T.J. Samson | Destination Health | February 2018

February 2018 5 At some point, nearly everyone goes through tough times. You may get laid off from your job, have financial problems or lose a loved one—events that bring sadness to your life. You can’t stop bad things from happen- ing. But you can take steps to control how they affect you. It’s called your emotional health, and maintaining it can help you bounce back from adversity. BODY LANGUAGE Stress from emotional problems can leave you feeling anxious, irritable or depressed. What’s more, your emotions can affect your body. You may have symptoms such as: ●  ● Back pain, headaches or a stiff neck. ●  ● Upset stomach. ●  ● Weight loss or gain. ●  ● Trouble sleeping. Emotional stress can even affect your immune system, making you more likely to get colds and other infections. BUILDING YOUR DEFENSES You can help avoid these problems by nur- turing your emotional health. Consider these steps from the American Psychological Association and other experts: Accept change as a part of life. It can show you opportunities for growth. Nurture relationships. Your con- nections with family and friends give you support. Keep things in perspective. Try to consider painful events in a broader context. Stay hopeful. When you expect good things to happen, you’re more likely to no- tice them. Take care of yourself. Get enough sleep and exercise, and eat healthful meals. Take time for things you enjoy. Think before you act. Don’t let powerful emotions lead you to say or do something you might regret. If emotional problems seem overwhelming, talk to your doctor. He or she can recommend a coun- selor or treatment that can help you heal. Additional source: American Academy of Family Physicians Nurture your emotional health T i ps f o r when l i f e knoc ks you down Physical exam: Your doc- tor will probably ask questions about your symptoms and check your breathing. Spirometry: This test measures air flow in your lungs—how much air you can breathe in and how fast you can blow it out. TESTING FOR ASTHMA Your doctor may also recommend: • Allergy testing to see what allergens might affect you. • A test to check how sensitive your airways are. • Tests to see if other medical problems, such as sleep apnea, are causing your asthma symptoms. BREATHE EASIER: Our specialists can help you discover and manage your asthma and allergy triggers. Call 270-651-1111 to schedule an appointment. CONNECTION Sources: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute WHAT’S THE L I N K ? COMMON ALLERGENS THAT MAKE ASTHMA WORSE: OTHER ASTHMA TRIGGERS MAY INCLUDE: • Cold air. • Exercise. • Some illnesses and medicines. • Tobacco smoke, air pollution and strong odors. If you have asthma, your airways are swollen and sensi- tive. Asthma triggers cause the airways to tighten further and make breathing more difficult. There is no cure for asthma, but medicines—and avoiding asthma triggers— can help you manage the disease. Not everyone who has allergies has asthma, but many people with asthma also have allergies. Allergies can trig- ger your airways to narrow. It’s important to know your allergy triggers, or allergens, so you can avoid them. ALLERGY ASTHMA - Most common and reliable method: Skin testing: Small amounts of specific allergens are placed in the skin to determine if there are any reactions. TESTING FOR ALLERGIES THE • Cockroaches. • Animal dander. • Dust mites. • Indoor mold. • Pollen. • Outdoor mold.