Good Health Starts Here Newsletter
Compliments of Erickson Health, an Erickson product
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
When the Great Outdoors Starts Taking Your Breath Away “It’s a myth that older people outgrow their reactions to outdoor allergens. Some do, but it’s not the rule for everyone. Older adults have the same outdoor allergies, including spring grasses and tree pollens, as younger adults have,” says Norman Edelman, M.D., chief medical officer for the American Lung Association (ALA). Over the summer, there are two health problems older adults need to be concerned with: outdoor allergens and the difficulties caused by heat-related air problems. This is especially true if you already have
lung problems that often develop with aging. “Allergies are an annoyance in normal lungs, but the problems are worse if you already have a lung disorder, like emphysema. Also, it isn’t uncommon for older people to develop asthma too,” Edelman says. Which Allergies Peak in Summer? Outdoor allergies are generally classified under the overall category of “hay fever.” It is estimated that at least 26.1 million adults suffer from hay fever. Specifically, the type of allergen that affects you will deter-
Walking Your Way to Good Health “Above all, do not lose your desire to walk,” Soren Kierkegaard, renowned Danish writer, once said. “Every day I walk myself into a state of wellbeing and walk away from every illness.” A short walk can go a long way in helping to maintain a healthy body and mind. Among other things, it offers you the chance to reflect, stay fit, and release mounting tension. Look no further than your legs to find nature’s means for guiding you to a state of physical and mental well-being. The benefits of taking a short walk each day are enormous. Virtually every system of your body is affected in some way by a regular physical activity like walking. The Physical Benefits A study done at University Medical Center Rotterdam in the Netherlands found that
Experts say it’s a myth that older people outgrow their outdoor allergies, like hay fever.
mine whether or not you will suffer during the summer. For example, if you are allergic to grass pollens (which is true for about half of all hay fever sufferers), spring and early summer are the main times you will be most affected. Weeds are abundant in almost all parts of the country from midsummer to late fall. Summer is also a time when mold and fungus seeds are prevalent. Adding the Ozone Factor In the hot days of summer, two air factors combine to make allergies, asthma, and other lung problems more dangerous. This is especially true for older adults. The first air problem is ozone and there are actually two types. One is protective—it’s the ozone
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