Tips for Beating Springtime Allergies

By Rose Kreller of Midwest Medical Waste, Inc.

Many folks suffer from springtime allergies. Symptoms of red and itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing and dry throat can be miserable. Allergies can start as early as February and last until summer; however, many people have year round symptoms.

Here are some ways to get relief:

Limit outdoor time. Pollen counts are high in the air during spring and trigger allergies.

• Staying inside, especially on windy days and early morning hours, can help minimize symptoms.
• Wearing a mask when mowing also can help.
• You can bring pollen into your home on clothing, shoes and your body. Try to shower and change clothes after working in the yard. Remove shoes at the door to avoid bringing allergies into the home.

Allergy medications can help symptoms.

• Everything from pills, nasal sprays and injections are available.
• It may help to start taking allergy medication a week or two before the season starts to help ward off symptoms.
• **Consult your physician on what is best for you.

Allergy proof your home. You can make a few changes in your home to minimize triggers.

• Keep windows closed.
• Vacuum using a HEPA filter.
• Use a clothes dryer instead of line drying clothes outside.

Remember to stay hydrated.

• Hydration can help your sinuses to remain clear, and wash out any allergens that may enter your body.

Midwest Medical Waste, Inc.

PO Box 416
Manhattan, KS 66505
medimidwest.com
Office: 785-539-MEDI (6334)
Toll Free: 855-631-MEDI (6334)
info@medimidwest.com

Anatomy of a Sneeze

By Rose Kreller of Midwest Medical Waste, Inc.

Sneezing is an important part of our immune system as it clears the nose of bacteria and viruses. A sneeze can travel almost 100 mph and send 100,000 germs flying through the air. What actually happens when we sneeze?

Sneezing begins with a tickling sensation in the nerve endings of your nasal passages that sends a message to your brain. This message is that the nose needs to rid itself of something irritating the nasal lining.

Humans first take a deep breath and hold it right before a sneeze. This tightens the chest wall muscles. Throat muscles then quickly relax. This allows air, saliva and mucous to be forced out of the mouth and nose as you sneeze. Mechanisms for halting a sneeze include pinching the end of your nose and breathing through your mouth.

Some interesting sneeze facts:

• Plucking eyebrows may set off a nerve in your face that supplies your nasal passages and may trigger a sneeze.
• Most people don’t sneeze in their sleep as nerves are often at rest also.
• In non-humans, the iguana sneezes more often than any other animal.

Midwest Medical Waste, Inc.

PO Box 416
Manhattan, KS 66505
medimidwest.com
Office: 785-539-MEDI (6334)
Toll Free: 855-631-MEDI (6334)
info@medimidwest.com

Tips for Winter Exercizing

by Rose Kreller of Midwest Medical Waste, Inc.

It is always more difficult to get outside exercise on those cold winter days. Exercise in the winter can help ease gloominess and depression and reduce the tension associated with anxiety. It also helps keep off those pesky winter pounds. Here are some tips for outside exercise in the wintertime.

Stay warm and dry; but not too warm. The quickest way to lose body heat is by getting wet. Our body gets wet through perspiration and outdoor precipitation (rain and snow). The proper fabrics in your exercise gear can help minimize moisture. Cotton is not the greatest for exercising. Choose polyester/nylon wicking fabrics. They wick moisture away 50% faster than cotton.

Remember to dress in layers. A wicking base layer, a fleece middle layer and an outer shell to protect from wind and/or rain. Remember that a water repellent shell breathes less and makes it harder for sweat to escape, which can lead to more moisture next to your skin, chilling the body. Similarly, dressing too warm will increase sweating, increasing the risk of chilling and possibly dehydration.

Tight clothing can also be beneficial, especially for the legs. Compression tights increase circulation which can help in performance and recovery of muscles. Protecting extremities such as fingers, toes and nose help promote circulation and prevent frostbite. Bright colors are always beneficial to make you more visible to drivers, especially on dark overcast days.

Cold air is very drying to the skin so be sure to moisturize with skin cream and lip balm. Don’t forget sunscreen either! And, as with any exercise program, be sure to warm up first, easing into your workout to prevent injury.

Some quick ways to burn 100 calories in 15 minutes in the winter include and of these activities:

• Snow shoveling
• Snow blowing
• Ice skating
• Chopping and stacking wood
• And even sledding!

Midwest Medical Waste, Inc.

PO Box 416
Manhattan, KS 66505
medimidwest.com
Office: 785-539-MEDI (6334)
Toll Free: 855-631-MEDI (6334)
info@medimidwest.com