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Health Watch
Protect against winter
Fighting the Chill
By Dr Vandana Sood
Elderly persons have to be specially careful in extremely cold weather as there are chances of increased incidence of cold and flu. Cold also aggravates the symptoms of arthritis and asthma. The risk of heart attack in this season also increases in them.
Winter is upon us now. There is a nip in the air and we can see cardigans here and there especially amongst the early morning walkers and school kids shivering in the early hours waiting for their school transport. The weather brings a relief from the heat and dust of summer. But the cold weather also brings with it a new burst of illnesses. Winter is notorious for cough and cold, for increase in cases of viral illnesses, chicken pox and asthmatic attacks. For the elderly there is also an increased incidence of arthritis and heart attack in the cold season. Skin problems like dry chapped skin and other problems also increase in winter.
A few precautions can help keep us safe and cosy in this season.
Cold and flu are the commonest problems in winter. Although symptoms of cold and flu can be similar, the two are different.
Cold is usually distinguished by a stuffy or runny nose and sneezing. Other symptoms include coughing, a scratchy throat, and watery eyes.
Flu comes on more suddenly, is more serious, and lasts longer than cold. Flu symptoms include fever, headache, chill dry cough, body aches, fatigue, and general misery. Like cold, flu too can cause a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes. Young children may also experience nausea and vomiting with flu. This year Swine Flu came to India and spread terror amongst everyone. There has been a warning that this virus may again spread during the cold months-but with a few simple precautions we can prevent these illnesses and also prevent their spread to others.
Both cold and flu can be transmitted through coughing, sneezing, and contaminated surfaces, including the hands. Therefore to prevent infection, try to limit exposure of infected people, as these illnesses spread through droplet infection. Patients should wash their hands often with warm, soapy water and keep their towels, handkerchiefs, etc. separate. It is recommended to use tissues instead of handerchiefs where it is affordable and also alcohol hand scrubs-if available, to prevent spread of infections.
For prevention it is important to practice healthy habits.
Eat a balanced diet. Get enough sleep. Exercise regularly as it can help the immune system better fight off the germs. Try to keep your stress in check. Wash hands frequently especially if in contact with an infected person. Vaccinate children against preventable illnesses like measles, flu and chicken pox. Avoid use of tobacco as people who use tobacco or who are exposed to second hand smoke are more prone to respiratory illnesses and more severe complications than non-smokers.
Special precautions are needed in special groups like the very young and very old.
Managing Children
Small children are especially prone to above diseases with more risk of complications. The very young have to be protected from the cold by:
Covering them adequately in warm clothes. Giving them plenty of warm fluids. Giving them a healthy balanced diet to eat. Washing hands thoroughly before handling them. Keeping infants away from crowds for the first few months of life. This is especially true for premature babies who may have underlying abnormalities such as lung or heart disease.
Managing the Elderly
The elderly have to be especially careful in extremely cold weather as besides the chances of increased incidence of cold and flu the cold also aggravates the symptoms of arthritis and asthma. The risk of heart attack in this season also increases in them. They also can have increased symptoms of depression in this season. Asthma patients should consult their doctors about any change in medication as their problems may get aggravated in this season and so should heart patients. Apart from that they can prevent these problems by simple precautions like:
Keeping themselves warm and well insulated from the cold. Drinking plenty of water and warm fluids (not alcohol). Eating light and wholesome meals with plenty of salads, green vegetables and fruits and by avoiding heavy meals and fried food. Not stepping out into the cold air immediately after a heavy meal. Keeping themselves involved in social activity. Exercising regularly to prevent depression from creeping in.
Managing Skin Problems
Many skin problems occur and conditions like dandruff, psoriasis etc flare up in winter due to harsh winter winds, dry indoor air, low humidity and even sunburn. Dryness and chapping of skin and skin infections, eczema etc which are common in winter, can be prevented by using a few precautions:
By using mild soaps and by keeping the skin adequately moisturised. Very hot water must not be used for bathing as this dries out the skin, instead lukewarm water is preferable. Children must not be allowed to remain in wet clothes for long as this leads to irritation of skin and may lead to fungal infections and eczema. Heaters which dry the air are best avoided; not only for the skin but also as they may aggravate the symptoms of asthma in those prone to attack. It is safer to use humidifiers or radiators, or if unavoidable, a bowl of water must be kept in front of the heater especially in the room of very small children. The winter sun seems enjoyable but excessive exposure can lead to problems of sunburn, hence similar precautions should be taken as in summer if one has to stay in the sun for long like using a sunscreen, sunglasses or an umbrella or keeping oneself covered adequately. Woolen clothes should not be worn in direct contact with skin especially new clothes as these may lead to irritation of skin. It is preferable to wear a thin layer of cotton clothing under the woolen to avoid irritation of skin.
So one can see that most winter illnesses are preventable. But if it does occur, one must not allow any problem to linger for too long and must consult a doctor to help one out if any problem persists-especially as in the very young or the very old. By taking a few precautions and a little care in ones management of illnesses we can spend a healthy and enjoyable winter.
(The writer is specialist in maternal and child health, nutrition and fitness.)
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