King's Daughters' Health

Slippery conditions can pose a serious risk of injury, especially to older adults. 4 Ways to Beat Back Winter Blues SLIPS AND FALLS are no fun. Neither are injuries related to snow shoveling, which result in 11,500 emergency room visits every year. Keep yourself upright and out of the ER this winter with a few simple precautions. Watch Your Step "Falls happen so fast, and older people often don't have quick reflexes," says Paul Rosenberg, MD, orthopedic surgeon at King's Daughters' Health. "The best thing is to avoid environments where you could fall." Dr. Rosenberg offers the following tips to avoid injury from snow and ice: ❉ Stay at home in bad weather if you can. If you must venture out, bring a cell phone so you can call for help in case you do fall. ❉ Walk slowly and keep an eye out for black ice. Also, don't be hesitant to use a cane or other walking aid to help you stay upright. ❉ Use salt, deicing spray or a snow blower instead of shoveling, or ask a neighbor to help you. ❉ Push snow rather than lifting it. Shovel small amounts at a time and take frequent breaks. "For minor falls, rest and apply ice to the site of injury," Dr. Rosenberg advises. "If you notice redness or swelling, or have significant pain when moving, see your physician as soon as possible." Pat Stack, MD Paul Rosenberg, MD ■ KDH offers comprehensive fracture care and injury rehabilitation. To learn more, visit www.kdhmadison.org/orthopedics. Walking (Carefully) in a Winter Wonderland As the days get shorter and the weather gets wintery, it's not unusual to feel exhausted and unhappy. Here are four ways to ward off seasonal malaise. THE WINTER BLUES are a milder form of seasonal affective disorder – a form of clinical depression that occurs during a specific time of the year. "If you feel like you generally get more depressed in winter and late fall, it's always a good idea to go see a doctor before symptoms set in," says Dawn Meacham, DO, family practice physician with King's Daughters' Health. "We can treat the 'winter blues' before they become full-blown depression." There are also a number of steps you can take on your own to fight off a seasonal funk: 1. Be active and eat well. Regular physical activity can help boost your mood, as can eating a well-balanced diet. 2. Get some sleep. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Too little, or even too much, can leave you groggy. 3. Boost your vitamin D. This "sunshine vitamin" may help regulate mood. Your doctor can determine if you're vitamin D-deficient and recommend a supplement. 4. Try indoor light therapy. It's been found to be as effective as antidepressants in treating winter depression. Vital Signs // a publication of King's Daughters' Health 7 ■ If depression or seasonal affective disorder are negatively impacting your life, it's time to see a doctor. To connect with a KDH provider, visit www.kdhmadison.org and use our "Find a Physician" tool. Dawn Meacham, DO

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