Fall Allergies And Migraine Triggers Are Officially Here

Perhaps the most common headache and migraine triggers are allergens, and fall sees high concentrations of ragweed and mold. Allergens will increase the amount of histamine our bodies produce when allergens are high, which can trigger migraine by inflaming sinuses.

Fall Migraine Triggers

A change in seasons introduces many new environmental factors that can trigger additional migraine and headache attacks, such as cooler weather, changes in barometric pressure and humidity levels, wind and allergens. For those with a previous history of consistent head pain, these natural changes in the environment create an unwelcome transition that can easily overshadow the beauty of the fall months.

Changes in Weather

Weather changes are a common migraine and headache trigger, and the cooling temperatures in the fall are a primary instigator. While it is not clearly understood why this happens, there are a number of studies being conducted to understand this correlation. It has even been suggested that factors such as changing barometric pressure, humidity and temperature can be triggers. Since these factors tend to occur at the same time, it is difficult to pinpoint which is the culprit.

Allergens

Perhaps the most common headache and migraine triggers are allergens, and fall sees high concentrations of ragweed and mold. Allergens will increase the amount of histamine our bodies produce when allergens are high, which can trigger migraine by inflaming sinuses. Individuals with migraine and headache disease should take a number of precautions during the fall to lessen the impact of allergens. A few ways are to use a HEPA air filter, mattress and pillow encasings and prescription allergy medications to reduce aggravation of the sinuses.

Daylight Cycle

The fall is also met with less daylight, and this commonly shifts sleep schedules. Maintaining a consistent sleeping pattern is essential for those impacted by migraine and headache disorders, as their chance of an oncoming attack significantly rises when the pattern is disrupted. Additionally, as days grow shorter, it tends to have a neurological effect on people, potentially triggering a migraine episode.

Seasonal changes seem to always bring more headache and migraine triggers, which can mar the joy of pumpkin patches, fall colors and other activities. As the weather changes, the best course of action is to prepare for the possible headache and migraine attacks.

At FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Woodbury, we successfully treat many patients with headache and migraines. If you would like more information please call us at 651-501-2010. We would be happy to discuss our treatment strategy with you.

We Are OPEN!

FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Center - Woodbury continues to remain open with your safety in mind. We have protocols in place that include temperature checks, Oximiter readings, hand sanitizing procedures and cleaning and disinfecting between patients. Your health is especially important right now. It is hard to exercise at a high level at home because people are generally unable to challenge themselves and move into a higher level exercise without use of harness. Do no delay in finding the treatment you are in need of! Our team at FYZICAL Woodbury is here to help you feel better.

Why You Should Stop Using Hydrogen Peroxide on Wounds by Dr. Rachel Rader, DPM

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound with the formula H2O2 and has been used as a first aid antiseptic for injured skin since the 1920’s. The simplest peroxide, it is used as an antiseptic agent, bleaching agent and an oxidizer. It is a common ‘go to’ when there is a wound, and it can usually be found in most household’s first aid kits.

As a young child, I remember my mom would rush to get the hydrogen peroxide to wash out our cuts and burns. The blood and other living cells found in a wound use the catalase enzyme to attack the hydrogen peroxide and convert it to (water) H2O and (oxygen) O2. In its low concentration, hydrogen peroxide will start a bubbling action which helps remove debris from the wound and work to kill bacteria cells by destroying their cell walls.

Here is where it all gets tricky. Although hydrogen peroxide is thought to be a good first aid antiseptic, the controversy remains on how beneficial it actually is in the long run. As a wound care specialist, I see wounds all the time that are stuck in a certain phase of wound healing and the wound struggles to progress forward. What it comes down to for me is giving the wound the best chance possible at healing and ultimately wound closure.

After years of research, we now know that the caustic nature of hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol (another commonly used first aid antiseptic) can destroy healthy cells and therefore affect wound healing. If peroxide is used, it is definitely not recommended on a long-term basis.

The bactericidal effects of the hydrogen peroxide are great to clean the wound and kill bacteria initially, but this same benefit comes with a price in that the peroxide can damage skin cells and angiogenesis which is the process of new vessel formation. So for me, the benefits do not outweigh the risks. I see a lot of complex and chronic wounds and it is my job to not only determine the wound etiology but also deduct all aspects of what may be causing the wound to not improve, as well as manage everything that may delay wound healing.

People on certain medications will have delayed wound healing potential as well as people with other co-morbidities such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. These individuals are starting the wound healing cascade already impeded by low healing potential, so pouring hydrogen peroxide on their wounds even initially can drastically affect their chance of ever healing.

For diabetic patients, especially after a skin injury, the odds of healing not only stack up against you but they do so quickly. My approach has always been to take all steps possible to heal wounds in the shortest amount of time and to decrease the risk of infection which may lead to delayed wound healing, and in some individuals limb loss.

So the question is not whether hydrogen peroxide is beneficial. That is not up for debate - there are many good uses for it, just not on wounds. Wounds can instead be cleaned with mild soap and water immediately after an injury.

On a long-term basis, there are a myriad of wound cleansing options available which will help to remove biofilm and reduce bioburden in the wound but not affect the healthy skin cells. Allowing the proliferation of fibroblast cells in the wound cells that play an important role in forming new granulation tissue and getting the wound healed.

Although the debate on the effectiveness of using hydrogen peroxide on wounds may continue, one thing that is certain is wound care has grown so much especially over the past 20 years.

Fight the Fall:
September is Balance Month

Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans and one-third of Americans aged 65+ fall each year, according to the National Council on Aging and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although preventable, a staggering number of Americans will face fall-related injuries or deaths this year.

"Many individuals are afraid to tell their doctors how many times they fall because they fear loved ones may consider a nursing home and take away their independence," said Brian Werner, PT, MPT and National Director of Balance Center Program for FYZICAL. "Simply the fear of falling can be terrifying, leading to a more inactive lifestyle that adds to the issue."

September marks National Falls Prevention Awareness Month and FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers are putting a stake in the ground to increase awareness of and eliminate falls by establishing the Fight the Fall campaign. FYZICAL's Fight the Fall brings to light the devastating effects of falling and how Americans can prevent falls through balance therapy.

FYZICAL clinics nationwide are offering free Fall Risk Assessments to identify compromises in balance, flexibility and strength that could make someone susceptible to a fall and next steps to help prevent future falls.

Fall Risk Assessments are part of FYZICAL's BodyQ, a comprehensive evaluation that measures the overall health and wellness of the muscles, joints and neurological systems to help prevent injuries and address health issues. With individualized exercise and balance training from FYZICAL physical therapists, Americans can put their foot down to falls.

"Contrary to popular assumptions, falling is not an inevitable part of aging," said Werner. "We want people to know that they can prevent falling. The specialized balance, flexibility and strength training we perform at FYZICAL work in tandem to improve mobility and substantially reduce the risk of falling."

Schedule a free Fall Risk Assessment at your nearest FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Center with a physical therapist and balance expert. Individuals can test their stability with the following balance exercise (note: attempt exercise near a wall or corner for safety purposes):

• Stand on a single leg with eyes closed. If struggling or unable to stand for 10 seconds on one leg, see a FYZICAL licensed and trained balance expert for a balance test.

Additionally, the National Council on Aging offers six steps to prevent a fall and take control:

• Find a good balance and exercise program to build balance, strength and flexibility.
• Talk to a healthcare provider about personal history of falls and ask for a fall risk assessment.
• Regularly review medications with a doctor or pharmacist to make sure effects aren't increasing a risk of falling.
• Get annual vision and hearing checks and keep eyeglasses updated.
• Keep homes safe from tripping hazards, increase lighting, make stairs safe and install grab bars in key areas.
• Talk to family members to enlist their support in taking simple steps to stay safe.

Thin Mints
Courtesy of The Wellness Way

Christy’s Dairy free, gluten free and sugar free thin mint cookies. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups blanched almond flour
• 1/3 cup cacao powder
• 3 Tbsp powdered birch xylitol (please note xylitol is toxic to animals)
• 1 tsp baking powder*
• ¼ tsp sea salt
• 3 Tbsp organic alternative butter like Melt or coconut oil, melted
• 1 duck egg (slightly beaten)
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 12 drops Peppermint flavored stevia (I like Nature’s Stevia)
• 1 Tbsp coconut oil
• 1 package (9 oz) Lily’s stevia sweetened chocolate chips or other non-dairy chocolate chips
• 1 tsp organic peppermint extract (or ¼ tsp peppermint oil)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 225 degrees and line 2 or 3 baking sheets with parchment paper (preferably unbleached).

In a large bowl, combine the first 5 dry ingredients: almond flour, cacao, xylitol, baking powder and sea salt. Add in melted butter alternative, duck egg, vanilla and stevia. Stir with a wooden spoon to form a dough.

Now you want to roll out the dough just like you would for sugar cookies or a pie crust, except I roll it out between two pieces of parchment paper. You want it to be about 1/8” thick, and honestly how thin or thick you make the cookies will determine how many you get from the recipe. I highly recommend NOT going thinner than 1/8” because they will be too thin to work with, but don’t go too thick either – 1/8” is perfect!

Take the top parchment off and use a 2-inch diameter circle cookie cutter to cut cookies and place them on the prepared baking sheets. Repeat till all dough is made into cookies. Size of circles will also affect the number of cookies you end up with. (>Hint<- The Wellness Way capsule (not liquid) supplement bottle covers work great as a ‘cookie cutter’ if you don’t have a circle cookie cutter lying around LOL!)

Bake cookies for about 40-45 minutes until they are firm. Remove from oven to cool before putting chocolate coating on.

Use a double boiler to make the coating. If you don’t have one, just find a stainless steel bowl that will sit on top of a pot (1/3 to ½ full) of simmering water without allowing the water to touch the bowl. In that bowl, melt the coconut oil and chocolate chips and stir until smooth. Remove from heat and add peppermint extract or oil and still well to combine. **

Dip cookies into chocolate and use forks to fully coat each cookie. Place dipped cookie on parchment paper to cool and set. >Hint<- putting dipped cookies back on the cooled parchment-covered pan and then into the freezer for 15 minutes lets them set perfectly and quickly.

Store in the refrigerator. Trust me when I say they won’t last long!!

Notes:

*make sure the baking powder doesn’t have aluminum

**If the chocolate coating does not seem sweet enough, add a Tbsp or 2 of powdered xylitol to the melted chocolate mixture and an additional tsp of coconut oil and mix until well blended.

*** To make this recipe a little easier, make small balls of cookie dough and press with the bottom of a glass to an 1/8th of an inch if you don't want to use a cookie cutter.