Top Diseases that peak during fall – winter

As summer is ending and the leaves start to change color, and cold weather starts to set across the country, certain illnesses rise to their peak and spread throughout your workplace and schools.

Due to this changes from hot to chillier weather and your kids going back to school, a gigantic number of germs spark the start of a new season of diseases that sweep the country. When the weather starts to turn into icy temperatures, colder air and darker skies, the threat of catching certain diseases is greater. The cold weather suppresses your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections. The chilly days of autumn are responsible for colds, flues and allergies.

 Fall's kickoff sparks the start of flu season beginning in the autumn months and continues all the way to January and February during the brunt of winter. The flu, a respiratory illness, typically spreads from person to person mostly through coughs, sneezes and even talking. It is possible to contract the flu just by touching a surface that is already infected with the flu virus and then transmitting it to your mouth, eyes or nose. Each year up to 20 percent of the population is impacted by the flu.

Common colds can affect anyone at any time of the year, but peak cold hits during the colder and rainy months. There are over 1 billion colds reported in the United States throughout each year. An upper respiratory infection, colds are spread similarly to the flu. Colds ordinarily bring nasal congestion, scratchy throats and sneezing along with other symptoms depending on the strain.

Norovirus, is one of the most common stomach inflammation illness in the U.S and it is commonly referred to as the stomach flu. It reaches its highest strength during the fall and winter months. The stomach flu is extremely contagious and can be spread easily from person to person.

Ear infections, especially in younger kids, are more likely to occur in fall and winter rather than any other season. Changes in climate, especially as colder air starts to hit, will most likely enhance the threat of an ear infection. Symptoms of general ear pain and even nausea can be the most common symptoms.

Allergies can happen at any time of the year. Fall allergy triggers are different but they can cause just as many symptoms as in the spring and summer. Ragweed is the biggest allergy trigger in the fall. Though it usually starts to release pollen during the cool nights and warm days in August, it can last into September and October.  Even if it doesn't grow where you live, ragweed pollen can travel for hundreds of miles on the wind.

Mold is another fall trigger. You may think of mold growing in your basement or bathroom -- damp areas in the house -- but mold spores also love wet spots outside. Piles of damp leaves are ideal breeding grounds for mold. Also, don’t forget dust mites. While they’re common during the humid summer months, they can get stirred into the air the first time you turn on your heat in the fall. They can trigger sneezes, wheezes, and runny noses.

Asthma is one of the most severe diseases there is of the respiratory system. Asthmatics must avoid the dust, mold and the small and humid spaces because they can provoke a severe asthma attack. Due to the cold weather, people with asthma must avoid getting a cold, flu or bronchitis. They should spend as much as possible less time outdoors during fall to avoid asthma attacks caused by weather.

Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation in one or more joints of your body. Many people that suffer from arthritis swear by the pain in their joints as a predictor that rainy or cold weather is coming. If it’s cold outside, keep aching hands warm with gloves and try adding extra layers over your knees and legs to prevent the colder air from causing pain. While it's understandable to want to avoid the winter weather, people with joint pain should always stay active. The less sedentary you are, the better your physical function is going to be. Try to exercise inside and keep your body active to avoid the symptoms of arthritis. Finally, always stay safe particularly when the weather turns icy. It is important that people with arthritis protect their joints from further damage. If you’re going outside, pick solid, supportive shoes and try to walk on a surface that doesn’t look slippery or fragile.

Dehydration is not only a summer thing. People don't realize that it's just as easy to become dehydrated in the winter. Because few people recognize the signs of dehydration in the winter, it can be even more dangerous. Water is vital to both organ function and digestion any time of the year! Do not forget to keep yourself hydrated even in the chilly days of Autumn.