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Not all that glitters is gold, and although spring is a time when nature rises from the ashes of winter, it also brings problems with it. Some are typical of the season, such as spring asthenia and certain kinds of allergy, while other, existing ones get worse, such as depression. Why does this happen? Why do the body and mind protest at a time of year made for enjoyment?

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Let's begin with a typical spring woe, known as athenia. It is a disease characterized by fatigue, weakness and a lack of vitality, both physical and mental. This situation drains a person's desire and ability to carry out even the simplest daily task. People become forgetful, have a hard time concentrating and can see their sleep cycles and appetite disrupted. Spring asthenia is more common in women than in men, and the 20-50 age bracket is the one most acutely affected. Although the symptoms come on suddenly and seem alarming, this is a mild condition that goes away in a matter of days.

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The precise causes of spring asthenia are not well known. It is clear that climatic changes
- excess or lack of light, wind, excessive cold or intense heat - have a powerful effect on the human organism. Spring thus involves a more or less abrupt change in the body's bio-rhythms, that is in its biological rhythm. The days are longer and temperatures higher, and the body needs to get used to this. Furthermore, as some experts note, our lifestyle has nothing to do with what it was at the dawn of humanity. Many animals, for instance, begin their reproductive period now and go into heat. But humans have little in common with those ancestors, whose habits were in sync with the cycles of nature. Now we sleep the same number of hours regardless of how much daylight there is, and our customs mandate the same number of trips out of the house whether the weather is hot or cold. This anti-natural way of living ends up taking its toll on the body and mind.

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Tips for getting over and easing spring asthenia are simple, work for other ailments: a balanced diet, exercise, which is always stimulating, and getting enough sleep.
It is also a good idea to adapt your bio-rhythms to those called for by the new season.

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Another� problem, this time aggravated by springtime, is depression. The origin is similar to that which gives rise to spring asthenia, but the consequences can be much worse. Besides problems in the relationships, cognition, and behavior of the person with depression, it changes their biological rhythms so that the patient feels worse in the morning than in the evening and in seasons like spring or autumn compared to summer and winter. It is a biologically- and genetically-based disease that is also associated with certain kinds of disease and living conditions. Many studies report an increase in incidence of suicide in spring, especially among men with depression. Some psychologists say the burst of life that comes along with spring gives depressed people a more acute sense of sadness because they feel incapable of enjoying the explosion of vitality they see all around them.

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Different altogether are allergies, another ailment typical of spring. It is the peak moment for reactions to different kinds of pollen, producing both respiratory and skin conditions. It is an immune-system problem that appears to be on the rise and affects millions of people, especially in urban society. Naturally, allergies get worse in spring because this is when concentrations of air-borne pollen are greater. They involve an exaggerated reaction to a substance the organism considers an enemy, causing the immune system to respond violently. The most frequent symptoms are rhinitis, mucous, watery eyes, coughing, shortness of breath and asthma. Eczema and itching can also arise.

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The usual treatment for allergies is to take anti-histamines. These are medicines that reduce production of histamine, which is secreted in greater than usual amounts when there is an allergic reaction. They can also be tackled with natural therapies like medicinal plants: eucalyptus, plantain, lavender, nettle and thyme which alleviate the respiratory symptoms that come with allergies. Recent studies suggest that asthmatics have elevated levels of potassium, so they should avoid salty foods. Nor is it good for people with respiratory trouble to consume a lot of dairy products, flour and sugar because these lead to formation of mucous and make things worse.