Sore throat: Scratchiness or dryness in the throat which later leads to pain are some of the most common symptoms of a sore throat. It is mostly caused due to infections and weather circumstances.
Asthma: It is a lung disease, in which inflammation and narrowing of the airways occur. Sneezing, coughing, chest tightening are some of its symptoms. There are two types of asthma: Allergic and non-allergic. Allergic asthma is caused due to exposure to an allergen such as dust, pollen, paint dust and smoke. Non- allergic asthma is caused by cold, flu, stress or extreme weather.
Flu: Flu also called Influenza, which is a severe illness caused due to contagious respiratory viruses. The symptoms vary from mild to severe which at times can result in hospitalization and rarely death. Usually young kids or older people whose immune system is weak are often targeted to flu’s.
Painful joints: Orthopedic doctors say that in cold weather, the human body will conserve more heat, and more blood would be circulated to heart and lungs. So when this happens, the arms, shoulders, knee joints blood vessels will contract leading to pain.
Heart attack: Elderly people are more at risk due to drop in body temperature (hypothermia) in the colder months. The heart is affected by increased heart rate and blood pressure, where the heart needs to function harder to keep the body warm. These changes increase the risk of blood clots or thickening of the blood vessels which leads to heart attack and stroke.
How to prevent the infections?
Washing hands thoroughly, covering mouth and nose to avoid dust, drinking plenty of fluids, eating a healthy diet with fresh fruits and vegetables will keep the immune system strong and prevent the infection. Regular exercise, especially yoga and swimming, is beneficial for long-term health. Avoid use of antibiotics and self -medication. Vaccination is recommended for elderly, children and people with chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes.
