During the colder months, there are several health problems that you can blame on the cold temperature.
This week we share some health problems that are triggered by cold weather, and how to help our bodies deal with them.
Colds/Flu
Cold weather is NOT a direct cause of a cold. However, the cold virus thrives in colder temperatures, and during cold temperatures, someone with a weak immune system is more susceptible to catching the cold virus. Also, the increased presence of family members in the closed quarters of the home because of the cold weather outdoors allows for the quick spreading of the virus to others.
You can help prevent colds by washing your hands regularly. This destroys bugs that you may have picked up from touching surfaces used by other people, such as light switches and door handles.
Painful joints
Those with arthritis and other joint ailments are negatively affected by the lowering in the temperature of the environment. There’s no evidence that changes in the weather cause joint damage, however there is evidence that the drop in Barometric Pressure (the weight of the atmosphere that surrounds us) allows tissues to expand — and those expanded tissues can put pressure on the joint that affect those with joint problems.
Warm baths, daily light exercise and massages can help relieve joint discomfort.
Asthma
Cold air is a major trigger of asthma symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath. People with asthma should be especially careful in colder weather.
Asthma sufferers should avoid remaining outdoors very cold, windy days. Always keep warm by wearing appropriate clothes and drinking warm beverages. Be extra vigilant about taking your regular medications, and keep rescue inhalers close by and in a warm place.
Migraines/headaches
Many migraine/headache sufferers complain that this condition is triggered by changes in humidity, changes in temperature and extremely dry conditions. It is believed that headaches triggered by extreme weather are a protective, or defensive, response because they lead the person to seek a more hospitable environment.
To reduce this trigger during cold, be sure to make yourself comfortable. Avoid prolonged exposure to cold conditions, and wear warm and comfortable clothing.
Heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems
Heart attacks are more common during the cold months. Your heart has to work harder to maintain body heat when it’s cold. Low temperatures put stress on the cardiovascular system. These reactions include constriction of blood vessels in the skin, shallow breathing through the mouth, and slight thickening of the blood, all of which can lead indirectly to angina (chest pain) in people with heart disease. Cold lowers the heart’s supply of blood, while exertion raises the demand for it. This imbalance between supply and demand can also cause attacks of chest pain. Even in people who don’t have heart disease, cold exposure can raise blood pressure.
If you have heart trouble, your doctor can give you advice on how to minimize adverse effects of cold on your heart. Avoid exposure to the cold and always keep warm by wearing appropriate clothes and drinking warm beverages.
Have you experienced any of these issues during the colder months? How did you deal with it? Let us know!
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