CEUfast Blog - Category: Winter Health

Photo by: Rich Pearce (Flickr)

Many people fret over the increased risk of catching a cold or the flu during the winter months. The chances of you or your patients coming down with these common ailments increase exponentially when the outside temperatures drop. But, as healthcare professionals, we need to consider that colder weather wreaks havoc on many other medical conditions as well, including an increased risk of heart attacks. As such, living well during the winter months should be a primary focus of any patient's healthcare practices.

Photo by Fractured Studios (Flickr)

We all suffer from the “winter blues” every once in a while, but many people suffer from a more severe form of the winter depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. The acronym fits, doesn't it? As a nurse, you might notice a change in your regular patients' moods during the winter months. Some might come into your care a little more tired and a little less enthused about life. Don't make the mistake of assuming they are stuck in a winter funk. Take the time to assess whether your patients are suffering from SAD or just the winter blues.