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Here's more from To Your Health for January!
SAD
Provider: Martha Binn, MD
Clinic: Holmen Clinic
Listen to this "To Your Health" Podcast
Seasonal Affective Disorder, commonly known as SAD, is a type of depression reoccurring and lasting for a set period of time at same time each year, typically beginning in late fall to winter months and lasting until April or May.
The exact cause of Seasonal Affective Disorder is unknown. However, the amount of sunlight time plays a role in a few different ways. The first, with the decreased amount of sunlight in fall and winter the body’s biological clock may be thrown off, resulting in a changed sleep cycle which may lead to depression. The second, the decreased sunlight results in less serotonin being produced. Serotonin is the chemical in the body that affects mood and with a decrease in production depression may occur.
The third is the body’s natural hormone, melatonin and with the change in season, a change in the amount of melatonin the body produces occurs. This change affects sleep and mood and may lead to depression.
There are many different treatments for SAD so if you or sometime close to you appears to be suffering, reach out to your provider immediately. Light therapy is a popular treatment in which a bight light is cast on the body for varied periods of time. The light, similar to the outdoors, causes a change in your brain chemicals linked to mood. Other options include anti depressant medications and therapy.
For more information on Seasonal Affective Disorder contact your local health care provider.
Hearing Aids
Provider: Ryan Gregg, AuD
Clinic: Onalaska Clinic
Listen to this "To Your Health" Podcast
Are you thinking about getting a hearing aid? Knowing more about the different styles, options, and steps to take will help you make an informed decision.
Before getting a hearing aid there are a few steps you should take.
-Get a checkup
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Ask about a trial period
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Check for a warranty
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Think about future needs
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Plan for the expense
There are many different kinds of hearing aids. Generally, the smaller a hearing aid is, the less powerful it is, the shorter its battery life and the more it'll cost. A few types of hearing aids are:
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Completely in the canal
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In the canal
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Half-shell
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In the ear
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Behind the ear
Talking to your doctor about your hearing needs, wants and price can help you make the right decision.
Dry Skin
Provider: Mary Duh, PA-C
Clinic: Onalaska Clinic
Listen to this "To Your Health" Podcast
Dry skin: Flaky, annoying, chapped skin that happens to most of us and regardless of how much we complain there is nothing that makes it go away right away. However, with a few tips and a better understanding of dry skin you will be able to take the precautions you need to avoid getting dry skin.
The primary cause for dry skin is dry air. The winter months tend to be the worst for dry air leaving many with dry skin. Allergies, harsh soaps and chemical and hot water, etc. are other common causes for dry skin and avoiding these causes is very important in preventing dry skin.
The best treatment for dry skin is to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Mary Duh, dermatology physician assistant at Mayo Clinic Health System in Onalaska recommends a plain simple white fragrance free moisturizing lotion with no scents or color such as Vaseline, Lubriderm, CeraVe, Aquaphor, Eucerin, etc. In addition, soaking in plain lukewarm water for 12-20 minutes daily is also beneficial as it allows the skin to absorb water. If the skin is itchy it helps to take an antihistamine such as generic Claritin or Zyrtec daily.
There also are a variety of different things that can make dry skin worse:
For more information about dry skin treatment and prevention contact your local health care provider.
Vitamin D
Provider: Erin Pokorny, FNP
Clinic: Sparta Clinic
Getting enough vitamin D is very important for forming and maintaining strong bones. Recent research has suggested that vitamin D may play a role in protecting the body from high blood pressure, cancer and some autoimmune diseases. Not getting enough can lead to osteoporosis, a brittle bone disease.
The body produces Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight so even in the winter it’s important to get outside. Ten to fifteen minutes of sun exposure two to three times a week during nonpeak sun hours is considered adequate.
One can also get Vitamin D from certain foods including fortified dairy products as well as salmon, tuna and mackerel.
The Journal of the American College of Cardiology, found that half of American adults may be deficient. Vitamin D deficiency is often diagnosed with a blood test, because a lack of vitamin D typically doesn't cause any obvious signs or symptoms until the deficiency is severe.
Persons with vitamin D deficiency can take a supplement to ensure they are getting the recommended daily requirement.
Ben Butler
