve pain followed by full treatment of the process.
If negative symptoms appear, you should take a comfortable position (if the pain is severe) and take a simple analgesic (Analgin or Baralgin).

You can rub in an anesthetic ointment (Voltaren, Diclofenac, Nurofen). After relief, consult a doctor who will determine further treatment tactics.

In case of severe pain, call an ambulance and take the most comfortable position until a specialist arrives. After providing first aid, hospitalization or outpatient treatment will be offered, depending on the patient’s condition.

Abuse of self-medication during exacerbation of osteochondrosis is not recommended.

Any gastroenterologist knows that in the spring and autumn the number of patients in his office increases sharply. Why? Yes, because gastritis (inflammation of the gastric mucosa) really loves the off-season. How to resist their onslaught?

What is gastritis?

Gastritis is an inflammation of the gastric mucosa. As a result of gastritis, the digestion and absorption of food is disrupted. The symptoms of this disease can be acute, or they can make themselves felt only by minor hints (heaviness in the stomach, bloating, discomfort in the left hypochondrium). The most striking symptoms of gastritis:

pain in the epigastric region

bloating

• loss of appetite

  bad taste in mouth

  irregular bowel movements (either constipation or diarrhea).

Why do gastritis worsen in the off-season?

Spring and autumn are transitional periods between summer and winter. In the off-season, the daily routine changes (the days become shorter, the nights become longer), the nature of the diet (the diet becomes less fresh fruits and vegetables, preference is given to meat, cereals, and pickles). Colds begin to intensify, depleting the immune system, and as a result, existing chronic diseases worsen. The emotional depression characteristic of autumn also affects the state of health. Whether we like it or not, shortening daylight hours has a depressing effect on our mood, but practice shows that the emotional sphere is very closely related to the state of the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, a person living in a state of chronic stress has a much higher chance of developing gastritis than those who treat any problem philosophically. And all because during stress, a large amount of adrenaline is released into the blood - a hormone that causes vasoconstriction. As a result, the blood supply to the gastrointestinal tract deteriorates, the nutrition of the cells of the gastric mucosa is disrupted, some of them atrophy and die, forming zones of inflammation, that is, gastritis. If this condition is not treated, over time, defects, erosions and ulcerations appear on the mucous membrane.

Getty Images/Fotobank

What to do?

Eliminate from your diet the main irritants of the gastric mucosa: strong alcoholic drinks, coffee and soda.

Do not get carried away with spicy seasonings, pickles, marinades, or too hot or cold foods.

Refuse chips, fast food, quick soups.

Avoid foods rich in coarse fiber (raw cabbage, apples, carrots).

Get rid of the habit of smoking, especially on an empty stomach. Nicotine and other components of tobacco smoke damage the mucous membrane and slow down its regeneration processes.

Stop taking medications uncontrollably. Even a regular aspirin tablet can harm your stomach.

Chew your food more thoroughly.

Forget about diets, especially strict and unbalanced ones, because any experiments with nutrition can lead to a deficiency of protein, vitamins and microelements, without which normal regeneration of the mucous membranes of the stomach is impossible.

Twice a year (spring and autumn) undergo a course of treatment with mineral waters, preferably at balneological resorts (Khmelnik, Irpen, Pushcha-Voditsa, Nemirov, Mirgorod, Truskavets, Morshin, Shklo, Yalta, Feodosia, Odessa, Saki, Svalyava, Mukachevo).

If you feel unwell, you should switch to a diet that includes boiled and stewed vegetables, fish, lean meat, thin cereals, all kinds of soups, fruits with a low fiber content - bananas, overripe pears, baked peeled apples, plums, peaches, seedless grapes.

It is possible that the cause of the development of gastritis was not a genetic predisposition or an unhealthy lifestyle, but the tiny but very aggressive microbe Helicobacter pylori. Having settled in the outlet section of the stomach, this microbe actively multiplies and secretes a toxin that provokes the appearance of gastritis, erosions and ulcers. That is why, at the first symptoms of gastritis, it is important not to self-medicate, but to be examined by a gastroenterologist.

Our consultant is a gastroenterologist at the Institute of Gerontology of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine Larisa Kovalenko.