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5 Common Winter Illnesses And Tips To Prevent Them
Common Winter Ailments
With a cool nip in the air, we can confirm that winter is finally here! It is the time of the year to indulge in rich foods, festivities and even vacations. While we look forward to being dolled up in our winter finery, we cannot ignore the fact that this winter season has an ugly side to it too. The winter ugliness rears its head in the form of diseases and health ailments!
A sudden drop in temperature brings with it health issues such as arthritis and heart ailments etc. However, the winter season is the time to look out for skin-related diseases and respiratory infections as well.
How To Prevent Common Winter Ailments
1. Common Cold
The common cold is way too common and often we ignore it as something that is a part of changing season. Symptoms of a common cold include a sore throat, chest congestion, headache, sneezing, runny nose etc. Affecting adults and children alike, the common cold is expected to subside in a couple of days and doesn’t call for any serious medical intervention.
How To Prevent:
- It is best to rest, eat homecooked food, drink ample fluids to get over this health issue.
2. Flu
While the flu is not a serious health ailment like the common cold, it should not be ignored. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus that goes by the name ‘influenza’. It can be mild or severe as well. Similar to the cold, a flu patient experiences body ache, sore throat, fever, headaches etc. and these are enough to ruin the season.
How To Prevent:
- Maintain respiratory hygiene, i.e., wash your hands frequently to avoid flu germs and bacteria.
- Keep your mouth covered with your hands when you happen to cough or sneeze.
- If someone has a cold, maintain distance.
- Exercise daily to strengthen your immunity.
Vaccination against influenza is another important thing. For most people who need only one dose of flu vaccine for the season, September and October are generally good times to be vaccinated against flu.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
3. Strep Throat
A sore throat is very annoying and uncomfortable. But strep throat is worse! A strep throat is a severe version of a sore throat, with fever caused by an infection. It is caused by a bacterial infection and is very common among children. Symptoms of strep throat include difficulty and pain while swallowing food or water, headache, swollen lymph nodes, fever etc.
How To Prevent:
- Consult a doctor right away
- Rest well
- Drink warm water
4. Bronchitis
Children or toddlers below the age of 2 years often fall prey to Bronchitis. Bronchitis is a respiratory infection caused by RSV or the respiratory syncytial virus. Typical symptoms include breathing difficulty due to the inflammation of airway passage in the lungs as they get clogged. Patients with bronchitis experience mild fever, congestion of the nasal passage, wheezing and coughing.
How To Prevent:
- Get enough rest
- Sleep more
- Stay hydrated
5. Pneumonia
Pneumonia is another lung infection which common in the winter season. A disease caused by bacteria can be mild or severe in nature which ans if it is mild, it can be treated at home but if it gets severe, hospitalization is possible too.
People who have weaker immunity or health issues like asthma, heart issues or even cancer are prone to suffer from pneumonia. Unfortunately, this disease is difficult to detect in the initial stages. However, if the patient experiences a constant cold or high fever, it is best to seek a doctor.
How To Prevent:
Winter Skin Ailments
Along with respiratory issues, winter brings a host of skin troubles; itching, flaring of eczema, psoriasis etc. The most basic skincare requirement for this season is to keep the skin moisturized.
The most common skin ailments in winter are flaky, itchy skin, dehydrated skin and UV damage & chapped lips. Unbeknownst to many, you must continue to wear your sunscreen before you step out.
Respiratory infections are very common in winter months, if you experience any symptoms of flu accompanied by shortness of breath, increased mucus production and severe muscle pain, you should visit a physician to diagnose the underlying problem.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D
How To Prevent Winter Skin Problems
- Stay hydrated inside out, i.e., eat well, drink ample fluids and moisturize yourself.
- For flaky skin, use an exfoliator to get rid of the dry skin and avoid using soaps high in PH.
- Also, don’t scrub yourself dry after a bath.
- If you have chapped lips, use products with vitamin A & E. Also, moisten your lips with cool water before you apply your lip balm for the best results.
- Avoid bathing in very hot water as it will lead to dry patches on your skin.
- Use a natural cleanser and a heavy moisturizer.
But Ever Wonder Why We Fall Ill In The Winter Season?
The reasons are many and moreover, we tend to let go of ourselves as the cold weather takes over. Plus, the season is not conducive for hard work – people tend to oversleep and overeat. They have to be really motivated to even take a walk. The gym stops as does the swimming or jogging. Also, the winter season is a season of festivity and weddings. Therefore, following a healthy diet becomes difficult and with no chance of burning the calories, they just pile up.
Lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyle creates a lack of circulation and therefore, an increase in fat accumulation in the body. Fat cells can also cause inflammation and weaken the immune system.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Health Effects Of Air Pollution And How Can You Save Yourself!
Air pollution and lung health don’t go well together. With winters approaching, the air becomes drier and lacks necessary moisture. This makes breathing difficult even for normal people. If the air is polluted, the problem magnifies. Those who suffer from respiratory issues find it even tougher to breathe normally and may suffer from respiratory distress which could also be fatal.What is Air Pollution?
When the air quality dips because of various pollutants like dust particles, poisonous gases and particulate matter, it is known as air pollution. Each pollutant causes damage in its way. For example, particulate matter is made up of fine particles that get sucked deep into the airways because of their small size and thus have the ability to cause more damage. Nitrogen dioxide is another air pollutant that can cause severe respiratory problems like asthma or COPD. Ozone gas molecules can irritate the airways and decrease lung capacity. Since air pollution is a dynamic thing, it varies according to seasons, the weather, area and even the time of the day.Now that Diwali is approaching, due to the influx of traffic from nearby cities and the smoke from crackers leads to increased air pollution levels in the bigger cities. Those cities that are in north India suffer more as they also face the onslaught of winter fog. The pollutants combine with the fog and envelope the cities in a thick, suffocating blanket known as smog.Air Pollution and Lung Cancer
Since the day a connection was discovered between smoking and lung cancer, there have been rarely any new developments on the other contributing causes towards lung cancer. However, recent research has found an undeniable connection between air pollution and lung cancer. Those who are non-smokers but stay in the more polluted cities of the world are falling prey to cancer due to low air quality.Effects of Air Pollution
There are short-term and long-term effects of being exposed to a steep concentration of pollutants. Some of them are:- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Irritated air passageways
- Emphysema
- Lung Cancer
Air Pollution Is More Harmful to The Children
Children are more susceptible to the harmful effects of air pollution because of many reasons. They tend to breathe through their mouths rather than the nose which acts as an efficient filter. Mouth breathing leads to deeper penetration of the pollutants into the airways of the lungs making them prey to asthma and other respiratory infections. The surface area of the lungs in kids is more and they inhale more air than adults and therefore, they are more at risk of respiratory problems. Compared to other age groups, kids are more outdoorsy, especially in the warmer months or noon when the concentration of ozone pollutants is the highest. Their immune systems aren’t as toughened to deal with the adverse effects of such harmful pollutants as nitrogen dioxide or sulphur dioxide. Their bodies can’t just detoxify themselves.How to Reduce the Damage Caused by Air Pollution
If someone cannot move to an area with low levels of air pollution, there are certain steps one could take to reduce the damage caused daily.- Reduce foray in the polluted environment during the early evenings. If you exercise outdoors, move indoors to a gym or try exercising in the early morning hours.
- Always Keep the inhaler handy.
- Take preventive medication if you have asthma.
- Don’t venture out during the rush hour when the traffic and the pollution caused by it are at their worst. If you cannot avoid that, stay off the main road and find alternate routes to reach your destination.
- Many plants purify the air. Grow them abundantly at home and in your office workspace.
Also Read: Does Smoking Cause Hair Loss? Unveiling the Truth Backed by ScienceDisclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Causes & Diagnosis
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension is a condition where a person has high blood pressure in the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the lungs. In other words, the passage gets narrowed, which makes it difficult for blood to pass through. This condition is very different from having high blood pressure in general. Genes may play a role in why some people get it.In such a case of hypertension, the pressure in the pulmonary arteries increases abnormally, which results in putting a lot of pressure on the right ventricle of the heart, causing it to expand in size. The right ventricle could gradually lose its ability to pump blood to the lungs which is highly life-threatening.
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension can occur in individuals of all ages. Usually much more common in young adults and is approximately twice as common in women as in men. Common Symptoms
- Irregular heart palpitations or strong, throbbing sensation in the chest
- Passing out or frequent dizziness
- Progressive shortness of breath during any physical activity or exercise
- Difficulty breathing at rest
- Swelling in your ankles and legs
Causes of Symptoms
The following are some known causes of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension:- Liver diseases or lung conditions: Blood clots in the lungs, pulmonary fibrosis or cirrhosis of the liver could lead to the development of pulmonary hypertension.
- Heart diseases: Conditions such as aortic valve disease, left heart failure and congenital heart disease could be some of the probable causes for the conditions
- Genes: Most often the condition is inherited from parents but the percentage of such cases are very less.
- Illegal drug use: Continuous usage of drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine leads to long-term damage and can even be life-threatening.
- Arthritis: Sometimes, certain rheumatologic conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis might lead to the pulmonary artery becoming narrow.
Diagnosis & Treatment
The first thing your doctor will enquire about is if you smoke or if your family has a history of such cases. As each of the symptom and cause is identified and carefully assessed, your diagnosis would include the following to determine the severity and treatment required-- Blood tests: Helps detect the presence of HIV, Arthritis or Lupus
- CT Scan: Helps detect the enlarged pulmonary artery and find out the other probable causes for the condition
- Echocardiogram: Helps get a better understanding of the status of the blood pressure
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): Helps get a complete overview of the heart’s activity & strain
- Exercise testing: Helps manage the changes in oxygen level, heart function and other things.
If these tests show that you might have Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, your doctor will need to do a right heart catheterization to be sure. If for sure you are diagnosed with the condition, the treatment plan for the same will vary from person to person. Hence, your treatment plan will be specific to your needs. Ask your doctor what your options are and what to expect.One of the best ways to deal with such a condition is by staying active. Simple exercises like taking a walk will help the breathing get better. Just like anyone else, it’s advisable to follow a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.