What People With Chronic Illness Need to Know About the 'October Slide' Here's what experts have to say about the 'October Slide.'
On TikTok and elsewhere, people with chronic illnesses say their symptoms seem to worsen when falls rolls around
credit: Stocksy/Easy 2 Shoot
- On TikTok and elsewhere, some people with chronic conditions say they experience an ‘October Slide,’ which means their symptoms worsen in the fall.
- Experts suggest that changes in barometric pressure, temperature, humidity shifts, and decreased light exposure are some of the reasons why symptoms may worsen in October.
- While symptom management varies depending on the chronic illness, experts generally recommend staying hydrated, managing stress, and seeing a healthcare provider if symptoms don’t improve.
For many people, fall marks the start of apple picking, cozy sweaters, and warm drinks. But some people with chronic illnesses like asthma and depression say this time of year also comes with a major downside: a worsening of symptoms. The phenomenon is often referred to as the “October Slide,” including by some members of TikTok's chronic illness community.
In one video that references the October Slide, TikTok user Laura Gouge explains that people with chronic conditions experience a significant decline in how they feel during this time of year.
In another video, a user with hypermobility—when joints have an unusually large range of motion—shares how the changing seasons worsen her symptoms. “All year, I will experience kind of the same symptoms, but depending on the time of year, some symptoms are worse than others,” she said. “I am hypermobile, and that has caused some early arthritis for me, and I experience so much pain when it gets cold out.”
But why might seasonal changes trigger flare-ups in people with chronic illness? Which conditions are affected? And what are some tips for managing symptoms? Here’s what experts have to say.
Why Do Some People Experience An ‘October Slide?’
In the context of chronic illnesses, the term “slide” stands for school stress, low pressure, illness increase, days darkening, and exercise ebbs, Sarah Buday, PhD, a clinical psychologist specializing in pain psychology and an associate professor of Anesthesiology at the Washington University School of Medicine University in St. Louis, told Health.
This acronym highlights various factors that can contribute to a decline in well-being during certain seasons—and there's some accuracy to it, Buday said.
“There are weather and activity changes that are typically more prominent in the fall, including changes in barometric pressure, temperature, and humidity shifts,” she said, adding that these factors could exacerbate symptoms.
For example, colder air can cause the synovial fluid lubricating the joints to thicken, leading to increased chronic joint pain, Joaquin Villegas Inurrigarro, MD, MPH, family medicine physician at UTHealth Houston, told Health. This can make osteoarthritis feel much worse in the fall.
Temperature and pressure changes may also exacerbate migraines and connective tissue disorders like hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Villegas said. Long COVID symptoms may flare up, as could those associated with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS, a blood circulation disorder.
The fall environment can also produce more allergic reactions, Villegas said, particularly as ragweed pollen levels increase.
Other issues, such as a decrease in daylight hours, “can worsen depressive and behavioral conditions,” Villegas added. And holiday stresses, as well as the circulation of more germs as children return to school, could also heighten symptoms.
How Long Might More Severe Symptoms Last?
Villegas said the length of the October Slide can vary significantly from person to person and depends on the specific chronic condition.
For some people, more severe symptoms may last just a few weeks, especially if you know your trigger. “Being able to identify and control the specific aggravating factor can help reduce the duration of this phenomenon,” Villegas said.
Meanwhile, others may experience heightened symptoms throughout the entire fall season. This reality, Villegas said, has even prompted the “snowbird phenomenon,” in which older adults with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions move to warmer, sunnier climates for the winter. Milder temperatures, increased daylight, and more stable weather can alleviate pain and discomfort, Buday added.
What Can You Do to Manage Symptoms?
While the exact steps necessary to prevent an October Slide or reduce its effects depend on your specific condition, experts have some general tips for managing symptoms if you notice an increase during the fall.
Strategies include:
- Getting sun exposure: Prioritize daily outdoor time for natural sunlight, and consider using a light box indoors to mimic sunlight, Buday said. “These can help to ease any chemical changes that result from the days darkening.”
- Dressing appropriately: Villegas suggests wearing suitable clothing to avoid exposure to cold temperatures, which can worsen symptoms.
- Exercising regularly: Engaging in gentle, frequent exercise tailored to your abilities, such as walking, Tai Chi, or water aerobics, Buday said.
- Staying hydrated and nourished: Focus on hydration, balanced nutrition, and eat small, frequent meals, Buday said. “Meeting with a dietitian who is familiar with your chronic illness can be of benefit, especially if there are foods that are triggering to an illness or more beneficial.”
- Managing stress: It can be beneficial to work with a mental health professional on cognitive behavioral strategies to cope with stress and practice self-compassion when noticing changes in symptoms, added Buday.
If you notice worsening symptoms, Villegas recommends talking to your healthcare provider to assess whether it’s a flare-up of a chronic condition or something new. “The provider might be able to adjust your treatment plan to better treat the symptoms,” he said.
This story originally appeared on: Health News - Author:Alyssa Hui
