As winter has arrived, there is a dip in the temperature. While moving forward for charming winters, we must not forget about the dark side of winters that is not pleasant at all. In Winter Season we are sufferings common winter illness problem. Winters mean a season of health conditions that may pop up because of a sudden decrease in temperature and other related factors.
How to prevent some common winter Ailments and Prevent them?
Common Cold
Being too common, we often ignore the common cold and we think of it as a part of season change. Its symptoms involve chest congestion, sore throat, sneezing, headache, and runny nose, etc. It affects children and adults and subsides in a few days and it also even doesn’t need any serious medical intervention.
Prevention
In the common cold, it is best to consume home cooked food, drink sufficient fluids, and to take rest.
Flu
Although flu is not a serious health issue just like the common cold, it must not be ignored. It is a contagious respiratory illness that is caused by a virus which goes by the name “influenza”. It could be mild or even severe. Just like the cold, a patient of flu feels sore throat, body ache, headache, fever, etc.
Prevention
For its prevention, keep the mouth covered either with hands or a napkin when you sneeze or cough. Maintain some distance if someone has a cold in your proximity. In order to strengthen your immunity, you must exercise regularly.
Strep Throat
One feels too annoying and uncomfortable with a sore throat. However, with strep throat the feeling is worse. A strep throat is an enhanced version of a sore throat with fever followed by an infection. It is much common amongst children and is caused by a bacterial infection. Its symptoms include difficulty swallowing food or water, fever, swollen lymph nodes, etc.
Prevention
Consult a doctor immediately, rest properly, and drink warm water.
Bronchitis
Toddlers or children of below 2 years frequently fall prey to bronchitis. Its typical symptoms include difficulty in breathing because of the inflammation airway passage in the lungs since they get clogged. Its patients could feel fever, wheezing, coughing, or congestion in the nasal passage.
Prevention
Get much sleep and stay hydrated.
Pneumonia
Another common lung infection in the winter season is Pneumonia. This could be severe or mild in nature and is caused by bacteria and can be treated at home. However, a patient needs to be hospitalized immediately if severe symptoms are seen. People with weak immunity or certain health issues like asthma, heart diseases, or cancer are prone to suffer from pneumonia. Unfortunately, in the initial stages this disease is difficult to diagnose. It is advisable to see a doctor if the patient develops a high fever or cold.
Prevention
For its prevention, it is recommended to exercise daily, eat seasonal vegetables and fruits, and wash hands after using the washroom.
Skin Problems in winter
Winter months are very harsh, especially if you reside at very cold places. You may experience winter rashes on your skin. These refer to dehydrated or extremely dry skin in winter. Natural oils and water in skin assist it to stay moist and increase its abilities of protection. Winter rashes takes place when the skin losses much moisture at the time of cold season.
Prevention of Skin Problems
- Stay hydrated, eat well, drink sufficient fluids, and moisturise yourself
- Make use of an exfoliator to get rid of dry and flaky skin, avoid usage of soaps that are high in PH
- After a bath don’t scrub yourself
- Make use of products with vitamin A and, if you have chapped lips.
- You will get dry patches on your skin while bathing in very hot water, so avoid it.
- Make use of a heavy moisturiser and natural cleanser.
Below are some of the frequently asked questions that may assist you to have an insight into winter borne diseases:
How can I keep myself safe from illness in the winter?
I keep myself safe from illness in the winter in many ways. Here are some healthy and general wellness tips for winter so you can stay healthy during the colder, darker season:
- Wash your hands frequently
- Make use of hand sanitizer but within a specific limit
- To clean your nose, you must make use of a tissue, since the tiny droplets of sputum could be contagious
- If you still notice that your fever or cold has just increased, then consult the doctor as soon as possible
Chapped Lips
As the temperature is decreasing, the moisture is also decreasing in the air. It leads to chapped lips and some people have chapped lips throughout the year; however these get worse during winter season. The wind, dry air indoor and harsh weather conditions worsens conditions and lips begin to get itchy, dry, and cracked. Dehydration is also another cause of chapped lips.
Prevention of chapped Lips
- Moisturize your lips with lip balm at least once per hour
- Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated
- Don’t lick or bite your lips
- Avoid salty, hot, or spicy foods
Below are some of the frequently asked questions that may assist you to have an insight into winter borne diseases:
Can cold be spread through breathing?
Cold can be spread through breathing if the infected person coughs or sneezes. In this way, the cold virus spread in the quick possible manner. The person nearby will quickly catch a cold virus if an infected person coughs or snees. A cold can even spread with a touch. To exemplify, if a person sneezes or touches any specific area and if another person touches the same area, it is assured that in no time a second person can get a bad cold.
How can cold be treated at home with some tips?
Many home remedies can be proved as an elixir to treat cold and are proven safe by the doctors. Following are some of the simple ways to cure a bad cold at home:
- Put some black pepper in hot milk and consume it instantly
- Consume hot liquids
- Consume a tablespoon of brandy
- Gargle with warm salt water
The winter season could be full of fun; however, you must take care of yourself before any disease may strike your vacation. If you are ill and taking any medication, you must bear in mind to take precautionary measures from letting your family get affected by winter diseases. By taking precautionary steps, keep yourself and your family safe and stable.
Also Read: How to Stop Coughing at Night: 5 Home Remedies to Get Relief
