HealthcareWinter Woes: 5 Ailments And How To Avoid Them

The first few days of winter can be an exciting break from the hot season.  Once the cold sets in, this season can be uncomfortable for many. This might be true for immunocompromised moms who just gave birth. The cold weather could trigger adjustments in the body that lead to illnesses.

There’s a reason why individuals who live through cold winter months call it ‘that time of year.’ It’s a difficult experience to have to go over these winter ailments again, but there are instructions you can follow to stay a few steps ahead of these impediments. Read below and you could visit 28bysamwood.com and other sites to know more about how to prevent yourself from contracting certain winter ailments.

1. Common Cold

The common cold could affect everyone once the weather starts getting colder. The body is adjusting to the sudden change in temperature, therefore also altering how the immune system responds. You may easily catch a common cold from someone who sneezed in front of you, or through touching a contaminated surface.

When you suffer from the common cold, your ears, nose, and throat can get infected. To avoid the common cold, you may:

• Wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of infection, especially when handling your newborn;
• Avoid tobacco products as they could irritate and damage the throat and lungs;
• Keep your household surfaces clean.

2. Gastroenteritis and Norovirus

Gastroenteritis and norovirus are both classified as acute stomach illnesses manifesting through diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. It’s because of this reason it is commonly called the stomach flu. Because these are both highly contagious diseases, it’s recommended for you to stay at home.

The best possible ways to prevent your chances of catching the norovirus or suffering from gastroenteritis is to:

• Get vaccinated against the norovirus and gastroenteritis;
• Disinfect hard surfaces like counters, doorknobs, and faucets with a mixture consisting of two cups of bleach per gallon of water;
• Avoid the consumption of raw food which has already been touched by other people’s hands;
• Focus on a healthy diet that keeps your immune system strong.

3. Flu

The flu can happen all year round, but it’s most prevalent during the winter season. It’s a challenge to adapt to the ever-changing flu strain. This means the virus might be stronger than it was the previous year. Thus, you always have to be on guard. Keep track of possible symptoms like headaches, fever and chills, body or joint pain, cough, and runny nose.

Depending on your immune system and overall health, your symptoms could last a few days to as long as a week. Unfortunately, for individuals who are sick and are immunocompromised, it’s a possible risk for pneumonia and other infections. So, the best approach is always prevention.

Here are some tips:

• Avoid close contact with people who are already infected with the flu;
• Cover your mouth and nose;
• Avoid touching your eyes;
• Clean frequently touched surfaces;
• Get the flu shot.

4. Bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is another common form of respiratory infection. When you have this ailment, you could manifest symptoms like nasal congestion, low-grade fever, and cough. You have to be careful and observe your symptoms. In its early stages, bronchiolitis might manifest as a common cold before progressing into a more serious respiratory concern.

Bronchiolitis could be prevented through good hygiene and when you:

• Practice good and regular handwashing;
• Avoid tobacco products as they further irritate your lungs;
• Wear a mask because the cold air may trigger you to have shortness of breathing or start coughing;
• Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing to avoid spreading it to others;

5. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a condition wherein your lungs are infected and its air sacs may be occupied by pus and other liquids. You can become infected with pneumonia through a virus or through inhaling certain fungi. With pneumonia, early diagnosis and treatment are important to avoid it from worsening into a severe stage.

The chances of an individual getting pneumonia may also be reduced with workable tips like getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene, preaching a healthy lifestyle, and drinking plenty of fluids.

Conclusion

The list above holds some of the common ailments which can strike during the cold season. When individuals are often indoors, it increases the likelihood of passing around diseases and ailments. There’s also the cold and dry air which may weaken the body’s resistance and be more susceptible to getting sick. Once you’re feeling under the weather, that’s a good sign that you may be experiencing one or more of those ailments. Apart from being proactive with your health, make it a point to regularly check with your trusted physician. Avoid self-medicating or you might worsen your condition.