cold

Why your cold gets worse as the day goes on…

in Chiropractor  by February 7, 2020 0 comments

You ever wonder why your cold seems to go away around 11 AM than come steaming back around 5 PM.  Every time I get sick, I take it as an immune system test.  Of course, I am super human so I should heal quicker.  No meds just going to let it run its course and be better in a day or two.  Well by day two around noon I am sending braggadocios test “Feeling great”, “thinking about running a quick marathon”…   Then around 4:30 pm I am like crap I can’t go home like this.  As your chiropractor in the Woodbridge, Dale City VA area I have some information for you on this topic.

 

Blame It on Hormones

Research shows that our bodies are on a 24-hour clock called a circadian rhythm. Hormone levels fluctuate, increasing and decreasing within this daily cycle. Cortisol, a hormone made by the adrenal glands, helps regulate blood sugar levels, metabolism, and blood pressure. It also helps the body manage stress.

In addition, cortisol helps your immune system function properly and reduce inflammation. In other words, it helps you fight off infection and sickness.

More cortisol circulates in your blood during the day, which suppresses your immune system. This means that your white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting infections, are less active during the day.

At night, there is less cortisol in your blood. As a result, your white blood cells readily detect and fight infections in your body at this time, provoking the symptoms of the infection to surface, such as fever, congestion, chills, or sweating. Therefore, you feel sicker during the night.

 

Day versus Night

A couple of other things to consider are the natural differences we experience during the day and at night:

Position of Your Body: Pressure in your body is continually changing. Gravity has a lot to do with how your body adapts and feels. Laying down will always cause your cold or flu symptoms to become worse.

Keeping your body upright can make a world of difference for your congestion and breathing, by helping to drain mucous from your airway. During the day you are naturally more upright, as you go about your routine, while at night you eventually lay down to sleep.  Try adding an extra pillow to raise your head higher and promote sinus drainage.

Distractions: Your daily life can be extremely hectic, with little time for yourself. Going from one task to the next doesn’t leave much time to dwell upon your symptoms. At night, however, you tend to wind down and relax, which is when your immune system kicks into gear.

As you have heard many times, the best thing to do when you are sick is to rest. Otherwise, you will be stressing out and elevating your cortisol levels.

 

Tips to Help You Fight Illness:

 

  • Stay hydrated: Drinking fluids is the best thing you can do, along with getting plenty of sleep. Flushing out the infection or bacteria attacking your immune system will help you recover faster.

 

  • Be prepared: Having all your essentials near you at night, such as tissues, medicine, and water on your bedside table, will be a lifesaver. Saving your energy and getting the most rest possible will do wonders.

 

  • Support your immune system: For your immune system to fight off infection from colds and flu, it needs to be strong.  Taking vitamin C, drinking hot tea, and getting plenty of sleep are all things that can help strengthen your immune system.

 

 

Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

Map Link

Why you should Ice!

in Chiropractor  by December 6, 2019 0 comments

I know, I know it is all I say… but it is some solid advice.  As your Chiropractor in the Woodbridge, Dale City VA area I see lots of sprains.  Well the best thing to help them heal is ice.  Once we correct the joint problem it is a mad dash to get down the inflammation so it can heal quickly and correctly.

General comments

Icing may be used along with compression, elevation, bracing, and/or support when treating acute injuries.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can produce a similar effect to icing. However, they may delay healing with acute injuries (like sprains, strains, and fractures). If your doctor recommends medicine, make sure you are aware of the right dosage and when to take it, and if there are any side effects.

The use of ice and heat is just one part of a treatment program. Even if symptoms are relieved, there is usually a need for exercises to restore flexibility and joint motion, strength, general fitness, and sport-specific skills.

Use of ice

Effects of ice: Decreases circulation, metabolic activity, and inflammation and numbs the skin.

Benefits of ice: Decreases pain, swelling, inflammation, and muscle spasm/cramping. Best used after exercise or after pain-producing activity.

Risks of ice: Prolonged use can cause frostbite.

Methods for applying cold therapy: Ice packs, ice bath/ice whirlpool, ice massage. (See “Options for applying ice.”)

When not to use ice

Immediately before physical activity

If area of icing is numb

When the pain or swelling involves a nerve (such as the ulnar nerve or “funny bone”)

If the athlete has sympathetic dysfunction (an abnormality of nerves that control blood flow and sweat gland activity)

If the athlete has vascular disease (such as poor circulation due to blood loss, blood vessel injury, compartment syndrome, vasculitis, blood clots, or Raynaud disease)

If there is skin compromise (such as an open wound; a wound that has not healed; skin that is stretched, blistered, burned, or thin)

If the athlete has cold hypersensitivity, including cold-induced urticaria (hives from cold)

How long to use ice

Two to 3 times per day (minimum); up to once per hour.

Duration varies with technique; usually 20 to 30 minutes per session. (See “Options for applying ice.”)

Ice may continue to be useful in treatment as long as there is pain, swelling, inflammation, or spasm. There is no need to switch to heat after 48 hours or alternate between ice and heat.

3 options for applying ice

  1. Ice packs are best for icing larger areas of pain, swelling, or spasm (like a swollen knee, deep thigh bruise, muscle strain, shoulder tendonitis, or neck or back spasm).

 

Materials

Small cubes or crushed ice in plastic bag.

Bag of frozen vegetables (such as frozen peas).

Reusable commercial ice pack or circulating “cryocuff” (made specifically for therapeutic icing). Do not use blue ice packs directly on the skin; they are colder than frozen water and can cause frostbite

Method

Place on the affected area for at least 20 minutes per session. Hold in place with a towel, elastic wrap, or shrink-wrap.

 

  1. Ice bath/ice whirlpool is used to reduce swelling in peripheral joints (such as with ankle sprain, wrist sprain, or severe shin splints).

 

Materials

Bucket or tub with mixture of ice and water

Method

Immerse affected area for 20 to 30 minutes per session. Do not use an ice bath if there is an open wound, bleeding, or a skin infection.

 

  1. Ice massage is used to reduce superficial, well-localized inflammation (for example, tendonitis of the hand, wrist, or elbow; heel or elbow bursitis; ganglion cyst; apophysitis; or irritation of a growth plate).

 

Materials

Ice cube or frozen ice cup (made by freezing water in a paper or Styrofoam cup)

Method

Rub ice in a circular pattern over the affected region for 8 to 10 minutes per session.

 

Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

MAP LINK

My cold is worse at the end of the day

in Chiropractor  by February 1, 2019 0 comments

There is some crazy bug going around right now that everyone is battling.  I hear from my morning patients that they think they are finally over it.  My afternoon patients can’t breathe and feel like crap.  Then I see the same morning patient two days later and they say they still have it but feel better now.  I started noticing this trend and decided to look into why people feel better in the morning and worse in the afternoon.   As your Woodbridge, Dale City VA chiropractor I want to share with you these interesting findings.   There are many reasons but this one made the most sense.

 

Blame It on Hormones

Research shows that our bodies are on a 24-hour clock called a circadian rhythm. Hormone levels fluctuate, increasing and decreasing within this daily cycle. Cortisol, a hormone made by the adrenal glands, helps regulate blood sugar levels, metabolism, and blood pressure. It also helps the body manage stress.

In addition, cortisol helps your immune system function properly and reduce inflammation. In other words, it helps you fight off infection and sickness.

More cortisol circulates in your blood during the day, which suppresses your immune system. This means that your white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting infections, are less active during the day.

At night, there is less cortisol in your blood. As a result, your white blood cells readily detect and fight infections in your body at this time, provoking the symptoms of the infection to surface, such as fever, congestion, chills, or sweating. Therefore, you feel sicker during the night.

 

Day versus Night

A couple of other things to consider are the natural differences we experience during the day and at night:

Position of Your Body: Pressure in your body is continually changing. Gravity has a lot to do with how your body adapts and feels. Laying down will always cause your cold or flu symptoms to become worse.

Keeping your body upright can make a world of difference for your congestion and breathing, by helping to drain mucous from your airway. During the day you are naturally more upright, as you go about your routine, while at night you eventually lay down to sleep.  Try adding an extra pillow to raise your head higher and promote sinus drainage.

Distractions: Your daily life can be extremely hectic, with little time for yourself. Going from one task to the next doesn’t leave much time to dwell upon your symptoms. At night, however, you tend to wind down and relax, which is when your immune system kicks into gear.

As you have heard many times, the best thing to do when you are sick is to rest. Otherwise, you will be stressing out and elevating your cortisol levels.

 

Tips to Help You Fight Illness:

 

  • Stay hydrated: Drinking fluids is the best thing you can do, along with getting plenty of sleep. Flushing out the infection or bacteria attacking your immune system will help you recover faster.

 

  • Be prepared: Having all your essentials near you at night, such as tissues, medicine, and water on your bedside table, will be a lifesaver. Saving your energy and getting the most rest possible will do wonders.

 

  • Support your immune system: For your immune system to fight off infection from colds and flu, it needs to be strong.  Taking vitamin C, drinking hot tea, and getting plenty of sleep are all things that can help strengthen your immune system.

 

+scottdoroski3122/posts

+doroskichiropractic3122/posts

 

Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

Map Link

Cold seems to get worse at the end of the day

in Chiropractor  by January 19, 2018 0 comments

Sitting in my Woodbridge, Dale City VA chiropractic battling what ever the hell this bug is I realized at 11 AM I shook the cold.  Texting home bragging on my amazing immune system and sending pictures of me walking outside with no jacket laughing.   By 4 PM I am laying on the floor clutching the phone trying to muster the strength to dial 911.  I noticed when I got home there was very little compassion and I think I heard the word Idiot…  By the third day of this routine I had to investigate.  There are many reasons but this one made the most sense.

 

Blame It on Hormones

Research shows that our bodies are on a 24-hour clock called a circadian rhythm. Hormone levels fluctuate, increasing and decreasing within this daily cycle. Cortisol, a hormone made by the adrenal glands, helps regulate blood sugar levels, metabolism, and blood pressure. It also helps the body manage stress.

In addition, cortisol helps your immune system function properly and reduce inflammation. In other words, it helps you fight off infection and sickness.

More cortisol circulates in your blood during the day, which suppresses your immune system. This means that your white blood cells, which are responsible for fighting infections, are less active during the day.

At night, there is less cortisol in your blood. As a result, your white blood cells readily detect and fight infections in your body at this time, provoking the symptoms of the infection to surface, such as fever, congestion, chills, or sweating. Therefore, you feel sicker during the night.

 

Day versus Night

A couple of other things to consider are the natural differences we experience during the day and at night:

Position of Your Body: Pressure in your body is continually changing. Gravity has a lot to do with how your body adapts and feels. Laying down will always cause your cold or flu symptoms to become worse.

Keeping your body upright can make a world of difference for your congestion and breathing, by helping to drain mucous from your airway. During the day you are naturally more upright, as you go about your routine, while at night you eventually lay down to sleep.  Try adding an extra pillow to raise your head higher and promote sinus drainage.

Distractions: Your daily life can be extremely hectic, with little time for yourself. Going from one task to the next doesn’t leave much time to dwell upon your symptoms. At night, however, you tend to wind down and relax, which is when your immune system kicks into gear.

As you have heard many times, the best thing to do when you are sick is to rest. Otherwise, you will be stressing out and elevating your cortisol levels.

 

Tips to Help You Fight Illness:

 

  • Stay hydrated: Drinking fluids is the best thing you can do, along with getting plenty of sleep. Flushing out the infection or bacteria attacking your immune system will help you recover faster.

 

  • Be prepared: Having all your essentials near you at night, such as tissues, medicine, and water on your bedside table, will be a lifesaver. Saving your energy and getting the most rest possible will do wonders.

 

  • Support your immune system: For your immune system to fight off infection from colds and flu, it needs to be strong. Taking vitamin C, drinking hot tea, and getting plenty of sleep are all things that can help strengthen your immune system.

 

+scottdoroski3122/posts

+doroskichiropractic3122/posts

 

Doroski Chiropractic Neurology

3122 Golansky Blvd, Ste 102

Woodbridge VA 22192

703 730 9588

Map Link